Browsing by Author "Hewadikaram, M."
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- ItemAdvances of Molecular Diagnosis for the Detection of Human Leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka(NSBM Green University, 2023-11-24) Deepachandi, B.; Hewadikaram, M.Human leishmaniasis is one of the neglected tropical parasitic diseases. Sri Lanka reports a large focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania donovani which is usually the cause for fatal visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Few cases of VL and mucosal leishmaniasis (MCL) have also been detected recently within the country. Therefore, an enhanced case detection, early treatment, and understanding of sequalae of the infection are required to contain the spread of this new clinical entity. This study aimed at identifying currently available molecular diagnostic tools for leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka and recent advances of the field. Usefulness of the parasitological diagnostic methods, i.e., light microscopy and in vitro culture in case detection is limited in chronic, atypical or treated lesions. However, timely and accurate investigation of all light microscopy, in vitro culture negative cases for all forms of leishmaniasis is preferred prior to treatment. Molecular detection of leishmaniasis using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the most sensitive method used currently for diagnosis of leishmaniasis. Conventional single-step PCR, quantitative real-time PCR, nested PCR and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) are widely used to detect different genetic sequences of Leishmania such as kinetoplastid DNA, small subunit ribosomal RNA and internal transcribed spacer region. Also low sensitive loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) has been tested locally by several research groups. Although several PCR techniques are used for diagnosis of leishmaniasis in different local settings, recently developed nested PCR methods are useful in detecting leishmaniasis with high accuracy in the minority of cases that go undetected by first line investigations. Future research activities focus on further development of molecular detection of leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka by using an advanced technique, multiplex LAMP test and validating a new diagnostic kit.
- ItemHarnessing Auxin and Cytokinin Signaling Pathways for Enhanced Seedling Growth and Crop Production: Advances, Challenges, and Future Prospects(NSBM Green University, 2023-11-24) Ranasinghe, T.D.; Hewadikaram, M.Growth, development, and response to the surrounding environmental conditions of plants are hugely governed by plant hormones. Among the several plant hormones, auxins and cytokinin play a key role in controlling the development and growth of a plant while also regulating its immunity. Since cytokinin and auxins work together, the ratio between these two hormones affects the growth throughout a plant’s lifecycle, from the beginning of seed germination to the growth of roots, leaves, and stems, plant flowering, fruiting, seed development, seed filling, seed dormancy, and ultimately the death of the plant. Though they are naturally occurring in plants, some specific hormones can be made synthetically to improve crop production. In contrast to grown plants, seedlings can be affected largely by the surrounding environmental conditions, such as biotic and abiotic factors. These conditions can be a heavy burden for a newly emerging seedling, which can ultimately result in the death of the plant. At that time, the plant hormones in seedlings interact with different complex networks and pathways to govern the response to developmental and environmental issues, thereby limiting stressful conditions for the seedlings. Through the current review, we focus on the regulatory roles of auxin and cytokinin with respect to the seedling growth and developmental processes of seedlings.
- ItemWeighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis to Identify Key Modules and Hub Genes Related to Withanoloides Biosynthesis Pathway in Datura metel(Nsbm Green University, 2022-11-25) Hewadikaram, M.; De Silva, K.The gene co-expression analysis and clustering concept were utilized to identify possible genes present in the withanolides biosynthesis pathway. Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WCGNA) was carried out to identify putative genes. The identified known genes were used as bait to locate the co-expressed genes among them in identified modules in WGCNA analysis. As cytochrome P450s and glycosyltransferase (UGT) are candidates for withanolide biosynthesis in the literature, the study was focused on identifying CYPs and UGT genes. Finally, the study was able to locate 6 CYP genes and 1 UGT gene as putative candidate genes involved in the withanolides biosynthesis pathway. However, in silico characterization should be carried out for further isolation processes.