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Antarctica is the coldest and driest continent globally and has always been an exciting habitat to study extremophiles. The study reveals a monostromatic nitrophilic green alga Prasiola crispa (Trebouxiophyceae) growing on Adelie penguin guano at a penguin rockery, Larsemann Hills, Eastern Antarctica. This study is the first report of the barcode of this algal genus from Eastern Antarctica in general and the Larsemann Hills in particular. There are 35 species currently accepted in this genus, while four were reported from Antarctica. The present study relied on morphological diagnoses as well as the phylogenetic inference based on nuclear-encoded ITS gene and plastid-encoded tufA gene for species identification. The study generated phylogenetic reconstruction at the two selected loci for the first time for this species from Antarctica.

Bryum is recognized as a cosmopolitan genus of mosses in the family Bryaceae that contains the largest diversity of mosses. Although there are around 100 species of moss species reported from Antarctica to date, the actual species diversity remains elusive, as the continent remains one of the least explored habitats globally. Here, we describe a new species of Bryum from the Larsemann Hills, Eastern Antarctica, with several synapomorphic characters, including unbranched plant body, ovate-lanceolate leaves, reflexed leaf margins with slightly serrulate apex, and percurrent coasta. In nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer 1 phylogram, our isolate did not cluster with any known species of this genus. The closest BLASTn hit was found to be Bryum pseudotriquetrum, but our isolate had several distinct synapomorphic traits. Based on morphological and molecular data, a new moss species, Bryum bharatiense sp. nov. is formally proposed herein. Besides, two new taxonomic records are also presented in this study, viz. Bryoerythrophyllum recurvirostrum from Larsemann Hills and Coscinodon lawianus from Schirmacher Oasis.

The genus Dermatocarpon (Verrucariaceae) is a rock-inhabiting lichen, mostly grows along the edges of lakes, rivers, streams, and watercourses. Dermatocarpon species are widely distributed from the tropics to the polar regions. In present study, D. miniatum samples were collected from the Indian Himalayas; the mycobiont and their photobionts are identified using morphological and molecular methods. The ITS rDNA markers was amplified for the DNA extracted from cultured photobiont isolates and mycobiont. The light and confocal laser scanning microscope were used for morphological evaluation of the photobionts. The nuclear ITS rDNA gene of the mycobionts and photobionts were sequenced to confirm identity. The phylogenetic trees of mycobionts and photobionts were constructed using the Maximum likelihood method that revealed an evolutionary affinity of lichen D. miniatum and photobiont Diplosphaera chodatii with similar taxa. The D. chodatii (Trebouxiophyceae) was associated with all samples of D. miniatum. This study concludes that Diplosphaera chodatii is the primary photobiont associated with D. miniatum. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study of diversity for the photobiont associated with D. miniatum from India.

India harbors the wealthiest biodiversity of mangroves, yet the utilization of sequence-based DNA barcodes for the characterization of mangrove diversity from the Indian coastal region is needed to be explored. In the present study, we assessed DNA barcode-based phylogenetics of mangroves from Sundarbans Delta and Kerala at the ITS locus of the nuclear genome. The phylogenetic analysis was performed using Bayesian inference, which proved to resolve the evolutionary affinities effectively. Our study presents mangroves’ systematic assessment with total 6 DNA sequences generated from 5 genera, and the first DNA barcode of Volkameria inermis and Avicennia marina from Payyanur Kerala, Avicennia alba and Suaeda maritima from the Sundarbans Delta was reported from ITS locus. The phylogenetic assessment confirmed that Avicennia belongs to the family Acanthaceae and placed the Volkameria inermis from Payyanur and Clerodendrum eriophyllum under the same monophyletic clade.

