Biotechnology Research at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham

To understand brain activity relating neurons to circuits to learning and behavior, we explored a bottom-up computational reconstruction of population signals arising from cerebellum granular layer. As a first implementation, using bio-realistic computational models of cerebellum granule cell, in vivo spike train patterns were computed and then translated into functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Blood Oxygen-Level Dependent (BOLD) signals. The BOLD response was generated from averaged activity arising from center-surround organization modeled by using excitatory-inhibitory ratios related to experimental data. The averaged responses were converted to BOLD signals using the balloon and modified Windkessel models. Although both models generated BOLD responses corresponding to neural activity, the temporal mismatch was attributed to the response by the delayed compliance parameter in the Windkessel model. The modeling suggests that experimental variability observed in the cerebellar micro-zones could be related to compliance chances, activation patterns and number of neurons. Although detailed neuro-vasculature information was not modeled, the advantage in this methodology is that cerebellar cortex may allow seemingly linear transformations of underlying spiking that could be then used to validate network reconstructions.

In this study, LC–MS/MS-based structural characterisation of phlorotannins from Padina tetrastromatica, a marine brown macroalga collected from South-West coastal region of Kerala, and its bioactivities are presented. The tandem mass spectrometric data revealed a series of phlorotannins with degree of polymerisation ranging from 2 to 18. The characteristic neutral loss of tandem mass spectra further confirmed that these molecules belong to fucophlorethol class of phlorotannins. DPPH assay of the HPLC-purified, phlorotannin-enriched fraction possesses significant free radical-scavenging activity. Cell viability assay indicated that phlorotannin concentration ranging from 1.5 to 50.0 μg mL−1 is non-toxic to THP-1 cell lines. Anti-inflammatory assay performed through gelatin zymography confirmed that phlorotannins ameliorated high-glucose-induced pro-MMP-9 expression in a dose-dependent manner whereas the level of pro-MMP-2 remains unaltered. The antimicrobial assays carried out using both the crude and HPLC-purified phlorotannin fraction showed its anti-MRSA potential.