Mirzakamol Ayubov

The rapid changes in the coronavirus genomes are creating new strains over time after the first variation found in Wuhan in 2019. SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) genotypes need periodically undergo whole genome sequencing. Genome sequencing has been extremely helpful in combating this virus because so many diagnoses, treatments, and vaccinations have been developed against it. To achieve this, we generated 17 high-quality whole-genome sequence data from 48 SARS-CoV-2 genotypes of COVID-19 patients who tested positive by PCR in the Tashkent city of Uzbekistan. We identified nucleotide polymorphisms, including nonsynonymous (missense) and synonymous mutations in the coding regions of the sequenced sample genomes. All whole genome sequences were categorized by phylogenetic analysis into the G clade (or GK sub-clade). A total of 134 mutations were identified, consisting of 65 shared and 69 unique mutations. Collectively, nucleotide changes represented one fr...

The present study delves into a methodological framework aimed at establishing species-specific markers via the utilization of sequences derived from the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA. This method, in conjunction with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, serves as a diagnostic tool for discerning species belonging to the genus Teladorsagia Andreeva et Satubaldin, 1954. These species, constituents of the subfamily Ostertagiinae (Nematoda: Trichostrongylidae), exhibit wide distribution within the gastrointestinal tracts of ruminants across the geographic expanse of Uzbekistan. The heart of this endeavor is the development of species-specific primers, a pioneering creation in its own right. These primers are crafted using sequences emanating from the ITS2 region of the ribosomal DNA, an innovative approach that facilitates the precise identification of morphospecies within the Teladorsagia genus. Notably, the primers exhibit a nucleotide lengt...

Plant-based edible vaccines that provide two-layered protection against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outweigh the currently used parenteral type of vaccines, predominantly causing a systemic immune response. Here we engineered and selected the transgenic tomato genotype (TOMOVAC), stably synthesising an antigenic S1 protein of SARS-COV-2. Two-course spaced force-feeding of mice with ≈5.4 µg/ml TOMAVAC increased up to 16-fold synthesis of RBD-specific NAbs in blood serums. TOMAVAC-induced NAbs had 15-25% viral neutralising activity in a surrogate virus neutralisation test. Results suggested early evidence of immunogenicity and protectivity of TOMAVAC against COVID-19 infection. Further, we observed a positive trend of statistically significant 1.2-fold (average of +42.28 BAU/ml) weekly increase in NAbs in the volunteers’ serum relative to the initial day. No severe side effects were observed, supporting the safety of TOMAVAC. TOMAVAC should be a cost-e...

Marker-assisted selection (MAS) helps to shorten breeding time as well as reduce breeding resources and efforts. In our MAS program, we have targeted one of previously reported LD-blocks with its simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker(s), putatively associated with, at least, four different fibre quality QTLs such as fibre length, strength, micronaire and uniformity. In order to transfer targeted QTLs from a donor genotype to a cultivar of choice, we selected G. hirsutum donor genotypes L-141 and LN-1, possessing a fibre quality trait-associated LD-block from the chromosome 7/16. We crossed the donor lines with local elite G. hirsutum cultivars ‘Andijan-35’ and ‘Mekhnat’ as recipients. As a result, two segregating populations on LD-block of interest containing fibre QTLs were developed through backcrossing (BC) of F1 hybrids with their relative recipients (used as recurrent parents) up to five generations. In each BC and segregating BC1-5F1 populations, a transfer of targeted LD-block/...

The cotton crop is economically important and primarily grown for its fiber. Although the genus Gossypium consists of over 50 species, only four domesticated species produce spinnable fiber. However, the genes determine the molecular phenotype of fiber, and variation in their expression primarily contributes to associated phenotypic changes. Transcriptome analyses can elucidate the similarity or variation in gene expression (GE) among organisms at a given time or a circumstance. Even though several algorithms are available for analyzing such high-throughput data generated from RNA Sequencing (RNA-Seq), a reliable pipeline that includes a combination of tools such as an aligner for read mapping, an assembler for quantitating full-length transcripts, a differential gene expression (DGE) package for identifying differences in the transcripts across the samples, a gene ontology tool for assigning function, and enrichment and pathway mapping tools for finding interrelationships between g...