Microorganisms including actinomycetes, archaea, bacteria, fungi, yeast, and micro algae are the auspicious source of vital bioactive compounds. In this review, the existing state of the art re-garding antimicrobial molecules from microorganisms has been summarized. The potential an-timicrobial compounds from actinomycetes, particularly Streptomyces sp.; archaea; fungi including endophytic and marine-derived fungi, mushroom; yeast, and microalgae were briefly described. Furthermore, this review briefly summarized the activity and mode of action of bacteriocins, a ribosomally synthesized antimicrobial peptides product of Eurotium sp., Streptomyces parvulus, S. thermophiles, Lactococcus lactis, etc. Bacteriocins have inherent properties such as targeting multi-ple-drug resistant pathogens, which allows them to be considered next-generation antibiotics. Similarly, Glarea lozoyensis derived antifungal lipohexpeptides i.e., pneumocandins, inhibits 1,3-β-glucan synthase of the fungal cell wall and acts as a precursor for the synthesis of caspo-fungin, is also elaborated. In conclusion, this review highlights the possibility of using microor-ganisms as an antimicrobial resource for biotechnological, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical ap-plications. However, more investigations are still required to separate, purify, and characterize these bioactive compounds and transfer these primary drugs into clinically approved antibiotics.

Photosynthetic microbial fuel cells (PMFCs) with microalgae have huge potential for treating wastewater while simultaneously converting light energy into electrical energy. The efficiency of such cells is directly dependent upon algal growth, which depends upon light intensity. Higher light intensity results in increased potential as well as enhancement in generation of biomass rich in biopolymers. Such biopolymers are produced either by microbes at anode and algae at cathode or vice versa. The biopolymers recovered from these biological sources can be added in wastewater alone or in combination with nanomaterials to act as nanoabsorbents. These nanoabsorbents further increase the efficiency of PMFC by removing the pollutants like metals and dyes. In this review firstly the effect of different light intensities on the growth of microalgae, importance of diatoms in a PMFC and their impact on PMFCs efficiencies have been narrated. Secondly recovery of biopolymers from different biological sources and their role in removal of metals, dyes along with its impact on circular bioeconomy have been discussed. Thereafter bottlenecks and future perspectives in this field of research have been narrated.

Cancer, the leading causes of death worldwide, causes multiple metabolic and physiological alterations, leading to an unregulated proliferation of cells. The existing anticancer therapies are usually nonspecific with side effects and or are extremely expensive, thus hunt for better therapeutics is still on, specially efforts are made to look for naturally occurring molecules. Sea harbors several organisms which are unexplored for their biological potentials. Green macroalga genus, Caulerpa, is one such invaluable repository of bioactive metabolites like alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, steroids and tannins with reported bioactivities against many diseases including cancer. Anti-cancerous metabolites of Caulerpa like caulerpenyne (Cyn), caulerpin, caulersin, and racemosin C, possess unique structural moieties and are known to exhibit distinct effects on cancer cells. Theses metabolites are reported to affect microtubule dynamics, unfolded protein response, mitochondrial health, cell cycle progression, metabolic and stress pathways by their cross-talk with signalling proteins like AMPK, GRP78, GADD153, Bid, Bax, AIF, Bcl2, P21, cyclin D, cyclin E, caspase 9, and PTP1B. Targeting of multiple cancer hallmarks by Caulerpa metabolites, with concomitant modulations of multiple signalling cascades, displays its multifactorial approach against cancer. Evaluation of anti-cancer properties of this genus is particularly important as Caulerpa species are widely edible and utilized in several delicacies in the coastal countries. This is the first review article providing a consolidated information about the role of Caulerpa in cancer with major contributing metabolites and plausible modulations in cancer signaling and prospects.

The green marine algal species Ulva sapora (U. sapora) had only been reported from Australia till date. In this study, we analyzed many algal specimens collected from different locations of Indian coastline and the Andaman Islands. Both morphological, as well as nuclear ITS1 based phylogenetic analysis, revealed them to be congruent with U. sapora. All the isolates from India clustered with the accessions from Australia forming a monophyletic clade with strong statistical support. We also generated sequence data of chloroplast-encoded CF1-ATPase betasubunit gene (atpB) for the first time for this species. Phylogenetic assessments at this locus revealed an evolutionary affinity of U. sapora with Ulva intestinalis. As U. sapora is commercially important edible green seaweed and a known indicator for coastal pollution, this new record for India are expected to be significant.

