• Characterization of novel hyperthermophilic proteins from plants and their use in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and comaceutical products.
• Protein enrichment of crop plants for nutritional improvement with reference to biosynthesis of essential amino acids such as lysine, threonine and methionine including the use of protein rich cyanobacteria and their pathways for crop improvement.
• Mechanism of thermo tolerance in plants. We are studying the effects of heat shock and expression of heat shock proteins that may be synthesized as a result of sensitivity of plants to high and low temperatures and multiple stresses (salinity, heavy metals), signal transduction pathways, oxidative defense enzymes in stress tolerance. Studies on photoreceptors involved in light effects especially in relation to nitrogen assimilation and pigment biosynthesis.
• Effects of heavy metals stresses of algae, cyanobacteria and higher plants metabolisms, stress induced changes in anti-oxidative defense enzymes nitrogen assimilation enzymes, signal transduction pathways and induction of new proteins synthesized as result of heavy metals including metallothianins and metal binding proteins.
• Post harvest physiology of fruits such as apples, mangoes, bananas and guavas.

In this age of proteomics and genomics therapy the proteomic therapy will be mainly based on enzymes. We are happy to announce the discovery of some highly stable natural antioxidant enzymes which are stable at very high temperatures of even up to 100 ºC. These enzymes have immense applications in cosmecuticals, nutraceuticals and medicines. . Needless to mention that during normal metabolism our body produces reactive oxygen species called free radicals, which are generally produced as a result of partial reduction of molecular oxygen. The production of free radicals is stimulated under stressful conditions and cause oxidative damage and degenerative changes such as “ageing”. Free radicals have also been implicated in cancer, arthritis and inflammatory disorders, diabetes, cataract ogenesis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), AIDS and even in nervous disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. The free radicals are scavenged/removed by the antioxidant defenses which can be non -enzymatic or enzymatic in nature.

We have discovered a novel and stable enzymatic antioxidant system consisting of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase enzymes from selected plants. The enzymatic antioxidant is heat stable, autoclavable with only negligible loss in enzymatic activity under extremely harsh conditions and is more than hundred times faster in its action.

The stable enzymatic antioxidant system has been fully purified and characterized and a patent has been filed in India, USA and PCT Global patent (WO 2005/017134). Besides free radical scavenging activity the enzyme system exhibits anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and health protective properties. This enzymatic antioxidant detoxifies the cells and restores their ability to reproduce and remain “young”.

The extra ordinary properties of the enzymatic antioxidant make it a unique tool in the development of new enzymatic protein-based products for the first time for use in health and cosmetic industries.

The products developed by us reduce wrinkles, reduce scars, heal wounds reduce hyper pigmentation, strengthen hair roots and reduce hair loss.

Because of their efficiency and effectiveness, only small quantities of these products are needed.

Products

1. Enzyme based instant glow face pack for teen-agers –Enzymatic antioxidants in the face pack makes your skin vibrant and fresh.
   
   
2. Enzyme based anti-ageing cream for wrinkle-free, younger looking healthy skin – Invigorates the old dying cells of your precious skin.
   
   
3. Enzyme based lip balm: gives great protection to your lips from cracking and sores, gives a smooth and fresh look to your lips with anti ageing properties.
   
   
4. Enzyme based anti-inflammatory and anti psoriatic cream- gives you instant relief against inflammation and itching and prevents the built of dead cells by reducing the turnover of cells in a psoriatic skin.
   
   
5. Enzyme based anti ageing face pack for normal skin - Invigorates the naturally old dying cells and adds an instant glamour to your skin.
   
   
6. Enzyme based anti ageing face pack for oily skin- reduces the extra oil produced by dermis cells and gives a fresh, bright and cleaner look to your skin.
   
   
7. Enzyme based instant glow face pack for acne-prone skin.
   
   
8. Enzyme based antibacterial, anti-inflammatory toothpicks for healthier gums – can use safely as tooth pick even in unhealthy gums.
   
   
9. Enzyme based hair tonics and shampoos for controlling hair fall and graying- this hair tonic gives you fast relief in hair fall, strengths your hair roots and prevents graying.
   
   
10. Enzyme based facial scrubs – these are bursting with natural vitamins A, C, E along with aloe Vera.

• AK occurs as 2-3 isoenzymes sensitive to lysine, threonine/adenocyl methionine.
• AK is regulated by calcium and calmodulin and a calmodulin like calcium-binding protein is a subunit of the enzyme.
• The enzyme is also regulated by light with choroplastic and cytosolic isoforms and the light regulation occurs through phytochrome the red-far-red absorbing photoreceptor. The light also controls the expression of asparate kinase/homoserine dehydrogenase (akhsd) gene.
• The gene for asparate kinase/homoserine dehydrogenase has been cloned and sequenced from the cyanobacteria.
• Some mutants of cyanobacteria with modified capacity to synthesize lysine, threonine and methionine have been developed. The genes from these mutants are being characterized for transferring to other crops for nutritional improvement.
• Characterization of other enzymes of aspartate pathway is being undertaken. Recently, we have characterized and purified DHPS from cyanobacteria.