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Avicenna Journal of Medical Biotechnology - Volume:3 Issue: 3, Jul-Sep 2011

Avicenna Journal of Medical Biotechnology
Volume:3 Issue: 3, Jul-Sep 2011

  • تاریخ انتشار: 1390/06/28
  • تعداد عناوین: 6
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  • Behrokh Mohajer Maghari, Ali M. Ardekani Page 109
    Biotechnology is providing us with a wide range of options for how we can use agricultural and commercial forestry lands. The cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops on millions of hectares of lands and their injection into our food chain is a huge global genetic experiment involving all living beings. Considering the fast pace of new advances in production of genetically modified crops, consumers, farmers and policymakers worldwide are challenged to reach a consensus on a clear vision for the future of world food supply. The current food biotechnology debate illustrates the serious conflict between two groups: 1) Agri-biotech investors and their affiliated scientists who consider agricultural biotechnology as a solution to food shortage, the scarcity of environmental resources and weeds and pests infestations; and 2) independent scientists, environmentalists, farmers and consumers who warn that genetically modified food introduces new risks to food security, the environment and human health such as loss of biodiversity; the emergence of superweeds and superpests; the increase of antibiotic resistance, food allergies and other unintended effects. This article reviews major viewpoints which are currently debated in the food biotechnology sector in the world. It also lays the groundwork for deep debate on benefits and risks of Biotech-crops for human health, ecosystems and biodiversity. In this context, although some regulations exist, there is a need for continuous vigilance for all countries involved in producing genetically engineered food to follow the international scientific biosafety testing guidelines containing reliable pre-release experiments and post-release track of transgenic plants to protect public health and avoid future environmental harm.
  • Mahdi Shabani, Hossein Asgarian Omran, Mohammad Hojjat Farsangi, Parvaneh Vossough, Ramazan A. Sharifian, Gholam R. Toughe, Seyed Mohsen Razavi, Jalal Khoshnoodi, Mahmood Jeddi-Tehrani, Hodjattallah Rabbani, Fazel Shokri Page 119
    It has recently been shown that ROR1, a member of the receptor tyrosine kinase family, is overexpressed in leukemic B cells of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and a subset of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). In this comparative study the expression profile of ROR1 mRNA was investigated in Iranian patients with CLL and Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) and the results were compared with those previously reported in our Iranian ALL patients. RT-PCR was performed on bone marrow and/or peripheral blood samples of 84 CLL and 12 AML patients. CLL samples were classified into immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (IGHV) gene mutated (n=55) and unmutated (n=29) and also indolent (n=42) and progressive (n=39) subtypes. ROR1 expression was identified in 94% of our CLL patients, but none of the AML patients expressed ROR1. No significant differences were observed between different CLL subtypes for ROR1 expression. Taken together the present data and our previous results on ROR1 expression in ALL, our findings propose ROR1 as a tumor-associated antigen overexpressed in a large proportion of lymphoid (CLL and ALL), but not myeloid (AML) leukemias. Expression of ROR1 seems to be associated to lineage and differentiation stages of leukemic cells with a potential implication for immunotherapy.
  • Sareh Arjmand, Elham Bidram, Abbas Sahebghadam Lotfi, Mehdi Shamsara, Seyed Javad Mowla Page 127
    Human alpha 1-antitrypsin (AAT) cDNA was obtained from HepG2 cell lines. After PCR and construction of expression vector pPICZα-AAT, human AAT was expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris (P.pastoris) in a secretary manner and under the control of inducible alcohol oxidase 1 (AOX1) promoter. The amount of AAT protein in medium was measured as 60 mg/l 72 hr after induction with methanol. Results indicated the presence of protease inhibitory function of the protein against elastase. Purification was done using His-tag affinity chromatography. Due to the different patterns of glycosylation in yeast and human, the recombinant AAT showed different SDS-PAGE patterns compared to that of serum-derived AAT while pI shifted from 4.9 in native AAT compared to 5.2 in recombinant AAT constructed in this study.
  • Jalal Babaie, Ghazaleh Sadeghiani, Majid Golkar Page 135
    Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T.gondii) throughout the world. Although usually asymptomatic, the infection can cause serious medical problems in immunocompromised individuals and fetuses. Toxoplasmosis also causes considerable economic loss because of abortion in livestock. DNA vaccination is a promising approach against intracellular parasites such as T.gondii. The goal of this study was to construct and evaluate functionality of a mammalian plasmid expressing GRA5 anti-gen of T.gondii as a possible DNA vaccine. GRA5 gene fragment, devoid of the signal sequence, was amplified from genomic DNA of T.gondii RH strain, and cloned into pcDNA3.1 plasmid. The pcDNA3.1-GRA5 (pGRA5) was analyzed by restriction enzyme digestion followed by sequence determination. The pGRA5 was transfected into HEK 239-T human kidney cells, and expression of GRA5 antigen was investigated by Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. The sequence encoding GRA5 was cloned into pcDNA3.1 plasmid. Restriction digestion of pGRA5 with Pst I enzyme showed correct insertion of GRA5 DNA into the plasmid. Sequence analysis revealed 100% homology with the published sequence of gra5. Immunofluorescence and Western blotting analyses of HEK 293-T cells transfected with pGRA5 showed specific expression of GRA5. Immunogenicity of pGRA5 will be evaluated in mice.
  • Marimuthu Vivek, Palanisamy Senthil Kumar, Sesurajan Steffi, Sellappa Sudha Page 143
    The synthesis, characterization and application of biologically synthesized nanomaterials are an important aspect in nanotechnology. The present study deals with the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) using the aqueous extract of red seaweed Gelidiella acerosa as the reducing agent to study the antifungal activity. The formation of Ag-NPs was confirmed by UV-Visible Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) pattern, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The synthesized Ag-NPs was predominately spherical in shape and polydispersed. Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FT-IR) spectroscopy analysis showed that the synthesized nano-Ag was capped with bimolecular compounds which are responsible for reduction of silver ions. The antifungal effects of these nanoparticles were studied against Humicola insolens (MTCC 4520), Fusarium dimerum (MTCC 6583), Mucor indicus (MTCC 3318) and Trichoderma reesei (MTCC 3929). The present study indicates that Ag-NPs have considerable antifungal activity in comparison with standard antifungal drug, and hence further investigation for clinical applications is necessary.
  • Babak Qasemi-Panahi, Parviz Tajik, Mansooreh Movahedian, Gholamali Moghaddam, Younes Barzgar, Hamed Heidari-Vala Page 149
    Spermatogonial Stem Cell (SSC) technologies provide multiple opportunities for research in the field of biotechnology and regenerative medicine. The therapeutic use of Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs) is restricted due to severe ethical and immunological concerns. Therefore, we need a new pluripotent cell type. Despite well-known role of germ cells in the gametogenesis, some facts apparently show their multipotentiality. In the present study, bovine SSCs were co-cultured with Sertoli cell for 7 days. Sertoli cells and SSCs were identified by Vimentin and Oct-4 immunocytochemical staining method, respectively. In order to differentiate SSCs into osteoblasts, we used consecutive inducer media without separation of the colonies. We characterized osteoblasts using Alizarin red staining.