Oxidative stress originates from an elevated intracellular level of free oxygen radicals that cause lipid peroxidation, protein denaturation, DNA hydroxylation, and apoptosis, ultimately impairing cell viability. Antioxidants scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, which further helps to prevent cellular damage. Medicinal plants, fruits, and spices are the primary sources of antioxidants from time immemorial. In contrast to plants, microorganisms can be used as a source of antioxidants with the advantage of fast growth under controlled conditions. Further, microbe-based antioxidants are nontoxic, noncarcinogenic, and biodegradable as compared to synthetic antioxidants. The present review aims to summarize the current state of the research on the antioxidant activity of microorganisms including actinomycetes, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, microalgae, and yeast, which produce a variety of antioxidant compounds, i.e., carotenoids, polyphenols, vitamins, and sterol, etc. Special emphasis is given to the mechanisms and signaling pathways followed by antioxidants to scavenge Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), especially for those antioxidant compounds that have been scarcely investigated so far.

Oxidative stress is an elevated intracellular level of free oxygen radicals that cause lipid peroxidation, protein denaturation, DNA hydroxylation, and apoptosis, ultimately negotiating cells viability. Antioxidants can scavenge such free radicals, thus reducing the oxidative stress and eventually prevent cellular damage. Medicinal plants, fruits, and spices remain the prioritized sources of antioxidants and antimicrobial properties since the time immemorial, but in contrast to plants, microorganisms can be grown at a faster rate under controlled conditions. They are non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, and biodegradable as compared to synthetic antioxidants. Microorganisms including actinomycetes, archaea, bacteria, protozoa, yeast, and fungi are auspicious source of vital bioactive compounds. The list comprises ample of bioactive components from microorganisms. One of them is bacteriocins, which are ribosomally synthesized antimicrobial peptides product of Eurotium sp., Streptomyces parvulus, S. thermophiles, Lactococcus lactis, etc. It has a great potential as next-generation antibiotics targeting the multiple-drug resistant pathogens. Pneumocandins are antifungal lipohexapeptides derived from the fungus Glarea lozoyensis, and inhibit 1,3-β-glucan synthase of the fungal cell wall and act as a precursor for the synthesis of caspofungin. It is widely used against invasive fungal infections and has been recently approved by the FDA. Taxol (paclitaxel), a chemotherapeutic drug derived from the bark of Taxus brevifolia can also be produced by endophytic fungi Taxomyces andreanae and Nodulisporium sylviforme. It is known to inhibit several fungi such as Pythium, Aphanomyces and Phytophthora. Hispidin and its derivate isolated from P. hispidus, reduce inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, obstruct the transcriptional activity of NF-κB, and also decrease the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in macrophages. Astaxanthin, known as an “aquatic” carotenoid produced by H. pluvialis, also has excellent ROS quenching activity. This study mainly focuses on fascinating antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds that have been scarcely investigated in microorganisms and discuss the promise and challenges of microorganisms as providers of health benefits.

Arctic region is at the forefront of climate crisis; this is where the planet is warming maximally and the effects of climate change are most obvious. In this review, we introduce the topic in broader perspective by discussing first on why Arctic biodiversity matters, and scientific evidences for a changing Arctic biodiversity due to climate change. The Arctic then dwells into the current status of Arctic biodiversity covering species diversity and its conservation status with an emphasis on species important for bioprospecting. Subsequently, threats to Arctic biodiversity will be reviewed including climate change, shipping, oil exploration, overfishing, and overharvesting. This essay would then further deliberate why Arctic matters to India in particular. Himadri—Indian research station at Svalbard, Norway—will be briefed followed by an overview of Svalbard Global Seed Vault and why signing a pact with this international facility would benefit the country. The essay concludes with final thoughts and way forward including strategies to minimize Arctic biodiversity loss, UN SDGs (Ssustainable Ddevelopment Ggoals), and climate action.

India is the second-most populous country in the world. There had been a tremendous shift towards online learning through the Indian government's digital initiatives in general, and during COVID-19 lockdown in particular. An online self-report survey (n = 1318) was conducted to assess students' perception of online learning in this changed situation in comparison with traditional classroom learning. The study analysed eight independent variables on student perception towards online learning (e.g., gender, nature of the settlement, economic background, religiosity, primary electronic device, technology-receptiveness, age, and educational institution), with each of these variables forming respective research hypotheses. Results revealed several exciting facets of student perceptions. Receptiveness towards online learning was significantly higher for students from urban areas compared with rural areas. Possible reasons for these results are discussed, and the findings are contextualized in a broader perspective.

