https://biospectrumindia.com/rssfeed/news/science science https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28635/pm-modi-launches-iit-madras-brain-centres-mission-of-3d-mapping-100-human-brains-at-cell-resolution-across-human-life.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28635/pm-modi-launches-iit-madras-brain-centres-mission-of-3d-mapping-100-human-brains-at-cell-resolution-across-human-life.html Mon, 12 Oct 2026 12:59:17 +0530 Narendra Modi, Prime Minister, on Sunday (11th Oct 2026) kicked off IIT Madras Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre’s (SGBC) mission of mapping 100+ human brains into 3D atlases at cell-resolution across human life span from foetus to old age, including brain related diseases. This will be the largest set of 3D maps of whole human brains at cell resolution. As part of the mission, the Prime Minister released ‘C-STROKE’, the world’s first human ischemic stroke atlas developed by SGBC. C-STROKE is a landmark resource that bridges millimeter-scale pre-mortem MRI scans with micron-resolution whole-brain histology. This research is supported by Prem Watsa, Distinguished Alumnus of IIT Madras and Chairman of Fairfax Financial. The atlas features over 1000 annotated brain sections from a stroke affected brain. By mapping critical cellular markers including neuronal health, neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier disruption, hypoxia, and axonal injury, the atlas reveals for the first time the details of clinical imaging signatures at a microscopic cellular level. The 3D maps were generated using Param Shakti supercomputer supported by MeitY. Complete with an open-access data viewer and analytical suite, the platform equips global researchers and clinicians to interrogate cerebrovascular pathology across spatial scales for discovering novel therapeutic targets directly in the human brain. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28601/himalaya-wellness-csir-cdri-join-forces-to-develop-new-therapy-for-polyendocrine-metabolic-ovarian-syndrome.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28601/himalaya-wellness-csir-cdri-join-forces-to-develop-new-therapy-for-polyendocrine-metabolic-ovarian-syndrome.html Tue, 06 Oct 2026 16:55:06 +0530 Himalaya Wellness Company has entered into a licensing agreement with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Drug Research Institute (CSIR-CDRI), Lucknow, to develop a new evidence-based intervention for Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), formerly known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). The collaboration brings together CSIR-CDRI’s expertise in drug discovery and phytopharmaceutical research with Himalaya’s capabilities in herbal research and product development. The partnership aims to advance the discovery and development of a safe and effective therapy for PMOS, a complex condition that affects approximately 1 in 8 women and more than 170 million people globally. Unlike conditions that affect a single organ or pathway, PMOS involves interconnected reproductive, metabolic, and endocrine factors. This complexity can make its management challenging and underscores the need for approaches that address the condition more comprehensively. Under the agreement, a standardised herbal extract developed by CSIR-CDRI scientists, Dr T. Narender and Dr Rajesh Jha, will be advanced by Himalaya Wellness Company, for its potential application in PMOS. The company will focus on formulation development, clinical safety, and efficacy evaluation, with the broader objective of translating scientific research into a potential therapeutic option for women. The collaboration reflects the growing importance of industry-academia partnerships in translating scientific discoveries into potential healthcare applications. By combining research capabilities, such partnerships can help advance innovation while enabling specialised scientific expertise and industry development capabilities to work towards a common healthcare objective. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/views/58/28551/population-specific-datasets-are-extremely-important-because-microbiome-composition-can-vary-with-geography-ethnicity-lifestyle-and-other-host-factors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/views/58/28551/population-specific-datasets-are-extremely-important-because-microbiome-composition-can-vary-with-geography-ethnicity-lifestyle-and-other-host-factors.html Thu, 01 Oct 2026 11:20:51 +0530 Your study is among the first to comprehensively map the cervical microbiome and inflammatory milieu in apparently healthy Indian women. What makes these findings particularly significant in the Indian healthcare and research context? Dr Deepti Tandon: Microbial composition varies across populations, and the microbiota of different anatomical sites of the female genital tract, although related, are not necessarily identical. Much of the available research has focused on the vaginal or cervicovaginal microbiome, while the cervical microbiome, particularly in apparently healthy Indian women, remains relatively underexplored. Our study specifically looked at the cervical microbiome along with the local inflammatory milieu. This is important because the cervix represents an important biological interface between the lower and upper reproductive tract. Although our study is based on a relatively small cohort, it provides an important initial dataset from an Indian community setting and highlights that apparently healthy women can have distinct microbial and inflammatory profiles that may not be evident clinically. The study identified distinct microbial and cytokine signatures associated with asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis and Candida infections. How could these findings contribute to the development of next-generation diagnostic tools for women's reproductive health? Dr Vikrant Bhor: One of the important observations was that Lactobacillus was the predominant genus, with Lactobacillus iners being the most abundant species. However, the microbial communities were not uniform across women. Women with asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis showed increased abundance of organisms such as Prevotella and Streptococcus, while Candida infection was associated with changes involving Atopobium and Collinsella. These microbial alterations were accompanied by changes in the local cytokine environment. This suggests that combining microbial markers with host-response markers may eventually provide a more informative diagnostic approach than detecting individual organisms alone. However, these signatures first need validation in larger and diverse populations before they can be translated into clinical diagnostics. Microbiome research is increasingly influencing precision medicine globally. How do you envision cervical microbiome profiling being integrated into personalised preventive and therapeutic strategies for women in India over the next decade? Dr Deepti Tandon: We are still at an early stage. Before microbiome profiling can become part of routine reproductive healthcare, we need to understand what constitutes a healthy microbial ecosystem across different Indian populations and how it changes with age, hormonal status, reproductive events and clinical conditions. The important shift will be from asking “Which organism is present?” to asking “What is the microbial community doing, and how is the host responding to it?” This will require longitudinal datasets, validated biomarkers and affordable technologies. Ultimately, microbiome information could help identify women at risk of particular outcomes and perhaps guide more personalised prevention or treatment, but this will require considerable clinical validation. Your team employed nanopore sequencing alongside multiplex cytokine analysis. How important are advanced sequencing and multi-omics technologies in improving our understanding of reproductive health, and what technological gaps still need to be addressed in India? Dr Vikrant Bhor: Technologies like sequencing provide considerably greater resolution of microbial communities than conventional diagnostic approaches. However, sequencing alone gives us only one part of the picture. When microbiome data are integrated with cytokines, host factors and eventually metabolomic or other molecular information, we can begin to understand the functional interaction between the microbial community and the host. For India, we need greater access to sequencing facilities, standardised sample-processing and analytical protocols, trained personnel and strong bioinformatics capacity. Equally important is making these technologies affordable and reproducible across centres. Building such infrastructure will allow us to move from small descriptive studies towards clinically meaningful, multi-centre research. Many women with bacterial vaginosis or Candida infections remain asymptomatic. What are the broader clinical and public health implications of identifying these 'silent' infections before symptoms develop? Dr Deepti Tandon: Our findings reinforce an important principle: the absence of symptoms does not necessarily mean the absence of biological changes. Some apparently healthy women had bacterial vaginosis or Candida infection accompanied by alterations in their microbial and inflammatory profiles. However, we should also be careful not to equate detection of a microorganism with disease. The female genital tract has a complex microbial ecosystem, and colonisation, dysbiosis and clinically significant infection are not always synonymous. The more important question is whether particular microbial and host-response patterns are associated with clinically relevant outcomes such as recurrence, relapse or treatment failure. This is an area that requires further investigation. From a translational research perspective, what are the key milestones that need to be achieved before discoveries such as these can be translated into routine clinical practice or commercial diagnostic solutions? Dr Deepti Tandon: The first requirement is validation in larger, well-characterised and geographically diverse Indian populations. We then need to identify reproducible microbial or inflammatory signatures and establish whether they have genuine clinical utility rather than simply statistical association. These signatures must subsequently be translated into tests that are accurate, reproducible, affordable and practical for different healthcare settings. Prospective and longitudinal studies will be particularly important to determine whether such markers can predict recurrence, relapse or treatment failure. Only after these steps can we realistically consider their incorporation into routine clinical practice. India's biotechnology ecosystem is witnessing increasing investments in microbiome research. What opportunities do you see for collaborations between academic institutions, healthcare providers and biotech companies in translating cervical microbiome research into real-world applications? Dr Vikrant Bhor: There is considerable opportunity for collaboration. India has a large and diverse population, and generating well-characterised Indian datasets should be a priority. Academic institutions can address the underlying biology, clinicians can define clinically relevant questions and outcomes, and biotechnology companies can help develop scalable and affordable technologies. Such collaborations can also facilitate multi-centre studies and independent validation of biomarkers. The objective should be to move beyond generating microbiome datasets towards developing solutions that are clinically relevant, affordable and suitable for the Indian healthcare ecosystem. The study provides an initial reference dataset for the cervical microbiome in Indian women. How important are population-specific microbiome reference datasets for developing accurate diagnostics and precision healthcare solutions? Dr Vikrant Bhor: Population-specific datasets are extremely important because microbiome composition can vary with geography, ethnicity, lifestyle and other host factors. India itself has substantial diversity, so it would be inappropriate to assume that a reference profile generated in another population necessarily represents Indian women. Our study should therefore be viewed as an initial foundation rather than a definitive reference range. Larger multi-centre and longitudinal studies are needed to understand both population-level variation and individual microbial dynamics. Such datasets will be essential for developing meaningful biomarkers and eventually precision approaches to reproductive healthcare. Looking ahead, are there plans to expand this work through larger multi-centre studies, longitudinal follow-up, or integration with genomics, metabolomics or AI-based analytics? Dr Deepti Tandon: Yes. Longitudinal studies involving women with recurrent, relapsing and treatment-failure bacterial vaginosis are already underway. We are combining detailed clinical information with microbiome and inflammatory markers to understand why some women respond to treatment while others experience recurrence, relapse or treatment failure. In the future, integration of microbiome data with other molecular datasets, including metabolomics, and the use of advanced analytical approaches such as AI may help identify complex patterns that are difficult to recognise through conventional analysis. However, the biological relevance and clinical validation of these findings will remain essential. What message would you like to share with researchers, clinicians and biotechnology innovators about the future potential of microbiome science in transforming women's healthcare in India? Dr Vikrant Bhor: Microbiome science has enormous potential, but we are still moving from the descriptive phase towards understanding function and clinical relevance. The important question is not simply which microorganisms are present, but how microbial communities interact with the host and influence health and disease. For India, we need collaborative, population-specific and clinically driven research, supported by longitudinal studies, standardised methodologies and validated biomarkers. There is a major opportunity to bring together clinicians, microbiologists, immunologists, bioinformaticians and biotechnology innovators. If we can make this transition from microbiome mapping to mechanistic understanding and clinical translation, microbiome science could contribute substantially to better diagnostics, prevention and treatment of women's reproductive health conditions.   Mansi Jamsudkar Padvekar mansi.jamsudkar@mmactiv.com ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28540/researchers-in-hyderabad-explore-microwave-based-technology-for-early-detection-of-breast-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28540/researchers-in-hyderabad-explore-microwave-based-technology-for-early-detection-of-breast-cancer.html Fri, 25 Sep 2026 17:10:58 +0530 NR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology (VNR VJIET), Hyderabad, has published a patent for a novel microstrip patch antenna-based design aimed at enabling the non-invasive detection of skin and breast cancer at an early stage. The research focuses on a specially designed microstrip patch antenna that uses electromagnetic waves to study differences in the properties of healthy and potentially malignant tissue. The research patent has been published and is currently at the simulation stage, with the research team working towards further validation and eventual prototype development. The approach is being explored in response to the continuing need for simpler, accessible and cost-effective methods of detecting cancer at an early stage. Unlike conventional diagnostic approaches that may involve imaging, tissue sampling or invasive procedures, the proposed technology is designed to sense variations in tissue characteristics without cutting, inserting or penetrating an instrument into the body. The technology uses a specially designed microstrip patch antenna to transmit electromagnetic energy towards biological tissue. Healthy and abnormal tissues can differ in their dielectric properties and conductivity. When electromagnetic energy interacts with these tissues, a portion of the energy is absorbed or scattered, while the remaining energy is reflected towards the antenna. These variations can influence the reflected electromagnetic signal. By analysing these changes, the researchers are studying how the technology can help distinguish normal tissue from abnormal or potentially malignant tissue.  The research is currently in its early stage with simulation effort; further fabrication, testing and clinical validation would be necessary to establish its effectiveness as a diagnostic technology. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28490/iit-g-researchers-develop-eco-friendly-bacterial-approach-to-treat-toxic-textile-dyes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28490/iit-g-researchers-develop-eco-friendly-bacterial-approach-to-treat-toxic-textile-dyes.html Wed, 16 Sep 2026 14:30:43 +0530 A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) has developed an eco-friendly biological approach to treat textile wastewater containing toxic azo dyes. The research provides a scientific foundation to develop biological treatment systems for textile wastewater containing azo dyes. The approach could offer an eco-friendly alternative or complementary treatment to conventional chemical and physicochemical methods. The research demonstrates the ability of a novel bacterium called ‘Brevundimonas sp. AJZ05’ to degrade 98.50% of Direct Blue-6 (DB-6), a widely used synthetic dye, while producing degradation products that were found to be non-toxic after bacterial treatment. The research was supported by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, through the Prime Minister's Research Fellowship (PMRF), with support from the Department of Chemical Engineering & Technology, IIT (BHU), Varanasi. Textile wastewater can contain azo dyes that are difficult to remove because of their stable chemical structure. These dyes contain an azo bond (–N=N–), which contributes to their colour and chemical stability, making them resistant to conventional treatment processes. Untreated textile effluents can pose risks to aquatic ecosystems and may have implications for human health. Conventional chemical and physicochemical treatment methods can also be energy-intensive and may generate secondary pollutants. Importantly, simply removing the visible colour from wastewater does not necessarily eliminate the underlying toxicity. Speaking about the current status of the research and the real-world applications, Dr Selvaraju Narayanasamy, Associate Professor, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Guwahati said, “We are now working towards translating the laboratory-scale findings into a practical and scalable wastewater treatment technology. The next step involves immobilising Brevundimonas sp. AJZ05 in a suitable support matrix to improve its stability, operational performance and reusability. We plan to develop a continuous treatment system for azo-dye removal from textile wastewater, with the long-term goal of advancing the microbial platform towards industrial application.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28421/iit-kanpur-partners-with-nobel-laureate-david-bakers-lab-for-ai-guided-drug-discovery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28421/iit-kanpur-partners-with-nobel-laureate-david-bakers-lab-for-ai-guided-drug-discovery.html Thu, 03 Sep 2026 19:12:39 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur worked with the laboratory of Nobel Prize winner Prof. David Baker at the University of Washington to help design a new kind of small protein. These proteins can block a group of receptors called GPCRs (G protein-coupled receptors), which are present on the surface of our cells and play a part in how many modern medicines act.  The study titled “De novo design of miniproteins targeting GPCRs” has been published in the journal Nature. It shows how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to efficiently design and find the miniproteins that attach to specific GPCRs and change how they behave.  The team designed miniproteins for several GPCRs, including two called CXCR4 and CCR5. Both are being studied as possible drug targets for cancer and for viral infections such as HIV.  IIT Kanpur also contributed to visualising how one of these designed miniproteins attaches to the CXCR4 receptor. Using a powerful imaging technique called cryo-electron microscopy at its cryo-EM facility, researchers could see exactly how the two molecules fit together and how the miniprotein affects the receptor.   The findings of the study reveal that AI-based protein design is a practical tool for drug discovery. While these specific proteins are not medicines yet, and years of further testing lie ahead before it reaches the clinic, the study offers a workable method for designing targeted, protein-based treatments for receptors that have been difficult to target with drugs.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28428/iit-m-and-cmc-vellore-build-ai-tools-for-early-kidney-disease-detection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28428/iit-m-and-cmc-vellore-build-ai-tools-for-early-kidney-disease-detection.html Thu, 03 Sep 2026 23:09:24 +0530 Researchers from Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) and Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, have developed a set of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based tools designed to assist in the early detection and assessment of kidney diseases, which affect millions of people worldwide. The team has developed three technologies that complement each other- A machine learning model that uses clinical and laboratory information to predict the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). A deep learning system that automatically analyzes CT scans and classifies them into four categories: normal kidney, kidney cyst, kidney stone, and kidney tumour. A 3D imaging platformthat recreates kidneys from CT scans to precisely assess tumour volume and the percentage of kidney involvement. These tools can enable earlier diagnosis, which could help slow the disease process and reduce the need for expensive interventions like dialysis. The CT image classifier has been trained with over 12,000 images and can distinguish healthy kidneys from cysts, stones and tumors. The 3D imaging framework developed using open-source software provides an inexpensive and repeatable method for measuring tumor burden, which can provide valuable information to help guide treatment decisions. The CKD prediction model was implemented in a user-friendly prototype interface to facilitate future clinical translation. The team also worked on making it more accurate and more easily understood by the doctors who are using it to make their predictions. The team intends to test the models with more patient information sets to validate them and establish stronger partnerships with health care institutions for deployment in the real world. The researchers are also exploring the long-term integration of these AI technologies with minimally invasive wearable sensing systems and Digital Twin platforms to enable personalised kidney health monitoring ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28370/bits-pilani-goa-researchers-develop-pharmaceutical-polymer-based-bioink.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28370/bits-pilani-goa-researchers-develop-pharmaceutical-polymer-based-bioink.html Tue, 25 Aug 2026 15:20:35 +0530 Researchers at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, K.K. Birla Goa Campus, have developed a pharmaceutical polymer-based hydrogel for 3D printing using extrusion-based method which has the potential to be used for skin tissue engineering and customised drug delivery. The study explores the use of pharmaceutical grade polymers, such as starch, maltodextrin and sodium alginate, to create hydrogels that display the desired properties needed to be 3D printed. The method could help to solve some of the issues with traditional bioinks: material variability, safety, high costs, and regulatory approvals. The researchers formulated a hydrogel designed to exhibit the flow and recovery properties necessary for extrusion-based 3D printing. The material demonstrated shear-thinning behaviour, enabling it to flow under the shear applied during printing and subsequently recover its structure after deposition. The study reported 87% thixotropic recovery, indicating its ability to retain the shape and structural integrity of the printed constructs. The researchers further demonstrated the versatility of the formulation by incorporating glimepiride into the hydrogel and using it to produce 3D-printed customised chewable tablets. While the findings are promising, the study represents a research-stage demonstration rather than a clinically approved treatment or commercially available 3D-printed medical product. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28351/cgt-global-convergence-2026-india-must-bridge-innovation-and-patient-access-says-ravi-boratkar.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28351/cgt-global-convergence-2026-india-must-bridge-innovation-and-patient-access-says-ravi-boratkar.html Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:52:33 +0530 India must focus on making cell and gene therapies (CGT) accessible, affordable, scalable and sustainable as the sector moves from scientific breakthroughs towards wider clinical adoption, said Ravi Boratkar, Managing Trustee, MMA Spectrum Foundation; Publisher, BioSpectrum; and Managing Director, MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications, during the inaugural session of the Cell and Gene Therapy Global Convergence 2026. The convergence was organised by MMA Spectrum Foundation and BioSpectrum, bringing together stakeholders from across the global cell and gene therapy ecosystem, including scientists, clinicians, entrepreneurs, policymakers and industry leaders. Addressing delegates, Boratkar said CGT is transforming healthcare by moving beyond disease management towards therapies that can address diseases at their source. He highlighted advances in gene editing, regenerative medicine, genomics, artificial intelligence and precision medicine as key drivers accelerating innovation in the field. However, he noted that scientific progress alone would not determine the success of CGT. Manufacturing, quality assurance, regulatory pathways, supply-chain management, long-term safety monitoring and reimbursement remain significant challenges in translating therapies from laboratories to patients. “Regulatory approval is only the beginning. The ultimate success of these therapies will be measured by their ability to reach the patients who need them most,” Boratakar said. He highlighted India’s opportunity to emerge as a significant contributor to the global CGT ecosystem, supported by its scientific talent, pharmaceutical and biotechnology capabilities, clinical research infrastructure and ability to innovate at scale and lower cost. The development of indigenous CAR-T therapies, he said, demonstrates India’s growing ability to develop advanced cell therapies domestically and offer them at comparatively lower costs. He also pointed to growing capabilities in cell processing, gene therapy, vector manufacturing, gene editing and translational medicine. Boratkar said the convergence aims to foster collaboration between researchers, industry, investors, policymakers and practitioners while strengthening the ecosystem for innovation and patient access. He also expressed gratitude to knowledge partner Medrenova, particularly Dr Bakhale, as well as sponsors, supporters and collaborators for their contribution to the event.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28352/cgt-global-convergence-2026-india-charts-roadmap-from-scientific-innovation-to-patient-access.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28352/cgt-global-convergence-2026-india-charts-roadmap-from-scientific-innovation-to-patient-access.html Fri, 21 Aug 2026 17:08:09 +0530 India’s cell and gene therapy (CGT) ecosystem is moving from scientific innovation towards clinical translation and commercialisation, but the country will need stronger regulatory pathways, specialised clinical infrastructure, manufacturing capabilities, financing models and patient-access mechanisms to realise its potential, experts said at the CGT Global Convergence 2026. Organised by MMA Spectrum Foundation and BioSpectrum under the India CGT Mission 2030, with scientific coordination by Dr. Dhananjay Bakhle and MedRenova as the Knowledge Partner, the one-day international conference at CIDCO Convention Centre, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, brought together more than 100 leaders from biopharma, clinical medicine, research, regulation and investment to discuss how India can translate advances in cell and gene therapy into sustainable patient impact. The convergence opened with remarks by Ravindra Boratkar, Managing Trustee, MMA Spectrum Foundation; Publisher, BioSpectrum; and Managing Director, MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications. He said the CGT sector is at an important inflection point, with therapies increasingly moving from scientific promise to clinical reality. Boratkar highlighted India’s opportunity to leverage its scientific talent, pharmaceutical and biotechnology capabilities and ability to innovate at comparatively lower cost. However, he stressed that the ultimate measure of success would be whether transformative therapies can reach the patients who need them. The inaugural session was followed by a context-setting address by Dr Dhananjay Bakhle, CEO, MedRenova, and an inaugural address by Padma Bhushan Dr S. H. Advani, Director of Medical Oncology, Jaslok Hospital and Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital and former Professor and Chief, Department of Medical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital. From BMT to CAR-T: Dr Advani traces India’s cellular oncology journey Speaking on “From BMT to CAR-T: India’s evolution in cellular oncology”, Dr Advani traced the transformation of cancer treatment from cytotoxic chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy to targeted therapies and cellular immunotherapy. He noted that conventional cytotoxic drugs primarily focused on damaging DNA, affecting both tumour and healthy cells and resulting in significant adverse effects. The understanding of the human genome around the turn of the century, he said, changed the direction of oncology by providing deeper insights into how genes regulate cellular activity and how mutations contribute to cancer. “Conventional therapy has been replaced now by precision therapy,” Dr Advani said. He emphasised the central role of T-cells in modern immunotherapy, explaining that cancer cells originate from normal cells but acquire mutations that can result in abnormal proteins on their surface. These abnormalities can be recognised by the immune system, leading to activation of T-cells that can target and eliminate cancer cells. Dr Advani also highlighted the progress made in cellular engineering. Technologies that were considered impossible decades ago now enable scientists to modify genes within cells, laying the foundation for advanced cellular therapies such as CAR-T. India’s indigenous CAR-T platform targets global expansion The inaugural session also featured Dr Rahul Purwar, Professor, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay; Founder and Chairman, ImmunoACT; and Prix Galien Awardee for NexCAR19. Speaking on “The journey of India’s first indigenous CAR-T therapy: lessons, challenges and the road ahead”, Dr Purwar highlighted the clinical experience of NexCAR19 and its potential to become a globally competitive and accessible CAR-T platform. He said NexCAR19 has demonstrated encouraging outcomes in leukaemia and lymphoma. In leukaemia, the therapy recorded an efficacy rate of approximately 88 per cent after one month and 75 per cent after 90 days, with long-term response levels of around 50–55 per cent and overall survival of approximately 64 per cent. In lymphoma, the overall response rate was close to 60 per cent. However, Dr Purwar stressed that patient selection and the timing of CAR-T therapy are critical. Patients receiving CAR-T only after exhausting multiple treatment options may have compromised T-cell quality because of previous chemotherapy. Earlier intervention, he suggested, could potentially improve response rates. A key differentiator of NexCAR19 is its humanised CAR design, developed at IIT Bombay. According to Dr Purwar, the design can reduce toxicity and adverse immune reactions compared with approaches incorporating murine components. The lower toxicity profile may also reduce intensive-care requirements and treatment-related costs, contributing to the therapy’s affordability. NexCAR19 is now being administered at hospitals across India, while international patients are also travelling to the country for treatment. ImmunoACT has licensed the product to Cipla for markets including South Africa, Algeria and Morocco, while a clinical trial has received approval in Mexico. Dr Purwar said NexCAR19 represents the foundation of a broader cell and gene therapy platform. The team is advancing a BCMA-targeted CAR-T therapy for multiple myeloma and exploring additional approaches, including off-the-shelf CAR-T and in-vivo cell engineering. “We are not only creating one product; we have created a platform on which many more products can be developed,” he said. India can become an access engine for advanced therapies Amit Mookim, Board Director and Chief Executive Officer, Immuneel Therapeutics, argued that India should aim to become a global “access engine” for CGTs. Speaking on “Creating a world-class cell and gene therapy ecosystem in India: from innovation to impact”, Mookim said the convergence of biology, engineering, artificial intelligence, genomics and data is changing the way therapies are discovered, designed and manufactured. However, he cautioned that the promise of advanced therapies would remain limited unless healthcare systems could afford and deliver them. CGT, he argued, must therefore be viewed not simply as a biotechnology challenge but as an integrated healthcare, manufacturing, data and financing challenge. India already has several building blocks, including scientific talent, a large patient population, pharmaceutical manufacturing expertise and translational research capabilities. The next step, he said, is to connect these capabilities through mission-mode execution. Mookim identified patient capital and an effective exit architecture as important gaps in India’s CGT ecosystem. Long-term investment is required to move innovations from laboratory research through clinical development and commercialisation. He also called for stronger insurance and reimbursement mechanisms, modality-specific regulations, patient registries, accredited hospital networks and programmes to attract Indian scientific talent working overseas. India needs an integrated CGT ecosystem The next session, “Enabling Cell and Gene Therapies in India: Building the Foundations for Growth”, examined the scientific, manufacturing, regulatory and commercial infrastructure required to scale CGT in the country. Moderated by Dr Atul Tiwari, Head of Biomedical Research, Novartis, the session featured Dr Arun Anand, C-suite India and Advanced Medicines Leadership, US, EU & APAC; Freelance Consultant, Biotech and CGT; and Member, Expert Committee Precision Biotherapeutics, DBT/BIRAC, Government of India; Dr Kishore J R Kunapuli, CSO, Cell Therapeutics; Dr Gaurav Kharya, Co-Founder & Director, Cellogen Therapeutics; Clinical Lead, Centre for Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy; Senior Consultant, Paediatric Haematology, Oncology and Immunology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi; Dr Priyadarshani Chatterjee, General Manager R&D, Microcrispr Pvt Ltd; and Dr Kadalamani Krishnan, Chief Executive Officer, Thrafford Lifescience. The panellists agreed that India needs coordinated investment in scientific innovation, manufacturing infrastructure, regulatory capacity, clinical research and long-term capital. Dr Anand highlighted the challenges of building a CGT company in an ecosystem that historically lacked specialised talent, established regulations and experienced clinical delivery networks. He called for patient capital, strong governance and disciplined prioritisation by entrepreneurs. Dr Chatterjee pointed out that CGT manufacturing requires “scaling out” rather than simply scaling up because patient-derived starting material can vary significantly. Robust quality systems, adaptable teams and early regulatory engagement are therefore essential. Dr Kharya discussed bispecific and multispecific CAR constructs aimed at addressing antigen escape and limited cellular persistence. He highlighted the use of artificial intelligence to screen large libraries of constructs and identify promising candidates. Dr Kunapuli outlined work on dual-targeting CD19/CD20 CARs, targeted lentiviral vectors for in-vivo T-cell engineering and trispecific T-cell engagers. Dr Krishnan highlighted gamma-delta T cells as a potentially scalable allogeneic platform. The panel called for domestic production of GMP-grade raw materials, stronger academia-industry-clinician partnerships and specialised funding mechanisms for high-risk innovation. CAR-T development requires specialised clinical infrastructure The conference subsequently examined the operational challenges involved in moving CAR-T therapies from the laboratory to clinical practice during the session “CAR-T Therapies: The Journey from Bench to Bedside and Beyond”. The session was moderated by Dr Sadhana Joglekar, Former Senior Vice President & Head, Global Drug Development (Development India Hub), Novartis. The speakers included Dr Shoibal Mukherjee, Director Medical Research, Medanta Hospitals; Dr Vinod Mattoo, Executive Director, Diagnosearch; Dr Pawan Singh, VP and Head Clinical Development, Kashiv Biosciences; and Shweta Pradhan, Head, India RDS Operations, IQVIA. The panellists stressed that CAR-T trials cannot simply follow conventional clinical-trial models. Autologous therapies require patient cells to be collected, transported for manufacturing and returned for administration, creating complex chain-of-identity, chain-of-custody and vein-to-vein logistics requirements. Clinical sites must also be equipped to manage potentially serious complications, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS). The speakers called for CGT-specific regulatory pathways, clearer submission checklists and faster mechanisms for cross-border movement of cellular material. They also stressed the need for trained clinical-research teams, specialised hospital infrastructure, apheresis capabilities, intensive-care support and long-term patient follow-up. The panellists advocated the creation of national patient registries to generate real-world evidence on durability, long-term safety and differences between individual CAR-T products. A hub-and-spoke model of accredited treatment centres was proposed to expand access without requiring every hospital to establish complete CGT capabilities. Asia-Pacific access remains a key challenge The afternoon session, “Challenges in the Market: An Asia Pacific Perspective”, shifted the focus from technology development to market access and sustainability across the region. The session was moderated by Vivek Padgaonkar, Former Director, OPPI (Project & Policy) and Former GSK (Sales, Marketing & Training), with Dharmesh Kharwar, Independent Director & Strategy Advisor, NGB Laboratories, as co-moderator. The expert faculty included Satyen Amin, Vice President, Sales and Market Access, ImmunoACT; Alok Khettry, Former COO, Bharat Serums & Vaccines; Pradeep Sharma, Former Country BU Head for Oncology, Neurology & Ophthalmology, Bayer; Palvannan Pillai, CEO, Asia Medika Nusantara; and Dr Muruga Vadivale, Former Head of Medical Affairs ASEAN, Sanofi; former Vice President Asia-Pacific, Novavax; and former Medical Director at Celgene Korea and Bristol Myers Squibb Taiwan. The discussion focused on reimbursement and access, funding models, commercial strategies, market expansion and global partnerships needed to make CGTs sustainable across Asia-Pacific. Autologous versus allogeneic: the future of CAR-T The conference concluded with “The Great CAR-T Debate: Autologous versus Allogeneic CAR-T — The Ultimate Showdown”, which examined whether personalised autologous therapies or potentially off-the-shelf allogeneic platforms are more likely to become the standard of care over the next decade. Moderated by Dr Sakharam Garale, Founder & CEO, Renovare Healthcare Solutions, the debate featured Dr Sumantoke Bagchi, Head Medical & Regulatory Affairs and Pharmacovigilance, Exeltis India, and Dr Rahul Bargaje, Medical Director, South Asia, Gilead Sciences, in favour of autologous CAR-T. Representing the allogeneic approach were Dr Srirupa Das, Vice President & Head, Medical Affairs, Zydus Healthcare, and Dr Pratik Shah, Senior Vice President, Medical Affairs, Bharat Serums and Vaccines. The debate highlighted the respective advantages and challenges of personalised and off-the-shelf approaches, with participants subsequently voting on which CAR-T platform is most likely to become the standard of care over the next decade. The convergence concluded with an open question-and-answer session, followed by closing remarks and networking. From innovation to impact The discussions across the five sessions highlighted a common message: India has demonstrated its ability to develop sophisticated CGT innovations, but scientific capability alone will not establish a globally competitive ecosystem. The next phase will require closer collaboration among academia, industry, clinicians, regulators, investors and healthcare providers; stronger manufacturing and clinical infrastructure; dedicated regulatory frameworks; long-term financing; and mechanisms for generating real-world evidence. As India advances towards the objectives of India CGT Mission 2030, the focus is increasingly shifting from whether the country can innovate in cell and gene therapy to how quickly it can translate that innovation into affordable, scalable and globally relevant patient care.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28266/iit-g-develops-device-for-rapid-detection-of-cancer-causing-heavy-metals-and-other-toxicants.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28266/iit-g-develops-device-for-rapid-detection-of-cancer-causing-heavy-metals-and-other-toxicants.html Fri, 07 Aug 2026 23:52:26 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) have developed an optical sensing device that can instantly detect a variety of toxicants in water and other biological samples. Aligned with the Government of India’s Jal Jeevan Mission, this innovation addresses a key challenge of ensuring safe drinking water. While the mission aims to provide tap water to every household, maintaining water quality remains a challenge due to different water sources, which may contain heavy metals and other disease-causing bacteria. To address this challenge of water quality monitoring, the research team has developed a portable point-of-care testing device named E-Eye. Working as an electronic eye, it detects multiple toxicants on-site while maintaining high accuracy, and transmits the recorded data wirelessly to water treatment facilities. E-eye works through a chemical reaction that produces a colored compound, in which color intensity highlights the concentration of the toxicants. Using basic optical principles, the device analyses the water and converts the sensor's output into digital data and displays the toxicant concentration. Contrary to conventional laboratory based costly instruments, E-Eye is suitable for direct field deployment, where it can detect water toxicants right at the water source. During laboratory tests, the research team found that results shown by E-Eye are comparable to those of standard UV-Visible and Atomic Absorption spectrophotometers (AAS),  while offering advanced digital integration functionality. The E-Eye device has been developed at a cost of approximately Rs 3,500, with a per-sample testing cost of around Rs 2. The cost of the device can be reduced further through large-scale industrial production. Other than water quality monitoring, the device is capable of analysing toxicants in environmental samples, biological samples, vegetables, food products, tea and herbal products, soil, and milk as well. The research team has tested more than 2700 samples with the developed device and recorded accurate results. Supported by a research grant from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the research team has established a startup, ENVIONIX Labs, to commercialise the developed technology. Additionally, the team also plans to collaborate with an industry partner to initiate technology transfer and bring this innovation from lab to land.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28238/bits-pilani-develops-sustainable-tech-to-convert-biopharma-wastewater-into-reusable-water-clean-energy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28238/bits-pilani-develops-sustainable-tech-to-convert-biopharma-wastewater-into-reusable-water-clean-energy.html Thu, 30 Jul 2026 21:00:25 +0530 Scientists at BITS Pilani, Hyderabad have developed an integrated and low-energy technology for wastewater treatment. It can provide a sustainable solution to the management of one of the most problematic wastewater streams in the biopharmaceutical industry. Researchers have successfully demonstrated the technology at the laboratory scale, the research team is now working with Biological E. Limited, one of India's leading vaccine manufacturers based in Genome Valley, Hyderabad, to scaling the system for industrial deployment. The innovative system replaces conventional chemical- and steam-based sterilisation with Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) technology. It enables biopharmaceutical fermentation wastewater to be safely disinfected while recovering reusable water and methane-rich biogas.  The technology could be applied to other pharmaceutical and vaccine production facilities and high-strength industrial wastewaters, to benefit industries with water-saving, energy-recovery and environmentally friendly integrated solutions. The project is supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, through its ‘Water Technology Initiative’ of the Optimum Water Use in Industrial Sectors programme. The core disinfection technology has been filed for an Indian patent. Biopharmaceutical fermentation wastewater is among the most difficult industrial effluents to treat because it contains millions of live production microorganisms, residual antibiotics, and antibiotic resistance genes. Owing to the associated biosafety risks, industries currently rely on chemical treatment followed by steam-based autoclaving before disposal—a process that is both energy-intensive and expensive. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28179/researchers-in-gujarat-develop-ai-powered-device-to-identify-disease-carrying-mosquito-species-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28179/researchers-in-gujarat-develop-ai-powered-device-to-identify-disease-carrying-mosquito-species-.html Wed, 22 Jul 2026 19:33:00 +0530 With mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria continuing to pose a significant public health challenge in India, Associate Professor Kiran Trivedi from the University of Wollongong in Gujarat has developed a low-cost artificial intelligence (AI)-powered device that can identify disease-carrying mosquito species within seconds by analysing the sound of their wingbeats. The portable AI device uses Tiny Machine Learning (TinyML) to accurately identify three of the world's most significant disease-carrying mosquito species—Aedes, Anopheles and Culex—without requiring internet connectivity or cloud-based computing. By enabling rapid, on-site identification of mosquito species, the innovation has the potential to support faster and more efficient mosquito surveillance, particularly in regions where access to laboratory infrastructure may be limited. Unlike conventional surveillance methods, which require mosquito larvae to be collected and analysed in laboratories to determine species, the AI-powered device identifies mosquitoes by their distinct acoustic signatures from wingbeats. Developed in collaboration with Professor Trivedi’s former student Harsh Shroff, the embedded AI model processes sound locally on the device, enabling real-time species identification while operating on minimal power. The model was trained using publicly available mosquito sound recordings and achieved an accuracy of 88.3 per cent. Built on a compact Arduino-based platform with an integrated microphone and display, the device provides a portable and affordable alternative for mosquito monitoring in the field. The device also has the potential to be deployed as part of wider surveillance networks, enabling continuous monitoring of mosquito populations and generating real-time data to support public health planning and outbreak preparedness. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28172/iit-kanpur-research-reveals-how-promising-vaccine-booster-switches-on-immune-cells.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28172/iit-kanpur-research-reveals-how-promising-vaccine-booster-switches-on-immune-cells.html Tue, 21 Jul 2026 19:03:00 +0530 Scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur have revealed how an experimental molecule called EP67 switches on an important receptor found on human immune cells. EP67 is a candidate "adjuvant", an ingredient added to vaccines to make them work better. The finding gives researchers the first clear, close-up view of EP67 gripping its target, and hands them a blueprint for designing safer vaccines and new immune-based treatments. When we catch a bacterial or viral infection, our immune cells release a small protein called C5a, which primes the immune system to fight back. But too much of C5a for too long leads to inflammation that is harmful and can damage healthy tissue. To prevent this, the body uses enzymes in the blood to break C5a down quickly once the threat has passed. The researchers at IIT Kanpur took a cue from this natural safety mechanism and built a stripped-down copy of C5a, a short chain of just ten amino acids named EP67, that keeps the useful part of C5a's activity but works in a gentler way. It wakes up two kinds of immune cells, dendritic cells and macrophages, which help the body build lasting protection. At the same time it barely affects neutrophils, the cells most responsible for the unwanted inflammation. This is exactly what is needed in a vaccine booster - a stronger, longer-lasting immune response without the collateral damage. The detail of knowing precisely how EP67 fits its target has helped the team to redesign it, adjust the amino acid sequence to make the molecule sturdier and better at hitting its mark. From here onwards, the next steps would be refining the formulation and dosing in pre-clinical tests. The research was supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The high-resolution structure was determined at the National cryo-EM Facility at IIT Kanpur, set up with funding from ANRF. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28150/vit-bhopal-designs-tool-to-improve-early-detection-and-long-term-monitoring-of-pulmonary-fibrosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28150/vit-bhopal-designs-tool-to-improve-early-detection-and-long-term-monitoring-of-pulmonary-fibrosis.html Sat, 18 Jul 2026 13:59:31 +0530 Researchers at VIT Bhopal University and collaborating institutions have developed an intelligent remote monitoring system designed to support the continuous assessment of pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive and debilitating lung disease that often requires long-term monitoring to track its progression and optimise treatment. The innovation has been granted an Indian Utility Patent, marking a significant step in the University's efforts to develop technology-led solutions for pressing healthcare challenges. The "Apparatus for Dynamic Monitoring and Analysis in Pulmonary Fibrosis," is an intelligent system designed to continuously acquire and analyse patient-related clinical data. The technology aims to help healthcare professionals monitor disease progression in real time, support earlier clinical intervention, optimise treatment strategies, and enable more personalised, data-driven management of patients. Designed with future-ready healthcare ecosystems in mind, the system has potential applications across continuous patient monitoring, clinical decision support, remote healthcare delivery, telemedicine, treatment evaluation, respiratory disease research, and personalised pulmonary care. By enabling longitudinal analysis of patient data, the technology seeks to support clinicians with timely insights that can improve long-term disease management. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28130/dr-jitendra-singh-launches-third-phase-of-biomedical-research-career-programme.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28130/dr-jitendra-singh-launches-third-phase-of-biomedical-research-career-programme.html Wed, 15 Jul 2026 21:43:59 +0530 The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh has launched the third phase of the Biomedical Research Career Programme (BRCP). The total outlay of the programme is Rs 1,500 crore, with Rs 1,000 crore contributed by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Rs 500 crore by the UK-based Wellcome Trust. Dr Singh launched the flagship programme jointly run by the government's Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the UK's Wellcome Trust through the DBT-Wellcome Trust India Alliance at a function. Dr Singh said that the Biomedical Research Career Programme has now gone beyond just a fellowship initiative and has made its mark as one of India's most respected scientific career platforms. The Minister described the partnership between the Government of India and the Wellcome Trust as a shining example of long-standing international scientific cooperation and philanthropy. He said that this programme shows how long-term partnerships can accelerate scientific discoveries, create world-class human resources, and create research ecosystems that are capable of addressing national and global health challenges. He said that the purpose of this programme is to create a biomedical research workforce that can compete across the world. This will include basic scientists, clinicians-researchers, public health experts, science communicators and research managers. At the same time, it also aims to create more opportunities for interdisciplinary and collaborative research. Launched in 2008, the Biomedical Research Career Programme has supported more than 500 researchers, strengthened biomedical research in more than 200 institutions, trained thousands of students and early-career scientists, and made many globally recognised scientific achievements.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28119/cens-develops-advanced-ammonia-sensing-platform-to-prevent-serious-health-problems.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28119/cens-develops-advanced-ammonia-sensing-platform-to-prevent-serious-health-problems.html Tue, 14 Jul 2026 18:17:49 +0530 Researchers from the Bengaluru-based Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have developed an advanced ammonia sensing platform that is capable of detecting harmful ammonia gas even at extremely low concentrations while operating at room temperature. Ammonia is widely used in industries such as fertilizer production, refrigeration, chemical manufacturing, and agriculture. However, accidental exposure to ammonia can cause severe irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system, while prolonged exposure can lead to serious health problems. Continuous and reliable monitoring of ammonia is therefore essential to ensure workplace safety, environmental protection, and public health. The sensor has been developed through a controlled surface conversion process, which creates abundant active sites for the adsorption of ammonia as well as enhances charge transport within the sensing layer.  The newly developed sensor performed exceptionally well and successfully detected extremely low ammonia concentrations such as 319 parts per billion (ppb), which is well below the recommended safety limits for commercial workplaces.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28080/iisc-explores-use-of-ultrasound-to-attack-oral-cancer-cells.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28080/iisc-explores-use-of-ultrasound-to-attack-oral-cancer-cells.html Tue, 07 Jul 2026 20:56:58 +0530 Oral cancer is a major health challenge in India, where tobacco and areca nut use contribute substantially to the disease burden. Despite advances in surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, treatment remains difficult because current approaches can damage healthy tissues along with cancer cells, often affecting patients’ quality of life. In a new study, researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), in collaboration with clinicians at MS Ramaiah Medical College and Hospitals, Bengaluru, explored whether low-frequency ultrasound mechanical stimulation could selectively kill oral cancer cells. The team worked with patient-derived oral tumour samples that better reflect variations among Indian patients. The team found that oral cancer cells are surprisingly vulnerable to the moderate mechanical stimulations produced by ultrasound. This vulnerability appears to arise from reduced levels of Tropomyosin 2.1, a mechanosensory protein that helps body cells sense and withstand physiologically relevant mechanical stimulation. When exposed to ultrasound-driven mechanical stimulation, oral cancer cells underwent selective cell death, while healthy oral epithelial cells remained unharmed. The team also found that ultrasound drastically reduces the cancer cells’ ability to migrate and invade surrounding tissue. “The clinical collaboration was very important because it allowed us to work with patient-derived oral tumour samples rather than relying only on standard cell lines developed in Western countries,” said the researchers. “In the future, we want to test this approach in more physiologically relevant models and explore whether ultrasound can be combined with existing treatments to improve drug penetration and therapeutic outcomes.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28049/nit-rourkela-engineers-smart-bandage-for-advanced-wound-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/28049/nit-rourkela-engineers-smart-bandage-for-advanced-wound-care.html Tue, 30 Jun 2026 15:56:38 +0530 Researchers at the National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela) have developed a smart wound dressing that prevents infections, minimises pain during removal, and promotes faster healing. In cases of injuries that require repeated dressing changes, patients usually suffer from the trauma and discomfort associated with them. The innovative wound dressing developed by Prof. Prasoon Kumar, Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, addresses this under-recognised challenge. Due to its affordability, absorbency, and ease of usage, cotton gauze bandage is most commonly used for wound dressing. It is widely used to absorb blood and wound exudates and ointment applications. However, these conventional dressings are not capable of preventing infections or managing discomfort. Another limitation of the traditional cotton gauze is that it sticks to the wound surface and damages newly formed tissue when dressing is changed. Additionally, it also increases the susceptibility to infections. To address these limitations, NIT Rourkela researchers have developed a smart cotton gauze dressing that integrates chitosan-coated cotton gauze with an electrospun nanofibrous layer. This layer is filled with curcumin, a natural compound known for its antimicrobial properties. Placed between the wound and gauze, this layer minimises adhesive’s direct contact with the wound thereby reducing the risk of tissue damage during gauze removal. These curcumin-filled nanofibers slowly release the medication onto the wound and maintain sustained drug delivery. This approach helps maintain a sterile wound environment while reducing dependence on repeated gauze changes and additional medications. As the next step, the research team plans to file a patent for the developed technology and explore potential industry collaboration opportunities for clinical trials. Speaking about the cost-effectiveness of the developed wound dressing Prof. Kumar said, “Cotton Gauze Bandage Roll (10 cm × 4 m) costs around Rs 30 and our advanced smart bandage of similar size will cost around Rs 50-60 when fabricated at a commercial scale” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27987/iit-b-opens-new-path-for-tackling-high-cholesterol-and-fat-related-disorders.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27987/iit-b-opens-new-path-for-tackling-high-cholesterol-and-fat-related-disorders.html Thu, 18 Jun 2026 19:38:22 +0530 Tucked inside liver cells, there are microscopic compartments called lipid droplets, temporary reservoirs for fats such as triglycerides and cholesterol. The liver packages some of these fats into tiny particles called very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and releases them into the bloodstream. But push this system too hard with a consistently high-fat diet, and then this natural process is disturbed and causes a dangerous build-up of lipids, paving the way for obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Now, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B), along with collaborators from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, and IISER Kolkata, have uncovered one of the key cellular mechanisms that can interrupt this VLDL release from the liver by targeting the physical movement of lipid droplets instead of enzymes, receptors, or genes that are traditionally used for lowering lipids in the bloodstream. Importantly, interrupting this cellular mechanism does not cause lipid buildup in the liver—a critical safety advantage for future drug development. The findings open a potential new avenue for treating disorders such as high cholesterol and high triglycerides, as well as conditions like fatty liver disease. The work is at a preclinical stage, requiring future studies to assess long-term safety, optimise peptide delivery, and evaluate efficacy in mammals. Nevertheless, the study points toward a promising direction that has so far received little attention in the treatment of metabolic diseases. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27954/iit-madras-releases-worlds-most-detailed-3d-atlas-of-human-brainstem-at-cell-resolution.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27954/iit-madras-releases-worlds-most-detailed-3d-atlas-of-human-brainstem-at-cell-resolution.html Sat, 13 Jun 2026 13:33:51 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) has released the world’s most detailed 3D Atlas of human brainstem, through its high throughput brain imaging and computing platform that transforms whole human brains into 3D cell-resolution atlases. Developed by Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre (SGBC) at IIT Madras, ‘ANCHOR’ (Atlas of Neurochemical Characterisation of the human brainstem with 3D Reconstruction) comprises the most comprehensive, multi-modal, 3D maps and atlases of the human brainstem to date spanning from prenatal period to childhood and adult brains. These maps encompass more than 200 brainstem nuclei and fiber tracts, reconstructed from hundreds of serial sections. To resolve distinct neurochemical cell types, eight complementary immunostains were overlaid across more than 500 sections, enabling detailed mapping. SGBC aims to build the most comprehensive set of cell resolution human brain maps across life span and diseases. This Centre has become a truly global interdisciplinary team featuring more than 200 researchers, engineers and technicians working with 20 collaborators from different countries. ANCHOR was released during the 3rd BRICS Neuroscience Symposium 2026 held from 5th to 7th June 2026 at the IIT Madras campus.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/features/58/27906/whose-genome-is-it.html https://biospectrumindia.com/features/58/27906/whose-genome-is-it.html Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0530 An analysis of how national biobanks, security politics, and the scaling logic of modern AI are pulling Asia's genomic future in opposite directions. A note on sourcing: the expert "voices" quoted below — a biobank director, a data-governance lawyer, an AI researcher, and a bioethicist — are illustrative composites. They are written to represent positions that researchers, regulators, and ethicists actually hold in this debate, drawn from the public record, rather than to reproduce statements from specific named individuals. All institutional facts, biobank figures, and statutes are real and sourced. In January 2025, the Indian government announced that it had finished sequencing the genomes of just over ten thousand citizens — 10,074, drawn from 99 distinct communities — and deposited the data in a government repository called the Indian Biological Data Centre. The prime minister called it a defining moment for the country's biotechnology landscape. For a nation of more than 4,600 endogamous population groups, the ambition was explicit: build a genetic reference that actually reflects Indians, who remain badly underrepresented in the global databases that train the world's most powerful biomedical models. The achievement was real. So was the contradiction buried inside it. The same logic that makes a sovereign Indian genome bank valuable — that the world's reference data is too European, too narrow, and too incomplete to serve everyone — is the logic that makes the data scientifically useless if it stays locked inside one country's servers. Diversity is precisely the thing that has to be pooled to matter. And pooling is precisely the thing that data-sovereignty law, national-security politics, and a decade of accumulated mistrust are now built to prevent. That is the tug-of-war playing out across Asia. On one side: the conviction that a population's genomes are a strategic national asset, to be guarded like a power grid or a semiconductor fab. On the other: the brute statistical reality that AI-driven biology gets better with scale and diversity, and that the most useful models are trained on data that crosses borders. Patient privacy sits in the middle, invoked by everyone and protected by no one in particular. The biobank boom The first thing to understand is how much genomic infrastructure Asia has built, and how fast. Japan got there earliest. BioBank Japan, founded at the University of Tokyo in 2003, now holds DNA from roughly 270,000 patients across 51 common diseases — one of the largest disease-oriented biobanks in the world, and a deliberate corrective to a field where most genome-wide studies were run on people of Western descent. A second Japanese effort, the Tohoku Medical Megabank, was launched after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami as both a public-health project and an act of regional reconstruction; it has recruited about 150,000 participants and stores millions of biospecimen tubes alongside multi-omic and clinical data. Singapore moved later but with characteristic precision. Its National Precision Medicine program began in 2017, sequenced 10,000 genomes as a proof of concept, then completed a second phase — PRECISE-SG100K — that sequenced 100,000 whole genomes from the city-state's Chinese, Malay, and Indian populations. A third phase, launched in late 2025 and running to 2031, aims to enroll up to 450,000 people and push genomic results into routine clinical care. Singapore's pitch is unusual: its three founding ethnicities are estimated to capture something like 80 percent of Asian genetic variation, which lets a small country claim outsized scientific relevance and position itself as a bridge between Western regulatory models and Asian precision medicine. China built at a different scale entirely. Beyond the half-million-participant China Kadoorie Biobank — itself a long-running collaboration with Oxford — China has poured state resources into genomic sequencing capacity, and its domestic champions in the sector grew into global players. India's Genome India project, though small in raw numbers at around 10,000 genomes, is best understood as a first reference catalogue for a population that the rest of the world's databases barely see. Put together, the map looks like a boom. But each of these programs was built inside a national container, and the walls of those containers are getting higher. "Every health minister in the region now understands the same two sentences," says a composite biobank director who has overseen one of these national programs. "First, our population's data is scientifically precious because nobody else has it. Second, that is exactly why we cannot let it leave. The trouble is those two sentences point in opposite directions, and I'm the one standing where they collide." The laws that build the walls The sovereignty instinct has been written into statute across the region, in overlapping and not always consistent layers. China has the most developed regime. Its 2019 Regulation on Human Genetic Resources requires a national security review before genetic information can be exported or opened to a foreign party — with particular scrutiny for data drawn from important genetic families, from designated geographic populations, or from the exome or genome sequencing of more than 500 individuals. Layered on top are the 2021 Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL), which treats genetic data as sensitive personal information and demands a "consent-plus" model for cross-border transfer, and the Data Security Law, which classifies and protects data according to its importance to national security. The Cyberspace Administration's 2024 provisions on cross-border data flows added yet another gate. The cumulative effect, as legal scholars have noted, is a system where the dominant feature is centralized state control, with individual privacy a genuine but secondary concern. India's framework is younger and still settling. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act of 2023 governs personal data broadly, while Genome India's output sits inside the government-run Indian Biological Data Centre and is released to researchers through a managed access framework rather than open download. Japan governs health data under its Act on the Protection of Personal Information; Singapore under its Personal Data Protection Act, with the state acting as the central steward of the national genomic database. Each country has its own definition of consent, its own export controls, its own list of what counts as "sensitive." "From a lawyer's chair, the problem is not that any one of these laws is unreasonable," says a composite data-governance attorney who advises life-sciences clients across Asia. "It's that they don't interoperate. A consortium that wants to train one model across four jurisdictions has to satisfy four incompatible consent standards, four export-review processes, and four definitions of de-identification — and in China the distinction between de-identified and truly anonymous data matters enormously, because under good-clinical-practice coding the data is merely de-identified. You can spend two years on the paperwork and never touch the science." Genomes as a national-security asset What turned a privacy conversation into a security one was the growing conviction, in capitals well beyond Asia, that aggregated human biological data is a strategic resource on the order of advanced chips or AI models themselves. The clearest signal came from Washington. On December 18, 2025, the United States enacted the BIOSECURE Act as part of the fiscal-year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act. The law restricts federal agencies, contractors, and grant recipients from procuring equipment or services from "biotechnology companies of concern," using the Defense Department's existing list of Chinese military-linked companies as its trigger; China's leading genomics firms appear on that list, and reporting suggests prominent contract-research organizations may be added. An earlier draft had named specific companies outright. The reframing is the point: as one analysis put it, lawmakers are signaling that human biological data should be treated like semiconductors or AI weights — something whose control determines geopolitical trustworthiness. The same month, the European Commission proposed an EU Biotech Act framing biotechnology in terms of strategic autonomy, and the US Department of Justice stood up a Data Security Program targeting bulk sensitive data flows to adversary states. Multi-omic health data — genome, proteome, metabolome, linked to clinical records — sits squarely inside this new category of "strategic data." The security logic is not paranoid. Genomic data is uniquely sticky: it identifies not just an individual but their relatives, it cannot be revoked or reissued like a password, and at population scale it can reveal things about a nation's health vulnerabilities. A government that decides this data is a national asset is making a defensible call. The difficulty is that "defensible" and "scientifically optimal" are not the same thing, and the gap between them is where the cost lands. The science cost Here is the part that rarely makes the policy debate: localization has a measurable price, and AI is what makes the price visible. Modern AI-driven biology — variant-effect predictors, polygenic risk models, the large genomic foundation models now being trained — improves with two things above all: the sheer volume of data and its diversity. A model trained overwhelmingly on European genomes makes worse predictions for everyone else, and the underrepresentation is not marginal. The entire rationale for Genome India, for BioBank Japan's East Asian focus, and for Singapore's multi-ancestral cohort is to fix that imbalance. But fixing it requires the data to be combined — and combination is exactly what sovereignty law throttles. "People think the bottleneck for AI in genomics is algorithms or compute," says a composite AI researcher who builds population-scale models. "It isn't. It's access to enough diverse genomes in one analyzable place. I can have ten national biobanks, each beautifully curated, and still be unable to train the model the science needs, because I'm not allowed to put them in the same room. A model that could have learned from two million diverse genomes instead learns from a hundred thousand from one ancestry. The accuracy gap that produces doesn't show up as a headline. It shows up later, as worse risk scores for the populations the data was supposed to help." The cost is not hypothetical. Cross-border genomic collaborations have stalled or shrunk under the weight of export review and mismatched consent regimes; researchers in the field have warned for years that China's tightened human-genetic-resources rules, whatever their merits, deter the very international projects that would surface East Asian–specific variants. The irony is sharp. The data-sovereignty movement is partly a reaction to legitimate grievances — decades of "helicopter research" in which Western institutions extracted samples from the Global South and kept the benefits. But the remedy, taken to its logical end, reproduces the underrepresentation it set out to cure, just with the walls relocated. And the stakes are rising, not falling, because the data itself is getting richer. The newest national programs are no longer just sequencing DNA. Singapore's SG100K has layered population-scale proteomics on top of its 100,000 genomes; Japan's megabanks have built multi-omic reference panels spanning the metabolome, proteome, and transcriptome. This multi-omic, clinically linked data is far more powerful for AI — and far more sensitive, and far more tightly regulated. Every increment in scientific value is an increment in security anxiety. The richer the dataset becomes, the more a government wants to wall it off, and the more a model would gain from combining it with others. The two curves diverge exactly as the science gets interesting. "There's a real ethical claim under the sovereignty argument, and we shouldn't wave it away," says a composite bioethicist. "Communities have been mined for data and given nothing back. Sovereignty is, in part, a demand for benefit-sharing and dignity. But sovereignty can curdle into something else — a state asserting that it owns its citizens' genomes, which is a very different claim from a patient controlling their own. When the security framing takes over, the patient in the middle stops being a rights-holder and starts being a resource. That's the slide we have to watch." Three use cases, three pressures Consider how these forces play out concretely. A national program. Genome India and Singapore's SG100K are sovereignty done well: state-funded, ethically reviewed, designed to correct genuine gaps, with data held in managed national repositories. They demonstrate capacity and produce real reference value. What they cannot do alone is reach the scale at which the most ambitious AI models become possible. A national reference catalogue is a foundation, not a finished building. A cross-border collaboration. Now imagine a consortium that wants to combine Indian, Japanese, and Singaporean cohorts to study a disease with strong genetic components across Asian populations — the kind of project where pooling is the whole point. It immediately hits a wall of incompatible export rules and consent definitions. In China's case, any genome-sequencing dataset above 500 subjects triggers security review before it can be shared abroad at all. The collaboration doesn't get refused so much as slowed into irrelevance, its scientific window closing while the lawyers work. This is the documented pattern that has chilled international genomic research in the region. A federated consortium. The third path tries to escape the binary. Instead of moving the data to the model, it moves the model to the data. Picture the same Asian-disease study, rebuilt: the Indian, Japanese, and Singaporean genomes never leave their respective national repositories. A shared model travels to each site, trains locally behind each country's firewall, and sends back only mathematical updates — no raw sequences, nothing that crosses an export-review threshold. Each government can audit exactly what leaves its borders, because what leaves is gradients, not genomes. The science gets something close to the combined dataset; the regulators get to keep custody. It is not frictionless, but it is the rare design where the scientist and the security official can both sign off. Models for safe sharing The technical community has spent the better part of a decade building ways to collaborate without surrendering raw data, and the toolkit is now mature enough to be policy-relevant. Federated learning is the headline approach. Rather than copying genomes into a central pool, each biobank keeps its data behind its own walls; a shared model is sent out, trained locally on each dataset, and only the model updates — not the underlying genomes — travel back to be combined. Studies on the UK Biobank and the 1000 Genomes Project have shown federated training can approach the accuracy of centralized training in the "cross-silo" setting that biobanks naturally occupy: a few institutions, each holding a lot of data, each unwilling or legally unable to hand it over. For a region of walled national programs, this maps almost perfectly onto the political reality. Federation alone is not a privacy guarantee — model updates can leak information about the data that produced them — so it is increasingly paired with stronger protections: differential privacy, which adds calibrated noise so no individual can be reverse-engineered from the output; secure multi-party computation and homomorphic encryption, which let parties compute joint results over data none of them can see in the clear; and trusted execution environments, secure enclaves where analysis runs without exposing inputs. The Global Alliance for Genomics and Health has built a federated discovery layer — the Beacon network — that lets researchers ask whether a given variant exists in a dataset without exposing identifiable records. Beyond the cryptography sit governance models. Data trusts and managed-access repositories — the model India already uses with its Biological Data Centre — let an independent steward grant vetted researchers controlled access under enforceable terms, rather than choosing between open download and total lockdown. And underneath all of it, consent frameworks have to evolve from one-time, all-or-nothing checkboxes toward dynamic, revocable consent that lets participants see and shape how their genomes are used, including in cross-border analysis. "Federated learning is not magic, and anyone selling it as a silver bullet is overselling," cautions the composite AI researcher. "It's slower, it's harder to debug, and you still need real privacy guarantees on top. But it changes the political question. Today a minister has to choose between 'protect our data' and 'do the science.' Federation lets the answer be 'both,' and that's the only answer that survives contact with the politics." The bioethicist puts the governance point more bluntly: "The technology can make sharing safe. It cannot make it fair. If a federated model trained on a dozen countries' genomes turns into a drug that those countries can't afford, we've solved the privacy problem and kept the colonialism. Benefit-sharing has to be written into the consortium agreement, not bolted on after the paper publishes." Can sovereignty and science coexist? The honest answer is that they can, but only if the region stops treating them as a zero-sum choice — and the current trajectory does not encourage optimism. The momentum is toward higher walls. Security framing is ascendant; the BIOSECURE era has made "biological data as strategic asset" the default vocabulary in Washington and increasingly in Brussels, and Asian governments that built sovereign biobanks have every incentive to read that vocabulary back into their own export controls. Each new statute is individually reasonable and collectively suffocating. Left alone, the likely outcome is a continent of well-curated, scientifically isolated national datasets — sovereignty achieved, scale forfeited, and the underrepresentation that justified the whole enterprise quietly preserved. The alternative requires three things to land at once. The technical layer is the easy part: federated learning, plus differential privacy and secure computation, is ready. The governance layer is harder: interoperable consent standards, mutual recognition of de-identification rules, and data-trust structures that let stewards say "yes, under conditions" instead of "no." And the political layer is hardest of all: governments have to decide that participating in a federated, privacy-preserving consortium counts as keeping their data sovereign — that sovereignty means control over the terms of use, not physical custody of every byte. That redefinition is the whole game. If sovereignty is understood as custody, it is fundamentally incompatible with the collaborative scale that AI-driven biology needs, and the science loses. If sovereignty is understood as control — the right to set the terms, to enforce benefit-sharing, to revoke access, to keep raw genomes home while still contributing to a shared model — then it is not just compatible with the science but could become the framework that finally makes diverse, global genomics both possible and just. Asia is the place where this will be decided, because Asia is where both the data and the walls are being built fastest. The biobanks are real. The laws are real. The security anxieties are real, and not always unfounded. Whether the region can hold all three without throttling the science depends on a single unresolved question — the one the patient in the middle has the most stake in and the least say over. Whose genome is it, exactly? Until that question has a better answer than "the state's," the tug-of-war continues, and the data stays home. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27908/govt-announces-anrf-portal-for-training-in-patent-filing-and-research-paper-writing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27908/govt-announces-anrf-portal-for-training-in-patent-filing-and-research-paper-writing.html Thu, 04 Jun 2026 18:57:51 +0530 In a major step towards strengthening India's research ecosystem, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh has announced an Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)-supported digital portal aimed at facilitating training in patent filing support and research paper writing assistance for researchers, students and innovators across the country. Dr Jitendra Singh said that the newly announced portal will serve as an important capacity-building resource for researchers and young innovators by providing structured support in scientific writing, publication processes, intellectual property protection and patent-related procedures. He noted that improving access to such resources would strengthen the quality of research output, enhance innovation outcomes and help researchers translate scientific work into publications and intellectual property assets. Emphasising the need for greater coordination among scientific departments and institutions, Dr Jitendra Singh said that scientific organisations working under different departments must function in a collaborative and integrated manner to maximise national outcomes from research, innovation and public investments in science and technology. Reiterating the growing importance of science communication, Dr Jitendra Singh called for a more coordinated outreach strategy across scientific departments. He stressed the need to utilise digital platforms, social media and emerging communication tools to present scientific achievements in a manner that is accessible to citizens, students, startups and researchers. He also suggested exploring common communication platforms to improve dissemination of scientific success stories and innovation outcomes across the scientific ecosystem.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27877/iit-m-develops-injectable-hydrogel-to-replace-weeks-of-daily-medication-for-fibrosis-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27877/iit-m-develops-injectable-hydrogel-to-replace-weeks-of-daily-medication-for-fibrosis-patients.html Fri, 29 May 2026 13:19:45 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) has developed an injectable hydrogel that could transform the treatment of fibrosis and other chronic degenerative conditions by replacing weeks of repeated medication with a single localised dose. The researchers estimate that treatment could possibly reduce therapy costs from approximately $2,000–3,000 per course to around $300, potentially making advanced fibrosis care more affordable and accessible. Developed at the Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras, the innovation is designed to deliver antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory drugs directly at the affected site in a sustained and controlled manner. A key differentiator of this patented technology is its use of combination of naturally derived biomaterials obtained from silk cocoons and seaweed. These materials are biodegradable, biocompatible, and aligned with India’s strengths in sericulture and its emerging seaweed-based bioeconomy. The hydrogel combines therapeutic delivery with tissue healing support, creating a favourable environment for healthy cell growth while reducing inflammation and fibrosis. The hydrogel also responds to disease-related inflammation, releasing higher doses when needed while gradually degrading without leaving any harmful residue. Furthermore, the research team has performed a first-of-its-kind omics study to prove that these smart-tuned hydrogels inhibit the progression of fibrosis by regulating the mechanical properties and metabolism of the cells. Elaborating on the need for such research, Prof. Vignesh Muthuvijayan, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras, said, “Fibroproliferative diseases, including pulmonary, liver, kidney and muscle fibrosis, are linked to nearly 45% of deaths globally. Existing treatments often require prolonged drug administration, can cause significant side effects and are frequently unable to stop disease progression effectively at the targeted site.”   Follow-up studies conducted in collaboration with the University of California, San Diego have also demonstrated efficacy across multiple disease models, particularly in aged muscle tissue. The preliminary study shows that hydrogel has potential in treating sarcopenia, an age-related loss of muscle mass and strength that affects an estimated 10 to 16 per cent of the global elderly population and currently has no approved pharmacological treatment. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27881/inst-develops-light-powered-nanocatalyst-as-cost-effective-way-to-manufacture-drugs-and-chemicals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27881/inst-develops-light-powered-nanocatalyst-as-cost-effective-way-to-manufacture-drugs-and-chemicals.html Fri, 29 May 2026 22:22:03 +0530 A team of scientists from the Mohali-based Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has developed an innovative light-powered nano-catalyst to eliminate toxic solvents, high-temperature and energy-intensive processes in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals. This makes these processes cleaner and far more energy efficient. Globally, there is a need to reduce pollution, energy consumption, and the use of toxic chemicals in industrial processes. The nanomaterial has been designed and synthesised from a combination of gold, BODPI and palladium. It functions with the ability to absorb light energy by gold nanoparticles, which are again transferred to the BODPI molecule and finally to the active catalyst palladium. Palladium uses this transferred energy to conduct chemical reactions more efficiently, reducing energy consumption throughout the process. Combining three different components – gold, BODIPI, and palladium – into a single system helps in a more powerful and sustainable catalytic process. This technology can enable cleaner and more cost-effective production of drugs and chemicals, reducing environmental pollution and energy consumption. