Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), initially originated in China in year 2019 and spread rapidly across the globe within 5 months, causing over 96 million cases of infection and over 2 million deaths. Huge efforts were undertaken to bring the COVID-19 vaccines in clinical development, so that it can be made available at the earliest, if found to be efficacious in the trials. We developed a candidate vaccine ZyCoV-D comprising of a DNA plasmid vector carrying the gene encoding the spike protein (S) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The S protein of the virus includes the receptor binding domain (RBD), responsible for binding to the human angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE-2) receptor. The DNA plasmid construct was transformed into E. coli cells for large scale production. The immunogenicity potential of the plasmid DNA has been evaluated in mice, guinea pig, and rabbit models by intradermal route at 25, 100 and 500µg dose. Based on the animal studies proof-of-concept has been established and preclinical toxicology (PCT) studies were conducted in rat and rabbit model. Preliminary animal study demonstrates that the candidate DNA vaccine induces antibody response including neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and also provided Th-1 response as evidenced by elevated IFN-γ levels.

Lignocellulosic biomass is an attractive low-cost feedstock for bioethanol production. During bioethanol production, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the common used starter, faces several environmental stresses such as aldehydes, glucose, ethanol, high temperature, acid, alkaline and osmotic pressure. The aim of this study was to construct a genetic recombinant S. cerevisiae starter with high tolerance against various environmental stresses. Trehalose-6-phosphate synthase gene (tps1) and aldehyde reductase gene (ari1) were co-overexpressed in nth1 (coded for neutral trehalase gene, trehalose degrading enzyme) deleted S. cerevisiae. The engineered strain exhibited ethanol tolerance up to 14% of ethanol, while the growth of wild strain was inhibited by 6% of ethanol. Compared with the wild strain, the engineered strain showed greater ethanol yield under high stress condition induced by combining 30% glucose, 30 mM furfural and 30 mM 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF).

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Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), initially originated in China in year 2019 and spread rapidly across the globe within 5 months, causing over 96 million cases of infection and over 2 million deaths. Huge efforts were undertaken to bring the COVID-19 vaccines in clinical development, so that it can be made available at the earliest, if found to be efficacious in the trials. We developed a candidate vaccine ZyCoV-D comprising of a DNA plasmid vector carrying the gene encoding the spike protein (S) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The S protein of the virus includes the receptor binding domain (RBD), responsible for binding to the human angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE-2) receptor. The DNA plasmid construct was transformed into E. coli cells for large scale production. The immunogenicity potential of the plasmid DNA has been evaluated in mice, guinea pig, and rabbit models by intradermal route at 25, 100 and 500μg dose. Based on the animal studies proof-of-concept has been established and preclinical toxicology (PCT) studies were conducted in rat and rabbit model. Preliminary animal study demonstrates that the candidate DNA vaccine induces antibody response including neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and also provided Th-1 response as evidenced by elevated IFN-γ levels.

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A new and efficient chemodosimeter for ferric ions has been developed. The visual and fluorescent behaviors of the compound toward various metal ions were investigated: ferric ions are distinguished from other cations by selective color change and unusual fluorescence enhancement in mixed aqueous solution. Fluorescence microscopy experiments showed that this receptor is effective for detection of Fe(3+) in vitro, developing a good image of the biological organelles. The sensing mechanism is shown to involve a hydrolysis process.