Caulerpa taxifolia (M. Vahl) C. Agardh or killer alga is known to possess several bioactive secondary metabolites with unique structural modifications. We investigated anti-oxidant and anti-proliferative activity of C. taxifolia extract (CTE) on breast and lung cancer cells, along with possible effects on mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and cell cycle progression. The results revealed up to 6-folds increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), 2-folds increase in glutathione reductase (GR) activity, 1.7-fold increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and 1.8-fold change in catalase activity w.r.t. untreated cells i.e. 10.72 to 21.44 nmol/min/mL, 2.0 to 3.49 U/mL and 37.51 to 69.26 U/min/g FW, respectively, in MDA-MB-cells. Likewise, selective anti-proliferative activity with IC50 0.19 + 0.1, 0.27 + 0.1, and 0.43 + 0.1 μg/μL, was recorded in MDA-MB-231, T-47D, and H1299 cells. In addition, dose-dependent increase in MMP of up to 40% and G1/S phase mitotic arrest was documented by CTE treatment in MDA-MB-231 cells. The results suggest an anti-proliferative and oxidative stress inducing activity of CTE. Changes in MMP and cell cycle arrest further support the anti-cancer effects of CTE. It is believed that C. taxifolia may be considered as a potent source of anti-cancer drugs, subject to further validations.

In this study, we assessed taxonomical position of Gracilaria corticata J. Agardh and Gracilaria foliifera (Forsskal) Borgesen collected from various locations along Indian coastline by combined morphological and multi-local molecular approaches. The species were indistinguishable based on morphological features which were previously claimed by various authors as diagnosing traits for the two species.These taxa were polyphyletic in our phylograms based either on chloroplast DNA rbcL-rbcS or mitochondrial DNA Cox2-3 spacer sequences. A clade consisting of Gracilaria corticata and Gracilaria foliifera was indeed monophyletic and strongly supported, resolving the conspecificity of these two taxa. Based on article 11 of ICN, the principle of taxonomic priority, the binomen Gracilaria corticata is valid and preferable. Gracilaria foliifera nomen rejiciendum is therefore a synonym of the valid binomen Gracilaria corticata.

Lichens are the symbiotic association of green algae (phycobiont) or blue-green algae (cyanobiont) with fungus (mycobiont). Lichen-forming fungi consist of about 20,000 species, whereas the known photobionts are only about 156 species from 56 genera. A confounding reason for this disparity in the species richness is that most of the lichenologists are mycologists and their focus is on the mycobionts rather than photobionts. Therefore, mycobionts are comparatively well-characterized while the real diversity of photobionts remain elusive. Diversity and phylogeny of major photobiont lineages described till date are comprehensively covered in this systematic review, along with the data on ecology, patterns of phylogeography, and evolution. Current understanding of photobionts described from the Indian subcontinent is summarized revealing significant knowledge gaps in this field. Given that photobionts have relatively simple morphology and morphological plasticity, the relevance of DNA sequence-based molecular systematics for photobiont characterization is highlighted, and other challenges in photobiont research are discussed.

The chemokine receptor 7 is a G-protein coupled, receptors coordinates the migration of cancer cells towards CCL19 and CCL21 constitutively expressed lymphatic organs. Chemokine receptor 7 facilitates cancer progression by generating new lymphatic vessels that serve as conduits for tumor dissemination to lymph nodes. In this context, chemokine receptor 7 inhibitor recently caught an attention for cancer cell growth inhibitor. The 3-D crystalline structure of chemokine receptor 7 not available in protein data bank (PDB), first we predicted the 3-D structure of chemokine receptor 7 and then performed receptor-based molecular docking of chemokine receptor 7 against natural and marine compounds. Semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and quantitative real-time PCR were performed for mRNA expression of chemokine receptor 7 and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) used as internal control. The best-docked compounds have been selected for chemokine receptor 7 inhibitors by optimal energy value (Gscore), types of interactions, and conformations. CID6441009, 42607750, 72276, 6711419, 56835050, 65064, 23663412, 72277, 643668, 54679285 compound have a better binding energy −11.35, −10.51, −10.16, −9.98, −9.95, −9.86, −9.83, −9.57, −9.47, and −9.45 respectively against chemokine receptor 7. Protein–ligand interactions profile highlighted that amino acid Glu45, Lys50, Arg54, Lys57, Trp114, Met260, Glu205, Gln227, Gln276, and Asp309 involved in the hydrophobic, hydrogen bonding, and π-π stacking interactions play a central role at the active site. Moreover, treatment with the Epigallocatechin gallate led to down-regulation of mRNA expression of chemokine receptor 7 in HepG2 and PC3 cells. This molecular docking study recapitulates the docking free energy, protein—ligands interactions profile, pharmacokinetic, and the pharmacodynamic parameter of lead molecules, which are extremely helpful to improve the activity of natural and marine compounds against chemokine receptor 7.