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27853/nit-rourkela-patents-ai-enabled-microscopy-tech-for-healthcare-diagnostic-solutions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27853/nit-rourkela-patents-ai-enabled-microscopy-tech-for-healthcare-diagnostic-solutions.html Tue, 26 May 2026 16:39:51 +0530 Researchers from the Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering at National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have developed an AI-enabled autofocusing technology that can improve microscopic imaging for biomedical diagnostic applications. The technology is capable of producing rapid, accurate, and repeatable results with minimal human intervention. Developed in collaboration with Glowvista Instruments, a startup incubated at NIT Rourkela’s Incubator centre (FTBI), the research team has secured a patent titled, “A Method for Autofocusing in Optofluidic Microsystems and Processes” for the technology.     Developed at a cost of Rs 1.20 lakh, in lab-scale testing, the system showed accurate results in detecting Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (Blood Cancer), malaria, and Complete Blood Cells counts through blood cell classification (5-class and 7-class categorisation). Speaking about the developed technology, Dr Earu Banoth, Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, NIT Rourkela, and Founder & Director (Non-Executive) of Glowvista Instruments said, “Our target is to develop a simple handheld system that should work as effectively as imported automated microscopy technology with precise information. Further, the system should be extended for various applications, unlike Flow Cytometers and Imaging Flow Cytometers.” The system has been developed with research grants from the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Department of Science and Technology (DST), and Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India. The developed technology has potential applications in Biomedical diagnostics and disease detection; Digital pathology and tissue imaging; AI-assisted microscopy and automated imaging; Point-of-care healthcare devices; Microfluidic analysis and biofluid monitoring; Biomedical and Life sciences research; Smart laboratory automation; Portable and remote diagnostic systems. Speaking about the next steps of this research, Prof. Banoth said, “We are extending our work to develop complete ground truth data as well as scale up the work for deployment at various locations for field testing and to obtain feedback from diagnostic centres and research laboratories. The data will be used for further approvals towards developing a market-ready product, and we look forward to its market launch. At present, we are looking for funding support from both the research and startup sides to scale up the work.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27857/jncasr-designs-clear-technology-to-revolutionise-protein-imaging-for-cancer-detection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27857/jncasr-designs-clear-technology-to-revolutionise-protein-imaging-for-cancer-detection.html Tue, 26 May 2026 19:44:07 +0530 A novel imaging platform called the Cleaveable Light-Erased Antibody Reporter (CLEAR), developed by researchers from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru (JNCASR), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), can help see an unprecedented number of proteins within a single biological sample using just one fluorescent marker. This could open new possibilities for high-resolution, multiplex imaging in cells and tissues, which could prove important for diagnostics and biological research. Proteins are the primary controllers of biological functions and are key targets of therapeutic activity as well as important indicators for the diagnosis of diseases. A comprehensive proteomic map of the tissue sample shows the identity of each protein and the exact spatial organisation in its original context. It can help pathologists understand cancer diagnoses or complex neurological disorders. However, measuring a large number of proteins in their original spatial context remains a major challenge. CLEAR has the potential to revolutionise biomedical research and clinical solutions by enabling detailed mapping of proteins in cells and tissues. This can help in early detection of cancers and neurological diseases, in particular, and aid in understanding the impact on immunity. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27846/iit-guwahati-develops-security-technology-to-combat-fake-pharma-products.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27846/iit-guwahati-develops-security-technology-to-combat-fake-pharma-products.html Mon, 25 May 2026 14:15:03 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have developed an advanced light-emitting perovskite nanomaterial that could improve protection against fake currency, forged documents, and other counterfeit products. To achieve this, the research team has developed nanocrystals capable of producing light-based security patterns that cannot be replicated using traditional printing and imaging methods. Counterfeiting has become a global concern affecting various industries, ranging from pharmaceuticals and electronics to banking and identity documentation. With the help of modern technologies, offenders have found ways to accurately copy conventional security measures such as barcodes, QR codes, holograms, and watermark labels. The research team has developed a double-layer coating around the nanocrystals, making them heat- and chemical-resistant while maintaining their light-emitting properties. Then, with the use of a direct laser writing technique, the team created tiny patterns from these materials. The multi-layer coating enabled the developed nanocrystals to create these patterns without using conventional lithographic masks, which helped in achieving resolutions of 10–40 micrometers, allowing very complex patterns and encoding of information. It is notable that the laser patterning technique developed by the IIT Guwahati research team can also be utilised in developing cutting-edge micro-LED displays for smartphones, wearables, and Augmented Reality (AR) systems, among others. On a broader scale, the developed technology can be applied across several sectors where product authentication and security are critical. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27794/iit-kanpurs-new-computational-tool-renoir-uncovers-hidden-signals-in-cancer-progression-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27794/iit-kanpurs-new-computational-tool-renoir-uncovers-hidden-signals-in-cancer-progression-.html Mon, 11 May 2026 22:24:03 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K), led by Prof. Hamim Zafar, have developed an advanced computational tool, Renoir, that enables researchers to decode how cells communicate within complex tissues. Published in Nature Communications, the study introduces a new way to map how signals between cells influence gene activity in specific spatial contexts, addressing a long-standing challenge in biomedical research. Every organ in the body depends on constant communication between cells. Cells constantly exchange signals to coordinate essential processes such as tissue development, immune responses, and disease progression. While recent technologies can measure gene activity across tissues, it has remained difficult to understand how signals from one cell actually influence the behaviour of another—especially within the complex spatial organisation of tissues. Renoir addresses this challenge by utilising spatial transcriptomics data, high-resolution snapshots of gene activity that preserve the location of each cell, and maps not just which cells are “talking” to each other, but how these signals affect downstream genes in specific locations within tissues. This allows researchers to identify “communication niches” where particular signalling pathways are active. The study was conducted in collaboration with Prof. Ankur Sharma’s laboratory at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Australia, where spatial transcriptomic datasets from foetal liver and liver cancer were generated to evaluate Renoir. The method successfully uncovered biologically meaningful interactions, including those associated with tumor progression and developmental processes. Spatial transcriptomics is one of the fastest-growing technologies in modern biology, and Renoir works across the major spatial-profiling platforms used by laboratories worldwide. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27683/nagaland-university-converts-invasive-plant-into-tool-for-drugs-antibacterial-cancer-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27683/nagaland-university-converts-invasive-plant-into-tool-for-drugs-antibacterial-cancer-research.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers from Nagaland University and Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung, have transformed one of the State’s most problematic invasive weeds into a powerful tool for next-generation healthcare and sustainable manufacturing, unlocking major end-use applications in pharmaceuticals, medicine and green industry. The research team has developed an eco-friendly method to convert the invasive plant Mikania micrantha into silver nanoparticles that can efficiently accelerate drug production, combat harmful bacteria, and show promising anticancer activity, all without relying on toxic chemicals conventionally used in nanomaterial synthesis. The researchers adopted a “green chemistry” approach that replaces hazardous industrial processes with plant-based science. Using leaf extracts, the team created highly stable silver nanoparticles that act as ultra-fast catalysts that can produce essential drug components known as ‘Imidazoles’ in 30 to 180 seconds. These compounds are foundational to a wide range of medicines used across therapeutic areas. The Research was supported by Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and the National Fellowship for Scheduled Tribe Students (NFSTMOTA). The study’s most immediate impact lies in pharmaceutical manufacturing. The nanoparticles function as reusable catalytic engines, enabling faster, cleaner, and more cost-effective production of key drug ingredients. Unlike conventional methods that depend on expensive and toxic reagents, this approach offers a scalable and sustainable alternative for industry.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27685/nit-rourkela-secures-patent-for-advanced-bio-ink-for-3d-printing-of-tissue-like-structures.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27685/nit-rourkela-secures-patent-for-advanced-bio-ink-for-3d-printing-of-tissue-like-structures.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0530 A research team at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela has developed a novel bio-ink that can be used in 3D bioprinting and tissue engineering. Bio-inks are materials used in 3D bioprinting to fabricate tissue-like structures. However, due to lack of bio-inks that combine mechanical strength, biological compatibility, and printability, broad usage of this technology remains limited. The research team has also secured a patent titled, “A High Shape-Fidelity Protein-Polysaccharide Composite Bioink for 3D Bioprinting” for the developed technology.  To achieve desired results, the research team combined Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA), Sodium Alginate, and Polyelectrolyte complexes of gelatin and chitosan (PEC-GC). The blend created a bioactive system that supported cell growth while maintaining structural fidelity during and after the printing process. On lab scale trials, the research team found the developed bio ink mimicking the extracellular matrix of bone tissue, providing sites for cell attachment, and promoting cell adhesion, proliferation, and overall biological response. Additionally, the printed scaffolds were found to have strong mechanical properties helping in retaining shape and functionality post printing. Experiments have shown that scaffolds containing 2% PEC-GC achieved over 90% cell viability. Additionally, it demonstrated potential for bone tissue formation and collagen synthesis. As the next step, the research team plans to undertake animal studies to further establish the safety and efficacy of the developed bio-ink, followed by clinical studies for validation. The developed bio-ink holds significant potential for regenerative medicine. Its ability to enable the fabrication of patient-specific, tissue-like structures opens new avenues in personalised healthcare and therapeutic applications. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27676/srm-institute-of-science-and-technology-secures-rs-6-03-cr-anrf-grants.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27676/srm-institute-of-science-and-technology-secures-rs-6-03-cr-anrf-grants.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0530 The Directorate of Research, SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), hosted Research Day 2026 on April 17, 2026, bringing together distinguished leaders from academia, government, and industry to celebrate excellence in research, innovation, and collaboration. The event featured Dr Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, Chief Executive Officer of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Government of India, as the Chief Guest. Further strengthening its research ecosystem, SRMIST secured ten prestigious grants under the ANRF–Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant Scheme, with a cumulative funding of approximately Rs 6.03 crore. Spanning disciplines such as chemistry, nanotechnology, physics, medical research, and genetic engineering, these projects focus on emerging areas including advanced materials, AI-driven research, healthcare innovation, and sustainable technologies, underscoring the institution’s growing strength in interdisciplinary and high-impact research aligned with national priorities. Delivering insights on India’s evolving research landscape, Dr Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO, Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Government of India, outlined the vision of positioning India as a global research and innovation powerhouse. He emphasised that excellence, collaboration, and measurable impact are central to this transformation. Highlighting opportunities through ANRF, including large-scale funding and industry-linked initiatives, he encouraged institutions to focus on high-quality research that translates into societal and economic value. Dr P. Sathyanarayanan, Pro-Chancellor (Academics), SRMIST, remarked “SRMIST is set to launch a state-of-the-art Research Park very soon, which will be SRM's dedication to community, to serve as a hub for innovation, industry collaboration, and translational research, while bridging the gap between lab discoveries and real-world healthcare solutions."  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27653/nagaland-university-led-study-decodes-cancer-fighting-potential-of-traditional-konyak-herbal-medicine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27653/nagaland-university-led-study-decodes-cancer-fighting-potential-of-traditional-konyak-herbal-medicine.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0530 Researchers from Nagaland University, Berhampur University, and Saveetha Medical College have, in a preliminary investigation, identified traditional herbal formulation used by the Konyak tribe of Nagaland for its anti-cancer potential, providing valuable scientific insight into indigenous medicinal practices. While traditional medicinal systems are widely practiced across indigenous communities, the researchers found that there has been limited scientific effort to understand the mechanisms through which such remedies exert their therapeutic effects. The multi-institute research team investigated a five-plant polyherbal formulation and found that its bioactive compounds can effectively target VEGFR2, a key protein responsible for tumour blood vessel growth. The study further revealed that these compounds demonstrated stable interactions and favourable safety profiles, indicating their potential as natural anti-angiogenic agents that could inhibit tumour growth. Importantly, the research also showed that these natural compounds selectively target VEGFR2 over similar proteins, which could help reduce side effects in future therapeutic applications. The study also highlighted that most identified compounds showed low toxicity and acceptable pharmacokinetic properties, making them promising candidates for further drug development. According to the researchers, the findings not only validate indigenous knowledge systems but also open up new pathways for cost-effective and nature-based drug discovery. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27579/iit-b-designs-dna-based-strategy-to-make-drug-resistant-bacteria-responsive-to-antibiotics-again.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27579/iit-b-designs-dna-based-strategy-to-make-drug-resistant-bacteria-responsive-to-antibiotics-again.html Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0530 When new drugs are introduced, microbes continue to adapt, and resistance can emerge quickly. This reality has pushed scientists to rethink not only how antibiotics kill microbes, but how to stop bacteria from disarming them in the first place. Two recent studies from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B), from the Department of Chemistry, have presented a different strategy. Instead of developing yet another antibiotic, the team focused on protecting the ones that already exist. Their work, published across two complementary papers, uses short DNA sequences that can bind to and block the enzymes that bacteria use to resist antibiotics. By stopping these enzymes from working, the researchers were able to make resistant bacteria respond once again to common antibiotics. The researchers have focused on specially identified short strands of DNA known as aptamers. Unlike the conventional drugs, aptamers are made up of nucleic acids, synthetically produced, relatively stable, and easier to modify. Thus, they make attractive candidates for therapeutic applications. To generate DNA aptamers that bind to a specific Erm enzyme known as Erm42, the researchers used a laboratory method called SELEX. This process allows researchers to sift through millions of random DNA sequences and isolate the ones that bind most strongly to a specific target. After multiple rounds of selection and testing with techniques like gel-monitoring assays and surface plasmon resonance, the team identified two aptamers that attached tightly to the enzyme Erm42. While the DNA aptamers worked well in laboratory assays, another challenge remained. It is known that DNA molecules, when administered alone, are vulnerable to nuclease degradation and often struggle to cross bacterial membranes. This makes it difficult for them to enter inside the bacteria. To address this, in the second study, the researchers explored a liposome-based delivery system. The researchers conducted studies that confirmed that the aptamer-loaded liposomes were stable and appropriately sized for biological applications. In the future, if developed for therapeutic use, the aptamer could be given alongside existing antibiotics. By blocking the resistance mechanism, the engineered aptamer could help restore the antibiotic’s effectiveness. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27566/iit-gandhinagar-develops-hydrogel-technology-promising-safer-minimally-invasive-surgeries.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27566/iit-gandhinagar-develops-hydrogel-technology-promising-safer-minimally-invasive-surgeries.html Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0530 In a significant boost to India’s biomedical innovation landscape, researchers at tje Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IIT-GN) have developed an advanced injectable hydrogel technology with promising clinical applications. It represents a successful translation of laboratory science into patented biomedical technology with real-world potential. The smart biomaterial can support doctors during minimally invasive procedures, particularly in treating gastrointestinal conditions such as colorectal polyps—abnormal growths that can develop into cancer if not detected and removed early   Current clinical practice involves injecting fluids beneath such polyps to create a cushion for safe removal. However, commonly used solutions like saline are quickly absorbed and often require repeated injections, increasing procedural complexity.    The researchers aim to advance the technology toward clinical translation, including further validation studies and preparation for human trials. With continued development, injectable biomaterials like these could transform how doctors perform minimally invasive procedures, improve cancer prevention strategies, and enhance recovery for patients worldwide. Developed using a plant-based molecule called ‘diglycerol monostearate’, the shear-thinning hydrogel can be precisely injected through an endoscopic catheter, forming a durable cushion that enables surgeons to lift and remove polyps more safely. This reduces the risk of tissue damage and bleeding, potentially improving outcomes in minimally invasive gastrointestinal procedures. Beyond surgical support, the technology opens up broader possibilities in healthcare. The hydrogel platform has demonstrated potential in tissue regeneration and wound healing by creating a protective, moisture-rich environment that supports recovery.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27541/researchers-at-nagaland-university-develop-biodegradable-biopolymer-to-fight-microplastic-pollution.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27541/researchers-at-nagaland-university-develop-biodegradable-biopolymer-to-fight-microplastic-pollution.html Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0530 A Nagaland University-led multi-institute research team has developed a biodegradable biopolymer that could offer an eco-friendly alternative to conventional plastics and help tackle the growing global crisis of microplastic pollution. Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that accumulate in the environment. They have emerged as pollutants of global concern due to their widespread presence across ecosystems. Through a process known as ‘Biomagnification’, the concentration of microplastics increases at each trophic level, eventually reaching humans at the top of the food chain, thereby posing significant risks to human health and ecosystems. Addressing this challenge, researchers from Nagaland University and partner institutions focused on producing a biodegradable bacterial biopolymer called ‘Polyhydroxybutyrate’ (PHB). The polymer was produced from a bacterial strain called ‘Bacillus subtilis FW1’, which was previously isolated from fish waste disposal sites in Mokokchung district of Nagaland. PHB has attracted growing interest as a potential replacement for petroleum-based plastics because it is biodegradable, biocompatible and derived from biological sources. The study was conducted in collaboration with scientists and researchers from multiple institutions across India, including Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Tezpur University, Bharathiar University, University of Science and Technology Meghalaya, and Galgotias University. The study demonstrated several promising findings. The bacterial strain was able to accumulate up to 69.2 per cent PHB biopolyester, indicating strong production potential. Detailed physico-chemical characterisation also showed that the biopolymer possesses high thermostability. Importantly, laboratory testing revealed that the material is biocompatible with human liver hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (HepG2), indicating its potential safety for biomedical applications. Dr Pranjal Bharali, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Science, Nagaland University, said, “Future research will focus on improving bacterial strain efficiency, optimising metabolic pathways and utilising low-cost waste-based feedstocks to make PHB production economically competitive with conventional plastics.” Further evaluation of the material’s environmental behaviour showed encouraging biodegradability results. The PHB film produced during the research degraded by approximately 59.6 per cent within 28 days during soil burial experiments using the open windrow composting method. Researchers note that this level of biodegradability demonstrates the potential of PHB as a sustainable and environmentally friendly biomaterial.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27491/dst-to-ease-process-of-translating-basic-research-into-diagnostic-solutions-for-infectious-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27491/dst-to-ease-process-of-translating-basic-research-into-diagnostic-solutions-for-infectious-diseases.html Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0530 Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) and YRGCARE (the operating arm of YR Gaitonde Medical, Educational and Research Foundation) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop cooperation in research on topics related to infectious diseases and public health. The partnership aims to combine the multidisciplinary scientific research capabilities of JNCASR, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), with YRGCARE's decades of expertise available in AIDS prevention, treatment, patient care, and clinical practice. A key component of the agreement is the establishment of the Suniti Solomon Research Laboratory at the JNCASR campus, Bengaluru. The laboratory will act as a hub for collaborative research and enable scientists from both the institutes to pursue interdisciplinary projects. This includes cohort-based studies and training the next generation of scientists, students, and young researchers by exposing them directly to the real clinical challenges. Under the agreement, JNCASR will provide space and support for research by providing access to advanced equipment, research facilities, and academic programs. YRGCARE will set up and equip the laboratory and contribute its expertise in clinical research and cluster development to support joint projects. Secondly, the partnership includes the establishment of the YRGCARE-Suniti Solomon Distinguished Faculty Fellowship at JNCASR. Funded by YRGCARE, this fellowship for a period of five years will provide support to a new faculty member (preferably female) who will lead a research laboratory at JNCASR as well as contribute to its academic programme. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27434/iisc-launches-moonshot-project-on-brain-co-processors-supported-by-pratiksha-trust.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27434/iisc-launches-moonshot-project-on-brain-co-processors-supported-by-pratiksha-trust.html Sat, 07 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru has launched an ambitious “moonshot” project to develop brain co-processors that combine neuromorphic hardware and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to enhance or restore brain function. The project is generously funded by the Pratiksha Trust, founded by Senapathy ‘Kris’ Gopalakrishnan and Sudha Gopalakrishnan. The moonshot project is a multidisciplinary endeavour that evolved from a pilot project seeded by IISc’s Brain, Computation and Data Science initiative – a cross-departmental programme involving more than 20 faculty members – which is also supported by the Pratiksha Trust. The primary goal of the moonshot project is to develop both implantable and non-invasive brain co-processors that can decode brain activity from neural recordings, process it with an AI algorithm, and re-encode signals back into the brain via neural stimulation or neurofeedback. Such co-processors will be deployed towards cognitive rehabilitation of stroke survivors, to restore critical functions such as goal-directed reach and grasp abilities. In the first phase, the project team seeks to develop, validate, and refine a non-invasive neural co-processor that can provide sensorimotor feedback for goal-directed reaching in stroke survivors, while also doing the groundwork, in parallel, for an invasive co-processor implant. In the second phase, the goal is to develop an embedded, minimally invasive co-processor to restore sensorimotor coordination and goal-directed reaching in individuals with chronic, multi-domain deficits following middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke. The IISc team will work with medical professionals and researchers across the country to clinically validate and deploy these co-processors in line with national and international standards and guidelines. They will incorporate feedback from neurologists, therapists, patients, and caregivers throughout the development process, and will also work closely with collaborators at research institutions in India and worldwide. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27267/nagaland-reviews-impact-of-macrophage-differentiation-in-breast-cancer-metastasis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27267/nagaland-reviews-impact-of-macrophage-differentiation-in-breast-cancer-metastasis.html Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0530 A research team lead by Nagaland University along with leading national research institutions, have published an in-depth review paper analysing the role of the tumour microenvironment in breast cancer initiation and metastasis. The review placed a special emphasis on immune cell behaviour and therapeutic implications. Breast cancer continues to be the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women globally and contributes to nearly 15% of cancer-related deaths in females, underscoring the urgent need for improved mechanistic understanding and more effective therapeutic strategies. The study focused on tumour microenvironment, a dynamic cellular ecosystem that plays a decisive role in cancer progression. In particular, researchers examined tumor-associated macrophages, key immune cells that can either suppress or promote tumour growth depending on microenvironmental cues. While macrophages typically function in immune surveillance and phagocytosis, the study highlights how their polarisation toward the M2 phenotype can facilitate tumour survival, angiogenesis, tissue remodelling, invasion, and distant metastasis. By systematically evaluating existing global literature, the study explains how invasive breast cancer cells manipulate macrophage behaviour through cytokine and chemokine signalling pathways, including colony-stimulating factor-mediated activation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27128/iit-d-creates-ai-agent-to-conduct-experiments-like-human-scientists.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27128/iit-d-creates-ai-agent-to-conduct-experiments-like-human-scientists.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D) have developed AILA (Artificially Intelligent Lab Assistant), an AI agent capable of stepping into real laboratories and carrying out scientific experiments from start to finish, much like a human scientist. The research focused on the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), a sophisticated instrument that examines materials at incredibly tiny scales. Remarkably, AILA can now control this complex device, make real-time decisions during experiments, and analyse results independently. The research also uncovered critical safety concerns. AI agents occasionally deviated from instructions, highlighting the need for robust safeguards must be implemented to prevent accidents or equipment damage as laboratories move toward greater automation. This breakthrough aligns with India’s ambitious AI for Science initiative. The government has recently announced major funding through the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) to accelerate AI-driven research across the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27125/scientists-at-iit-d-and-aiims-develop-swallowable-microdevice-for-microbiome-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27125/scientists-at-iit-d-and-aiims-develop-swallowable-microdevice-for-microbiome-study.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have developed an ingestible device that can sample bacteria directly from the small intestine, opening a new window into the human gut microbiome. Existing tools are invasive, such as endoscopy or ileostomy, or indirect, relying on stool samples that do not truly reflect conditions higher up in the digestive tract. “To say there is a hidden universe of living microbes in our body is no exaggeration but a scientific reality – we call it the human microbiome. Just as we send rovers to explore outer space, we need miniaturized devices to explore the inner space of the human body,” explained Prof. Sarvesh Kumar Srivastava, Principal Investigator at the Medical Microdevices and Medicine Laboratory (3MLab), CBME, IIT Delhi. “The prototype microdevice, once swallowed, can autonomously collect microbes from specific regions of the upper GI tract, allowing species-level identification of the residing microbes, among other biomarkers,” added Prof. Sarvesh Srivastava. The researchers say their invention provides a much clearer picture of the microbes living inside our gut than conventional stool testing. Once swallowed, the pill stays shut in the stomach. It opens only in the intestine to collect bacteria, then seals itself again to keep the sample safe while moving through the gut. The team has already filed the patent and validated their gut-sampling technology in an animal model using a microdevice no larger than a grain of rice! The effort now is on advancing this platform technology to help Indian patients in the clinic after necessary approvals. Co-senior author Dr. Samagra Agarwal from the Department of Gastroenterology and Human Nutrition Unit at AIIMS New Delhi explained, “The small intestine plays a crucial role in health and disease. Understanding the microbes and chemicals being released there could be key to early disease detection, monitoring of chronic diseases, and developing more targeted treatments.” The project is funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27114/nit-rourkela-secures-two-sparc-projects-worth-rs-1-82-cr-to-strengthen-international-research-engagement.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27114/nit-rourkela-secures-two-sparc-projects-worth-rs-1-82-cr-to-strengthen-international-research-engagement.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530 National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela has been awarded two research projects under the Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) of the Ministry of Education, Government of India, with a total sanctioned funding of over Rs 1.82 crore. Each project has a duration of two years. SPARC is a national initiative aimed at strengthening India’s research ecosystem by promoting structured collaboration between Indian higher education institutions and leading global universities, enabling joint research, academic exchange, and research capacity building in identified priority areas. The first SPARC project, “Smart Exoskeletons in Healthcare: Principle and Practices for Developing Scalable Exosuits for Rural Applications” (Rs 95.16 lakh), focuses on developing wearable robotic devices, known as exoskeletons, that assist individuals in regaining or improving mobility following illness or injury. Researchers from NIT Rourkela will be working closely with international experts to design affordable, scalable, and easy-to-use exosuits tailored for elderly individuals and post-stroke patients, particularly in local clinical and rural healthcare contexts. The wearable systems aim to support lower-limb movement and use smart sensors and artificial intelligence to analyse patient motion and assist in correcting movement patterns during rehabilitation. This institutional partnership includes joint coursework, hands-on design and prototyping workshops, and student and researcher exchanges. The second SPARC project, “Novel Disruptive Technology: Design and Development of Smart and Sustainable Technology for Agri-Food Systems” (Rs 87.24 lakh), aims to develop a simple, rapid, and non-destructive technology for assessing the quality and safety of agri-food products, without cutting, cooking, or chemically testing them. Scientists from NIT Rourkela will be collaborating with foreign researchers to create a smart sensing system that uses mild electrical signals to evaluate food quality, similar in principle to a medical scan, but applied to food products. The technology is expected to enable real-time detection of freshness, spoilage, and quality variations across farms, markets, and food processing units. By making food testing quicker, more reliable, and field-deployable, the project seeks to improve food safety, reduce wastage, and support farmers, food processors, and consumers, particularly in resource-limited environments.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27106/scientists-in-india-australia-develop-precision-nanoinjection-platform-for-breast-cancer-drug-delivery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27106/scientists-in-india-australia-develop-precision-nanoinjection-platform-for-breast-cancer-drug-delivery.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M), Monash University and Deakin University, Australia, have developed a cutting-edge nanoinjection drug delivery platform that has the potential to make breast cancer treatment safer and more effective. The approach creates a precise and sustained therapeutic system that minimises damage to healthy cells by combining nanoarchaeosome-based drug encapsulation with silicon nanotube (SiNT)-based intracellular delivery. Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality among women worldwide. Conventional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation often harm non-cancerous tissues due to systemic drug exposure. To overcome these limitations, the researchers from India and Australia have devised a nanoinjection system that delivers the anticancer drug doxorubicin directly into cancer cells using thermally stable nanoarchaeosomes (NAs) loaded into vertically aligned SiNTs etched onto a silicon wafer. This integrated approach enhances the therapeutic efficacy of the drug while maintaining excellent biocompatibility. Experimental results showed that the NAD-SiNTs (Nanoarchaeosome-Doxorubicin–Silicon Nanotubes) induced strong cytotoxicity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells, while sparing healthy fibroblasts. The NAD-SiNTs triggered cell-cycle arrest and necrosis in cancer cells and significantly reduced angiogenesis, the process through which tumours develop new blood vessels, by downregulating key pro-angiogenic factors. The platform demonstrated 23 times lower inhibitory concentration (IC50) than free doxorubicin, suggesting higher potency at much lower doses, which can directly translate into lower treatment costs and fewer side effects. The next phase of research will focus on in vivo validation, long-term toxicity studies, and regulatory assessments to prepare for preclinical and clinical translation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27091/jncasr-suggests-ways-to-develop-therapeutic-strategies-for-alzheimers-parkinsons-and-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27091/jncasr-suggests-ways-to-develop-therapeutic-strategies-for-alzheimers-parkinsons-and-cancer.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers from Bengaluru-based Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have discovered a surprising role in the autophagy, or "autotrophic" process, which separates damaged parts, fights infections and enables long-term cells like neurons to function smoothly. Identification of key components in the early stages of autophagosome biogenesis, which is an important stage of the autophagy process, can establish the basis for modifying this process to detect interventions to restore this process in diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and cancer. Researchers have found that a group of proteins called exocyst complexes, which normally help bring important molecules to the surface of the cell, play an important role in autophagy. This complex consists of a team of 8 proteins; Interestingly, 7 of these 8 proteins assist the cell in developing a garbage bag so that it can completely wrap the waste. When this complex is absent, the cell sac-forming structure stops functioning properly and even begins to form a defective, non-functional structure. The researchers used normal yeast cells to elucidate the formation of autophagosomes (cellular waste bags), helping to understand how this important process occurs in higher organisms. They elucidated the process by which a protein complex exocyst, previously recognised for its role in secretion, also contributes to the autophagy pathway, which is important for maintaining cellular health. Defects in autophagy are associated with many neurodegenerative diseases and cancers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27074/inst-develops-new-method-for-better-and-comprehensive-treatment-of-alzheimers-disease.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27074/inst-develops-new-method-for-better-and-comprehensive-treatment-of-alzheimers-disease.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at Mohali-based Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have consolidated nanotechnology, molecular biology and computational modelling to develop a multifaceted therapy for Alzheimer's disease. This treatment involves integrating epigallocacachin-3-gallate (EGCG), an antioxidant found in green tea, dopamine (which is an important neurotransmitter for mood), and tryptophan (an amino acid involved in many cellular functions), into nanoparticles called EGCG-dopamine-tryptophan nanoparticles (EDTNP). This enables this treatment to simultaneously target amyloid aggregation, oxidative stress, inflammation, and neuronal degeneration, which are the four major pathological symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. The incorporation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein important for the survival, development, and function of neurons, into the EDTNP (B-EDTNP) creates a dual-functional nanoplatform that not only clears neurotoxic amyloid beta aggregates (clumps of proteins that disrupt nerve function and increase the pathology of Alzheimer's disease) but also enhances neuronal regeneration. This is a rare approach in the treatment of Alzheimer's that uniquely combines antioxidant, anti-amyloid, and neurotrophic actions for therapy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27052/scientists-at-bose-institute-create-glowing-protein-to-monitor-gene-editing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27052/scientists-at-bose-institute-create-glowing-protein-to-monitor-gene-editing.html Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Scientists at the Bose Institute in Kolkata have created a CRISPR protein that can help scientists observe molecular scissors called the Cas9 enzyme as it enables them to edit the genome using the CRISPR – Cas9system for the treatment of genetic diseases, including cancer. CRISPR-Cas9 was designed to cut and correct DNA with precision. Scientists have not been able to observe Cas9 in real time in living cells, however. Traditional detection methods rely on connecting or breaking open cells, making this process impossible to track. In the new study, the researchers have combined Cas9 with a split nano-luciferase enzyme derived from a deep-sea shrimp protein to create a bio-luminous version of Cas9 called GloCas9, which glows inside cells. By combining gene editing with light emission, GlockaS9 is leading the way in the emerging field of theratracking, a unique example of looking at molecular gene therapy in a moving state. This invention brings us closer to a future where scientists will not only be able to fine-tune genes but also witness the process of treatment firsthand. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27024/merck-announces-2025-merck-young-scientist-award-winners.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27024/merck-announces-2025-merck-young-scientist-award-winners.html Tue, 02 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Merck, a leading science and technology company, has announced the winners of the Merck Young Scientist Award 2025, honouring and recognising India’s brightest researchers driving groundbreaking innovations in Life Sciences. The fourth edition of the award ceremony, held in Bengaluru, was attended by prominent academicians, researchers, and industry experts, reflecting Merck’s commitment to empowering India’s next generation of scientists. This year’s award programme was structured around two main categories — Emerging Talent (early-career scientists, within five years of Post-PhD) and Scientific Excellence (mid-career researchers, five to ten years post-PhD). Within each category, winners were recognised across two disciplines: Biological Sciences and Chemical Sciences. A total of 16 finalists were selected after a comprehensive review process, four winners and four runners-up each in Biological Sciences and Chemical Sciences across the two categories. The winners of the Merck Young Scientist Award 2025 are as follows: Category 1: Chemical Sciences Scientific Excellence Winners Dr. Janakiram Vaitla, IIT Delhi Dr. Bishnu Prasad Biswal, NISER- Bhubaneswar Scientific Excellence Runners-up Dr. Basudev Sahoo, IISER Thiruvananthapuram Dr. Ritika Gautam, IIT Kanpur Emerging Talent Winners Dr. Susanta Hazra, IISc Dr. Vignesh Palani, IISC Emerging Talent Runners-up Dr. Sanjib Panda, IIT Madras Dr. Indu Bala, IIT Mandi Category 2: Biological Sciences Scientific Excellence Winners Dr. Gaurav Ahuja, IIIT-D Dr. Tapomoy Bhattacharjee, NCBS Scientific Excellence Runners-up Dr. Jogender Singh, IISER Mohali Dr. Amitesh Anand, TIFR Mumbai Emerging Talent Winners Dr. Swati Sudhakar, IIT Madras Dr. Amit Nain, IIT Delhi Emerging Talent Runners-up Dr. Jyoti Tanwar, RCB Dr. Naziya Chaudhary, ACTREC Winners in the Emerging Talent category received Rs 2,50,000, while runners-up were awarded Rs 1,00,000 each. Each winner in the Scientific Excellence category received Rs 3,50,000 (including a travel grant of Rs 1,00,000), while runners-up were awarded Rs 1,25,000. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27008/ai-unlocks-cancers-secrets-for-personalised-therapy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/27008/ai-unlocks-cancers-secrets-for-personalised-therapy.html Thu, 27 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0530 A new study has introduced an artificial intelligence (AI) framework that could change how we understand and treat cancer. The framework gives us a new lens to look at cancer, not by its size or spread alone, but by its molecular personality. Cancer is not just a disease of growing tumors—it is powered by a set of hidden biological programs called the hallmarks of cancer. These hallmarks explain how healthy cells turn malignant: how they spread, evade the immune system, and resist treatment. For decades, doctors have relied on staging systems like TNM, which describe the size and spread of tumours. But such systems often miss the deeper molecular story—why two patients with the “same” cancer stage can have very different outcomes. Scientists of S N Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) working with Ashoka University have introduced the first AI framework that can read the molecular “mind” of cancer and predict its behaviour. The team led the framework titled OncoMark to analyse 3.1 million single cells across 14 cancer types, creating synthetic “pseudo-biopsies” that represent hallmark-driven tumor states. This huge dataset allowed the AI to learn how hallmarks like metastasis, immune evasion, and genomic instability work together to fuel tumor growth and therapy resistance. OncoMark achieved over 99% accuracy in internal testing and remained above 96% across five independent cohorts. It was validated on 20,000 real-world patient samples from eight major datasets, showing broad applicability. For the first time, scientists could actually visualize how hallmark activity rises with advancing cancer stage. The new framework can reveal which hallmarks are active in a patient’s tumor, pointing doctors toward drugs that directly target those processes. It can also help identify aggressive cancers that might look less harmful under standard staging, supporting earlier intervention. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26960/cens-develops-flexible-piezoelectric-nanocomposites-for-biomedical-and-wearable-sensors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26960/cens-develops-flexible-piezoelectric-nanocomposites-for-biomedical-and-wearable-sensors.html Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0530 An innovative piezoelectric device has been fabricated using a polymer nanocomposite of flower-shaped tungsten trioxide (WO₃) nanomaterial embedded in a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix, paving a viable path towards flexible, wearable, highly efficient, energy-harvesting, pressure-sensing devices.   Researchers at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) employed a systematic experimental approach to explore the interactions between polymers and nanomaterials.  The research which involves mixing of flexible piezoelectric polymer and nanoparticles and systematic study of the resultant mechanical energy conversion efficiency gives an insight into understanding/classifying what type of nanoparticle can enhance the piezoelectric properties of a piezoelectric polymer. The high sensitivity and energy efficiency of this nano-engineered system make it ideal for biomedical uses. In particular, it can be incorporated into wearable health monitoring systems that can capture biomechanical energy from minor to major body movements like heartbeats, pulses, breathing, walking, etc., and transform it into electrical signals. By using these signals, physiological parameters can be monitored in real time without requiring external power sources. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26961/iit-guwahati-pioneers-eco-friendly-solution-for-lead-removal-using-microorganisms.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26961/iit-guwahati-pioneers-eco-friendly-solution-for-lead-removal-using-microorganisms.html Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) have developed a natural method to remove lead from contaminated water using cyanobacteria, microorganisms that are related to bacteria but are capable of photosynthesis. The developed method offers a sustainable and low-cost solution to one of the world’s most persistent environmental threats. The research team at IIT Guwahati has used bioremediation, a natural process in which microorganisms clean contaminated environments. These microorganisms naturally exist in soil and water and help in restoring ecological balance. To achieve this, the research team employed a light-dependent lead-bonding cyanobacterial species, “Phormidium corium NRMC-50”. The team researched the different parts of the cyanobacterium to examine which of the components were the most efficient to absorb and remove the lead contaminants. The researchers also demonstrated that cyanobacteria offer multiple environmental benefits such as absorbing pesticides, herbicides, hydrocarbons, synthetic dyes, and industrial chemicals, among others. The metals absorbed by the microorganisms can be recovered and converted into valuable products such as biochar, bioplastics, or biofuels. Considering these organisms are self-replicating, low-cost, and require only sunlight, carbon dioxide, and minimal nutrients, they offer a sustainable alternative to synthetic adsorbents currently being used globally. As the next step, the research team is targeting scaling the process from laboratory setup to a pilot-scale treatment system and testing it in real wastewater streams. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26918/narayana-murthy-calls-for-stronger-research-ecosystem-to-build-a-better-india-and-a-better-world.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26918/narayana-murthy-calls-for-stronger-research-ecosystem-to-build-a-better-india-and-a-better-world.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Infosys Founder N. R. Narayana Murthy emphasised the critical role of research in shaping India’s future, as he addressed a gathering at the Infosys Science Foundation office in Bengaluru to announce the Infosys Prize 2025 winners across six categories — Economics, Engineering and Computer Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physical Sciences. Speaking to an audience of laureates, scholars, and industry leaders, Murthy said that the “need of the day for our country is to strengthen our national and institutional focus on research for a better India and for a better world.” Quoting historical figures such as Marcus Aurelius, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Vannevar Bush, and Jawaharlal Nehru, he underscored how visionary leadership and sustained investment in scientific inquiry have historically driven national progress. He cited Bush’s landmark 1945 report, “Science – The Endless Frontier,” as a turning point that made the United States a global research superpower. Murthy connected this legacy to India’s aspirations, recalling Nehru’s belief that “it is science alone that can solve the problems of hunger and poverty, of superstition and deadening customs and traditions.” Highlighting the spirit of curiosity that drives discovery, he quoted renowned scientists including Richard Feynman, Alan Turing, Thomas Edison, Charles Darwin, and Jennifer Doudna, as well as Nobel laureates Amartya Sen and Milton Friedman, and mathematician Manjul Bhargava. “Research is humanity’s noblest collective enterprise,” Murthy said, adding that it “bridges science and society, reason and values, ethics and dignity.” Murthy urged policymakers and institutions to build a research ecosystem that is “aspirational, meritocratic, competitive, welcoming, rewarding and enjoyable for young scientists, engineers, economists, mathematicians, and humanists.” He called for an environment that values “hierarchy of ideas rather than hierarchy of titles and offices” and encourages freedom to “dream the unimaginable.” Concluding his speech, Murthy invoked mathematician David Hilbert’s famous words, “We must know. We will know,” and said it was the sacred duty of researchers to help fulfil the dreams of India’s founding fathers — to ensure that every child in the remotest village has access to education, healthcare, and opportunity. “Research is not a luxury,” Murthy said. “It is a necessity for human survival, dignity, and progress.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26920/iit-b-develops-indias-first-indigenous-quantum-diamond-microscope-to-help-in-neuroscience-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26920/iit-b-develops-indias-first-indigenous-quantum-diamond-microscope-to-help-in-neuroscience-research.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Under the National Quantum Mission (NQM) of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), P- Quest Group at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT Bombay) has developed India’s first indigenous Quantum Diamond Microscope (QDM) for dynamic magnetic field imaging — a breakthrough that marks a milestone in quantum sensing and has earned India its first patent in this domain. The QDM which was formally announced on the sidelines of the recently concluded Emerging Science Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC 2025) has promising potential in neuroscience and materials research. It is also poised to transform the non-destructive evaluation of semiconductor chips by mapping magnetic field in 3D layers within an encapsulated chip. The announcement was made in the presence of Union Minister for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh; Prof. Ajay K. Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India; Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary Department of Science and Technology, and other officials. The QDM developed by the PQuest Group, led by Professor Kasturi Saha based on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres in diamond, represents a powerful platform for three-dimensional magnetic field imaging at the nanoscale. With the rise of 3D chip architectures in advanced electronics, cryogenic processors, and autonomous systems, conventional diagnostic tools fall short of visualizing buried current paths and multilayer charge flow. QDM offers a path toward direct, high-resolution 3D magnetic mapping of integrated circuits, batteries, and microelectronic devices. Aligned with India’s National Quantum Mission, Prof. Saha’s team aims to develop a quantum imaging platform integrating QDM with AI/ML-based computational imaging, paving the way for advanced chip diagnostics, biological imaging, and geological magnetization studies—all rooted in precise, three-dimensional magnetic field visualisation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26885/iit-m-develops-affordable-minimally-invasive-glucose-monitoring-device-for-diabetes-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26885/iit-m-develops-affordable-minimally-invasive-glucose-monitoring-device-for-diabetes-patients.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) have developed and patented a cost-effective, user-friendly, and minimally invasive glucose monitoring device for diabetes patients. They have reimagined the device ground-up, focusing on comfort, accessibility and long-term affordability while ensuring high standards of accuracy and reliability. As per the Indian Council of Medical Research – India Diabetes (ICMR INDIAB) study published in 2023, the prevalence of diabetes is 10.1 crore people. The most common method in use, Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG), requires finger-prick blood sampling multiple times a day. It is effective, but invasive. Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems represent an advance over SMBG, offering real-time readings without repeated finger pricks. However, the current generation of CGMs comes with their own set of limitations such as high cost, dependence on separate devices such as smartphones or dedicated readers to display results. In addressing these challenge, IIT Madras researchers from the Electronic Materials and Thin Films Lab, led by Prof. Parasuraman Swaminathan, developed a set of innovations that together redefine a CGM device. These innovations have been formally recognised and protected through multiple patents. The cornerstone of this solution is a modular system that combines reusable electronics and a low-power display unit with a disposable microneedle sensor patch. L. Balamurugan, an IIT Madras MS Entrepreneurship scholar working on this solution, said “A device like this is a real enabler. By making glucose monitoring painless, discreet, and affordable, it encourages people to check their levels more regularly, understand their body’s patterns, and take timely action. Over time, it leads to fewer emergencies, fewer hospital visits and less strain on families and healthcare systems. On a National scale, a domestically-developed CGM also strengthens our self-reliance in medical technology, reducing dependence on imported devices and creating opportunities for local manufacturing and employment.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26884/scientists-identify-hidden-blood-markers-to-explain-diabetes-risks-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26884/scientists-identify-hidden-blood-markers-to-explain-diabetes-risks-in-india.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0530 In a new study, researchers led by Prof. Pramod Wangikar from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) and Dr Rakesh Kumar Sahay and Dr. Manisha Sahay from Osmania Medical College, along with researchers from Clarity Bio Systems India, Pune, used metabolomics—the study of small molecules in the blood—to find biochemical patterns that could help identify patients at risk of kidney complications. Their findings, published in the Journal of Proteome Research in July 2025, may help doctors diagnose problems earlier and create more personalised treatments. To gain a more comprehensive view of the disease, researchers performed metabolic profiling of hundreds of metabolites at once. Metabolites are tiny molecules present in the body that reflect the ongoing activity in cells. By analysing them, hidden shifts in body chemistry that precede clinical symptoms can be detected. Previous metabolomics studies have highlighted associations between diabetes and molecules such as branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), acylcarnitines, and certain lipids. But most of that research has been done in European or East Asian populations. Since genetics and lifestyles vary across populations, markers found in one region may not be applicable elsewhere. For the study, the team collected whole blood samples from 52 volunteers at Osmania General Hospital in Hyderabad between June 2021 and July 2022. The participants included 15 healthy controls, 23 patients with type 2 diabetes, and 14 patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Using two complementary techniques — liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) — the team scanned for nearly 300 metabolites. They found 26 metabolites that differed between diabetic patients and healthy controls. Some were expected, such as glucose, cholesterol, and 1,5-anhydroglucitol (a short-term marker of blood sugar). But others, like valerobetaine, ribothymidine, and fructosyl-pyroglutamate, had not been linked to diabetes before. “This suggests that diabetes is a much broader metabolic disorder beyond just glucose dysregulation,” notes Prof. Wangikar. This study currently has a small sample size. The researchers plan to extend it to obtain data from a larger number of subjects with diabetes and various complications, with the objective of developing simple clinical tests that can not only help in the early diagnosis of diabetes but also identify those at higher risk of complications. This will pave the way for personalised care in the long run. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26869/iit-madras-ohio-researchers-develop-new-ai-framework-to-aid-discovery-of-next-generation-drugs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26869/iit-madras-ohio-researchers-develop-new-ai-framework-to-aid-discovery-of-next-generation-drugs.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras’ Wadhwani School of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (WSAI) and The Ohio State University, US, have developed a breakthrough Artificial Intelligence (AI) framework that can rapidly generate drug-like molecules that are easier to synthesise in real-world laboratory settings. The system promises to significantly cut down the early-stage timelines of drug development — currently a billion-dollar, decade-long process — and could play a crucial role in addressing drug resistance in cancer and infectious diseases. The new framework, called ‘PURE’ (Policy-guided Unbiased REpresentations for Structure-Constrained Molecular Generation (SCMG), stands apart from existing molecule-generation AI tools that rely on rigid scoring mechanisms or statistical optimisation. PURE was evaluated on widely accepted molecule-generation benchmarks, including QED (drug-likeness), DRD2 (dopamine receptor activity), and solubility tests. It delivered higher diversity and novelty in generated molecules and generated possible synthetic routes without ever being trained on those specific scoring metrics. This makes PURE a general-purpose AI engine for molecular discovery, capable of working across multiple disease and property objectives using a single trained model. Elaborating on this Research, Prof. B. Ravindran, Head, Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI (WSAI), IIT Madras, said, “Artificial intelligence is increasingly reshaping how we think about discovery itself, and drug design offers a compelling example of that transformation. What’s unique about PURE is the way it uses reinforcement learning, not just to optimize specific metrics, but to learn how molecules transform. By treating chemical design as a sequence of actions guided by real reaction rules, PURE moves us closer to AI systems that can reason through synthesis steps much like a chemist would.” This approach helps solve one of the biggest problems in AI-driven drug discovery - most AI-generated molecules look promising on a computer but are nearly impossible to synthesise in reality. PURE overcomes this by: ⮚       Grounding molecular generation in real synthesis pathways ⮚       Automatically learning chemical similarity instead of relying on metrics that introduce bias ⮚       Suggesting viable synthetic routes along with molecular structures ⮚       End Applications: faster drug pipelines and backup solutions for failing treatments ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26834/government-announces-rashtriya-vigyan-puraskar-2025-to-honour-excellence-in-science-technology-and-innovation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26834/government-announces-rashtriya-vigyan-puraskar-2025-to-honour-excellence-in-science-technology-and-innovation.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025, the nation’s highest recognition for outstanding and inspiring contributions by scientists, technologists, and innovators in diverse fields of science, technology, and technology-led innovation, has been announced. The Government of India instituted to recognise and promote pathbreaking research and inspiring achievement, the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar is conferred under four categories: Vigyan Ratna (VR) award will recognise lifetime achievements & contributions made in any field of science and technology. Vigyan Shri (VS) award will recognise distinguished contributions in any field of science and technology. Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB) award will recognise & encourage young scientists up to the age of 45 years who have made an exceptional contribution in any field of science and technology. Vigyan Team (VT) award to be given to a team comprising three or more scientists/researchers/innovators who have made an exceptional contribution working in a team in any field of science and technology. Awards are conferred across 13 domains: Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Mathematics & Computer Science, Earth Science, Medicine, Engineering Sciences, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Technology & Innovation, Atomic Energy, Space Science and Technology, and other allied fields. Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar winners for the year 2025 in the field of Science and Technology are- Vigyan Ratna: Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar (Physics) Posthumously Vigyan Shri:  Dr Gyanendra Pratap Singh (Agricultural Science); Dr Yusuf Mohammad Seikh (Atomic Energy); Dr K Thangaraj (Biological Sciences); Prof. Pradeep Thalappil (Chemistry); Prof. Aniruddha Bhalchandra Pandit (Engineering Sciences); Dr. S Venkata Mohan (Environmental Science); Prof. Mahan Mj (Mathematics and Computer Science); Jayan N (Space Science and Technology) Vigyan Yuva: Dr Jagdis Gupta Kapuganti (Agricultural Science); Dr Satendra Kumar Mangrauthia (Agricultural Science); Debarka Sengupta (Biological Sciences); Dr Deepa Agashe (Biological Sciences); Dr Dibyendu Das (Chemistry); Dr Waliur Rahaman (Earth Science); Prof. Arkaprava Basu ((Engineering Sciences); Prof. Sabyasachi Mukherjee (Mathematics and Computer Science); Prof. Shweta Prem Agrawal (Mathematics and Computer Science); Dr Suresh Kumar (Medicine); Prof. Amit Kumar Agarwal (Physics); Prof. Surhud Shrikant More (Physics); Ankur Garg (Space Science and Technology); Prof. Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam (Technology & Innovation) Vigyan Team: Team- Aroma Mission CSIR (Agricultural Science)     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26822/nagaland-university-identifies-natural-compound-for-diabetic-wound-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26822/nagaland-university-identifies-natural-compound-for-diabetic-wound-treatment.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Nagaland University researchers have identified a naturally-occurring plant compound called ‘Sinapic acid’ as a powerful therapeutic agent capable of significantly accelerating wound healing in diabetic conditions. The discovery marks a major advancement that could result in safe, natural, and effective treatments for diabetic wound management. This is the first study globally to demonstrate that Sinapic acid, when administered orally, can accelerate diabetic wound healing in preclinical models. The research established that the compound works by activating the SIRT1 pathway, which plays a crucial role in tissue repair, angiogenesis, and inflammation control. The multidisciplinary study involved collaboration between experts from Nagaland University and Lovely Professional University (LPU), Punjab, combining expertise in biotechnology, pharmacology, biochemistry, and medical laboratory sciences. The research team has built robust preclinical evidence that Sinapic acid enhances wound healing, improves metabolic health, and mitigates oxidative stress in diabetic models. The next phase will focus on translating this success into real-world therapeutics through: Ø  Detailed molecular pathway studies (PI3K/Akt, NF-κB) Ø  Toxicity and pharmacokinetic profiling to ensure safety Ø  Formulation development for capsules or nutraceutical tablets Ø  Pilot clinical trials in diabetic patients to test efficacy and safety ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26810/nit-rourkela-pioneers-green-alternative-to-fight-antibiotic-resistance.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26810/nit-rourkela-pioneers-green-alternative-to-fight-antibiotic-resistance.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have used extracts from medicinal plants to produce potent antibacterial agents that are environmentally safe and effective. The research addresses the problem of antimicrobial resistance. The overuse of traditional antibiotics has resulted in the rise of “superbugs” that have become resistant to these treatments. All around the world, scientists are seeking alternative methods to fight these superbugs.  One promising class of materials that has been studied is Zinc oxide nanoparticles, materials so tiny that tens of thousands of them could fit across the width of a human hair. These tiny particles damage the bacterial cells and disrupt their normal functions. Electrically charged Zinc ions damage the cell membrane by producing reactive molecules that stress and kill the bacteria, as well as by blocking the cell’s vital processes. Conventional synthesis of these nanoparticles involves the use of harsh chemicals that can be toxic to humans and/or the environment. To address this NIT Rourkela researchers have used an eco-friendly approach to producing the Zinc oxide nanoparticles. Instead of using harsh chemicals, the researchers used extracts from leaves and petals of Marigold, Mango, and Eucalyptus to reduce zinc salts into zinc oxide nanocrystals with adsorbed phytocompounds from the extracts. Highlighting the importance of the research, Prof. Suman Jha, Associate Professor. Department of Life Science, NIT Rourkela, said, “The green-synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles with phyto-corona, as a sustainable and effective antimicrobial platform, offer a promising solution to combat antimicrobial resistance while leveraging the medicinal properties of surface-adsorbed plant-derived phytocompounds. This work is a step toward developing a new generation of green nanomaterials that can support sustainable healthcare systems. Our vision is to develop scalable, affordable, and environmentally safe antimicrobial materials that can be integrated into healthcare, sanitation, and food preservation applications. By harnessing India’s rich biodiversity and indigenous plant resources, we aim to create self-reliant innovations that contribute meaningfully to global health and sustainability goals.”  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26731/atal-innovation-missions-frontier-region-programme-paves-way-for-500-new-atal-tinkering-labs-in-jk.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26731/atal-innovation-missions-frontier-region-programme-paves-way-for-500-new-atal-tinkering-labs-in-jk.html Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0530 In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of building a Viksit Bharat by 2047, the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, Government of India, in collaboration with the University of Kashmir, launched the Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) Sarthi and Frontier Region Programme at the Convocation Complex, University of Kashmir. This landmark initiative marks an impetus for innovation in the Union Territory, with the announcement of 500 new Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs). The programme was inaugurated by Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Science & Technology, in the presence of other dignitaries. Dr Jitendra Singh said that as India's economy moves up from rank 4 to rank 3 and further upward, the value addition will come from regions and resources hitherto underexplored, and J&K qualifies on both counts.   The Minister announced that under the Frontier Region Programme, 500 new Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) will be set up in J&K, forming the largest share of the 2,500 labs sanctioned for frontier regions, with an investment of Rs 100 crore. These labs, he said, will give school students exposure to cutting-edge tools in robotics, 3D printing, and artificial intelligence, enabling them to innovate at a young age. Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of J&K, said these additional labs will play a crucial role in inclusive innovation by starting Atal Tinkering Labs in remote and tribal areas. The Lieutenant Governor also emphasised the need to increase the number of Atal Tinkering Labs in the Jammu division. He called upon the University of Kashmir to focus on skill development, and capacity building for Atal Tinkering Lab teachers, unlocking their potential and promoting creativity and innovation.   The launch was marked by the release of a Coffee Table Book showcasing success stories of student innovators from J&K, followed by the signing of the ATL Sarthi partnership between AIM and the University of Kashmir.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26733/nit-rourkela-develops-cost-effective-device-for-gait-profiling.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26733/nit-rourkela-develops-cost-effective-device-for-gait-profiling.html Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have uncovered new insights in developing low-cost indigenous force plate for measuring the multi-axial ground reaction forces (GRF). The GRF measured from the force plates will be useful to diagnose the abnormal gait patterns. This device will also be useful in sports academics, educational institutes, hospitals and rehabilitation centres in India as it is affordable compared to the existing foreign suppliers. The research team used the indigenously developed force plate along with the motion capture system to evaluate the heel pad stiffness in a non-invasive technique. By studying how the heel pad, the natural cushion of the foot, behaves in people with different body weights, the team has taken a step closer to developing better footwear and treatment strategies to reduce heel pain.  Speaking about the findings of the research, Prof. A. Thirugnanam, Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering said, “Most neuromuscular disorders will affect the gait pattern of an individual. Since, gait requires precise coordination of muscle strength and balance, disturbances in any of these can alter the walking pattern and the corresponding GRF. Some common neuromuscular diseases like myopathies, peripheral neuropathies, neuromuscular junction disorders, spasticity, ataxia, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, etc., can alter the GRF. These abnormalities in GRF can be diagnosed using the force plate. The device can also be used in designing orthotics, prosthetics, and insole design in the shoe manufacturing industry. The indigenous force plate designed and developed by our team can be supplied at a reasonable cost, making it affordable to all sports academies, healthcare sectors, and academic institutes across India.” Force plates are globally recognised as essential diagnostic tools for analysing human musculoskeletal health. Due to high costs and the lack of Indian manufacturers, its availability in India remains limited. The new device from NIT Rourkela can be supplied at one-fourth the price of international systems, making it an affordable alternative. The project received funding from the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the Biomedical Device and Technology Development (BDTD) scheme. The industrial partner, N K Instruments, Kolkata, contributed to the fabrication. The innovation is being commercialised through the startup KineUtkal Private Limited, incubated at Foundation for Technology & Business Incubation (FTBI), NIT Rourkela.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26716/inst-pioneers-nanomaterial-that-stimulates-brain-cells-without-surgery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26716/inst-pioneers-nanomaterial-that-stimulates-brain-cells-without-surgery.html Tue, 23 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Graphitic carbon nitride has been identified by scientists from Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) in Mohali, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), that is able to “talk” to neurons naturally. When placed near nerve cells, it generates tiny electric fields in response to the brain’s voltage signals. These fields open calcium channels on neurons, triggering growth and improving connections between cells—without any external device. This discovery could transform treatment for brain disorders, as scientists have shown that a special nanomaterial called graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) can stimulate brain cells—without the need for electrodes, lasers, or magnets. Normally, treatments such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) require surgical implants, while other methods use magnetic or ultrasound waves to reach brain tissue. These are effective but invasive or limited. The breakthrough by INST could also impact futuristic technologies such as “brainware computing.” Scientists worldwide are experimenting with brain organoids—tiny lab-grown brain tissues—as biological processors. Coupling them with semiconducting nanomaterials like g-C₃N₄ could make these living computers more efficient, opening new frontiers in bio-inspired computing. The team at INST pointed out that more preclinical and clinical studies are needed before human applications. This research will open an avenue towards therapeutic application of semiconductors for tissue engineering purposes which can help in treating brain injuries or manage neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26709/study-opens-up-possibility-of-targeting-protein-states-for-therapeutic-applications.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26709/study-opens-up-possibility-of-targeting-protein-states-for-therapeutic-applications.html Mon, 22 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0530 A new study from researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru and Université Paris-Saclay reveals how a key enzyme called Aurora A helps cells pull off a genetic division. Cells must carefully duplicate and divide its genetic material (chromosomes) equally, and then rebuild the nuclear envelope around the separated halves. If this process goes wrong, the resulting nuclei can be misshapen or disorganised – features often seen in cancer and ageing-related diseases. The research team found that Aurora A plays a crucial role in ensuring that the spindle poles dissolve at the right time. Without this enzyme, the poles remain ‘sticky’, causing the chromosomes to bend awkwardly around them and leading to distorted nuclei. Another protein central to this process is NuMA, which is essential for spindle pole organisation. Normally, NuMA gathers at spindle poles during mitosis and then disperses as cells complete dividing. Aurora A keeps NuMA in a dynamic, liquid-like state, allowing it to move in and out of spindle poles. When Aurora A is inhibited, however, NuMA hardens into a more solid-like state and clumps at the poles. Using advanced imaging techniques, the team showed how Aurora A–mediated phosphorylation of NuMA prevents the latter from hardening at the poles. The team also identified specific regions and amino acids in NuMA that drive this shift between dynamic and solid states. The findings highlight the elegant choreography involved in mitosis and open up the possibility of targeting these protein states for therapeutic applications. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26695/researchers-pioneer-unique-systems-biology-approach-against-fungal-pathogens.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26695/researchers-pioneer-unique-systems-biology-approach-against-fungal-pathogens.html Wed, 17 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI (WSAI), IIT Madras and ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (ICMR-NIRRCH) researchers have developed a one-of-a-kind approach to fight fungal pathogen called ‘Candida albicans’ (CAL). This multidisciplinary approach employed an integrated systems biology approach - combining large-scale computational modelling and experimental validation - to identify unknown critical metabolic vulnerabilities in C.albicans. It is the primary cause of Systemic Candidiasis, a major global health threat with a high mortality rate up to 63.6% in severe cases. The rise of drug-resistant strains and lack of new antifungal drugs underline the urgent need for new therapeutic options. The current drug discovery methodologies often rely on traditional trial-and-error screening, a time-consuming and inefficient process for identifying novel targets.   Highlighting the importance of this research, Prof. Karthik Raman, Faculty, IBSE, WSAI, IIT Madras, said, “This groundbreaking novel research is vital for diversifying and improving antifungal drugs to bypass resistance. Further it aims to improve patient survival, reduce mortality and lower treatment costs.” Elaborating on the next steps in this research and how this research can be taken to real-world applications, Prof. Karthik Raman added, “Currently, we have validated the preliminary key findings in animal models, which further need to be validated to understand more detailed mechanistic studies. Next steps would include collaboration with clinical partners to investigate these insights on real-world patient samples and the industry to develop these findings into antifungal treatments. As a whole, the findings underline India’s growing strength in interdisciplinary research and its potential to contribute solutions.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26668/iit-kanpur-develops-novel-sensor-to-study-how-medicines-activate-vital-receptors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26668/iit-kanpur-develops-novel-sensor-to-study-how-medicines-activate-vital-receptors.html Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) have developed a novel antibody-based biosensor that can monitor the activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in live cells. GPCRs are the largest family of receptor proteins in human cells and are targeted by more than one-third of all clinically prescribed medicines. Led by Prof. Arun K. Shukla, the research team has been investigating GPCR biology for over a decade. GPCRs, because of their central role, are considered some of the most important gateways for developing new drugs and therapies. The new biosensor represents a significant milestone in overcoming the technical challenges of monitoring receptor activation inside living cells. GPCRs typically remain inactive until they receive a signal, such as light, hormones, or small molecules, that activates them to transmit signals across the cell membrane. This process, known as signal transduction, is central to human physiology. However, studying these activations in real-time within live cells has been difficult. To address this, the IIT Kanpur team developed an engineered antibody (nanobody) sensor that binds to GPCRs only upon activation and in association with arrestins. When the receptors are activated by their ligands, the nanobody comes into close proximity, triggering an enzymatic reaction that produces a measurable luminescence signal. “The beauty of this biosensor is that it does not require any modification of GPCRs, and still, it can report their activation by ligands. This opens up possibilities for imaging these receptors in disease contexts,” said Prof. Arun K. Shukla, Professor, IIT Kanpur who led the study. The project was carried out in collaboration with Prof. Josef Lazar’s laboratory at the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague. It was supported by an Indo-Czech joint research initiative funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26659/sai-and-iit-delhi-sign-mou-to-give-impetus-to-wider-use-of-sports-science-and-innovation-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26659/sai-and-iit-delhi-sign-mou-to-give-impetus-to-wider-use-of-sports-science-and-innovation-in-india.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Under the guidance of the Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya to promote Government of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, the Sports Authority of India’s (SAI) National Centre of Sports Science Research (NCSSR) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi to strengthen cooperation in the domains of sports sciences, advanced technology, and indigenous innovation. The MoU will foster inter-institutional coordination and focus on the development of indigenous sports equipment, sports science devices, and cutting-edge technologies. By minimising dependence on imported tools and embracing home-grown solutions, this initiative aligns with the Government of India’s campaign ‘Garv se Swadeshi’—particularly within the sports sector. This collaboration is expected to facilitate high-quality research in sports science and engineering; promote innovation-driven projects for athlete performance enhancement; enable knowledge sharing between leading experts and institutions; and contribute to injury prevention and athlete well-being. Coinciding with the MoU signing, Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports also inaugurated the newly-established Biomechanics Laboratory at IIT Delhi. This facility is equipped to conduct advanced sports science assessments and biomechanical research. The lab will play a vital role in delivering scientific insights into athlete movement, optimising performance, and mitigating the risk of injuries. The lab aims to strengthen India’s sports science infrastructure and foster innovation to support both able-bodied and para athletes, a significant stride towards promoting inclusivity. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26637/iasst-synthesises-new-compound-to-combat-aggressive-breast-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26637/iasst-synthesises-new-compound-to-combat-aggressive-breast-cancer.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0530 A newly designed nitro-substituted organoselenium compound by Guwahati-based Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), can reduce the invasiveness of aggressive triple-negative breast cancer cells by modulating various signalling pathways. The team synthesised it via nucleophilic substitution of benzylic halides with Na₂Se₂ and NaHSe, obtained by reducing elemental selenium with sodium borohydride under an inert atmosphere. This newly synthesized nitro-substituted organoselenium compound, called diselenide 7, was found to reduce the invasiveness of aggressive triple-negative breast cancer cells by modulating various signaling pathways. In Swiss albino mice with breast adenocarcinoma, it significantly decreased tumour volume and reduced angiogenesis and metastasis, extending the animals' lifespan. Investigations revealed that the compound exerts its anticancer effect by targeting multiple survival mechanisms within cancer cells. This treatment blocks two important pathways, Akt/mTOR and ERK, that help cancer cells grow and are critical for uncontrolled cell growth. It also creates reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduces inflammation, which can damage DNA and harm the cancer cells, leading to cell death This study highlights the role of nitro-substituted organoselenium compounds as multitargeting anticancer agents, supporting their development for effective cancer treatment. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26621/iit-m-and-danish-university-study-reveals-genetic-switches-to-transform-disease-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26621/iit-m-and-danish-university-study-reveals-genetic-switches-to-transform-disease-research.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) and Danish University have shown how interactions between genetic variants can act like “switches” to unlock hidden cellular pathways. By revealing how these gene–gene interactions rewire metabolism over time, the study provides vital insights into the genetic basis of complex diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. The findings have far-reaching implications for human health, open up new possibilities for personalised medicine, including the identification of biomarkers and potential drug targets. The study demonstrates how specific genetic variants in yeast can work together to activate a previously dormant metabolic pathway. This discovery provides a framework for decoding how multiple genes interact to shape health and disease in higher organisms, including humans. The practical applications of this research include- Ø  Development of biomarkers and identification of drug targets that capture the combined effects of genetic variants, enabling more accurate disease diagnosis, prognosis, and the design of personalised treatment strategies tailored to an individual’s unique genetic background. Ø  Application in synthetic biology and biotechnology, where engineered gene interactions could be used to activate or suppress specific pathways for improved production of metabolites, biofuels, or pharmaceuticals. Ø  Providing a framework for precision agriculture and microbial engineering, by leveraging gene–gene interactions to design stress-tolerant crops or industrial microbes with optimized metabolic traits.