Futuristic Biotechnology

A review on Diversity, Mechanism of Action and Evolutionary Significance of Antimicrobial Peptides

Noor Muhammad, Waiza Ansar, Arif Ullah, Iram Liaqat, Zahid Nazir — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small, evolutionarily main peptides that widely exist in rich diversity across nature and play a significant role in the innate immunity of various taxa from invertebrates to vertebrates. They are equally targeted as the newest discovered antibiotics against various prokaryotes, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. AMPs show broad-spectrum potential with high efficacy and low toxicity via in vivo studies. Undoubtedly, this also confers their specific mechanism of action (MOA) and unique but distinct structures. Already, many studies have reported that AMPs possess diverse MOA against various pathogenic microbes. AMPs also encourage the cells to enhance wound healing, programmed cell death, angiogenesis, and produce chemokines. However, the associated risk is the evolution of resistance to AMPs could lead to possible danger to inherent immunity. From an evolutionary perspective, they are usually considered nonspecific with redundant functions due to the fact that they are easily duplicated and produce pseudogenes, thus showing less evolution at the primary amino acid level. However, the microbial resistance risk against conventional antibiotics can be minimized by using AMPs efficiently and sustainably. Understanding the nature and evolution of AMPs will be beneficial as well. The current review focused on antimicrobial peptides' diversity, history, MOA, and evolutionary significance.

Assessing the Impact of Xenobiotic (Bisphenol A) on Blood Physiology and Biochemical Alterations Using Labeo Rohita Fish as a Model Organism

Shabbir Ahmad, Hasnain Akmal, Khurram Shahzad — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an emerging pollutant that is extensively used in the manufacturing of various industrial products and is associated with adverse effects on both human and wildlife health. Objective: Present study aimed to evaluate the effects of bisphenol A on hematobiochemical biomarkers in freshwater Labeo rohita. Methods: For the purpose of this investigation, healthy fish were divided into four groups (A–D). Group A was treated as a BPA-free control group, while Group B, Group C, and Group D were exposed to various doses of BPA such as 400, 800, and 1600 µg/L, respectively for 21 days. Results: BPA-exposed fish showed different physical and behavioral abnormalities in dose-dependent ways. Results indicated significant increase in the concentrations of various hematobiochemical parameters, such as WBCs, MCHC, RDW, RDW-SD, platelets, neutrophils, triglycerides, cholesterol, ALT, AST, blood glucose, urea, T₃, TSH and creatinine, while HGB, RBCs, HCT, MCV, MCH, PDW, lymphocytes, HDL, LDL, VLDL, total protein, globulin, albumin and T₄ concentrations were decreased. Conclusions: The current study concluded that bisphenol A causes deleterious effects by disrupting physiological and hematobiochemical parameters alteration in exposed fish.

Development and Validation of Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (Lamp) Field Assay for the Detection of Brucella abortus

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Currently, a number of techniques are available for detection of Brucella abortus (B. abortus) but these techniques are costly and specialized equipment are needed. Therefore, the development of a rapid, accurate, sensitive, and cost effective technique for identification of Brucella species is of high priority. Objective: The current research study was designed to detect Brucella species more rapidly. The current study area was conducted in district Lodhran, Punjab, Pakistan. Methods: A total 100 blood samples (50 cattle and 50 buffaloes) were collected. Serum samples were screened against B. abortus antibodies using Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT). The specific gene was designed by using NCBI website and whole genome of Brucella species. The primers were designed from Gene accession number 20404. Following primers were designed F3, B3, FIP, BIP, LF, LB, B4, and B5. The LAMP technique for BSCP31 gene was developed by using many concentrations of components and conditions. Results: The development and validation of LAMP assay for detection of B. abortus from bovine blood in the present study proved helpful in early detection of said pathogen in animal and humans. Conclusions: This study will be helpful in prevention and control of animal and human brucellosis in Pakistan.