Brown algal genus Sargassum encompasses some of the most invasive seaweeds in the oceans across the world. Here we report the occurrence of Sargassum zhangii in Palk Strait, southeast India. Hundreds of natural populations of this seaweed were observed in the collection site. BLASTn similarity search using nuclear DNA internal transcribed spacer1 (ITS1) and mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase 1 (COX 1) gene of this isolate indicated Sargassum zhangii as the most homologous sequence available in the repository. Pairwise distances among these isolates were very low, 2.8 × 10−3 and 1.3 × 10−2 with ITS1 and COX 1, respectively, which suggests conspecificity and a recent introduction. Phylogenetic analyses along with other members of genus Sargassum conducted using Bayesian Inference resulted in well-resolved phylograms with robust clades comprising two isolates of S. zhangii, further confirming conspecificity. With this first report of this seaweed outside China, invasive potential of S. zhangii is highlight...

This is the first report on the molecular systematic characterization of the invasive red alga Kappaphycus alvarezii in India. Cultivated for the production of carrageenan around the Gulf of Mannar, southeast India, this exotic alga is causing havoc in coastal ecosystems by invading the habitats of a number of endemic species, especially soft corals. We have sequenced the nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer 1 barcode of this introduced species. In our phylogenetic analyses using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood, this alga clustered within a well-supported clade of K. alvarezii of mixed geographic origin. Phylogenetic analyses were congruent in their separation of K. alvarezii and Kappaphycus striatum. Analyses also suggest that this species might have originated in the Malay Archipelago and spread elsewhere. Our results provide insights into the evolutionary and biogeographic patterns of this alga around the world.

At the beginning of each academic session, I typically devote a class or two to share my tips on time management and personal productivity with newly admitted students at the Central University of Punjab. I believe this is a crucial first step for students, as the curriculum hardly contains any information on either. I also notice that an article on this important theme is altogether non-existent. In this write-up, some of the most important methods of time management and personal productivity are thoroughly reviewed before concluding with a few pedagogical suggestions for teachers to ensure that their students manage time efficiently and be more productive with their studies and research.

Phylogenetic Inference (PI) is a statistical technique to trace the evolutionary legacy of a wide range of subjects; including biological taxa (species), biomolecules, languages, ancient texts and so on. The first part1 of this tutorial introduced a number of fundamental concepts including phenetics, cladistics, homology, homoplasy, synapomorphy, symplesiomorphy, orthology and paralogy. In this part, we will learn about models of molecular evolution, choosing the bestmodel, overview of various genetic loci used inPI,methods of PI (including distance matrix method, NJ, and discrete data methods ML, MP and BI), issue of lineage sorting and conclude with a worked-out example.