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26609/lpu-study-opens-new-avenues-for-cancer-research-and-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26609/lpu-study-opens-new-avenues-for-cancer-research-and-treatment.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at Lovely Professional University (LPU), in collaboration with the University of Kashmir, have successfully achieved a breakthrough milestone in cancer research by developing an in-vivo colorectal cancer (CRC) rat model. The model provides a robust platform for testing new chemopreventive agents, understanding the molecular basis of CRC, and exploring potential therapeutic interventions. “The development of this CRC rat model is a pioneering effort that has opened new avenues for cancer research and will allow for in-depth studies on the mechanisms of colorectal cancer development, progression, and metastasis, which were previously not possible within our facilities,” the research team said. The implications of this development are profound, as a it sets the stage for future research projects that can lead to significant advancements in cancer treatment and prevention.  The current study titled ‘Studies on the Ameliorative Potential of Rheum Webbianum Rhizome Extracts on 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine (DMH) Induced Colorectal Cancer and Associated Hepatic and Haematological Abnormalities in Swiss Albino Rats’, has made noteworthy contributions to the field. This groundbreaking work received international recognition and has been accepted for publication in the prestigious Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Elsevier. Several experts have appreciated the research as a valuable contribution to ethnopharmacology and cancer research, highlighting its comprehensive investigation, use of both in-vitro and in-vivo CRC models, and promising findings on the chemopreventive potential of RW extracts. The study investigates the chemopreventive potential of Rheum webbianum (RW) rhizome extracts on DMH-induced colorectal cancer in Swiss albino rats. The findings successfully demonstrate the ameliorative potential of RW rhizome extracts on colorectal cancer and associated hepatic and haematological abnormalities, highlighting its potential as a natural chemopreventive agent. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26592/healthark-brings-back-rwesearch-health-innovation-summit-2025-september-911.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26592/healthark-brings-back-rwesearch-health-innovation-summit-2025-september-911.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Following the success of its inaugural edition in 2024, which saw 1800+ registrations, 1100+ attendees, 45+ speakers, and participation from 30+ organizations across 10+ countries, Healthark is set to host the RWEsearch & Health Innovation Summit 2025. This year, the summit will be graced by the presence of Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Industries & Commerce, & Legislative Affairs, Government of Telangana, Shri D. Sridhar Babu, who will join as  the Chief Guest, bringing an important policy, growth and innovation perspective to the conversations. This three-day global summit will unite leaders from life sciences, healthcare, MedTech, and Global Capability Centers (GCCs) to address the most pressing challenges in healthcare. Speakers from leading organizations including Novo Nordisk, Bayer, AstraZeneca, BMS, and Deloitte will share insights and expertise. “The healthcare landscape is evolving faster than ever, and collaboration is key,” said Dr. Purav Gandhi, Founder & CEO, Healthark. “Through this summit, we aim to foster dialogue, challenge assumptions, and co-create solutions that can transform healthcare and evidence generation worldwide.” The 2025 edition will feature four dedicated tracks covering real-world evidence, clinical research, AI, and healthcare delivery globally, as well as region-specific focus on India, the Middle East, and African countries. Core themes include diversity in clinical trials, validating AI-driven data, harnessing automation, and navigating dynamic markets. A special track focused on Global Capability Centers will highlight how these capability centers out of India are driving transformation through innovation, AI adoption, and availability of talent at scale. With this strong foundation and exciting line up of speakers, the summit promises to be a defining platform for shaping the future of healthcare. Registrations are now open, join this global conversation shaping tomorrow’s healthcare, click here to register. For details, visit Healthark or follow updates on LinkedIn. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26605/scientists-at-inst-use-tiny-gold-particles-for-early-detection-of-parkinsons-disease.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26605/scientists-at-inst-use-tiny-gold-particles-for-early-detection-of-parkinsons-disease.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 A group discussion among scientists at Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) exploring how proteins behave differently in the brain during disease, sparked a big idea. They started exploring whether they could detect how dangerous a protein is just by sensing its surface charge. They focused their attention on a protein called α-synuclein linked to PD. This protein changes shape, starting out harmless, and eventually clumping into toxic forms that damage brain cells. The team started working towards a sensor to tell these protein forms apart, just by how they’re charged. Their solution came in the form of gold nanoclusters (AuNCs), ultrasmall, glowing particles just a few nanometers wide. By coating these nanoclusters with naturally occurring amino acids, the researchers gave them selective “stickiness.” Proline-coated clusters were drawn to the normal version of the protein, while histidine-coated ones latched onto the toxic aggregates. This helped distinguish between the harmless monomeric form and the toxic aggregated (amyloid) form. The research also opens the door to detecting other diseases linked to misfolded proteins, like Alzheimer’s, using similar nanotechnology. By making the system label-free, low-cost, and clinically adaptable, the team hopes it can someday be used in point-of-care testing—bringing powerful diagnostics closer to people who need them most. It could contribute to the global effort to prevent and manage non-communicable neurological diseases. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26585/iit-m-develops-low-cost-chip-based-device-for-rapid-antibiotic-susceptibility-testing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26585/iit-m-develops-low-cost-chip-based-device-for-rapid-antibiotic-susceptibility-testing.html Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) have developed an innovative and affordable microfluidic device that can rapidly determine whether bacteria are resistant or susceptible to antibiotics. Unlike many modern techniques that rely on costly metals, complex fabrication processes, or require highly skilled technicians, this lab-on-chip device, known as ‘ε-µD’ is based on screen-printed carbon electrodes embedded in a simple microfluidic chip. This approach makes the device not only economical but also suitable for deployment in smaller clinics and rural healthcare centres. Designed for speed, sensitivity, and ease of use, it holds strong potential for early diagnosis and better treatment of bacterial infections, particularly in regions with limited access to advanced laboratory infrastructure. The ε-µD device can deliver results within three hours and is based on ‘Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy’. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most pressing challenges facing global healthcare systems today. Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) is an important method used to identify which antibiotics will work against a specific infection. It helps doctors choose the right treatment and avoid the misuse of antibiotics, which is a major cause of AMR. However, traditional AST methods, which involve growing bacterial cultures and observing their response to antibiotics, are labour-intensive and typically take 48 to 72 hours. This delay can lead to the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics as a stopgap, which in turn exacerbates the resistance problem. The researchers tested the device on two types of bacteria - gram-negative E. coli and gram-positive B. subtilis. They used two antibiotics with different modes of action — ampicillin, which kills bacteria and tetracycline, which prevents them from growing — to confirm the device’s ability to detect both kinds of responses. The ε-µD was able to detect susceptibility profiles within three hours. In an important demonstration of real-world applicability, the team also tested the device on urine samples spiked with E. coli and successfully identified resistance to tetracycline, showing the potential of this device in clinical diagnostics. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26589/scientists-in-kolkata-explore-use-of-giant-antibody-for-bracing-against-bacterial-toxins.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26589/scientists-in-kolkata-explore-use-of-giant-antibody-for-bracing-against-bacterial-toxins.html Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 A recent study from researchers at the S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS) in Kolkata, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) reveals that IgM not only binds to pathogens but can also mechanically stabilise bacterial toxins, preventing them from harming our cells. This could inspire new therapies by designing antibodies that mechanically stiffen dangerous proteins and disarming them. The research focused on Protein L, a molecule from the bacterium Finegoldia magna. Protein L is known as a “superantigen” because it can bind antibodies in unusual ways, potentially disrupting normal immune function. What makes this study remarkable is its use of single-molecule force spectroscopy — a cutting-edge technique that applies tiny, precise forces to individual molecules to see how they behave under stress. The scientists discovered that when IgM binds to Protein L, it significantly increases the protein’s mechanical stability. In simple terms, IgM acts like a brace, making it harder for the protein to unfold or break apart under force. This effect was concentration-dependent — higher amounts of IgM gave Protein L more resistance to mechanical stress. The team also used computer simulations to explore why this happens. They found that IgM’s multiple binding sites can engage Protein L at several points simultaneously, creating a synergistic stabilizing effect. This is different from smaller antibodies, which lack the same stabilising power. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26577/somaiya-vidyavihar-university-frontier-labs-to-establish-centre-of-excellence-in-analytical-pyrolysis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26577/somaiya-vidyavihar-university-frontier-labs-to-establish-centre-of-excellence-in-analytical-pyrolysis.html Fri, 22 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Somaiya Vidyavihar University (SVU) has inaugurated the Centre of Excellence in Analytical Pyrolysis (CoE-AnPy), a state-of-the-art facility established in collaboration with Frontier Laboratories, Japan. The facility is dedicated to advancing polymer science research, interdisciplinary learning, and industry engagement in India. Somaiya Vidyavihar University and Frontier Laboratories signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise this collaboration. The Centre will focus on addressing critical scientific and societal challenges related to natural and synthetic polymers, including sustainability, microplastics, and waste plastics management. Equipped with Frontier Laboratories’ cutting-edge Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) instruments, including a multi-shot pyrolyser, selective sampler, cryogenic mill and microjet cryotra, the centre will enable high-throughput polymer analysis, structural characterisation, and study of degradation mechanisms with minimal sample preparation. As part of the collaboration, researchers at Somaiya Vidyavihar University will receive hands-on training from experts from Frontier Laboratories and Shimadzu India Private Ltd. This includes a one-week programme at IIT Madras and three days of on-site instruction, ensuring students and faculty are fully equipped to leverage the advanced instrumentation for both research and teaching. The collaboration extends beyond access to state-of-the-art equipment to include deep technical expertise and knowledge transfer from Frontier Laboratories.   The CoE-AnPy will also develop technical notes, joint research publications, and industry-driven solutions, reinforcing Somaiya Vidyavihar University’s mission to nurture skilled researchers, foster innovation, and foster academia-industry collaborations in advanced polymer characterisation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26581/iisc-untangles-glucose-traffic-jams-for-treatment-of-type-2-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26581/iisc-untangles-glucose-traffic-jams-for-treatment-of-type-2-diabetes.html Fri, 22 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Our body relies on a molecular traffic system to manage the surge in glucose levels after a meal. Pancreatic β-cells play a major role in this system by taking up glucose from the blood and triggering insulin release into the bloodstream. Inside these cells, glucose uptake is managed by glucose transporters (GLUTs) – proteins that move to the β-cell surface when blood glucose levels rise and facilitate the entry of glucose into the cell to kickstart insulin release. A new study from the Department of Developmental Biology and Genetics (DBG), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru shows how this process falters in Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and how restoring it could open new therapeutic avenues. Current diabetes treatments largely target insulin action in peripheral tissues like muscle and fat, but this new work points to β-cell glucose uptake as a promising target.  “Most studies have looked at what happens after glucose enters the β-cell,” explains Anuma Pallavi, PhD student in DBG and first author of the study. “We focused on the step before that, the actual entry of glucose, and how this is disrupted in diabetes. By understanding the dynamics of these transporters, we can identify new points to intervene and improve β-cell function. If we can restore proper GLUT trafficking, we may be able to slow down disease progression and personalise therapies based on a patient’s metabolic state,” said the researchers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26527/iisc-builds-magnetically-guided-nanobots-for-tooth-sensitivity-relief.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26527/iisc-builds-magnetically-guided-nanobots-for-tooth-sensitivity-relief.html Wed, 13 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Sensitive teeth need tough toothpaste, but technology can also help. Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru in collaboration with deep-tech startup Theranautilus have now engineered CalBots – magnetic nanobots that can penetrate deep into dentinal tubules, which are tiny tunnels in teeth that lead to nerve endings. These CalBots can then form durable seals for worn enamel, offering lasting relief from sensitivity in just one application. The CalBots use a completely new class of bioceramic cement. While bioceramics are widely used in orthopaedics and dentistry for their mineralising properties, the team wanted a solution tailored for hypersensitivity – a formulation that could travel deeper and last longer. To test their innovation, the team used human teeth extracted for clinical reasons and created conditions where the dentine was exposed. On these samples, they applied CalBots under a magnetic field for 20 minutes, during which the bots sealed the dentinal tubules by forming deep, stable plugs – a result confirmed through high-resolution imaging. Encouraged by this, they progressed to animal trials in collaboration with researchers at IISc’s Center for Neuroscience. The CalBots are composed entirely of materials classified as ‘Generally Recognised as Safe’ (GRAS), ensuring high biocompatibility. Toxicity tests on mice showed no adverse effects.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26530/nit-rourkela-decodes-sugar-molecules-and-bone-protein-complex-to-boost-bone-regeneration-technology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26530/nit-rourkela-decodes-sugar-molecules-and-bone-protein-complex-to-boost-bone-regeneration-technology.html Wed, 13 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Scientists at National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela, Odisha have uncovered how natural sugar-like molecules in the human body can alter the behaviour of Bone Morphogenetic Protrin-2 (BMP-2), a protein responsible for bone formation and repair. Published in the journal Biochemistry, the findings of this research can be used for advanced treatments in bone and cartilage regeneration, improved implants, and more effective protein-based medicines. BMP-2 plays a crucial role in forming bones and cartilage, healing injuries, and guiding stem cells to become bone-forming cells. However, in the human body, this protein interacts with different Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), special sugar-like molecules found in connective tissues and joint fluids. The NIT Rourkela research team investigated how these different GAGs affect BMP-2 when it is exposed to “stress” in the form of urea-induced chemical denaturation. The team observed that BMP-2 unfolded faster in the presence of Sulfated Hyaluronic Acid (SHA), a type of GAG, compared to regular Hyaluronic Acid or without additives. The researchers found that SHA binds directly to BMP-2 protein, gently altering its structure and making it unfold in a more controlled manner. Speaking about the findings and potential real-world impact of this research, Prof. Harekrushna Sahoo, said. “BMP-2 is a critical protein in humans that plays a fundamental role in osteogenesis and bone regeneration, residing within the glycosaminoglycan-rich extracellular matrix environment of bone tissue. Our study reveals how specific GAG–BMP-2 interactions influence unfolding dynamics and structural stability. These insights allow scaffold designs to actively preserve BMP-2’s functional conformation, prolong bioactivity, lower dosage needs, and reduce side effects. Furthermore, the work offers a mechanistic basis for tailoring GAG functional group modifications to modulate protein structure and activity, guiding next-generation pharmaceutical formulation.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26485/karnataka-to-launch-quantum-mission-kqm-in-phases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26485/karnataka-to-launch-quantum-mission-kqm-in-phases.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Following footsteps of the government of India, which has launched the National Quantum Mission (NQM) in April 2023 with a budget outlay of Rs 6,003 crore, Karnataka government under the leadership of Siddaramaiah, the Chief Minister of Karnataka announced Karnataka Quantum Roadmap and soon will launch of Karnataka Quantum Mission (KQM), coordinated by Department of Science & Technology under phase 1 of the Quantum Roadmap at the country’s first Quantum India Bengaluru (QIB) 2025 summit held recently. The Karnataka state is planning to leverage its very distinguished legacy in fundamental science to push the frontiers of quantum technologies to position Karnataka as a leader across the quantum technology value chain in 4 phases. Phase 1 includes Foundation, Infrastructure & Capacity Building. Phase 2, 3 and 4 will focus on Operationalising, R&D & Pilots; Manufacturing & Commercialization and Quantum Powerhouse and Export Destination respectively.   The key objective of the KQM is to publish the Karnataka Quantum Policy (KQP), detailing incentives and interventions for eligible and interested entities. The KQP will include the launch of a Quantum Hardware Park in Bengaluru. This facility will house a pilot fabrication facility which can serve as a common resource across semiconductor, analog computing, and quantum computing. It will also house cryogenic laboratories essential for developing and testing quantum chips and devices. Startups and deep-tech innovators can leverage this specialized infrastructure to accelerate hardware prototyping, reduce capital expenditure, and collaborate with academia and industry partners. Besides the KQM will form an International Quantum Advisory Board comprising members from academia, industry and government. The board will include top-tier scientists from outside India, project directors of the NQM hubs, and leading quantum scientists from Karnataka. The state will also constitute a Karnataka Quantum Task Force which will work under the guidance of the advisory board to execute the roadmap in Karnataka. Aligning with NQM, the state will develop 1000-qubit quantum computers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), starting with 8-qubit and then expanding to 1000-qubit over next four years, and other quantum research hubs such as Raman Research Institute (RRI)/ International Centre for Theoretical Sciences (ICTS)/ Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Dharwad / Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT)/others in the state. Under the KQM the state will identify four Quantum Innovation Zones for the various Quantum themes – Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing & Metrology and Quantum Materials and Devices and sign MoU with the four quantum hubs under NQM to showcase their incubated start-ups and their products at the Quantum Research Park (QuRP) - a Centre of Excellence (CoE) at IISc Bengaluru. The state will establish partnerships with leading industry partners to develop quantum algorithms, hardware and jointly invest in skilling to build a robust supply side and also on the demand side application of Quantum across healthcare (e.g., drug discovery), fintech and cybersecurity. To develop skilled workforce in Quantum technology, Karnataka will launch Quantum Skilling Programme across 20+ Tier 1/2 engineering colleges, potentially under Nipuna Skilling Programme, expand Q-Daksha and Q-Karyashala programs of IISc to cover entire Karnataka and will partner with international universities, MNCs and startups working on Quantum technology to scholars, researchers and industrialists with experience in quantum from global markets to work in Karnataka. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26471/nitin-gadkari-announces-launch-of-national-science-prizes-worth-rs-20-cr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26471/nitin-gadkari-announces-launch-of-national-science-prizes-worth-rs-20-cr.html Sat, 02 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari underscored India's strong commitment to building a "Healthy and Inclusive India," with a clear vision of establishing the nation as a global hub for medical tourism, at Vimarsh, an event organised by Blockchain For Impact, a catalyst funder and non-profit. The core focus remains on providing high-quality, affordable treatment, bolstered by world-class medical equipment and best practices. Just as India is rapidly developing world-class infrastructure like highways and economic corridors, the health sector is also witnessing substantial investment, creating fertile ground for innovation. This strategic emphasis on health and scientific advancement by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari directly aligns with the launch of National Science Prizes, with a total allocation of Rs 20 crore by Blockchain For Impact (BFI). These prestigious awards are designed to incentivise groundbreaking research and celebrate exceptional contributions by scientists and innovators across diverse disciplines for India. By recognising excellence and fostering a culture of innovation, the initiative supports the nation’s strategic commitment to advancing science and technology as key drivers of economic and societal progress. The awards will be distributed across the following categories ; the Lifetime Achievement Award to two distinguished individuals for their profound contributions to science and health, with each receiving Rs 25 lakh; the Sandeep Nailwal India First Award, supporting three Indian-origin or global researchers, entrepreneurs, and innovators relocating to India to scale solutions in biomedical science or public health, each granted Rs 2.5 crore; the Sandeep Nailwal Award for Global Excellence, given to two individuals whose work has globally reshaped biomedical research and public health, with each awarded Rs 5 crore; and the Sandeep Nailwal Award for Young Indian Scientist Award, recognizing two biomedical scientists, public health pioneers, and cross-sector changemakers under 40 who have built transformative solutions, each receiving Rs 50 lakh. The prestigious Lifetime Achievement awards were conferred upon Padma Shri Dr Balram Bhargava and Dr Vijay Chandru for their profound and lasting contributions to the field of science and healthcare in India at Vimarsh, a premier science conclave organised by Blockchain for Impact.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26422/nit-calicut-develops-nano-sensor-to-detect-deadly-infections-in-minutes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26422/nit-calicut-develops-nano-sensor-to-detect-deadly-infections-in-minutes.html Wed, 23 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 A team of scientists at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Calicut has developed a new highly sensitive, low-cost, point-of-care device with an electrochemical biosensor that could help early diagnosis of sepsis at the bedside of the patient. Sepsis is a serious medical condition caused by an infection that can lead to multiple organ failure, shock and even death. Endotoxin, a toxic component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, acts as a key biomarker, signalling the presence of an infection that could lead to sepsis. The scientists have developed eight distinct sensor architectures and a sensitive device for detecting endotoxins rapidly.  In a paper published in the journal Langmuir, the team has demonstrated a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor chip designed for the selective detection of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is compatible with a portable analyser for on-site detection. The sensor is fabricated using functionalised CNT (fCNT) and copper(I) oxide nanoparticles (Cu2O). The specific binding of endotoxin to LPS-binding Aptamers or polymyxin B was used to improve selectivity. All the sensors have exhibited high selectivity and detected endotoxin in the presence of other interfering compounds. This device detects endotoxin in blood serum using a standard addition method, providing results within 10 minutes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26409/indo-us-scientists-decode-hair-loss-at-molecular-level-paving-way-for-regrowth-without-transplants.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26409/indo-us-scientists-decode-hair-loss-at-molecular-level-paving-way-for-regrowth-without-transplants.html Mon, 21 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Scientists have mapped the complete molecular network that controls human hair growth, offering what may be the clearest path yet to restoring hair without surgery, drugs, or transplantation. Published in Stem Cell Research & Therapy, the review reframes androgenetic alopecia (AGA)—the most common form of hair loss—not as an irreversible condition, but as a breakdown in regenerative signalling that can potentially be reversed. This study is among the first to integrate stem cell biology, gene therapy, and molecular signalling into a unified strategy for treating AGA. Developed by a multidisciplinary team from India and the United States with lead contributions from Indian researchers at The Esthetic Clinics (TEC) and the QR678 Research teams in Mumbai, the paper synthesises decades of hair biology into one unified model of how follicular cycles function, and where regenerative treatment may begin. The paper centres on five key molecular pathways—Wnt/β-catenin, Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP), Notch, and AKT/MAPK—that collectively manage the hair follicle lifecycle. In AGA, the communication between these pathways breaks down, particularly with Wnt suppression and BMP overactivation, causing follicles to fall into dormancy. The research outlines multiple therapeutic strategies to biologically “reset” the follicle: Wnt activators to reignite growth, BMP inhibitors to lift molecular suppression, gene-editing tools like CRISPR to correct misfiring signals, and stem cell therapies to rebuild a supportive microenvironment. Some of these treatments have already shown success in lab-grown tissue and animal models, and early clinical trials are expected to begin within the next two years. The $4 billion global hair loss treatment market is largely dominated by maintenance-based solutions like minoxidil, finasteride, and transplants—none of which address the root biological cause. This research offers a scientific roadmap that, if brought into clinical practice, could shift treatment from external symptom management to internal cellular regeneration.   While safety, clinical validation, and personalisation remain the next steps, the study lays the foundation for a regenerative approach that may one day eliminate the need for cosmetic intervention altogether. It also reflects a growing trend in global science, where Indian researchers are helping lead the charge in molecular and regenerative innovation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26380/thsti-hosts-second-edition-of-synchn-for-accelerating-indias-healthcare-innovations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26380/thsti-hosts-second-edition-of-synchn-for-accelerating-indias-healthcare-innovations.html Mon, 14 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Faridabad-based Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) successfully hosted the second edition of its annual industry business meet, SYNCHN 2025, at its campus on 14 July. The event convened a distinguished gathering of industry representatives, funders, and policymakers from diverse domains, all united by a shared vision for accelerating India's leadership in health innovation. SYNCHN 2025 served as a critical platform for fostering collaborative ecosystems, emphasising the urgent need for multidisciplinary, large-scale projects. Prof Ganesan Karthikeyan, Executive Director, THSTI, set the tone for SYNCHN 2025, focusing on actionable partnerships and strategic growth. He highlighted the need to focus on large projects that are multidisciplinary and said that collaborative ecosystems spanning academic institutions and industry areimportant and that THSTI is working towards providing this ecosystem. A key segment, "Insights into Translational Science" session, showcased ongoing industry collaborations with THSTI. Dr Prabuddha Kundu of Premas Biotech expressed commitment to India's vaccine leadership. Dr Sivakumar Natarajan of Miltenyi Biotec discussed bridging the talent gap in Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) through specialised training. Dr Khalid of Panacea Biotec highlighted multi-level collaboration on vaccine candidates for 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. Dr Varun Sureja of Sundyota Numandis Pharmaceuticals noted impactful collaborations, including rapid technology transfer from THSTI and indigenous microbiome commercialization. The "Expanding Capacities" session focused on THSTI's Medical Research Centre (MRC), the upcoming Translational Research Facility (TRF), designed to streamline medical product development from bench to biomanufacturing, state of the art facilities of the cluster and the proposed Biopark at the NCR Biotech Science Cluster. The session concluded with a call to co-create a model where India not only develops for India but also innovates for the world. The event also featured a dynamic panel on "Challenges and Opportunities in Industry–Academia Collaboration," where industry leaders exchanged insights with a specific focus on product commercialisation, pricing, and institutional R&D. During his special address, Dr Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Director General, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC), noted India's role as a global hub for affordable vaccines and generics. He urged industry to fund innovations for 'Viksit Bharat', emphasising the need to develop sustainable solutions, unlock best-practice policies, and untangle agro-industrial complexities for positive and inclusive economic outcomes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26367/niti-aayog-designs-roadmap-to-strengthen-state-science-technology-councils.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26367/niti-aayog-designs-roadmap-to-strengthen-state-science-technology-councils.html Thu, 10 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh has unveiled the ‘NITI Aayog’s Roadmap for Strengthening State Science and Technology (S&T) Councils’. The roadmap is a major step toward building a robust and coordinated science and technology ecosystem across the States to fuel India’s transformation into a knowledge-driven economy. Delivering the keynote address, Dr Jitendra Singh identified Science and Technology as the key growth engine of India’s economic rise, stating that “if India is to move from the 4th to the 3rd largest economy and beyond, it is science and technology that will drive this growth.” The Minister described the recently established Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) as a game-changer that will bridge gaps between academia, industry and government, facilitating co-creation and co-investment in research. He also praised the emerging Bio-E3 cell ecosystem, backed by the Prime Minister, stating, “The next big revolution will be biotech-driven, and India is set to lead the world.” Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Suman Bery, emphasised the urgent need for such a roadmap to ensure that State S&T Councils align their efforts with national development goals and drive innovation that is both inclusive and sustainable. NITI Aayog Member Dr V.K. Saraswat observed that “sustainability must be embedded into the innovation process,” and highlighted the importance of capacity building at the state level to achieve long-term scientific excellence. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26337/cens-designs-pocket-sized-sensor-to-detect-health-threats-in-air.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26337/cens-designs-pocket-sized-sensor-to-detect-health-threats-in-air.html Sat, 05 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Scientists from Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, an autonomous institute of Department of Science and Technology (DST), have fabricated a sensor by combining two metal oxides- nickel oxide (NiO) and neodymium nickelate (NdNiO3), through a simple synthesis process. While NiO acts as the receptor for the gas, NdNiO3 serves as the transducer that efficiently transmits the signal, enabling detection at concentrations as low as 320 ppb, far surpassing the sensitivity of many commercial sensors. The new low-cost sensor can help detect toxic sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas responsible for respiratory irritation, asthma attacks, and long-term lung damage, at extremely low concentrations. SO2 is a toxic air pollutant commonly released from vehicles and industrial emissions, and even minute exposure can cause serious health issues and long-term lung damage.  It is hard to detect before it has an adverse effect on health. Monitoring SO2 levels in real-time is crucial for public safety and environmental protection, yet existing technologies are often expensive, energy-intensive, or unable to detect the gas at trace levels. With its high sensitivity, portability, and user-friendly operation, this sensor system offers a practical solution to monitor and manage SO2 pollution, supporting public health and environmental safety. This work demonstrates the potential of material science to create accessible technologies for real-world challenges. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26327/researchers-at-iisc-design-simple-sensor-for-liver-cancer-detection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26327/researchers-at-iisc-design-simple-sensor-for-liver-cancer-detection.html Thu, 03 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru have developed a unique luminescent probe that uses terbium, a rare earth metal, to sense the presence of an enzyme called β-glucuronidase, which can potentially aid in the detection of liver cancer. β-glucuronidase is an evolutionarily conserved enzyme found across life forms – from microbes to plants and animals. Its core function is to break down a sugar acid called glucuronic acid. Beyond its biological omnipresence, the enzyme also doubles as a critical biomarker for liver cancer. In fact, an upsurge in β-glucuronidase often accompanies colon, breast, and renal cancers, as well as infections of the urinary tract and AIDS. The roots of the project trace back nearly a decade, beginning with the team’s experiments on metal ions and their gel-forming properties. The team found that terbium ions couched in a gel matrix derived from bile salts can emit green fluorescence. Within the same gel matrix, the team added an organic molecule called 2,3-DHN (2,3-Dihydroxynaphthalene) masked with glucuronic acid. When β-glucuronidase slices this modified molecule, 2,3-DHN gets released. The researchers then shined UV light on the sample. For ease of application, the team designed this assay as a simple paper-based sensor by anchoring the gel matrix onto a paper disc. When β-glucuronidase pre-treated with modified 2,3-DHN is added, the disc exhibits a much stronger green glow under UV light. The researchers say that clinical studies will still need to be carried out to validate the assay. But they are hopeful that such sensors can bring down the cost of detecting clinically significant biomarkers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26315/university-of-salford-csir-igib-and-ordi-host-glaucoma-awareness-and-advocacy-workshop.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26315/university-of-salford-csir-igib-and-ordi-host-glaucoma-awareness-and-advocacy-workshop.html Wed, 02 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0530 The University of Salford (UK), in collaboration with CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB) and the Organization for Rare Diseases India (ORDI), hosted a national workshop titled “Towards Equitable and Early Genetic Care for Glaucoma” in New Delhi on 30th June. Premas Life Sciences and Shroff Eye Hospital were the event partners. The event brought together leading clinicians, scientists, genetic counsellors, policy advocates, non-profit charities and media representatives to spotlight the urgent need for early genetic diagnosis in managing inherited forms of glaucoma in India. The workshop opened with a welcome address by the Director, CSIR-IGIB, highlighting the need for such events and its alignment with IGIB’s mission. The event also featured presentations from notable experts including Prof. Arijit Mukhopadhyay (University of Salford), Prof. B.K. Thelma (University of Delhi), Shri Prasanna Shirol (ORDI) and senior ophthalmologists from across India. Dr Debjani Saha from Premas Lifesciences presented its plans to develop a genetic testing panel specifically targeted for childhood glaucoma.   Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness globally and affects nearly 1–2% of India’s population. In inherited cases, children begin losing their vision early in life, often without any visible symptom. Early detection through genetic testing and counselling can enable timely interventions at very early stages of the disease, potentially preventing complete blindness. However, India currently lacks a structured policy or insurance support for genetic screening in eye care.   The day concluded with a roundtable on policy and advocacy, aiming to draft a national action plan for equitable, genetics-informed glaucoma care. Participants called for collaboration among government bodies, medical institutions, and civil society to make genetic screening accessible to all. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26271/scientists-in-guwahati-reveal-hidden-healing-power-of-poisonous-plants.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26271/scientists-in-guwahati-reveal-hidden-healing-power-of-poisonous-plants.html Thu, 19 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), are tracing the secrets held in the leaves, roots, and sap of the natural world, having comprehensively investigated various poisonous plant species and their phytochemical constituents. The researchers emphasised that plants produce phytochemicals—natural compounds used for their own survival, which can also affect human biology. While some of these are toxic, others—when isolated and modified—hold immense medicinal promise. The team has reviewed existing literature and identified 70 poisonous plant species which are used traditionally to treat a wide array of illnesses—from fevers and colds to skin diseases and oedema. The findings draw upon ethnopharmacology—how indigenous cultures use plants for healing. From treating snakebites to managing jaundice, these traditional remedies are now being re-evaluated through the lens of modern science. The implications are vast. With rigorous testing, these plants could help discover novel drugs for diseases still lacking effective treatment. The researchers have stressed the importance of rigorous scientific validation before clinical use. Toxicity must be carefully studied to ensure safety. The journey from folk remedy to FDA-approved medicine is long, but with studies like this, the first steps are being taken. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26258/scientists-in-mohali-design-method-to-synthesise-nano-cups-that-can-blaze-cancer-with-heat.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26258/scientists-in-mohali-design-method-to-synthesise-nano-cups-that-can-blaze-cancer-with-heat.html Tue, 17 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Scientists from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), in collaboration with researchers from Advanced Centre for Treatment Research & Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre (ACTREC) and Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B), have developed a novel one-step colloidal synthesis method for fabricating PEGylated semi-shells (SS) with nano-cup morphology at room temperature. The novel one-step colloidal synthesis method for nanoparticles with a unique shell structure with nano-cup morphology that is partly covered with polyethylene glycol (PEG) can help with photothermal therapy (PTT) to treat cancer. The simplified yet highly unique approach circumvents all the drawbacks of previously reported processes by using a biocompatible metal-organic framework (MOF), ZIF-8, as a sacrificial template. The synthesis employs mild reducing agents like ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) at room temperature. Future studies aim to explore chemo-photothermal therapy for highly selective oncological applications and investigate the potential of these semi shells in Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) biosensing, leveraging their unique optical properties for advanced biomedical applications. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26245/iisc-develops-novel-photoacoustic-contrast-agent-for-visualising-tumours.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26245/iisc-develops-novel-photoacoustic-contrast-agent-for-visualising-tumours.html Fri, 13 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Tumour cells have higher metabolic activity compared to healthy tissue and consequently consume a lot of glucose. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) – the current gold standard diagnostic technique – exploits this property. Clinicians inject patients with radioactive tracers like 18F-fluoro 2-deoxy glucose (18F-FDG) which accumulate at the tumour site and help pinpoint it. However, PET is expensive, and poses the risk of radiation accumulation in case of repeated scans. Researchers from the Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru have now developed a biocompatible small molecule that can be used as a minimally invasive contrast agent for Photoacoustic (PA) Tomography. In this method, a near-infrared (NIR) laser beam is shined on light-absorbing molecules (chromophores) sent to the target region, which then expand, creating a pressure change. The change can be picked up as an auditory signal, and analysing these signals allows scientists to construct 3D images of the target region. The method is particularly useful for pinpointing superficial tumours. Currently, photoacoustic imaging in a clinical setting only makes use of natural chromophores like haemoglobin, which are already present in the human body. Its oxygenated and deoxygenated states have different optoacoustic signatures that act as useful biomarkers of abnormal metabolic processes. In the new study, the IISc team designed an external molecule – not typically found in human cells – to provide better sensitivity and contrast, which makes it easier to differentiate the target region from normal tissues. The molecule, referred to as GPc, consists of four glucose units conjugated to a scaffold made of zinc-phthalocyanine.  The authors, however, suggest that more studies are needed to fully evaluate GPc’s function once it enters the cells. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26213/iit-guwahati-harnesses-clay-sedimentation-to-identify-and-measure-coronavirus.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26213/iit-guwahati-harnesses-clay-sedimentation-to-identify-and-measure-coronavirus.html Fri, 06 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) have developed a novel method for detecting and measuring the amount of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The innovative approach is based on how quickly a clay-virus-electrolyte mixture settles; a process commonly known as sedimentation, offering a simple and affordable alternative to the complex and expensive methods currently in use for virus detection. Previous studies have shown that clay particles can bind with viruses and bacteriophages, making it a promising material for virus detection. The research team focused on how Bentonite clay interacts with virus particles in a salt environment. The research team found that a coronavirus surrogate and Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) bind to the negatively charged clay surfaces at a controlled room temperature and a neutral pH of 7. The research team validated their findings using established virus-detection methods including plaque assay for a coronavirus surrogate and RT-PCR for IBV. The developed technique produced accurate results in comparison to the standard detection methods, reinforcing its reliability. Notably, the method can be extended to detect other viruses such as the Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV), which affects poultry and causes major losses in farming industry. This development holds great promise for improving how viral outbreaks are monitored and controlled, especially in regions where expensive lab equipment and trained personnel are not readily available. With further refinement, the method could be adapted for use in field kits or simple laboratory setups, making virus detection more accessible and efficient in future public health emergencies. As the next step, the research team is planning to collaborate with industry partners with medical facilities for clinical trials for SARS-Cov-2 and other viruses. By partnering with industry, the research team hopes to leverage the resources and expertise necessary to conduct robust clinical trials and ultimately contribute to the global effort to combat viral infections. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26199/iisc-develops-novel-nanozyme-to-prevent-excess-blood-clotting.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26199/iisc-develops-novel-nanozyme-to-prevent-excess-blood-clotting.html Wed, 04 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru have developed an artificial metal-based nanozyme that can potentially be used to clamp down on abnormal blood clotting caused by conditions like pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). These “nanozymes” work by controlling toxic Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels, thereby preventing the over-activation of platelets that leads to excess clot formation or thrombosis. The team injected the nanozyme in a mouse model of PTE and found that it significantly reduced thrombosis and increased the animals’ survival rates. They also observed the weight, behaviour, and blood parameters of the animal for up to five days after injecting the nanozyme, and did not find any toxic effects. Anti-platelet drugs that target thrombosis sometimes have side effects such as increased bleeding. “Unlike conventional anti-platelet drugs that interfere with physiological haemostasis, the nanozymes modulate the redox signalling and do not interfere with normal blood clotting. This means that they won’t cause bleeding complications that are a major concern with current therapies,” said the researchers. The team now plans to explore the efficacy of the nanozyme in preventing ischemic stroke, which is also caused by clogging of blood vessels. “We are hopeful about clinical studies in humans because we have done our experiments with human platelets and they worked,” said the researchers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26192/iit-madras-and-us-researchers-study-viruses-with-potential-to-kill-disease-causing-bacteria.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26192/iit-madras-and-us-researchers-study-viruses-with-potential-to-kill-disease-causing-bacteria.html Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and US are studying viruses in Freshwater Lakes. Such research is critical to understanding viruses in nature as it has enormous applications that can benefit society and the environment. An exciting example is ‘phage therapy’, which uses specific viruses called phages to target and kill disease-causing bacteria. This approach has the potential to combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections that are spreading in India and across the world and revolutionise medicine. The findings of this research reveal the vital roles viruses play in ecosystems, not just by influencing the environment but also by supporting other organisms. This work highlights how viruses are beneficial to the health and stability of natural systems. This International Team of researchers developed and applied cutting-edge Machine Learning-based tools to uncover the hidden world of viruses in microbiomes. Using these methods, they studied 465 freshwater lake samples from the same location in Madison, Wisconsin, US, collected over a period of more than 20 years. This research represents the longest DNA-based monitoring of a natural environment on Earth. The research was led by Dr. Karthik Anantharaman, Visiting Professor, Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI, IIT Madras and an Associate Professor of Microbial and Viral Ecology at University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. In addition, studying viruses in freshwater systems can transform how we manage water resources, natural ecosystems, and public health. These findings also open doors to innovative strategies for ecosystem management, such as using viruses to restore balance in disrupted environments such as polluted lakes. For example, viruses could be used to prevent harmful algal blooms or bacterial outbreaks (like the green slime seen in polluted lakes), ensuring safer drinking water and healthier recreational lakes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26171/vgenomics-and-dr-shroffs-eye-hospital-jointly-develop-unique-biomarker-to-detect-keratoconus.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26171/vgenomics-and-dr-shroffs-eye-hospital-jointly-develop-unique-biomarker-to-detect-keratoconus.html Tue, 27 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Delhi-based biotech company Vgenomics has entered into a special partnership with Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital. The aim of this partnership is to detect the eye disease keratoconus at an early stage using a new technology. For this purpose, they have developed a unique tear-based biomarker, named VSP-2224.  It has been developed with the help of AI technology and the RgenX-LENS platform by Vgenomics. The key feature of this biomarker is its ability to detect the disease even before symptoms appear. It is completely non-invasive (requires no surgery or painful procedures), allowing early diagnosis and better treatment outcomes. Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease that affects the cornea (the transparent layer of the eye). It gradually weakens the vision and, if not treated in time, can lead to permanent vision loss. The current techniques used to detect this disease only become effective after significant corneal damage has already occurred, making timely treatment difficult. More than 2% of India’s population is estimated to be affected by this disease, and it is also spreading rapidly in MENA (Middle East and North Africa) countries. Hence, early and accessible detection of the disease has become more important than ever.  Currently, VSP-2224 is undergoing clinical validation among patients, healthy individuals, and those receiving treatment. In addition, Vgenomics is also developing a new diagnostic kit called OcuTear, which will be a fast and easy point-of-care diagnostic panel for surface eye diseases, with VSP-2224 being the key marker for keratoconus. With this partnership and discovery, the care for keratoconus is becoming more accurate, faster, and patient-friendly. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26152/pm-narendra-modi-announces-launch-of-wadhwani-hub-and-wadhwani-innovation-and-translation-centre-at-iit-b.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26152/pm-narendra-modi-announces-launch-of-wadhwani-hub-and-wadhwani-innovation-and-translation-centre-at-iit-b.html Sat, 24 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530 In a landmark move to position India as a global leader in biosciences, bioengineering, health, and medicine, the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, and the Wadhwani Foundation have announced the creation of two transformative new initiatives at the YUGM Innovation Conclave: the Wadhwani Hub for Biosciences, Bioengineering, Health and Medicine and the Wadhwani Innovation and Translation Centre (WITC) at IIT Bombay. This landmark initiative  by the Wadhwani Foundation and IIT Bombay lays the foundation for a world-class ecosystem integrating graduate education, research, innovation, and real-world applications. With a philanthropic commitment of Rs 100 crore by the Wadhwani Foundation and a Rs 200 crore matching contribution from IIT Bombay to be raised by the Institute, the initiative will be anchored by an upcoming 120,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art building. The Hub will focus on strengthening high-quality M.Tech. and PhD programmes, advancing cutting-edge research, and fostering interdisciplinary solutions for pressing challenges in healthcare and medicine. The Wadhwani Hub will house multiple specialised centres, including those focused on biosciences, healthcare systems, and medical technologies, each incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning into its research framework. Within the Hub, the Wadhwani Innovation and Translation Centre (WITC) will accelerate the journey from lab to market. It will focus on translational research, startup incubation, and commercialization, serving as a national catalyst for converting scientific breakthroughs into impactful solutions. This new initiative builds on the Wadhwani Foundation’s earlier support for translation in biosciences through the Wadhwani Research Centre for Bioengineering (WRCB), reinforcing a decade-long commitment to impactful research and innovation at IIT Bombay.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26150/nit-rourkela-designs-label-free-biosensor-for-affordable-breast-cancer-diagnosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26150/nit-rourkela-designs-label-free-biosensor-for-affordable-breast-cancer-diagnosis.html Fri, 23 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha have investigated a novel semiconductor device-based biosensor that can identify breast cancer cells without the need for complicated or expensive laboratory procedures. Since cancer cells often do not show any initial signs of progression, it is crucial to diagnose them at an early stage for prevention and cure. While several diagnostic procedures, such as X-ray, mammography, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Test (ELISA), Ultrasonography, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), are used to identify the disease, they require specialised equipment and trained personnel. Additionally, these diagnostic methods are often inaccessible to people in remote areas. To address these challenges, Dr Sahu and his team have designed a novel approach that uses the physical properties of cancer cells to detect them. Cancerous breast tissues, which hold more water and are denser than healthy tissues, interact differently with microwave radiation. These differences, known as dielectric properties, make it possible to distinguish between healthy and cancerous cells. To take advantage of this, the research team has proposed an electronic device, ‘TFET’ (Tunnel Field Effect Transistor), based on TCAD simulation results, that can effectively detect breast cancer cells. FETs are commonly used in electronics, but here they have been adapted to function as a sensitive detector of biological materials. Unlike many traditional tests, this biosensor does not need any added chemicals or labels to work. The findings show that the sensor is sensitive in detecting T47D cancer cells due to their high density and permittivity. It is also highly effective at distinguishing the cancerous cells from healthy breast cells, offering improved sensitivity compared to existing technologies. Another key feature of the developed technology is its affordability. TFET-based biosensor is affordable compared to the conventional testing methods and other existing FET-based biosensors.  The developed technology holds significant promise for future medical applications, resulting in low-cost, easy-to-use diagnostic devices that bring early breast cancer detection to clinics, mobile testing units, and home settings. As the next step, the research team is exploring potential collaborations for fabrication and scientific validation of the developed technology.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26131/iasst-explores-use-of-neurotrophin-peptidomimetic-drugs-for-treating-neurodegenerative-disorders.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26131/iasst-explores-use-of-neurotrophin-peptidomimetic-drugs-for-treating-neurodegenerative-disorders.html Tue, 20 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530 A team of scientists at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has been exploring peptidomimetics, synthetic compounds designed to mimic neurotrophins. Peptidomimetic drugs – or synthetic molecules that mimic the structure of natural proteins can be repurposed to provide an effective therapeutic strategy to treat neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) by promoting neuronal growth and survival. Neurotrophin peptidomimetics are developed to target specific biological functions and can be valuable tools in drug discovery, especially when natural peptides have limitations like poor oral bioavailability or susceptibility to degradation.  One of the significant advantages of peptidomimetics is their improved stability and bioavailability compared to endogenous neurotrophins. This means they can be delivered more effectively to the brain and maintain their therapeutic activity for a longer duration. Additionally, peptidomimetics can be designed to be more specific to their target receptors, reducing the risk of side effects. The researchers have highlighted the potential of peptidomimetics to treat NDs by promoting neuronal growth and survival. They have also explored the possibility of repurposing existing peptidomimetic drugs for other diseases, such as cancer, and the potential for developing new drug prototypes based on neurotrophins mimetics. As research progresses, the hope is that peptidomimetics could become a key therapeutic strategy, offering new hope for managing and treating neurodegenerative disorders for future generations. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26112/nit-rourkela-designs-breakthrough-ecg-lead-system-for-enhanced-diagnosis-of-atrial-arrhythmias.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26112/nit-rourkela-designs-breakthrough-ecg-lead-system-for-enhanced-diagnosis-of-atrial-arrhythmias.html Thu, 15 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela, Odisha, have developed an effective upgrade to Electrocardiography (ECG), one of the most commonly used techniques to monitor heart activity. This new system helps in easily detecting subtle electrical signals from the upper chambers of the heart, which are often too indistinct to be seen clearly in regular ECGs. These signals play a key role in identifying abnormal heart rhythms that can lead to serious conditions such as atrial fibrillation which can further lead to stroke. Irregular heart rhythms, or arrhythmias, are responsible for a large number of cardiac-related deaths around the world. Irregular heart rhythm in the heart’s upper chambers, known as atrial arrhythmias, are among the most common, especially in patients who have been hospitalised. Identifying these arrhythmias in early state can help doctors begin timely treatment and prevent complications. Detecting atrial arrhythmias can sometimes be difficult, particularly in busy clinical settings or with low-cost monitoring equipment. To address this challenge, NIT Rourkela research team has designed a novel lead placement system called the Atrial Lead System (ALS). In an ECG, leads refer to specific patterns of electrical measurement created by placing electrodes on different parts of the body. Lead placement involves positioning these electrodes to capture clear signals from the heart. The ALS uses a modified arrangement to improve how electrical activity from the atria is recorded. By strengthening these signals, especially the P-wave, the system helps improve the accuracy of arrhythmia detection, both by doctors and by computer-based diagnostic tools. One of the most promising aspects of this work is that it requires no change to the ECG machine itself. The innovation lies entirely in the way the leads are placed, which means the upgrade can be easily adopted in both public and private healthcare settings without additional cost. The research team has also filed a patent application for the Atrial Lead System. The project has received financial backing from the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Government of India. This collaborative achievement by NIT Rourkela, MIOT International, Chennai, and Jaiprakash Hospital, Rourkela, represents the impactful synergy between academic research and clinical practice, paving the way for significant advancements in cardiac diagnostics and patient care across India and beyond. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26098/mdrf-us-scientists-discover-new-diabetes-subtype-in-global-breakthrough-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26098/mdrf-us-scientists-discover-new-diabetes-subtype-in-global-breakthrough-study.html Fri, 09 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530 In a major breakthrough, researchers from the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) in Chennai, and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, USA have jointly announced the discovery of a new subtype of MODY diabetes, potentially transforming how certain forms of the disease are diagnosed and treated worldwide. The discovery centers around a rare, inherited form of diabetes called Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY), a genetic form of diabetes typically diagnosed in childhood and adolescence and has been published online ahead of print in the prestigious journal ‘Diabetes’, published by the American Diabetes Association. The study, based on a collaborative investigation involving detailed genetic and functional analyses of Indian patients clinically diagnosed with MODY, reveals a groundbreaking mechanism behind a subtype of MODY affecting the ABCC8 gene which plays a crucial role in pancreatic β cell function. Prof Colin G Nichols, the lead researcher of this work from Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA states: “Through our collaborative work with MDRF, using various experiments in the laboratory, we were able to show some novel mutations in the Indian patients with MODY which occur as Loss Of Function (LOF). LOF mutations, abolish or reduce the activity of protein and they normally lead to Congenital Hyperinsulinism (CHI) which presents as persistent low blood glucose levels (hypoglycemia) in childhood." Dr  Radha Venkatesan, Executive Scientific Officer and Head of Molecular Genetics,  who is the lead researcher of this work from MDRF, emphasizes the importance of the work and states, “Through our work in the lab and follow-up of our patients, we propose that diabetes driven by KATP-Gain of Function and KATP-Loss Of Function mutations should be officially be recognised as distinct disease subtypes, with different molecular basis and different clinical and therapeutic implications”.  Dr V. Mohan, Chairman of MDRF adds, “Patients with this new (Loss of Function) MODY subtype do not respond to Sulphonylureas unlike other forms of MODY like MODY 3 & MODY 1 & MODY 12. Further studies are needed to assess the best antidiabetic medicines to treat this novel type of diabetes. This study also opens up new avenues for discovery of novel drug targets in diabetes treatment”.  MODY is a rare, inherited form of diabetes caused by mutations in a single gene, typically presenting in adolescents and young adults. While 13 MODY subtypes have been recognised so far, this newly identified variant upends long-standing assumptions about how the disease develops. The discovery not only expands the scientific understanding of MODY but also underscores the urgent need for wider access to genetic screening — particularly in countries like India, where such testing is not yet part of routine diabetes care. This breakthrough could mark a turning point in advancing personalized diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management for thousands of individuals living with undetected or misclassified forms of diabetes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26074/isro-inks-mou-with-sctimst-for-cooperation-in-space-medicine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26074/isro-inks-mou-with-sctimst-for-cooperation-in-space-medicine.html Mon, 05 May 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Department of Space (DoS) and Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology (SCTIMST), Department of Science & Technology (DST) have signed the ‘Framework Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Space Medicine’. This partnership marks significant milestone in the advancement of Space Medicine and its applications in the country. Indian Human Space programme, Gaganyaan is a national endeavour of ISRO offering a unique opportunity to various national agencies, academia and industry in the fields of human health research, microgravity research, space medicine and space biology. This framework MoU between ISRO and SCTIMST will lead to cooperation in the niche field of Space Medicine which will benefit the national human space programme as well as spur innovations and developments in the fields of Human Physiological Studies, Behavioural Health Studies, Biomedical Support Systems, Radiation Biology & Medicine, Countermeasures for improving Human Health & Performance in Space Environment, Telemedicine and communication Protocols and Crew Medical Kit for Space Missions. The programme will create opportunities for studies and experiments, especially in the field of Space Medicine. Dr V Narayanan, Chairman, ISRO and Secretary DOS & Chairman, Space Commission emphasised that the national human spaceflight endeavour, Gaganyaan aims to enhance nation’s capacity in the field of Human Research under space environment. He highlighted that maintaining human health and performance in the extreme environment of Outer Space is very important for the successful long duration human space missions. A national space based platform such as the Bharatiya Antariksh Station will enable the utilisation of the niche space environment to undertake cutting edge human research and technology development based on our national priorities. This collaboration can inspire young people to pursue careers in STEM fields, driving innovation in the country.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26052/iit-m-leads-development-of-new-biosensor-platform-to-test-pregnant-women-for-pre-eclampsia.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26052/iit-m-leads-development-of-new-biosensor-platform-to-test-pregnant-women-for-pre-eclampsia.html Mon, 28 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0530 An Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M)-led multi-institute research team has developed a new biosensor platform that can test pregnant women for pre-eclampsia. The researchers have come together to develop a Point-of-Care (PoC) testing using fiber optics sensor technology as a possible alternative to existing technologies. Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a life-threatening complication that occurs during pregnancy, affecting a large number of pregnant women and newborns worldwide. Rapid, on-site and affordable screening of this complication at an early stage is necessary to ensure timely treatment and minimise both maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality rates. The usual method to detect pre-eclampsia is time-consuming, requiring huge infrastructure and trained personnel, which makes this test mostly inaccessible to remote areas and resource-limited settings. Prof. V.V. Raghavendra Sai, Biosensors Laboratory, Department of Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering, IIT Madras, said, “Placental growth factor (PlGF) is an angiogenic blood biomarker used for pre-eclampsia diagnosis. Herein, we have established the Plasmonic Fiber Optic Absorbance Biosensor (P-FAB) technology for detecting PlGF at femtomolar level using polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) based U-bent polymeric optical fiber (POF) sensor probes. The biosensor platform developed by the research team is simple and reliable, paving the way for affordable diagnosis. It can also lead to increasing the test coverage of Placental growth factor (PlGF) biomarker tests, thereby resulting in a potential for a significant impact on the management of pre-eclampsia and towards reduction in the global burden of mortality and morbidity from pre-eclampsia.” Elaborating on when this technology could reach field implementation, Dr Narayanan Madaboosi, DBT Ramalingaswami, Re-Entry Fellow, Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, IIT Madras, said, “This technology for pre-eclampsia detection has systematically traversed the required validation stages, ranging from analytical through bioanalytical until clinical evaluation, thereby advancing via the associated Technology Readiness Levels (TRL). Further large scale patient sample analysis across diverse clinical settings with this validated biosensor, together with robust prototyping, would enable and smoothen its potential Tech Transfer and subsequent commercialisation in the near- and mid-term future, respectively.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26035/iasst-develops-optical-sensing-platform-for-detecting-cholesterol-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26035/iasst-develops-optical-sensing-platform-for-detecting-cholesterol-.html Fri, 25 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0530 A team of interdisciplinary researchers at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) in Guwahati, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST, has developed an optical sensing platform for cholesterol detection based on silk fibre functionalised using phosphorene quantum dots. A point-of-care (POC) device has been developed in the laboratory scale for detecting cholesterol using this. It can sense cholesterol in trace amounts, even below the preferred range. It can be an efficient tool for routine monitoring of cholesterol levels in the human body. The synthesised sensors were highly sensitive as well as selective for cholesterol detection. Furthermore, the electrical sensing platform generates no e-waste, a key advantage of the fabricated device. Both sensing platforms respond similarly to real-world media such as human blood serum, experimental rat blood serum, and milk.  A highly sensitive, eco-friendly and cost-effective optical sensing platform developed for cholesterol detection can help identify early symptoms of diseases like atherosclerosis, venous thrombosis, cardiovascular diseases, heart disease, myocardial infarction, hypertension, and cancer. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26006/anusandhan-national-research-foundation-picks-seven-hub-institutions-to-enhance-research-capabilities.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/26006/anusandhan-national-research-foundation-picks-seven-hub-institutions-to-enhance-research-capabilities.html Thu, 17 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Under the prestigious Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) Programme, launched by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), seven Hub Institutions have been selected for funding in the first phase. These include three Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), one National Institute of Technology (NIT), the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and two Central Universities. In its first phase, the PAIR Programme focuses on institutions with demonstrable or promising research potential, while also ensuring regional diversity. Each PAIR comprises one Hub and a network of seven Spoke institutions, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration on nationally relevant research themes that aim to deliver tangible and measurable outcomes. The Hub-and-Spoke model will promote institutional collaboration through shared research infrastructure, joint conferences and workshops, hands-on training, faculty development, and access to advanced expertise. Each approved PAIR network will be eligible for up to Rs 100 crore in funding over five years, distributed in a 30:70 ratio between Hub and Spoke institutions, respectively. This project will focus on four key thematic areas- Energy Technologies; Environmental Sustainability; Health & Medical Technologies; and Sustainable Agriculture. Operating on a hub-and-spoke mentorship model, the programme pairs well-established institutions with emerging ones to bridge existing research gaps. The model employs a "pull-and-push" approach: while the hub institution consolidates the skills and potential of the spokes for impactful research activities, it simultaneously pushes scientific excellence and innovation back into the spokes, enabling rapid and sustainable progress. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25977/india-and-italy-sign-mou-to-boost-cooperation-in-science-and-technology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25977/india-and-italy-sign-mou-to-boost-cooperation-in-science-and-technology.html Fri, 11 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0530 In a significant move to enhance bilateral scientific cooperation, Italy’s Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, currently on India visit, called on Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology. The hallmark of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of cooperation by the two Ministers. The discussions between the two dignitaries centered on advancing joint initiatives in quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and other emerging sectors. Dr Jitendra Singh recalled the bilateral discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brazil, which culminated in the announcement of a Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029. The plan outlines a shared vision for collaborative innovation in science and technology. As part of this vision, both nations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the field of scientific research and agreed to implement the 2025–2027 Executive Programme for Scientific and Technological Cooperation, aimed at fostering collaboration in critical technologies like AI and digitalisation. Reaffirming India’s commitment to bilateral research, Dr Jitendra Singh announced the signing of the Indo-Italian Executive Programme of Cooperation (EPOC) for 2025–2027 on 10th April 2025 during the Joint Science & Technology Committee Meeting. Under the EPOC framework, both countries have successfully implemented over 150 joint research projects to date. The current programme includes joint funding for 10 research mobility proposals and 10 significant collaborative research initiatives across a wide range of scientific disciplines. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25955/scientists-at-guwahati-nagaland-explore-use-of-magnetic-nanoparticles-for-cancer-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25955/scientists-at-guwahati-nagaland-explore-use-of-magnetic-nanoparticles-for-cancer-treatment.html Mon, 07 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0530 An efficient magnetic system has been developed by a team of scientists from Guwahati-based Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), an autonomous institute of Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India, in collaboration with National Institute of Technology (NIT) Nagaland, with newly systhesised nanocrystalline cobalt chromite magnetic nanoparticles that can treat cancer by increasing temperature  of tumour cells through a procedure called magnetic hyperthermia for treating cancer. Nanomagnets have opened up a targeted heat generation process (hyperthermia) that can be used in treating cancer cells with comparatively less side effects and is controlled by the magnetic field from outside. Tuning the physical properties of nanomagnets is essential to make them usable for hyperthermia applications. Due to the direct impact of various physical parameters of nanomagnets on the self-heating efficacy, it is challenging to create and control biofriendly coated magnetic nanoparticles with an effective heat generation efficiency. These magnetic nanoparticles' inhomogeneous in fluid form was used further to generate heat under the applied alternating magnetic field subjection. The heat generation method of magnetic nanoparticles can be used in treating cancer cells by elevating the cell temperature up to 46oC for a specific duration, causing necrosis in the injured cells when applied to particular cancer locations. Thus, superparamagnetic nanoparticles act as nano-heaters and can potentially be utilised in magnetic hyperthermia applications for treating cancer and offering alternative cancer therapy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25936/potential-new-autism-therapy-to-help-patients-become-self-sufficient.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25936/potential-new-autism-therapy-to-help-patients-become-self-sufficient.html Fri, 04 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers from Bengaluru-based Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have found a potential therapy for patients suffering from Autism / Intellectual Disability (ID) that will enable the patient to lead a life less dependent on others. Current therapeutics prescribed to treat Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) / ID are mostly related to alleviating the symptoms rather than correcting the phenotypes observed in neurodevelopmental disorders, especially after brain development. JNCASR team has found that in mice with mutated syngap gene (Syngap1+/- mice) which resembles humans with mutated syngap gene (present in autistic patients) the acetylation of DNA-associated proteins, histones or proteins that provide structural support for chromosomes is repressed in the brain. The epigenetic enzyme behind this acetylation seems to be KAT3B or p300. Kundu`s group had previously discovered an activator of this enzyme, TTK21. Upon conjugating this activator with glucose-derived nanosphere (CSP-TTK21) and feeding to the Syngap1 autistic mice, the researchers could induce acetylation in the brain. The team has shown in research published recently in the journal Aging Cell that the CSP-TTK21 restores neuronal function, learning, and memory, and induces neuronal rearrangements in Syngap1+/- mice, mainly when administered after the brain is considered to be developed (adolescents in human beings). This report not only directly connects histone acetylation with autism, for the first time, but also opens a very optimistic door for ASD therapy. The study provides a new potential therapeutic option by targeting epigenetic modifications in Syngap1-related ID/ASD that can restore the deficits to an extent that will enable the patient to lead a life less dependent on others.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25927/india-research-conclave-2025-at-aiims-sets-stage-for-strengthening-indias-research-ecosystem.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25927/india-research-conclave-2025-at-aiims-sets-stage-for-strengthening-indias-research-ecosystem.html Wed, 02 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0530 The India Research Conclave 2025, hosted at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, marked a significant milestone in advancing research excellence, fostering collaboration, and reinforcing research integrity in India. Powered by Springer Nature, the conclave brought together leading academics, researchers, policymakers, and industry experts to deliberate on key challenges and opportunities shaping India's research landscape. With a strong emphasis on research integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, the event featured keynote addresses from distinguished speakers from the government, academia, and research organizations. Discussions underscored India's role in shaping the global research agenda and the importance of ethical and sustainable scientific progress. The conclave featured two engaging panel discussions. The first panel, 'Strengthening India's Research & the Way Forward', brought together distinguished academics and policymakers to discuss the challenges and opportunities in India's research ecosystem. Experts shared insights on funding, policy reforms, and interdisciplinary collaboration to propel India to the forefront of global research. The second panel, 'Women in Research: Catalysts for Change in India's Scientific Landscape', highlighted the invaluable contributions of women researchers and the need for greater gender inclusivity in STEM fields. The discussion emphasised mentorship, policy support, and institutional changes to empower women in research. A key focus of the conclave was Springer Nature's Research Integrity initiatives, reinforcing the commitment to ethical publishing, transparency, and sustainable research practices. This aligns with India's vision for academic excellence and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25902/nit-rourkela-develops-natural-bio-ink-for-3d-bioprinting-of-bone-tissue.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25902/nit-rourkela-develops-natural-bio-ink-for-3d-bioprinting-of-bone-tissue.html Fri, 28 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela has developed a bioink made from natural materials for 3D bioprinting of bone-like structures. This bioink is designed to address challenges in bone grafting and implants, which are commonly used to treat bone defects caused by injury or disease. The research focuses on improving existing bone repair techniques by developing a bioink that is biocompatible, easy to use, and supports bone regeneration. Bone grafting is a common method to repair damaged bones.  In this procedure, bone from another part of the body or a donor is used to replace the damaged bone. This procedure has drawbacks such as pain, limited availability, and the risk of rejection. Metal implants, such as titanium plates, are another option, but they don’t always bond well with natural bone and can cause complications over time. Both methods require surgery, and sometimes more than one procedure, for proper healing. 3D bioprinting is being explored as an alternative method for bone repair. It involves printing bone-like structures using bio-inks that contain cells and supportive biomaterials. A major challenge with the exhisting bioinks is that they require an extended preparation period in laboratory conditions before they can be implanted. The printed tissue must be maintained in a controlled environment for cells to grow and form functional bone before it can be used for treatment. This makes the process slow and difficult to implement in clinical settings. The newly developed bioink is composed of chitosan, gelatin, and nanohydroxyapatite, all of which are biocompatible and commonly used in biomedical applications.  Supported by funding from the Department of Health Research (DHR), Government of India, this bioink has potential applications in a range of clinical settings. It can be used to treat large bone defects caused by accidents, infections, or surgeries by supporting natural bone growth. It is particularly useful in reconstructive surgeries for the skull and face, where precise bone repair is necessary. The team now plans to test the developed bioinks in suitable animal models and develop a scalable production process in a Good Manufacturing Practices facility for clinical trials. To facilitate commercialisation, the researchers have also established a startup, Quixotix Bioprinting. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25876/iisc-suggests-blood-glucose-detection-through-painless-photoacoustics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25876/iisc-suggests-blood-glucose-detection-through-painless-photoacoustics.html Mon, 24 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Blood glucose is usually measured using invasive methods involving pricking small needles into the skin. But people suffering from diabetes have to test their glucose levels many times in a day. This repeated use of needles is inconvenient and can increase the risk of potential infections. A new study by researchers at the Department of Instrumentation and Applied Physics (IAP), Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru offers an alternative solution via a technique called photoacoustic sensing. In this technique, when a laser beam is shined on biological tissue, the tissue components absorb the light and the tissue heats up slightly (less than 1°C). This causes the tissue to expand and contract, creating vibrations which can be picked up as ultrasonic sound waves by sensitive detectors. Different materials and molecules inside the tissue absorb different amounts of the incident light at different wavelengths, creating individual “fingerprints” in the emitted sound waves. Importantly, this procedure does not damage the tissue sample being studied. In the current study, the team exploited this approach to measure the concentration of a single molecule, namely glucose. They used polarised light – a light wave that oscillates only in a specific direction. Sunglasses, for example, reduce glare by blocking out light waves that oscillate in certain directions. Glucose is a chiral molecule, which means that it has an inherent structural asymmetry that causes polarised light to rotate its orientation of oscillation when it interacts with the molecule. Surprisingly, the team found that the intensity of the emitted sound waves changed when the orientation of the polarised light interacting with glucose in the solution was changed. “We don’t actually know why the acoustic signal changes when we change the polarisation state. But we can establish a relationship between the glucose concentration and the intensity of the acoustic signal at a particular wavelength,” explains Jaya Prakash, Assistant Professor in IAP and corresponding author of the study. As many commonly used drugs are chiral in nature, such a technique can have wide-ranging applications in healthcare and diagnostics. