A binary system for gene activation and site specific integration based on conditional recombination of transfected sequences mediated by FLP recombinase from yeast was implemented in mammalian cells. In several cell lines, FLP rapidly and precisely recombined copies of its specific target sequences to activate an otherwise silent beta-galactosidase reporter gene. Clones of marked cells were generated by excisional recombination within a chromosomally integrated copy of the silent reporters. These clones exhibited intense blue colour with X-Gal staining solution.

The effect of a static electric field on the production of urokinase (UK) by AUB 101 cell line obtained from a kidney biopsy tissue of a mesangio proliferative glomerulo nephritic patient was studied. Cells were exposed to varying field intensities viz. 2.5–20 V and assayed for UK activity by a fibrin plate method. A gradual increase in UK activity was observed with increase in field strengths up to 10 V A. A maxima increase in UK production was observed in cells exposed to a electric field intensity of 10 V which amounts to 66% enhancement.

Strain development for antibiotic production has been an essential prerequistie for efficient production process. Studies were carried out to produce high antibiotic yield strain by using UV and N-methyl-N1-nitro-nitrosoguanidine (NTG) as mutagens. A superior mutant (PNTG-22) with a productivity of 2.4 time (810-1995 microg/ml higher than, the parent strain was produced.

Actinomycetes were isolated from marine sediments off Machilipatnam coast of Andhra Paradesh by plating on Starch-Casein Agar medium. From which one isolate AUB N5/8 was selected for detailed morphological, cultural, physiological and biochemical studies. The genera encountered were, Streptomycetes. Studies were compared with known strain S. baarinenisis (ISP 5232). It showed enough significant difference to create the status of a separate species for our isolate AUB N5/8. Hence it was designated as Streptomyces kavutarensis Sp.nov.

Quorum sensing, or the control of gene expression in response to cell density, is used by both gram negative and gram positive bacteria to regulate a variety of physiological functions including bioluminescence, swarming, antibiotic biosynthesis, plasmid conjugal transfer and the production of virulence determinants in animal, fish and plant pathogens. In all cases, quorum sensing involves the production and detection of extra cellular signalling molecules called "auto inducers". In gram negative bacteria, acyl-homoserine lactone molecules (AHL) serve as the main signalling molecules, whereas in gram positive bacteria, peptides or modified peptides serve as the primary means of signalling. Whilst universal signalling themes exist, variations in the design of the extra cellular signals, the signal detection apparatus and the biochemical mechanisms of signal relay have allowed quorum sensing systems to be exquisitely adopted for their varied uses. Quorum sensing also offers the possibility of new therapeutic strategies for the control of infections. Recent studies show that quorum sensing modulates both intra and inter species cell-cell communication and it plays a major role in enabling bacteria to architect complex community structure.

Sediment samples from Krishna River at Nagayalanka of Andhra Pradesh, India were investigated as a source of actinomycetes to screen for the production of novel bioactive compounds. During our investigation on fresh water actinomycetes from 5 different river sediment samples, a total of 80 actinomycetes were isolated. Out of these 80 isolates, 30 isolates which showed distinct macromorphological characteristics were selected. The antimicrobial and enzymatic activities were studied for all the 30 isolates. The preliminary study for antimicrobial activity by cross streak method indicated that 16 isolates (53.3%) have excellent antagonistic properties. All these 16 isolates were subjected to detailed submerged fermentation studies. It was observed that 12 isolates (40.0%) exhibited antibacterial activity, 9 isolates (30.0%) showed antifungal activity while 5 isolates (16.6%) showed both antibacterial and antifungal activities. All the 30 isolates were also subjected for the determination of enzymatic activities 25 isolates (83.3%) exhibited amylolytic activity while 27 isolates (90.0%) showed proteolytic activity. Among these isolates, six promising isolates were selected for detailed morphological, cultural, physiological and biochemical studies. It was established that these isolates belong to the Streptomyces genus by virtue of their cell wall composition pattern and were identified as strains of different Streptomyces species like S. rochei, S. alanosinicus, S. erumpens, S. griseoplanus, S. gancidicus and S. nigrogriseolus.

Microorganisms, that degrade hydrocarbon were isolated and screened for their biosurfactant activity. A total of 68 strains were isolated and tested for their glycolipid activity of which 4 isolates showed good glycolipid activity. Isolate K10 gave the maximum biosurfactant production in medium A (containing kerosene as a sole carbon source) as compared to medium B (containing glucose as a sole carbon source). Characterization of isolate K10 showed that it belongs to Pseudomonas species.