Myricetin is a naturally omnipresent benzo-α-pyrone flavonoids derivative; has potent anticancer activity. Receptor tyrosine kinases family provides the decisive role in cancer initiation and progression. These receptors have recently caught the attention of the researchers as an attractive target to combat cancer, owing to the evidences endorsed their over-expression on cancer cells. This study is a concerted effort to explore the potent and specific multi-targeted inhibitor against RTKs and AR\ER employing molecular docking approach. IR, IGF1R, EGFR, VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and AR\ER were chosen as a protein and natural compounds as a ligand. Molecular docking procedure followed by using Maestro 9.6 (Schrödinger Inc). All natural compounds were docked with the X-ray crystal structures of selected proteins by employing grid-based ligand docking with energetics Maestro 9.6. IBS natural compounds docked with each selected protein molecules by using GLIDE high throughput virtual screening. On the basis of Gscore, we selected 20 compounds from IBS (50,000 compounds) along with 68 anticancer compounds from published literature for GLIDE extra precision molecular docking. Calculated docking free energy yielded the excellent dock score for the myricetin when docked with proteins EGFR, IR, and AR\ER. Protein-ligand interactions profile highlighted that the lipophilic, hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking interactions play a central role in protein-ligand interactions at the active site. The results of MTT assay reveal that the myricetin inhibit the viability and proliferation of cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with the myricetin led to down-regulation of mRNA expression of EGFR, IR, mTOR, and Bcl-2. Although, further in vitro and in vivo experimental studies are required for the experimental validation of our findings.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) family, encompassing protein molecules that function as a second messenger and transcription factor, are famously known to regulate a multitude of cellular processes including inflammation, cell proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis and immune system homeostasis. STAT3 is one of the six members of a family of transcription factors. STAT3 has proved themselves to be interesting candidates for anticancer therapy as they are over-expressed in most cancer cells. Thus, we studied receptor-based molecular docking of STAT3 against natural compounds and further validations of lead molecules in an array of cancer cells. In the present study, we screened approximately 50,000 natural compounds from the IBS. All natural compounds were docked with the X-ray crystal structure of STAT3 (PDB; 1BG1) retrieved from the protein data bank by using Maestro 9.6 (Schrodinger Inc). First, we performed high-throughput virtual screening of IBS against the SH2 domain of STAT3. Further, best 20 compounds that possess minimal Gscore along with 85 natural compounds that had been reported in published literature as having anticancer properties were selected, and molecular docking was performed using the XP (extra precision) mode of GLIDE. We analyzed Gscore and protein–ligand interactions of top ranking compounds. It was discovered in this study, compounds CID252682, CID5281670 (Morin), CID5281672 (Myricetin), CID72277 (Epigallocatechol) and CID65064 (Epigallocatechin Gallate, EGCG) yielded the excellent dock score with the STAT3 concluded with the help of docking-free energy. Moreover, IBS STOCK1N-43090, STOCK1N-66505, STOCK1N-54303, STOCK1N-44634, STOCK1N-45027, STOCK1N-73784, STOCK1N-69597, STOCK1N-73062, STOCK1N-81915 and STOCK1N-70844 have better docking-free energy. Further, we chose EGCG and myricetin compounds, and their effect on biological activity such as cell proliferation, oxidative stress, colony formation, mRNA expression of STAT3, and cell number was reported after the 48 h treatments in cancer cell lines. EGCG and myricetin reduce the STAT3 mRNA expression confirmed by RTPCR. Moreover, EGCG and myricetin reduce cell proliferation and ROS generation after 48 h treatments. Interestingly, our result also indicates that the reduction in potential for colony formation enhances anti-metastasis activity of EGCG and myricetin. The information obtained from our study assisted us in drawing a more lucid picture regarding the existence STAT3 natural compounds inhibitor on diverse cancer cells.

Promises and perils of DNA barcoding are now well-known, but no studies have revealed the extent of taxonomic misidentification of algal specimens available in primary DNA sequence repositories. Our original objective was to assess the molecular identity of the ubiquitous brown alga Turbinaria ornata (Sargassaceae:, Fucales) from the southeast Indian coast. We extracted total genomic DNA from freshly collected algal thalli and sequenced the nuclear ribosomal DNA Internal Transcribed Spacer-1 (nrDNA ITS1) barcode locus. Following a BLASTn DNA sequence similarity search, the identity of our alga was Laurencia thyrsifera, a Pacific red alga that has never been reported in India, which came as a big surprise. Further analyses of BLAST hits using a robust phylogenetic framework of Bayesian Inference led to the conclusion that our sequence belonged to an epiphytic Ulvellacean green algal genus Ulvella, which might have been extracted and amplified with our universal ITS primers. This is the first report for Ulv...

Monostromataceae have been considered a morphologically discrete group of green algae having thalli made up of a single layer of cells; the family is ubiquitous in intertidal zones of marine and es...

