Biosilicification in monocots: Comparative analysis highlights contrasting patterns of deposition.

Premise: New insights into biomineral uptake and sequestration are important for understanding how plants grow. Some plants accumulate silica accretions in precise locations in particular cells. Among monocots, controlled biosilicification occurs in several different forms and is restricted to commelinids and orchids.

Determining trichome elemental composition in Solanum wild and domesticated species using SEM-EDS.

Trichomes are specialised epidermal structures on plant surfaces of plant aerial organs. They are integral to plant defence and adaptation. However, their elemental composition in Solanum species remains understudied.

Discovery of hit molecules targeting allosteric site of hepatitis C virus NS5B polymerase.

Nonstructural protein 5B (NS5B), the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), plays a key role in viral amplification and is an attractive and most explored target for discovery of new therapeutic agents for Hepatitis C. Though safe and effective, NS5B inhibitors were launched in 2013 (Sovaldi) and 2014 (Harvoni, Viekira Pak), the high price tags of these medications limit their use among poor people in developing countries. Hence, still there exists a need for cost-effective and short duration anti-HCV agents especially those targeting niche patient population who were non-respondent to earlier therapies or with comorbid conditions.

Molecular designing and in silico evaluation of darunavir derivatives as anticancer agents.

Darunavir is a synthetic nonpeptidic protease inhibitor which has been tested for anticancer properties. To deduce and enhance the anticancer activity of the Darunavir, we have modified its reactive moiety in an effective way. We designed 9 analogues in ChemBioOffice 2010 and minimized using the LigPrep tool of Schrödinger 2011.

Mutations in exons 10 and 11 of human glucokinase result in conformational variations in the active site of the structure contributing to poor substrate binding - explains hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetic patients.

Mutations in the glucokinase (GK) gene play a critical role in the establishment of type 2 diabetes. In our earlier study, R308K mutation in GK in a clinically proven type 2 diabetic patient showed, structural and functional variations that contributed immensely to the hyperglycemic condition. In the extension of this work, a cohort of 30 patients with established type 2 diabetic condition were chosen and the exons 10 and 11 of GK were PCR-amplified and sequenced.

Molecular modeling, docking and ADMET studies towards development of novel Disopyramide analogs for potential inhibition of human voltage gated sodium channel proteins.

The sodium "channelopathies" are the first among the ion channel diseases identified and have attracted widespread clinical and scientific interests. Human voltage gated sodium channels are sites of action of several antiarrhythmic drugs, local anesthetics and related antiepileptic drugs. The present study aims to optimize the activity of Disopyramide, by modification in its structures which may improve the drug action by reducing its side effects.