19-Mar-2023: Substrate promiscuity of fungi generated enzyme Laccase shows potential in degrading industrial dye effluents
An enzyme called laccase generated by a group of fungi has been found capable of degrading a variety of hazardous organic dye molecules that are regularly drained into waterbodies after dying clothes in the textile industry. This observed characteristic which the scientists termed substrate promiscuity can have deep implication in designing enzyme-coated cassettes for treating heavily dye-polluted water through a natural solution to make the environment greener.
Laccase, was known for its capacity to degrade various organic molecules. Hence the scientists saw a scope in using it to develop a technology to treat/degrade the dye effluents emanated from textile industries.
Combining UV/Visible spectroscopy and computer simulations scientists demonstrated that many organic dye molecules with varying kinetics and wide variation in charge, size and shape can be degraded by the enzyme laccase. Laccase, generated by a group of fungi, contains 4 copper atoms in two different oxidation states, and degrades substrates through redox reactions, producing only water and simplest non-virulent or less virulent oxides of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur.
Using computational modeling and simulation the scientists have elucidated the molecular thermodynamic origin and mechanism behind this substrate promiscuity. Molecular docking and Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation studies confirmed that the active site of laccase can accommodate a wide range of dye molecules with varying charge and shape due to conformational plasticity of a loop covering the active site. The shape of the binding pocket can change adaptively. Internal cancellation between different types of interactions leads to almost similar binding affinity for very different molecules. This substrate promiscuity of laccase offers an immense biotechnological potential for a broad-spectrum degrader for industrial dye effluents.
14-Mar-2023: Testing of Genetically Modified Crops
There is a well-established regulatory framework for approval of Genetically Modified (GM) crops as per “Rules for the Manufacture/Use/Import/Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms, Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells, 1989” under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 in the Country.
Evaluation of each application of GM crop is done mandatorily on a case-to-case basis after a thorough examination of health, environment, food and feed safety assessment studies undertaken in a systematic and scientific manner as per prescribed guidelines, manuals and standard operating procedures stipulated by various regulatory agencies under the Rules, 1989 from time to time. The data generated by the applicants is reviewed at every step in the development process of GM crops by various Statutory Committees under the Rules, 1989 such as Institutional Biosafety Committee, Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation and Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee.
A series of guidelines and protocols have been issued by Department of Biotechnology and Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change relating to Genetically Modified Organisms and product thereof as under:
- Recombinant DNA Safety Guidelines, 1990
- Revised Guidelines for Research in Transgenic Plants, 1998
- Guidelines for the Safety Assessment of Foods Derived from Genetically Engineered Plants, 2008
- Guidelines for the monitoring of Confined Field Trials of Regulated, Genetically Engineered (GE) Plants, 2008
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Confined Field Trials of Regulated, Genetically Engineered (GE) Plants, 2008
- Protocol for Food and Feed Safety Assessment of GE crops, 2008
- Guidelines and Handbook for Institutional Bio-safety Committees (IBSCs), 2011
- Environmental Risk Assessment of Genetically Engineered Plants: A Guide for Stakeholders, 2016
- Guidelines for the Environmental Risk Assessment of Genetically Engineered Plants, 2016.
- Risk Analysis Framework, 2016.
24-Feb-2023: India's Bioeconomy Poised to Reach $300 Billion by 2030
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said, 'India's Bioeconomy is Poised to Reach $300 Billion by 2030', at the "National Consultation Meeting on Bio-manufacturing to build a Draft Policy Framework on Bio-manufacturing". India is committed to advancing "High-Performance Bio-manufacturing" to enable a Circular-Bio-economy.
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) envisions achieving its BioE3 goal for a green, clean, and prosperous India. India aims to achieve "Green Growth" in the "AmritKaal" by implementing innovative bio-based eco-friendly solutions. "Mission LiFE" aims to put forward green and friendly environmental solutions in every aspect of life to achieve climate and energy goals.
Bio-manufacturing employs biological systems, including microbes, plant cells, and enzymes, to produce commercially relevant products. It offers potential for innovation, energy efficiency, and reduced pollution. Bio-manufacturing includes advanced tools of biotechnology such as synthetic biology, genome editing, microbial bio-resources, and metabolic engineering.