The ultrastructural and functional features of photosynthesizing callus cells are poorly known. Electron microscopy studies on green, compact Glycine max calluses have shown that they are composed of photosynthesizing cells characterized by clear ultrastructural signs of senescence. Studies on chlorophyll fluorescence and CO₂ assimilation kinetics have shown that such cells were still able to maintain photosynthesis but could not compensate for the respiratory CO₂ uptake. Having a one-step CO₂ assimilation kinetics, photosynthesis in calluses differed from photosynthesis in leaves, which had a two-step CO₂ assimilation kinetics. In contrast to leaves, the fluorescence induction curves in G. max calluses strongly differed in shape depending on the color of actinic light (red or blue). Red (in contrast to blue) light excitation did not lead to CO₂ assimilation in the calluses, thus suggesting anoxygenic photosynthesis in this case. In particular, the data obtained indicate that the actinic light spectrum should be considered when cultivating calluses for micropropagation of plants and for callus tissue research.

Hedysarum cretaceum Fisch is a critically endangered herbaceous species with high ornamental and phytomeliorative properties; thus, it needs urgent conservation and protection methods to conserve. In the present study, an efficient method for microtonal propagation of H. cretaceum is developed. The seed sterilization was optimized as treatment with 96% alcohol (2 min) and burned (1 sec) through a burner flame. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with the addition of 0.5 mg/L 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) (shoots per explant – 18.0) and 1.0 mg/L BAP and 0.1 mg/L Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) (shoots per explant – 18.4) for the shoot and ⅓ MS supplemented with 0.1 mg/L IAA (rooting indicator – 62%) for roots were identified best composition for the proliferation and regeneration. Additionally, the medium for maintaining callus culture was determined – DKW with the addition of 2.5 mg/L BAP and 0.1 mg/L IAA, the possibility of direct organogenesis in vitro in the studied plant was also standardized. In addition, seed germination after various pre-sowing treatments was studied. It is shown that scarification makes achieving 80% germination of seeds possible. Also, sulfuric acid was used as a pre-sowing seed treatment, germination was 45%. Thus, using the protocols we developed, it is possible to maintain the H. cretaceum culture in vitro and increase seed germination using pre-sowing treatment.

журнал Живые и биокосные системы Изучение информативности маркерной системы при генетическом анализе ценопопуляций Bellevalia sarmatica (Pall. ex Georgi) Woronow с использованием ISSR-праймеров

журнал Живые и биокосные системы Методика расчёта средней ожидаемой гетерозиготности ценопопуляций Quercus robur L. (Fagaceae) из разных экотопов

The origin of the genetic code remains one of the most challenging questions in the study of life. The classical “RNA world” model assumes that nucleotides were the first carriers of information and catalysis, yet this scenario encounters a severe combinatorial paradox: the probability of functional ribozymes or genes arising by chance is exceedingly small. Here we advance an alternative hypothesis: the earliest coding framework originated from amino acid assemblies rather than nucleotides. Amino acid conglomerates—and subsequently short peptides—could spontaneously self‑organize into stable motifs through conformational selection, thereby generating functional structures. We define this process as a peptide protocode, a primordial mapping of amino acids into functional motifs that preceded the canonical genetic code. Importantly, peptide aggregates provided binding environments that stabilized nucleotides, granting them sufficient residence time to escape random fluctuations and polymerize into ordered chains. This perspective reframes the origin of coding not as a contingent accident but as a directed outcome of intrinsic molecular organization. Our quantitative analysis indicates that blind combinatorial search is infeasible within the age of the Universe, whereas directed peptide‑guided assembly offers a realistic pathway for the emergence of coding systems, thereby providing a new perspective on the origin of life.