Spore as a Survival Strategy in Cryptogams: Emerging Applications in Biotechnology and Beyond
Akhil Gupta *
Department of Botany, GDC Thatyur Tehri Garhwal Uttrakhand, India.
Rajesh Singh
Department of Economics, GDC Thatyur Tehri Garhwal Uttrakhand, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Spore biology is a fascinating field with immense potential for fundamental research and its applications. Spores are highly resistant dormant cells with reduced metabolic activity. The spores are found naturally in soil. Spores have unique features such as haploid nature, asexual reproductive units, extremely resistant cell wall and ability to survive in extreme conditions. Due to this spores have promising future prospects in research in fields of biosensing, biocontrol, biofertilizers, biomedicine biological warfare, probiotics and crop improvement. Because of resistance in changes in pH, temperature, and other environmental factors, they are used as efficient vaccine vehicles. Certain bacteria have been genetically manipulated to express antigens on the surface of their spores. Further bacterial spores can be used to selectively deliver drugs to tumor sites. This offers huge potential of spores in field of medicine.
Keywords: Spore, biocontrol, biopestisides, biological warfare, biosensor