Today.Az » Society » French scientists found dangerous viruses in Azerbaijan?
23 July 2010 [15:45] - Today.Az
Scientists of the National Research Centre of France who left Azerbaijan a few days ago, took a detected virus with them for further, more detailed studies. The virus was found in some samples of vegetables.
Head of Plant Virology Department, Professor Bruno Gronenborn, and Dr. Alain Heyir Pur visited Azerbaijan to collect samples of cultivated and wild species of vegetable plants infected with viruses in different regions of the country. Doctor of Biological Sciences, Head of the Bioadaptation Laboratory of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences Institute of Botany Irada Huseynova spoke about goal and outcomes of foreign scientists to Azerbaijan.
Tell us please, what were the revealed results?
The Department of Fundamental Problems of Biological Productivity have analyzed samples of viruses. We identified the nuclear DNA from the charged samples and conducted electrophoresis after amplification (multiplication) of viral DNA. Restrictions showed different types of viruses in our samples with the help of different enzymes. As a result, studies have found virus TYLCV (Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus) in tomato, CpCDV (Chickpea Chlorotic dwarf Virus) in peas, and nano-virus FBNYV (Faba bean Necrotic Yellow Virus) in beans, and also several non-identified nano-viruses.
We have conducted extensive discussions on these studies. However, much remains to be seen - most viruses have not yet been identified. Identified viruses now should be cloned and then sequenced, their nucleotide sequence should be deciphered. There is still a lot of work to do. In general, viruses have been found in tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, lentils, cabbage, pepper, eggplant, beans, pumpkin, beets, etc.
What implications can occur, if these infected products are eaten?
As of now, there is very little information about this. Difficult to say something about this now.
What is the situation with these viruses in Azerbaijan today?
In Azerbaijan. majority of clonal food, fruit, fodder and technical and ornamental crops are chronically infected with viruses that cause serious losses of crops and significantly degrade the quality of agricultural products. It is predicted that in foreseeable future role of viral infections will increase to an extent which will decrease the yield losses caused by phytopathogens of completely different etiology.
In addition, globalization of agriculture, expansion of international exchange of seed and planting material contribute to introduction of viruses into new regions. Almost half of new infectious diseases of plants detected over the last decade have a viral nature. Number of viruses is growing at fast pace as global warming increases ranges of insect vectors and increases their numbers.
Where do these viruses come from?
The reasons may be different - globalization of agriculture, expansion of international exchange of seed and planting material, poor control over their transportation, environmental pollution, insects which can be carriers, global warming, etc.
And what is a nano-virus, and what is the solution against it?
Nano-viruses are ultra small viruses. They can be fought against by immune varieties, regulation of timing of sowing and harvesting, cleaning seed plots from diseased plants, vector control and weed control and burning diseased plants.
How long has a virus (that infects crops) been studied by scientists around the world?
Over the last 35 years. In particular, not only number and popularity, but also economic importance of viruses that infect plants, especially crops have increased in Europe. Certain types of viruses have become a serious threat to vegetable, grain and agriculture in the whole world.
What work is being carried out in the lab, to fight virus, and prevent it from spreading?
As there is no database of viruses infecting vegetable plants in Azerbaijan, one of our task in this respect is to identify the most common viruses using molecular diagnostic techniques. In addition, negative effects of viruses on some biochemical, biophysical and physiological processes in plant cells are being studied. We work to improve molecular-biochemical methods to assess the stability and quality of seed crops.
Since 2005, the Institute of Botany has been working closely with different virological centers of France. French scientists have made several visits to Azerbaijan. Within this framework, graduate of our Department of Fundamental Problems of Biological Productivity Gulnara Balakishiyeva visited France several times with the support of Grants Funds FEBS and EMBO.
Which Azerbaijani regions did French scientists travel to?
Within 7 days, they visited Masalli, Lankaran, Lerik, Ismayilli and Lahij. As virologists they are interested in a situation with viruses worldwide. Our task is primary molecular identification of viruses from the collected materials with characteristic symptoms and then to study evolution and diversity of their genomes using existing genebanks which stores all information about the viral genome. As part of a seven-day trip, scientists from both countries agreed to continue joint research projects. Issues of training and exchange of experiences were also included into the plan for future cooperation with French scientists.
/Vesti.az/
|
|
