Excessive reliance on synthetic chemical pesticides in Indian agriculture has led to resistance development, environmental contamination, and food safety concerns, necessitating sustainable alternatives for crop protection. Exogenously applied double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) pesticides have emerged as a promising next-generation strategy that operates through RNA interference (RNAi), enabling sequence-specific gene silencing in target pests without altering genomes. These products offer high specificity and rapid degradation, and off-target effects can be minimized through sequence-specific design. In India, significant progress has been made in dsRNA research, with successful applications reported against major insect pests, fungal pathogens, and plant viruses under laboratory and small field trials. Advances in formulation and delivery techniques highlight growing translational potential of dsRNA pesticides. Internationally, exogenously applied dsRNA is generally regulated as a biochemical or conventional pesticide rather than a genetically modified organism, with risk assessment frameworks focusing on molecular characterization, environmental fate, exposure, and non-target effects. Absence of a dedicated regulatory pathway in India continues to hinder commercialization and investment. Aligning existing provisions under the Insecticides Act, 1968, or future pesticide legislation with internationally harmonized guidelines such as those of the OECD could facilitate safe deployment and global acceptance. Addressing challenges related to production cost, formulation stability, field performance, resistance management, and public perception will be critical. Establishing a science-based regulatory pathway presents a strategic opportunity for India to advance sustainable pest management solutions.
Persistent infection with high-risk Human Papillomavirus (hr-HPV) is a majorrisk factor in the development of cervical cancer, and the distribution of viral genotypes and the occurrence of multiple HPV infections are reported worldwide. Therefore, region-specific data on HPV genotype distribution are essential for strengthening viral surveillance and guiding cervical cancer prevention strategies. In this cross-sectional study, HPV infection status and genotype distribution were investigated among 152 histologically confirmed cervical cancer patients and 132 cancer-free women as control group. Cervical swab samples were subjected to real-time PCR-based HPV genotyping capable of detecting 14 high-risk and 2 low-risk HPV types. HPV DNA was identified in 90.1
COVID-19 disease is the result of SARS-CoV2 viral infection. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) is an important enzyme which protects the cells against oxidative damage and plays a key role in the antioxidant defense mechanisms. Previous studies have robustly documented the negative relationship between mortality of COVID-19 with polymorphisms of this gene. In the present study, the relationship between two GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms with COVID-19 and the disease severity was studied. 300 participants were divided into three groups (100 healthy controls, 100 ward-hospitalized, and 100 ICU-hospitalized) and genotyped for GSTM1 and GSTT1 deletions using multiplex PCR. Statistical analysis, including Chi-square testing and odds ratio, measured the association between genotypes and severity of the disease. Null genotypes of GSTM1 were not found to have a significant relationship with COVID-19 severity (p = 0.520). However, the GSTT1 null genotype was found more often among the ICU group compared to controls (p = 0.033, OR = 0.545, 95
Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus (GRSPaV; Foveavirus rupestris), a member of the rugose wood disease complex, is one of the most widespread viruses infecting grapevines worldwide. Often known to cause latent infections, GRSPaV-associated symptoms are sometimes genotype-dependent. Therefore, this study employed a dual approach involving molecular characterization and diagnostic assay development for GRSPaV. Surveys conducted across the six major grape-growing states of India revealed an overall GRSPaV infection rate of 26
Marburg virus (MARV) is an extremely virulent pathogen for which effective preventive and therapeutic strategis remain limited, highlighting the urgent demand for a safe and efficient vaccine. In this study, an immunoinformatics-based approach was employed to design a novel multi-epitope subunit vaccine capable of eliciting robust humoral and cell mediated immune responses. Highly conserved cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), helper T lymphocyte (HTL), and B-cell epitopes were systematically predicted and assembled using GGGS, GPGPG and KK linkers respectively. To enhance immunogenicity, the construct was fused with the 50S ribosomal protein L7/L12 as an adjuvant, while a PADRE sequence was incorporated to promote broad CD4+ T-cell activation across diverse HLA alleles. The three-dimensional structure of the vaccine construct was modelled, refined and evaluated for stability and structural integrity using validation tools including ERRAT, Ramachandran plot analysis, MolProbity scoring, and RMSD assessment. Molecular docking studies revealed strong and stable interactions between the vaccine and immune receptors, as reflected by a favourable HDOCK score (− 315.21) and a high confidence value (0.9646). Additionally, normal mode analysis conducted via iMODS demonstrated appropriate molecular flexibility, indicated by a low eigen value (3.61×10–6), supporting effective receptor engagement and immune activation. Immune simulations revealed strong humoral and cellular immune responses, marked by increased levels of IgG and IgM, cytokine secretion (IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF-α), and the development of memory cells. The optimized gene attained a Codon Adaptation Index (CAI) of 1.0 along with a GC content of 54.49