Molecular Docking-Aided Identification of Natural Bioactive Molecules as Potential Cancer Cell Proliferation Inhibitors

Iqra Hassan, sameena Gul, Aqsa Zaman, Erum Zafar, Muhammad Khan — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Uncontrolled proliferation of cells is a hallmark of cancer development and progression. Ki-67 (a marker of proliferation Kiel-67) and Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) are two major proliferations, diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers as these are over expressed in cancerous cells. Pharmacological inhibition of Ki-67 and PCNA could effectively inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Objective: To identify Sesquiterpene Lactones (SLs) as potential inhibitors of Ki-67 and PCNA to reduce cancer burden. Methods: The inhibitory potential of SLs, namely sulfocostunolide A, sulfocostunolide B, ilicol, eucalyptone, and ascleposide E, were investigated using Molecular Docking (MD) analysis. MD analysis and visualization of ligand-protein complexes were performed using softwares such as MGL tools, BIOVIA Discovery Studio visualizer and LigPlot plus. Additionally, drug likeness and pharmacokinetic properties of SLs were assessed via pkCSM and ADMET analysis. Results: Results showed that eucalyptone with binding energy of -8.1 kcal/mol with Ki-67 while sulfocostunolide B with -6.4 kcal/mol binding energy with PCNA are the most potent proliferative inhibitors of Ki-67 and PCNA. ADMET properties, MD studies and toxicity prediction shows that current investigated ligands bind effectively with Ki-67 and PCNA without showing any toxicity. Conclusions: Current study concludes that eucalyptone with Ki-67 and sulfocostunolide B with PCNA made stable complexes and can be considered as novel inhibitors. In addition to that, these suggested ligands have also shown effective drug likeness and ADMET profile. Further, in-vitro and in-vivo studies are required to validate these findings.

Evaluating the Composition of Biodiesel Synthesized from Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae

Fatima Khizar, Sana Hameed, Hafiz Kamran Yousaf, Muhammad Sajjad Sarwar — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Biodiesel is considered a viable alternative to conventional diesel, particularly for the ground transportation industry. While different plant seeds oils have been the dominant feedstocks for biodiesel synthesis to date. However, they are often expensive due to their limited supply and low reproductive rate. Objective: To present a sustainable approach by using the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae as an alternative feedstock. Methods: The larvae were fed with waste chicken rice, fish, soft vegetables and fruits. These wastes provide food and shelter for disease-causing insect larvae and contributes to land pollution. Using petroleum ether as a solvent, 12.2 g of crude grease was extracted from ~ 500 larvae, resulting in about 11.8 g of biodiesel through a two-step acid-base catalyzed transesterification process. Results: The resultant biodiesel was analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), revealing a Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) profile predominantly comprising dodecanoic acid, 9-Hexadecenoic acid, 9- octadecenoic acid and 11- octadecenoic acid etc, emphasizing its potential as a high-quality alternative to conventional diesel fuel. Conclusions: This study contributed to develop biodiesel as an eco-friendly renewable energy technology by using BSFL.

Advancing Diagnostic Capabilities through Organ-on-a-Chip Technology

Muhammad Akram Tariq — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In the recent years, the field of lab-on-a-chip (LOC) technology has made substantial progress and has transformed the landscape of diagnostic applications. These miniaturized and integrated microfluidic devices have potentially revolutionized medical diagnostics by providing rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective analysis of various biomarkers and analytes. One of the key advancements in this domain is the integration of cellular constructs within micro-engineered platforms. It has enabled to recapitulate the physiological and pathological conditions of complex tissues and organs.

This ‘Organ-on-a-Chip’ technology holds immense promise for point-of-care diagnostics. These microfluidic devices offer unprecedented insights into disease mechanisms and therapeutic interventions. From mimicking the blood-brain barrier for drug screening to representing the properties of vital organs like the liver, heart, and lungs, organ-on-a-chip systems can revolutionize diagnostic paradigms.

Not only has this technology enhanced the diagnostic accuracy, it is also revolutionizing multiplexing and high-throughput screening. These micro-engineered constructs provide a versatile platform for drug development and toxicology studies, and enable researchers to evaluate multiple parameters simultaneously, which has accelerated the pace of discovery and innovation. In additions, these systems are potentially streamlining the sample preparation and analysis as well. Owing to their miniaturized nature, the organ-on-a-chip devices allow for the use of smaller sample and reagent volumes, leading to more efficient and cost-effective analyses.

Despite the impressive strides made in organ-on-a-chip technology, there are still challenges need to be addressed. Among these hurdles lie standardization, scalability, and regulatory considerations that must be overcome to fully realize the potential of these micro-engineered platforms. However, continued innovation and collaboration can totally alter the future of diagnostic applications. Organ-on-a-chip technology holds the promise of revolutionizing medical diagnostics, offering rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective analysis of biomarkers and analytes. The potential for organ-on-a-chip technology to transform healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes is limitless