Search results for " bioactive molecules"
showing 7 items of 7 documents
Biotechnology a Source of Knowledge in Agreement with Green Strategies for the Conservation of Cultural Assets
2019
In this study, conservative strategies are applied in order to limit any irreversible damage and to characterize and quantify microbial colonization that may induce the deterioration of constitutive heritage materials; subsequently, suitable antimicrobial interventions are performed based on the use of biotechnology. This paper presents a summary of the basic and applied biotechnology research developed in the Laboratory of Biology and Biotechnology for Cultural Heritage (LaBBCH, University of Palermo, Italy). It shows that biotechnology has an evidently important role in the preservation and restoration of cultural assets, also taking into consideration that “Prevention is better than cure…
Maristem stem cells of marine/aquatic invertebrates: from basic research to innovative applications
2018
The “stem cells” discipline represents one of the most dynamic areas in biomedicine. While adult marine/aquatic invertebrate stem cell (MISC) biology is of prime research and medical interest, studies on stem cells from organisms outside the classical vertebrate (e.g., human, mouse, and zebrafish) and invertebrate (e.g., Drosophila, Caenorhabditis) models have not been pursued vigorously. Marine/aquatic invertebrates constitute the largest biodiversity and the widest phylogenetic radiation on Earth, from morphologically simple organisms (e.g., sponges, cnidarians), to the more complex mollusks, crustaceans, echinoderms, and protochordates. These organisms contain a kaleidoscope of MISC-type…
Inflammatory reaction and isolation of multifunctional bioactive molecules in cnidarians: from Immunobiology to Blue Biotechnology
2015
The phylum of Cnidaria is one of the first branches in the tree of animal life to provide crucial insights on the evolution of immunity. Cnidarians are diblastic aquatic animals with radial symmetry and they are the simplest multicellular organisms that have reached the level of tissue organization. The renewed interest in the study of immunity in Cnidaria has led to additional information to the scenario of the first stages of immunity evolution revealing the cellular processes involved in symbiosis, in the regulation of homeostasis and in the fight against infections. We investigated the inflammatory response in Cnidarian following injection of various substances different in type and dim…
Cnidarian inflammatory reaction and bioactive molecules: from multifunctional role to cultural heritage applications
2015
The renewed interest in the study of genes of immunity in Cnidaria has led to additional information to the scenario of the first stages of immunity evolution revealing the cellular processes involved in symbiosis, in the regulation of homeostasis and in the fight against infections. We investigated the inflammatory response in Anemonia sulcata (Cnidaria: Anthozoa), following injection of various substances different in type and dimension, and observed clear, strong and specific reactions especially after injection of bacteria. The enzymes evaluation (protease, phosphatase and esterase), showing how the injection of different bacterial strains alters the expression of these enzymes suggesti…
The role of Plant Growth Promoting (PGP) bacteria in the growth of Mediterranean diet plants producing high-value compounds
2023
Loss of fertility, together with drought and aridity, results in soil unproductivity and eventually desertification. Unsustainable agricultural practices are currently stressing the soil: an undervalued resource that, in addition to food, provides a multitude of invaluable services such as regulating the microclimate, reducing contaminants, and capturing CO2. Hence, there is an increasing need to resort to sustainable approaches toward agricultural systems. Although Sicily is one of those regions most affected by water shortages, it is at the same time a reservoir of drought-resistant Mediterranean plants with high nutritional value and a rich microbiota. This project aims to promote agricu…
Recent Advances in the Chemistry of 1,2,4-Oxadiazoles
2015
1,2,4-Oxadiazoles experienced an almost 80-year long period of scientific lethargy before they tickled the curiosity of chemists. The study of chemical and photochemical reactivity of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles opened the way to a series of applications in heterocyclic synthesis. Today, 1,2,4-oxadiazoles are known in medicinal chemistry for their use as bioisosters of esters and amides. Furthermore, fluorinated 1,2,4-oxadiazoles have been applied in materials science either by themselves or for the targeted modification of polymers and macromolecules. Overall, the synthesis of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles can be planned to fine-tune their properties for featured applications. Their versatility, either as start…
Plant essential oils in controlling fungal colonization on wooden substrate
2021
In order to control fungal colonization and the related deterioration process of cultural objects, several chemical compounds are actually utilised. These products generally are toxic, not biodegradable and persisting for long time in the environment, also acting on not-targeted biological systems. In this study, specifically to wooden cultural object, Origanum vulgare L. and Thymus vulgaris L. essential oils are proposed as green biocides to contrast the development of Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger fungal species. The aim is replacing toxic products with natural molecules, proposing alternative methodologies supporting the using of non-toxic novel compou…