In this popular essay, the discipline of philosophy is introduced for the uninformed. Many divide the discipline of philosophy to Western and Eastern, however, it is argued that this division suffers from the logical fallacy of false dichotomy. A widespread belief that spirituality and theology are subtypes of philosophy is indeed a myth; the formal philosophy deals only with the rational persuasion of ideas to find answers to the real world problems. An understanding of logic and dialectic is needed to formulate persuasive arguments, which in turn is crucial for the future of any learned citizens, for example, while writing an excellent essay or delivering a charismatic public speech. Albeit the high relevance of this discipline, in India, philosophy is not taught as part of the school or university curricula, which I find a significant foible in our education system. Importance of having one's philosophy of life is elucidated. My own philosophy of life, including Politics, Epistemology, Metaphysics, Ethics and Aesthetics is expounded in this essay. Finally, I identify four significant issues in today’s India and provide possible solutions for them, with a spotlight on the Baconian ideas, and how pertinent those are even after four centuries.

Salvadora oleiodes is a tropical tree species belonging to the little-known family Salvadoraceae and distributed in the arid regions of Africa and Asia. Aims of our study were to trace the microevolutionary legacy of this tree species with the help of sequence-based multi-local phylogeography and to find the comparative placement of family Salvadoraceae within angiosperm clade malvids. A total 20 geographical isolates were collected from different regions of North India, covering a major part of its species range within the Indian Subcontinent. Sequence data from nuclear-encoded Internal Transcribed Spacer region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and plastid-encoded trnL-F spacer region, were generated for this species for the first time in the world. ITS-based Bayesian phylogeographic analysis revealed the existence of four clades while trnL-F spacer based Bayesian analysis revealed one clade for this species distributed in the Indian subcontinent. Between these two loci, ITS revealed more distinct phylogeographic clades, indicating the phylogeographic utility of this locus for the systematics of Salvadoraceae. Interestingly, the ITS phylogeny indicated the existence of allopatric speciation in this tree species. Factors such as habitat destruction through agricultural expansion of plains might have forced the remaining population of this threatened tree species to isolated patches of thorn forest biotas, the ‘anthropogenic islands’, analogous to an archipelago. Phylogenetic analyzes based on trnL-F spacer suggested a synonymy of this species with Salvadora angustifolia. Maximum Likelihood gene tree based on ITS sequence data revealed that Salvadoraceae belongs to Sapindales rather than Brassicales. However, in the gene tree based on trnL-F spacer sequence, this family clustered within Brassicales. An evolutionary congruence of S. oleoides isolates across its range in North India is revealed in this study. Given the conflicting results on the relative placement of Salvadoraceae in Brassicales and Sapindales, the need for further phylogenetic analyses of malvids using supermatrix approach is highlighted.

Cancer is the ruling cause of mortality worldwide. Chemotherapeutic toxicity and drug resistance have provided impulsion for the formulation of new anticancer agents. Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are the most activated cell surface receptors for copious polypeptide growth factors, cytokines, and hormones that play a considerable role in cancer initiation, promotion, and progression. Natural products are a prime source of new anticancer drugs and their leads. The objective of computer-aided drug design (CADD) is to enhance the set of compounds with prudent active drug-like properties and eliminate inactive, toxic, poor absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion toxicity (ADME/T) compounds. In the present chapter, in silico advancement of anticancer natural compounds and molecular mechanisms of action of flavonoids, viz., genistein, myricetin, quercetin, luteolin, morin, kaempferol, catechin, and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), on RTK and PI3K signaling pathway attributing to their potential anticancer activity have been discussed.

The marine algae genus Monostroma (Thuret) consists of some of the common intertidal green seaweeds in the world. However, reports on its interbreeding potential between geographical radiations or its phylogeography are nonexistent. Here, we show that warmwater Monostroma in SW Japan, previously thought to be composed of two morphological species, viz., Monostroma latissimum and Monostroma nitidum, is indeed a single biological species, as revealed by mating tests. Using morphometry and DNA barcoding by primary and secondary structure analyses of highly variable first internal transcribed spacer (nrDNA ITS1) and more evolutionarily conserved gene encoding small subunit ribosome (nrDNA 18S), we conclude that isolates of Monostroma latissimum-nitidum complex represent an emergence of sympatric speciation. Our molecular phylogenetic analyses suggest that this alga originated in Ise Bay and was deliberately introduced elsewhere in Japan for cultivation purposes. Our phylogenetic analyses also suggest that the character state of the ability to interbreed is more evolutionarily conserved than either ontological or morphological differences in this alga. This is the first report of such an extensive intraspecific sequence divergence in any of the panmictic eukaryotes.

