ANNUAL REPORT - Department of Biotechnology

'proof of concept' that the transient expression of
these si/sh RNAs in vivo. The results laid a solid
footing to investigate the efficacy of these molecules
using in vivo model using Sendai virus Virosome
based delivery system.
Leishmania
Studies on Leishmania target antigens from
promastigotes and amastigotes on the basis of Th1
stimulatory proteins for immunoprophylactic activity
against experimental Visceral Leishmaniasis at
CDRI, Lucknow have led to identification of four subfractions
having immunostimulatory properties.
They were analyzed by MALDI-TOF-MS analysis.
Towards exploration of mechanism of drug
unresponsiveness to SbV in field isolates of
Leishmania donovani at CDRI, Lucknow, role of
thiols in clinical resistance against sodium
stibogluconate was established for the first time. No
amplification of γGCS1 and ODC was observed in
resistant isolates as compared to sensitive ones.
STD
Studies on virulence genes in Indian strains of
Chlamydia trachomatis at Institute of Pathology and
ACBR, New Delhi were conducted. Expression of
pkn1, ompA and incA genes was studied in Indian
isolates of C. trachomatis and expression of proteins
for virulent genes pkn1 and ompA has been
achieved.
Candidiasis
Studies on molecular aspects of Candidiasis at JNU,
New Delhi has been carried out to determine the role
of GlcNAc in Candida albicans in relation to
morphogenic changes and pathogenicity. Identified
several critical residues in Cdrlp which could be
exploited further to develop rational
inhibitors/blockers.
Diagnostics
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Towards development of new generation diagnostics
against HIV and malaria by using Quantum Dots at
NCCS & NCL, Pune. Anti-EBA-175 antibodies were
found to be useful for developing quantum dot based
diagnostic kits.
Shigellosis
Studies were carried out on molecular epidemiology
and characterization of Shiga Toxin-producing
Escherichia coli (STEC) at SKUAST-K, Srinagar.
Isolation of stx 2f variant of stx2 gene from bovines
appears to be the first report in the world. Subtyping
of eaeA gene into eaeA-δ, eaeA-e, eaeA-ζ, eaeA-η,
eaeA-κ subtype analysis seems to be novel work
from India. The group has been able to isolate the stx
genes from human diarrhoeic samples in J&K.
Wound healing
Studies on the development and delivery of stress
induced siderophore for wound healing at CLRI,
Chennai have resulted into a bilayered membrane
collagen scaffold. It was found to simulate with
normal healing pattern, considering infection as a
predisposing factor after injury. The designing of
collagen based wound dressing to deliver the
therapeutic agents locally in a finite dose and
controlled fashion is a novel approach. The biphasic
Morphological Features of TPHS Loaded Chitosan
Microspheres Impregented Collagen Scaffold
Research and Development