Genome-scale metabolic model led engineering of plant cells for high camptothecin production.

Camptothecin (CPT) is a vital monoterpene indole alkaloid used in anti-cancer therapeutics. It is primarily derived from and plants that are indigenous to Southeast Asia. Plants have intricate metabolic networks and use them to produce secondary metabolites such as CPT, which is a prerequisite for rational metabolic engineering design to optimize their production.

Phytochemical rich Himalayan petals inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection .

Phytochemicals with potential to competitively bind to the host receptors or inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication, may prove to be useful as adjunct therapeutics for COVID-19. We profiled and investigated the phytochemicals of petals sourced from Himalayan flora, undertook studies and found it as a promising candidate against SARS-CoV-2. The phytochemicals were reported in various scientific investigations to act against a range of virus and which prompted us to test against SARS-CoV-2.