Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process of analytical and quantitative isolation of withaferin-A from Withania somnifera (Sanskrit: Ashwagandha, English: winter cherry) and other plants and products therefrom, said method comprising steps of selecting most appropriate extraction medium composition, with extraction solvent system consisting of a defined admixture of water and alcohol in a range of proportion of alcohol within a narrow range of (methanol, ethanol etc.

Abstract: A method for plant regeneration in cotton via developmentally synchronized somatic embryogenesis is disclosed. The invention is simple, fast, reproducible and convenient for applications in plant genetic engineering and results in the achievement of synchronised somatic embryogenesis by a step of inositol starvation.

Abstract: A bidirectional module for activation of gene expression and regulation of transcription in both directions is disclosed. The bidirectional module comprises multiple cis regulatory DNA sequence elements, strategically arranged to give a ‘Transcription Activating Module’ that achieves high level expression from a ‘Transcription Initiation Module’. The latter functions like a minimal promoter. The former activates transcription simultaneously in both the directions from the latter and also responds to several transcription inducing, external stimuli in both the directions. Since it is an artificially designed bidirectional transcription module, it has no equivalent DNA sequence in plant genome. This reduces the chances of the genes from being silenced by homology based mechanisms. A bidirectional promoter module as this, can therefore be used to develop efficient vectors for genetic engineering in plants.

Abstract: The invention relates to a chemically synthesized artificial promoter comprising a DNA sequence designed for the target level and pattern of gene expression, by strategically putting together several signature sequences identified by sequence alignment and statistical analysis of a large database constructed for this purpose.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chimeric &dgr; endotoxin protein Cry 1E of SEQ ID No. 1 with extraordinarily high insecticidal property and a chimera gene of SEQ ID No. 2 encoding the said chimeric protein, and also a method of treating insect infested plants using said chimera protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for uniform and efficient delivery of metal projectiles into living cells and tissue of plants and animals, by bombarding the cells with biological coated on metal bead particles. The metal bead particles are heated in dry oven to high temperature, prior to coating with DNA and by substituting ethanol with isopropanol while coating the particles with DNA, to give several fold higher expression of the nucleic acid delivered into cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tissue culture process for producing a large number of genetically transformed viable mint plants in vitro. The process of the present invention employs specified pieces of an internodal segment of the stem of the mint plant as the starting material and identifies medium, culture and transformation conditions for producing a large number of genetically transformed plants. Such plants can be selected for desirable characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tissue culture process for producing a large number of viable cotton plants in vitro from a specified tissue of cotton plant. The invention provides genotype independent, direct, multiple shoot proliferation and opens up new possibilities for micropropagation, selection of mutants and for producing genetically improved cotton plants by modern methods of agrobiotechnology and genetic engineering. The protocol provides an important step in the success of cotton improvement programmed, utilizing tissue culture technology.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tissue culture process for producing a large number of viable mint plants in vitro. The process of the present invention employs specified pieces of an internodal segment of the stem of the mint plant as the starting material and identifies medium and culture conditions for producing a large number of plants. Such plants can be used for micropropagation, selection of mutants, production of plants with altered levels of endogenous secondary metabolites and for genetic engineering.