NOPR Collection:

Detection and analysis of genetic variations in species of Plumbago L. using RAPD markers

2014-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Detection and analysis of genetic variations in species of Plumbago L. using RAPD markers Authors: Gadge, Prashant J; Nathar, Varsha N Abstract: In the present study, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to measure genetic diversity of 3 species of Plumbago, viz., P. zeylanica L., P. rosea L. and P. auriculata Lam., grown in India. Thirty nine decamer oligonucleotide primers were used to amplify the genomic DNA isolated from leaf samples. Of the primers used, only 19 primers gave clear reproducible bands in various ranges. A total of 299 amplified bands were scored, of which 107 were found to be polymorphic bands (PPB), i.e., 35.79%. The data obtained from the amplified bands were used in NTSYS PC Version 2.1 software and a cladogram was constructed showing the genetic distance between species. The results reveal that P. rosea and P. zeylanica were present in the same cluster, whereas P. auriculata showed divergence. Nei’s and Li’s similarity coefficients and GSI were also calculated. Page(s): 140-143

Azo-based food colours as cost-effective and safe tracking dyes for qualitative electrophoretic analysis of nucleic acids and proteins

2014-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Azo-based food colours as cost-effective and safe tracking dyes for qualitative electrophoretic analysis of nucleic acids and proteins Authors: Rayu, Smriti; Sitaraman, Ramakrishnan Abstract: Synthetic organic colours that contain the azo group (-N=N-) are a major component of dyes widely used in the textile and food processing industries. Given the ready availability of food colours, their modest cost and established safety profiles, we evaluated their suitability as tracking dyes for the gel electrophoresis of nucleic acids and proteins. We have tested 3 azo-based food colours, viz., Orange Red, Lemon Yellow and Bright Green, procured from local grocery stores for this purpose. The results are qualitatively comparable to those obtained using established methods of loading proteins and nucleic acids with the widely used dyes, bromophenol blue and xylene cyanol. This method entails no modification of current protocols for sample loading and gel electrophoresis. Use of these reagents that are ‘commonly considered safe’ and available at a fraction of the cost of equivalent analytical grade reagents would be advantageous in routine molecular biology procedures, especially in resource-limited contexts. Page(s): 136-139

Molecular characterization of γ-rays induced mutants in Jatropha curcas L.

2014-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Molecular characterization of γ-rays induced mutants in Jatropha curcas L. Authors: Dhillon, R S; Saharan, R P; Jattan, M Abstract: Genetic variability in Jatropha curcas L. was induced by different doses (5-50 kR) of γ-rays. γ radiation induced earliness in flowering, which generally took longer duration of 327 d in normal cases. The improved reproductive and yield parameters, such as, days taken to first flowering, flowering population, male to female ratio and seed yield per plant, were recorded in 25 kR dose and seed germination in 5 and 10 kR treated seeds. Molecular characterization of induced mutants (M₁ generation) with 47 RAPD primers showed 65.27 per cent polymorphism. The variability created by γ-rays ranged from 9 to 28 per cent. The 50 kR mutant was found to be the most diverse from control, followed by 25 kR mutant. Thus, the present results show that integrated approach can be used for carrying out the mutation-assisted breeding and subsequent selection of desired mutants using molecular markers in J. curcas. Page(s): 67-74

Axenic culture of bryophytes: A case study of liverwort Marchantia linearis Lehm. & Lindenb.

2014-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Axenic culture of bryophytes: A case study of liverwort Marchantia linearis Lehm. & Lindenb. Authors: Krishnan, Remya; Murugan, K Abstract: Axenic cultures of Marchantia linearis Lehm. & Lindenb. were established by propagating spores (explant) in vitro. The most appropriate conditions of culture, concerning mineral nutrition and light with other invariable conditions, were investigated. Spores cultured in different media supplemented with antibiotics differentiated to form rhizoids and calli. For propagation, media like Knop, Gamborg B5 (GB) and Murashige and Skoog (MS) and MS diluted were studied; similar trace elements were maintained for all the media. Growth of M. linearis was significantly better on MS media compared to Knop, indicating more uptake of NH₄⁺ than NO₃^-. Benzylaminopurine (BAP; 2 mg/L) and naphthelen acetic acid (NAA; 0.5 mg/L) was the successful hormonal combinations where they multiplied successfully. Remarkable differentiation was noticed with MS/5 medium supplemented with 200 mg/L NaH₂PO₄ along with growth hormones NAA and BAP. Green house established plants had uniform growth habit traits in terms of size of plants and axillary proliferations. Histological investigation confirmed the true type of thallus of the plant. Thus, the present study provides an insight for in vitro propagation as viable alternative for increase and conservation of populations of existing bioresources in the wild and to meet their commercial requirements. Page(s): 131-135