Due to rapid mutations in the coronavirus genome over time and re-emergence of multiple novel variants of concerns (VOC), there is a continuous need for a periodic genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 genotypes of particular region. This is for on-time development of diagnostics, monitoring and therapeutic tools against virus in the global pandemics condition. Toward this goal, we have generated 18 high-quality whole-genome sequence data from 32 SARS-CoV-2 genotypes of PCR-positive COVID-19 patients, sampled from the Tashkent region of Uzbekistan. The nucleotide polymorphisms in the sequenced sample genomes were determined, including nonsynonymous (missense) and synonymous mutations in coding regions of coronavirus genome. Phylogenetic analysis grouped fourteen whole genome sample sequences (1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10-15, 17, 32) into the G clade (or GR sub-clade) and four whole genome sample sequences (3, 6, 25, 27) into the S clade. A total of 128 mutations were identified, consisting of 45 sha...

Genetic approaches often lead to the most cost-effective and efficient means to improve crops, especially those grown widely. But for most crops, cotton included, genetic improvement efforts have focused far more on above-ground plant attributes than on root systems. Root system establishment is crucial to cotton seedling success, subsequent development, crop performance and sustainability. As a first step toward genetic enhancement of cotton root systems, significant heritable phenotypic variation must be found or created. The overall objective of this research was to study the effect of substituted chromosomes or chromosome segments from the donor tetraploid species Gossypium barbadense, G. mustelinum, and G. tomentosum on the selected traits of the stem, leaf, and especially root in CS lines. Twenty-seven chromosome substitution (CS) lines, containing different pairs or short segments of chromosomes from G. barbadense (CS-B lines), G. mustelinum (CS-M lines), and G. tomentosum (C...

Genes for host-plant resistant do exist in cotton (Gossypium spp.) but improvement of cotton cultivars with resistance is difficult due to intensive breeding. Identifying molecular-genetic mechanisms associated with disease resistance can offer a new way to combat a serious threat such as Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (FOV). Here, we captured and annotated “top-layer” of abundantly and specifically expressed cotton root small RNA (sRNA) including microRNA (miR) sequences during FOV pathogenesis using size-directed and adenylated linker-based sRNA cloning strategy. A total of 4116 candidate sRNA sequences with 16 to 30 nucleotide (nt) length were identified from four complementary DNA (cDNA) libraries of noninfected and FOV race 3-infected roots of susceptible (“11970”) versus resistant (“Mebane B-1”) cotton genotypes (G. hirsutum L.). The highest numbers of sRNA signatures were those with 19–24 nt long in all libraries, and interestingly, the number of sRNAs substantially increased during FOV infection in a resistant genotype, while it sharply decreased in a susceptible genotype. In BLAST analysis, more than 73 % of sRNAs matched Gossypium (G. arboretum L., G. hirsutum, and G. barbadense L.) ESTs. A small percentage of sRNAs matched A. thaliana (1.68 %), T. cacao (1.26 %), fungal (2 %), and other organism (21.33 %) ESTs. mirBase comparisons showed that 4 % of sRNAs were homologous to previously reported plant miRs, among which we predicted novel cotton Ghr-miR-160 that was not registered in the cotton miR database. These major representative sRNA signatures targeted proteins associated with the key biological processes and molecular functions, explaining the molecular mechanisms of the host defense response during the FOV pathogenesis in cotton.

RNA interference (RNAi), is a powerful new technology in the discovery of genetic sequence functions, and has become a valuable tool for functional genomics of cotton (Gossypium sp.). The rapid adoption of RNAi has replaced previous antisense technology. RNAi has aided in the discovery of function and biological roles of many key cotton genes involved in fiber development, fertility and somatic embryogenesis, resistance to important biotic and abiotic stresses, and oil and seed quality improvements as well as the key agronomic traits including yield and maturity. Here, we have comparatively reviewed seminal research efforts in previously used antisense approaches and currently applied breakthrough RNAi studies in cotton, analyzing developed RNAi methodologies, achievements, limitations, and future needs in functional characterizations of cotton genes. We also highlighted needed efforts in the development of RNAi-based cotton cultivars, and their safety and risk assessment, small and large-scale field trials, and commercialization.