The discovery of the MADS-box genes and the study of model plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana and Antirrhinum majus have greatly improved our understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving the diversity in floral development. The class B genes, which belong to the MADS-box gene family, are important regulators of the development of petals and stamens in flowering plants. Many nongrass monocot flowers have two whorls of petaloid organs, which are called tepals. To explain this floral morphology, the modified ABC model was proposed. This model was exemplified by the tulip, in which expansion and restriction of class B gene expression is linked to the transition of floral morphologies in whorl 1. The expression patterns of class B genes from many monocot species nicely fit this model; however, those from some species, such as asparagus, do not. In this review, we summarize the relationship between class B gene expression and floral morphology in nongrass monocots, such as Liliales (Liliaceae) and Asparagales species, and discuss the applicability of the modified ABC model to monocot flowers.

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A shock wave assisted biolistic (biological ballistic) device has been developed to deliver DNA/drug-coated micro-projectiles into soft living targets. The device consists of an Nd:YAG laser, an optical setup to focus the laser beam and, a thin aluminum (Al) foil (typically 100 µm thick) which is a launch pad for the micro-projectiles. The DNA/drug-coated micro-particles to be delivered are deposited on the anterior surface of the foil and the posterior surface of the foil is ablated using the laser beam with an energy density of about 32×109 W/cm2. The ablation launches a shock wave through the foil that imparts an impulse to the foil surface, due to which the deposited particles accelerate and acquire sufficient momentum to penetrate soft targets. The device has been tested for particle delivery by delivering 1 µm size tungsten particles into liver tissues of experimental rats and in vitro test models made of gelatin. The penetration depths of about 90 and 800 µm have been observed in the liver and gelatin targets, respectively. The device has been tested for in vivo DNA [encoding β-glucuronidase (GUS) gene] transfer by delivering plasmid DNA-coated, 1-µm size gold (Au) particles into onion scale, tobacco leaf and soybean seed cells. The GUS activity was detected in the onion, tobacco and soybean cells after the DNA delivery. The present device is totally non-intrusive in nature and has a potential to get miniaturized to suit the existing medical procedures for DNA and/or drug delivery.