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25877/st-minister-announces-completion-of-10000-genome-sequences-of-mycobacterium-tuberculosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25877/st-minister-announces-completion-of-10000-genome-sequences-of-mycobacterium-tuberculosis.html Mon, 24 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0530 In a significant breakthrough in the fight against tuberculosis (TB), Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh announced the completion of genome sequencing of 10,000 isolates of “Mycobacterium tuberculosis” at a summit organised on the occasion of "World TB Day" at Vigyan Bhawan on March 24. The achievement marks a major stride in India's commitment to eradicating TB ahead of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2030 targets. The genome sequencing initiative is part of the Dare2eraD TB programme (Data Driven Research to Eradicate TB), launched on March 24, 2022, which focuses on data-driven research to eradicate TB. A key component of this initiative is the Indian Tuberculosis Genomic Surveillance (InTGS) Consortium, spearheaded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in collaboration with major clinical institutions. The programme aims to sequence over 32,000 TB isolates to identify drug resistance mutations and improve treatment outcomes. Dr Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary DBT, hailed the completion of 10,000 genome sequences as a milestone achievement, adding that the data will be instrumental in strengthening India's TB surveillance and diagnostic capabilities. He stressed the importance of translating this research into practical applications that can be scaled up for real-world impact. With India accounting for a significant portion of the global TB burden, this breakthrough in genome sequencing is expected to bolster national and global efforts to combat the disease. The government’s continued investment in cutting-edge research, coupled with policy interventions and community participation, could pave the way for a TB-free India well ahead of its 2025 target. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25831/nit-rourkela-introduces-bio-based-system-to-combat-pharmaceutical-contaminants-in-water.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25831/nit-rourkela-introduces-bio-based-system-to-combat-pharmaceutical-contaminants-in-water.html Fri, 14 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have developed a process to remove pharmaceutical pollutants from wastewater. The two-stage process combines adsorption and biodegradation to tackle a wide range of pharmaceutical compounds, including antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSIDs), and synthetic dyes. Pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) have become contaminants of emerging concern due to their bioaccumulation and biomagnification through the food chain, posing significant risks to humans and aquatic organisms even at trace concentrations.  As per the research at NIT, in the first stage, the antibiotics are captured using biochar adsorbents derived from roasted coco peat and rice straw. This step significantly reduces antibiotic contamination before the biological treatment phase. The second stage employs a specialised bacterial group, including Klebsiella and Pseudomonas strains, to break down residual pharmaceutical compounds such as diclofenac, paracetamol, and synthetic dyes. When tested on synthetic wastewater containing a mix of NSAIDs, antibiotics, and pharmaceutical dyes, the system demonstrated excellent removal efficiencies. Biodegradation efficiency of pharmaceutical dyes and painkillers was more than 95 %. The biochar adsorption process also proved highly effective, removing over 99.5% of antibiotics from the water. Speaking about the significance of the research, Prof. Angana Sarkar, Associate Professor, Department of Biotechnology & Medical Engineering, NIT Rourkela, said, “The process protects biodegrading bacteria, minimises toxic byproducts, and enhances the eco-friendly management of pharmaceutical contaminants. The treatment costs about Rs. 2.6 per liter and it can be further reduced by process optimisation and integrating this system as a tertiary step in existing treatments.” The researchers suggest that this process is nontoxic, sustainable, and cost effective that can be scaled up in near future in collaboration with the pharmaceutical industries. The system, demonstrated with model pharmaceutical compounds, can be applied to other molecules with similar structures. Further treatment through standard wastewater treatment eliminates the need for additional stages for bacteria and solid residue removal. This project was funded by Science and Engineering Research Board (Under IMPRINT-2: Impacting Research Innovation and Technology, Government of India Scheme) and research work was conducted in collaboration with Cadila Pharmaceutical Ltd., Ahmedabad. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25836/h-e-l-group-signs-research-agreement-with-the-institute-of-chemical-technology-in-mumbai.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25836/h-e-l-group-signs-research-agreement-with-the-institute-of-chemical-technology-in-mumbai.html Fri, 14 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0530 H.E.L Group, a global developer and manufacturer of innovative laboratory tools for process optimisation, safety, and scale-up, has announced a research agreement with the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) in Mumbai to advance process safety in the chemical synthesis industry. The three year strategic alliance will focus on H.E.L’s Process Safety Hub combined with ICT Mumbai’s academic leadership and research acumen in the field of chemical sciences, engineering and allied fields. As part of the agreement, H.E.L will provide ICT Mumbai with a Simular Process Development Reaction Calorimeter, designed for applications including adiabatic calorimetry, autocatalysis, and batch and semi-batch reactors. By leveraging the derived thermodynamic and kinetic information of a reaction, the system enables optimization of process conditions, determination of safest conditions, and provides accurate and reliable measurements for precise process control. The Simular Reaction Calorimeter will be installed in ICT Mumbai’s research lab, where it will be integrated into chemical synthesis workflows as part of the Institute’s educational, mentoring and research programs enabling the development of safe processes to address real-world challenges. Professor Virendra Rathod, former Head of Chemical Engineering at Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, said: “Process optimisation is a critical part of developing safe chemical synthesis workflows. H.E.L’s Simular Reaction Calorimeter offers a highly flexible approach to process development, making it applicable across many of our focus areas Integration of the system into our research and academic programmes, combined with access to H.E.L’s wider expertise in process safety, will be invaluable as we look to develop cutting edge solutions now and in the future.” Rajeev Kumria, General Manager, H.E.L India commented, “Through this collaboration, we look forward to driving innovation and education in process safety, enabling development of efficient, safe chemical synthesis protocols, supporting both parties in our mission to increase focus on sustainability in the chemical technology industry." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25806/longevity-india-conference-2025-opens-with-unique-insights-into-ageing-science.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25806/longevity-india-conference-2025-opens-with-unique-insights-into-ageing-science.html Mon, 10 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Bringing together eminent scientists, researchers, and industry leaders, the Longevity India Conference 2025 – Rise for Healthy Aging hosted at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru opened on 10 March with unique insights into ageing science and longevity. With the key theme of Biological Foundations and Mechanisms of Ageing, the conference highlighted notable developments and trends through four major sessions covering ageing research, biological mechanisms, lifestyle medicine, and holistic health approaches.   Dinesh Gundu Rao, Minister for Health and Family Welfare of Karnataka; Manjunath Bhandary, MLC, Government of Karnataka and Govindan Rangarajan, Director of IISc were among the key dignitaries who addressed the inaugural session. Following this, engaging discussions were held on ageing science, with thought-provoking insights from global experts. Additionally, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has also awarded support to the Longevity India Initiative at IISc, to establish a Centre for Advanced Research in Ageing, marking a significant milestone in India's efforts to address the challenges of aging and age-related diseases.  The Centre will explore India-specific biomarkers, create organ-specific ageing models, and study the gut-brain connection, in order to develop strategies for healthy aging through biology, data science, and clinical research.  The conference featured insightful sessions on ageing science, starting with Deepak Saini (Longevity India, IISc), who discussed groundbreaking research at the Saini Lab and the launch of Longevity India. Brian Kennedy (Centre for Healthy Longevity, NUS) emphasised the need for translational research to validate longevity interventions.  In a session moderated by Narendra Dixit (IISc), experts like Satchidananda Panda (Salk Institute) and Maxim Artyomov (WashU Medicine) explored ageing mechanisms like circadian rhythms, immune aging, and cellular longevity. Prasun Chatterjee (AIIMS, Delhi) highlighted the role of biomarkers in longevity, while discussions on lifestyle medicine by Samuel Hansdak (CMC Vellore) and Shayana Chandrakant Parekh (IISc) focused on the effects of nutrition, exercise, and sleep.  G.R. Rajendran (PSG Hospitals) discussed plant-based nutrition for heart health, and Vivekanand Upadhyay (FÖNXIER Spine and Pain Center) emphasised exercise for longevity. N. Srikanth (Dy. Director General, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences) explored Ayurveda’s connection to modern longevity science, with other panelists from across universities and the National Innovation Foundation.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25746/i-stem-launches-one-district-minimum-one-equipment-to-drive-use-of-rs-1500-cr-worth-lab-equipment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25746/i-stem-launches-one-district-minimum-one-equipment-to-drive-use-of-rs-1500-cr-worth-lab-equipment.html Thu, 27 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 I-STEM (Indian Science, Technology, and Engineering facilities Map), an initiative from the Office of Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India, is launching ‘One District, One Equipment’ to ensure that every district in the country has access to scientific equipment. According to I-STEM data, over Rs 1,500 crore worth of lab equipment in scientific and educational institutions across India, already listed on the I-STEM portal, remains unutilised due to various factors. Institutions that actively optimise equipment availability not only accelerate research but also boost India’s Global Innovation Index ranking. This revolutionary programme aims to connect researchers, startups, and industries with a vast network of labs and equipment across diverse sectors through an I-STEM-operated portal. It provides a platform for academic institutions to register their scientific equipment that can be rented by startups, industry, entrepreneurs and researchers. This will save the researchers, industry and startups the prohibitive capital expenditure of purchasing advanced equipment. At the National level, this prevents the duplication of scarce resources in the research institutions.   According to data available with I-STEM, institutions across 167 out of 192 districts have been onboarded onto the I-STEM portal. However, many fail to respond to researchers seeking access to scientific equipment. Additionally, they face various challenges in supporting researchers, which hinders R&D progress, impacts India’s Global Innovation Index (GII) ranking, and slows down innovation in startups and industries. India’s I-STEM portal was designed to democratise access to lab infrastructure. However, it faces systemic non-compliance issues as only 1.1% of 26,737 registered equipment is frequently used. I-STEM portal has the potential to revolutionize lab infrastructure utilization but institutions must take proactive steps to unlock their full potential. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25738/nit-rourkela-develops-ai-powered-model-to-improve-blood-sugar-predictions-for-diabetes-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25738/nit-rourkela-develops-ai-powered-model-to-improve-blood-sugar-predictions-for-diabetes-management.html Tue, 25 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 A research team at National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela has developed a new artificial intelligence (AI)-driven approach to improve blood sugar predictions for people with diabetes. The research presents a machine-learning model that enhances the accuracy of blood glucose level prediction, helping individuals and healthcare providers make better and personalised treatment decisions.  Managing diabetes can be difficult due to a lack of specialists, unequal access to healthcare, low medication adherence, and poor self-care. These challenges make it harder for patients to keep their blood sugar levels under control, increasing the risk of serious health problems. New digital health technologies, especially those that use Artificial Intelligence (AI), offer a way to improve diabetes care and reduce costs. Machine learning (ML) has been used in many areas of diabetes research, from basic studies to predictive tools that can help doctors and patients make better and timely decisions. However, AI learning models, especially predictive AI models, have a few drawbacks. Many of these models work like a “black box,” meaning their predictions are difficult to understand. This lack of transparency makes it hard for doctors and patients to fully trust them. Furthermore, traditional models, such as statistical forecasting methods or basic neural networks, often fail to recognise long-term glucose fluctuations and require complex fine-tuning. The researchers at NIT Rourkela focused on improving glucose forecasting using deep learning techniques. Their approach incorporates a specialised AI model that learns from past blood sugar trends and predicts future levels more accurately than existing methods. Unlike traditional forecasting models, which often struggle with long-term trends and require manual adjustments, this model processes glucose data automatically, identifying key patterns and making precise predictions.  In the long run, this AI-driven approach has the potential to enhance diabetes care through various applications. It could be integrated into smart insulin pumps to automate insulin delivery, incorporated into mobile health apps for real-time glucose tracking, or used in clinical settings to support doctors in making personalised treatment plans. Currently, the researchers are planning on testing the developed technology through extensive clinical trials at hospitals, in collaboration with senior diabetologists in Odisha. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25714/iit-k-unravels-key-drug-target-receptor-for-cancer-and-respiratory-disease-treatments.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25714/iit-k-unravels-key-drug-target-receptor-for-cancer-and-respiratory-disease-treatments.html Sat, 22 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 A team of researchers from the Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT-K) has successfully visualised the atomic structure of CXCR2, a key human receptor involved in cancer progression and respiratory disorders. This discovery, published in the journal Molecular Cell, paves the way for developing novel therapeutics targeting this critical molecule. Using advanced cryogenic-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), the IIT Kanpur research team has provided unprecedented insight into the lock-and-key mechanism that allows CXCR2 to recognise multiple chemokines. This breakthrough addresses a fundamental question in biomedical science regarding how multiple chemokines bind and activate a common receptor, while also opening up the possibility of using the structure as a template to design new molecules of therapeutic value. "Our findings provide a molecular blueprint for designing next-generation therapeutics that can precisely target CXCR2 and potentially reduce its role in cancer and respiratory diseases. By visualising this receptor in its active state, we now have the opportunity to develop highly specific inhibitors that can disrupt its function, potentially leading to significant advancements in treatment strategies," said Professor Arun Kumar Shukla, lead investigator of the study at IIT Kanpur. Following this breakthrough, the team has begun developing novel therapeutics, including small molecules and antibodies targeting this receptor. These will undergo laboratory testing, followed by animal studies, bringing IIT Kanpur one step closer to pioneering innovative treatment solutions for cancer and respiratory diseases. This achievement highlights IIT Kanpur’s ongoing commitment to cutting-edge research that drives global healthcare and biomedical innovation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25697/scientists-at-iisc-tweak-cancer-cell-response-to-ultrasound-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25697/scientists-at-iisc-tweak-cancer-cell-response-to-ultrasound-treatment.html Tue, 18 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Cells have surface receptors called integrins that bind to repetitive domains present on the extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding the cells, allowing them to grow and spread. A new study from the Department of Bioengineering (BE), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru and collaborators shows that tweaking the spacing between these binding domains on the ECM can boost the efficiency of ultrasound treatment applied to kill cancer cells. Low-frequency ultrasound waves (39 kHz) can disrupt the cell membrane and trigger cell death in cancer cells. It is a relatively low-cost and non-invasive approach. Unlike normal cells, cancer cells do not have repair mechanisms that help them withstand the mechanical forces exerted by ultrasound waves. To mimic the integrin-ECM binding, the team constructed an array of gold nanodots separated by different distances (35, 50 and 70 nm) and allowed highly invasive cancer cells to attach to them. Then, they applied pulsed ultrasound waves. When ultrasound was applied to cancer cells grown on the 50 nm and 70 nm platforms, their cell membranes were found to stretch due to forces exerted by a filament protein called myosin. More extracellular calcium is then pumped into the cytoplasm, which damages mitochondria and promotes cell death.  The team has collaborated with clinicians to test this combination approach on oral cancer tissue samples. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25627/scientists-in-mohali-design-drug-delivery-system-to-revolutionise-treatment-of-rheumatoid-arthritis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25627/scientists-in-mohali-design-drug-delivery-system-to-revolutionise-treatment-of-rheumatoid-arthritis.html Tue, 04 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers from Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) Mohali, an autonomous institution of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have developed an innovative “self-actuating” drug delivery system that could revolutionise the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by targeting inflammation directly within the joints so that therapeutic agents are released only when needed. It is a smart system that responds directly to the biochemical signals in the inflamed synovial environment. By targeting specific inflammatory enzymes present in the joints, the system ensures that therapeutic agents are released only when needed, offering a more precise and safer treatment option for RA patients. This breakthrough could offer a safer, more effective alternative to current RA treatments by eliminating the need for frequent drug injections and reducing systemic toxicity. The system enhances drug effectiveness by improving bioavailability and retention in the affected joints, leading to longer-lasting relief with fewer doses.  Beyond arthritis, the technology holds promise for managing other inflammatory diseases, such as synovitis and inflammatory bowel disease. It could also pave the way for smart biomaterials in regenerative medicine and personalised treatments. Additionally, its potential use in veterinary medicine for managing arthritis in animals highlights its versatility. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25619/iit-m-launches-first-of-its-kind-cancer-genome-database-to-transform-cancer-research-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25619/iit-m-launches-first-of-its-kind-cancer-genome-database-to-transform-cancer-research-in-india.html Mon, 03 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) in collaboration with Karkinos Healthcare, Mumbai, the Chennai Breast Clinic and Cancer Research and Relief Trust, Chennai, has announced the completion of the Indian breast cancer genome sequence generation and released the ‘Bharat Cancer Genome Atlas’ (BCGA). The institute has made this database publicly accessible at bcga.iitm.ac.in to researchers and clinicians in India and abroad. The research was led by the Institute’s Centre of Excellence on Cancer Genomics and Molecular Therapeutics, which was funded under the Government of India’s ‘Institutions of Eminence’ initiative. Elaborating on this initiative, Project Coordinator Prof. S. Mahalingam, Head, Centre of Excellence on Cancer Genomics and Molecular Therapeutics, IIT Madras, said, “This database will be an invaluable resource to identify cancer-specific biomarkers in India, which will enable early detection of breast cancers. Further, it will also be very useful to identify novel drug targets for developing better treatment strategies specific to the Indian population.” This Genome Atlas also provides knowledge on the genetic basis of cancer progression and evolution and may help the biomedical research and healthcare system in India shift toward a vision of “personalised medicine” which may improve the standard of medical care by including an individual’s genetic and molecular information in the clinical decision-making process. The analysis was performed under the aegis of National Center for Precision Medicine in Cancer, an initiative between IIT Madras and Karkinos Healthcare to accelerate interdisciplinary research and development of affordable cancer care solutions. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25620/iit-g-designs-multi-stage-clinical-trial-method-for-revolutionising-personalised-medical-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25620/iit-g-designs-multi-stage-clinical-trial-method-for-revolutionising-personalised-medical-care.html Mon, 03 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G), in collaboration with leading institutions worldwide, have developed an innovative multi-stage clinical trial method aimed at revolutionising personalised medical care. This cutting-edge approach adapts treatment plans in real-time based on each patient’s unique responses during trials, enabling highly tailored and effective healthcare solutions. The research, conducted in partnership with Duke-NUS Medical School, the National University of Singapore, Singapore, and the University of Michigan, USA, focuses on Dynamic Treatment Regimes (DTRs) designed through Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomised Trials (SMARTs). Together, these frameworks tackle the critical challenge of optimising treatment strategies, a sequence of treatments, for patients with varying responses to therapies over time. Multi-stage clinical trials are essential for developing effective DTRs, and SMART methodology enables researchers to test various treatment sequences to find the best fit for each patient. Unlike traditional trials, SMART involves multiple stages of treatment, where patients are reassigned based on their responses to earlier interventions.  As a next step, the research team is collaborating with Indian medical institutions to conduct SMART trials for the effective management of mental health issues using traditional Indian medicines.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25625/indias-first-ferret-research-facility-opens-in-translational-health-science-and-technology-institute.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25625/indias-first-ferret-research-facility-opens-in-translational-health-science-and-technology-institute.html Mon, 03 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0530 India's commitment to cutting-edge biomedical research and innovation has taken a significant leap forward with the dedication of the nation's first Ferret Research Facility, the launch of the GARBH-INi-DRISHTI data repository, and the execution of a key technology transfer agreement. The events, held at the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) in the NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, were presided over by Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Director General, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council and Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT). The newly inaugurated THSTI Ferret Research Facility, a state-of-the-art establishment adhering to the highest biosafety and research standards, marks a pivotal moment in India's fight against infectious and non-communicable diseases. This pioneering facility will serve as a crucial resource for vaccine development, therapeutic testing, and research into emerging infectious diseases, significantly bolstering India's pandemic preparedness strategy and positioning the nation at the forefront of global scientific endeavors. Dr Gokhale launched GARBH-INi-DRISHTI, the DBT Data Repository and Information Sharing Hub at THSTI. This groundbreaking platform, developed under the GARBH-INi programme, provides access to an unprecedented wealth of clinical data, images, and biospecimens collected from over 12,000 pregnant women, newborns, and postpartum mothers. As one of South Asia's largest maternal and child health databases, GARBH-INi-DRISHTI will empower researchers worldwide to conduct transformative research aimed at improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Its foundation lies in collaborative efforts across India's leading research institutions and hospitals, representing a powerful synergy of expertise. Furthering the drive to translate research into tangible benefits, THSTI executed a Technology Transfer Agreement with Sundyota Numandis Probioceuticals. This agreement facilitates the commercialisation of THSTI's innovative, genetically defined synthetic microbial consortium, Lactobacillus crispatus. Isolated from the reproductive tracts of women enrolled in the GARBH-INi cohort, this consortium holds immense promise for nutraceutical applications, promoting overall health and well-being through targeted microbiome-based interventions.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25598/iit-g-develops-state-of-the-art-nanomaterial-for-mercury-detection-in-cells-and-environment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25598/iit-g-develops-state-of-the-art-nanomaterial-for-mercury-detection-in-cells-and-environment.html Mon, 27 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) has developed an innovative approach to detecting harmful metals in living cells and the environment. Led by Prof. Saikat Bhaumik, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics,in collaboration with Prof. Chandan Goswami, Associate Professor, NISER Bhubaneswar, the team has introduced a cost-effective method for identifying toxic metals like mercury in human cells. This innovation could revolutionise disease diagnostics and environmental monitoring by improving the detection and management of metal toxicity in biological systems. Central to this research are perovskite nanocrystals, cutting-edge materials known for their exceptional properties, making them ideal for detecting metal ions. These nanocrystals, about 100,000 times smaller than a human hair, interact with light in significant ways, enabling them to serve as fluorescent probes inside living cells. However, their quick degradation in water has previously limited their applications. To address this, the researchers encapsulated the perovskite nanocrystals in silica and polymer coatings, significantly enhancing their stability and luminescent intensity in water. This modification ensures the nanocrystals maintain their functionality over extended periods, making them highly effective for practical use. The enhanced nanocrystals emit a bright green light under specific wavelengths, enabling precise detection of mercury ions, which are hazardous even in minute concentrations. Mercury exposure, whether through contaminated food, water, inhalation, or skin contact, poses severe health risks, including nervous system damage, organ dysfunction, and cognitive impairments. The team’s nanocrystals demonstrated remarkable sensitivity, detecting mercury levels as low as a few nanomolar concentrations. Moreover, when tested on live mammalian cells, the nanocrystals were found to be non-toxic, preserving cell function while effectively monitoring mercury ions. The potential applications of this research extend beyond mercury detection. These nanocrystals could play a pivotal role in identifying other toxic metals in biological systems and could also be adapted for drug delivery, enabling real-time monitoring of treatment efficacy.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25565/vfl-sciences-announces-cooperation-with-rocgene-technology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25565/vfl-sciences-announces-cooperation-with-rocgene-technology.html Mon, 20 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Chennai-based VFL Sciences and RocGene Technology, based in China, have signed an agreement of cooperation wherein VFL Sciences will exclusively sell the entire range of products from RocGene in India. This multiyear cooperation will enable both companies to explore the Indian market and devise strategies and road map to further strengthen their presence. Dr Young K. Yun, Vice President, Global RocGene states, “India is one of the largest markets for scientific instruments and we are excited to cooperate with VFL Sciences to grow our business further. We also strongly believe that this cooperation will enable RocGene to become a prominent player in the molecular research and diagnostics market. Vancheeswaran Sankaranarayanan, Managing Director of VFL Sciences states, “RocGene, founded in 2016, has become one of the leading players in PCR & qPCR market in China and is also present across the globe. The experience from the Chinese and global market will help us in the product positioning in India and will also help us to explore further possibilities of collaboration in India.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25549/jncasr-develops-new-system-for-wearable-devices-that-can-detect-stress.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25549/jncasr-develops-new-system-for-wearable-devices-that-can-detect-stress.html Wed, 15 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Using silver wire network on a stretchable material, scientists  from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, have developed a device that senses strain, mimics pain perception and adapts its electrical response accordingly. By recreating these pain-like responses, the device paves the way for future smart wearable systems that can help doctors detect stress.   When the material is stretched, small gaps appear within the silver network, temporarily breaking the electrical pathway. An electric pulse can then prompt the silver to fill these gaps, reconnecting the network and essentially "remembering" the event. Each time it is stretched and reconnected, the device gradually adjusts its response, much like how our bodies adapt to repeated pain over time. This dynamic process enables the device to mimic memory and adaptation, bringing humans closer to materials that respond intelligently to their environment. The device sets itself apart by combining sensing and adaptive response in a single, flexible unit and offers a streamlined, efficient way for technology to adapt to its environment naturally, without complex setups or external sensors. The research could lead to more advanced health monitoring systems that "feel" stress like the human body and adapt in real-time, giving feedback to doctors or users. Such technology could also improve robotic systems, helping machines become safer and more intuitive to work with humans. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25534/specific-brain-regions-drive-chemotherapy-induced-pain-response-iisc-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25534/specific-brain-regions-drive-chemotherapy-induced-pain-response-iisc-study.html Thu, 09 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Chronic physical pain can be debilitating, but feelings of stress, fear, and hunger can sometimes suppress painful sensations. Diverse neurons across different brain regions play a role in carefully orchestrating the pain response in animals. Scientists at the Center for Neuroscience (CNS), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru have now found how these neurons work together to control chronic pain in mice, allowing them to cope with or suppress the pain. Such insights can help researchers devise better therapeutic strategies for chronic pain management. Researchers at IISc studied mice with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) – a common but less understood side effect of chemotherapy, which leads to cancer patients becoming hypersensitive to external stimuli, like cold temperatures. In a new study, they found that a brain region called the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN) plays a key role in driving this phenomenon. When LPBN neurons were activated, mice started licking their paws more frequently – an active coping strategy – in response to a painful cold stimulus. The researchers found that these LPBN neurons act as a “relay junction” of sorts – based on the type and activity of the inputs they receive from different regions of the brain, they control how much pain the mice feel and how they cope with it. Some patients suffering from arthritis or CIPN thus feel a lot more pain triggered by certain stimuli that healthy individuals generally don’t feel.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25512/iit-guwahati-advances-cholesterol-and-triglyceride-detection-with-advanced-nanotechnology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25512/iit-guwahati-advances-cholesterol-and-triglyceride-detection-with-advanced-nanotechnology.html Mon, 06 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G), led by Prof. Dipankar Bandyopadhyay, Centre for Nanotechnology and Department of Chemical Engineering, have developed an innovative approach to improve the detection of cholesterol and triglycerides by integrating Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) on the nanoscale objects. The work utilises bimetallic nanostructures that are 10,000 times thinner than the width of a human hair for the high-fidelity detection of the biomarkers in the human blood. The metabolic biomolecules like cholesterol and triglycerides play pivotal role in maintaining a harmonious cardiovascular health of a human body. The high (HDL) and low (LDL) density lipoproteins transport cholesterol to the cellular sites for various metabolic activities. An imbalance of LDL and HDL cause arterial plaque formation leading to hypertension, formation of blood clots, or ischemia. On the other hand, Triglycerides (TGA) transform into fatty acids and glycerol during digestion which in turn is packaged inside lipoproteins namely very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), for transportation to the cells. An elevated level of triglycerides leads to atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease, pancreatitis, type 2 diabetes, or fatty liver. Therefore, the timely detection of any abnormality and a close monitoring of cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood is highly sought for. While traditional lipid profile tests of blood are reliable, they often require laboratory settings, are not available as a point-of-care solution, and can take time to provide results. To address these limitations, the researchers have focused on a technique that combines nanotechnology and molecular detection, which can further be translated into a point-of-care as device with an enhanced diagnostic precision.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25506/iit-guwahati-develops-innovative-injectable-hydrogel-for-targeted-breast-cancer-therapy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25506/iit-guwahati-develops-innovative-injectable-hydrogel-for-targeted-breast-cancer-therapy.html Sat, 04 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0530 In a multi-institutional research led by researchers from Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) and Bose Institute Kolkata, an advanced injectable hydrogel has been developed for localised cancer treatment. This innovative hydrogel-based therapy delivers anti-cancer drugs directly to tumor sites, significantly reducing the side effects typically associated with conventional cancer treatments. Hydrogels are water-based, three-dimensional polymer networks capable of absorbing and retaining fluids. Their unique structure mimics living tissues, making them suitable for biomedical applications. This newly developed hydrogel acts as a stable reservoir for anti-cancer drugs and releases them in a controlled manner, responding to specific conditions in the tumor microenvironment. The hydrogel, composed of ultra-short peptides – biocompatible and biodegradable building blocks of proteins – is designed to remain insoluble in biological fluids, ensuring it stays localized at the injection site. It responds to elevated glutathione (GSH) levels, a molecule abundant in tumor cells. Upon encountering high GSH levels, the hydrogel triggers a controlled drug release directly into the tumor, minimizing its interaction with healthy tissues and reducing systemic side effects. In preclinical trials on a murine model of breast cancer, the hydrogel showcased remarkable efficacy. A single injection of the hydrogel, loaded with the chemotherapy drug Doxorubicin, resulted in a ~75% reduction in tumor size within 18 days. Crucially, the hydrogel remained localised at the tumor site, steadily releasing the drug over time without causing detectable side effects on other organs. This innovative delivery system enhances the drug's effectiveness while reducing the required dosage, thus minimising toxicity. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25478/scientists-in-mohali-identify-nano-plastics-as-emerging-agents-in-spread-of-antibiotic-resistance.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25478/scientists-in-mohali-identify-nano-plastics-as-emerging-agents-in-spread-of-antibiotic-resistance.html Fri, 20 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Nanoplastics derived from single-use plastic bottles (SUPBs) contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance (AR), shows a new study, underscoring an unrecognised public health risk. Scientists from Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) Mohali, an autonomous institution of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), traced how plastic nanoparticles could impact bacteria. Recognising the central role of Lactobacillus acidophilus in the gut microbiota, Dr Manish Singh and his team investigated whether nano-plastics could transform beneficial bacteria into carriers of AR genes and pose a risk to human gut microbiome health. They utilised the used plastic water bottles to synthesise environmentally relevant nanoplastics particles as these polyethylene terephthalate bottle-derived nanoplastics (PBNPs) better represent the actual pollutant nanoplastics generated due to dumping of single use plastic bottles and containers. The scientists demonstrated that PBNPs can facilitate the cross-species gene transfer from E. coli to Lactobacillus acidophilus, a significant bacteria found in human gut microbiota, through a process called horizontal gene transfer (HGT), particularly through outer membrane vesicle (OMV) secretion in bacteria. Protecting beneficial gut bacteria is crucial for immune support, digestion, and disease prevention. Limiting nanoplastic contamination could help preserve gut microbiota integrity, minimising the chances of AR gene transfer from beneficial to pathogenic bacteria and supporting microbiome resilience. With increasing plastic pollution, this finding highlights the need for strict safety guidelines, awareness programmes as well as the necessity of policies that prioritise responsible usage of plastics and it’s adequate waste management to safeguard the human health and microbiome stability. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25456/jncasr-develops-flexible-near-infrared-plasmonic-devices-for-wearable-sensors-and-medical-imaging-tools.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25456/jncasr-develops-flexible-near-infrared-plasmonic-devices-for-wearable-sensors-and-medical-imaging-tools.html Fri, 13 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0530 In a significant advancement in nano-photonics, scientists at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have introduced a new approach to achieve flexible near-infrared plasmonic devices using affordable scandium nitride (ScN) films. This could revolutionise the design of future optoelectronic devices, flexible sensors, and medical imaging tools that rely on NIR light, by introducing scalable and cost-effective plasmonic materials Plasmonics is a field that leverages the interaction between light and free electrons in metals to create extremely confined electromagnetic fields. Traditionally, plasmonic materials have been rigid and possess limited design possibilities. Most of them like gold or silver, tend to be costly and possess limited versatility. The team used a process by which single-crystal layers are deposited onto a substrate, technically called epitaxial growth. The technique they used stacks layers of materials with weak interlayer bonding to enable new device architecture (van der Waals heteroepitaxy). The study, recently published in Nano Letters, highlights the potential of scandium nitride as a promising plasmonic material for applications that require both flexibility and precision in near-infrared (NIR) optics.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25446/gene-mutation-likely-cause-for-developing-autism-in-early-childhood-rgcb-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25446/gene-mutation-likely-cause-for-developing-autism-in-early-childhood-rgcb-study.html Wed, 11 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Autism, a developmental disorder that causes functional abnormalities in brain development, is caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors with its symptoms manifesting in childhood as early as the age of two years. Complexities of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) include single gene mutations in early development genes. A recent study by BRIC-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) linked a novel mutation in Tlx3 gene with abnormal development of the cerebellum (a major region of the hind brain that controls balance, motor movement, and other complex functions) and autism. The study, conducted by Dr Jackson James and his team from RGCB, has been published in the prestigious journal iScience. Deleting Tlx3 gene from the cerebellum of a transgenic mouse (a mouse with its DNA altered through genetic engineering techniques) embryo potentially affects coordination of cerebellum function. When these mice embryos were allowed to grow until adulthood, they developed hallmarks of autistic behavior, including abnormalities in social skills, repetitive behaviour, and motor/movement function. The RGCB team, in collaboration with CSIR-IGIB (Council Of Scientific And Industrial Research–Institute Of Genomics And Integrative Biology (CSIR–IGIB), New Delhi, also assessed the potential for this mutation to occur in the human population and identified TLX3 mutation variants that are linked to nine ASD cases and other co-morbid neurodevelopmental conditions. Dr James, however, stated that a genome-wide global cohort analysis is necessary to assess the frequency of this TLX3 mutation and the extent to which the variation is linked to specific populations, such as Indians and others. Together, these results indicate how erroneous regulation of this early embryonic gene manifests into ASDs during early childhood. RGCB Director Prof. Chandrabhas Narayana said, “Autism is a serious childhood problem across the world. In India also, it has emerged as a significant challenge for researchers and medical fraternity as autism has wide social and medical ramifications. The RGCB study will offer new insights into this behavioural disorder.” ASDs lead to behavioural deficits, including lack of social cognition and restricted/repetitive behaviours, desires, communication, or actions in individuals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25428/iiit-delhi-unveils-ai-platform-for-discovering-molecules-that-promote-healthy-ageing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25428/iiit-delhi-unveils-ai-platform-for-discovering-molecules-that-promote-healthy-ageing.html Wed, 04 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0530 A team of researchers from Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi (IIIT-Delhi) has developed AgeXtend, a groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI)-based platform that is set to transform the search for molecules promoting healthy ageing. Published in the journal Nature Aging, this research represents a significant step forward in understanding and addressing the biological mechanisms of aging. AgeXtend is a multimodal geroprotector prediction platform that leverages bioactivity data from known geroprotectors to identify new molecules with the potential to slow aging. The platform encompasses advanced AI modules capable of predicting geroprotective potential, evaluating toxicity, and identifying target proteins and mechanisms of action. This comprehensive approach ensures both accuracy and safety in the discovery process. The research demonstrated AgeXtend's remarkable ability to identify the longevity-enhancing effects of well-known compounds such as metformin and taurine, even when these molecules were excluded from the training data. AgeXtend further screened approximately 1.1 billion compounds, uncovering numerous promising candidates that were validated through rigorous experiments on yeast, Caenorhabditis elegans, and human cell models.   The study also explored natural metabolites from the human microbiome and their role in regulating cellular senescence. This underscores AgeXtend’s versatility and potential to uncover previously unknown mechanisms driving ageing. “AgeXtend bridges the gap between artificial intelligence and biology, enabling us to not only predict potential anti-aging molecules but also understand how they work,” said Dr Gaurav Ahuja, senior researcher and co-author of the study. “This platform has immense potential to unlock new pathways for therapeutic interventions in aging and age-related diseases.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25371/new-technology-for-unambiguous-detection-of-hiv-genome-using-tailored-fluorogenic-tests.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25371/new-technology-for-unambiguous-detection-of-hiv-genome-using-tailored-fluorogenic-tests.html Wed, 20 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0530 A team of scientists at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), has developed a novel diagnostic technology known as the GQ Topology-Targeted Reliable Conformational Polymorphism (GQ-RCP) platform. Initially designed for the fluorometric detection of pathogens like SARS-CoV-2, this versatile platform has now been successfully adapted for diagnosing HIV, reiterating its modular versatility. Unlike most other diagnostic assays developed in recent years, which rely on pre-existing principles for detection, this research introduces an entirely novel diagnostic platform based on specific and unusual nucleic acid–small molecule interactions identified during the course of the study. This molecular detection platform can be integrated into existing nucleic acids based diagnostic platforms with increased reliability stemming from sequence specific recognition. It could alleviate the challenge in existing amplification-based techniques, in discrimination of false-positive results arising from non-specific amplification and help achieve unambiguous detection of the target GQ (noncanonical nucleic acid conformation). The GQ-RCP-based platform can be practically adopted for the detection of various DNA/RNA based pathogens including bacteria and viruses. The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), a retrovirus responsible for the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), remains a persistent global threat to human health. Widely used HIV diagnostics, may miss early infections and harbour risk of false positives due to cross-reactivity. Other clinical methods for early detection, are limited by reduced sensitivity and prolonged processing times, respectively. Current nucleic acid-based diagnostics are prone to false positives due to the use of general DNA sensing probes that fail to distinguish between nonspecific and target amplicons. In this context, the identification and targeting of specific nucleic acid sequences can significantly reduce false positives. Therefore, the development of molecular probes that selectively recognize unique nucleic acid structures such as unusual GQ structures in pathogenic genome, offers significant advancement for development of precise diagnostic assays. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25354/infosys-science-foundation-announces-winners-of-infosys-prize-2024.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25354/infosys-science-foundation-announces-winners-of-infosys-prize-2024.html Thu, 14 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Infosys Science Foundation (ISF) has announced the winners of the Infosys Prize 2024 in six categories— Economics, Engineering and Computer Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physical Sciences. Since its inception in 2009, the Infosys Prize has honoured the remarkable accomplishments of individuals whose research and scholarship significantly impact India. The prize for each category comprises a gold medal, a citation, and a prize purse of $100,000. The event was hosted at ISF’s office in Bengaluru. The winners of the Infosys Prize 2024 in the six categories are: Economics- The Infosys Prize 2024 in Economics is awarded to Arun Chandrasekhar, Professor, Department of Economics, Stanford University, for his contribution to the study of social and economic networks, using innovative data sets and drawing on theoretical methods from machine learning and computer science.  Engineering and Computer Science- The Infosys Prize 2024 in Engineering and Computer Science is awarded to Shyam Gollakota, Professor, School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington for his impactful research and technology translation spanning multiple engineering domains in societally relevant areas such as smartphone-based affordable healthcare tools for low- and middle-income countries, battery-free computing and communication, and augmentation of human auditory sensing with artificial intelligence.   Humanities and Social Sciences- The Infosys Prize 2024 in Humanities and Social Sciences is awarded to Mahmood Kooria, Lecturer, School of History, Classics and Archaeology, University of Edinburgh, for his truly outstanding and seminal contributions to the study of maritime Islam in a global perspective, with particular focus on Kerala in the pre-modern and early modern eras. Life Sciences- The Infosys Prize 2024 in Life Sciences is awarded to Siddhesh Kamat, Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, for his discoveries concerning bioactive lipids and their receptors, and their metabolic and signaling pathways. His research, using advanced methods to understand the function of lipids, a key component of cells, has important implications for understanding the role of these molecules in a range of cellular functions and human diseases. Mathematical Sciences- The Infosys Prize 2024 in Mathematical Sciences is awarded to Neena Gupta, Professor in the Theoretical Statistics and Mathematics Unit at the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, for her work on the Zariski Cancellation Problem.  Physical Sciences- The Infosys Prize 2024 in Physical Sciences is awarded to Vedika Khemani, Associate Professor in the Physics Department at Stanford University, who has made wide-ranging and groundbreaking contributions to theoretical and experimental non-equilibrium quantum matter, most notably the discovery of time-crystals.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25337/iit-d-develops-sprayable-hydrogel-for-improving-wound-healing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25337/iit-d-develops-sprayable-hydrogel-for-improving-wound-healing.html Mon, 11 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D)’s Centre of Biomedical Engineering (CBME) have initiated a study to explore methods to improve wound healing by promoting the human body's natural healing process. The research has led to the creation of a new sprayable hydrogel system, which they tested in a rat model during the preclinical trials and got encouraging results.  Like a human body that releases important metal ions namely calcium, copper, and zinc in a certain order at injury sites, this engineered biocompatible sprayable hydrogel fills the wound and releases these multi-ions from medical grade Polylactic acid (PLA) based micro-carriers in sync with the body's natural process, effectively enhancing the healing process. These metal ions are the unsung heroes of the natural healing process, fighting infection, reducing inflammation, supporting cell migration, and stimulating new tissue growth. The preclinical trial results showed that the sprayable hydrogel, on which the IIT Delhi researchers are working, provided faster and more effective healing within in 6 days in comparison to 12 days by similar products available in the market. Encouraged by the initial results, the researchers have filed for an Indian patent, which has been submitted, further underscoring the potential impact of the sprayable hydrogel they are working on in the wound care area. “In the future, we also plan to collaborate with clinicians to assess the efficacy of this sprayable hydrogel through human clinical trials,” said the researchers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25331/i-stem-takes-efforts-to-boost-research-collaboration-to-ladakh-for-the-first-time.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25331/i-stem-takes-efforts-to-boost-research-collaboration-to-ladakh-for-the-first-time.html Fri, 08 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0530 I-STEM (Indian Science, Technology, and Engineering facilities Map), an initiative from the Office of Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India, has taken its efforts to revolutionise research collaboration in India by enhancing industries and startups’ accessibility to research facilities and labs to the Ladakh Region for the first time. I-STEM conducted its flagship ‘Samavesha’ at the University of Ladakh on 5th November 2024 to create awareness of the I-STEM National Portal. The Samavesha Project connects industries, researchers and startups looking to avail advanced scientific equipment with an academic institution that has the requisite equipment. This saves the researchers, industry and startups the prohibitive capital expenditure of purchasing advanced equipment. At the national level, this prevents duplication of resources in the research institutions. This event, the sixth Samavesha event nationally, was intended to create awareness of the impact and accessibility of the I-STEM National Portal under the tagline ‘Linking Researchers and Resources.’ As a visionary platform, I-STEM is a comprehensive aggregator, connecting researchers to publicly funded laboratories and scientific equipment across India. By linking the sophisticated tools to the I-STEM platform, researchers would not only gain access to cutting-edge technologies but also stay updated on the latest advancements across various disciplines.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25300/new-way-to-create-hydrogels-from-viral-protein-fragments-for-improving-drug-delivery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25300/new-way-to-create-hydrogels-from-viral-protein-fragments-for-improving-drug-delivery.html Tue, 29 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers from Bose Institute, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), in Kolkata, have discovered a new way to create hydrogels using tiny protein fragments of just five amino acids from the SARS-CoV-1 virus, that could help improve targeted drug delivery & reduce side effects. Due to the increase in chronic and infectious diseases, researchers are for ever on the lookout for new methods of drug delivery to improve the effectivity of treatments. Hydrogels are known to be suitable for drug delivery because of their swelling behaviour, mechanical strength and biocompatibility. Short peptide-based hydrogels hold enormous potential for a wide range of applications. However, researchers have found the gelation of these systems very challenging to control. Minor changes in the peptide sequence can significantly influence the self-assembly mechanism and thereby the gelation propensity. Following the involvement of SARS CoV E protein in the assembly and release of the virus suggested to the researchers from Bose Institute that it may have inherent self-assembling properties that can contribute to the development of hydrogels.   This unique discovery could lead to significant medical advancements like customisable hydrogels that can improve targeted drug delivery enhancing treatment efficacy while reducing side effects. These materials could revolutionise tissue engineering, potentially aiding in organ regeneration.These gels might also advance wound healing treatments and enable more accurate disease modelling for research.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25291/eyestems-pioneering-dry-amd-treatment-receives-positive-recommendation-from-drug-safety-monitoring-board-dsmb-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25291/eyestems-pioneering-dry-amd-treatment-receives-positive-recommendation-from-drug-safety-monitoring-board-dsmb-.html Wed, 23 Oct 2024 11:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based company Eyestem Research, focused on creating scalable cell therapies for incurable diseases, has announced a positive outcome of the Drug Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) review for the first cohort of its Phase one trial to treat Geographic Atrophy secondary to Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration, marking a milestone for Indian science and medical research. Eyestem’s lead product, Eyecyte-RPE™, is a patented suspension of retinal pigment epithelium cells aimed at combating geographic atrophy arising from Dry AMD. This pioneering treatment marks a major milestone in the global fight against vision loss, as it has the potential to replace damaged retinal cells. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) derived Eyecyte-RPE developed by Eyestem, can help replace the damaged or lost retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and potentially enable tissue regeneration in the diseased retina. In addition, stem cells can perform multiple functions, such as immunoregulation, prevention of apoptosis in sensory neurons, and secretion of neurotrophic factors. The cells are derived from induced pluripotent stem cells, are allogeneic in nature, and can be stored for long periods of time. In a joint statement, Dr. Rajpal Vohra (AIIMS, Delhi), Dr. Raja Narayanan (LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad), Dr. Rushikesh Naigonkar (Sri Ganpati Netralaya, Jalna), and Dr. Rohan Chawla (AIIMS, Delhi), retinal surgeons involved in the study, said “We are truly excited to see the excellent safety profile of Eyecyte-RPE and early indications of efficacy lead us to believe that this therapy has the potential to be transformational for patients. We look forward to recruiting the second cohort of patients and are excited to be part of the team that brings such innovative therapies closer to patients that need it most.” The preclinical safety and efficacy studies of Eyecyte-RPE™ have yielded highly encouraging results in three internationally recognised labs in India, Singapore and the US. The therapy demonstrated significant beneficial effects on the degenerating retina in animal models without any major safety concerns, indicating its potential value for combating Dry AMD.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25277/inst-develops-unique-drug-delivery-method-to-improve-treatment-of-brain-tuberculosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25277/inst-develops-unique-drug-delivery-method-to-improve-treatment-of-brain-tuberculosis.html Fri, 18 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have created a unique way to deliver Tuberculosis (TB) medicines directly to the brain bypassing the challenging blood-brain barrier (BBB) that limits the effectiveness of many brain TB medicines. This innovative drug delivery method can effectively treat brain TB, a life-threatening condition with high mortality rate. Traditional treatments involve high doses of oral anti-TB drugs, but these often fail to achieve effective concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid due to the blood-brain barrier. This limitation underscored the need for more effective delivery methods that can target the brain directly. Scientists at INST used tiny particles made of a natural material called chitosan, to deliver TB medicines directly to the brain through the nose, bypassing the BBB. The drug delivery technology used was nose-to-brain (N2B) drug delivery, which utilises the olfactory and trigeminal nerve pathways in the nasal cavity to bypass the BBB. By delivering the drug through the nasal route, the nano-aggregates can transport the drugs directly into the brain, significantly improving drug bioavailability at the infection site. Besides, chitosan is known for its mucoadhesive properties, and sticks to the nasal mucosa, which helps the nano-aggregates stay in place and prolongs the time they can release the drug, enhancing its therapeutic effectiveness. It could be applied to treat other brain infections, neurodegenerative diseases (like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s), brain tumours, and epilepsy by enabling efficient drug delivery to the brain. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25258/scientists-introduce-efficient-amide-synthesis-process-to-streamline-drug-production-reduce-costs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25258/scientists-introduce-efficient-amide-synthesis-process-to-streamline-drug-production-reduce-costs.html Mon, 14 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers from S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, an autonomous Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have introduced a novel method for synthesising amides from alcohols using a Covalent Organic Framework (COF) as a photocatalyst under red light irradiation. This catalytic method can be helpful in chemical processes across various industries, including pharmaceutical manufacturing, materials science, and green chemistry - offering a more sustainable, efficient, and recyclable approach to creating vital chemical structures. The advantages of this method include mild reaction conditions, high efficiency, excellent recyclability, and the practicality of red-light activation, which is less harmful and penetrates more effectively, making it suitable for large-scale applications. Additionally, the tolerance of COFs to various functional groups broadens their applicability to challenging substrates, such as secondary amides, which are difficult to synthesise using traditional catalysts. The newly developed method uses the redox-active TTT-DHTD COF (dithiophenedione moieties in its backbone), which has been designed with high-density organic moieties, namely dithiophenedione, which is crucial for trapping photogenerated electrons. This feature enables the COF to efficiently facilitate hydrogen atom abstraction reactions. The ability of the COF to absorb light across the visible spectrum, coupled with its narrow band gap, makes it particularly effective for generating excitons, which are essential for dehydrogenative coupling reactions. Upon red light absorption, the COF undergoes a photochemical reaction that generates excited states capable of initiating the dehydrogenation of alcohols, resulting in amide formation through coupling with amines. The process benefits from the stability and recyclability of COFs, making it a robust catalyst for repeated use. The implications of this research are significant. In the pharmaceutical industry, this method could streamline drug production, reduce costs, and eliminate metal contamination. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25246/nobel-prize-in-chemistry-2024-to-trio-for-cracking-code-for-protein-structures.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25246/nobel-prize-in-chemistry-2024-to-trio-for-cracking-code-for-protein-structures.html Wed, 09 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2024, with one half to David Baker, University of Washington, US for computational protein design; and the other half jointly to Demis Hassabis, Google DeepMind, London, UK; and John M. Jumper, Google DeepMind, London, UK for protein structure prediction. Proteins generally consist of 20 different amino acids, which can be described as life’s building blocks. In 2003, David Baker succeeded in using these blocks to design a new protein that was unlike any other protein. Since then, his research group has produced one imaginative protein creation after another, including proteins that can be used as pharmaceuticals, vaccines, nanomaterials and tiny sensors. On the other hand, in 2020, Demis Hassabis and John Jumper presented an AI model called AlphaFold2. With its help, they have been able to predict the structure of virtually all the 200 million proteins that researchers have identified. Since their breakthrough, AlphaFold2 has been used by more than two million people from 190 countries. Among a myriad of scientific applications, researchers can now better understand antibiotic resistance and create images of enzymes that can decompose plastic. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25237/victor-ambros-and-gary-ruvkun-win-2024-nobel-prize-in-physiology-or-medicine-for-discovery-of-microrna.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25237/victor-ambros-and-gary-ruvkun-win-2024-nobel-prize-in-physiology-or-medicine-for-discovery-of-microrna.html Tue, 08 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet has decided to award the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine jointly to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for the discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation. This year’s Nobel Prize honours two scientists for their discovery of a fundamental principle governing how gene activity is regulated. Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun were interested in how different cell types develop. They discovered microRNA, a new class of tiny RNA molecules that play a crucial role in gene regulation. Their groundbreaking discovery revealed a completely new principle of gene regulation that turned out to be essential for multicellular organisms, including humans. It is now known that the human genome codes for over one thousand microRNAs. Their surprising discovery revealed an entirely new dimension to gene regulation. MicroRNAs are proving to be fundamentally important for how organisms develop and function. Victor Ambros (left in the image) was born in 1953 in Hanover, New Hampshire, USA. He received his PhD from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, in 1979 where he also did postdoctoral research 1979-1985. He became a Principal Investigator at Harvard University, Cambridge, MA in 1985. He was Professor at Dartmouth Medical School from 1992-2007 and he is now Silverman Professor of Natural Science at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA. Gary Ruvkun (right in the image) was born in Berkeley, California, USA in 1952. He received his PhD from Harvard University in 1982. He was a postdoctoral fellow at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, 1982-1985. He became a Principal Investigator at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in 1985, where he is now Professor of Genetics. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25220/iit-madras-identifies-enhanced-drug-delivery-method-for-eye-treatments.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25220/iit-madras-identifies-enhanced-drug-delivery-method-for-eye-treatments.html Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) have demonstrated how drugs injected in the human eye can be better delivered to the target region through ‘convection caused by mild laser heating’. They used simulation and modelling studies to analyse the efficacy of various types of treatments on the human eye, focusing on heat and mass transfer. With nearly 11 million individuals afflicted by retinal disorders in India, indigenous original research of this nature holds promise for the development and advancement of Laser-based treatments for various eye diseases. Laser-based retinal treatments are increasingly being used to treat diseases like retinal tears, diabetic retinopathy, macular oedema and retinal vein occlusion.  Since the retina is the region of the eye that contains blood vessels and nerves, such treatments must be performed carefully and with precision. This research was taken up nearly a decade ago by Prof. Arunn Narasimhan, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras, who collaborated with Dr Lingam Gopal of Shankar Nethralaya and initiated biothermal research into the effects of laser irradiation on the retina for the first time in India. Subsequently, the team has performed computer simulations and experiments to analyse different aspects of eye treatments, within the scope of bio-heat and mass transfer. In patients who have undergone retinal laser surgery, most of the original gel-like vitreous humour could become replaced by body secretions that are less viscous than the original gel. After surgery, drugs are often injected directly into the vitreous region to treat the retina. To reach the retina, the drug must move through the liquid. Natural diffusion is a slow process, and the drug may take several hours to days to reach effective levels at the target location. Prof. Arunn Narasimhan designed an experiment using a glass eye mimic geometrically similar to the human eye, water and silicone oil for the vitreous liquid and a heater to simulate laser heating. The researchers injected a dye as a drug mimic at specific points in the vitreous region of the eye, and measured concentrations at different retinal locations with and without heating the vitreous liquid.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25156/iit-m-develops-indigenous-portable-ultrasound-scanner-for-sports-injury-diagnosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25156/iit-m-develops-indigenous-portable-ultrasound-scanner-for-sports-injury-diagnosis.html Tue, 17 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) has developed an indigenous portable Point-of-Care-Ultrasound (POCUS) Scanner for sports injury diagnosis and management. They have already been granted several patents for technologies that went into this device and are working towards productisation. This research from the Center of Excellence in Sports Science and Analytics (CESSA) at IIT Madras could potentially allow for on-field diagnosis of injuries, immediate assessment of the extent of injury that will allow for medical professionals to take a call on whether to permit the sportsperson to continue playing. This Artificial Intelligence-powered POCUS scanner has a wide range of applications in sports medicine, and it has the benefits of safety (no radiation) and sufficient resolution compared to other modalities. A working POCUS prototype for Musculoskeletal (MSK) imaging, developed at the Biomedical Ultrasound Imaging Lab (BUSi) is currently ready. The researchers are targeting to complete the product prototype development by 2024. Subsequently, testing and collection of pilot data from the field are also being planned in coordination with Sports Authorities.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25146/icmr-signs-agreements-with-industry-and-academic-partners-to-advance-first-in-human-ph-1-clinical-trials.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25146/icmr-signs-agreements-with-industry-and-academic-partners-to-advance-first-in-human-ph-1-clinical-trials.html Sun, 15 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0530 In a significant stride towards strengthening India’s clinical research ecosystem, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has formalised Memorandum of Agreements (MoAs) with multiple sponsors under its network of Phase 1 clinical trials. The agreements mark a ground-breaking entry into first-in-human clinical trials for four promising molecules. These include collaborative research over a small molecule for multiple myeloma with Aurigene Oncology , partnering for Zika vaccine development with Indian Immunologicals, coordinating seasonal influenza virus vaccine trial with Mynvax, and CAR-T cell therapy advancement study for a new indication of chronic lymphocytic leukemia with ImmunoACT. This initiative is a crucial step towards establishing India as a leader in the clinical development of pharmaceutical agents. Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research & Director General, ICMR, said, “Establishing Phase 1 clinical trial infrastructure is a key component in fostering the development of indigenous molecules and cutting-edge treatments. Our vision is to expand this network further, ensuring that India continues to lead in the development of innovative and affordable healthcare solutions.” The ICMR Network for Phase 1 Clinical Trials comprises four strategically located institutions across India- King Edward Memorial Hospital & Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College (KEMH & GSMC), Mumbai; The Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Navi Mumbai; SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre (SRM MCH&RC), Kattankulathur; and Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, supported by a Central Coordinating Unit at ICMR Headquarters in New Delhi. This network is designed to build and enhance India’s capacity to conduct early-phase clinical trials, supported by robust infrastructure and dedicated manpower at each trial site, ensuring smooth and effective operations. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25137/iisc-explores-ways-to-control-tumour-progression.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25137/iisc-explores-ways-to-control-tumour-progression.html Wed, 11 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0530 In a new study published in the Journal of Cell Science, researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISC), Bengaluru have zeroed in on a gene that codes for a protein called FEM1B. They show how FEM1B mRNA readthrough plays a key role in the cell cycle, with implications for cancer cell proliferation and tumour growth. The FEM1B protein is part of a complex that marks other proteins for degradation. Its job is to make sure that the right proteins are marked. The complex targets key proteins involved in many cellular processes – one of them being the cell cycle, to keep a check on how much cells proliferate. In the study, the researchers found that stop codon readthrough causes the translation machinery to make a longer and more unstable version of FEM1B. Ironically, this marks FEM1B itself for degradation, leading to reduced levels of the protein. The team found that a specific nucleotide sequence at the tail end of the FEM1B gene directs this readthrough. The researchers further deployed the CRISPR-Cas9 system, commonly used “molecular scissors”, to snip off the sequence driving the readthrough from the FEM1B gene. Preventing readthrough led to increased levels of the FEM1B protein, and therefore increased degradation of target proteins, and a delayed cell cycle. This caused the cancer cells to proliferate less. Researchers are now keen on nailing down the molecular machinery involved, which will help make any therapeutic approach more specific. “If we know the mechanism, we can target and regulate the readthrough process, which in turn might help in controlling the tumour progression”, said Sandeep Eswarappa, Associate Professor at the Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science (IISc). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25126/bengaluru-based-eyestem-completes-first-set-of-patient-injections-for-its-pioneering-dry-amd-treatment-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25126/bengaluru-based-eyestem-completes-first-set-of-patient-injections-for-its-pioneering-dry-amd-treatment-.html Mon, 09 Sep 2024 15:00:00 +0530 Indian cell therapy company Eyestem Research announced the completion of its first set of three patient injections for its RPE suspension therapy for Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This debilitating eye disease is a leading cause of blindness in individuals over 60, impacting an estimated 196 million people globally. Eyestem’s lead product, Eyecyte-RPE, is a patented suspension of retinal pigment epithelium cells aimed at combating geographic atrophy arising from Dry AMD. This pioneering treatment marks a major milestone for Indian biotechnology and the global fight against vision loss, as it has the potential to replace damaged retinal cells. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) derived Eyecyte-RPE, developed by Eyestem, can help replace the damaged or lost retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and potentially enable tissue regeneration in the diseased retina. In addition, stem cells can perform multiple functions, such as immunoregulation, prevention of apoptosis in sensory neurons, and secretion of neurotrophic factors. The cells are derived from induced pluripotent stem cells, are allogeneic in nature, and can be stored for long periods of time. This marks Eyestem taking their first product developed from induced pluripotent stem cells into clinical development. Led by Dr Rajani Battu, Chief Medical Officer, Eyestem, this first in-human trial will involve 36 patients across three of reputable ophthalmology centres in India. In a joint statement, Dr. Rajpal Vohra (AIIMS, Delhi), Dr. Raja Narayanan (LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad), Dr. Rushikesh Naigonkar (Ganpati Netralaya, Jalna), and Dr. Rohan Chawla (AIIMS, Delhi), retinal surgeons involved in the study, said “Dry AMD and associated vision loss present a massive burden on patients in India and abroad. We are excited about supporting this research which has the potential of helping such patients. It is a matter of great pride that such an innovation is coming out of India for the world and hope that this is the start of a new age of medicine where India leads the way.” Since 2017, Bengaluru-based Eyestem has developed a scalable cell therapy platform for incurable diseases and is moving its flagship product for Dry AMD into human trials. The preclinical safety and efficacy studies of Eyecyte-RPE have yielded highly encouraging results in three internationally recognised labs in India, Singapore, and the US. The therapy demonstrated significant beneficial effects on the degenerating retina in animal models without any major safety concerns, indicating its potential value for combating Dry AMD. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25112/new-heat-based-approach-to-cancer-treatment-can-reduce-chemotherapy-doses-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25112/new-heat-based-approach-to-cancer-treatment-can-reduce-chemotherapy-doses-study.html Wed, 04 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Scientists of Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, an autonomous institute of Department of Science and Technology have shown that a therapy consisting of combination strategy that uses 17-DMAG, an inhibitor of Heat Shock Protein 90 (HSP90), in conjunction with magnetic hyperthermia-based cancer therapy (MHCT) can improve the effectiveness of heat-based cancer treatments. The technique could significantly enhance treatment efficacy by reducing the required chemotherapy dosage, serving as an adjuvant therapy that minimises side effects. The treatment of animal models by administering the combination through intra-tumoural injections, resulted in maximum glioma cell death in a rat glioma model with tumour inhibition rates reaching 65% and 53% at the primary and secondary tumor sites, respectively, within 8 days. The method is less invasive and causes fewer side effects. The research team demonstrated that magnetic nanoparticles, when exposed to an alternating magnetic field (AMF), can effectively combat tumours. This combined magnetic hyperthermia and chemotherapy (MHCT) approach can reduce the required amount of chemotherapy, making the treatment both safer and more effective. Additionally, the therapy can treat distant tumours without the need for an additional dose at the secondary tumor site, making it a highly effective cancer treatment. Extensive global research is needed to realise the clinical application of the new therapy, potentially developing an adjuvant or alternative cancer therapy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25084/study-reveals-role-of-ayurvedic-whole-system-in-management-of-rheumatoid-arthritis-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25084/study-reveals-role-of-ayurvedic-whole-system-in-management-of-rheumatoid-arthritis-.html Thu, 29 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0530 A new scientific study has revealed the significant effectiveness of the Ayurvedic Whole System (AWS) in the management of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting millions worldwide. This pioneering research demonstrates that AWS not only alleviates the symptoms of RA but also induces a metabolic shift towards normalisation in patients, offering a promising complementary approach to conventional treatments. The study was conducted by a group of senior researchers from reputed research institutions, including Arthritis Treatment and Advanced Research Center (A-ATARC), Department of Kaya Chikitsa, State Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Lucknow University; Centre of Biomedical Research (CBMR), SGPGIMS Campus, Lucknow; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad. The study highlights substantial improvements in key clinical parameters among RA patients who underwent AWS intervention. There was a notable reduction in Disease Activity Score-28 Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (DAS-28 ESR), as well as decreases in both the total number of swollen and tender joints. Additionally, the Ama Activity Measure (AAM) Score, which assesses the presence of toxins in the body, also showed a significant reduction post-intervention.  While these findings are promising, the study's authors emphasise the need for further research to confirm these preliminary results and to better understand the mechanisms through which AWS exerts its therapeutic effects. This breakthrough underscores the potential of integrating traditional Ayurvedic practices with modern medical approaches to improve patient outcomes in chronic conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25061/iasst-designs-new-smart-sensor-for-adjusting-drug-dosage-to-manage-parkinsons-disease.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25061/iasst-designs-new-smart-sensor-for-adjusting-drug-dosage-to-manage-parkinsons-disease.html Tue, 27 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Scientists at Guwahati-based Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, have developed an affordable, user-friendly, portable smartphone-based fluorescence turn-on sensor system that can assist in managing Parkinson's disease. The sensor would help in accurately detecting the concentration of L-dopa in the body, thereby helping to determine the precise dosage required for effective control of the disease. Parkinson’s disease is marked by a continuous decrease in neuron cells, which leads to a significant reduction in dopamine (neurotransmitter) levels in our body. L-dopa is a chemical which is converted to dopamine in our body and so act as anti-Parkinson’s drugs. It helps in compensating the deficiency of dopamine. As long as the correct amount of L-dopa is administered, the disease remains manageable. However, due to the progressive nature of Parkinson's, as the patient ages, more L-dopa is needed to compensate for the ongoing loss of neurons. However too much of the L-Dopa can cause serious side effects like dyskinesia, gastritis, psychosis, paranoia, and orthostatic hypotension, while too little can lead to the return of Parkinson's symptoms. Considering the critical role of optimum level of L-dopa in therapy, it is essential to develop a simple, cost-effective, sensitive, and quick method for monitoring L-dopa in biological fluids. The sensor made by coating a silk-fibroin protein nano-layer, derived from Bombyx mori silk cocoons, onto the surface of reduced graphene oxide nanoparticles. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25055/cabinet-approves-vigyan-dhara-scheme-of-department-of-science-and-technology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25055/cabinet-approves-vigyan-dhara-scheme-of-department-of-science-and-technology.html Sun, 25 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved continuation of the three umbrella schemes, merged into a unified central sector scheme namely ‘Vigyan Dhara’ of Department of Science and Technology (DST). The scheme has three broad components: Science and Technology (S&T) Institutional and Human Capacity Building, Research and Development and Innovation, Technology Development and Deployment. The proposed outlay for the implementation of the unified scheme ‘Vigyan Dhara’ is Rs10,579.84 crore during the 15th finance Commission period from 2021-22 to 2025-26. The merger of the schemes into a single scheme would enhance efficiency in fund utilisation and establish synchronisation among the sub-schemes/programmes. The primary objective of the 'Vigyan Dhara' scheme is to promote S&T capacity building as well as research, innovation and technology development towards strengthening the Science, Technology and Innovation ecosystem in the country. Implementation of the scheme will strengthen the S&T infrastructure of the country by fostering well-equipped R&D labs in the Academic Institutions. The scheme endeavours to promote research in areas such as basic research with access to the international mega facilities, translational research in sustainable energy, water, etc. and collaborative research through international bilateral and multilateral cooperation. It will also contribute to building critical human resource pool to strengthen the science and technology landscape and expand the R&D base of the country towards improving the Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) researcher count. Focused interventions will be taken up to enhance the participation of women in the field of Science and Technology (S&T) with the ultimate goal of bringing gender parity in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI). The scheme would reinforce the efforts of the government towards promoting innovations at all levels, starting from school level to higher education, and for the industries and startups through targeted interventions. Significant support will be extended to increase collaboration between academia, Government, and also with industries.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25019/government-of-india-announces-rashtriya-vigyan-puraskar-awards-2024.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/25019/government-of-india-announces-rashtriya-vigyan-puraskar-awards-2024.html Sun, 11 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The government of India has announced names of 33 awardees of the inaugural Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) Awards 2024.Renowned biochemist and former director of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru Prof. Govindarajan Padmanabhan has been honoured with the Vigyan Ratna Award, recognising his lifetime achievement and immense contribution to the field of biological sciences. Prof. Padmanabhan is best known for his pioneering work on the malaria parasite.  13 scientists have been awarded the Vigyan Shri Award and 18 scientists have been awarded the Vigyan Yuva Award for their outstanding achievements in various fields of science and technology. In the Vigyan Shri category, Prof. Umesh Varshney, from IISc; and Prof. Jayant Bhalchandra Udgaonkar from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune (IISER), Pune, have been recognised in the Biological Sciences segment; while Prof. Rohit Srivastava, from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-B), Mumbai has won in the Technology and Innovation segment; and Prof. Dr Sanjay Behari from Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, in the Medicine field. For the Vigyan Yuva category, Prof. Radhakrishnan Mahalakshmi, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal; and Prof. Aravind Penmatsa from IISc, have been selected in the Biological Sciences segment; Prof. Jitendra Kumar Sahu from Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, and Dr Pragya Dhruv Yadav from ICMR-National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune in the medicine field; and Prof. Prabhu Rajagopal from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-M), in the Technology and Innovation segment. The team from ISRO - Indian Space Research Organization who successfully led the Chandrayaan-3 mission has been awarded the Vigyan Team Award for their exceptional contribution to the mission's success.All 33 awardees will be felicitated on August 23, 2024 at the Rashtrapati Bhawan Cultural Centre presided by the Honourable President of India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24986/protein-interaction-study-can-help-treatments-for-alzheimers-parkinsons.