The University of Jammu informally known as Jammu University (JU), accredited as A+ grade by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), was established in 1969 by an act of the state legislature which effectively split the Jammu and Kashmir University into the separate University of Jammu and University of Kashmir.The university is currently located at the foothills of Trikuta on the banks of the Tawi River. The university has set up seven off-site campuses at Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, Poonch, Reasi, Ramnagar, Kathua and Udhampur. The university is the first university in India to receive the ISO-9001 certification. The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs. It also affiliates and recognizes colleges.
Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) is one of the most widely consumed fruit crops globally, with an annual production of approximately 83.98 million metric tons in 2024-25. However, its productivity and fruit quality are severely affected by Alternaria leaf blotch, caused by Alternaria alternata, a major fungal pathogen capable of inducing up to 85% leaf defoliation. Despite its economic importance, the molecular basis of apple-Alternaria interactions remain poorly understood. Comparative temporal transcriptome profiling was performed on susceptible 'Red Delicious' leaves at 24 and 96 h post-inoculation (hpi) to characterize host responses to A. alternata. A total of 2457 and 2813 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (|log(2)FC| >= 2, adjusted p < 0.05) were identified at 24 and 96 hpi, respectively. The transcriptomic response involved defense-associated signaling, transcription factors, pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins, and hormone-responsive genes. KEGG analysis identified MAPK signaling, plant-pathogen interaction, hormone signal transduction, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis among the major enriched pathways. WRKY transcription factors, particularly WRKY33 and WRKY75, showed strong induction, while PR1 and PR10 genes were prominently upregulated. Ethylene-associated genes exhibited comparatively strong transcriptional responses, although this represents a transcriptome-based inference rather than direct evidence of hormone accumulation. The simultaneous induction and suppression of different defense-associated genes suggests dynamic but potentially insufficient defense responses in the susceptible cultivar. Expression patterns of 20 defense-related genes were further evaluated by qRT-PCR. Overall, this study provides temporal insights into the transcriptional reprogramming of 'Red Delicious' during A. alternata infection and identifies candidate genes and pathways for future functional characterization and disease-resistance improvement.
Carbon nanomaterials have gained the attention of researchers in the biomedical field due to their versatile characteristics, such as unique structural, physical, and chemical properties. Their tunable structures with respect to the synthesis process have led to their applications in various fields of biomedicine. We critically analysed the sustainable synthesis approaches, including green chemistry routes, thermal carbonisation, microwave-assisted methods, hydrothermal processes, pyrolytic techniques, and emerging computationally guided methods. This review encompasses diverse carbon sources, including biomass waste, synthetic polymers, coal derivatives, graphite, and nanocellulose. We demonstrate that dimensional control achieved through strategic precursor synthesis directly influences biomedical performance in cancer therapeutics, tissue-engineering scaffolds, multimodal bioimaging platforms, and cardiovascular applications. Unlike previous application-centric or waste-valorisation reviews, this work integrates sustainability principles with rational materials design, providing researchers with a predictive framework for developing tailored carbon nanomaterials for specific biomedical applications.
Mucilage, a complex hydrated polysaccharide matrix is extruded upon seed hydration (called myxospermy) in many angiosperms. It facilitates critical ecological and physiological functions like germination, enhancement of seed dispersal, maintaining hydration, etc. One of the significant commercial sources of mucilage is Plantago ovata that has been valued for its tremendous medicinal and industrial applications. Latterly, efforts have been made to elucidate the mucilage pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana, Plantago ovata and other myxospermous plants. These studies have highlighted that compositional variation in the mucilage derived from different plants leads to variable gel-forming and hydrocolloid properties. Unlike, Arabidopsis mucilage which is predominantly composed of pectin, mucilage in Plantago is made up of hemicellulose while in other plants mucilage has both pectin and hemicellulose. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the differentiation of mucilage secretory cells in the seed coat is well documented unraveling the intricate process of cell expansion, pectin biosynthesis, secretion, in muro pectin modification and secondary cell wall synthesis along with the involvement of several regulatory genes and enzymes. Although, substantial amount of information has become available for this model plant, yet mucilage biosynthetic pathway still awaits to be elucidated fully, along with the identification of additional genes and the related processes. P. ovata produces more and slightly larger seeds with 20-30
Pedicels, the short specialized stems that support reproductive structures in flowering plants, play diverse roles throughout plant development, yet many of their functions remain insufficiently understood. Morphologically and anatomically, they share several features with the main stem, including similar epidermal, cortical, and vascular traits. Variation in pedicel length, branching angle, and orientation influences floral and inflorescence architecture, thereby shaping floral display patterns and ultimately affecting reproductive success. Functionally, pedicels provide mechanical support, maintain vascular continuity between flowers and inflorescence axes, and facilitate the transport of nutrients, water, hormones, and signaling molecules to flowers and developing fruits. Recent studies highlight their additional roles in pollen presentation and seed dispersal, in which pedicel orientation aids effective interactions with pollinators and dispersal agents. Pedicels also serve as important sites of abscission, initiating enzymatic processes that lead to the detachment of flower or fruit. Advances in developmental genetics have identified numerous genes and transcription factors involved in pedicel formation, orientation, and functional modulation. Despite these insights, significant gaps remain, particularly regarding how pedicels adapt structurally and functionally to different pollination strategies. Further integrative research is required to clarify the developmental, ecological, and evolutionary significance of this understudied floral organ.
Plant organ bending is a fundamental growth response shaped by hormonal regulation, cytoskeletal dynamics, and differential cell expansion. While widely explored in vegetative organs, similar processes drive the movement of reproductive structures, where functional outcomes directly influence pollination and reproductive success. Pistil movement, in particular, plays a central role in promoting outcrossing, regulating pollen deposition, and achieving spatial separation of sexual functions. This review synthesizes current understanding of the mechanisms and ecological significance of pistil bending, drawing on case studies from families such as Malvaceae, Passifloraceae, Zingiberaceae etc. The diversity of pistil movements is shown to correspond with pollinator behavior and habitat predictability, highlighting pistil motility as a finely tuned reproductive strategy. Finally, we outline key knowledge gaps, particularly regarding the cellular drivers of pistil motility and the genetic networks underlying its diversity, and propose future directions that integrate physiology, ecology, and evolutionary biology. Together, these perspectives underscore pistil movement as a model trait at the interface of plant development and reproductive ecology.