Epi-endophytic green algae comprise one of the most diverse and phylogenetically primitive groups of green algae and are considered to be ubiquitous in the world’s oceans; however, no reports of these algae exist from India. Here we report the serendipitous discovery of Ulvella growing on intertidal green algae Cladophora glomerata and benthic red algae Laurencia obtusa collected from India. DNA barcodes at nuclear ribosomal DNA Internal Transcriber Spacer (nrDNA ITS) 1 and 2 regions for Indian isolates from the west and east coasts have been generated for the first time. Based on morphology and DNA barcoding, isolates were identified as Ulvella leptochaete. Phylogenetic reconstruction of concatenated dataset using Maximum Likelihood method differentiated Indian isolates from other accessions of this alga available in Genbank, albeit with low bootstrap support. Monophyly of Ulvella leptochaete was obvious in both of our phylogenetic analyses. With this first report of epi-endophytic algae from Indian territorial waters, the dire need to catalogue its cryptic diversity is highlighted and avenues of future research are discussed. [Bast F, Bhushan S and John AA 2014 DNA barcoding of a new record of epi-endophytic green algae Ulvella leptochaete (Ulvellaceae, Chlorophyta) in India. J. Biosci. 39 711–716] DOI 10.1007/s12038-014-9459-3

The role played by overexpression of tyrosine kinase epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), the transmembrane receptor central to numerous cellular processes comprising cell migration, adhesion, apoptosis, and cell proliferation, has been highlighted in various cancers such as prostate, breast, lung, and ovarian cancers as well as in mutations in the EGFR kinase domain. Although many therapeutic approaches have targetted EGFR, the mutations occurring in the EGFR kinase domain including L858 EGFR and T790/L858R had led to the amplification of EGFR signals, consequently leading to increased cell proliferation and cell growth. The strategies involving the inhibition of EGFR L858 and T790M have been accredited with limited achievement in addition to being associated with unwanted adverse effects as a result of crosstalk of wild-type EGFR. All current EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been identified as ATP competitive inhibitors of wild-type EGFR possessing aniline and quinazoline moiety on the ligands skeleton. Our results obtained by performing molecular docking study on Maestro 9.3 molecular docking suite indicated that CID5280343 possesses better energy conformation against wild-type EGFR as well as two mutated EGFR. Moreover, it was discovered in this study that the natural compounds CID72276, CID5280445, CID441794, and CID72277 and InterBioScreen’s library STOCK1N-78657, STOCK1N-78976, and STOCK1N-78847 have better binding conformation against gatekeeper T790M mutated EGFR concluded to be brought about by means of flexible ligands/receptor-based molecular docking protocol. Miraculous features of these compounds are their various pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters which were found to be satisfactory as drug-like molecules. This molecular docking study also summarizes docking free energy, protein–ligands interaction profile, and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameter of lead molecules which were tremendously helpful in enhancing the activity of these natural compounds against EGFR.

Ficus benghalensis Linnaeus (Moraceae) is the national tree of India and is well known for its pharmacolo-gical properties. The present study was aimed to determine the genetic diversity of F. benghalensis from the Indian subcontinent using sequence-based multi-locus phylogeography. A total of 20 geograph-ical isolates were collected from different regions, cov-ering major parts of its species range within the country. Sequence data from nuclear-encoded internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1), plastid-encoded trnL-F spacer region (trnL) and ribosomal intron re-gion (rps16) were generated. The trnL-based maxi-mum likelihood phylogram revealed the existence of two haplotypes, whereas ITS1 and rps16-based maxi-mum likelihood analysis did not reveal much variation for this species distributed in the Indian subcontinent. These results depict long-distance random gene flow across the subcontinent, and support the post-glacial population contraction events. To validate the impact of palaeo-historic climatic events on current geo-graphic and genetic distribution, species distribution modelling-coupled phylogeography is suggested.