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24986/protein-interaction-study-can-help-treatments-for-alzheimers-parkinsons.html Sat, 03 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Small molecules called osmolytes help proteins maintain their structure and function under stressful conditions, according to a recent study, which provides important insights that could aid in the development of treatments for diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. A research team led by Dr Shubhasis Haldar at Kolkata's S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, an autonomous institute of Department of Science and Technology, used a technique called covalent magnetic tweezers to observe how individual protein molecules fold and unfold under different conditions and interact with osmolytes. They focused on a protein called Protein L and tested its interaction with two osmolytes, Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and trehalose. At higher concentrations, TMAO significantly increased the strength of Protein L, making it more resistant to unfolding. At low concentrations (up to 1M), TMAO had little effect on the unfolding force of the protein. High levels of TMAO are linked to heart diseases, so knowing how it interacts with proteins can lead to better treatments. Osmolytes are small molecules that help cells survive stress by stabilising proteins and preventing them from misfolding. Misfolded proteins can’t perform their functions properly, leading to diseases. Osmolytes are crucial in maintaining the stability of protein structures, making them potential targets for new drugs. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24976/iit-kanpur-paves-way-for-new-drugs-against-infectious-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24976/iit-kanpur-paves-way-for-new-drugs-against-infectious-diseases.html Thu, 01 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0530 A research team from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K), led by Prof. Arun K. Shukla of the Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, has made a significant scientific breakthrough with the first-ever visualisation of the complete structure of the Duffy antigen receptor. This receptor protein, found on the surface of red blood cells and other cells in the human body acts as a gateway into the cell, facilitating infections by destructive pathogens like the malaria parasite, Plasmodium vivax and the bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus. Prof. Arun K. Shukla, Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering at IIT Kanpur said, “While the Duffy antigen receptor is common in most populations, a significant percentage of people of African descent do not produce the Duffy receptor on their red blood cells due to a genetic variation. This makes them naturally resistant to certain types of malaria parasites that rely on that specific ‘gateway’ to infect those cells. This shows how important the Duffy antigen receptor is for these diseases and how targeting it could lead to new treatments.”  The research team led employed state-of-the-art cryogenic-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to unveil the intricate architecture of the Duffy antigen receptor, throwing new light on the Duffy receptor's unique structural features and distinguishing it from similar receptors in the human body. This detailed understanding will be crucial in the designing of highly targeted therapies that can effectively block infections without causing unwanted side effects.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24969/study-of-kindlins-proteins-reveal-novel-pathways-for-cancer-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24969/study-of-kindlins-proteins-reveal-novel-pathways-for-cancer-treatment.html Tue, 30 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0530 A new study has investigated the influence of Kindlins, adapter proteins that exist inside cells of vertebrates, in various cancers. Since this protein is central to many signaling pathways, targeting it could lead to new cancer treatments that address multiple aspects of the disease at once. A team from S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences in Kolkata, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), collected data of 10,000 patients with 33 cancer types from The Cancer Genome Atlas, to understand the role of Kindlins in turning normal cells into cancerous ones. The researchers found that Kindlin 1 (belonging to Kindlin family) regulates the immune microenvironment in breast cancer and that cancer-specific metabolic regulation, such as TCA cycle and glycolysis, is governed by Kindlin 2. Kindlin family of proteins contains three members: Kindlin 1, 2, 3 with distinct amino acid sequences and tissue distribution. “Hippo signaling is a kind of signal in cancer cells that tells the cell to migrate and invade other tissues. Kindlin 2 can also regulate Hippo signaling,” explained the researchers. The researchers employed structural and functional genomics tools on this data to investigate the influence of Kindlin family proteins on mechano chemical signaling in various cancers. The study strongly suggests that Kindlins participate in essential mechano sensitive pathways. This study also suggests a potential link between Kindlin dysfunction and adverse survival outcomes. Chemoresistance and tumor relapse are two major challenges faced by oncologists. The present study will serve as a beacon for developing future therapeutic strategies, targeting the roles of Kindlins in cancer treatment. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24942/novel-computational-model-to-help-in-early-detection-of-cervical-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24942/novel-computational-model-to-help-in-early-detection-of-cervical-cancer.html Thu, 25 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0530 A new computational model that can improve the diagnosis of cervical dysplasia or abnormal cells growth on the surface of cervix, has the potential for use in early detection of cervical cancer. Precise pattern identification and classification are crucial for diagnosis and management of cervical cell dysplasia. Scientists from Guwahati-based Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), set out to develop a model that would be practically applicable in real-world situation and have unmatched accuracy while requiring the least amount of computation time. Dr Lipi B. Mahanta and her team experimented with different colour models, transform techniques, feature representation schemes and classification methods to develop a powerful machine learning (ML) framework. This comprehensive analysis and experimentation aimed to identify the optimal combination for detecting cervical dysplasia. The model's performance was tested on two datasets: one collected from healthcare centres in India and a publicly available dataset. Using a method of image processing- Non-subsampled Contourlet Transform (NSCT) and the YCbCr color model (a way to represent colours in an image), the new model achieved an average accuracy of 98.02%. The innovative model could revolutionise the detection of cervical dysplasia and provide healthcare professionals with highly accurate tools for better diagnostic precision and improved treatment outcomes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24936/breakthrough-in-gene-therapy-brings-new-hope-to-glaucoma-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24936/breakthrough-in-gene-therapy-brings-new-hope-to-glaucoma-patients.html Wed, 24 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Australia's Macquarie University researchers have identified a gene therapy that could help treat the eye disease glaucoma, with potential applications for other neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. Glaucoma may result in irreversible blindness over 10 to 15 years, if left untreated. Like Alzheimer’s, it becomes more common with advancing age. In India, 11.2 million people aged 40 and above have glaucoma, while the global cases are projected to hit 111.8 million by 2040. Glaucoma can be caused by an imbalance in tau protein in the human body. The protein tau is essential to the function of cells in the brain and central nervous system, but when over-produced under certain conditions, it forms tangles that clog the cells’ internal structures. These tangles have also been found in Alzheimer's disease patients. Tau is also present in neuronal cells in the retina, and research led by Macquarie University’s Vision Science Group has found altered tau is likely to have a significant role in the development of glaucoma. “We have shown that tau is vital to maintaining retinal integrity, but it is a delicate balance,” says Research leader, Vivek Gupta, Associate, Associate Professor, Macquarie University. “When we over-produced tau, we observed inner retinal degeneration, but when there was too little tau, that was also detrimental. Switching off the over-production and knocking down the tau to healthy levels provided protection against the degenerative changes associated with glaucoma. This protective effect was evident in both the structural preservation of retina cells and their function. While it was not able to restore lost vision, it did stop the retinal degeneration from worsening. He further added, “These findings highlight the critical role of tau protein in retinal health, and suggest that targeting tau could be a promising therapeutic strategy for glaucoma, particularly when administered early.” The next step will involve further testing in animal models, with any human clinical trials still several years in the future.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24926/iit-g-discovers-rna-destroying-function-of-p30-protein-in-african-swine-fever-virus.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24926/iit-g-discovers-rna-destroying-function-of-p30-protein-in-african-swine-fever-virus.html Fri, 19 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) researchers have investigated the biochemistry of the African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) protein, focusing on understanding the biochemical processes of infection to devise effective control strategies. Prof. Sachin Kumar and his research scholars including Satyendu Nandy, Nilave Ranjan Bora, and, Shubham Gaurav, have studied the proteins found in the outer membrane (capsule) of ASFV, with a particular focus on the p30 protein. This protein plays a crucial role in the attachment of the virus to host cells by binding to specific receptors on the cell surface and facilitating the merging of viral and cell membranes. Membrane proteins also help viruses evade detection by the host cell’s immune system. Understanding the biochemistry behind these processes enhances our knowledge of how viruses infect cells and can guide the development of treatments and vaccines that target these points of entry.  It is notable that the research group has also completed technology transfer to roll out the first recombinant vaccine for Swine Fever Virus in the recent past. The researchers had previously identified specific regions on the p30 protein, called epitopic domains, that can activate the immune system in the host. These domains are important because they help the immune system recognize and respond to the virus, potentially aiding in developing ways to fight the infection. Recently, the researchers studied this protein in greater detail to understand its other functionalities, particularly its RNase-like activity.  Understanding how the p30 protein in ASFV affects host cell RNA helps illustrate how the virus manipulates cellular functions to survive and spread. This insight could inform future research into therapies that target these viral mechanisms, potentially leading to new ways to combat ASFV infections.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24907/scientists-at-iit-d-get-promising-results-in-pre-clinical-trials-for-brain-cancer-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24907/scientists-at-iit-d-get-promising-results-in-pre-clinical-trials-for-brain-cancer-treatment.html Mon, 15 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive type of cancerous brain tumor in adults, poses significant treatment challenges despite available options like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Patients diagnosed with glioblastoma typically have a life expectancy of only 12–18 months post-diagnosis. Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi have given such patients a ray of hope with their new study. Working under the guidance of Dr Jayanta Bhattacharyya, Associate Professor, Centre for Biomedical Engineering, IIT Delhi; a PhD student named Vidit Gaur primarily conducted the study.  Vidit has developed a novel nanoformulation, namely Immunosomes, that combines a CD40 agonist antibody with the small molecule inhibitor RRX-001. This innovative approach aims to enhance treatment efficacy for brain tumors, potentially offering new hope for improving outcomes in glioblastoma patients. In this study, mice bearing glioblastoma treated with Immunosomes showed complete eradication of the tumuor and remained tumour-free for at least three months. Additionally, this treatment generated a strong host immune response to fight against brain cancer. After three months, Dr Bhattacharyya and his team re-challenged the long-term surviving mice by implanting glioblastoma cells. Surprisingly, the mice pre-treated with Immunosomes showed near-no tumour growth, revealing that Immunosomes could generate long-lasting immune memory that can prevent future tumour recurrence without further treatment. In addition to producing long-lasting protection against glioblastoma, treatment with Immunosomes can reduce the toxicity associated with CD40 agonist antibody, which otherwise presents a significant challenge for clinicians globally.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24897/single-molecule-techniques-reveal-new-dynamics-of-protein-folding-associated-with-alzheimers-disease-progression.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24897/single-molecule-techniques-reveal-new-dynamics-of-protein-folding-associated-with-alzheimers-disease-progression.html Fri, 12 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0530 A new way to study protein folding & associated chaperons that saves proteins from non-native interaction, could help understand what exactly triggers the folding. The understanding could help track progression of diseases like cancer, Parkinsons and Alzheimer’s. A team at the S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata, is using a Covalent Magnetic Tweezer (CMT) fabricated in their lab, to study physical and chemical properties of protein molecules and action of chaperones on how these molecules fold and function. This innovative approach has provided unprecedented insights into the intricate dynamics of chaperone-assisted protein folding. Among the key players in this molecular ballet are the heat shock proteins Hsp70 and Hsp90, two of the most studied molecular chaperones. Single-molecule force spectroscopy has revealed the intricate dynamics of Hsp70-induced protein manipulation. The intricate details are crucial for understanding how Hsp70 assists in protein folding, stabilization, and transport under various cellular conditions. The researchers are now beginning to understand the exact mechanism of how Alzheimer's sets in due to brain stiffness. When the physical basis of degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease are understood at a molecular level, drugs can be designed to target the mechanical roles of the chaperones. That will make it easier to prevent the progression of these diseases. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24894/amrita-vishwa-vidyapeetham-initiates-production-of-innovative-technology-for-speech-impairment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24894/amrita-vishwa-vidyapeetham-initiates-production-of-innovative-technology-for-speech-impairment.html Thu, 11 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham is all set to commence production of Netravaad, an innovative device designed to revolutionise patient care for individuals with speech impairments. This groundbreaking technology is being developed by T2HInnovations, a healthtech startup incubated under SCTIMST TIMED (TBI for Medical Devices and Biomaterials). Named Netravaad, the device is developed and tested rigorously at Amrita Hospital in Kochi. Netravaad utilises innovative eye gesture-based technology to enable patients to communicate their needs effectively. T2HInnovations, a Kerala-based startup established under the AI and Robotics research center, HuT Labs of Amrita University, specialises in biomedical and healthcare robotics. It operates in close collaboration with Amrita University’s research facilities, leveraging the university’s expertise in engineering and technology to develop impactful solutions such as Netravaad.  Dr. Rajesh Kannan Megalingam, Director, HuT Labs, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, and Founder, T2H Innovations, said, “We're now in the production phase of Netravaad and all set to bring this transformative technology to a wider audience. Netravaad's ability to enable communication through eye gestures represents a major leap for individuals with speech impairments." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24871/s-t-minister-unveils-indo-french-liver-and-metabolic-disease-network.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24871/s-t-minister-unveils-indo-french-liver-and-metabolic-disease-network.html Fri, 05 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of Science & Technology (S&T) Dr Jitendra Singh launched Indo-French Liver and Metabolic Disease Network (InFLiMeN), a virtual node to prevent and cure metabolic liver diseases at Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences in New Delhi, on 5 July. Addressing the launch programme Dr Jitendra Singh highlighted that the Indo-French Node, InFLiMeN, aims to address key issues related to a common metabolic liver disorder, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which can progress to cirrhosis and primary liver cancer eventually. It predates diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and many other diseases. Dr Jitendra Singh advised that a joint multi-disciplinary collaborative program like InFLiMeN is urgently needed to understand the development, progression and possible management of liver diseases using a comprehensive omics approach for biomarker discovery. He also appreciated Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST) along with the department and Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research (CEFIPERA) for taking this novel approach proposed by ILBS. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24857/camouflaging-as-a-dead-enzyme-vegfr1-holds-key-to-medical-solutions-for-colon-and-renal-cancers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24857/camouflaging-as-a-dead-enzyme-vegfr1-holds-key-to-medical-solutions-for-colon-and-renal-cancers.html Wed, 03 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers have decoded the molecular mechanism in which a cell surface receptor belonging to the family of enzymes that bind growth factors, regulate cell differentiation, proliferation, survival, metabolism, and migration, prevents cancers. This enzyme called VEGFR1 withholds self-expression (autoinhibited) in the absence of a ligand—for example hormones. The research can show the way for developing medical solutions for colon and renal cancers by using molecules that preferentially stabilises the inactive state of VEGFR1. Cell surface receptors like Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTK) are crucial for converting extracellular signals (from chemical cues like growth factors, generally referred to as ligands) to tightly regulated cellular response. Ligand binding to extracellular receptors activates intracellular coupled enzymes (tyrosine kinases). The activated enzyme, in turn, adds phosphate group to several tyrosine molecules that function as an adaptor for assembling a signalling complex. The formation of the signalling complex regulates diverse cellular functions like cell growth, development, and host immune response. Spontaneous activation of RTKs, in the absence of ligands, is often linked to multiple human pathologies like cancers, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders. Researchers are exploring how a cell maintains an autoinhibited state of the enzyme and why such autoinhibition is breached during the progression of human pathology. Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata, investigated one such RTK called Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor (VEGFR). The VEGFR family of receptors is the key regulator of the process of generating new blood vessels.  This process is essential for functions like embryonic development, wound healing, tissue regeneration, and tumor formation. Various malignant and non-malignant diseases can be treated by targeting VEGFRs. The researchers were intrigued by the fact that two members of family VEGFR 1 and VEGFR 2 behaved quite differently. While VEGFR 2, the primary receptor regulating process of formation of new blood vessels, could be spontaneously activated, without its ligand, the other member of the family VEGFR 1 cannot be spontaneously activated even when overexpressed in cells. It camouflages as a dead enzyme VEGFR1 and binds with ten-fold higher affinity to its ligand VEGF-A than VEGFR2. This ligand binding induces a transient kinase (speeding up chemical reactions in the body by an enzyme) activation. Probing into why one member of the family is so spontaneously activated and the other autoinhibited, Dr Rahul Das and his team from IISER Kolkata found that a unique ionic latch, present only in VEGFR1, keeps kinase autoinhibited in the basal state. The ionic latch hooks the juxtamembrane segment onto the kinase domain and stabilizes the autoinhibited conformation of VEGFR1. Exploring the mechanism of the autoinhibited state of VEGFR 1 the researchers proposed a crucial role for cellular tyrosine phosphatase in modulating VEGFR1 activity. The research carried out at the Analytical Biology Facility at IISER Kolkata with its DST-FIST supported ITC and stopped-flow fluorimeter, highlighted the therapeutic potential of phosphatase modulators in regulating VEGFR1-mediated pathological formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) which takes place in cancer. This discovery published in the journal Nature Communication may open new avenues for developing therapeutic interventions against pathological conditions due to the spontaneous activation of VEGFR signalling. The small molecules targeting the autoinhibited state will have a higher potential for treating cancers like human colorectal carcinoma and renal cancer, where VEGFR1 is overexpressed. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24859/karnataka-increases-dst-nanoscience-fellowships-amount-to-rs-50k.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24859/karnataka-increases-dst-nanoscience-fellowships-amount-to-rs-50k.html Wed, 03 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0530 “To acknowledge organisations and individuals who have made groundbreaking contributions to the Nanotech sector, the government of Karnataka has increased Karnataka DST Nanoscience Fellowships amount to Rs 50,000” said Dr Ekroop Caur, Secretary to Government, Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology, and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka. Speaking at the Curtain Raiser event for the 13th Bengaluru INDIA NANO 2024 in Bengaluru, on July 2, Dr Ekroop said “The Bengaluru INDIA NANO Innovation Award is a prestigious honour. The recipient of the Bengaluru INDIA NANO Innovation Award will be duly recognised and celebrated among their peers in both the industrial and scientific communities. These awards specifically recognize Nanotechnology-enabled breakthroughs in various fields, including Climate, Healthcare, Energy, Manufacturing, Hydrogen Economy, Semiconductor technology, Medicine, Electronics, Climate, Healthcare, Materials science, Aerospace & Defense, Energy & Environment, Agriculture & Biotech, and Water Management/Solutions. The awards will be conferred upon deserving individuals, teams, or organisations who have significantly contributed to these innovations. It's important to note that only Indian nationals working within India are eligible to apply for these awards.” The Bengaluru INDIA NANO 2024 event, from August 1 to August 3, will witness the bestowing of the coveted ‘Prof. C.N.R. Rao Bengaluru INDIA NANO Science Award’ for making meaningful contributions to Nanoscience. Another prestigious ‘Bengaluru INDIA NANO Innovation Award’ will be presented for Innovative & Disruptive Technology Development in Nanotech. Both the award carries a Trophy, Certificate and Cash Prize of Rs 1,00,000. Besides there will be other awards including the Nano Excellence Award- to the best researchers in the realm of Nanoscience; Best Poster- The Best Students for revolutionary research; Exhibitor Awards- For the best showcase across various categories. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24845/peak-xv-partners-backed-ai-health-startup-cloudphysician-appoints-dr-mandar-vaidya-ex-oyo-ex-mckinsey-as-ceo-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24845/peak-xv-partners-backed-ai-health-startup-cloudphysician-appoints-dr-mandar-vaidya-ex-oyo-ex-mckinsey-as-ceo-india-.html Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0530 AI health startup Cloudphysician, a full-stack tech and operations company that partners with hospitals to manage patients in their ICU and Emergency departments, announced the appointment of Dr. Mandar Vaidya as CEO-India, effective June 2024. Mandar brings over two decades of experience driving global businesses and delivering transformative results. His experience as a former partner at McKinsey & Co., where he led the healthcare practice in Asia and developed strategies for hospitals and pharmaceutical companies, will help Cloudphysician serve partner hospitals effectively and drive growth across India.  Mandar was regional CEO at OYO for four years, where he led multiple geographies outside of India (Europe, SE Asia, Middle East, and Japan). He led profitable and transformative growth in these markets via a tech-enabled approach: building scale from India for the world. Additionally, Mandar is an independent director on the board of Cipla Limited. His experience in driving growth and innovation for global companies over the last 20 years will help foster a long-term institutional approach within Cloudphysician. Cloudphysician recently raised $10.5 million in a Series A funding round led by Peak XV Partners, with participation from Elevar Equity and venture debt firm Panthera Peak. Mandar aims to unlock opportunities to ensure that high-quality intensive care is accessible, scalable, and cost-effective for hospitals everywhere. Speaking on the appointment, Dr. Dhruv Joshi and Dr. Dileep Raman, co-founders at Cloudphysician, said, “With Mandar joining our team, we are entering an exciting new phase in our growth journey. The healthcare landscape in India is evolving and there is a significant opportunity for tech-enabled solutions to establish sustainable models of care delivery. His industry expertise, insights, and laser-like execution focus will help drive our mission forward, enabling us to reach more patients and hospitals. His rich experience and strategic approach to business development will help establish Cloudphysician as the preferred critical care partner, helping us expand our tech-driven solutions to over 5,000 hospitals. We believe his leadership will accelerate our vision of transforming critical care delivery and setting new standards in healthcare, ultimately improving outcomes and saving lives on a larger scale.” Mandar who has also extended an investment in Cloudphysician in addition to joining as CEO commented, “It has been inspiring to witness Cloudphysician’s remarkable journey. The fact that they have achieved a 40% reduction in their ICU mortality rates was what stood out to me. I am excited to take this kind of impact to every hospital across India. I am thrilled to join hands with Dhruv and Dileep who have led the movement of building a streamlined approach to high-acuity care.  This is a career-defining opportunity for me to further build and lead a transformative team. By leveraging advanced technology for more precise diagnosis and treatment, we will deliver the best possible outcomes for patients. Together, we will strive to set new benchmarks in healthcare and transform care delivery in hospitals." Cloudphysician is building the largest and fastest-growing full-stack virtual critical care network. Its seamlessly integrated technology, world-class treatment protocols, and best-in-class medical teams improve patient outcomes. This innovative approach has significantly impacted the care of over 1 lakh critically ill patients in over 200 partner hospitals across 23 states. Cloudphysician has empowered partner hospitals to see up to a 40% reduction in their ICU mortality rates with 24/7 AI-enabled clinical support. The ultimate goal is to ensure the delivery of high-quality critical care to all.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24822/iisc-designs-novel-3d-hydrogel-culture-to-study-tuberculosis-infection-and-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24822/iisc-designs-novel-3d-hydrogel-culture-to-study-tuberculosis-infection-and-treatment.html Tue, 25 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers from the Department of Bioengineering (BE), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru have designed a novel 3D hydrogel culture system that mimics the mammalian lung environment. It provides a powerful platform to track and study how tuberculosis (TB) bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis or Mtb) infect lung cells and test the efficacy of therapeutics used to treat TB. Current culture models used to study Mtb infection have several limitations. They are typically culture plates that are monolayered and do not accurately mimic the 3D microenvironment inside the lungs. The microenvironment experienced by the cells in such 2D culture is vastly different from the actual extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding lung tissue. The researchers have now designed a novel 3D hydrogel culture made of collagen, a key molecule present in the ECM of lung cells. Collagen is soluble in water at a slightly acidic pH. As the pH is increased, the collagen forms fibrils which cross-link to form a gel-like 3D structure. At the time of gelling, the researchers added human macrophages – immune cells involved in fighting infection – along with Mtb. This entrapped both the macrophages and the bacteria in the collagen and allowed the researchers to track how the bacteria infect the macrophages. The team tested the effect of pyrazinamide, one of the four most common drugs given to TB patients. They found that even a small amount (10 µg/ml) of the drug was quite effective in clearing out Mtb in the hydrogel culture. Moving forward, the researchers plan to mimic granulomas – clusters of infected white blood cells – in their 3D hydrogel culture to explore why some people have latent TB, while others show aggressive symptoms. The team is also interested in understanding the mechanism of action of pyrazinamide, which may help discover new drugs that are more or just as efficient. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24805/women-now-represent-41-of-researchers-globally-but-challenges-persist-elsevier-report.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24805/women-now-represent-41-of-researchers-globally-but-challenges-persist-elsevier-report.html Fri, 21 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Elsevier, a global leader in scientific information and analytics with a long-standing commitment to advancing inclusion in research and health, has released its latest report analysing gender equality in research.  Progress Towards Gender Equality in Research & Innovation – 2024 Review examines inclusion and diversity in career cohorts across intersecting disciplines and geographies, tracking multiple indicators over 20 years. It reveals progress, with women now representing 41% of researchers globally, but also that serious challenges persist in gender equity in research and innovation. Women researchers in India are more often cited by policy documents than men on average, with respective normalised scores of 0.41 and 0.37 across all subject areas. Within broad scientific areas, women outperform men in Physical Sciences (0.37 versus 0.35), Social Sciences (0.36 versus 0.33), STEM (0.40 versus 0.37) and are on par in Health Sciences (0.52 for both). Also, although women are underrepresented as inventors on patent applications, they are cited as often as men when focusing on patents citing scientific literature (0.40 for both). Women score higher in Life Sciences (0.36 versus 0.34) and STEM (0.38 versus 0.37). Women make up nearly half of active researchers in Brazil, Spain, and Italy, and around 40% in the USA and UK. However, women make up 33% in India, now the world’s third largest research producing country; 30% in Egypt; and less than a quarter (22%) of active researchers in Japan. The report recommends accelerating commitments and actions towards greater gender equity in research; and to stop the decline in participation with rising seniority by prioritising the retention of early-career women researchers into mid and advanced career stages. The report also focuses on developing incentive structures to help women play an equal part in the full research and innovation value chain, including patents. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24749/new-study-reveals-alarming-economic-burden-of-tuberculosis-treatment-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24749/new-study-reveals-alarming-economic-burden-of-tuberculosis-treatment-in-india.html Tue, 11 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers from the George Institute for Global Health India in collaboration with researchers from Indira Gandhi Government Medical College (Nagpur), and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (UK) have conducted a survey shedding light on the staggering financial burden faced by Tuberculosis (TB) patients in India. Their findings underscore the urgent need for both policy and public interventions to alleviate this burden on patients and the nation.   The study conducted against the backdrop of the World Health Organization's End TB strategy, which serves as a blueprint for countries to achieve zero catastrophic costs for TB-affected households, reveals concerning statistics about the economic toll of the disease in India. With the nation bearing the highest TB burden globally, the reported incidence reached 2.42 million cases in 2022. The George Institute researchers followed a cohort of 1,482 drug-susceptible TB patients across four states in India: Assam, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. Defined as out-of-pocket expenses exceeding 20% of pre-TB annual household income, catastrophic costs pose a significant threat to the financial stability of millions of TB-affected households in the country. Of particular concern was the fact that for over half of the participants who faced catastrophic cost, costs became catastrophic even before commencing TB treatment due to delays in diagnosis. The average delay of 7-9 weeks from symptom onset to treatment initiation, twice the accepted delay period, resulted in substantial financial burdens from repeated consultations, tests, and travel expenses. Supply-side interventions such as intensifying private sector engagement and rapid diagnosis are crucial, alongside demand-side initiatives like community awareness campaigns. Addressing the delay in diagnosis through early case detection and active community engagement is paramount to reducing economic burdens. The study also advocates for the reimbursement of pre-treatment expenses through health insurance, emphasizing the need for improved coverage and utilisation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24740/iit-m-nasa-lay-focus-on-multidrug-resistant-pathogens-on-international-space-station.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24740/iit-m-nasa-lay-focus-on-multidrug-resistant-pathogens-on-international-space-station.html Mon, 10 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) are studying multi-drug resistant pathogens on the International Space Station (ISS), which could have key applications for astronauts' health as well on earth. The researchers conducted a comprehensive study to understand the genomic, functional, and metabolic enhancements observed in multidrug-resistant pathogens with a particular focus on Enterobacter bugandensis, a prevalent nosocomial pathogen found on surfaces within the ISS. Astronauts operating in altered immune conditions with limited access to traditional medical facilities face unique health challenges during space missions. Understanding the microbial landscape aboard the ISS is paramount for assessing the impact of these microorganisms on astronaut well-being. The current study emphasises the critical need to investigate the pathogenic potential of microorganisms in space environments to safeguard astronaut health and mitigate the risks associated with opportunistic pathogens. The findings hold promise for applications in controlled settings on Earth, including hospital intensive care units and surgical theatres, where multidrug-resistant pathogens pose significant challenges to patient care. Emphasising the broader implications of the research, Dr Kasthuri Venkateswaran, Senior Research Scientist at JPL, NASA, said, “Our research uncovers the microbial community interactions of how certain benign microorganisms help to adapt and survive opportunistic human pathogen, E. bugandensis, in the unfavourable conditions of the International Space Station. The knowledge gained from this study would shed light on microbial behaviour, adaptation, and evolution in extreme, isolated environments that allow in designing novel countermeasure strategies to eradicate opportunistic pathogens, thus protecting the health of astronauts.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24730/inaugural-women-leadership-in-stem-programme-to-drive-impact-in-gender-equality.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24730/inaugural-women-leadership-in-stem-programme-to-drive-impact-in-gender-equality.html Thu, 06 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Grand Challenges India, the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), supported by the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, along with WomenLift Health, have launched the inaugural 2024 Women Leadership in STEM (WLS) programme to drive impact in gender equality in STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) leadership in India. The Women Leadership in STEM offers a pathway for advancing gender equality in STEM in India, underscoring a commitment to elevating the power and influence of mid-career women in STEM fields by equipping them with essential tools, structured mentorship, coaching, peer support, and leadership skills for high impact. The Women Leadership in STEM programme is poised to promote gender equality and enhance the contributions of Indian scientists in the global science and technology landscape through more gender-equal, inclusive, and diverse STEM leadership in the country. By fostering a robust pipeline of women leaders in STEM, this initiative will contribute to systemic change and drive the nation's progress towards greater gender equality in STEM fields. The inaugural 2024 WLS cohort comprises twenty leading women scientists from public and private research institutions across India, including the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Representing diverse voices and expertise in fields such as genomics, veterinary sciences, architecture, and design sciences, these women leaders are set to drive advancements and take on leadership roles in STEM in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24716/csir-concludes-first-phase-of-longitudinal-health-monitoring-project-phenome-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24716/csir-concludes-first-phase-of-longitudinal-health-monitoring-project-phenome-india.html Mon, 03 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has announced the successful conclusion of the first phase of its groundbreaking longitudinal health monitoring project, the 'Phenome India-CSIR Health Cohort Knowledgebase' (PI-CheCK). To mark this significant milestone, CSIR  organised a special event, 'Phenome India Unboxing 1.0', at the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Goa, on 3rd June.  Dr Souvik Maiti, Director, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Dr Sunil Kumar Singh, Director at CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Dr Shantanu Sengupta, Senior Principal Scientist at CSIR-IGIB, Dr Rajendra Prasad Singh, Senior Principal Scientist at CSIR and Dr Viren Sardana, Senior Scientist at Centre of Excellence for Intelligent Sensors and Systems were among the dignitaries present. Dr Shantanu Sengupta  explained that for the first time, a pan-India longitudinal study is being conducted with an aim to develop an enhanced prediction model for cardio-metabolic disease, especially diabetes, liver diseases and cardiac diseases. Such a study is vital as these diseases have both genetic and lifestyle factors that contribute to risk, he said. Stating that study managed to cross their target of 10,000 samples, the Senior Principal Scientist called upon other organisations to initiate similar sample collection drives. “Suppose, we get around 1 lakh or 10 lakh samples, then it will enable us to redefine all major parameters in the country”, he said as he explained that CSIR has developed a cost effective Standard Operating Procedure for sample collection. Launched on 7th December 2023, the PI-CHeCK project aims to assess risk factors in non-communicable (cardio-metabolic) diseases within the Indian populace. This unique initiative has already enrolled nearly 10,000 participants, who have volunteered to provide comprehensive health data. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24623/infosys-science-foundation-announces-new-direction-for-infosys-prize.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24623/infosys-science-foundation-announces-new-direction-for-infosys-prize.html Wed, 15 May 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Infosys Science Foundation (ISF) has announced that it is steering the Infosys Prize in a new direction by transitioning from a mid-career prize to an early-career prize, with the objective of rewarding potential and recognising the promise of future achievement. The upper age limit for prize winners is being revised to 40 years to enable a transformative impact. The fundamental objective of the Infosys Prize continues to be to recognize the best research that benefits humanity and creates role models for young scholars and aspiring scientists in India. To further its objective of fostering collaboration and access, the ISF now requires all winners who are based outside India at the time of winning the prize to spend time at Indian institutes of their choice. Winners who are not based in India will be requested to spend 30 days (in a maximum of 2 trips) at a host institute in India, to build networks and spark conversations with research groups here. The Science Foundation hopes that these early collaborations could transform into mutually beneficial long-term partnerships.  The categories that the Infosys Prize recognizes would broadly stay the same. Economics, however, will now be a separate category in the Infosys Prize. Previously, it was awarded under the Social Sciences category. From 2024, the six categories that the Infosys Prize will be awarded in are: Economics, Engineering & Computer Science, Humanities & Social Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physical Sciences. Highlighting the rationale behind this change, Kris Gopalakrishnan, President, Infosys Science Foundation, said, “We believe that this redirection will help serve as a catalyst for future innovation and mobilize young individuals towards shaping a better tomorrow.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24596/scientists-target-spermidine-production-to-combat-emerging-drug-resistance-in-salmonella.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24596/scientists-target-spermidine-production-to-combat-emerging-drug-resistance-in-salmonella.html Tue, 07 May 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Food-borne diseases like typhoid, caused by Salmonella Typhimurium, are a severe threat to public health, especially in India. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics has allowed this bacterium to become resistant, posing a major hurdle in treating infections. Scientists at the Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology (MCB), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru have pinpointed how the bacterium uses a key molecule called spermidine to shield itself from the onslaught of the host’s defence machinery. They also find that an existing US FDA-approved drug can reduce spermidine production, weakening the bacterium’s ability to cause infection. The researchers found that spermidine is crucial for Salmonella to protect itself from oxidative stress inside the macrophages. Spermidine specifically regulates the expression of an enzyme called GspSA, which causes spermidine to bind strongly to a protein called Glutathionyl (GSH). This conjugate forms chemical bonds with various bacterial proteins, strengthening and shielding them during oxidative stress. Mice infected with mutant Salmonella lacking the ability to import and produce spermidine showed higher survival rates compared to the ones infected with normal Salmonella. The team focused on D, L-alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an FDA-approved drug used widely for treating human African trypanosomiasis. They found that DFMO irreversibly blocks ornithine decarboxylase, an enzyme involved in a key step of the spermidine biosynthesis pathway in the host, reducing its levels and making the bacteria more vulnerable. Mice which were administered the drug showed better survival rates. DFMO is, therefore, a promising candidate for treating salmonellosis, the researchers say. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24576/iit-guwahati-pioneers-groundbreaking-speech-reconstruction-technology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24576/iit-guwahati-pioneers-groundbreaking-speech-reconstruction-technology.html Thu, 02 May 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have achieved a significant breakthrough in the field of speech technology with the development and patenting of 'LOQU', a novel method to generate human speech signals directly from vocal cord vibration signals. During speech, vocal folds vibrate due to intrinsic laryngeal muscle movement. In some cases, like mutism from apraxia, individuals may have normal vocal fold vibration without sound production due to coordination issues in tongue or throat muscles essential for speech. Derived from the Latin word for 'To speak or talk', this technology captures vocal fold movement without invasive procedures, utilising sensors placed over the throat. This innovative approach allows for the reconstruction of speech signals from vocal cord vibrations, offering promising applications for speech-impaired individuals and medical settings. Speaking about the developed device, Prof. Samarendra Dandapat, Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering, and lead of the Electro Medical and Speech Technology Group, IIT Guwahati, said, “This breakthrough holds immense promise for individuals facing speech impairments, offering a viable solution with clear and comparable speech signals, as demonstrated in comparison tests. With 'LOQU,' we aim to empower those in need and drive impactful innovations in the medical and communication domains.” The prototype of LOQU has been developed on a laboratory scale at a cost of under Rs 2000. The patented technology represents a significant milestone in speech research and innovation, with ongoing clinical testing aimed at further validating its effectiveness and exploring diverse applications in medical and communication fields. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24534/iisc-designs-antigen-to-boost-production-of-antibodies-against-cancer-cells.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24534/iisc-designs-antigen-to-boost-production-of-antibodies-against-cancer-cells.html Tue, 23 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru have designed a synthetic compound (antigen) that can latch on to a protein in blood and hitchhike a ride to the lymph node, where it can boost the production of antibodies against cancer cells. The approach gives a new direction to develop vaccine candidates for a variety of cancers, the researchers say. Inside the human body, cancer cells can weaken or shut down the production of antibodies that target and eliminate them. Developing a cancer vaccine, therefore, involves modifying or creating a mimic of an antigen found on the surface of cancer cells to turn up or turn on this antibody production. In recent years, scientists have turned to carbohydrates found on cancer cell surfaces to develop these antigens. Scientists have earlier tried ferrying such antigens into the body using an artificial protein or virus particle as the carrier. But these carriers can be bulky, lead to side-effects, and sometimes reduce antibody production against cancer cells. The IISc team, instead, decided to exploit the carrying ability of a natural protein called serum albumin, the most abundant protein in blood plasma. To design the compound, researchers zeroed in on a truncated carbohydrate called Tn found on the surface of a variety of cancer cells, and synthesised it in the lab. Then, they combined it with a long-chain, oil-loving chemical – unlike carbohydrates which are water-loving – to form bubble-like micelles. They found that the combination is able to bind strongly to human serum albumin. The team is hopeful that the compound can be taken forward for vaccine development and clinical trials.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24518/iisc-launches-longevity-india-initiative-to-pioneer-ageing-research-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24518/iisc-launches-longevity-india-initiative-to-pioneer-ageing-research-in-india.html Sat, 20 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru has announced the launch of the Longevity India Initiative, a project focused on efforts to extend human ‘healthspan’ and tackle ageing-related challenges. The initiative has also started a large-scale clinical study that will involve researchers from multiple IISc departments, clinicians, industry, philanthropists and civil society. This initiative seeks to enhance the understanding of ageing through both fundamental and applied research, and to develop solutions that can improve quality of life. The initiative has received initial grant funding support from Prashanth Prakash, Founding Partner, Accel India. The initiative was formally launched at an event held on 18th April at the Institute. The Longevity India Initiative brings together a multidisciplinary team of experts from academia, industry, and healthcare to address complex challenges related to ageing. The initiative will leverage advanced research to develop interventions that can help manage age-related diseases more effectively, with an emphasis on promoting healthy ageing across India. MS Ramaiah Hospital and Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute have officially partnered to conduct a clinical study for identifying biomarkers of ageing. Additionally, leading industry partners like Beckman Coulter, Healthians, Valerian Proteomics, and DecodeAge are providing crucial support by offering their technologies at accessible costs, accelerating research efforts. The initiative’s research focus includes identifying early disease indicators, investigating ageing biomarkers, and developing new therapeutics and technologies to aid in healthy ageing. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24495/sctimst-develops-low-cost-ag-chitra-tuberculosis-kit.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24495/sctimst-develops-low-cost-ag-chitra-tuberculosis-kit.html Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Thiruvananthapuram-based Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) has developed a new low-cost AG Chitra Tuberculosis kit for the rapid detection of pulmonary tuberculosis at an early stage. The product was recently launched by Dr VK Saraswat, Member Science, NITI Aayog. The method is similar to current DNA-based diagnostic methods like CB-NAAT and can be used with any qPCR machine. With a large infrastructure of qPCR machines already available in the country after the COVID-19 pandemic, this facility can be converted for screening large populations for Tuberculosis. Up to 96 samples can be tested simultaneously, with the entire testing process taking approximately 1 hour from the sample DNA extraction to the final result. In comparison, commercially available GeneXpert and Truenat require around 3 hours and can only process 8 to 16 samples at a time. The cost per test is less than Rs 500, significantly lower than other tests in the market. This innovative technology has been licensed to Agappe Diagnostics, a Kochi-based company, and is a unique example of collaborative efforts of medical and engineering talents. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24435/iit-jodhpur-develops-framework-for-smartphones-assisted-glucose-testing-device-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24435/iit-jodhpur-develops-framework-for-smartphones-assisted-glucose-testing-device-.html Thu, 28 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur has created a unique system, where smartphones can be used to test glucose levels in patients to provide quick, and easy-to-access testing results. The entire system connects a paper-based analytical device to any smartphone using an Android app, which allows for the detection of the sample for glucose (with a concentration range of 10−40 mM).  Paper-based analytical devices (PADs) are portable devices that have revolutionised point-of-need testing and can quickly assess biochemical samples. The device comes with a lab based functionalised biodegradable paper that alters its hue based on the level and amount of glucose present. By connecting it to a smartphone, the researchers have made the entire process of tracking glucose levels even faster and more personalised.  This device is aimed to be developed for the personal use of the public. It can provide on-the-spot glucose testing results without requiring technical or sophisticated laboratory settings. Additionally, it is designed to be cost-effective and biodegradable, with the current cost of it at only ~ Rs 10 in the lab. The team hopes to further make it even cheaper during mass production, at Rs 5.   A major hindrance when it comes to PADs is that they need specific light conditions to work. However, this system developed by the researchers completely does away with that disadvantage and allows for the PAD to work, and transmit information to smartphones under nearly all possible light conditions.  By using artificial glucose samples, various images of the coloured samples were processed using a machine learning application, to develop the smartphone app. This ensured that the intensity of colour from the PAD was not influenced by the light condition and the type of camera in a smartphone. Thus, the PAD can be connected to any smartphone with varying camera optics.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24436/iit-g-builds-tailored-solutions-based-on-regenerative-therapies-for-knee-meniscus-tears.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24436/iit-g-builds-tailored-solutions-based-on-regenerative-therapies-for-knee-meniscus-tears.html Thu, 28 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) in collaboration with the University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata have formulated three ingenious treatment solutions for a certain type of knee injury that has historically proven difficult to treat. By developing these key regenerative therapies, the researchers have provided possible alternative solutions to manage the problem of a knee meniscus tear, an injury to tissue in one’s knee joints. The team from IIT-G has created three hydrogel formulations that are blends of silk fibroin and other polymers, which they envision can be used by doctors in clinics, to treat the meniscus injury. These components, especially silk, are well known for their strength, bioactivity and flexibility. They are also cost-effective compared to other materials such as commercially available polyurethane and collagen meniscus implants. Out of the three, one is an injectable hydrogel, which can be injected in a minimally invasive manner directly into the meniscus site to expedite the healing of smaller injuries. When it comes to treating larger full thickness complex meniscus tissue injuries, the researchers have additionally created two 3D bio-printable inks that can be 3D printed into implants.   In the two bioink formulations, one carries commercially available growth factor loaded microspheres while the second bioink carries patient derived factors which are released in a sustained manner aiding faster meniscus healing. Both formulations can be 3D printed into a partial or full sized meniscus and used for healing large portions of the meniscus.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24418/iit-g-designs-algorithm-to-encode-brains-of-healthy-humans-and-parkinsons-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24418/iit-g-designs-algorithm-to-encode-brains-of-healthy-humans-and-parkinsons-patients.html Thu, 21 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati (IIT-G) seem to have developed a novel algorithm, Unique Brain Network Identification Number (UBNIN), designed to encode the intricate brain networks of healthy humans and patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). This study involved analysis of structural brain MRI scans of 180 PD patients and 70 healthy individuals from National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), India. The researchers adopted a network perspective, representing different brain regions as nodes and establishing connection values of the network based on regional grey matter volume. Further, connection values for every node was weighted to capture the significance of each link by following a series of algorithmic steps. The hence obtained numerical representation (UBNIN) was observed to be distinct for each individual brain network, also applicable to other neuroimaging brain modalities. This innovative research holds immense potential in the realm of brain printing and emerges as a promising biomarker with numerical value for tracking mental illness progression over time. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24406/iisc-develops-tunable-coloured-films-for-use-in-smart-sensors-for-healthcare.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24406/iisc-develops-tunable-coloured-films-for-use-in-smart-sensors-for-healthcare.html Wed, 20 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru have developed flexible films that exhibit bright colours purely by virtue of their physical structure, without the need for any pigment. When stretched, the films exhibit a change in colour as a response to the mechanical deformation. To design these films, the team devised a novel cost-effective and scalable single-step technique that involves evaporating gallium metal to form nano-sized particles on a flexible substrate. Their method allows the simultaneous fabrication of multiple structural colours responsive to mechanical stimuli. The team has also shown how these films can be used for a variety of applications, from smart bandages and movement sensors to reflective displays. The team demonstrated one major application: a body movement sensor. A strip of the film, when attached to the finger, changed colour when the finger was bent, helping to sense movement in real time. Nature-inspired structurally coloured materials have found broad applications in displays, wearable electronics, visual sensors, and anti-counterfeiting tags. In recent years, scientists have been trying to design materials which can change colour in response to an external mechanical stimulus. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24372/iit-k-unveils-new-insights-into-working-mechanism-of-cholesterol-lowering-drugs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24372/iit-k-unveils-new-insights-into-working-mechanism-of-cholesterol-lowering-drugs.html Wed, 13 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530 An important study by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur's Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering has led to new insights into understanding how cholesterol-lowering drugs like Niacin work at a molecular level. Utilising the cutting-edge cryogenic-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) technology, the team, led by Prof. Arun K. Shukla, was able to visualise the key target receptor molecule activated by Niacin and other related drugs. The research, which has the potential to lead to the development of new drugs to lower cholesterol with fewer side effects, has been published in the international journal, Nature Communications. Prof. Arun K. Shukla of the Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, IIT Kanpur said, "Niacin is a commonly prescribed drug to lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing good cholesterol. However, in many patients, the drug causes side effects such as skin redness and itching, referred to as flushing response. This leads to patients stopping their treatment with adverse effect on their cholesterol levels.”  Prof. Shukla added, “The visualization of the receptor molecule GPR109A's interaction with Niacin at the molecular level lays the groundwork for creating new drugs that maintain efficacy while minimising undesirable reactions. The study results will also help in developing related drugs for cholesterol and drugs for other conditions such as multiple sclerosis.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24316/iisc-discovers-mechanisms-vital-for-developing-therapies-for-disorders-like-adhd.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24316/iisc-discovers-mechanisms-vital-for-developing-therapies-for-disorders-like-adhd.html Mon, 04 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Two new studies from the Centre for Neuroscience (CNS), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru explore how closely attention and eye movements are linked, and unveil how the brain coordinates the two processes. Scientists have long suspected that attention is tightly coupled to rapid eye movements, called saccades. In fact, even before our eyes move towards an object, our attention focuses on it, allowing us to perceive it more clearly – a well-known phenomenon called pre-saccadic attention. However, in the new study, the researchers at CNS show that this perceptual advantage is lost when the object changes suddenly, a split second before our gaze falls upon it, making it harder for us to process what changed. Using a special kind of electrode called a “U-probe”, researchers recorded signals from hundreds of neurons across different layers of a specific region in a monkey’s brain called the visual cortex area V4. What they found was that neurons in the more superficial layers of the cortex generated attention signals, while neurons in deeper layers produced eye movement signals. The researchers believe that uncovering such brain signatures can eventually point to what fails in attention disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24305/st-minister-announces-genomeindia-flagship-programme-of-10000-genome-sequencing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24305/st-minister-announces-genomeindia-flagship-programme-of-10000-genome-sequencing.html Fri, 01 Mar 2024 17:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology (S&T), Dr Jitendra Singh said that Bio-Economy and Space Economy are going to spearhead India’s future growth story, with India's economic growth already being highest in the world today at more than 6%. Announcing the GenomeIndia Flagship Programme of 10,000 Genome Sequencing, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the Biotechnology Sector has seen a rapid growth in the last 10 years and India is now being rated among top 12 bio-manufacturers in the world. In her address, Advisor, Department of Biotechnology (DB)T, Dr Suchita Ninawe said, the “Reference Genome for Indian Population” created under the project will lead to a better understanding of the nature of diseases and specific interventions essential for various ethnic groups. The GenomeIndia will place India on the world map of genome research and will collectively facilitate future large-scale human genetic studies for researchers across the globe. Joint Coordinators of the GenomeIndia, Prof Y Narahari and Dr K Thangaraj said in their presentations that beyond the sheer scale of sequencing and establishing a Reference Genome, the creation of a biobank housing 20,000 blood samples at the Centre for Brain Research, coupled with data archiving at the Indian Biological Data Centre exemplify the project's commitment to transparency, collaboration, and future research endeavours. The data is being stored at the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC) set up by Department of Biotechnology, Government of India at the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Faridabad. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24293/iit-mandi-uncovers-critical-insights-into-parkinsons-disease.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24293/iit-mandi-uncovers-critical-insights-into-parkinsons-disease.html Thu, 29 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, with international collaborators, have investigated a crucial protein involved in the progression of Parkinson's disease. The work has offered the key insight that a protein modification seen in Parkinson's also has a normal role in regular brain function.  The team of experts from various Universities, including IIT Mandi, medical schools, and pharmaceutical companies, has used a comprehensive array of techniques to understand the nature of one particular protein that has been associated with Parkinson’s disease. The protein, called Alpha-synuclein is abundantly found in the brain. In patients with Parkinson's disease and related conditions, this protein is highly phosphorylated i.e., phosphate groups attached to one amino acid (serine-129) of this protein. Alpha-synuclein, like other proteins, being polymer chain of amino acids, has a prominent phosphorylation site at the 129th position in the chain which when inhibited results in potentially halting the progression of Parkinson's.  Through a combination of biochemical assays, protein analysis, and gene studies on mouse models, the research team examined the protein and its phosphorylation patterns. When the phosphorylation of this protein was prevented, it significantly impacted normal brain function, suggesting that a-syn Ser129P might act as a switch triggered by brain cell activity to initiate crucial signalling pathways. The research findings have three practical implications- First, drugs or gene therapies can be designed to ensure that the levels of SER129 are maintained correctly in specific areas of the brain; Secondly, molecules can be designed to either imitate or disrupt the connections between proteins that involve Ser129P to treat diseases like Parkinson’s; and lastly, using this understanding of phosphorylated Ser129, models to study diseases like Parkinson's, can be improved. These models can be used to check if Parkinson's medications affect Ser129P in any way. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24285/india-conducts-first-human-clinical-trial-of-gene-therapy-for-haemophilia-a-at-cmc-vellore.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24285/india-conducts-first-human-clinical-trial-of-gene-therapy-for-haemophilia-a-at-cmc-vellore.html Wed, 28 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 India has conducted the first human clinical trial of gene therapy for haemophilia A (FVIII deficiency) at Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore. This was disclosed by Union Minister of Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh while addressing the "National Science Day 2024" programme in Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi, on 28 February 2024. Dr Jitendra Singh further informed that the programme is supported by the Department of Biotechnology, the Centre for Stem Cell Research - a unit of InStem Bengaluru, in collaboration with Emory University, USA at Christian Medical College, Vellore. The trials involved deploying a novel technology of using a lentiviral vector to express a FVIII transgene in the patient’s own haematopoietic stem cell which will then express FVIII from specific differentiated blood cells. The Minister expressed the hope that manufacturing of this vector will commence soon in India and proceed with further clinical trials. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24243/iit-m-thsti-develop-first-india-specific-ai-model-to-determine-foetus-age.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24243/iit-m-thsti-develop-first-india-specific-ai-model-to-determine-foetus-age.html Mon, 26 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) and Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad, as part of ‘Interdisciplinary Group for Advanced Research on Birth Outcomes – DBT India Initiative’ (GARBH-Ini) programme, have developed the first India-specific Artificial Intelligence (AI) model to determine the age of a foetus in a pregnant woman in the second and third trimesters precisely. Accurate ‘Gestational Age’ (GA) is necessary for the appropriate care of pregnant women and for determining precise delivery dates. Called ‘Garbhini-GA2’, this is the first late-trimester GA estimation model to be developed and validated using Indian population data. This GA model can improve the care delivered by obstetricians and neonatologists, thus reducing maternal and infant mortality rates in India. The researchers used genetic algorithm-based methods to develop Garbhini-GA2, which, when applied in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, was more accurate than the current Hadlock and recent INTERGROWTH-21st models. This study was conducted in partnership with Gurugram Civil Hospital, Gurugram, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, Christian Medical College Vellore, and Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry. The GARBH-Ini programme is a flagship programme of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt of India. Once validated in prospective pan-India cohorts, this Garbhini-GA2 can be deployed in clinics across India, improving the care delivered by obstetricians and neonatologists, thus reducing maternal and infant mortality rates in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24245/iit-jodhpur-brings-first-make-in-india-sensor-for-alcohol-detection-through-breath-monitoring.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24245/iit-jodhpur-brings-first-make-in-india-sensor-for-alcohol-detection-through-breath-monitoring.html Mon, 26 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur researchers have developed the first 'Make in India' human breath sensor based on metal oxides and nano silicon operating at room temperature. The device's primary function is to measure alcohol content in the breath in drunk and driving cases. However, with some changes in sensing layers and the use of an array of sensors (for Electronic Nose or Artificial Nose), and data analytics, it can also be very useful for characterisation of diseases, such as asthma, diabetic ketoacidosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sleep apnea, and cardiac arrest, where the person's breath volatile organic compounds (VOC) are monitored. There was a greater need for the development of a quick, affordable, non-invasive health monitoring device, given the growing concerns about the adverse impact of air pollution on human health and the environment. The existing sensors are based on fuel cell-based technology or metal oxide technology. Hence, it motivated the researchers to take up the work and develop a breath VOC sensor whose cost will be less than the existing fuel cell technology-based device. In similar lines, the team has developed a breath monitoring sensor based on partially reduced graphene oxide. The research was funded by the Biotechnology Ignition Grant Scheme (BIG), Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), and the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME).   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24253/scientists-from-india-us-design-synthetic-human-antibody-to-neutralise-deadly-snakebite-toxin.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24253/scientists-from-india-us-design-synthetic-human-antibody-to-neutralise-deadly-snakebite-toxin.html Mon, 26 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Scientists at the Scripps Research Institute (in the US) and the Evolutionary Venomics Lab (EVL) at the Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru have developed a synthetic human antibody that can neutralise a potent neurotoxin produced by the Elapidae family of highly toxic snakes, which includes the cobra, king cobra, krait and black mamba. The team adapted an approach used earlier to screen for antibodies against HIV and COVID-19 in order to synthesise the new venom-neutralising antibody. The researchers say that this development takes us one step closer to a universal antibody solution that can offer broad protection against a variety of snake venoms. Snakebites cause thousands of deaths every year, especially in India and sub-Saharan Africa. The antibody developed by the team targets a conserved region found in the core of a major toxin called the three-finger toxin (3FTx) in the elapid venom. Although different species of elapids produce different 3FTxs, a handful of regions in the protein are similar. The team zeroed in on one such conserved region, a disulphide core.  They designed a large library of artificial antibodies from humans, which were displayed on yeast cell surfaces. They then tested the antibodies’ ability to bind to 3FTxs from various elapid snakes around the world. After repeated screening, they narrowed down their choices to one antibody that could bind strongly to various 3FTxs. Among the 149 variants of 3FTxs in public repositories, this antibody could bind to 99. The researchers used human-derived cell lines to produce the antibody, bypassing the need to inject the venom first into animals like horses. “At this stage, a clinician cannot rely on this single antibody for treatment as this is only effective against certain elapid snakes. We are in the process of discovering additional antibodies against other snake venom toxin targets. A universal antivenom in future would consist of a couple of such synthetic antibodies that would hopefully neutralise venoms of most snakes in various parts of the world. A universal product, or at least a cocktail of antibodies that work pan-India, could then be taken to human clinical trials”, said the researchers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24260/researchers-in-punjab-develop-new-prototype-to-generate-neurovascular-organoids-from-autologous-blood.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24260/researchers-in-punjab-develop-new-prototype-to-generate-neurovascular-organoids-from-autologous-blood.html Mon, 26 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers of Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh have come up with a prototype for establishment and characterisation of novel self-organising neurovascular organoids/ embryoids (NVOEs) entirely from autologous blood without any genetic maneuvering or morphogen supplementation. This new model for generating mass of neurovascular tissues or neurovascular organoids/embryoids (NVOEs) from autologous blood can help in the investigation of impaired brain functioning and development by analysing in neuroimaging (preclinical) scans, correlating with altered blood supply. The field of neural organoids is rapidly progressing and has fueled the hope (and hype) for improved understanding of brain development and functions, modeling of neural diseases, discovery of new drugs, and supply of surrogate sources of transplantation.  The researchers who are in the process of filing a patent for this at the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, Chandigarh, are employing these models to understand the genetic basis of neurosensory hearing loss and auditory comprehension challenges (altered central auditory activity) in children with congenital Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL) (early onset), with and without comorbid features (autistic- like behaviour) or neurodevelopmental defects (intellectual disability, language disorders).  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24229/bengaluru-researchers-develop-paper-based-platform-to-detect-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24229/bengaluru-researchers-develop-paper-based-platform-to-detect-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria.html Mon, 19 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 A paper-based platform developed by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru could help quickly detect the presence of antibiotic-resistant, disease-causing bacteria. Dr Uday Maitra, Professor at the Department of Organic Chemistry, IISc, and collaborators have developed a rapid diagnosis protocol that uses a luminescent paper-based platform to detect the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The approach developed by the IISc and JNCASR team involves incorporating biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid (BCA) within a supramolecular hydrogel matrix containing terbium cholate (TbCh). This hydrogel normally emits green fluorescence when UV light is shined on it. The next step was to find a way to make the technology inexpensive. Currently used diagnostics instruments are costly, which drives up the price for testing. The team collaborated with a Chennai-based company called Adiuvo Diagnostics to design a customised, portable and miniature imaging device, named Illuminate Fluorescence Reader. Infusing the hydrogel in a sheet of paper as the medium reduced the cost significantly. The instrument is fitted with different LEDs that shine UV radiation as required. Green fluorescence from the enzyme is captured by a built-in camera, and a dedicated software app measures the intensity, which can help quantify the bacterial load. The team from IISc tied up with Jayanta Haldar’s research group from JNCASR to check their approach on urine samples. As the next step, the researchers plan to tie up with hospitals to test this technology with samples from patients. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24223/cipla-partners-with-csir-cdri-to-advance-ophthalmic-anti-fungal-treatment-development.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24223/cipla-partners-with-csir-cdri-to-advance-ophthalmic-anti-fungal-treatment-development.html Fri, 16 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Mumbai-based pharmaceutical firm Cipla has entered into a collaborative research agreement with Lucknow-based CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CSIR-CDRI), a constituent laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Government of India, to jointly develop a novel ophthalmic formulation for fungal keratitis. The collaboration aims to leverage the combined expertise and resources of both organisations to develop a safe and efficacious drug for fungal keratitis. Globally, approximately 1.2 million cases of fungal keratitis are reported every year with tropical countries recording a higher incidence. Fungal keratitis often occurs following ocular trauma and exposure to fungal pathogens from organic matter, thus putting agricultural workers at greater risk.  Other risk factors include the use of local steroid eye drops, injury, poor personal hygiene, and regular contact lens wear. Left untreated, the condition can result in corneal destruction, leading to a profound loss of vision. Existing therapies have limitations, such as the need for prolonged and frequent use of drugs, and emerging drug resistance. CSIR-CDRI has developed a prototype formulation for an anti-fungal drug to optimise its delivery in the eye. In preclinical studies, this formulation supports faster resolution of the infection. Cipla will scale up the product, conduct the required studies and seek regulatory approvals for commercialisation, ensuring accessibility for those in need. Welcoming this partnership, Dr Radha Rangarajan, Director CSIR-CDRI said, “Our research focuses on finding innovative, cost-effective solutions for India’s unmet clinical needs. CDRI scientists have developed a unique ophthalmic formulation of the anti-fungal drug. This in turn is expected to accelerate cure and lead to better outcomes. Our collaboration with Cipla will enable the translation of the research into a drug product, with the potential to reduce the burden of disease.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24224/life-science-industrys-accolade-for-research-innovation-prix-galien-award-comes-to-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24224/life-science-industrys-accolade-for-research-innovation-prix-galien-award-comes-to-india.html Fri, 16 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Galien Foundation, a premier global institution since 1970, heralds a rich legacy of recognising outstanding achievements that improve the global human condition through innovative drugs and other treatments. Created in honour of Galien (129 CE - c. 216), the father of medical science and modern pharmacology, the Prix Galien Award is regarded as the equivalent of the Nobel Prize in biopharmaceutical research. The first edition of this prestigious award is coming to India in partnership with the GM Modi Science Foundation and will be held on March 3rd, 2024, at the Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi. “In the realm of honouring achievements, these awards ensure that our commitment to recognizing greatness resonates with clarity and integrity,” says Padma Bhushan Dr Manju Sharma, Prix Galien India Awards Committee Chair and Former Secretary to the Govt. of India, Department of Biotechnology. The categories are spread across titles such as Best StartUp and Digital Health Solution; Best Medical Technology; Best Product for Rare/Orphan Diseases; Best Biotechnology Product; Best Academic/Public Sector. In the previous year in the USA, the awardee for the best biotechnology product was Bristol Myers Squibb’s Camzyos, with Lilly’s Mounjaro and Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic sharing the honour for the best pharmaceutical product. Boehringer Ingelheim’s Spevigo and CSL/uniQure’s Hemgenix won in the rare/orphan disease category. The awards will be fundamental in recognising and promoting excellence, and through recognition, while enhancing and encouraging a cycle of scientific research excellence and innovation, fostering a culture of innovation that values creative thinking, risk-taking, and the development of solutions that address societal challenges and contribute to economic growth, and showcasing India’s scientific excellence and potential on the international stage. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24196/govt-launches-science-for-women-a-technology-innovation-swati-portal.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24196/govt-launches-science-for-women-a-technology-innovation-swati-portal.html Sun, 11 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India Prof Ajay Kumar Sood has launched “Science for Women-A Technology & Innovation (SWATI)” Portal, aimed at creating a single online portal representing Indian Women and Girls in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Medicine) Launching the Portal on the occasion of International Day of Women and Girls in Science at Indian National Science Academy (INSA), New Delhi, Prof Sood said, the database of SWATI Portal will serve in policy making to address the challenges of gender-gap. The Portal is a complete interactive database; and the first-of-its-kind in India which is developed, hosted and maintained by the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), New Delhi under the leadership of Dr Subhra Chakraborty, Director, NIPGR. The other objectives of the SWATI Portal include to scale up the effort exponentially to include each and every Indian woman in science (WiS), across all career stages and subjects, spanning both Academia and the Industry enabling reliable and statistically significant long term research on the issues of equality, diversity and inclusivity in India; Inclusion of each and every Indian WiS, career stages, subjects, spanning both Academia and the Industry; Enabling reliable and statistically significant long term research on the issues of equality, diversity and inclusivity in India, developing active search engine and searchable database. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24163/theme-for-national-science-day-sets-in-as-indigenous-technologies-for-viksit-bharat.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24163/theme-for-national-science-day-sets-in-as-indigenous-technologies-for-viksit-bharat.html Wed, 07 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh released the theme for the "National Science Day 2024", titled "Indigenous Technologies for Viksit Bharat". The National Science Day (NSD) theme for this year’s celebration reflects a strategic focus on promoting public appreciation for Science, Technology and Innovation and accomplishments of Indian scientists to address challenges through home-grown technologies for over-all well-being. The theme not only marks a new era but also presents an opportunity for public and scientific fraternity, both domestically and internationally, to collaborate, work together, and contribute to the well-being of India and humanity as a whole. While emphasising the importance of making India Atmanirbhar through science, it underscores the need to address subjects that hold significance for humanity as a whole. The National Science Day (NSD) is celebrated every year on 28 February to commemorate the discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’. Government of India designated 28 February as National Science Day in 1986. On this day Sir C.V. Raman announced the discovery of the 'Raman Effect' for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1930. On this occasion, theme-based science communication activities are carried out all over the country. The theme launch will trigger celebrations of NSD specially in schools & colleges throughout the country.   Professor Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology (DST) said that as we embark on the celebration of NSD and move ahead with the launch of the theme for 2024, it is clearly evident that our scientific endeavours have the power to shape not only the future of our nation but also contribute significantly towards global advancement.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24170/iiser-bhopal-develops-strategy-to-link-proteins-with-chemical-tags-for-facilitating-drug-development.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24170/iiser-bhopal-develops-strategy-to-link-proteins-with-chemical-tags-for-facilitating-drug-development.html Wed, 07 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal (IISER Bhopal) have developed a technology named ‘BHoPAL’ for attaching chemical tags to proteins, an important process in the development of drugs. Through this technology, necessary chemical moieties can be linked to specific sites of a protein without harming the protein’s efficacy. This process is essential for two main purposes: Attaching proteins to fluorescent chemical tags for their visualization inside cells enabling studies focused on understanding how they perform cellular functions. Linking drugs to antibody proteins for selective drug delivery to diseased cells such as cancerous cells preventing undesirable side-effects of these drugs. Proteins are extremely prone to loss of function when treated with chemical reagents. However, for the first time, IISER Bhopal’s novel technique eliminates this problem. This technology is called ‘Baylis Hillman orchestrated Protein Aminothiol Labelling’ (BHoPAL) which efficiently tags chemicals to proteins without compromising their function. Elaborating on the objectives of this research, Dr Dimpy Kalia, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, IISER Bhopal, said, “Proteins are cellular entities that play crucial roles in all cellular functions. Protein dysfunction results in major life-threatening diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, etc. Hence, developing effective approaches to study proteins in cells is crucial for developing therapeutic approaches targeting them.”     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24152/government-launches-young-scientists-induction-training-programme-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24152/government-launches-young-scientists-induction-training-programme-.html Thu, 01 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Capacity Building Commission (CBC) in collaboration with the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (Office of PSA) to the Government of India has launched the Young Scientists Induction Training Programme at the Indian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam (IIM-V). This is a first-of-its-kind training programme that envisages honing the capacities of young scientists and science administrators in managing S&T programmes, projects, products, and people; promoting cross-fertilisation of ideas among participants; providing practical exposure to new-age research and technology concepts and enhancing functional, behavioural and domain skills. This programme was initiated at the behest of Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh to institutionalise early career training opportunities for young scientists across the S&T sectors. It is a hybrid training module designed and curated by IIM-V with a mix of online and on-campus activities delving into aspects such as strategy and policy skills, system skills, soft skills, and societal relevance skills. The first cohort for this programme is being attended by over 55 young scientists from different labs and centres of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Participants shall undergo training spread across four modules involving activities like expert interaction, visits to labs and research facilities, collaborative exercises, etc. A year-round calendar is being developed by IIM-V to cover the scientific workforce spread across the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24084/dr-jitendra-singh-inaugurates-9th-india-international-science-festival-in-faridabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24084/dr-jitendra-singh-inaugurates-9th-india-international-science-festival-in-faridabad.html Thu, 18 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 “The India International Science Festival (IISF) 2023 is being celebrated for three key reasons among many others and these three reasons are the successful landing of India’s Chanrayaan-3 on the South Pole region of the Moon; Second COVID Vaccine development by India and Third Aroma Mission.” Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology (S&T) said this during the inaugural ceremony of the IISF 2023 at the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI)-Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) Joint Campus, Faridabad on 17th January 2024. This year’s theme is- “Science and Technology Public Outreach in Amrit Kaal.” Other dignitaries of the inaugural ceremony were Moolchand Sharma, Cabinet Minister of Higher Education, Transport, Mines and Geology, and Elections, Government of Haryana; Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, PSA to the Gov. of India; Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, DST; Dr M. Ravichandran, Secretary, MoES; Dr N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary, DSIR & DG, CSIR; Dr Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, DBT; A. Dhanalakshami, Joint Secretary, DST; Shivkumar Sharma, National Organising Secretary, Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA). Prof. Ajay Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to the Govt. of India said that the vision of IISF 2023 is to ensure science not only in the books but accessible to the public in many interesting and intellectual ways. He added that IISF provides extensive opportunities to get a deeper understanding of scientific disciplines through its events and programmes with many verticals of science and technology.  The mega science festival will be celebrated from 17-20 January 2024 and aims to honour and highlight the scientific achievements in Science, Technology, and Innovation by the country with the primary objective of connecting science with society.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24078/i-stem-organises-national-initiative-to-revolutionise-research-collaboration-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24078/i-stem-organises-national-initiative-to-revolutionise-research-collaboration-in-india.html Wed, 17 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 I-STEM (Indian Science, Technology, and Engineering facilities Map), an initiative from the Office of Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India, recently organised ‘Samavesha’, a national event to revolutionise research collaboration in India. The event was held on 16th Jan 2024 at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, to connect Researchers, Industry, and Startups with Lab facilities. I-STEM provides a platform to provide research infrastructure and labs that can be availed by users across India. The project targets connecting researchers with scientific institutes through an online portal. The researcher or the industry looking to avail advanced scientific equipment can connect with the institution that has the equipment they are looking for and rent it to conduct their experiments, through the I-STEM Portal. This saves the researchers, industry, and startups the prohibitive capital expenditure of purchasing advanced equipment. At the national level, this prevents duplication of resources in the research institutions. The I-STEM network already has 27,730 ‘Users’ such as researchers, industry, & startups, alongside 2,350 Research and Academic Institutes across India that lend their scientific infrastructure such as labs to the ‘Users’. Delivering the Inaugural Address, Chief Guest Dr Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary in the Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, said, “I urge I-STEM to see that researchers from the economically weaker sections get an edge. We must try and reserve 10 to 15% of funds for the economically weaker sections and give them free of cost." By 2024, I-STEM aims not only to connect individuals to equipment but also to ignite a collaborative ecosystem where startups, industries, and academia co-create the next wave of innovation.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24075/scientists-at-iisc-link-ageing-of-cells-with-ovarian-cancer-spread.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24075/scientists-at-iisc-link-ageing-of-cells-with-ovarian-cancer-spread.html Tue, 16 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru have found that ovarian cancer cells can spread more easily in tissues that are senescent or aged because these tissues secrete a unique extracellular matrix that attracts the spreading cancer. During the study, the researchers observed that the cancer cells chose to settle down more on the aged tissues; moreover, they settled closer to the aged normal cells in the cell sheets. In particular, the researchers observed that it was proteins secreted by aged cells that settle down as the extracellular matrix (ECM) – the base on which the cells adhere and grow – that were calling the cancer cells. The team carried out experiments on human cell lines to replicate the predictions of the computer simulations. They noticed that the cancer cells stuck strongly to the extracellular matrix around the aged cells, and eventually cleared the aged cells away. They also noticed that the aged ECM had higher levels of proteins such as fibronectin, laminin and hyaluronan compared to the young cells’ ECM, which allowed the cancer cells to bind more strongly. Researchers hope that future studies will build a strong case for using senolytics – drugs that kill senescent cells – as a combination therapy with chemotherapeutics to tackle cancer progression. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24059/iisc-reports-synthetic-antigen-design-to-be-manufactured-as-potential-covid-19-vaccine-candidate.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24059/iisc-reports-synthetic-antigen-design-to-be-manufactured-as-potential-covid-19-vaccine-candidate.html Thu, 11 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Raghavan Varadarajan, Professor at the Molecular Biophysics Unit (MBU), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru and collaborators have been working on developing a heat-tolerant vaccine that can offer protection against different strains of SARS-CoV-2 – both current and future variants. In a recent study published in npj Vaccines, they report the design of a synthetic antigen that can be manufactured as a potential COVID-19 vaccine candidate. They show that their vaccine candidate is effective against all current strains of SARS-CoV-2 and can be quickly adapted for future variants as well. While current vaccines are proven to be effective against most SARS-CoV-2 strains, their efficacy has declined due to the virus’ rapid mutation. After analysing various proteins found in the virus, the researchers selected two parts of SARS-CoV-2’s spike protein – the S2 subunit and the Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) – for designing their vaccine candidate. The S2 subunit is highly conserved – it mutates much less than the S1 subunit, which is the target of most current vaccines. Scientists have also known that the RBD can provoke a strong immune response in the host. Therefore, the team created a hybrid protein called RS2 by combining these two components. Since 2000, Prof Varadarajan’s team has been working on designing several viral vaccines, including those against AIDS and influenza. They have leveraged this expertise to design their current RS2-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate in collaboration with the startup Mynvax, that was, until recently, incubated at IISc. According to the team, the vaccine candidate can be tailored to incorporate the RBD region of any new variant of SARS-CoV-2 that might emerge. Its high levels of expression and stability at room temperature can greatly reduce production and distribution costs, making it well suited for combating COVID-19. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24048/landmark-research-by-iit-k-offers-new-hope-in-cancer-and-brain-disorders.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24048/landmark-research-by-iit-k-offers-new-hope-in-cancer-and-brain-disorders.html Fri, 05 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) has achieved a breakthrough in biomedical research, with a study of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and chemokine receptor D6, shedding new light on the potential treatment of cancer and brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and schizophrenia. The researchers visualised the atomic details of the receptors. The information from this major advance opens up the possibility of designing new drug-like molecules to modulate these receptors under disease conditions. This landmark work has been recognised internationally with its publication in the prestigious international journal, Science. This study saw researchers from across the world joining hands with IIT-K to ensure the success of this research project. The research team included Fumia Sano, Wataru Shihoya and Osamu Nureki from Tokyo, Japan; Tomasz Stepniewski and Jana Selent from Barcelona, Spain; Mohamed Chami from Basel, Switzerland; and Longhan Duan and Ka Young Chung from Suwon, Republic of Korea. The researchers used a high-tech method called cryogenic-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to create detailed three-dimensional images of the receptors. This allowed them to study the 3D images of the receptors at the molecular level in great detail, helping to identify and design new drug-like molecules to correct problems with these receptors that cause disease conditions. The findings of the new research from IIT Kanpur will help in a greater understanding of the working of these receptors and lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches and targeted treatments for conditions such as Alzheimer's, which affects over 50 million people worldwide, and cancer, responsible for over 10 million deaths annually. The results of the research will now facilitate the development of new drug-like molecules that can be tested for their therapeutic potential in animal models.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24021/scientists-at-iit-m-engineer-plant-cells-to-increase-production-of-anti-cancer-drug-camptothecin.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24021/scientists-at-iit-m-engineer-plant-cells-to-increase-production-of-anti-cancer-drug-camptothecin.html Thu, 28 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) and IIT Mandi researchers have metabolically engineered the plant cells of Nothapodytes nimmoniana to increase the production of Camptothecin, which is used to treat cancer. The researchers from the Plant Cell Technology Lab of IIT-M have developed a genome-scale metabolic model for N. nimmoniana plant cells using computational tools. This can be a major boost to produce cancer-treating drugs as Camptothecin, the third most in-demand alkaloid, is commercially extracted in India from Nothapodytes nimmoniana, which is an endangered plant. Camptothecin (CPT) is an important anti-cancer drug lead molecule for high-value drugs like Topotecan and Irinotecan. It is a potent topoisomerase I inhibitor extracted mainly from - Camptotheca acuminata (native to Eastern Asia) and Nothapodytes nimmoniana (native to India). However, the conjunction of climate change and extensive deforestation undertaken for CPT extraction has pushed these plants into the endangered species category. Prof. Smita Srivastava, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras, said, “Integration of metabolic engineering with bioprocess engineering principles can ensure enhanced and sustainable production of Camptothecin, to continuously meet its increasing market demand in minimum time and cost in addition to natural resource conservation.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24018/scientists-in-bengaluru-suggest-strategy-for-eradicating-persistence-of-tuberculosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/24018/scientists-in-bengaluru-suggest-strategy-for-eradicating-persistence-of-tuberculosis.html Wed, 27 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), in collaboration with the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) and the Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (InStem), have uncovered an important mechanism that allows the tuberculosis (TB) bacterium to persist in the human host for decades. They found that a single gene involved in the production of iron-sulphur clusters could be crucial for the persistence of the TB bacterium.  Iron-sulphur clusters are mainly produced by the SUF operon in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), a set of genes that get switched on together. However, there is another single gene called IscS that can also produce the clusters. The researchers observed that the absence of the IscS gene led to severe disease in the infected mice rather than a persistent, chronic infection typically seen in TB patients. This is because, in the absence of the IscS gene, the SUF operon is highly activated – albeit in an unregulated fashion – leading to hypervirulence. Depleting both IscS and the SUF system dramatically reduced the persistence of Mtb in mice. Therefore, the IscS gene keeps the activation of the SUF operon in check, causing persistence in TB. The researchers also noted that bacteria lacking the IscS gene were more likely to be killed by certain antibiotics. The researchers are hopeful that a better understanding of the IscS and SUF systems in Mtb can eventually pave the way for eradicating persistence of TB. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23997/iisc-aster-cmi-hospital-design-ai-tool-for-screening-nerve-disorder.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23997/iisc-aster-cmi-hospital-design-ai-tool-for-screening-nerve-disorder.html Tue, 26 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, in collaboration with Aster-CMI Hospital, have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that can identify the median nerve in ultrasound videos and detect carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Doctors currently use ultrasound to visualise the median nerve, and assess its size, shape, and any potential abnormalities. But unlike X-rays and MRI scans, it’s hard to detect what’s going on in ultrasound images and videos. To develop their tool, the team turned to a machine learning model based on transformer architecture, similar to the one powering ChatGPT. The model was originally developed to detect dozens of objects simultaneously in YouTube videos. The team stripped the model’s computationally expensive elements to speed it up, and cut down the number of objects it could track to just one – the median nerve, in this case. Once trained, the model was able to segment the median nerve in individual frames of the ultrasound video. The model was also able to automatically measure the cross-sectional area of the nerve, which is used to diagnose CTS. This measurement is performed manually by a sonographer. The next step for researchers would be to look for ultrasound machine manufacturers who can integrate this into their systems. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23957/indian-extracellular-vesicles-society-steps-in-to-transform-extracellular-vesicles-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23957/indian-extracellular-vesicles-society-steps-in-to-transform-extracellular-vesicles-research.html Fri, 15 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 At the recently held Apollo Research Conclave 2023 in Hyderabad, the Indian Extracellular Vesicles Society (IEVS) with Apollo Hospitals Educational & Research Foundation (AHERF) as the founder member and sponsor was launched by Prof. Nirmal Kumar Ganguly, Former Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).  Incorporated in September 2023 and inaugurated on December 2nd, 2023, the Indian Extracellular Vesicles Society (IEVS) is dedicated to establishing India as a key player in global extracellular vesicle (EV) research. This society brings together top experts and institutions, including Apollo Hospitals Educational and Research Foundation, Hyderabad; AIIMS Delhi; ACS Medical College; Chettinad Academy of Research and Education; LV Prasad Eye Institute-Network; CFTRI, Mysore; Jamia Hamdard University; and Urvogelbio, fostering transformative healthcare and scientific advancements through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in EV science. IEVS's mission is threefold: to advance EV research, thereby enhancing India's global scientific prominence; to create a collaborative platform for professionals from various disciplines; and to develop the next generation of EV scientists through education and mentorship. The society actively engages students, researchers, academics, and industry experts, offering activities such as webinars, conferences, educational programs, and more. It also provides job opportunities, collaborative projects, and specialised committees. IEVS collaborates with global entities like the International Extracellular Vesicle Society, significantly contributing to EV research in India and internationally. Membership recruitment is underway, and interested individuals can learn more and join by visiting www.ievs.in. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23959/researchers-at-mahe-lead-groundbreaking-study-on-parkinsons-and-gut-microbiome-link.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23959/researchers-at-mahe-lead-groundbreaking-study-on-parkinsons-and-gut-microbiome-link.html Fri, 15 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A study conducted by the microbiome working group at the Enteric Diseases Division, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), has placed India on the global map in Parkinson’s disease research. This landmark research explores the connection between the gut microbiome and Parkinson’s disease, a critical step in understanding this neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects the elderly. Parkinson’s disease, characterised by symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, and impaired balance, is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. Currently, there is no cure, with treatments focusing on alleviating symptoms and improving life quality. Recent studies have highlighted the significant role of gut dysbiosis in the development and progression of Parkinson’s disease, making this research by MAHE even more crucial. The team has made a significant contribution by investigating the intestinal microbial profile of Indian individuals with Parkinson’s disease.  The findings reveal that patients with Parkinson’s disease have a distinctly different gut bacterial profile compared to healthy individuals, providing new insights into the disease's development and progression. This research is not only a milestone for Indian science but also adds valuable knowledge to the international Parkinson’s research community. The findings underscore the potential of gut microbiome research in enabling better diagnosis and treatment strategies for Parkinson’s disease. The efforts of the MAHE team in bridging the gap between gut microbiota and neurodegenerative diseases open new avenues in medical research and offer hope for millions affected by Parkinson’s disease, both in India and globally.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23962/iit-g-research-in-colour-changing-crystals-paves-way-for-applications-in-biomedical-imaging.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23962/iit-g-research-in-colour-changing-crystals-paves-way-for-applications-in-biomedical-imaging.html Fri, 15 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) have developed four new organic co-crystal systems with potential applications in drug discovery, imaging, therapeutics, fiber-optic communications and optical devices. The findings of the research have been published recently in the prestigious Journal Nature Communications. Co-crystal engineering is a technique that enables the combination of compounds to enhance their functionality. These compounds find applications across diverse fields, ranging from drug development and materials science to new generation semiconductor devices and sustainable chemistry. However, the challenge in working with co-crystals is that most of the reported co-crystals are highly planar and rigid. They tend to clump together, exhibiting a behaviour called aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) which makes it difficult to find suitable donor-acceptor pairs and applications. A breakthrough in this evolving field has been documented through collaborative research, led by Prof Parameswar K Iyer of IIT-G and scientists from the University of Hyderabad and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru. The IIT-G researchers have formulated four novel organic photo-functional co-crystals that can emit light efficiently with minimal loss. The interesting property of these co-crystals is that they easily disperse in water, hence are effectively taken up by cells, resulting in vivid cellular images. The researchers have tested the imaging application and effect of engineered fluorescent co-crystals on breast cancer cells.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23943/researchers-at-iisc-set-to-boost-immunotherapy-in-non-responsive-cancer-cells.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23943/researchers-at-iisc-set-to-boost-immunotherapy-in-non-responsive-cancer-cells.html Tue, 12 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 In a new study, researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru tried to understand how different types of cancer cells respond to IFN-γ activation. They found that only some types of cancer cells respond well to IFN-γ activation, while others don’t. They also suggest some approaches that can be used to make these non-responsive cancer cells better respond to immunotherapy.  Cancer immunotherapy primes a patient’s immune system to better find and destroy cancer cells, improving upon the body’s natural ability to fight tumours. Contemporary immunotherapy approaches aim to stimulate immune cells called T cells to target tumours. In this process, the production and functioning of a cytokine (a small signalling protein) known as Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) are essential for the immune system to eliminate tumours effectively.  The team found that cancer cell lines derived from the liver and the kidney showed increased production of nitric oxide (NO) and lactic acid upon IFN-γ activation. This, in turn, increased the production of toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to oxidative damage, which eventually kills the cancer cells. The team also observed that lactic acid plays an important role in the cancer cells’ response to immunotherapy. Also, cancer cell lines derived from the colon and skin did not produce NO or lactic acid even after being treated with IFN-γ, indicating that they might respond poorly to immunotherapy. Further experiments need to be carried out in animal models to see if certain compounds targeting metabolism can boost anti-tumour responses to hard-to-treat cancers, in synergy with IFN-γ activation during immunotherapy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23907/merck-announces-winners-of-young-scientist-award-2023.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23907/merck-announces-winners-of-young-scientist-award-2023.html Thu, 07 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Merck, a leading science and technology company, has announced the winners of Merck Young Scientist Award 2023, season-3 to recognise young scientists in India. Held at Bengaluru, the annual awards recognise the work of young scientists who are driving positive change in the lives of millions across India through their cutting-edge research in life sciences. After an extensive selection process, the jury announced the winners at the award ceremony on November 24, 2023. The third season of the Merck Young Scientist Award Programme garnered an overwhelming response with over 1500 registrations from nearly 800 institutes across India, resulting in over 500 high-quality applications.  This year’s award programme invited applications from three distinct categories, namely: o   Biological Sciences o   Chemical Sciences o   A special category dedicated to Sustainability Research (green chemistry, renewable/alternate energy, sustainable materials and manufacturing), reflecting the growing significance of environmental consciousness in scientific research  Winners: Biological Science Winners: Dr Harsha Bajaj (National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology), Dr Debarka Sengupta (IIIT-Delhi), Dr Saroj Kumar Nandi (TIFR- Hyderabad) Chemical Science Winners: Dr Uttam Kumar Ghorai (Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira), Dr Santanu Panda (IIT-Kharagpur), Dr Shobhna Kapoor (IIT-Bombay) Sustainability Winner: Dr John Mandal (IICT-Hyderabad) The winners received a prize of Rs 3,50,000, comprising a cash award of Rs 2,50,000 and a travel award of Rs 1,00,000. Additionally, 7 runner-up recipients, were awarded Rs 1,00,000.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23866/iasst-fabricates-2d-protein-monolayer-to-help-study-diseases-like-amyloidosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23866/iasst-fabricates-2d-protein-monolayer-to-help-study-diseases-like-amyloidosis.html Wed, 22 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Scientists from the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Guwahati (IASST), an autonomous institute of North-East India under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have fabricated a 2D protein monolayer by assembling lysozyme molecules, a model protein in studying diseases like Amyloidosis. Amyloidosis is a rare disease that occurs when a protein called amyloid builds up in organs. This amyloid build-up can affect the working of organs like heart, kidneys, liver, spleen, nervous system and digestive tract. Lysozyme, a protein present in mucosal secretions and a principal component of airway fluid can be regarded as a model protein in studying diseases like Amyloidosis which ultimately leads to multi-organ dysfunction. The research group used the 2D protein monolayer to understand the behaviour of lysozyme molecules at air-water as well as at air-solid interface with the help of a technique called Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique. The physical properties of lysozyme molecules at air-water interface were investigated under the variation of surface pressure and subphase pH conditions in the study. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23860/ashoka-university-partners-with-carl-zeiss-to-establish-core-imaging-facility-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23860/ashoka-university-partners-with-carl-zeiss-to-establish-core-imaging-facility-in-india.html Tue, 21 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Ashoka University has entered into a partnership with Carl Zeiss India (ZEISS Group) to establish a state-of-the-art ‘Core Imaging Facility’. Under this partnership, the company will provide the university with latest cutting-edge microscopy technology, including High Resolution, Super Resolution, High Content microscopes. The facility will serve researchers, students and collaborators in fields such as cell biology, biophysics, soft matter, and structural biology. Anyone can avail the facility for research, which will be housed at the university’s campus in Sonepat.The MoU was signed between the university and Research Microscopy Solutions (RMS) division of Carl Zeiss India. The company is a part of Carl Zeiss AG, a German manufacturer founded in 1846. Under the agreement, ZEISS will station Expert System Operators at the facility to assist researchers in adequately utilising the equipment during their scientific explorations. Furthermore, the two partners will work together to create awareness and provide opportunities to the Indian research community through the facility. This includes periodic microscopy courses, conferences, and workshops for STEM students. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23814/iit-guwahati-explores-use-of-graphene-oxide-to-bridge-biomedical-innovation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23814/iit-guwahati-explores-use-of-graphene-oxide-to-bridge-biomedical-innovation.html Tue, 07 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) led by Dr Rajiv K. Kar, Assistant Professor, Jyoti and Bhupat Mehta School of Health Sciences and Technology, IIT Guwahati, have made important discoveries regarding the use of modified graphene oxide for biomedical applications. The team has also developed cost effective experiments for modifying graphene oxide that can be used by other academic institutions to train personnel needed for cutting edge projects in semiconductors, nanoelectronics, healthcare, and quantum technologies supported by the Indian Government. Graphene, a Nobel Prize winning material, is exceptionally strong and possesses outstanding electrical and thermal conductivity. Its oxidised form, called Graphene Oxide (GO), offers a large surface area and low cytotoxicity, making it suitable for medical applications. The team's extensive knowledge of Graphene-based materials has led to the development of innovative laboratory experiments designed to provide students with hands-on skills and inspire them to explore the possibilities of advanced materials. These experiments are integrated into a Biomedical Science and Engineering (BMSE) course at IIT Guwahati’s Jyoti and Bhupat Mehta School of Health Sciences and Technology. Speaking about the innovative course for biomedical education, Dr Rajiv K Kar said, ”These low-cost laboratory experiments are applicable also to chemical, material science, nanotechnology, and interdisciplinary courses. We believe these techniques will help in developing hands-on skills and inspire budding researchers and future scientists to find innovative solutions in the field of Biomedical Science and Engineering,"   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23767/iisc-uncovers-link-between-cell-biomechanics-and-wound-healing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23767/iisc-uncovers-link-between-cell-biomechanics-and-wound-healing.html Sat, 28 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 An interdisciplinary team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru has uncovered how the stiffness of a cell’s microenvironment influences its form and function. The findings provide a better understanding of what happens to tissues during wound healing. Inefficient wound healing results in tissue fibrosis, a process that can cause scar formation, and may even lead to conditions like cardiac arrest. Changes in the mechanical properties of tissues like stiffness also happen in diseases like cancer. In this study, the team cultured fibroblast cells, the building blocks of our body’s connective tissue, on a polymer substrate called PDMS with varying degrees of stiffness. They found that a change in the stiffness altered cell structure and function. Fibroblast cells are involved in extensive remodelling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding biological cells. The ECM, in turn, provides the mechanical tension that cells feel inside the body. The team found that fibroblasts cultured on substrates that had lower stiffness were rounder and showed accompanying changes in the levels of cytoskeleton proteins such as actin and tubulin. Moreover, fibroblasts grown on such substrates showed cell cycle arrest, lower rates of cell growth and cell death. To pinpoint the “master regulator” that drives changes in the cell when substrate stiffness changes, the team focused their attention on an important signalling protein called Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β).  The researchers found that when substrate stiffness increased, TGF-β activity also increased, in other words, the levels of the active form of the protein started rising. This could explain why wound healing occurs at different rates in different tissues.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23743/new-research-lays-foundation-for-innovative-mosquito-control-methods-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23743/new-research-lays-foundation-for-innovative-mosquito-control-methods-in-india.html Wed, 25 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, the Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine in Bengaluru, have discovered the biochemical processes that enable the eggs of the dengue-causing mosquito to survive harsh conditions and rejuvenate when favourable conditions return. This research marks a significant stride in our battle against mosquito-borne diseases, offering hope for more effective vector control measures.  Mosquitoes, viral vectors for various diseases, deposit their eggs in water, where they hatch. The eggs of dengue and zika-carrying Aedes mosquitoes can endure extended periods without water, akin to plant seeds patiently waiting for germination in the absence of moisture. Despite the knowledge of this phenomenon, the molecular reasons behind the desiccation tolerance and post-rehydration survival remained a mystery until now. The collaborative team reared Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, studying their eggs through a series of innovative experiments. By subjecting the eggs to dehydration and subsequent rehydration, they discovered that the developing larvae undergo specific metabolic changes required for survival. The implications of this research are far-reaching. Understanding these survival mechanisms provides a foundation for innovative mosquito control strategies. By disrupting the desiccation tolerance of mosquito eggs, researchers anticipate a significant reduction in mosquito populations and disease transmission. The understanding gained from this work could potentially prevent the resurgence of mosquitoes following monsoon rains, a period traditionally associated with increased disease transmission risks.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23761/iiser-bhopal-develops-clear-safe-biomedical-adhesive-to-repair-injured-tissues.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23761/iiser-bhopal-develops-clear-safe-biomedical-adhesive-to-repair-injured-tissues.html Wed, 25 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal has developed a clear synthetic biomedical adhesive that can effectively seal and repair injured and dissected tissues. This adhesive, which is biodegradable and biocompatible, is capable of binding different surfaces such as tissues, bones, eggshells, and wood in both air and underwater and requires no additional crosslinking agents or metal ions. Such biodegradable and biocompatible adhesives find applications in medicine, dentistry, drug delivery, and tissue engineering. These adhesives are also used in orthopedic procedures to enhance bone repair and can even be used as an alternative to sutures, staples, and wires, in wound closures. They could also be used in eco-friendly packaging applications and products, contributing to sustainable practices in various industries. The researchers used a mixture of oppositely-charged water-soluble polyelectrolytes that are known for their biodegradability and biocompatibility. These polymers have multiple amide groups and thiol residues that lead to strong adhesion due to the formation of hydrogen bonds and disulfide bonds. The resulting adhesive layer is colourless and transparent. The adhesive formulations developed by the IISER team will find use in cosmetics and biological applications. The researchers are working towards optimising these adhesives for such real-life applications. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23708/iit-m-develops-steam-based-sterilisation-system-for-dental-tools.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23708/iit-m-develops-steam-based-sterilisation-system-for-dental-tools.html Mon, 16 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) has developed a solar-thermal steam-based sterilisation system for dental tools to help conduct medical campus in remote and rural areas, where access to electricity and water could be an issue. This social project was funded by the Climate Change and Clean Energy (C3E) Division, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. In the project, a team from IIT-M developed a new way to sterilise medical equipment using portable steam cylinders charged by renewable energy-based stations (like solar energy) that are placed strategically in rural areas for power generation, steam generation and other uses. The team also designed special sterilisation chambers to utilise such portably stored steam and effectively sterilise the tools. This project was demonstrated during a medical camp at IIT-M campus on 14th October 2023 and is all set for further trials, following which it is intended to be deployed in the field.   Further, Prof. M. S Ramachandra Rao, Professor, Department of Physics, IIT Madras said, “We have already tested the steam sterilisation unit for sterilising infected dental equipment and the results were found successful. Pilot activities will be scheduled to supply portable steam cylinders for remote areas during the dental camp activities.” Prof. T. Sundararajan, Visiting Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Palakkad, said, “A techno-economic feasibility of the developed prototype system will be further evaluated before transferring for commercialisation. We have already applied for two patents through the IP Cell at Office of Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research in IIT Madras.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23689/iisc-anthem-biosciences-suggest-small-chemical-change-to-boost-bioavailability-of-drug-molecules.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23689/iisc-anthem-biosciences-suggest-small-chemical-change-to-boost-bioavailability-of-drug-molecules.html Wed, 11 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The effectiveness of any drug molecule depends on how well it interacts with the internal environment inside our body. Its pharmacokinetic (PK) properties determine how successfully it escapes degrading enzymes as it travels through the digestive system or the bloodstream, crosses biological barriers like the cell membrane, and reaches the desired target. In a study published in Nature Communications, researchers at the Molecular Biophysics Unit (MBU), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru describe a novel method for improving the pharmacokinetic properties of “macrocyclic peptides” – drug molecules that are pursued heavily by pharmaceutical industries worldwide. The IISc team, in collaboration with Anthem Biosciences, has demonstrated that substituting just a single atom – oxygen with sulphur – in the backbone of a macrocyclic peptide can make it more resistant to digestive enzymes, and can increase its permeability through cell membranes, boosting its bioavailability. A vast majority of today’s medicines are made up of small molecules taken orally in the form of pills. Larger molecules like monoclonal antibodies are much more specific and effective, but they must be injected. Scientists have, therefore, turned to macrocyclic peptides – chains of amino acid residues attached to each other via amide bonds, which are engineered to form circular structures. These compounds combine the best of both small and large pharmaceutical molecules. The researchers plan to use this technology to make peptides with better pharmacological properties. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23659/iiser-bhopal-identifies-circular-rna-that-plays-crucial-role-in-hiv-1-virus-replication.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23659/iiser-bhopal-identifies-circular-rna-that-plays-crucial-role-in-hiv-1-virus-replication.html Tue, 03 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal (IISER Bhopal) identified a specific circular RNA (circRNA) called ‘ciTRAN’, which plays a crucial role in multiplication of the AIDS-causing HIV-1 virus within the human body. Led by Dr Ajit Chande from Department of Biological Sciences, IISER Bhopal, this research shows how ciTRAN helps the process of copying genetic information from the virus, essentially helping the virus multiply more efficiently. The researchers developed a novel approach called ‘circDR-Seq’, to successfully capture circRNAs from T-cells (white blood cells) infected with the HIV-1 virus and identified a specific circRNA named ciTRAN, which plays an important role in the multiplication of the virus. Dr Ajit Chande, the lead researcher said, "Our results indicate that HIV-1 virus hijacks this host-encoded ciTRAN in such a way that it can use it to multiply efficiently. This discovery uncovers a previously unknown aspect of how viruses like HIV-1 overcome transmission barriers.” Another important result from this research was that the researchers developed a small protein molecule that can inhibit viral transcription, in the context of virally-induced ciTRAN. By showing how ciTRAN promotes the virus's ability to multiply efficiently, this study offers promising avenues for the development of novel therapeutic interventions. Moreover, the creation of a molecule capable of inhibiting viral transcription represents a significant leap in our understanding of combating HIV-1 and potentially other viruses. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23634/iit-k-develops-novel-technology-for-lung-health-monitoring.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23634/iit-k-develops-novel-technology-for-lung-health-monitoring.html Thu, 28 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) has developed a novel technology titled, “A Continuous Lung Health Monitoring System”. The technology has been innovated by a group of inventors from IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, and the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Naya Raipur. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India has provided financial support for the innovation. The technology has been protected by Indian Patent application no. 202311027111. The technology is a low-cost, ubiquitous, unobstructive, and compact system that can help healthcare teams to track patients’ lung health status. It offers rapid access to lung disease data and facilitates the patient to monitor the disease at the convenience of sitting anywhere. The system includes an acoustic mask with highly sensitive sound sensors and an intelligent corded device to sense the inaudible breathing sounds from the user’s mouth and nose. The corded device of the mask consists of a Wi-Fi module for sharing the lung health status with the health-care provider. The device is equipped with a highly-durable battery that provides seamless continuous monitoring and a local storage unit that stores the processed audio data for long-term inferences and a processing unit that has inbuilt memory and microprocessor. This real-time continuous monitoring system assists doctors in responding promptly to any possible change or deterioration in the health status. The device will have far-reaching impact on patient health monitoring market as going by a global report from the US-based Markets and Markets, it has been estimated that the monitoring devices are expected to be $65.4 billion by 2027 growing at a CAGR of 9.1% over the forecast period. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23635/researchers-at-iit-mandi-propose-protein-based-vaccine-against-pork-tapeworm.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23635/researchers-at-iit-mandi-propose-protein-based-vaccine-against-pork-tapeworm.html Thu, 28 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi researchers have made significant strides in the development of vaccines against the pork tapeworm (T. solium). This tapeworm is responsible for both intestinal infections and the more severe brain infection that leads to seizures. The research, conducted in collaboration with scientists from Dayanand Medical College and Hospital in Punjab and the CSIR-Institute for Himalayan Bioresource Technology in Himachal Pradesh, presents a novel, faster, and more effective approach to producing vaccines for challenging infectious diseases. WHO's "2030 Roadmap of Priority Neglected Tropical Diseases" aims to combat T. solium and similar infections affecting 1.5 billion people globally. Traditionally, tapeworm vaccines have been developed using products or antigens derived from tapeworm eggs or larvae. However, these methods are not always reliable and can be time-consuming. Injecting the entire tapeworm or parts of the tape worm to kick start the body’s immune system is not a safe or practical approach. A better and safer method is to inject only specific protein fragments from the tapeworm into the human. This approach minimises side effects and prevents the tapeworm from developing resistance to the vaccine. The identification of the right protein fragment with strong vaccination potential is a painstaking and time-consuming process. A more innovative and efficient approach is needed to expedite progress in tapeworm vaccine development and the IIT Mandi researchers used a combination of protein studies and bio-informatics to develop a method of selection. The amalgamation of protein studies with bioinformatics is a groundbreaking approach for identifying potential protein-based vaccines in a cost-effective and timely manner. This concentrated effort may provide a new tool for healthcare workers to combat neurocysticercosis and could serve as a model for addressing other neglected tropical diseases. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23617/government-launches-new-national-awards-for-science-technology-innovation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23617/government-launches-new-national-awards-for-science-technology-innovation.html Thu, 21 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Government of India has come out with a new set of National Awards in the field of Science, Technology and Innovation known as “Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar’’ (RVP). The objective of RVP is to recognise the notable and inspiring contribution made by the scientists, technologists, and innovators individually or in teams in various fields of science, technology and technology­ led innovation. The awards shall be given in following four categories:- Vigyan Ratna (VR) award will recognise lifetime achievements & contributions made in any field of science and technology. Vigyan Shri (VS) award will recognise distinguished contributions in any field of science and technology. Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB) award will recognise & encourage young scientists up to the age of 45 years who made an exceptional contribution in any field of science and technology. Vigyan Team (VT) award to be given to a team comprising of three or more scientists/researchers/innovators who have made an exceptional contribution working in a team in any field of science and technology.   The RVP shall be given in the 13 domains, namely Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Mathematics & Computer Science, Earth Science, Medicine, Engineering Sciences, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Technology & Innovation, Atomic Energy, Space Science and Technology, and Others. The representation from each domain/field, including gender parity will be ensured. All nominations received for the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar awards shall be placed before the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Committee (RVPC) to be headed by the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to Government of India and comprising Secretaries of Science Departments, members of Science and Engineering Academies and some distinguished scientists and technologists from different fields of science and technology. The nominations will be invited every year on 14th January which would remain open till 28th February (National Science Day) every year. These awards shall be announced on 11thMay (National Technology Day) every year. The Award Ceremony for all categories of awards will be held on 23rd August (National Space Day). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23607/researchers-at-iit-jodhpur-develop-antimicrobial-peptide-from-snake-venom.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23607/researchers-at-iit-jodhpur-develop-antimicrobial-peptide-from-snake-venom.html Mon, 18 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur have conceptualised, designed, and synthesised an antimicrobial peptide molecule, SP1V3_1, from snake venom, that can kill gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria like E. coli, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae, and MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) by adopting a helical conformation while interacting with bacterial membranes.  The peptide molecule has been found to be non-toxic based on various studies. The peptide was also found to promote wound healing in the murine model and prevent on-site post-surgical infections by MRSA. In this design strategy, the primary aim has been to reduce toxicity of the snake venom without loosing its anti-microbial property. Thus, the researchers truncated the snake venom peptide and eliminated the toxic part. Further, they stitched helical short peptide at N-terminus for the smooth entry of the newly designed therapeutic inside the bacterial cell.  According to the researchers, the peptide can therapeutically be implemented as a component of an ointment (alone or in combination with other drugs/peptides) for wound disinfection and healing, as an injectable/oral drug for systemic administration, or as an aerosolised formulation to treat a wide range of respiratory bacterial pathogens.” Due to the antimicrobial and immunomodulatory motif, SP1V3_1 can also be tested as an anticancer molecule in the future.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23606/groundbreaking-clinical-trial-confirms-effectiveness-of-nicotine-gums-to-curb-tobacco-addition.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23606/groundbreaking-clinical-trial-confirms-effectiveness-of-nicotine-gums-to-curb-tobacco-addition.html Sun, 17 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 India’s fight against tobacco takes a significant step forward with a groundbreaking clinical trial conducted at Bengaluru's Krishnadevaraya College of Dental Sciences, which has firmly established the efficacy of Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRT) in aiding smoking cessation. Led by Dr Murali R, Professor and Head of the Department of Public Health Dentistry, the study conducted by Dr Anagha Reji concluded that the combined use of two successful smoking cessation methods, i.e., behavioural counselling and NRT in the form of nicotine gums, significantly enhances success rates in smoking cessation. The clinical trial enrolled 105 participants aged between 18 and 50, who were regular smokers. The participants were then divided into three distinct groups. The first group received behavioural counselling only, the second group received nicotine gums only and the third group received both behavioral counselling and nicotine gums.  For each group, exhaled breath carbon monoxide levels were measured (this is a measure to check smoking cessation) during the initial assessment and across six consecutive follow-up visits spanning over 12 weeks. The results showed a distinct reduction in carbon monoxide (CO) levels among participants in all three intervention groups. However, this reduction was remarkable and statistically significant in the group that received both behavioural counselling and nicotine gums as compared to the groups that received only counselling or nicotine gums, highlighting the effectiveness of the synergetic cessation strategies. This is the second such clinical trial to present compelling evidence on the effectiveness of NRT in helping smokers successfully quit the habit. In another landmark study by S.C.B. Dental College & Hospital, Cuttack, Odisha, nearly 70% of trial participants were consumers of smokeless tobacco. The participants were divided into three groups, all of which received behavioral counselling and two of these groups were given either nicotine patches or gums. These two groups were 5.2 and 4.6 times respectively more likely to successfully quit the habit than the group that was offered behavioral counseling alone (data on file). This is the first trial in the world to demonstrate efficacy of NRT in smokeless tobacco consumers.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23594/iisc-discovers-hybrid-nanoparticles-that-shine-new-light-on-targeting-cancer-cells.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23594/iisc-discovers-hybrid-nanoparticles-that-shine-new-light-on-targeting-cancer-cells.html Thu, 14 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru have developed a new approach to potentially detect and kill cancer cells, especially those which form a solid tumour mass. The scientists have created hybrid nanoparticles made of gold and copper sulphide, which can kill cancer cells using heat, and enable their detection using sound waves. Early detection and treatment are key in the battle against cancer. Copper sulphide nanoparticles have previously received attention for their application in cancer diagnosis, while gold nanoparticles, which can be chemically modified to target cancer cells, have shown anticancer effects. In the current study, the IISc team decided to combine these two into hybrid nanoparticles. The researchers say that the nanoparticles can also help diagnose certain cancers. Existing methods such as standalone CT and MRI scans require trained radiology professionals to decipher the images. The photoacoustic property of the nanoparticles allows them to absorb light and generate ultrasound waves, which can be used to detect cancer cells with high contrast once the particles reach them.  When light is shined on these hybrid nanoparticles, they absorb the light and generate heat, which can kill cancer cells. These nanoparticles also produce singlet oxygen atoms that are toxic for the cells.  The researchers have tested their nanoparticles on lung cancer and cervical cancer cell lines in the lab. They now plan to take the results forward for clinical development. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23575/govt-announces-winners-of-shanti-swarup-bhatnagar-award-2022.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23575/govt-announces-winners-of-shanti-swarup-bhatnagar-award-2022.html Tue, 12 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) prize winners for 2022 were recently announced by N Kalaiselvi, Director General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The SSB prize is awarded each year on the basis of conspicuously important and outstanding contributions to human knowledge and progress, made through work done primarily in India during the five years, preceding the year of the prize. The SSB prize, comprising a citation, a cash award of Rs 5 lakh and a plaque is given to each person selected for the award in the following disciplines viz. Biological sciences, Chemical Sciences, Medical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Engineering Sciences and Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and Planetary Science. The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) Prize for Science and Technology was instituted in the year 1957, in the memory of late Dr (Sir) Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, the founder director of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Any citizen of India engaged in research in any field of science and technology up to the age of 45 years is eligible to be nominated.   The winners for 2022 are-  Biological Sciences Ashwani Kumar, CSIR – Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh M Maddika Subba Reddy, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad   Chemical Sciences Akkattu Biju, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru Debabrta Maiti, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay   Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and Planetary Sciences Vimal Mishra, IIT Gandhinagar   Engineering Sciences Dipti Ranjan Sahoo, IIT Delhi Rajnish Kumar, IIT Madras   Mathematical Sciences Apoorva Khare, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru Neeraj Kayal, Microsoft Research Lab, India   Medical Sciences Dipyaman Ganguli, CSIR- Indian Institute of Chemical Biology   Physical Sciences Anindya Das, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru Basudeb Dasgupta, TIFR Mumbai ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23479/scientists-engineer-novel-insulin-delivery-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23479/scientists-engineer-novel-insulin-delivery-platform.html Mon, 21 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A multi-institutional team led by researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhilai, including scientists from Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, Delhi, NCR, and Shri Rawatpura Sarkar Institute of Pharmacy, Chhattisgarh, have successfully engineered a novel Insulin-delivery platform. This hydrogel-based drug delivery system has the ability to release insulin in a controlled manner in response to elevated blood glucose levels- mimicking the natural insulin secretion process of healthy pancreatic cells. Hydrogels are biocompatible polymers that are characterised by high water content and are being studied for controlled drug release in various medical fields including cardiology, oncology, immunology, wound healing, and pain management. The researchers encapsulated insulin in specially designed hydrogels that can be administered instead of direct insulininjections. Through comprehensive experiments involving small-molecule drug analogs and macromolecular insulin, the team demonstrated that the hydrogels released insulin predominantly under hyperglycemic (high glucose) conditions. The safety and antidiabetic efficacy of insulin-loaded hydrogels were confirmed through tests in a type I rat model. The study led by Dr Suchetan Pal, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, IIT Bhilai, promises a safe and efficient method of supplying Insulin to insulin-dependent diabetic patients. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23476/iisc-develops-imaging-technique-to-unravel-dna-repair-mechanisms-and-related-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23476/iisc-develops-imaging-technique-to-unravel-dna-repair-mechanisms-and-related-diseases.html Sun, 20 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 In a new study, researchers at the Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru have used a novel imaging technique to pinpoint how strongly adjacent bases – the building blocks of DNA – stack up on top of each other in a single strand. The findings open up possibilities for building complex DNA nanodevices and unravelling fundamental aspects of DNA structure. To study all 16 possible base-stacking combinations, the researchers used DNA-PAINT (Point Accumulation in Nanoscale Topography). DNA-PAINT is an imaging technique that works on the principle that two artificially designed DNA strands – each ending on a different base – when put together in a buffer solution at room temperature, will bind and unbind to each other randomly for a very short time. The team tagged one of the strands (imager strand) with a fluorophore that would emit light during binding and tested the stacking of this strand on top of another docked strand. The binding and unbinding of different strand combinations (based on the end bases) were captured as images under a fluorescence microscope. The research has broader applications beyond imaging and nanotechnology, according to the scientists. The team hopes that these findings can be used to study fundamental properties of single and double-stranded DNA which, in turn, may shed light on DNA repair mechanisms, the failure of which leads to many diseases including cancer. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23464/iit-guwahati-produces-pluripotent-stem-cells-from-skin-cells.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23464/iit-guwahati-produces-pluripotent-stem-cells-from-skin-cells.html Wed, 16 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G), in collaboration with scientists from Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, have reported a method to convert regular human skin cells into pluripotent stem cells. Stem cells have to be extracted from embryos or parts of the adult human body like the brain or bone marrow, which is challenging from both ethical and practical aspects. Thus, scientists are exploring techniques to convert ordinary cells, like skin or blood cells, into pluripotent stem cells – stem cells that can be programmed to develop into any other form of an adult cell type. These cells are called Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs). The most important advantage of iPSCs is their potential to produce patient-specific cells which can be transplanted to the site of injury or the site of tissue degeneration due to various disease conditions, and thereby, eliminate any chance of immune rejection. The conversion of mature cells into iPSCs was first shown by Prof. Shinya Yamanaka, who won the Nobel Prize in 2012 for his discovery.  The iPSCs produced by the IIT-G and CMC researchers were versatile, maintained their genetic makeup well, and could potentially differentiate into a range of body cell types. Additionally, tests confirmed that the DNA structure of the cells was not altered and matched that of the original cells. Importantly, these iPSCs were found to be free from bacterial contamination. "By generating iPSCs in Guwahati, we have opened up new opportunities for researchers to contribute to stem cell research", said Dr Rajkumar P. Thummer, Assistant Professor, Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, IIT Guwahati, Emphasising the significance of the research, Prof. Shaji Velayudhan, a collaborator from CMC, Vellore, said, "The generation of iPSCs is a major step forward in the field of regenerative medicine. It will not only facilitate local research in the North East of the country but also encourage collaborations with national and international institutions, ultimately benefitting patients in the region,"   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23429/iit-d-designs-simulation-tool-for-planning-operational-response-during-health-crisis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23429/iit-d-designs-simulation-tool-for-planning-operational-response-during-health-crisis.html Thu, 03 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in severely stressed healthcare systems across the world, and in many countries, the capacity of existing infrastructure has proven to be inadequate for managing the COVID-19 caseload.  In this context, there is a need for analytical tools capable of providing quantitative assessments of the extent to which the existing healthcare infrastructure, which is often composed of multiple tiers, in a given region can respond adequately to pandemic caseloads. This is important for planning the capacity of makeshift COVID-19 care facilities. Such a tool must also be able to handle the substantial uncertainty associated with these situations, including the uncertainty around the care provision process, the caseload, patient progression, and patient flow across the network. A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D); All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS); University of Exeter Business School (UK) have developed a probabilistic discrete-event simulation of the operations of a public healthcare network in a north Indian district and demonstrated its use for planning the capacity of the network for a single wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, while the simulation tool was demonstrated using COVID-19 as a case study, it can be used to plan the operational response of the public health network in a given region to any health crisis, such as a dengue or cholera outbreak. It can even be used to evaluate changes in operational policy during routine care conditions, such as when a new referral policy from lower-tier to higher-tier facilities is introduced. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23417/iit-g-develops-3d-printed-device-for-rapid-diagnosis-of-urinary-tract-infection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23417/iit-g-develops-3d-printed-device-for-rapid-diagnosis-of-urinary-tract-infection.html Tue, 01 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) research team led by Dr Partho Sarathi Gooh Pattader has developed a fast, accurate, and reliable device to detect specific bacteria that cause Urinary Tract infection (UTI). The estimated cost of manufacturing the device is Rs 608 while testing a single sample will cost Rs. 8 only. UTI is prevalent in females especially during pregnancy and is caused by various bacteria. The conventional way to diagnose and detect the specific bacteria is by urine culture, which takes a minimum of two days. Without knowing the specific bacteria responsible for the infection, doctors cannot administer antibiotics to treat the UTI. This delay in detection creates a problem as the patient has to suffer till the cause of UTI is detected and the situation could be fatal in some cases. The Point-Of-Care Testing (POCT) prototype developed at IIT Guwahati is a photodetector that detects and quantifies a specific UTI-causing bacteria called ‘Klebsiella pneumoniae’ within five minutes from a patient’s urine sample.  The biosensor prototype detects a change in the intensity of light when the aptamer-gold nanoparticles-bacteria come together. The detection time is fast because the aptamer and bacteria instantly combine. The developed prototype is also generic, i.e. the process is tunable for different types of bacteria and can contribute significantly to primary healthcare.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23390/iit-m-develops-computational-approach-for-maintaining-good-health-and-addressing-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23390/iit-m-develops-computational-approach-for-maintaining-good-health-and-addressing-diseases.html Tue, 25 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) scientists at the Robert Bosch Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (RBC-DSAI) have developed a computational approach called ‘MultiCens’ to understand the interactions between genes that are responsible for inter-organ communication within the body. Communication among cells in different tissues and organs is pivotal to multicellular life. Molecular basis of such communication has long been studied, but genome-wide screens for genes and other biomolecules mediating tissue-tissue signaling are lacking. To systematically identify inter-tissue mediators, IIT-M researchers developed ‘MultiCens’ (Multilayer/Multi-tissue network Centrality measures). The exchange of information between organs and tissues of the body is critical for the proper functioning and survival of all living organisms. This inter-organ communication network (ICN) allows organisms to adapt to changes in their environment, assess their energy reserves, and maintain overall well-being. This research represents a significant advance in the development of methods to understand inter-organ communication and its implications. Dr Ramanathan Sethuraman, Healthcare Architect and Principal Engineer at Intel and co-author of this work explained, “Understanding the molecular pathway for disease manifestation and to identify the causal targets are of prime importance in any disease management. MultiCens is a step in this research direction.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23365/iisc-develops-synthetic-peptide-to-kill-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23365/iisc-develops-synthetic-peptide-to-kill-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria.html Thu, 20 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru have designed a short peptide capable of poisoning a key enzyme in disease-causing bacteria, including some of most deadly and antibiotic-resistant species. Made from a short stretch of about 24 amino acids, the peptide mimics the action of a natural toxin which inhibits a class of enzymes called topoisomerases. These enzymes play a crucial role in unspooling and re-coiling bacterial DNA during replication and protein synthesis. They are an attractive target for antibiotics because the ones in bacteria are very different from those in humans. Among the most widely used antibiotics are fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin, which target these topoisomerases. However, overuse of these antibiotics around the world has led to the alarming rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, prompting scientists to pursue alternative strategies and molecules. The team then tested the new peptide’s effect on the growth of several disease-causing bacterial species, including E. coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus and a multidrug resistant strain of Acinetobacter baumanii – both in cell culture as well as animal models. Depending on the species, the peptide was found to either block or “poison” a specific type of topoisomerase – an enzyme called DNA gyrase in many of them. Since the peptide binds to a different site on the bacterial enzyme than ciprofloxacin, the researchers believe that it provides leads for identification of drugs that can be used as a combination therapy with existing antibiotics.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23354/iisc-unveils-broad-spectrum-antiviral-abilities-of-picolinic-acid.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23354/iisc-unveils-broad-spectrum-antiviral-abilities-of-picolinic-acid.html Tue, 18 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Picolinic acid, a natural compound produced by mammalian cells, can block several disease-causing viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A viruses, according to a new study by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru and collaborators. The study describes the compound’s remarkable ability to disrupt the entry of enveloped viruses into the host’s cell and prevent infection. The team hopes to develop the compound into a broad-spectrum therapeutic that can help fight against a variety of viral diseases. Picolinic acid is known to help in the absorption of zinc and other trace elements from our gut, but in its natural form, it stays inside the body only for a short duration and is usually excreted out quickly. In recent years, scientists have begun noticing that it may also exhibit antiviral activity. According to the research team, the current focus is on enhancing the compound’s efficacy, stability and absorption in the host body. The team is seeking partnerships with pharmaceutical industries to facilitate its clinical development and use against present as well as impending viral outbreaks. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23330/merck-opens-applications-for-2023-young-scientist-award-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23330/merck-opens-applications-for-2023-young-scientist-award-in-india.html Wed, 12 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Merck, a leading science and technology company, has announced its third edition of the Merck Young Scientist Award 2023 to recognise young scientists in India. This award traditionally acknowledges young scientists from academia, who are making a difference in the lives of millions across India, through their cutting-edge research in life sciences.  The application process that began on June 26, 2023, continues up to August 16, 2023.  To be eligible for the 2023 Merck Young Scientist Award, researchers must be associated with a research institute with less than 10 years of post-PhD research experience and reside in India. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on November 24, 2023. This year’s award programme will welcome applications from three distinct categories, namely: o    Biological Sciences o    Chemical Sciences o    A special category dedicated to Sustainability Research (green chemistry, renewable/alternate energy, sustainable materials and manufacturing),  A total of 10 scientists will be awarded the 2023 Merck Young Scientist Award; 2 winners each in the fields of biological and chemical sciences and 1 winner in sustainability research. Additionally, there will be 5 runner-up recipients. The winners will receive a prize of Rs 350,000 and the runners-up will be awarded Rs 100,000. Leading the jury for the 2023 Merck Young Scientist Award are three distinguished chairs Dr Anurag Agrawal, Dean of Ashoka University, Dr Radha Rangarajan, Director of CSIR – Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, and Dr Srinivas Reddy, Director of CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad. The applications will be reviewed by a distinguished panel of ten members from respected institutes.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23317/iit-g-develops-ai-based-model-to-predict-knee-osteoarthritis-severity-from-x-ray-images.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23317/iit-g-develops-ai-based-model-to-predict-knee-osteoarthritis-severity-from-x-ray-images.html Mon, 10 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) have developed a Deep Learning (DL)-based framework, namely OsteoHRNet, that automatically assesses the Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) severity from X-rays images. This artificial intelligence (AI)-based model can be used to detect the severity level of the disease and assist medical practitioners remotely for a more accurate diagnosis. Knee Osteoarthritis is the most common musculoskeletal disorder in the world and has a prevalence of 28% in India. There is no possible cure for Knee OA except total joint replacement at an advanced stage hence an early diagnosis is essential for pain management and behavioral corrections. MRI and CT scans provide a 3-D image of the knee joints for effective diagnosis of Knee OA but their availability is limited and expensive. For routine diagnosis X-Ray imaging is very effective and more economically feasible. Researchers have been working to enhance automatic knee osteoarthritis detection from X-Ray images or radiographs to assist clinical evaluation. In this direction, the IIT-G team has developed an AI-based model to automatically assess the severity of Knee OA. This model predicts knee OA severity according to the World Health Organization (WHO) approved Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) grading scale that ranges from grade 0 (low severity) to 4 (high severity).  It is built upon one of the most recent deep models, called the High-Resolution Network (HRNet), to capture the multi-scale features of knee X-rays. The team is further working to reconfigure these models in such a way that they can be deployed in resource-constrained devices so that medical professionals can easily get an initial but accurate guess for the diagnosis. This work has the potential to mitigate the severe shortage of skilled personnel in this field, especially in rural India.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23293/ncbs-launches-rohini-nilekani-centre-for-brain-and-mind.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23293/ncbs-launches-rohini-nilekani-centre-for-brain-and-mind.html Wed, 05 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The National Centre forBiological Sciences (NCBS) has announced the launch of the ‘Rohini Nilekani Centre for Brain and Mind’, a centre dedicated to advancing Indian research and practice pertaining to neuro developmental disorders and mental health. The centre will focus on the long-term examination of environmental and genetic factors involved in brain development which underlie severe mental illnesses. Rohini Nilekani, Chairperson - Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, unveiled the plaque to mark the inauguration of ‘the Centre for Brain and Mind’ in the NCBS campus in Bengaluru, on 4 July.  The centre will support research through its partnership with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) and NCBS’ therapeutic practices pertaining to five mental disorders:schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and dementia – conditions considered neuro developmental in origin. The research work of the centre will combine the molecular biological research capabilities and technologies at NCBS with the stem cell capabilities established at theInstitute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem-DBT), an autonomous institution under the Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India. inStem has been and will continue to partner with NCBS on research activities, including that of the Accelerator program for Discovery in Brain disorders using Stem cells (ADBS).     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23232/researchers-at-iit-g-suggest-novel-method-for-managing-biomedical-waste.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23232/researchers-at-iit-g-suggest-novel-method-for-managing-biomedical-waste.html Mon, 19 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) have studied the fate and transport of virus through compacted natural clays for pathogenic waste disposal. The study, published in the American Chemical Society journal, Langmuir, presents a promising solution to the increasing challenge of managing pathogenic waste post-COVID-19 pandemic.  Biomedical waste (BMW) that contains viruses poses significant risks to human health, food safety, animal health, and the environment. Recent COVID-19 pandemic created an emergency and produced a huge quantity of potentially virulent waste from the hospitals and isolation facilities. The COVID-19 waste was treated similar to the municipal solid waste (MSW) during this pandemic and was disposed of in the existing MSW landfills. However, the geosynthetic landfill liners become ineffective in the presence of landfill leachate containing high-concentration salt solutions thereby the infectious viral pathogen waste can then easily escape from such facilities to potentially cause secondary infections in humans. Thus, highlighting the urgent need for proper management and safe disposal protocols. To study the behavior of viruses in clays, the researchers used a safe virus called the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) as a substitute for the coronavirus. They conducted experiments where they mixed different amounts of the virus with bentonite and kaolin clays, allowing them to interact for varying durations. Also, through-diffusion tests are conducted with the viruses through compacted clays. The results demonstrated that both types of clays were highly effective in reducing the concentration of the virus in the source.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23212/iisc-explores-translation-of-fluorogenic-probe-into-diagnostic-kit-for-alzheimers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23212/iisc-explores-translation-of-fluorogenic-probe-into-diagnostic-kit-for-alzheimers.html Wed, 14 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Alzheimer’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder, results in memory loss and compromises cognitive abilities in many people beyond the age of 60. Currently used techniques to detect manifestations of the disease (MRI, PET, and CT scans) are complex, expensive, and often produce inconclusive results. In a study published by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, a small molecular fluorogenic probe can sense a specific enzyme linked to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Such a probe can easily be fabricated into a strip-based kit that may enable on-site diagnosis. Studies have shown that in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) levels become imbalanced, thus making it a potential biomarker for the disease.  The team showed that the fluorogenic probe could also enter brain cells cultured in the lab and fluoresce upon contact with AChE. Currently, the probe is UV-active, which can be harmful to tissues in high doses. Certain modifications would lead to the development of near-infrared active probes, which would be safer for living cells and allow deep-tissue imaging.  Apart from Alzheimer’s disease, such a probe can also be used for other applications like detecting pesticide-related poisoning, as AChE can be inhibited by compounds used in some pesticides. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23206/cdsco-approves-animal-derived-tissue-engineering-scaffold-for-wound-healing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23206/cdsco-approves-animal-derived-tissue-engineering-scaffold-for-wound-healing.html Tue, 13 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The first indigenously developed tissue engineering scaffold from mammalian organs, an animal-derived Class D Biomedical Device that can rapidly heal skin wounds at low-cost with minimum scarring, has received approval from the Indian Drugs Controller. With this, the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), an autonomous institution of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has become the first institution in the country to develop Class D medical devices that satisfy all statutory requirements of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), Government of India. The concept of using animal-derived materials as advanced wound care products is not new. However, indigenous technology was so far not available for fabricating quality products that satisfy the requirements of the Drugs Controller General. Therefore, such products were imported making them expensive. Researchers of the Division of Experimental Pathology in the Biomedical Technology Wing of the institute developed an innovative technology for preparing tissue engineering scaffolds from mammalian organs. In 2017, the technology was transferred to Alicorn Medical, a startup in the technology incubation facility of the institute namely TIMed. In a recent research paper accepted for publication in Comparative Medicine, the team showed that the scaffold has the ability to mitigate fibrotic scarring in rats suffering an experimental myocardial infarction. It is expected that with the introduction of Cholederm to the Indian market, the treatment cost can be reduced from Rs 10,000 to Rs 2,000 making it more affordable to the common man. Moreover, the technology for recovering extracellular matrix from the gall bladder is not available to others and it gives a fair chance for competition in the international market. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23200/iisc-develops-assay-to-track-somatostatin-for-early-diabetes-detection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23200/iisc-develops-assay-to-track-somatostatin-for-early-diabetes-detection.html Fri, 09 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Recent studies have shown that fluctuations in the levels of hormones such as somatostatin, secreted by the pancreas, may be involved in the development of diabetes, something that has largely been overlooked so far. According to researchers from the Department of Developmental Biology and Genetics (DBG), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, changes in somatostatin secretion can be one of the first signs of diabetes. In such a scenario, detecting the levels of somatostatin can therefore potentially help detect diabetes earlier. In a recent study, researchers from IISc, along with collaborators at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, have reported the development of a novel assay that can detect secreted somatostatin. Somatostatin is secreted by specific cells of the pancreas, called delta cells. It is a master regulator of insulin and glucagon – another hormone that works hand-in-hand with insulin to maintain blood sugar levels. The kit works like the standard Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay or ELISA which uses antibody-coated plates to identify the presence of antigens in a sample, similar to the COVID-19 rapid antigen test. The team used artificially synthesised somatostatin to test its binding against several commercially available antibodies, in order to identify the one that bound to it most efficiently, which they then used to develop the assay. The researchers are currently working with an industry collaborator to develop the kit into a simple handheld device that can eventually be mass-produced. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23193/st-minister-backs-cannabis-research-project-of-csir-iiim-jammu.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23193/st-minister-backs-cannabis-research-project-of-csir-iiim-jammu.html Thu, 08 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 While chairing a review meeting with the top officials of CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM) and J&K UT Science and Technology Department (DST), Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh said that the Cannabis Research Project of CSIR-IIIM Jammu is a first of its kind in India which has a great potential to produce export quality medicine for neuropathies, cancer & epilepsy.  During the meeting, Dr Singh said, the signing of scientific agreement between CSIR-IIIM and Canada-based firm IndusScan in 2020, was historic not only for J&K but for whole of India as it has the potential to produce those kinds of medicines which have to be exported from foreign countries. This kind of project will give an impetus for huge investment in Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Singh added. The Minister also directed CSIR-IIIM, J&K DST and other stakeholders in this project to hold a workshop so that the challenges and issues involved in it can be redressed on the spot and the work on the project is not stalled but increased. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23190/scientists-in-kolkata-explore-breath-patterns-to-diagnose-gastric-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23190/scientists-in-kolkata-explore-breath-patterns-to-diagnose-gastric-diseases.html Wed, 07 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A newly developed non-invasive method of recognising breath patterns can help rapid, one-step diagnosis and classification of various gastric disorders like dyspepsia, gastritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).  Prof. Manik Pradhan and his research team at S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata, under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, used a pattern-recognition based clustering approach that can selectively distinguish the breath of peptic ulcer and other gastric conditions with that of healthy individuals. The team used machine learning (ML) protocol to extract the correct information from the large complex breathomics data sets generated from exhaled breath analysis. The breath-patterns generated from the patients are irrespective of the patient’s basal metabolic rates (BMR) and other confounding factors such as age, sex, smoking habits, or lifestyle. Currently, peptic ulcer disease is an important medical-social problem that has received special attention all over the world. Helicobacter pylori bacterial infection is considered to be the most significant risk factor for the development of this disease. The scientists have developed a prototype device called “Pyro-Breath”, clinically validated it in a hospital environment and patented it. The relevant technology has been transferred to a startup for potential commercialisation.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23138/iit-kanpur-explores-use-of-g-protein-coupled-receptors-for-drug-discovery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23138/iit-kanpur-explores-use-of-g-protein-coupled-receptors-for-drug-discovery.html Wed, 24 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A group of researchers led by Prof. Arun K Shukla in the Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) has unraveled a previously unknown mechanism that regulates an important class of drug targets known as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The discovery has important implications for not only understanding the fundamental mechanism of cellular signaling in our body but it also has potential to facilitate novel drug discovery for several human disease conditions. The study has been conducted using a cutting-edge technology known as cryogenic-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). The function of GPCRs is regulated by another family of proteins in our body known as arrestins, which bind to GPCRs and control their function and physiological responses. However, a complete understanding of GPCR-arrestin interaction has been mostly elusive so far. The researchers have now visualised the cross-talk of GPCRs and arrestins in great detail using the cutting-edge technology, cryogenic-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). The same has allowed the team to discover a novel mechanism that is responsible for regulating the function of GPCRs in our body.   The researchers are now working in the direction of novel drug discovery in collaboration with several international laboratories including studies in animal models. This study is supported by the DBT Wellcome Trust India Alliance and Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB). Dr Shukla is also spearheading the establishment of a National cryo-EM facility at IIT Kanpur that is supported by SERB, and expected to be functional later this year.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23101/researchers-at-anant-national-university-create-novel-pain-relief-jacket-and-knee-cap-for-elders.