The potential role of immobilization in plant cell biotechnology

It has long been hoped that the unique biosynthetic capacity of plants could be exploited in vitro using culture systems analogous to microbial fermentations. However, the characteristics of both the growth and metabolism of plant cells in vitro differ considerably from those of microbial cells and plant cell suspension culture systems have met with limited success. Immobilizing the cells creates a new set of options for the plant biotechnologist to explore. Improvements in some process criteria are apparent although evaluating the potential of immobilized plant cells for producing commercial compounds will only be possible when the biological problems have been overcome.     

The role of biotechnology for agricultural sustainability in Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa could have a shortfall of nearly 90Mt of cereals by the year 2025 if current agricultural practices are maintained. Biotechnology is one of the ways to improve agricultural production. Insect-resistant varieties of maize and cotton suitable for the subcontinent have been identified as already having a significant impact. Virus-resistant crops are under development. These include maize resistant to the African endemic maize streak virus and cassava resistant to African cassava mosaic virus. Parasitic weeds such as Striga attack the roots of crops such as maize, millet, sorghum and upland rice. Field trials in Kenya using a variety of maize resistant to a herbicide have proven very successful. Drought-tolerant crops are also under development as are improved varieties of local African crops such as bananas, cassava, sorghum and sweet potatoes.     

COBIOTECH's role in biotechnology worldwide

Curious or skeptical friends often ask, “What and why is COBIOTECH? What is it doing?” After serving as president during its formative first years, I attempt here to provide information for the curious and allay concerns of the skeptics about COBIOTECH's emerging role in biotechnology internationally. For further information contact the ICSU Secretariat, 51 Bd. de Montmorency, Paris 75016, France.     

COBIOTECH's role in biotechnology worldwide

In a real continuous culture,Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain 1755 was maintained in the Göttingen bioreactor unit developed to produce veterinary bacterial vaccines for a period of 110 days without contamination or mutations. The average yield of viable bacteria over the whole period was more than 10¹⁰/ml.     

COBIOTECH's role in biotechnology worldwide

Curious or skeptical friends often ask, “What and why is COBIOTECH? What is it doing?” After serving as president during its formative first years, I attempt here to provide information for the curious and allay concerns of the skeptics about COBIOTECH'S emerging role in biotechnology internationally.     

The role of Lactobacillus buchneri in forage preservation

In 1996 Wienberg and Muck proposed to implement Lactobacillus buchneri in silage starters. The main reason for the use of heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria is the increased stability of silages against deterioration by yeasts and moulds when exposed to air. In the following years, the unique activity of L. buchneri in silages was evaluated. It was proven that acetic acid formed from lactic acid by L. buchneri is solely responsible for the increased stability of silages. Recently, a novel metabolic pathway from lactic acid to acetic acid and 1,2-propanediol was proposed.     

Catalytic antibodies and their applications in biotechnology: state of the art

Catalytic antibodies are immunoglobulins endowed with enzymatic properties. Discovered in the second part of the 1980s, the enthusiasm they initially aroused was counterbalanced by the difficulty of their production and their low catalytic rates. Nevertheless, improvements in expression systems and engineering technologies, combined with various studies suggesting that catalytic antibodies play a role in the immune system, have opened the way to new applications for these proteins. Herein we review catalytic antibodies from a biotechnological point of view, focusing our study on the different production methods, expression systems and their potential clinical applications dedicated to these proteins.     

Pilot plant and experimental laboratory production. The role in biotechnology industry development

A stage-phase approach can contribute to unnecessarily long product development time. A simultaneous approach that integrates all development resources through an effectively managed pilot plant can significantly shorten the product development cycle. An intensive development of the domestic biotechnology manufacturing is impossible without creation of the real pilot plant market in Ukraine.     

Methods of biotechnology in system of efforts aimed at plant biodiversity preservation (Review)

The main methods of preserving the plant biodiversity are reviewed. These methods are based on in situ and ex situ approaches. Methods of biotechnology, such as cultivation in vitro and cryopreservation, are used to create plant genetic diversity. The capabilities and limitations of each method were analyzed.     

The role of the jessour system for agrobiodiversity preservation in Southern Tunisia

Biodiversity and Conservation - Mediterranean countries are still characterized by a great variety of historical cultural landscapes, as a result of the millenary human presence that has shaped the...