Assessing the effectiveness of different molecular markers is essential for identification of appropriate ones for crop improvement and conservation, hence, inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and start codon targeted (SCoT) markers were used for this study. Sixty-six accessions with different genomes obtained from International Transit Center, Belgium, were used for DNA extraction, amplification with ISSR and SCoT markers and agarose gel electrophoresis. The reproducible bands were scored for analyses. We identified high allelic richness of 299 (ISSR) and 326 (SCoT). Polymorphic information contents (ISSR: 0.9225; SCoT: 0.9421) were high but SCoT exhibited higher level of informativeness. The two markers demonstrated high percentage polymorphic loci (ISSR: 91.21–100%; SCoT: 96.97–100%). Other genetic indicators including effective number of alleles, Nei’s genetic diversity, and Shannon information index were higher in SCoT and further elucidated the usefulness of the markers. Intraspecific genetic diversity, interspecific genetic diversity, coefficient of gene differentiation and level of gene flow revealed extensive gene flow and larger variability within the accessions. Both ISSR and SCoT grouped the accessions via dendrogram, biplot and structure analyses. Though the two marker systems varied in their informativeness, they demonstrated high effectiveness in resolving genetic diversity (GD) of the different accessions, with higher efficiency in SCoT markers. Due to higher GD indices exhibited by SCoT, AS is the most genetically endowed one. Our study showed that SCoT markers are more informative than ISSR for GD exploration, assessment and cluster resolution of Musa species, thereby revealing the potential of SCoT markers for improved breeding and conservation.

Plant virus nanoparticles (PVNPs) have garnered considerable interest as a promising nanotechnology approach to combat cancer. Owing to their biocompatibility, stability, and adjustable surface functionality, PVNPs hold tremendous potential for both therapeutic and imaging applications. The versatility of PVNPs is evident from their ability to be tailored to transport a range of therapeutic agents, including chemotherapy drugs, siRNA, and immunomodulators, thereby facilitating targeted delivery to the tumor microenvironment (TME). Furthermore, PVNPs may be customized with targeting ligands to selectively bind to cancer cell receptors, reducing off-target effects. Additionally, PVNPs possess immunogenic properties and can be engineered to exhibit tumor-associated antigens, thereby stimulating anti-tumor immune responses. In conclusion, the potential of PVNPs as a versatile platform for fighting cancer is immense, and further research is required to fully explore their potential and translate them into clinical applications.

Herbivorous insects exhibit pronounced metabolic plasticity, enabling adaptation to diverse host plants which complicates pest management strategies. Understanding how plant metabolites are transformed during insect digestion is critical for elucidating plant-insect interactions. We combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based untargeted metabolomics with UV-Vis quantification of total phenols and flavonoids to compare host plant tissues and insect gut extracts in three systems: fall armyworm ( Spodoptera frugiperda ) larvae on maize ( Zea mays ), silkworm ( Bombyx mori ) on mulberry ( Morus alba ) and desert locust ( Schistocerca gregaria ) on wheatgrass ( Triticum aestivum ). UV-Vis analysis revealed consistent enrichment of total phenols in insect gut relative to host plants (∼1.4-.35-fold), while flavonoids were reduced (∼2-7-fold). GC-MS analyses showed clear separation of gut and plant metabolomes, with <35% shared metabolites and the majority unique to insect guts. Insect extracts were enriched in hydrocarbons, fatty acids, sterols, and terpenoid derivatives, reflecting extensive biochemical transformation. Sex-specific metabolite differences were observed in silkworm and desert locust guts despite identical diets. These findings indicate that herbivorous insect guts act as dynamic biochemical reactors, selectively restructuring plant metabolomes through flavonoid turnover, phenolic enrichment, sterol bioconversion, and lipid assimilation. This conserved metabolic strategy across phylogenetically distinct insects underscores adaptive mechanisms for nutrient acquisition and detoxification, a pathway that can be exploited in plant pest control.

Extended journeys through space are a goal of NASA. Yet, astronauts will face elevated health risks from microgravity and radiation as journeys continue for longer time periods. Approaches to combatting these health risks consist of growing fresh super foods in space for astronaut consumption while in flight. However, while a great deal is known about the effects of microgravity of humans, little is known about its effects on the nutrient profiles of plants. Endeavors towards understanding more about these effects are currently funded by NASA grants. Kale, a metabolite and specifically a flavonoid-rich crop, stands as a promising candidate for growth on space flights. We observed the effects of simulated microgravity broadly on the F1 cultivar, Starbor Kale metabolomics, and further focused on flavonoid content, using a 2-D clinostat. Extracts of kale were analyzed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance ( ¹ H NMR), and high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). ¹ H NMR spectra of clinostat-grown kale showed that samples from simulated microgravity conditions had an increased number of peaks in the aromatic region (6.5 to 8.5 ppm) when compared with gravity grown kale. HPTLC confirmed greater banding in medium- and high-polarity solvent systems, while low-polarity extracts showed no differences. Overall, we noted that the microgravity grown kale had greater amounts of bands present. These results signal that microgravity stressors may be connected to the increased secondary metabolite production in kale. Our findings underscore kale to be a prospective crop to be grown in space flight to combat effects of microgravity.

As science continues to push the frontiers on the length of space flight, we begin to experience an enhanced need for food that is nutritionally dense. Nasa-grants have worked to explore the ability of growing superfoods in space on aircrafts. However, it is paramount to ensure the physiological health of the plants being grown in space flight, perform relatively similar to the plants that grow on earth. An aspect which needs to be further probed is the comparison of microgravity and gravity on the plants seeking to be grown in space flight. Within this NASA-funded research, we grew a superfood vegetable, Kale. The kale was grown in simulated microgravity environments to mimic life in outer space. This simulation was induced by means of a 2-D clinostat. Additionally, kale was grown in gravity conditions as well. We used multivariate statistical tools such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA), together with differential-expression visualizations like volcano plots, to summarize complex data rendered from LC-MS. In this study, we used these approaches to examine how horizontal and vertical orientations both in static and rotating configurations simulate aspects of simulated-microgravity and influence metabolic responses; this combined analysis provided a broad perspective on gravity-related metabolic adaptations and points to potential molecular markers that could guide future research on spaceflight health and countermeasure development.

Withdrawal Statement: The authors have withdrawn this manuscript because they have determined that substantial revisions are needed before the work should be publicly disseminated. Therefore, the authors do not wish this work to be cited as reference for the project. If you have any questions, please contact the corresponding author.