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23101/researchers-at-anant-national-university-create-novel-pain-relief-jacket-and-knee-cap-for-elders.html Wed, 17 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Students at Anant National University in Ahmedabad, under the mentorship and guidance of their professors, have created unique Pain Relief Jacket and Knee Cap for the elderly. The creation of these products has happened post studying the need for such innovations amongst people. It was found that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has estimated that nearly 180 million adults in India have been diagnosed with some form of arthritis, representing approximately 18% of the adult population. Additionally an estimated 48.9 million adults reported difficulty performing daily activities due to their arthritis symptoms, thus making arthritis a leading cause of disability in India in 2019.  The customisable arthritis jacket has been designed to provide support, compression and warmth. The jacket mechanism contains three Peltier devices that rotate and produce heat to the spine through a gel medium, as well as rotate vertically to the spine and position themselves to the location of the pain. On the other hand, the kneecap's pore-like structure allows continuous airflow around the knees, thus preventing sweating, a key USP of the product. The kneecap uses stretchable elastic material between the quadriceps muscles of the upper thigh and the tibialis anterior muscle of the lower part of the leg. It comprises magnetic acupressure objects placed evenly around the kneecap, which provides constant relief to the knees while working.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23073/pm-lays-foundation-stone-for-multiple-scientific-projects-worth-rs-5800-cr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23073/pm-lays-foundation-stone-for-multiple-scientific-projects-worth-rs-5800-cr.html Thu, 11 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the programme marking National Technology Day 2023 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi on May 11, 2023. The programme also marked the commencement of the celebration of the 25th year of National Technology Day being held from the 11th-14th May. On this occasion, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation multiple projects related to scientific and technological advancement in the country worth more than Rs 5,800 crore.  The projects whose foundation stone was laid include Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory – India (LIGO-India), Hingoli; Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Jatni, Odisha; and Platinum Jubilee Block of Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. The projects dedicated to Nation include Fission Molybdenum-99 Production Facility, Mumbai; Rare Earth Permanent Magnet Plant, Visakhapatnam; National Hadron Beam Therapy Facility, Navi Mumbai; Radiological Research Unit, Navi Mumbai; Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Visakhapatnam; and Women & Children Cancer Hospital Building, Navi Mumbai.       The PM mentioned that the National Hadron Beam Therapy Facility, and Radiological Research Unit in Mumbai, the Fission Molybdenum-99 Production Facility, Rare Earth Permanent Magnet Plant in Visakhapatnam and the various Cancer Research Hospitals will give a push to the progress of the country with the help of nuclear technology. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23044/scientists-in-bengaluru-design-smart-gel-based-sheet-for-non-invasive-nerve-repair.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23044/scientists-in-bengaluru-design-smart-gel-based-sheet-for-non-invasive-nerve-repair.html Wed, 03 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A new smart gel-based sheet using three-dimensional (3D) printing technology, by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, that can self-roll into a tube during surgery to form a nerve conduit could help reduce the complexity of surgeries and aid rapid healing of nerve injuries. The gold standard for the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries is still autografts. Bioresorbable polymer-based conduits are being explored for clinical use as alternatives. But these treatment strategies suffer from several limitations, such as donor site morbidity in the case of autografts and the necessity for sutures that demand highly skilled microsurgeries, and additional complications posed by sutures. The team at IISc worked closely with researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology at Roorkee and Maharishi Markandeshwar University to test the conduits for repairing and regenerating a 2 mm gap in the sciatic nerve of rats.  This work was supported by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology, under the Intensification of Research in High Priority Areas (IRHPA) special call on 3D Bioprinting. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23037/iisc-uses-computational-analysis-to-show-how-dengue-virus-evolved-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23037/iisc-uses-computational-analysis-to-show-how-dengue-virus-evolved-in-india.html Tue, 02 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A multi-institutional study on dengue led by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru shows how the virus causing the disease has evolved dramatically over the last few decades in the Indian subcontinent. Cases of dengue, a mosquito-borne viral disease – have steadily increased in the last 50 years, predominantly in the South-East Asian counties. And yet, there are no approved vaccines against dengue in India, although some vaccines have been developed in other countries. Researchers examined all available (408) genetic sequences of Indian dengue strains from infected patients collected between the years 1956 and 2018 by others as well as the team themselves. There are four broad categories – serotypes – of the dengue virus (Dengue 1, 2, 3 and 4). Using computational analysis, the team examined how much each of these serotypes deviated from their ancestral sequence, from each other, and from other global sequences. Until 2012, the dominant strains in India were Dengue 1 and 3. But in recent years, Dengue 2 has become more dominant across the country, while Dengue 4 – once considered the least infectious – is now making a niche for itself in South India, the researchers found. The team sought to investigate what factors decide which strain is the dominant one at any given time. One possible factor could be Antibody Dependent Enhancement (ADE). Such insights are possible only from studying the disease in countries like India with genomic surveillance, because the infection rates here have been historically high, and a huge population carries antibodies from a previous infection. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23035/iit-m-develops-machine-learning-tool-to-detect-tumour-in-brain-spinal-cord.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23035/iit-m-develops-machine-learning-tool-to-detect-tumour-in-brain-spinal-cord.html Mon, 01 May 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) has developed a Machine Learning-based computational tool for better detection of cancer-causing tumours in the brain and spinal cord. Called ‘GBMDriver’ (GlioBlastoma Mutiforme Drivers), this tool is publicly available online. Glioblastoma is a fast and aggressively growing tumour in the brain and spinal cord. Although there has been research undertaken to understand this tumour, therapeutic options remain limited with an expected survival rate of less than two years from the initial diagnosis. It is important to evaluate the functional consequences of variants in proteins, which are involved in Glioblastoma to advance the therapeutic options for patients. However, functional validations to identify driver mutations (disease-causing mutations) from all the observed variants would be strenuous work. The GBMDriver was developed specifically to identify driver mutations and passenger mutations (passenger mutations are neutral mutations) in Glioblastoma.  In order to develop this web server, a variety of factors such as amino acid properties, di- and tri-peptide motifs, conservation scores, and Position Specific Scoring Matrices (PSSM) were taken into account. In this study, 9386 driver mutations and 8728 passenger mutations in glioblastoma were analysed. Driver mutations in glioblastoma were identified with an accuracy of 81.99 percent, in a blind set of 1809 mutants, which is better than existing computational methods. This method is completely dependent on protein sequence.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23022/fortis-and-srl-diagnostics-group-contribute-rs-6-cr-to-sudha-gopalakrishnan-brain-centre-at-iit-m.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23022/fortis-and-srl-diagnostics-group-contribute-rs-6-cr-to-sudha-gopalakrishnan-brain-centre-at-iit-m.html Fri, 28 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Fortis and SRL Group of Companies, leading integrated healthcare services providers in India, have contributed a sum of nearly Rs 6 crore in FY‘23 to the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre at Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M), as a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) mandate. The Brain Centre, launched in March 2022 at IIT-M focuses on mapping the human brain at cellular and connectivity levels and developing innovative technological solutions that will provide extraordinary and significant insights into the brain's neural networks and take the country to the world’s centre stage. Fortis and SRL Group aspire to advance healthcare technology through its social development initiatives to improve community health outcomes while focusing on the sustainable development of society. Contribution to the Brain Centre is a potent way of fostering and promoting research and development (& innovation) to benefit society's current and future generations. “This pioneering research perfectly aligns with our commitment to promote and fund innovation in medical sciences. As a healthcare services provider, our aim in this collaboration is to foster revolutionary solutions that will pave the way for the future of healthcare innovation for decades to come." said Dr Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fortis Healthcare.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23017/shoolini-university-receives-purse-grant-of-rs-9-cr-for-cancer-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23017/shoolini-university-receives-purse-grant-of-rs-9-cr-for-cancer-research.html Thu, 27 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Shoolini University, located in Solan, has been awarded the Promotion of University Research and Scientific Award by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India Awarded the Excellence (PURSE) Grant. This grant of Rs 9 crore will be used for advanced research in water and cancer. This fund will be used to buy expensive equipment for research in medicine, biology, chemistry and other related fields. In addition, it will enable the University to set up extraordinary infrastructure, which is not provided for in other funding schemes.  About 70% of the grant will be spent on purchasing modern equipment needed for research, while the remaining funds will be used for consumables, human resources, organising seminars, maintenance, and startup support and industrial alliances. According to Pro Chancellor Vishal Anand, this grant will provide essential resources to advance research work in areas such as water and cancer, and to invest in state-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure needed to enhance the university's research capabilities. The grant will be utilised over the next four years as per the terms and conditions and the university has been asked to set up a 'Project Implementation' group for its implementation. This grant will help Shoolini University faculty members and researchers to plan and conduct high-quality research in water and cancer, which will contribute significantly to the scientific progress of the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23011/iit-g-designs-liquid-marbles-with-nano-clay-for-controlled-drug-delivery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23011/iit-g-designs-liquid-marbles-with-nano-clay-for-controlled-drug-delivery.html Wed, 26 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) have developed liquid marbles using nano clay that can be pre-programmed for drug delivery and cascade chemical reactions. Conventionally for treating any disease, we take medicines in the form of tablets, capsules, syrups, ointments, etc. A controlled drug delivery system is a more efficient technique to deliver the required dose at the specific site gradually over the desired period of time. Loading and release of drug in its soluble form is another important aspect—which can be achieved with this liquid marble. The IIT-G team has used the liquid marbles approach for the controlled release of drugs and programmed chemical reaction. The team has engineered liquid marbles to have a ‘time bomb’ type release effect and to carry out a spontaneous chemical reaction. The nano clay marbles were made of a shell of nanoclay that holds the liquid. To programme the marbles for timed release of the content, the researchers modified the nanoclay with chemical groups that were either water-loving (hydrophilic) or waterhating (hydrophobic). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23002/scientists-in-guwahati-develop-new-device-for-wearable-sensors-and-point-of-care-testing-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/23002/scientists-in-guwahati-develop-new-device-for-wearable-sensors-and-point-of-care-testing-.html Tue, 25 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A new flexible bio-electronic uric acid detecting device has been fabricated by the researchers from the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati that can be used for various applications such as wearable sensors and point-of-care diagnostics. Uric acid is one of the most important antioxidants that maintain blood pressure stability and reduce oxidative stress in living beings. However, the fluctuation of uric acid levels due to the lack of balancing between the production and excretion causes several diseases like hyperuricemia, which in turn may lead to gout disease, type 2 diabetes, increase risk of cardiovascular diseases, Lesch–Nyhan syndrome, hypertension, and renal disorders. The fabricated device shows reversibility in interaction with the uric acid, which repeatedly enables the use of the device for sensing experiments. It outperforms all currently available ones in terms of effectiveness and cost because it doesn't need any enzymes. The response of the fabricated device was investigated with real samples like human blood serum and artificial urine. The device thus developed is simple, portable, cost-effective, and easy to fabricate for detecting uric acid with a limit of about 0.809 µM. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22987/iasst-fabricates-protein-to-help-study-diseases-like-multiple-sclerosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22987/iasst-fabricates-protein-to-help-study-diseases-like-multiple-sclerosis.html Fri, 21 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Scientists at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati, an autonomous institute of North-East India under the Department of Science and Technology, have fabricated monolayers of pure myelin basic protein (MBP), a major protein component of myelin sheath, which is a protective membrane that wraps around the axon of nerve cells and acts as a model protein in studying diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS). MBP helps in compactification of the myelin sheath, and the fabricated tailored monolayers can give an in-depth understanding of the role of MBP in forming multi-lamellar myelin sheath structure as well as preserving the integrity, stability, and compactness of the sheath. The research group used a technique called the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique to form monolayers of pure myelin basic protein at the air-water and air-solid interfaces. The behaviour of the protein under variable pH conditions was investigated from different areas of the monolayer formed at the air-water interface. The rigidity of the monolayers were correlated with the specific domains formed and the area occupied by the domains on the water surface. The closely packed MBP layer formed at the air-water and also on solid surfaces fabricated by the LB method will be helpful in studying different chemical and physical properties in 2D in the vicinity of protein environment. The deposited LB films of MBP may also be considered as protein nanotemplates to crystallise proteins of interest.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22961/iit-m-develops-screening-device-for-blood-vessel-health-assessment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22961/iit-m-develops-screening-device-for-blood-vessel-health-assessment.html Mon, 17 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) has developed a novel, non-invasive device to assess the health and age of blood vessels and thereby provide early screening for cardiovascular diseases. Called ARTSENS, it is designed such that it can be used in routine medical examination by even non-experts, to assess and predict vascular health. It is powered by a proprietary non-imaging probe and an intelligent computing platform and is developed by the Healthcare Technology Innovation Centre (HTIC) at IIT-M. The device has been assessed on more than 5,000 human subjects. The technology already has five utility patents in the US, European Union and India, 10 design patents and awaits awarding of 28 patents in various jurisdictions. The product is ready for technology transfer and commercialisation after extensive testing. The IIT-M team intends to deploy this to conduct over a million vascular screenings per year. ARTSENS has been approved for clinical studies in India, US, and Europe. An extensive clinical study is underway at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. Scientists at Radboud University Medical Center, The Netherlands, are using this device to investigate the association between arterial age, physical (in)activity, and cardiovascular events and AIIMS New Delhi researchers are using it to study and understand the physiological underpinnings of arterial ageing in various disease conditions.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22927/iit-m-commercialises-software-for-photoelastic-analysis-and-simulation-for-biomedical-application.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22927/iit-m-commercialises-software-for-photoelastic-analysis-and-simulation-for-biomedical-application.html Mon, 10 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) has commercialised four state-of-the-art software packages in the field of photoelastic analysis and simulation through an industry partner. The softwares have applications in diverse fields ranging from agricultural applications to locomotion of organisms to mitigating stresses or identifying defects in 3D electronics. Novel applications for photoelasticity include areas like biomedical and conventional stress analysis involving complex loading and boundary conditions in aerospace, civil, mechanical, and manufacturing engineering fields as well. Photoelastic stress analysis has seen a sea change with the advent of digital computers and imaging technologies. Hitherto, there has been no comprehensive software platform to implement such developments in research laboratories and Industries using this technique. This is the first comprehensive software for experimentally-based photoelastic stress analysis tool. Doctors, agriculturists and biologists are now increasingly turning to use photoelasticity for solving their domain problems. They can authentically process recorded images using the software for deriving important conclusions from their studies. IIT-Madras has entered a licensing and monetisation agreement with Online Solutions (Imaging), Chennai.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22904/new-visual-detection-test-of-sars-cov-2-to-identify-infection-at-early-stage.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22904/new-visual-detection-test-of-sars-cov-2-to-identify-infection-at-early-stage.html Wed, 05 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A team of reserachers from National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB) and Gandhi Medical College, in Hyderabad, has developed a rapid and robust platform for early and on-field detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus. The developed lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) strips can be useful as a portable, point of care device (PoC) for on-site detection of SARS-CoV-2 particularly at  home or even in rural areas. Moreover, the cost of LFIA strips is much less as compared to standard RT-PCR test making it a more economical option for people who cannot afford the RT-PCR test. The LFIA for the detection of Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 could provide an efficient substitute for RT-PCR tests. It can detect that RBD antigen of the SARS-CoV-2 at an early stage of infection with a visual line of detection (LOD). A smartphone app (Color grab) has been used for the qualitative analysis of the test strip.  The developed LFIA working on the principle of antigen-antibody interaction holds the potential to be used for detection of SARS-CoV-2 without any requirement of skilled personnel and subsequently reduce the spread of the virus. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22896/kasturba-medical-college-signs-mou-with-csir-cdri-for-amr-research-work.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22896/kasturba-medical-college-signs-mou-with-csir-cdri-for-amr-research-work.html Tue, 04 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CSIR (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research) -CDRI (Central Drug Research Institute), Lucknow, to enter in a private-public partnership for developing research work on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). There will be collaborative research to co-develop molecular characterisation and point-of-care diagnostics for multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) pathogens. A team from Kasturba Medical College in Manipal was led by Dr Chiranjay Mukhopadhyay, Assistant Dean and Professor of Microbiology, and Dr Vandana KE, Professor and Head of the Department of Microbiology, represented the CSIR-CDRI Lucknow, during the MoU signing ceremony. "It is anticipated that this collaboration between two reputable institutions that have distinguished themselves in the field of AMR research would present special chances and results in the quest for antimicrobial resistance-related solutions", said Dr N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22874/nimhans-ncbs-receive-rs-100-cr-grant-to-accelerate-research-of-mental-health-disorders.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22874/nimhans-ncbs-receive-rs-100-cr-grant-to-accelerate-research-of-mental-health-disorders.html Thu, 30 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies has announced a grant of Rs 100 crore to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) and the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), in Bengaluru, to set up the ‘Centre for Brain and Mind’. An inaugural programme for the Centre's launch is being planned in the next few months. The Centre will further cutting-edge research to understand the causes, correlates, and course of five major illnesses - schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, dementia, and addiction, and explore potential interventions and treatments for them. Under this MoU, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies Foundation, founded by philanthropist Rohini Nilekani, will support the activities of the ‘Centre for Brain and Mind’ (CBM) for five years starting April 2023. Over five years, CBM will simultaneously pursue two tracks - long-term research and building capacity for both research and practice in the mental health field. Since 2016, NIMHANS, along with NCBS and inStem, have been collaborating on a project (then supported by the Department of Biotechnology and Pratiksha Trust), to build a research platform for facilitating discovery of better solutions for mental illness. The research platform is now ready to drive discovery in this area and will be housed at the Centre for Brain and Mind, which will be co-located at NCBS and NIMHANS. By developing a core group of clinician researchers and basic scientists skilled in critical technologies and novel methods, the Centre will also establish a pipeline of younger researchers to carry forward this long-term enquiry.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22822/iit-m-develops-database-on-coronavirus-antibodies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22822/iit-m-develops-database-on-coronavirus-antibodies.html Mon, 20 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) has developed an online open-source database of coronaviruses’ neutralising antibodies encompassing crucial features such as binding affinity and neutralisation profiles (IC50 and EC50) of antibodies. The database called ‘Ab-CoV’ contains detailed information about all COVID-related antibodies identified so far, including the source of each antibody, and the viral protein(s) and virus strains they recognise. ‘Ab-CoV’ can also aid in the development of drugs against new variants of SARS-CoV-2. Ab-CoV database includes 1,780 coronavirus-related antibodies including 211 nanobodies and contains more than 3,200 data points on half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50), half maximal effective concentration (EC50) & binding affinity (KD). Stressing the uniqueness of Ab-CoV, Prof. M. Michael Gromiha, Faculty, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras, said, “Some of the data in the Ab-CoV database has already been used to understand the relationship between structural features and binding affinities of spike protein-antibody complexes as well as antibody repurposing.” Further, Prof. M. Michael Gromiha said, “Ab-CoV also has a wide range of search and display options through which users can directly search and download the processed data, based on the antibody’s name, viral protein epitope, neutralised viral strain, antibody, and nanobody. It also has the option to view structures of antibodies or viral proteins in a 3D model.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22765/dr-jitendra-singh-launches-one-week-one-lab-event-at-csir-iict-in-hyderabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22765/dr-jitendra-singh-launches-one-week-one-lab-event-at-csir-iict-in-hyderabad.html Thu, 09 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh launched the One Week One Lab event at CSIR-IICT (Indian Institute of Chemical Technology) in Hyderabad. "Each of the 37 CSIR (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research) labs spread across the country is dedicated to a different exclusive area of work and the ongoing "One Week, One Lab" campaign is offering an opportunity to each one of them to showcase the work being done by it so that others can avail of it and stakeholders learn about it", the Minister said. Dr Jitendra Singh pointed out that CSIR-IICT developed several technologies for life saving generic drugs like the development of indigenous technology for AZT required in management of AIDS that brought down the cost of the drug in the world market. Anti-viral drugs and vaccine adjuvant for Covaxin developed by the institute played a pivotal role in limiting the spread of COVID-19 virus.  Addressing an exclusive session of industrialists, startups and innovators at IICT, Dr Jitendra Singh said, "Hyderabad is known to be a destination of health and wealth as well as the pharma capital of the region. Therefore, the specialised and skilled manpower developed by the IICT should find a naturally integral place in the pharma and biotech industry of Hyderabad in particular and India in general."     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22771/govt-announces-exclusive-womens-portal-for-research-grants-and-funds.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22771/govt-announces-exclusive-womens-portal-for-research-grants-and-funds.html Thu, 09 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 To mark the International Women's Day, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh announced an exclusive women's portal for research grants and funds. The portal will become functional with effect from 1st of April. The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) has decided to start exclusive Research Grants for Women Scientists under CSIR-ASPIRE and an exclusive portal in this regard will be available from April 1, 2023. The Special Call inviting proposals from Women Scientists will open the same day. Only women scientists across the country will be eligible to apply for research grants to carry out R&D in major disciplines of science and engineering viz Life Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Engineering Sciences and inter/trans disciplinary sciences. The funds will be provided for staff (JRF/SRF/RA), contingency and minor equipment. The total budget of a research proposal including research fellow’s stipend should generally not exceed the limit of 25-30 lakh. Pertinent to mention that the proposal for inviting research grant proposals from Women Scientists under Extramural Research Scheme, was approved during the 200th meeting of the Governing Body of CSIR on 17th December, 2022 under the chairmanship of Dr Jitendra Singh. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22743/iisc-explores-use-of-nanosheets-for-better-drug-delivery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22743/iisc-explores-use-of-nanosheets-for-better-drug-delivery.html Fri, 03 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 In a recent study, researchers from the Department of Organic Chemistry (OC) and Materials Research Centre (MRC), at Bengaluru-based Indian Institute of Science (IISc), show that surface modifications of two-dimensional molybdenum disulphide (2D-MoS2) nanosheets can make them highly effective for applications like delivering drugs to diseased cells. Nanomaterials usually need to be modified or customised depending on the application to improve their efficiency. Typically, they are chemically modified through a process called functionalisation, which involves attaching ligands (small or large molecules) to the surface of the nanomaterial. In the new study, the researchers modified the surface of 2D-MoS2 nanosheets with thiol (sulphur-containing) ligands. They found that these thiols can be exchanged with naturally-occurring thiols in biological systems, which could allow drugs attached to these nanosheets to be released. These chemically-modified nanosheets were also found to be safe to use inside living cells. Moving forward, the team plans to work on improving the stability of the nanomaterial in the presence of various thiol-containing liquids and exploring alternative surface modification approaches to customise the nanosheets for other applications. “This work on 2D-MoS2 nanosheets can be developed in the future as an alternative to RNA and DNA delivery applications, which can be useful for detecting and treating infections such as COVID-19,” said the researchers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22733/study-finds-mycophenolate-drug-effective-against-covid-19-strains-other-viruses.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22733/study-finds-mycophenolate-drug-effective-against-covid-19-strains-other-viruses.html Thu, 02 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A research study of efficacy of Mycophenolate in the treatment of COVID-19 by a team of doctors at Sahyadri Hospitals Deccan Unit was published in 'The Lancet – Regional Health – Southeast Asia'.  The death rate due to COVID-19 infection in patients who received Mycophenolate was significantly less compared to those who did not receive the drug. Also, patients who received Mycophenolate recovered faster from COVID-19 infection and could be discharged from the hospital earlier resulting in a shorter duration of hospital stay. No post Covid lung fibrosis effects were observed. No side effects of Mycophenolate were noted in the study. Mycophenolate has unique mechanism of action by which it suppresses the multiplication of the virus and reduces the reaction of cytokine storm resulting in better and faster recovery from COVID-19 infection. The drug will be effective against various strains of COVID-19 virus and also against many other viruses. The drug is also relatively inexpensive and easily available in the market. Mycophenolate is a drug that is used to suppress immunity in certain autoimmune diseases and to prevent rejection after kidney transplantation. Sahyadri Hospitals is the largest chain of hospitals in Maharashtra with 8 hospitals across three cities of Pune, Nashik and Karad.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22734/researchers-in-india-identify-better-drug-treatment-for-severe-scrub-typhus.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22734/researchers-in-india-identify-better-drug-treatment-for-severe-scrub-typhus.html Thu, 02 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0530 An Indian multi-institute team of researchers has identified a better drug treatment for ‘Severe Scrub Typhus,’ a life-threatening infection caused by the bacteria, Orientia tsutsugamushi. This infection, which primarily affects rodents, is transmitted to humans (zoonoses) by the larvae of trombiculid mites. The researchers found that a ‘Combination antibiotic treatment’ (using a combination of drugs) is more effective for treating severe scrub typhus than single-drug therapies.  According to the study, when both azithromycin and doxycycline were administered together to patients with severe scrub typhus, the bacteria were cleared away quicker and patients improved faster.  This could be because doxycycline and azithromycin stop the bacteria from producing proteins through different, but complimentary, mechanisms. The combination of the two drugs may have result in a more complete blockade of protein synthesis and consequently reduced bacterial growth and multiplication. As combination therapy quickly controlled bacterial growth within the first week of infection, severe disease may have been prevented and resolution of symptoms might have quickened. Prof.  George M Varghese, an infectious diseases physician and Researcher from Christian Medical College in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, and the INTREST trial investigators conducted a multi-centric, randomised controlled trial funded by the DBT/Wellcome India Alliance to identify the best treatment option for patients with severe scrub typhus.  The collaborating institutions included the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, Indira Gandhi Medical College & Hospital (IGMC) Shimla, Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, Christian Medical College, Vellore, SVIMS Tirupati and KMC Manipal.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22686/facilities-worth-rs-120-cr-open-at-translational-health-science-and-technology-institute-faridabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22686/facilities-worth-rs-120-cr-open-at-translational-health-science-and-technology-institute-faridabad.html Thu, 23 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated various facilities worth Rs 120 crore at the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad, Haryana. Delivering the Presidential address after the inauguration of facilities including a Medical Research Centre which will be a 50 bedded hospital and will have facilities for conducting clinical research such as observational cohort studies and phase 1 & phase 2 clinical trials, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the kind of research happening here has drawn international acclaim. "THSTI is one of the top institutes under Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and this institute has done extremely well in many areas of research such as mother and child health, vaccine development, therapeutic molecules against tuberculosis and dengue and newer diagnostic tools. It has world class facilities such as BSL-3 lab, experimental animal facility, a large biorepository and state of the art modern equipment for molecular research", the Minister added. Secretary, DBT, Dr Rajesh Gokhale in his address said that THSTI is a young institute but it has done major contribution in the area of healthcare in India and particularly during the pandemic. He said that Resources, People and Ethos, what make an Institute a Distinct One and the THSTI has all the elements in it. Calling for making Research a Passion, Dr Gokhale said, in the last decade the Institute has made an international mark.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22682/iit-m-partners-with-general-insurance-corporation-of-india-to-develop-urine-based-tb-diagnosis-technology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22682/iit-m-partners-with-general-insurance-corporation-of-india-to-develop-urine-based-tb-diagnosis-technology.html Wed, 22 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) is partnering with General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re), a public sector Undertaking, to develop a urine-based tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis or screening technology. The envisaged product for urine-based TB screening/diagnosis is anticipated to be faster and far more affordable than the existing point-of-care diagnostic kits available for various diseases such as blood glucose monitors. The key beneficiaries of this project, which is getting CSR funding from the GIC Re, will be primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare centres besides the health departments in State and Central Governments. IIT-M has partnered with over 180 entities under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and has raised over Rs 250 crore to implement 200+ projects till date.  The Biosensors Laboratory at llT-M is developing a novel plasmonic fiber optic absorbance biosensor (P-FA8) technology. They have established a laboratory-level proof-of-concept for the detection of a well-reported tuberculosis biomarker in urine, known as 'Lipoaabinomannan (LAM).’  In parallel, the associated technologies for the fabrication of fiber optic sensor probes and readout device schemes have been designed and developed and the technology is transferred to two start-ups based in India and US. The next step towards bringing the urinary marker-based TB diagnosis is the systematic clinical validation study of the P-FAB diagnostic technology with TB patient samples.  IIT-M will be developing the proof-of-concept for the urine-based TB screening/diagnosis. The know-how and the relevant technologies will be made available to startups or diagnostic kit manufacturers.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22659/controlling-aerosolisation-of-mucous-vaccination-help-prevent-covid-19-infection-outcomes-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22659/controlling-aerosolisation-of-mucous-vaccination-help-prevent-covid-19-infection-outcomes-study.html Mon, 20 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M), Jadavpur University and Northwestern University (US) have shown a plausible mechanism for how COVID-19 infection could become lethal. They performed simulation studies to understand the mechanism of transmission of the COVID-19 virus from the nose and throat to the lower respiratory tract. The researchers used mathematical models to show how these viruses that infect the mucous lining of the respiratory tract spread as droplets into the lungs, thereby causing serious illnesses and recommend ways to prevent such spread. The transport of virus-laden mucous droplets can be reduced by preventing activities that result in the generation of these droplets in the first place. For example, sneezing or coughing can dislodge the infected mucous in the nose and throat in the form of droplets. One strategy to control such droplet formation is by administering cough syrups or expectorants. This would not only curtail spread to others but will also prevent an additional source of self-aerosolized droplets which could be inhaled into the lower respiratory tract.  Elaborating further, Dr Aranyak Chakravarty, Assistant Professor, School of Nuclear Studies and Application, Jadavpur University, said, “There was another important finding of this work. Our studies also show that while the transport of infected mucous droplets in the airway plays an important role, the infection growth and seriousness also depend upon the immune response of the infected person.” The results of this study provide two important lessons- Medicines to control sneezing and coughing can help prevent the formation of infected mucous droplets in the nose and throat and their transmission into deep  lungs, and  Vaccination can help in preventing the development of pneumonia and other such serious lung diseases. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22662/iit-guwahati-produces-cardiac-proteins-to-fix-damaged-heart.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22662/iit-guwahati-produces-cardiac-proteins-to-fix-damaged-heart.html Mon, 20 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A research team from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) has developed a ‘Recombinant Protein Toolbox’ comprising of six special proteins, which can be used to convert healthy skin cells or any somatic cells from an adult human body into heart cells, specifically cardiomyocytes. The heart cells created using this toolbox can have the same function as the original heart cells and can be used to regenerate damaged heart tissues. Importantly, this toolbox can facilitate the generation of autologous heart cells in a lab. The team has collaborated with Dr Vishwas Kaveeshwar from the Central Research Laboratory at SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital in Dharwad, Karnataka, to validate the biological activity of the recombinant fusion proteins. Explaining the details of their work, Dr Rajkumar P. Thummer, Assistant Professor, Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, IIT Guwahati said, “Recombinant protein based cellular reprogramming is a promising alternative and the safest approach among other available non-integration approaches. As these proteins do not modify or alter the genome of the cells, the cells generated using this reprogramming approach have a high cell therapeutic value. Several challenges associated with the heterologous production of these recombinant proteins have been addressed in our six research publications in different journals.” According to Krishna Kumar Haridhasapavalan, Research Scholar at IIT Guwahati, and first author of the papers published by the team, “The recombinant proteins can be delivered to target sites without the need of any harmful reagents. In addition to cardiac repair, these proteins can be studied for their role in various cancers as suppressors or promotors of tumour growth.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22653/arci-designs-non-cytotoxic-nano-composite-coatings-to-prevent-post-surgical-infections.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22653/arci-designs-non-cytotoxic-nano-composite-coatings-to-prevent-post-surgical-infections.html Fri, 17 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers from Hyderabad-based International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have developed a nanocomposite coating (named as ATL) by combining water repellence and biocidal property, which exhibits both hydrophobic and biocidal behaviour. The developed coating not only inhibits biofilm formation by restricting bacterial and water adhesion but also kills attached bacteria. Post-operative surgical site infections (SSIs), which according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), affect 11 percent of patients in low and middle-income countries, are caused by the development of biofilms i.e. groups of bacteria growing in formation that are highly resistant to antibiotics, on the incision site or in the soft tissue inside the site. Thus, it is important to have an antibacterial coating on the surface of the materials that can act as potential sources of SSI. The coatings developed in the present study can be used as a non-cytotoxic alternative to the commercially available antibacterial coatings, especially for healthcare applications on surgical sutures/surgical instruments to prevent the rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria. The ATL-coated vicryl sutures exhibited higher percentage biofilm inhibition when compared to commercially available triclosan-coated antibacterial sutures. Cytotoxicity of the formulation was evaluated on coated surface, and it was found that ATL coatings are non-cytotoxic. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22648/iit-d-to-design-next-generation-vaccine-against-covid-19-dengue.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22648/iit-d-to-design-next-generation-vaccine-against-covid-19-dengue.html Thu, 16 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Since the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, scientists from around the world have been studying the disease and its epidemiology to develop effective vaccines. The development of a vaccine that can overcome disadvantages including the stability of the materials used, limited immune response, and side effects, e.g., blood clotting, and provide a durable immune response will offer better protection from the deadly COVID-19 virus. Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D) have taken a step forward towards next-generation vaccine for COVID-19. Unlike currently used vaccines, which use synthetic materials or adenovirus to package and deliver antigens, the IIT-D researchers used the body's own immune cells in developing a nano-vaccine. This naturally derived nano-vaccine developed by the researchers could have several advantages over currently approved vaccines. It will minimise the chance of blood clotting, which was otherwise observed in vaccinated individuals. Prof. Jayanta Bhattacharyya, Centre for Biomedical Engineering, IIT Delhi, said, "This approach to vaccination can be used for various other infectious diseases, such as dengue." The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) has approved a research grant to the group for the development of a nano-vaccine against dengue. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22643/pratiksha-trust-provides-funds-worth-rs-450-cr-to-iisc-for-brain-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22643/pratiksha-trust-provides-funds-worth-rs-450-cr-to-iisc-for-brain-research.html Wed, 15 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 In a landmark development in philanthropic support for deep science in India, the Pratiksha Trust has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the Centre for Brain Research (CBR) – an autonomous Centre of IISc located on the Institute campus in Bengaluru – to support fundamental and translational research on neurodegenerative diseases of the elderly population. Under this MoU, the Pratiksha Trust has generously agreed to provide support to CBR in perpetuity, with an initial outlay to the tune of Rs 450.27 crore over the next 10 years, for research, innovation and translation. Earlier in 2014, the Pratiksha Trust, established by philanthropists Kris Gopalakrishnan and Sudha Gopalakrishnan, had helped set up this unique centre in the IISc campus. The Trust has been supporting the R&D activities and has helped create world-class infrastructure in CBR since its establishment in 2014. In addition, the Trust entirely funded the construction of a state-of-the-art building for CBR. The current MoU is an extension of this support for securing the future of CBR and strengthening its long-term studies on the ageing brain.  The substantial extension of support by the Pratiksha Trust through the current MoU will help scale up the research and innovation activities at the Centre significantly. It will help identify new early biomarkers and molecular targets for novel drugs. The funding will help initiate and investigate the efficacy of evidence-based interventions (lifestyle-based as well as therapeutic). The funding will also enable the Centre to proactively explore and achieve complete bench-to-bedside translation of the outcomes from the interdisciplinary research. “The human brain is one of the world’s biggest mysteries, which is yet to be fully understood. By funding this Centre, with the help of IISc, we are working towards creating and sustaining a globally recognised, state-of-the-art research and innovation hub that will be at the cutting edge of research on the human brain,” said Kris Gopalakrishnan.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22607/nimhans-university-of-southern-california-to-initiate-global-ageing-and-mental-health-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22607/nimhans-university-of-southern-california-to-initiate-global-ageing-and-mental-health-research.html Wed, 08 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, and the University of Southern California (USC), US have collaborated for the India ENIGMA Initiative for Global Ageing and Mental Health research. This 5-year project aims at bridging the knowledge gap around the various factors influencing the acceleration in brain ageing. Funded by a competitive research grant of Rs 21 crore from the National Institute on Ageing (NIA)/National Institutes of Health (NIH), US, the project has been approved by the Health Ministry of the Government of India and the NIMHANS Institutional Ethics Committee. The Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) consortium, headed by Dr Paul M. Thompson, Director, Imaging Genetics Centre (IGC), USC, has brought together researchers who study major brain diseases, from around 40 countries. Eminent researchers from NIMHANS, Dr John. P. John, Professor of Psychiatry and Faculty in charge – Multimodal Brain Image Analysis Laboratory (MBIAL), Dr G. Venkatasubramanian, Professor of Psychiatry and Faculty-in-charge, Translational Psychiatry Laboratory (TransPsych Lab), Dr P.T. Sivakumar, Professor of Psychiatry and Head, Geriatric Psychiatry Unit will be a part of this initiative. They will aim to study the factors contributing to brain ageing in the Indian population that can lead to an increased risk for Alzheimer’s dementia and other related disorders. To be conducted at NIMHANS, Bengaluru, the study will involve 400 participants (including healthy older adults and persons with memory impairment) who can volunteer to participate. This study includes comprehensive assessment of risk and protective factors through clinical interview, memory and cognitive tests, blood investigations and brain imaging (MRI scan). The researchers will follow up with the participants over two years to understand the contribution of these factors to the risk of developing dementia.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22598/iit-kanpur-to-launch-novel-haptic-smart-watch-for-blind-and-visually-impaired.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22598/iit-kanpur-to-launch-novel-haptic-smart-watch-for-blind-and-visually-impaired.html Mon, 06 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has entered into a technology transfer with New Delhi-based Ambrane India for mass manufacturing and sales of the “haptic smart watch for blind and visually impaired”. The breakthrough innovation of the novel touch sensitive haptic smart watch comes with two variants, and was developed by Prof. Siddhartha Panda and Vishwaraj Srivastava from the National Centre for Flexible Electronics at IIT Kanpur. Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Director IIT Kanpur, said, “The development of the haptic smart watch for the visually impaired and the blind is a revolutionary innovation from the team of Prof. Siddhartha Panda and Vishwaraj Srivastava at NCFlexE, IIT Kanpur. We believe that this watch will make a great social impact by enabling the visually impaired and blind to make seamless use of this technology for everyday usage. The watch will soon be commercialised by Ambrane India and will be available in the market at an affordable price."  The smartwatch variant is equipped with smart features to indicate health parameters such as heart rate, step count, hydration reminder and smart timer to set short timer by using simple gesture. The existing smartwatches for the blind and visually impaired use audio-based output and lacks privacy. The IIT Kanpur-developed smartwatch, which offers a tactile-haptic interface for display of time and health parameters, addresses these drawbacks. The use of innovative haptic icons makes it easy to navigate the menu and a simple gesture like the double-tap can open a particular health monitoring app. These numbers are communicated in a similar way as the time. IIT Kanpur has been proactively working with an objective to develop more such technologies having societal impact especially in the assistive domain which can be transformed into a product.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22585/genomic-surveillance-of-wastewater-to-identify-new-emergent-virus-variants-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22585/genomic-surveillance-of-wastewater-to-identify-new-emergent-virus-variants-study.html Fri, 03 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 In a new study, scientists from Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS), National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) and Biome Environmental Trust have shown that genomic surveillance of wastewater can effectively be used to understand COVID-19 trends and also for early detection of new viral emergents. The study was conducted in Bengaluru, a city with a population of 11 million inhabitants. Wastewater samples were collected once every week from 28 sewer sites across the city, between January 2022 and June 2022. A total of 422 samples were found to test positive for the presence of SARS- CoV-2 virus that causes the COVID-19 infection. The samples were then subjected to RT-qPCR tests to detect viral RNA and identify different variants of the virus within the sample. RT-qPCR method is a demonstrated economical surveillance tool used to track the dynamics and spread of infections and has been used globally to trace the spread of COVID-19. The findings of this study divulge real-time genomic surveillance of wastewater as a key tool to understand the emerging patterns of virus populations and of new virus variants in densely populated areas. The scientists compared the viral load of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in both wastewater samples and clinical samples obtained from individuals affected by COVID-19 infections and found them to be positively correlated with each other. Wastewater was also found to have a higher number of virus variants in it than found in clinical samples. The emergence of new variants in wastewater is indicative of a significant number of individuals in the community to have been already infected by new viral strains. Many new variants were observed at different intervals of time along the duration of the study. However, these variant types and their time of detection were consistent across all sampling sites in the city. The scientists believe the insights gained from this study will significantly improve public health surveillance, both for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and also other infections which may adversely affect in the future. The study was supported by funding from the Rockefeller Foundation grant to National Centre for Biological Sciences (TIFR) and the Indian Council of Medical Research grant to (FI) Tata Institute for Genetics and Society and Tata Trusts.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22580/scientists-provide-new-mechanism-to-help-develop-anti-venom-therapy-for-snake-bite.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22580/scientists-provide-new-mechanism-to-help-develop-anti-venom-therapy-for-snake-bite.html Thu, 02 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Scientists at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, in collaboration with Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kochi, have comprehensively discussed and traced the mechanisms of the toxic action of cobra venom, paving a path towards developing strategies for application of antivenom or small molecule inhibitors, which can help mitigate the local toxic effects of cobra venom retained at the bite site. Snakebite envenoming is a potentially life-threatening disease caused by toxins in the bite of a venomous snake. Available data show 4.5–5.4 million people get bitten by snakes annually. Of this, 1.8–2.7 million develop clinical illness and 81000 to 138000 die from complications. Proteomic studies from several other laboratories have demonstrated that cobra venoms are predominated by the non-enzymatic three-finger toxin family, constituting about 60-75% of the total venom. Cytotoxins (CTXs), an essential class of the non-enzymatic three-finger toxin family, are ubiquitously present in cobra venoms. These low-molecular-mass toxins, contributing to about 40 to 60% of the cobra venom proteome, play a significant role in cobra venom-induced toxicity, more prominently in dermonecrosis (local effects). Being low-molecular-mass toxins, cobra venom CTXs induce low immune responses during the traditional production of antivenoms. Therefore, commercial antivenoms lack sufficient antibodies to neutralize these cobra venom toxins. "Due to this sub-optimal performance of commercial antivenoms against cobra venom CTXs, in-patient hospital management of local effects prevalent in cobra-envenomation is challenging and still a grave concern that requires immediate attention", said the researchers. The researchers believe that the recent advances in molecular biology and protein engineering can significantly facilitate the solution to this problem and aid in creating highly immunogenic toxins/toxin fragments for antivenom production.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22527/iit-m-to-establish-parkinsons-therapeutics-lab-with-new-funding-of-rs-50-l.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22527/iit-m-to-establish-parkinsons-therapeutics-lab-with-new-funding-of-rs-50-l.html Tue, 24 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) Class of 1972 is sponsoring the creation of ‘Parkinson’s Therapeutics Lab’ in the Institute to boost efforts towards treating Parkinson’s Disease. The batch has also donated Rs 50 lakh towards the scholarship fund of IIT Madras.  This lab will be a major boost to researchers at the Laboratory for Computational Neuroscience (CNS Lab) to develop a computational model of a brain region called ‘Basal Ganglia’ (BG) where the loss of cells leads to Parkinson’s Disease. The BG system plays vital and diverse roles in all major domains of brain function such as sensory-motor, cognitive, affective and autonomous. The CNS Lab is involved in developing systems-level models of various crucial brain systems. The ultimate goal of the CNS Lab is to create a whole brain model and use it to develop model-based therapeutics for Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and other brain disorders.  The project will be managed by Prof. V. Srinivasa Chakravarthy, Faculty, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras, who heads the CNS Lab at Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22513/nmims-receives-patent-for-novel-ocular-formulation-for-glaucoma-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22513/nmims-receives-patent-for-novel-ocular-formulation-for-glaucoma-treatment.html Fri, 20 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Mumbai-based Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management (SPPSPTM) has announced that a patent for OCUSERT, a novel ocular formulation for the treatment of glaucoma, has been awarded (Patent No. 416859, Application no. 201721032534) to Dr Bala Prabhakar, Dean Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management (SPPSPTM), along with other inventors.                                    Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss worldwide, with an estimated 79.6 million patients expected to be diagnosed by 2025. At present, the commercially available form of brimonidine for the treatment of glaucoma is in the form of eye drops. However, these eye drops have a short precorneal retention time and often result in poor patient compliance due to the need for frequent administration. The OCUSERT formulation addresses these issues by providing sustained release of the active drug over a longer period of time. This development has the potential of commercial applicability and could significantly improve the treatment options available for patients with glaucoma. "OCUSERT has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of glaucoma. The sustained release capabilities of this formulation will significantly improve patient compliance and offer a more effective treatment option for a disease that affects millions of people worldwide," said Dr Bala Prabhakar, Dean Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management (SPPSPTM) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22508/iiser-bhopal-develops-organic-crystalline-materials-for-healthcare-wearables.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22508/iiser-bhopal-develops-organic-crystalline-materials-for-healthcare-wearables.html Thu, 19 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal have developed a new, flexible organic crystal that shows great potential for use in highly sensitive pressure sensors. These crystals were developed in IISER Bhopal, and the understanding of the response of these crystals to mechanical deformation was done in collaboration with researchers from the University of Queensland and the Queensland University of Technology in Australia. The device fabricated with this material has a high sensitivity to pressure, when compared to existing materials, making it a promising component for the future development of the technology of pressure sensors. There is a growing interest in the use of organic materials for electronic applications. The flexibility of organic materials makes them ideal for creating flexible electronic devices such as displays and sensors that can be bent or curved, providing a new level of design freedom. Organic crystals, in particular, have immense potential in the field of electronics, due to their few defects and minimal grain boundaries. The researchers from IISER Bhopal and University of Queensland have developed a new organic crystal – 4-trifluoromethyl phenyl isothiocyanate (4CFNCS) – that is flexible enough to be bent, twisted, and coiled.  Dr Mitradip Bhattacharjee, Assistant Professor, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, IISER Bhopal, said, “These materials can be made without harmful chemicals or high-energy conditions, making them better for the environment. Apart from the applications of touch screens, such materials will be of great use in the design of flexible electronic devices, such as those used in healthcare, intelligent systems, wearable devices, and self-powered devices.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22496/researchers-at-actrec-discover-novel-therapeutic-agent-for-host-of-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22496/researchers-at-actrec-discover-novel-therapeutic-agent-for-host-of-diseases.html Wed, 18 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Chromatin comprises a complex mixture of DNA and proteins and forms the structural basis of chromosomes in the cellular nuclei. When cells die, they release cell-free chromatin particles or cfChPs into the circulatory system. Emerging evidence indicates that cfChPs exert toxic effects by damaging the DNA of healthy cells and activating pro-inflammatory processes. Researchers from the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research & Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), India, have recently demonstrated therapeutic benefits of a pro-oxidant mixture of resveratrol and copper, R-Cu, in patients undergoing chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer. Combining R with Cu (R-Cu) leads to the generation of free oxygen radicals which can inactivate the offending cfChPs. This study was supported by Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, through its grant CTCTMC to Tata Memorial Centre. Professor Indraneel Mittra, Dr. Ernest Borges Chair in Translational Research and Professor Emeritus, Department of Surgical Oncology at TMC/ACTREC said, "Our evidence suggests that R-Cu can be a novel, cost-effective, and non-toxic agent which can be used for multiple disease conditions including cancer and metastasis prevention." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22498/india-international-science-festival-to-open-on-21st-jan-in-bhopal.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22498/india-international-science-festival-to-open-on-21st-jan-in-bhopal.html Wed, 18 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 India International Science Festival (IISF), an initiative of Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Earth Science of Government of India in association with Vijnana Bharati, is to be held from 21st to 24th January, 2023 in Bhopal. Dr Krishna Ella, CMD, Bharat Biotech, will lead the session titled “Powering Atma Nirbhar Bharat through Science and Entrepreneurship”, while Anand Deshpande, Founder & CMD Persistent Systems will Chair the Session on “Technological Advancements in Data Science and India’s leadership in Digital Transformation”. Young Scientist Conference will be organised from 22nd January to 24th January. This event is intended for young scientists, researchers, faculties and science innovators from national laboratories, academic institutions and from scientific industry fraternity. The themes selected for the Young Scientist Conference are frontier areas of science research, pandemic challenges, impacts and research in vaccine development, water resources, conservation, recycling and purification, biodiversity, environment & climate change, food and energy security for Self-Reliant India. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh said that the StartUp conclave in Bhopal will have exhibits by enablers offering incubation services and shared infrastructure and there will be focused discussions for startups, enablers and stakeholders for peer-to-peer learning, networking and sharing best practices. He said that guidance on forming a startup and availing enabling opportunities under StartUp India will also be provided at the venue. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22478/iisc-develops-computational-models-to-speed-up-screening-of-antimicrobials.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22478/iisc-develops-computational-models-to-speed-up-screening-of-antimicrobials.html Fri, 13 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 In two recent studies, researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru and Unilever have collaborated to develop computational models of bacterial cell walls that can speed up the screening of antimicrobials, molecules which can kill disease-causing bacteria. Antimicrobials kill bacteria either by disrupting the cell wall’s lipid membrane and destabilising the peptidoglycan layer, or by translocating through the cell wall layers and disrupting the cell membrane inside. However, the actual mechanisms of interaction between antimicrobial molecules and these cellular barriers are poorly understood. The research team at IISc is the first to propose a comprehensive molecular model of the cell wall for Staphylococcus aureus. In one study, the team created an ‘atomistic model’, a computer simulation that recreates the structure of the cell wall down to the level of individual atoms. In the other study, the team used their model to compare the movement of different surfactant molecules through the peptidoglycan layer in E. coli.  Using the supercomputing facility at IISc, the team tested the effectiveness of their model with several known antimicrobials. One of these, melittin, a short peptide, binds with higher efficiency to the E. coli cell wall than that of S. aureus.  “The goal with Unilever is to facilitate rapid screening of molecules using the computational models we have developed, to narrow down the search for potential antimicrobials to a smaller subset of molecules which can be tested in the laboratory,” said the researchers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22460/national-science-day-2023-puts-focus-on-global-science-for-global-wellbeing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22460/national-science-day-2023-puts-focus-on-global-science-for-global-wellbeing.html Mon, 09 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh released the theme for the National Science Day 2023, titled "Global Science for Global Wellbeing" at National Media Centre, in New Delhi. The Minister said, as India enters 2023, the theme indicates India's emerging global role and rising visibility in the international arena. The National Science Day (NSD) is celebrated every year on 28 February to commemorate the discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’. Government of India designated 28 February as National Science Day (NSD) in 1986. On this day Sir C.V. Raman announced the discovery of the 'Raman Effect' for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1930. On this occasion, theme-based science communication activities are carried out all over the country. Dr Jitendra Singh informed that the Global Science for Global Wellbeing theme has been chosen for the purpose of raising public appreciation of the scientific issues in global context which is having a bearing upon global wellbeing. Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, Dr Ajay Kumar Sood explained the rationale behind the theme of "Global Science for Global Wellbeing" and said in the wake of COVID-19, the world has become more closer to fight global challenges. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22453/scientists-to-develop-new-solutions-for-treatment-diagnosis-of-chronic-ailments-isc-2023.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22453/scientists-to-develop-new-solutions-for-treatment-diagnosis-of-chronic-ailments-isc-2023.html Sat, 07 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 A proprietary diagnostic test has been developed which is highly sensitive and is capable of detecting liver disease from the blood serum samples. Dr Bishnu Pada Chatterjee, Emeritus Professor, Department of Natural Sciences, West Bengal University of Technology, Kolkata, informed that as the test uses only blood serum samples, it is minimally invasive and inexpensive as well. He was speaking on the ‘Implications of Glycobiology in Human Health, Disease and Cancer Therapeutics’ during a plenary session at the 108th Indian Science Congress (ISC) hosted at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University. During the session, Dr Chatterjee also highlighted the potential for commercial development of the proprietary test developed. He explained how Hepatitis B virus is a major cause of chronic liver disease in Asia and India. The talk also touched upon the detection of serum phosphoproteins in chronic hepatitis B, cirrhosis of the liver and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through various methods. Speaking about the pathogenesis of many relevant human diseases, including cancer, fibrosis, and diabetes that are associated with chronic inflammation, Dr Hafiz Ahmed, President and CEO of GlycoMantra Inc., Biotechnology Center at the University of Maryland, US, said efforts were being made to develop a proprietary glycopeptide drug named GM101. The drug blocks the spread, increases survival and adds to the anti-tumour response of the body. He also presented information regarding the pre-clinical validation of the drug in animal models. The talk further highlighted the future plans that includes IND-enabling experiments such as animal toxicity studies and cGMP manufacturing required for the Phase I clinical trials.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22447/excessive-antibiotics-fuelling-pandemic-of-antimicrobial-resistance-isc-2023-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22447/excessive-antibiotics-fuelling-pandemic-of-antimicrobial-resistance-isc-2023-.html Thu, 05 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The excessive and inappropriate use of antimicrobials such as azithromycin, doxycycline, ivermectin during the treatment of COVID-19, and during secondary infections, are fuelling the raging pandemic of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This was stated Dr Tanu Singhal, Paediatrician and Infectious Disease Specialist, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai while speaking at a session during the 108th Indian Science Congress (ISC) in Nagpur, on 4th January 2023. Dr Tanu Singhal further said that secondary infections have been responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality during the pandemic. "The most dramatic secondary infection in the Indian context has been COVID-19 associated mucormycosis (CAM) also termed as “black fungus”. More than 50,000 cases of CAM were reported in India mainly during the second wave", she said. She also emphasised that the main reasons for CAM were the immunosuppressive effects of COVID-19 itself, the excessive use of steroids, co-existing diabetes and high fungal spore counts in the Indian environment. This session also involved the participation of Dr Rakesh K. Agrawal, Director, Brahma Management Services, Lucknow; Dr Devendra K. Agrawal, Professor and Director, Department of Translational Research, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, US; Dr Vineet Agrawal, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Cardiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, US; Dr Vithyalakshmi Selvaraj, Psychiatrist and Managing Director, Omaha Insomnia and Psychiatric Services, US.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22441/growth-of-deep-tech-startups-will-offer-more-jobs-to-phds-prof-ajay-sood.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22441/growth-of-deep-tech-startups-will-offer-more-jobs-to-phds-prof-ajay-sood.html Wed, 04 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 At the ongoing 108th Indian Science Congress (ISC) in Nagpur, from 3 to 7 January 2023, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Professor Ajay K Sood laid emphasis on the need to push deep-tech startup sector in India. "While India has emerged as the third largest ecosystem for startups globally and the deep tech startup landscape in India has seen rapid growth, there is still space to boost it up specifically in areas like consumer technology, automotive, media and entertainment, agri-tech, energy utilities, and cyber security", said Prof Sood. He also noted that India is among the top three nations in the world in terms of the number of PhDs. "While the number of PhDs are increasing in India, the country's share in the top 1% of published research is less. India needs to focus on impactful science, and not just derivative science", he said. He further said that PhDs need not continue in the academic space throughout their career. "Our mindset has been that if you have done PhD you can only become a professor. This is not a sustainable way. Further growth of the startup sector, particularly deep-tech, can provide numerous job opportunties to PhDs in the industry", said Prof Sood while interacting with BioSpectrum. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22435/india-to-emerge-as-most-advanced-laboratory-of-modern-science-pm-at-isc-2023.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22435/india-to-emerge-as-most-advanced-laboratory-of-modern-science-pm-at-isc-2023.html Tue, 03 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0530 The Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 108th Indian Science Congress (ISC) via video conferencing on 3 January 2023. The focal theme of this year's ISC is “Science and Technology for Sustainable Development with Women Empowerment” which will witness discussions on issues of sustainable development, women empowerment and the role of science & technology in achieving this. Speaking about the result of India’s tryst with the scientific approach, the Prime Minister said that India is being counted among the top countries of the world as India moved to  40th place in the Global Innovation Index in 2022 from 81st place in 2015. India is among the top three nations in the world in terms of the number of PhDs and startup ecosystems. “Efforts of science can turn into great achievements only when they come out of the lab and reach the land, and their impact reaches from global to grassroots, when its ambit is from journal to jameen and when change is visible from research to real life”, he said. The PM further said, "We need to invest in R&D to make more vaccines for tackling newer disease. Integrated disease surveillance is being conducted at inter-ministerial level to keep a tab on emerging diseases. Make India the most advanced laboratory of modern science." After the inuagural event, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology & Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh said while interacting with the media, "By the year 2050, it is estimated that our global population will likely reach 9 billion people. And we have to ensure that every single one of these people will be able to enjoy a substantial quality of life without being detrimental to our natural resources & environment. Sustainable Development is the one that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." ISC 2023 also witnessed a plenary session where Principal Scientific Advisor to Government of India, Dr Ajay Sood, Secretary; CSIR Director General Dr N Kalaiselvi; Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences Dr M Ravichandran and Dr Alka Sharma, Adviser, Department of Biotechnology deliberated upon the challenges and opportunities in Science & Technology for 2030.     Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU), one of the premier educational institutions of central India, established in 1923 & hence celebrating centennial year of establishment, is playing the role of the 'host university' for ISC 2023, which is being held till 7th January. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22431/st-minister-urges-iicb-kolkata-to-carry-out-preventive-healthcare-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22431/st-minister-urges-iicb-kolkata-to-carry-out-preventive-healthcare-research.html Fri, 30 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh visited premier Kolkata institute founded in 1935, the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB) and urged the Director and senior scientists to carry out preventive healthcare research, with special focus on prevention of metabolic sisorders like Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in the young. Dr Jitendra Singh noted that the institute has developed an oral vaccine for cholera, herbal products for controlling gastric ulcer, empirical treatment for vitiligo, diagnostic kits for malignancy and hormonal disorders and a device for early detection of Parkinson’s disease. He said, although the strength of CSIR-IICB has always been basic biomedical research, during the last 8 years emphasis is being given on goal-oriented research directed towards commercial exploitability. It was the first non-official medical research Institution in India with a very small budget coming from private donations. Presently, CSIR-IICB has 2 campuses. The main campus is at Jadavpur and the second campus is situated at Salt Lake. The Salt Lake Campus was conceptualised in February 2016. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22386/iiser-thiruvananthapuram-and-jncasr-bengaluru-focus-on-chromosome-stability-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22386/iiser-thiruvananthapuram-and-jncasr-bengaluru-focus-on-chromosome-stability-research.html Tue, 20 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram (IISER TVM) and the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) Bengaluru recently concluded the 5th International Chromosome Stability Meeting 2022. The 4-day long event recorded participation from around 170 scientists, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows from Asia, Europe, the USA, and the UK to cover research involving many model systems and molecular approaches used to study chromosome stability.   Chromosome stability refers to an elaborate DNA damage repair and recombination process that culminates with the accurate segregation of chromosomes in progeny during cell division. Errors in these processes are known to be associated with several diseases, such as cancer and congenital birth defects. The objective of the meeting was to bring together established scientists and young investigators from India and abroad working on areas related to chromosome stability.    The last few years have seen the emergence of a substantial number of principal investigators in India whose laboratories are engaged in addressing problems in the area of chromosome stability. There are currently no major meetings in India focused on chromosome stability. The meeting on chromosome stability began as a series in 2012 to fill this lacuna. Topics discussed in the meeting were highly relevant for understanding many genomic disorders, cancers, and ageing resulting from chromosome instability and DNA damage.  The International Chromosome Stability Meeting is well-known globally among scientists and trainees working in the field of chromosome stability and is expected to establish new scientific leaders in the area of chromosome stability in India. The meeting series has catalysed the growth of the scientific community working on chromosome stability in India.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22375/108th-indian-science-congress-at-nagpur-lays-focus-on-women-empowerment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22375/108th-indian-science-congress-at-nagpur-lays-focus-on-women-empowerment.html Sat, 17 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Science Congress (ISC), being held from 3rd to 7th January 2022 at Nagpur would focus on scientific development in India under a feminine veil keeping in view the women empowerment and socio-political changing scenario. The Theme of 108th Indian Science Congress therefore has been aptly chosen as “SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY for SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT with WOMEN EMPOWERMENT”. The forthcoming ISC has been designed to celebrate the spirit of womanhood and their remarkable contribution in the field of Science and Technology. In sync with their natural gift to generate, women have stood out as a true harbinger and have led the foundation of a number of innovative and niche developments and discoveries. The Congress aims to address all the key issues that are obstacles to the growth of Women in the fields of Science & Technology. As per the precedence, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi would inaugurate the 108th Indian Science Congress on 3rd January 2023. Eminent scientists, industry leaders, technocrats, policy makers and academicians would grace the occasion. Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU), one of the premier educational institutions of central India, established in 1923 & hence celebrating centennial year of establishment, will be playing the role of the 'host university' for ISC. A key highlight of the event is the Pride of India (PoI)-Mega Science Exhibition that has emerged as a unique platform for organisations from both public and prvicate sectors to showcase their achievements in science and technology. Vigyan Jyot (Flame of Knowledge) remains lit at the venue of the Indian Science Congress PoI Expo for the duration of the Congress. Lakhs of students, dignitaries and general public visit Vigyan Jyot every year and take an oath to spread the awareness of science. A dedicated pavilion called the Hall of Pride will portray the life journey of unique personalities who have created indelible mark not just in India but globally in the field of science and technology. Established in 1914, Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) is the premier Indian Science Community organisation. For the last 107 years, ISCA has been bringing together has been bringing together the entire scientific fraternity to discuss the key issues related to various streams of science.   Thrust Areas: Defence  Nanotechnology  Agriculture  Biodiversity  Biotechnology  Environmental Science  Bio energy  Renewable Energy  Medical Sciences  Climate change  Electronic Sector  Space Science & Technology  ICT  Transportation  Child health care  Water Management  Technologies for physically challenged  Science education for women  Skill development  Startup  Innovation ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22352/iit-d-showcases-multiple-medical-health-based-technologies-at-industry-day.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22352/iit-d-showcases-multiple-medical-health-based-technologies-at-industry-day.html Tue, 13 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D)'s flagship industry-academia partnership event “Industry Day”, held recently, focused on future-ready solutions in the field of healthcare technologies, electric vehicle research, communications and sustainable clean energy and environment. The technologies showcased within each of these themes also includes those which are being developed in collaboration with industry partners. Inaugurating the 4th Edition of Industry Day, chief guest Anant Krishnan, Executive Vice President and CTO, Tata Consultancy Services, emphasised the need to create more future-ready solutions from IIT-D and how the four themes of the Industry Day are interlinked to India's mission of “atma nirbharta”. An augmented reality platform for supporting children with autism, wearable sensors for real-time healthcare monitoring, infection-resistance polymeric scaffolds for wound healing, bio-medical implant applications, in-built solar charge controllers for refrigerators, waterless urinals, plasma gasification technology for municipal solid waste treatment and energy recovery,a mobile application based rapid diagnostic-test reader for albuminuria; surveillance drones developed in India; two-wheelers running on compressed bio-gas; SARS-COV-2 RT PCR assay for COVID-19 were among the many innovations being developed at IIT-D that caught the attention of business leaders attending the Industry Day. A few other examples of the cutting-edge research by IIT-D that were a part of discussions and deliberations included an artificial intelligence based portable device for rapid detection of epilepsy, extremely cold climate clothing for defense personnel, a solution for providing power to biomedical devices and healthcare systems, electric vehicle power converters, a hand exoskeleton for paralytics, recyclable syringes for wastewater treatment, technologies for electric vehicles, humanised chatbots for improving user experience and several more.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22346/first-centre-of-excellence-for-3d-bioprinting-launches-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22346/first-centre-of-excellence-for-3d-bioprinting-launches-in-india.html Fri, 09 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Sweden headquartered CELLINK, the global leader in developing 3D bioprinters, and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru have opened the doors to the first 3D bioprinting Centre of Excellence in the Indian subcontinent.  Housed in the Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering (BSSE) at IISc’s Bengaluru campus, the CoE will provide access to 3D bioprinting systems, enabling researchers to accelerate their work across critical applications with the ultimate goal of improving health outcomes.  The CoE was inagurated by Dr Ashwath Narayan CN, Minister of Electronics, Information Technology – Biotechnology, Science and Technology, Higher Education, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood in the Government of Karnataka; Prof Govindan Rangarajan, the Director of IISc; and Tomoko Bylund, CELLINK’s Head of Sales – APAC. The event was also attended by Dr Vishal US Rao, Group Director and Dean, HCG Cancer Centre, Bengaluru.  The CoE currently houses several CELLINK instruments, including the BIO X, BIO X6 and the BIONOVA X. It will now officially be accessible to the region’s current and future researchers.  “This centre of excellence offers the most cutting-edge and industry–leading 3D Bioprinting technology that we at CELLINK have developed, systems that will enable significant strides in research and in developing the future of health", said Tomoko Bylund. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22299/karnataka-state-council-for-science-and-technology-receives-special-recognition.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22299/karnataka-state-council-for-science-and-technology-receives-special-recognition.html Mon, 28 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Karnataka Government has announced that more than 700 patents have been filed by Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology (KSCST) assisted IP cells in the last three years. More than 10 patents have been granted and the rest are in process. Karnataka State’s Patent Information Centre received a special citation from Minister Piyush Goyal for its commendable work at the National Intellectual Property Awards 2021 & 2022.  Commenting on the accomplishment, Dr. C N Ashwath Narayan, Minister for IT & BT, Science & Technology, Higher Education, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship & Livelihood, Government of Karnataka said, “Karnataka State has topped the India Innovation Index for three successive terms. Our efforts in getting more patents go a long way in further accelerating our innovative growth and maintaining the top rank in the index. I congratulate Indian Institute of Science and Karnataka State Council for Science & Technology for striving hard to achieve this and extend full support to achieve further milestones”. Towards patent facilitation in the state of Karnataka, Patent Facilitation Centre (PFC) has supported setting up of a Patent Information Centre (PIC) at Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. This centre was started on 31st of March 2005 to render IPR related services among S&T community. Since its inception, KSCST has established 58 IP cells across Universities, Engineering Institutions, and Science, Law and Agricultural colleges.  As an initiative under make in India, KSCST is developing an app-based networking platform called “Patentkart” for commercialisation of IPR. Patentkart is expected to benefit patent holders and the clients in commercializing their IP. The app will be functional by early 2023.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22272/new-digital-platform-to-enhance-national-disease-surveillance-initiative.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22272/new-digital-platform-to-enhance-national-disease-surveillance-initiative.html Mon, 21 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), in partnership with Siemens Healthineers India, the Centre for Health Research and Innovation (CHRI) and Capgemini, has developed a digital platform to enhance the national disease surveillance initiative.  The platform is called Social Analytics for Rapid Transformation in Health for India (SARTHI), which leverages publicly available digital data to track mentions of three disease conditions – Dengue, Malaria and Chinkungunya. The global engineering body will be presenting the platform and its potential use cases for the healthcare sector on the second day of the IET Future Tech Congress, a 2-day national technology conference to be held from the 22nd to the 23rd of November, at Lalit Ashok, Bangalore.  SARTHI assimilates  data available in the public domain across digital channels like online news broadcasts, forums, blogs, twitter, facebook, instagram and reviews to track mentions of the three disease conditions. The platform looks at granular data and can trace the origin of the information down to district and street locations.  SARTHI has huge implications for the real time tracking of disease conditions in India and will lay the foundation of creating a model for predicting disease outbreaks, thereby helping to improve the preparedness of public health infrastructure.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22234/iisc-houses-worlds-first-3d-printer-for-implant-grade-silicone.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22234/iisc-houses-worlds-first-3d-printer-for-implant-grade-silicone.html Thu, 10 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based startup Prayasta 3D Inventions has developed the world’s first 3D printer for implant-grade silicone and is partnering with the Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering (BSSE) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to formalise this partnership earlier this year. Prayasta’s specialised 3D printer, Silimac, can directly 3D print implant-grade silicone material to make an implant within the hospital itself. 3D printing allows personalisation of implants on a one-to-one basis which not only improves outcomes of the surgeries for the patients but also reduces the average time a surgeon must spend for achieving the same results using standard implants. Prayasta and IISc will work together to accelerate the translation of personalised soft tissue implants from research to hospitals, to test the 3D printability of novel materials in a fast-track mode and also to develop the necessary skills for faster market penetration of 3D printing technology. Vikas Garg, Cofounder, Prayasta stated, “Silicone is one of the best implantable materials today and yet not 3D printable. Conventional printers cannot handle implant-grade silicone due to its inherent two-part requirement for cross-linking, form factor and extremely high viscosity. That is why, we have taken a fresh approach and developed a novel 3D printing technology from scratch.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22204/iit-m-develops-new-generation-super-abrasive-tools-for-dental-surgery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22204/iit-m-develops-new-generation-super-abrasive-tools-for-dental-surgery.html Thu, 03 Nov 2022 01:00:00 +0530 A newly developed technology can now produce new-generation multi-point/single-layer superabrasive tools for advanced grinding applications to meet high productivity and energy-efficient material removal requirements. The tools produced also have enhanced tool life. A research team at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) has used advanced chemical bonding technology with an application-specific novel formulation of filler material and controlled spacing of grits on the tools by an indigenously developed semi-automatic grit-printing device. This indigenous tool supported by the Core Research Grant (CRG) of the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), offers a competitive cost with a superior quality tool, which is also tailor-made as per the needs of industries like aerospace, automobile, mining, and dental surgery. This technology which fits the requirements of Make-in-India National Mission is under lab validation and is near-ready to be taken up by a startup or any industry for a full-scale launch.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22202/iit-roorkee-discovers-three-anti-viral-molecules-for-treating-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22202/iit-roorkee-discovers-three-anti-viral-molecules-for-treating-covid-19.html Wed, 02 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0530 A team of researchers at Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) has identified anti-viral molecules that can be used effectively to treat COVID-19 infections. The researchers identified three such anti-viral molecules through drug repurposing, computational and anti-viral experimental studies. The COVID-19 pandemic spurred both computational and experimental studies all over the world to understand the structure and nature of SARS-COV-2 viral proteins and develop vaccines and cures for it.  One important branch of study is structure-function studies to unravel the atomic structures of the virus and its proteins that constitute the virus. The IIT Roorkee team is executing protein structure-based drug-repurposing research on SARS-CoV2 molecules for clinical evaluation and eventual use as anti-viral therapeutics. The team used the Protein Data Bank to target and identify drug molecules for the COVID-19 virus.  They focused on discovering molecules that acted on a specific part of the viral proteins called the nucleotide-binding pockets (NBPs). As the name suggests, the NBP binds to the nucleotides – the building blocks of RNA and DNA – and help in the replication of the virus.  NBP-targeting drugs are known and used for viral diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and herpes, among others. Six NBPs were identified using the atomic structures available in the Protein Data Bank.  The team used a novel approach of multi-targeting various virus-specific proteins using one drug, instead of targeting only one virus-specific protein. This novel multi-targeting approach is expected to be therapeutically highly effective and is less likely to result in resistant variant strains.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22179/iit-g-develops-ai-model-to-predict-bone-repair-outcomes-for-fracture-treatment-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22179/iit-g-develops-ai-model-to-predict-bone-repair-outcomes-for-fracture-treatment-.html Thu, 27 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) have developed Artificial Intelligence (AI) model to predict the healing of thigh bone fractures after surgery. The model developed by Dr Souptick Chanda, Assistant Professor, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT-G, and his team can be used to assess the healing outcomes of different fracture fixation strategies so that an optimum strategy can be chosen for the patient depending on their personal physiologies and fracture type. Using such precision models can reduce the healing time, lighten the economic burden and pain for patients who need thigh fracture treatment.  The research team have used a combination of Finite Element Analysis and the AI tool, Fuzzy Logic to understand the healing process of fracture after various treatment methods.  An estimated 2 lakh hip fractures occur every year in India alone, most of which require hospitalisation and trauma care. Treatment for hip fractures traditionally includes bone plates and rods to bridge the fracture site and promote bone healing. The researchers plan to develop a software/app based on the algorithm that can be used in hospitals and other healthcare institutions as part of their fracture treatment protocols. The team is presently collaborating with Dr Bhaskar Borgohain and his team of orthopaedists from the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences Hospital, Shillong, for animal studies to validate and fine-tune certain parameters.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22157/iit-m-nasa-study-potential-impact-of-microbes-on-health-of-astronauts.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22157/iit-m-nasa-study-potential-impact-of-microbes-on-health-of-astronauts.html Sun, 23 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) and NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the US) Jet Propulsion Laboratory researchers have studied the interactions between microbes in the International Space Station (ISS). The study will help devise strategies for the disinfection of space stations to minimise any potential impact of microbes on the health of astronauts. Crews, during spaceflight, may have altered immunity and limited access to terrestrial medical facilities. Therefore, studying the microbes inhabiting the space station becomes important to understand the risks associated with short-term and long-term space travel on the health of astronauts. The present study was motivated by the earlier observations of the dominance of Klebsiella pneumoniae on the surfaces of the ISS. This pathogen has been known to cause pneumonia and other nosocomial infections. The researchers were broadly interested in understanding how this bacteria affects the growth of other microbes in the vicinity and the possible implications it could have. Kasthuri Venkateswaran, Senior Research Scientist, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), said, “One of the ways the microbes are introduced in the sealed and closed space station is through crew members. However, the environment at the space station is different from that on Earth. The interaction between the microbes is also affected by these adverse environmental conditions in space, necessitating such studies. More knowledge on the microbes in space can help devise appropriate safety measures for long-term space travel.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22134/iit-d-develops-vlp-based-vaccine-candidate-against-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22134/iit-d-develops-vlp-based-vaccine-candidate-against-covid-19.html Wed, 19 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0530 To develop even better vaccines and treatments, ideally experiments need to be conducted with the real virus, which can only be handled in very specialized laboratories. Working with live viruses can put personnel at risk, and the requirement for specially designed settings can limit the scope of research that some teams can perform. Instead, a safer and easier strategy is to use virus-like particles (VLPs). Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi working in collaboration with the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad have developed SARS-CoV-2 Virus-Like Particles (VLPs), which are a possible vaccine candidate. The VLPs tricked the immune system into launching a counterattack in mice, just as it does against SARS-CoV-2. “The majority of the VLPs developed worldwide have utilized only the Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 as the primary antigen. However, our VLPs are as “native virus-like” as possible, which means they contain all 4 structural proteins from SARS-CoV-2 (S- Spike, N- Nucleocapsid, M- Membrane, E- Envelope). This could be an advantage in case there are several mutations in Spike in any variant, which preclude the binding of neutralizing antibodies. Animal experiments carried out at THSTI indicate that our VLPs trigger a strong adaptive immune response against multiple antigens. Vaccines based on inactivated virus naturally have this advantage, however, VLPs are safer as they are non-infectious due to lack of genome”, said Dr Manidipa Banerjee, lead researcher and Professor in IIT Delhi’s Kusuma School of Biological Sciences. In other experiments, the IIT Delhi researchers and their collaborators also utilized these VLPs to understand how SARS-CoV-2 could be invading cells in the Central Nervous System (CNS). COVID-19, while well-known as a respiratory illness, can also affect the nervous system, bringing on headaches and fatigue and wiping out the sense of smell, but it’s unclear whether how these symptoms are caused. The researchers showed that the VLPs could get into brain cells in petri dishes, and the process depended on both cholesterol in the cell membrane and an enzyme called dynamin.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22111/president-of-india-inaugurates-supercomputing-facility-for-disease-prediction-at-iit-guwahati.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22111/president-of-india-inaugurates-supercomputing-facility-for-disease-prediction-at-iit-guwahati.html Thu, 13 Oct 2022 05:25:00 +0530 President of India Droupadi Murmu visited Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati campus on Thursday 13th October 2022 during her visit to Assam. She inaugurated Supercomputer facility Param-Kamrupa and  laboratory for the design and development of high power microwave components at IIT Guwahati. She also inaugurated the Medical College and Hospital at Dhubri and laid the foundation stones for two Zonal Institutes of National Institute of Virology (NIV) at– (i) Dibrugarh, Assam and (ii) Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh on the occasion. On the recently inaugurated facilities at IIT Guwahati, the President, said, “I am confident that the Super Computer PARAM-KAMRUPA facility inaugurated at IIT Guwahati will be put to use in the best possible manner to broaden our understanding and knowledge on various technological topics. The SAMEER laboratory will enable R&D assisted critical applications in defence sector and other industries. The massive effort by the State government to establish multiple medical colleges across Assam will ensure that the gap in the doctor-population ratio will be bridged significantly and it will open doors for medical research, especially for the treatment of cancer as well as other non-destructive testing.” Governor of Assam, Prof Jagadish Mukhi said, “The Supercomputing facility inaugurated at IIT Guwahati shall be utilized for large data analysis, solve complex calculations related to disease prediction and analysis, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, drug delivery studies, and contribute significantly in nation building.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22099/iit-jodhpur-designs-robotic-trainers-for-lower-limb-rehabilitation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22099/iit-jodhpur-designs-robotic-trainers-for-lower-limb-rehabilitation.html Wed, 12 Oct 2022 09:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur have designed robotic trainers that can be used in physiotherapy to treat lower limb disabilities. Limb disability is a serious malady among Indians, and is caused by age-related ailments, physical deformations, accidents, strokes, polio, etc. Recently, there has been interest in designing robotic devices for lower limb rehabilitation.  In robotic rehabilitation, the therapist only needs to provide supervision and the setting up of the device.  Most existing robotic systems treat the patients by performing motions only in the sagittal plane – the imaginary plane that divides the body into the left and right parts. For complete limb movement, sagittal movement is not sufficient and movements in transverse (upper and lower body) and coronal (front and back) planes are also essential. The IIT Jodhpur research team has proposed a robot manipulator arrangement that is capable of providing motion to the ankle in all three planes i.e., sagittal, transverse and coronal plane. “The robotic trainer we have designed will help provide physiotherapy to paralytic patients, and for those who have spinal cord injuries that have disrupted their lower limb functions”, said the research lead.  The trainer proposed by the IIT Jodhpur team is conceptually simple and has a modular mechanical configuration that is easy to fix and use. Furthermore, since only linear actuators are used for the hip and knee motions, the robot itself is stable, safe and robust during use.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22070/chemistry-for-pharmaceuticals-wins-nobel-prize-2022.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22070/chemistry-for-pharmaceuticals-wins-nobel-prize-2022.html Thu, 06 Oct 2022 12:00:00 +0530 The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2022 to a trio- Carolyn R. Bertozzi, Stanford University, CA, USA; Morten Meldal, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; and K. Barry Sharpless, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, USA; for the development of click chemistry and bioorthogonal chemistry. Barry Sharpless, who is now being awarded his second Nobel Prize in Chemistry, started the ball rolling. Around the year 2000, he coined the concept of click chemistry, which is a form of simple and reliable chemistry, where reactions occur quickly and unwanted by-products are avoided. Shortly afterwards, Morten Meldal and Barry Sharpless, independently of each other, presented what is now the crown jewel of click chemistry: the copper catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition. This is an elegant and efficient chemical reaction that is now in widespread use. Among many other uses, it is utilised in the development of pharmaceuticals, for mapping DNA and creating materials that are more fit for purpose. Carolyn Bertozzi took click chemistry to a new level. To map important but elusive biomolecules on the surface of cells – glycans – she developed click reactions that work inside living organisms. Her bioorthogonal reactions take place without disrupting the normal chemistry of the cell. These reactions are now used globally to explore cells and track biological processes. Using bioorthogonal reactions, researchers have improved the targeting of cancer pharmaceuticals, which are now being tested in clinical trials. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22058/gold-nanoparticle-based-drug-delivery-solution-to-improve-cancer-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22058/gold-nanoparticle-based-drug-delivery-solution-to-improve-cancer-management.html Tue, 04 Oct 2022 12:00:00 +0530 Researchers at Amity University Rajasthan, Jaipur have developed therapeutic agents with the help of nano-biotechnological approaches using a unique solution of ‘gold nanoparticles’ that helps in improving the site-specific drug delivery for cancer disease management and its effective treatment. The results have revealed that the appropriate surface corona on the gold nanoparticles was essential for effective cancer treatment in a selective manner. The research was extended toward lung cancer cells using functional silver nanoparticles and selective anti-cancer effect originating from surface chemistry of silver nanoparticles was demonstrated in a recent publication. Both the studies have provided deeper understanding regarding the mechanism of anti-cancer actions of the functional nanoparticles. The research was a global effort with researchers from University of Miyazaki, Japan; and RMIT University, Australia actively participating in it. Now, the team is planning clinical studies on the formulated nanoparticles. The study will open new opportunities for better cancer management and treatment, and pave a way for future nanomedicine even beyond cancer.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22055/svante-pbo-wins-nobel-prize-in-medicine-2022-for-human-evolution-based-discoveries.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22055/svante-pbo-wins-nobel-prize-in-medicine-2022-for-human-evolution-based-discoveries.html Mon, 03 Oct 2022 16:00:00 +0530 The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2022 has been awarded to Svante Pääbo, a Swedish geneticist specialising in the field of evolutionary genetics, for his discoveries concerning the genomes of extinct hominins and human evolution. Through his pioneering research, Svante Pääbo accomplished something seemingly impossible: sequencing the genome of the Neanderthal, an extinct relative of present-day humans. He also made the sensational discovery of a previously unknown hominin, Denisova. Importantly, Pääbo also found that gene transfer had occurred from these now extinct hominins to Homo sapiens following the migration out of Africa around 70,000 years ago. This ancient flow of genes to present-day humans has physiological relevance today, for example affecting how our immune system reacts to infections. Pääbo’s seminal research gave rise to an entirely new scientific discipline; paleogenomics. By revealing genetic differences that distinguish all living humans from extinct hominins, his discoveries provide the basis for exploring what makes us uniquely human.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22035/iit-mandi-develops-simple-portable-device-to-detect-ischemic-stroke.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22035/iit-mandi-develops-simple-portable-device-to-detect-ischemic-stroke.html Thu, 29 Sep 2022 12:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, in collaboration with PGIMER Chandigarh, have proposed and developed a simple, portable and cost-effective device to detect and diagnose stroke caused by impaired blood flow to the brain. While explaining the research, Dr Shubhajit Roy Chowdhury, Associate Professor, IIT Mandi, said, “We are working towards finding a low-cost diagnostic technique to precisely detect ischemic stroke at the point of care so that such tests can be used in rural, poor and remote areas. Our team has designed and developed a small wearable device that makes use of Near Infrared Spectroscopy to detect ischemic stroke. In this device, a near-infrared light emitting diode (NIRS LED) emits light in the range of 650 nm to 950 nm. This light interacts with the coloured components of the blood like hemoglobin and provides information on blood characteristics such as regional oxygen saturation, regional oxygen consumption, and regional blood volume index.” The IIT Mandi team performed studies measuring the bio-markers under ischemic conditions at the forearm and at the frontal lobe of the brain. The researchers also validated their detector prototype through experimental occlusion of the forearm and evoked ischemic stroke at the frontal lobe, and found excellent diagnostic potential. As a result of the burden of stroke among Indians, the government's National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases & Stroke (NPCDCS) is focusing on early diagnosis and management at different levels of health care for all non-communicable diseases including stroke, in India.  The development reported by the IIT Mandi team will help in enhancing access to stroke diagnosis throughout the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22032/iisc-aiims-rishikesh-devise-algorithmic-way-of-identifying-occurrence-of-epilepsy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22032/iisc-aiims-rishikesh-devise-algorithmic-way-of-identifying-occurrence-of-epilepsy.html Wed, 28 Sep 2022 17:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, in collaboration with AIIMS Rishikesh, have developed an algorithm that can help decode brain scans to identify the occurrence and type of epilepsy. Epilepsy is a neurological disease where the brain emits sudden bursts of electrical signals in a short amount of time, resulting in seizures, fits, and in extreme cases, death. "To identify whether a patient is epileptic, neurophysiologists need to manually inspect EEGs (electroencephalograms), which can capture such erratic signals. Visual inspection of EEG can become tiring after prolonged periods, and may occasionally lead to errors", said says Hardik J Pandya, Assistant Professor at the Department of Electronic Systems Engineering (DESE), IISc. In this new study, the team reports a novel algorithm that can sift through EEG data and identify signatures of epilepsy from the electrical signal patterns. After initial training, the algorithm was able to detect whether a human subject could have epilepsy or not, based on these patterns in their respective analyses, with a high degree of accuracy. “We hope to refine this further by testing on more data to consider more variabilities of human EEGs until we reach the point where this becomes completely translational and robust,” said the researchers. Currently, a patent has been filed for the work and the algorithm is being tested for its reliability by physicians at AIIMS Rishikesh. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22020/spike-protein-vaccines-effective-against-multiple-sars-cov-2-variants-iit-m-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22020/spike-protein-vaccines-effective-against-multiple-sars-cov-2-variants-iit-m-study.html Tue, 27 Sep 2022 09:00:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) has shown that spike protein vaccines may be effective against multiple variants of the coronavirus (SARS COV-2). The results of the IIT-M study suggest that the attack by selected variants such as Delta plus, Gamma, Zeta, Mink and Omicron, may be dealt with by vaccine-induced T-cell responses despite the compromised neutralising antibodies responses. While further experimental verification is called for, the researchers believe that the present spike protein vaccinations are likely to be efficacious against circulating variants of SARS COV-2.   The researchers set out to find out what would be the response like if the post-vaccination infections were caused by a variant other than the original Wuhan strain incorporated in vaccine preparations. In variants of SARS COV-2, there are molecular level changes to the spike protein of the virus, and these variations may include the regions of protein sequences that are recognized by T-cells called epitopes. Understanding the effect of these variations on the immune response can give some clarity about the efficacy of vaccination against the variants of SARS COV- 2. The researchers analysed the molecular differences in T-cell epitopes (both CD4+ and CD8+) across a few variants. These mutated epitope molecular structures were further analysed using immunoinformatics tools to interpret their ability to bind MHC molecules - which can help understand their ability to be recognised by/trigger T cells. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22013/iit-g-develops-strategy-to-deliver-chemotherapeutic-drugs-to-cancer-cells.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/22013/iit-g-develops-strategy-to-deliver-chemotherapeutic-drugs-to-cancer-cells.html Mon, 26 Sep 2022 09:00:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) researchers have developed a new strategy to deliver chemotherapeutic drugs specifically to the cancerous cells in a patient's body. The problem with existing chemotherapeutic drugs is that they kill healthy cells of the body in addition to cancerous cells, leading to numerous undesirable side effects.  Explaining his research Prof. Debasis Manna, Department of Chemistry, IIT Guwahati, said, “We have two needs in the development of chemotherapy drugs – the drug must be targeted at the cancer cells, the drug must be released by an external trigger whenever it is required,” The molecules developed by the IIT-G researchers self-assemble as capsules to hold the drug, which then attaches only to cancer cells. When infrared (IR) light is shone on it, the shell breaks and releases the encapsulated drug into the cancerous cell. The IIT-G scientists rightly believe that their approach would allow the development of drug carriers for chemotherapy with enhanced efficacy and negligible side effects. Following the development of the targeted IR (light)-trigger drug release system, the IIT Guwahati researchers are preparing to perform in vivo studies to take this understanding closer to drug development. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21994/iisc-designs-paper-based-sensor-for-healthcare-wearables.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21994/iisc-designs-paper-based-sensor-for-healthcare-wearables.html Thu, 22 Sep 2022 09:00:00 +0530 Several industrial, automotive, and healthcare applications rely on accurate and precise measurement of pressure. Flexible and wearable pressure sensors are typically fabricated using petroleum-based polymers. The solid waste generated from using such non-biodegradable plastics is harmful for the environment. To avoid this issue, researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru have now fabricated pressure sensors that use paper as the medium. Nowadays, paper-based electronic devices are gaining greater attention owing to their natural biodegradability, excellent flexibility, porous fibrous structure, light weight, and low cost. However, paper-based sensors developed so far have certain disadvantages. The sensor by IISc is made of plain and corrugated cellulose papers coated with tin-monosulfide (SnS) stacked alternatively to form a multi-layered architecture. SnS is a semiconductor that conducts electricity under specific conditions. “Paper in itself is an insulator. The major challenge was choosing an appropriate 3D device structure and material to give conductive properties to paper,” said the researchers. When pressure is applied on the sensor’s surface, the air gaps between the paper layers decrease, increasing the contact area between these layers. Higher contact area leads to better electrical conductivity. On releasing the pressure, the air gaps increase again, thus decreasing the electrical conduction. This modulation of the electrical conductivity drives the sensing mechanism of the paper sensor. The sensor shows promise in being developed into a flexible and wearable electronic device, especially in the healthcare sector. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21971/iit-d-study-focuses-on-impact-of-ayurvedic-medicines-on-covid-19-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21971/iit-d-study-focuses-on-impact-of-ayurvedic-medicines-on-covid-19-treatment.html Mon, 19 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Yoga and Ayurveda maybe effective in the treatment of high-risk cases of COVID-19, suggests a research study on successful treatment of 30 high-risk COVID-19 patients. This study was conducted by a team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, Haridwar. Besides the standard care treatment as per guidelines, the patients were prescribed Ayurvedic medicines through telemedicine, and administered a personalized therapeutic Yoga programme using video conferencing. Almost all the patients were classified as high-risk owing to one or more of co-morbidities such as Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Chronic Kidney Disease, Coronary Artery Disease (which are known to lead to severe outcomes in cases of COVID-19), and/or age above 60.  “Most patients reported that the therapy had a profound impact on their recovery process, with many experiencing improvements with respect to their comorbidities too. By the end of the treatment, several patients had decided to adopt Yoga in their lifestyle, and several turned to the Ayurveda doctors in the team for management/treatment of their comorbidities”, said Dr Sonika Thakral who coordinated with the patients for routine follow-up. The findings of the study have appeared in the Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. The authors point out that high-risk COVID-19 patients undergo severe anxiety, which may further deteriorate their condition.  “The study also demonstrates an urgent need to scientifically examine the Traditional Indian Knowledge systems at the top academic institutions. A timely and suitably designed randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of Ayurveda and Yoga based personalized integrative treatment for COVID-19 would have equipped the people with much more credible and dependable information about their use in managing COVID-19” said Prof. Rahul Garg, IIT Delhi who conceptualized the project.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21951/iisc-designs-new-method-for-tb-vaccine-delivery-using-gold-nanoparticles.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21951/iisc-designs-new-method-for-tb-vaccine-delivery-using-gold-nanoparticles.html Wed, 14 Sep 2022 08:00:00 +0530 Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru have designed a new method to deliver a vaccine candidate for tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It involves using spherical vesicles secreted by bacteria coated on gold nanoparticles which can then be delivered to immune cells. This can potentially trigger an immune response and offer protection against the disease. While the BCG vaccine works well in children, it is not as effective at protecting adolescents and adults. This prompted researchers at IISc to develop a potential subunit vaccine candidate that contains only parts of the infectious bacterium to stimulate an immune response. They decided to use Outer Membrane Vesicles (OMVs) that are spherical membrane-bound particles released by some bacteria, and contain an assortment of proteins and lipids which could induce an immune response against the pathogen. Mycobacterium-derived OMVs are usually unstable and come in different sizes, making them unsuitable for vaccine applications. But the OMVs coated on gold nanoparticles were found to be uniform in size and stable. In future studies, the team plans to develop gold-coated OMVs derived directly from Mycobacterium tuberculosis and test them on animal models to take the results forward for clinical applications. Such efforts could open up new avenues for the development of vaccines for other bacterial diseases as well. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21948/nanomedicine-for-liver-cancer-by-amrita-researchers-gets-us-australia-patent.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21948/nanomedicine-for-liver-cancer-by-amrita-researchers-gets-us-australia-patent.html Tue, 13 Sep 2022 17:35:00 +0530 Researchers from the School of Nanosciences & Molecular Medicine at  Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore have won a patent in the US and Australia for a novel nanomedicine that holds great promise for early detection and treatment of liver cirrhosis and liver tumour. The invention is the outcome of a research project funded by the Nanobiotechnology Taskforce of Dept of Biotechnology, Government of India. Dr Shantikumar V Nair and Professor Dr Manzoor Koyakutty from Amrita School of Nanosciences & Molecular Medicine in Kochi led a team of four researchers – Dr Anusha Ashokan, Dr Ida M Anna, Dr Vijay Harish, Dr Badrinath Sridharan – to create a special type of nanomedicine that responds to radio wave signals sent from outside the body. Once the nanoparticles are injected into a tumour, they can be heated up using external, medically approved radio waves. Doctors can visualise the tumour using an MRI machine and burn it off in a controlled manner.  Amrita researchers have demonstrated that the novel technology can be used for early detection of liver cirrhosis and liver tumour, early-stage image-guided treatment of liver tumour using radio-frequency ablation therapy as well as labelling and tracking the movement of stem cells inside the body after stem-cell transplantation to assess how effective the therapy has been. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21943/tata-memorials-clinical-trial-offers-new-hope-to-breast-cancer-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21943/tata-memorials-clinical-trial-offers-new-hope-to-breast-cancer-patients.html Mon, 12 Sep 2022 13:00:00 +0530 Dr Rajendra Badwe, Director of Mumbai-based Tata Memorial Centre, presented the results of a landmark multi-centre Indian breast cancer study at the ongoing European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress in Paris, one of the most prestigious cancer conferences in the world held annually in Europe. The trial in women undergoing breast cancer surgery involved the injection of a commonly used drug around the tumor on the operating table, just prior to surgery. The results of this trial show that this simple, low-cost intervention significantly and substantially increases the cure rates and survival with a benefit that is ongoing for several years after surgery. The injection requires no additional expertise, is inexpensive, and can result in saving up to 100,000 lives annually globally. These benefits are substantial and were achieved with an intervention the cost of which was less than Rs 100 per patient. For comparison, benefits of far lesser magnitude have been achieved in early breast cancer patients by much more expensive, targeted drugs which cost more than ten lakhs per patient. Dr Badwe commented, "This is the first study of its kind globally, that has shown a sizable benefit by single intervention prior to surgery.  If implemented across the world, it has the capability to save over 100,000 lives annually.  For scientists, it opens the window of peri-operative intervention to modulate the environment of cancer in such a way as to prevent its deleterious reaction to the act of surgery. Evolving low-cost interventions for cancer has been a mission of Tata Memorial Centre and Department of Atomic Energy for the benefit of Indian and global population and this study, supported by the Department of Atomic Energy, is a major step towards Atma nirbhar Bharat." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21937/roadmap-to-augment-financial-resources-for-rd-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21937/roadmap-to-augment-financial-resources-for-rd-in-india.html Mon, 12 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The roadmap and way forward to augment financial resources for R&D by enhancing the private sectors' Science Technology and Innovation (STI) contribution and developing collaborative funding mechanisms was discussed at the Center-State Science Conclave on September 11, 2022.  “We need to increase investment in research, translational research, and facilitate commercialisation. These can be accelerated through the private sector,” said Dr Kris Gopalakrishnan, Co-founder, Infosys, at the panel on doubling private sector investment in R&D of the Conclave. He stressed on funding support for knowledge creation, dissemination and application and highlighted the role of structures, co-location of industry and academia, as well as incentives like tax breaks. “At least 1% of CSR from the industry should be spent on solving present problems like drinking water, cancer, anti-microbial resistance and also on open-ended future problems. Dr Akhilesh Gupta, Senior Adviser, Department of Science and Technology (DST), highlighted the need for innovation in MSMEs, increasing the scope of models like Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Technology Development Board (TDB), cluster model involving co-location of industry and academia, as well as steps like bringing back industry products funded by government to the government to promote the involvement of private sector in research.  Dr Taslimarif Saiyed, Chief Executive Officer of C-CAMP, Bengaluru, underlined the necessity for mid-stage funding for startups and collaborations with Venture Capitals (VC) and industry. “Models, where VCs & industry can partner with government including state governments to take early fruition to scale, should be incentivised,” he added.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21928/indo-spain-project-to-develop-new-antibiotics-against-gram-negative-bacteria.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21928/indo-spain-project-to-develop-new-antibiotics-against-gram-negative-bacteria.html Thu, 08 Sep 2022 08:00:00 +0530 Spain-based ABAC Therapeutics, together with the artificial intelligence (AI) company Peptris (based in Bengaluru), and the Foundation for Neglected Disease Research (FNDR), with scientific support from Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), is leading an international project to optimize a new chemical structure that has shown effectiveness against Gram-negative bacteria, the greatest current threat to public health.  In recent decades, there has been a significant increase in the incidence of infections caused by the Gram-negative bacteria known as “the four killers”: Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The two-year project will be developed in four stages. Artificial intelligence and in silico methods will be used to analyse the screening data, and propose new chemical series, which will then be optimised for both their antibacterial activity and their safety and tolerability. ABAC has initially screened 145,000 compounds from MMV’s compound collection against a range of bacteria. Chemical series with a narrow spectrum of activity against bacterial pathogens of interest were identified, and these include a new chemotype with demonstrated activity against Gram-negative bacteria. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21920/govt-launches-new-i-stem-initiative-for-women.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21920/govt-launches-new-i-stem-initiative-for-women.html Wed, 07 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Women in Engineering, Science, and Technology (WEST), a new I-STEM (Indian Science Technology and Engineering facilities Map) initiative called “Women in Engineering, Science, and Technology (WEST)” has been launched by Dr Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India.  The WEST programme will cater to women with a STEM background and empower them to contribute to the science, technology, and innovation ecosystem. I-STEM is a national web portal for sharing research equipment/facilities and is the umbrella under which many programmes for promoting collaborations in R&D and technological innovation among and between academia and industry, especially startups, are underway. Through the WEST initiative, I-STEM shall provide a separate platform to scientifically inclined women researchers, scientists, and technologists for pursuing research in basic or applied sciences in frontier areas of science and engineering. Women may join the WEST program and explore opportunities to become stakeholders in various domains and pursue careers in R&D at various levels: technicians, technologists, scientists, and entrepreneurs. Opportunities range from operating scientific equipment and maintaining them, to designing and manufacturing them.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21917/iit-mandi-discovers-biochemical-link-between-fatty-liver-disease-and-type-2-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21917/iit-mandi-discovers-biochemical-link-between-fatty-liver-disease-and-type-2-diabetes.html Tue, 06 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi has unravelled the biochemical relationship between fatty liver disease and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). This understanding enables newer techniques to diagnose the risk of Diabetes among people with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). The findings of this research also offer new therapeutic pathways to control or even reverse fatty liver-induced diabetes. This research is important for India because the prevalence of NAFLD is rapidly increasing in the country and recent surveys show that 40% of Indian adults suffer from it.  NAFLD is often associated with Type 2 Diabetes, with nearly 50 million Indian adults having both diseases. The multi-institutional research team analyzed blood samples extracted from fat-fed mice and human NAFLD patients.  Both samples had high amounts of a calcium-binding protein termed S100A6. This protein is released by the fatty liver and serves as a communication link between the liver and the pancreas.  S100A6 adversely affects the insulin secretion ability of the β-cells, thereby resulting in or exacerbating existing T2DM. At a biochemical level, S100A6 was found to inhibit insulin secretion by activating the Receptor for Advanced Glycation End product (RAGE) on pancreatic beta-cells. Elaborating on the critical work, Surbhi Dogra, IIT Mandi, said, “Another important observation from our research was that the depletion of S100A6 improves insulin secretion and the regulation of blood glucose in mice, which suggests that S100A6 contributes to the pathophysiology of diabetes in NAFLD.”     Image caption- Dr Prosenjit Mondal, Associate Professor, School of Biosciences and Bioengineeringalong with his scholars Surbhi Dogra (R), and Priya Rawat (L) ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21903/scientists-identify-potential-marker-for-early-detection-of-neuro-degenerative-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21903/scientists-identify-potential-marker-for-early-detection-of-neuro-degenerative-diseases.html Mon, 05 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Scientists at Kolkata-based SN Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have explored how the hydration of proteins, gets altered as liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) sets in.   The researchers have spotted the crucial role of water in LLPS which holds the key to neuro-degenerative diseases. They found that some excipients or inactive substance that serves as the vehicle or medium for a drug or other active substance like sucrose can stabilise LLPS while some can inhibit it. Thus aggregation process of these diseases could be modulated by altering water network dynamics using these excipients.    In a paper published in J. Phys. Chem. Lett, the scientists under the leadership of Prof Rajib Kumar Mitra, examined four excipients — arginine, glucose, ubiquitin, and bovine serum albumin. Some excipients like sucrose were found to stabilise the LLPS process while Bovine Serum Albumen (BSA) was found to inhibit the process.    Their experiments have identified that both protein and excipient hydration is important in regulating the LLPS process. Monitoring a change in hydration could therefore act as a potential marker for early and easy detection of LLPS onset. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21899/iit-jodhpur-led-team-develops-fluorescent-probe-for-alzheimers-detection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21899/iit-jodhpur-led-team-develops-fluorescent-probe-for-alzheimers-detection.html Thu, 01 Sep 2022 14:40:00 +0530 A multi-institutional team led by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur has developed an efficient fluorescent molecular probe that can be used in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).   The research has been carried out in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, and the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research - Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB), Kolkata.    AD is believed to be caused by the abnormal build-up of plaques in and around brain cells. Plaques are aggregates of a type of small protein (peptide) called amyloid-beta (Aβ).   The researchers have successfully designed and developed a series of benzothiazole-based fluorescent molecules that can selectively bind to Aβ aggregates. All these molecules were seen to emit fluorescence in one colour when unbound, and the emission colour shifted towards red in the visible light (rainbow – violet indigo blue green yellow orange red) spectrum with a concomitant increase in fluorescence intensity.    This molecule was stable in biological fluids and could easily traverse the blood-brain barrier. It was also selective to Aβ aggregates in the presence of competing biomolecules. Hence, the probe found by the research team will provide a non-invasive and inexpensive reliable alternative to a spinal tap or PET Scan method for Alzheimer’s diagnosis.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21895/r-discovery-springer-nature-to-create-content-bank-for-global-researchers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21895/r-discovery-springer-nature-to-create-content-bank-for-global-researchers.html Thu, 01 Sep 2022 08:40:00 +0530 R Discovery, a Cactus Communications (CACTUS) brand, has partnered with Springer Nature, a global academic publisher, to help broaden the reach of open access (OA) content to the global researcher community. The inclusion of Springer Nature’s OA portfolio into R Discovery means that the platform offers its over 1.4 million researchers access to high-quality OA content in over 32,000 journals worldwide across a breadth of subject areas.    Abhishek Goel, CEO & Co-founder, CACTUS, said, “Our aim is to bring the most relevant and recently published scientific literature to the fingertips of researchers across the globe. By providing access to full-text open-access papers, we can facilitate content discovery and help save reading time. With this association, researchers will now have access to some of the most valuable OA research published in Springer Nature via the R Discovery app.”   R Discovery is used by researchers regularly for literature searches via the app or the web version. It currently has over 32,000 journals covering over 9.5 million research topics across subject areas such as life sciences, biology, medicine, philosophy, political science, environmental science, social sciences, and psychology. With more than 30 million open-access articles available and access to paywalled articles with one’s university credentials, R Discovery is one of the largest repositories of research that is accessible on the go.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21887/iit-mandi-uses-natural-polymer-based-smart-nanoparticles-to-treat-colorectal-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21887/iit-mandi-uses-natural-polymer-based-smart-nanoparticles-to-treat-colorectal-cancer.html Tue, 30 Aug 2022 13:10:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi have used natural polymer-based smart nanoparticles to treat colorectal cancer. These nanoparticles release the drug in response to stimuli that are specific to the cancer site only.    The researchers have developed redox-responsive chitosan/stearic acid nanoparticles (CSSA NPs) as drug carriers for both curcumin (hydrophobic; a component from turmeric that is used daily in food) and doxorubicin (hydrophilic) drugs delivery targeting colorectal cancer. This approach of combining anticancer drugs having a different mode of anticancer action allows for the development of the systems for cancer therapy with enhanced efficacy.    The team has developed biodegradable nanoparticles from renewable resources, thus reducing the dependency on petroleum-based polymers. These smart nanoparticles are stable under physiological conditions and degrade at the tumour site in the presence of redox stimuli of cancer cells. These nanoparticles can be used to successfully load and release both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs having a different anticancer mechanisms which can help to improve the treatment efficiency.   Researchers have also investigated cancer cell killing efficiency through in vitro studies, and the colon targeting ability of the designed system through in vivo biodistribution experiments on c57bl/6j mice. The research team further plans to perform biological studies to gain deeper insight into the potential of the developed system for colorectal cancer treatment.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21874/idrs-labs-seeks-emergency-nod-for-plant-based-drug-against-long-covid.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21874/idrs-labs-seeks-emergency-nod-for-plant-based-drug-against-long-covid.html Mon, 29 Aug 2022 18:25:00 +0530 Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer - Tata Memorial Centre (ACTREC-TMC) and IDRS Labs (IDRS), Bengaluru have announced the completion of Phase II clinical trial of Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin 750 mg tablets. The phase II clinical trial was a multi-centre, randomised, open label, controlled trial of sodium-copper-chlorophyllin given along with treatment of physician’s choice versus treatment of physician’s choice in asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patients with COVID-19. A tripartite Memorandum of Agreement was signed among BARC, ACTREC-TMC and IDRS to develop Chlorophyllin against COVID-19 disease and other indications. The dossier is filed for 'Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)' for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (COVID-19) by IDRS to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) as stated by Shivkumar Madki, Co-founder and MD, IDRS Labs.Dr Sudeep Gupta, Director, ACTREC - Navi Mumbai, who was instrumental in designing the phase II clinical trial of Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin, observed that chlorophyllin’s ability to demonstrate anti-SARS-CoV-2 and immunomodulatory activity across model systems, combined with its excellent safety profile, makes it a possible candidate for prophylaxis against long-COVID. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21856/indo-french-team-identifies-gene-to-treat-fungal-infection-in-immuno-compromised-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21856/indo-french-team-identifies-gene-to-treat-fungal-infection-in-immuno-compromised-patients.html Thu, 25 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0530 In a recent collaborative study between Professor Kaustuv Sanyal’s group at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, India and Christophe d’Enfert’s group at Institut Pasteur, Paris, France, a new gene has been identified that can hold the key to prevent fungal infection Candidiasis that often affects intensive-care unit (ICU) patients, cancer patients and patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy. The gene called CSA6 has been identified in Candida albicans a fungal species infamous for causing high rates of morbidity and mortality under certain immuno-compromised conditions such as AIDS or during cancer treatment. The fungal species residing in mucosal linings of the gastrointestinal and urogenital tract of healthy individuals turns into a pathogen under immuno-compromised conditions breaching the host defense causing superficial as well as life-threatening systemic infection. The study published in the journal Nature Communications represents the first-ever report of such an extensive screen in the human fungal pathogen C. albicans. It identifies and elucidates the functions of a novel regulator of chromosome stability that is exclusively present in a group of medically relevant human fungal pathogens. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21831/iit-j-finds-ways-to-control-hospital-acquired-infections.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21831/iit-j-finds-ways-to-control-hospital-acquired-infections.html Mon, 22 Aug 2022 13:05:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur (IIT-J) research team led by Dr Shankar Manoharan, Assistant Professor, Department of Bioscience & Bioengineering, is studying the mechanisms behind virulence (the ability to cause disease) and antibiotic resistance (ability to resist killing by antibiotics) of a dangerous bacteria called Klebsiella pneumoniae. The studies, performed in collaboration with scientists from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Jodhpur and Vellore Institute of Technology, use genomics and molecular biology approaches to identify new genes responsible for the bacteria’s potency. Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the pathogens on the World Health Organisation’s priority list and is a significant cause of hospital-acquired diseases such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and infections among ICU patients and newborns. Because of its high virulence and antibiotic resistance, the management and treatment of Klebsiella pneumoniae have challenged the medical and scientific community worldwide. It has been known that the capsule and mucous-like protections in Klebsiella pneumoniae are driven by the rmpA, rmpA2, rmpC, and rmpD genes. However, phenotyping and genomic analysis of P34 by the IIT Jodhpur team showed that this strain does not have any of these genes. This means that there are genes other than the rmp family of genes that are responsible for the hypermucoviscosity and virulence of the bacterium. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21795/iit-k-develops-novel-application-for-children-diagnosed-with-dyslexia-dysgraphia.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21795/iit-k-develops-novel-application-for-children-diagnosed-with-dyslexia-dysgraphia.html Sun, 14 Aug 2022 21:40:00 +0530 A team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has developed a novel application for assisting children diagnosed with Dyslexia and Dysgraphia.   The invention named Assistive Application for Children with Dyslexia and Dysgraphia (AACDD) is invented by Prof Braj Bhushan and Prof Shatarupa Thakurta Roy from the Department of Humanities & Social Sciences, IIT Kanpur, and Dr Alok Bajpai, a practicing psychiatrist from Kanpur. The application comes embedded with a device that helps children learn easily.   The assistive technology provides a training module currently available in the Hindi language for school-going children between classes one to five. The application is a touchscreen-based interface that involves auditory feedback, putting haptic sensation and motor movement to facilitate the acquisition and reproduction of Hindi letters. Later on, it is expected to include other languages as well.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21774/iit-d-brings-patient-friendly-diagnostic-tool-for-epilepsy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21774/iit-d-brings-patient-friendly-diagnostic-tool-for-epilepsy.html Mon, 08 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Quite a lot of epilepsies can be controlled by medicines, however, when medicines fail to control seizures, it is labelled as drug resistant epilepsy- likely to originate from structural abnormalities of brain and hence brain surgery offers a complete cure for these patients. But it takes 2-8 hours for Epileptogenic Zone Detection and is uncomfortable for patients. A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D) has come up with a non-invasive electroencephalogram (EEG) based Brain Source Localisation (BSL) framework for epilepsy focal detection that is time efficient and patient friendly. Given the EEG data with seizure, the array processing algorithms can point the co-ordinates within minutes. In particular, the researchers have proposed novel head harmonics based algorithms for seizure localization. The researchers have validated the proposed source localization algorithms on clinical EEG data for epileptogenic zone localization. The proposed framework offers an effective solution to clinicians in automated and time efficient seizure localization. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21749/iit-jodhpur-unveils-novel-code-device-for-indoor-air-quality.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21749/iit-jodhpur-unveils-novel-code-device-for-indoor-air-quality.html Wed, 03 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0530 During its 15th Foundation Day on 2nd August 2022, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur hosted the launch of the novel CODE device for indoor air quality, the first product from IIT Jodhpur's Technology Innovation & Startup Centre (TISC). The product is based on a cold plasma discharge for the generation of plasma detergent ions in the environment. Apart from this, the event also included signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IIT Jodhpur and Kritikal Solutions to set up an R&D Centre at IIT Jodhpur Technology Park to focus on diverse fields including Vision systems, image processing, Artificial Intelligence, Computer visions, Software systems and embedded systems. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21741/iit-g-establishes-coe-for-innovation-commercialisation-of-biomedical-devices-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21741/iit-g-establishes-coe-for-innovation-commercialisation-of-biomedical-devices-.html Mon, 01 Aug 2022 12:35:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) has established the Indian Council of Medical Research-Department of Health Research (ICMR-DHR) Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Biomedical Device and Diagnostics Innovation and Commercialisation to cater for the technological needs of rural India with a focus on healthcare delivery to the last-mile population.    The key outcomes envisaged from this centre include an array of frugal point-of-care diagnostic devices; a few pilot-scale digital health kiosks catering digital healthcare to the rural population; an array of new inventions and innovations targeting the societal needs of the country; and import substitution and development of Indian technologies for the healthcare problems related to India.   Elaborating on the functioning of this Centre, Prof. Dipankar Bandyopadhyay, Head, Jyoti and Bhupat Mehta School of Health Sciences and Technology, IIT Guwahati, said, “Cutting-edge scientific inventions are the foundation of all modern-day technologies, which helps in improving the quality of life of a human being in a significant way. However, the benefits of such inventions and innovations are yet to reach the rural population of India. In next few decades, especially keeping the post-pandemic scenario in the perspective, the focus of healthcare innovation would be to develop frugal technologies to cater the needs of the last mile population.”         ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21725/govt-envisions-30-participation-of-women-in-science-by-2030.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21725/govt-envisions-30-participation-of-women-in-science-by-2030.html Thu, 28 Jul 2022 18:40:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said the draft of the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, 2022 (STIP 2022) has envisioned putting India among the top five in terms of quality of research outcomes by the year 2030 by building a robust science, technology and innovation ecosystem in the country.    The draft STIP 2022 has envisioned to have 30 per cent participation of women in science by 2030. Some of the key steps taken by the government include: women scientist-specific schemes of DST to provide opportunities to women scientists and technologists, especially those who had a break in career under its three components namely, i) Women Scientists Scheme-A (WOS-A) for conducting research in Basic & Applied Sciences, ii) Women Scientists Scheme-B (WOS-B) for research that entails S&T interventions for societal benefit, and iii) Women Scientists Scheme-C (WOS-C) for internship in Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs).   In addition to strengthening and expanding the scope of ongoing R&D programmes, some of the key elements of the draft policy which aim to enhance the quality of research outcome include creation of conducive culture of profound research in institutions and industry to propel disruptive discoveries and inventions as well as the translational research; ‘Research and Innovation Excellence Framework (RIEF)’ to set up benchmarking mechanisms for recognizing the outcomes and impact of R&D, with respect to its quality, relevance to meaningful impact on society and national needs.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21706/iit-k-bit-mesra-develop-novel-drug-delivery-system-to-promote-bone-healing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21706/iit-k-bit-mesra-develop-novel-drug-delivery-system-to-promote-bone-healing.html Wed, 27 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) and Birla Institute of Technology (BIT), Mesra have jointly developed a novel drug delivery system that enables efficient delivery of phyto-bioactives to promote healing of diseased and injured bones.  Phyto-bioactives are natural chemicals produced by plants that have health benefits for humans. Phyto-bioactives have been commonly used in traditional medicine for the healing of diseased and injured bones and the innovative delivery system developed by the team helps in carrying these phyto-bioactives to the site of the bone disease or injury where it promotes healing. The delivery system has been built using new technology for usage of nano-hydroxyapatite, a biomaterial that is known to help remineralize and repair teeth and bones. The nano-hydroxyapatite-based bone substitute allows local, sustained release and long-term delivery of the phyto-bioactive constituents to heal bone defects.  The innovative delivery system has been developed for phyto-bioactives from the plant, Cissus quadrangularis (CQ), commonly known as Veld grape. This plant is known for its benefits for joint and bone health and the drug delivery system circumvents the limitations associated with growth factors, hormones and synthetic drugs. The delivery system promotes stimulation of osteoblast genesis (bone cells for the development of new bone) and can be used as preventive/alternative natural medicine for bone diseases such as osteoporosis. The innovation will cater to critical bone defects with acceleration of the growth of new bones and is expected to bring significant changes in bone healing treatments.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21678/jncasr-proposes-novel-way-to-counter-multi-drug-resistant-bacteria.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21678/jncasr-proposes-novel-way-to-counter-multi-drug-resistant-bacteria.html Fri, 22 Jul 2022 08:50:00 +0530 Scientists at Bengaluru-based Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, have come up with the approach of revitalising the efficacy of existing antibiotics by using them in combination with antibiotic adjuvants- ingredients that can help counter resistance to existing antibiotics. This novel idea can help strengthen the activity of obsolete antibiotics and bring them back into use for treating complicated infections.      The combination of the adjuvant with antibiotics like fusidic acid, minocycline, and rifampicin inactivates multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. These include Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacteriaceae.   The study, published in the journal ACS Infect. Diseases, highlights the chemical intuition and extent of membrane-perturbation required for the design of non-active and non-toxic adjuvants. The choice of a non-active adjuvant would also put less pressure on the bacteria to develop resistance to it. Moreover, weak membrane perturbation would result in less toxicity.    This work requires proper validation in in-vivo model systems, followed by preclinical studies, which will further add value to the work. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21655/iit-kanpur-develops-bio-inspired-artificial-muscle-for-medical-prostheses.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21655/iit-kanpur-develops-bio-inspired-artificial-muscle-for-medical-prostheses.html Tue, 19 Jul 2022 12:35:00 +0530 The Smart Materials, Structures and Systems (SMSS) Lab at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, has developed a bio-inspired artificial muscle for next-generation space robots and medical prostheses.The SMSS Lab at IIT Kanpur, inspired by the Portescap CSR funding, have expanded the design space of the SMA actuator by leveraging the characteristics of bi-pennate muscle architecture with about 70 per cent enhanced muscle force output per unit weight. This will result in the creation of a new class of Space Robots which will reinforce theIndian Space Technology. The team is led by Prof Bishakh Bhattacharya, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Kanpur, and consists Kanhaiya Lal Chaurasiya, Senior Project Engineer, Mechanical Engineering, IIT Kanpur; Abhishek Kumar Singh, Senior Project Mechanic; A Sri Harsha, and Yashaswi Sinha, Project Engineer, Mechanical Engineering, IIT Kanpur.The primary goal of an actuator is to generate mechanical output, such as force and displacement, by transforming electrical energy. Shape memory alloys are a class of smart materials that can restore their shape after being exposed to high temperatures. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21622/iisc-develops-new-mechanism-to-inactivate-sars-cov-2.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21622/iisc-develops-new-mechanism-to-inactivate-sars-cov-2.html Wed, 13 Jul 2022 17:50:00 +0530 Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru in collaboration with researchers from the CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, have reported the design of a new class of synthetic peptides that can not only block the entry of SARS-CoV-2 virus entry into cells but also clump the virions (virus particles) together, reducing their ability to infect. This binding was further characterised extensively by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and other biophysical methods.    The research was supported under the COVID-19 IRPHA call of SERB Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).    The team tested the peptide for toxicity in mammalian cells in the lab and found it to be safe. When hamsters were dosed with the peptide and subsequently exposed to a high dose of SARS-CoV-2, they showed decreased viral load as well as much less cell damage in the lungs compared to hamsters exposed only to the virus, demonstrating the promise of this class of peptides as antivirals.   The researchers believe that with minor modifications and peptide engineering, this lab-made mini protein could inhibit other protein-protein interactions as well.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21603/-iit-indore-throws-light-on-cancer-causing-virus-affecting-brain-cells.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21603/-iit-indore-throws-light-on-cancer-causing-virus-affecting-brain-cells.html Mon, 11 Jul 2022 18:50:00 +0530 A research team from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore utilised the Raman microspectroscopy technique, supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure (FIST) scheme to explore the possible impacts of a cancer-causing virus on brain cells. The technique based on Raman Effect is a simple, cost-effective tool to find sensitive chemical changes in biological samples.   Scientists have found that the cancer-causing virus Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) can infect the neuronal cells and drive various changes in biomolecules such as fatty acids, carbohydrates, and protein components, leading to diseases of the central nervous system as well as brain cancer.   The study, published in the journal ACS Chemical Neuroscience, showed that there could be timely and gradual changes in various biomolecules in the neuronal cells under the viral influence. Additionally, these changes were distinct when compared to the changes observed in other supportive brain cells (that is, astrocyte and microglia).     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21575/iit-m-develops-ai-tool-towards-personalised-cancer-diagnosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21575/iit-m-develops-ai-tool-towards-personalised-cancer-diagnosis.html Wed, 06 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) researchers have developed an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based tool, ‘PIVOT’, that can predict cancer-causing genes in an individual. This tool will ultimately help in devising personalized cancer treatment strategies. PIVOT is designed to predict genes that are responsible for causing cancer in an individual. The prediction is based on a model that utilizes information on mutations, expression of genes, and copy number variation in genes and perturbations in the biological network due to an altered gene expression. The tool is based on a machine learning model that classifies genes as tumour suppressor genes, oncogenes or neutral genes. The tool was able to successfully predict both the existing oncogenes and tumour-suppressor genes like TP53, and PIK3CA, among others, and new cancer-related genes such as PRKCA, SOX9 and PSMD4. Although there are tools available to identify personalized cancer genes, they use unsupervised learning and predict based on presence and absence of mutations in cancer-related genes. This study, however, is the first one to use supervised learning and takes into account the functional impact of mutations while making predictions. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21548/workshop-cum-webinar-on-genome-editing-discusses-advancements-in-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21548/workshop-cum-webinar-on-genome-editing-discusses-advancements-in-research.html Fri, 01 Jul 2022 16:40:00 +0530 A virtual national workshop-cum-webinar on genome editing is being organised till July 3, 2022, to communicate the advances in science and technology to young students and researchers. The workshop is organised under the Chairmanship of Prof KC Bansal, Secretary of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), New Delhi, is a former Director of the premier institution of ICAR, the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR). The workshop is Co-Chaired by a world-renowned scientist Prof Yiping Qi, Associate Professor, University of Maryland, USA.The seven-day online workshop is being attended by over 350 young researchers and faculty members belonging to the various fields of biotechnology. The speakers for the workshop have been drawn from national institutes like IISc, Bangalore; NCBS, Bangalore; CSIR-IGIB, New Delhi; CSIR-CCMB, Hyderabad; IIT, Kharagpur; DBT-NABI, Mohali; DBT-NIPGR, New Delhi; IISER, Mohali; ICAR-IARI, New Delhi and ICAR-NRRI, Cuttack. Speakers included Dr KA Molla, Scientist, NRRI, Cuttack; Dr Siddharth Tiwari, Scientist, NABI, Mohali; Dr P Chander Shekhar, Principal Scientist, CSIR-CCMB, Hyderabad; Dr Debojyoti Chakraborty, Senior Scientist, CSIR-IGIB, New Delhi; Dr Viswanathan Chinnusamy, Principal Scientist, IARI, New Delhi and Dr Naveen Bisht, Staff Scientist V, NIPGR, New Delhi. The scientists who will be speaking during the next three days include Dr Kavita Babu, Principal Investigator, IISc, Bangalore; Dr Deepti Trivedi Vyas, Scientist, NCBS, Bangalore; Dr Amit Ghosh, Assistant Professor, IIT, Kharagpur; Dr Basudev Ghoshal, Research Scientist, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Dr D T Singh, Founder & President, CloudSeq Pte Ltd, Singapore. The valedictory function of the workshop will be held on Sunday, July 3, 2022, with Dr Ashwani Pareek, Executive Director, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute and Mohali the Chief Guest. The workshop has been organised by the Chandigarh-based Glostem, an organisation involved in organising and managing scientific events for the last 10 years, in association with the Indian National Young Academy of Science. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21530/agilent-technologies-to-host-future-lab-summit-in-ahmedabad.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21530/agilent-technologies-to-host-future-lab-summit-in-ahmedabad.html Thu, 30 Jun 2022 13:30:00 +0530 Agilent Technologies is hosting ‘The Future Lab Summit’ in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on July 15, 2022. The theme of the event is ‘Transformation of analytical laboratories to keep up with industry developments.’ The summit will be live-streamed, and more than a thousand scientists and researchers from commercial, scientific, and research communities worldwide are expected to attend.   “The Future Lab Summit aims to build a platform for the scientific community to share their views and suggest strategies about the ‘Lab of the Future’ concept, where innovation meets sustainability,” added Dr Samir Vyas, Country General Manager, Agilent India.   The event will showcase Agilent’s latest platforms including, the new LC/MS and GC/MS quadrupole mass spectrometers among others, which represent the latest revolution in Agilent’s over half a century of history in mass spectrometry. The new LC/TQ and GC/TQ products are expected to offer built-in instrument intelligence that can simplify lab operations.   The summit will also feature workshops for participants to discuss the ongoing and future regulatory challenges in pharma, food, and applied chemical industries with industry leaders and experts from the pharma and applied market organisations. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21512/iisc-uses-gpus-to-study-human-brain-connectivity.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21512/iisc-uses-gpus-to-study-human-brain-connectivity.html Tue, 28 Jun 2022 18:25:00 +0530 A new Graphics processing unit (GPU)-based machine learning algorithm developed by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru can help scientists better understand and predict connectivity between different regions of the brain.   The algorithm, called Regularized, Accelerated, Linear Fascicle Evaluation, or ReAl-LiFE, can rapidly analyse the enormous amounts of data generated from diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging (dMRI) scans of the human brain. Using ReAL-LiFE, the team was able to evaluate dMRI data over 150 times faster than existing state-of-the-art algorithms.    The improved algorithm, ReAl-LiFE, was also able to predict how a human test subject would behave or carry out a specific task. In other words, using the connection strengths estimated by the algorithm for each individual, the team was able to explain variations in behavioural and cognitive test scores across a group of 200 participants.   Such analysis can have medical applications too. “Data processing on large scales is becoming increasingly necessary for big-data neuroscience applications, especially for understanding healthy brain function and brain pathology,” said the researchers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21501/researchers-develop-nanoparticle-coated-n95-mask-using-3d-printing-technology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21501/researchers-develop-nanoparticle-coated-n95-mask-using-3d-printing-technology.html Mon, 27 Jun 2022 21:55:00 +0530 Researchers from Amity University Haryana (AUH) and the University of Nebraska, US, have developed a reusable, recyclable, washable, odourless, non-allergic and anti-microbial N95 mask by using 3D printing technology. The four-layer mask whose outer layer is made up of silicon has a shelf life of more than five years depending upon the use.    The mask can be modified according to the requirement by changing the filter configuration according to the place in which it will be used and can help prevent severe lung diseases such as SILICOSIS. A trademark and a patent have also been filed for the mask called Nano Breath.    A 4-layer filtration mechanism has been provided in the mask wherein the outer and first layer of the filter is coated with nanoparticles. The second layer is a high-efficiency particulate absorbing (HEPA) filter, the third layer is 100 µm filter and the fourth layer is a moisture absorbent filter.    A Zetasizer Nano ZS, a facility supported by the ‘Fund for Improvement of Science & Technology Infrastructure’ (FIST) project of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India which enables high-temperature thermal analysis for ceramic materials and catalysis applications, has been used to carry out this work. It is a high-performance, versatile system for measuring particle size, zeta potential, molecular weight, particle mobility and micro-rheology.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21466/scientists-analyse-movement-of-speech-aerosols-to-study-virus-transmission.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21466/scientists-analyse-movement-of-speech-aerosols-to-study-virus-transmission.html Wed, 22 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0530 When a person sneezes or coughs, they can potentially transmit droplets carrying viruses like SARS-CoV-2 to others in their vicinity. Does talking to an infected person also carry an increased risk of infection? To answer such questions, a research team has carried out computer simulations to analyse the movement of the speech aerosols. The team includes researchers from the Department of Aerospace Engineering, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), along with collaborators from the Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics (NORDITA) in Stockholm and the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences (ICTS) in Bengaluru. The team visualised scenarios in which two maskless people are standing two, four or six feet apart and talking to each other for about a minute, and then estimated the rate and extent of spread of the speech aerosols from one to another. Their simulations showed that the risk of getting infected was higher when one person acted as a passive listener and didn’t engage in a two-way conversation. Factors like the height difference between the people talking and the quantity of aerosols released from their mouths also appear to play an important role in viral transmission. Moving forward, the team plans to focus on simulating differences in the loudness of the speakers’ voices and the presence of ventilation sources in their vicinity to see what effect they can have on viral transmission. They also plan to engage in discussions with public health policymakers and epidemiologists to develop suitable guidelines. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21421/iit-guwahati-develops-affordable-prosthetic-leg.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21421/iit-guwahati-develops-affordable-prosthetic-leg.html Tue, 14 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have developed a prosthetic leg specifically designed for Indian conditions. It is suitable for uneven terrain and supports Indian needs such as cross-legged sitting, and deep squatting. It is also adjustable for the different age groups and multiple stages of prosthesis use.    This research was funded by the Ministry of Education, Government of India and the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. IIT Guwahati Researchers collaborated with 151 Army Base Hospital, Guwahati, Tolaram Bafna Kamrup District Civil Hospital, Guwahati, Guwahati Neurological Research Centre (GNRC), North Guwahati, and North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGHRIMS), Shillong.    A team led by Prof S Kanagaraj, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Guwahati, set out to tackle these issues. Prototypes of their models developed by this research team are currently undergoing trials. A methodology is being developed to fit a 3D-printed test socket which is verified using computer analysis.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21424/iisc-develops-self-regulating-footwear-for-diabetics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21424/iisc-develops-self-regulating-footwear-for-diabetics.html Mon, 13 Jun 2022 15:30:00 +0530 Researchers in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru in collaboration with the Karnataka Institute of Endocrinology and Research (KIER), have developed a set of unique self-regulating footwear for persons with diabetes.  The footwear – a pair of specially-designed sandals – developed by the IISc-led team is 3D printed and can be customised to an individual’s foot dimensions and walking style. Unlike conventional therapeutic footwear, a snapping mechanism in these sandals keeps the feet well-balanced, enabling faster healing of the injured region and preventing injuries from arising in other areas of the feet.  The footwear can be especially beneficial for people who have diabetic peripheral neuropathy – those who suffer from nerve damage caused by diabetes, leading to a loss of sensation in the foot. The team is collaborating with start-ups Foot Secure and Yostra Labs to commercialise their product. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21399/university-of-glasgow-officially-opens-mazumdar-shaw-advance-research-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21399/university-of-glasgow-officially-opens-mazumdar-shaw-advance-research-centre.html Thu, 09 Jun 2022 17:30:00 +0530 The University of Glasgow, UK has announced the official opening of the Mazumdar-Shaw Advanced Research Centre by the Nobel Laureate, Professor Sir David MacMillan, who also unveiled a plaque to mark the official opening of the building.The £118 million Mazumdar-Shaw Advanced Research Centre (ARC) will be the creative and collaborative heart of cross-disciplinary research at the University of Glasgow. The Mazumdar Shaw ARC will be home to over 500 researchers from a range of disciplines, facilitating world-changing collaborative research. It will provide a unique environment for delivering world-changing research and will act as a catalyst for strengthening relationships between the University of Glasgow and its stakeholders, funders, Industry, civic bodies and the public.Commenting on the inauguration Kiran and John shaw said, “It is our fervent hope that the Mazumdar-Shaw Advanced Research Centre (ARC) will provide a unique environment that supports the kind of inter-disciplinary, collaborative research that leads to breakthrough and world-changing innovations, which will enhance the quality of life and the betterment of human society.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21368/iisc-provides-alternative-mechanism-to-render-viruses-like-sars-cov-2-inactive.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21368/iisc-provides-alternative-mechanism-to-render-viruses-like-sars-cov-2-inactive.html Mon, 06 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The rapid emergence of new strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has diminished the protection offered by COVID-19 vaccines. A new approach developed by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru now provides an alternative mechanism to render viruses like SARS-CoV-2 inactive.  In a study published in Nature Chemical Biology, the researchers report the design of a new class of artificial peptides or miniproteins that can not only block virus entry into our cells but also clump virions (virus particles) together, reducing their ability to infect.   In the new study, the team has exploited an approach to design miniproteins that can bind to, and block the spike protein on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This binding was further characterised extensively by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and other biophysical methods. The team decided to test their hypothesis by using one of the miniproteins called SIH-5 to target the interaction between the Spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 and ACE2 protein in human cells. The next step was to ask if SIH-5 would be useful for preventing COVID-19 infection.  To answer this, the team first tested the miniprotein for toxicity in mammalian cells in the lab and found it to be safe. Next, hamsters were dosed with the miniprotein, followed by exposure to SARS-CoV-2. These animals showed no weight loss and had greatly decreased viral load as well as much less cell damage in the lungs, compared to hamsters exposed only to the virus. The miniprotein was also found to be thermostable, it can be stored for months at room temperature without deteriorating.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21351/iit-d-study-reveals-mechanisms-driving-sars-cov-2-evolution-in-humans.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21351/iit-d-study-reveals-mechanisms-driving-sars-cov-2-evolution-in-humans.html Wed, 01 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D) has discovered the existence of temporal variations in selection pressures during SARS-CoV-2 evolution and adaptation to the human host. CpG (or CG; i.e. a cytosine followed by a guanine) numbers in virus genomes has been linked to host-switching, efficiency of virus replication, immune evasion and the ability of a virus to cause disease. Zinc-finger antiviral protein (ZAP), a host protein that can bind to CpG-rich regions in SARS-CoV-2 (and other RNA viruses) and recruits other host proteins to degrade the viral RNA. Several viruses including HIV-1, Influenza A virus and SARS-CoV-2 prefer to reduce their CpG content (by losing CpGs) to minimize the host immune response, thus allowing better virus replication and survival. The team analyzed over 1.4 million full-length SARS-CoV-2 sequences from across the world. They found that the rate of CpG depletion from SARS-CoV-2 genomes rapidly decreases after the first few months of evolution in humans. Furthermore, most SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern had lower CpG content. This work highlights the existence of selection pressures apart from ZAP that may lead to CpG depletion in SARS-CoV-2 genomes. Dr. Sonam Dhamija, a co-author on the paper, said, “This work has relevance to our current understanding of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, immune evasion and emergence of variants of concern”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21338/india-us-collaboration-for-neonatal-and-infant-mortality-predictors-using-machine-learning.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21338/india-us-collaboration-for-neonatal-and-infant-mortality-predictors-using-machine-learning.html Mon, 30 May 2022 15:35:00 +0530 Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur and Western Michigan University, USA, have identified significant neonatal and infant mortality predictors using multiple machine learning (ML) techniques. The study uses nationwide household survey data from India. The primary objective of this research was to identify early warning signs of child mortality that community health workers can use.   These early-warning indicators include: Observable biological characteristics Demographic characteristics Socio-economic factors of households, mothers and new-borns   The early warning indicators identified in this study do not require advanced medical knowledge and can be easily used by community healthcare workers. The study uses a range of machine learning algorithms to assess the relative importance of characteristics such as being first-borns, being born in poorer households, and having a low birth weight.    The future goal is to extend and develop more streamlined screening criteria with the availability of more granular data with a combination of clinical and socioeconomic characteristics. This research aims to train community health workers to use predictors as a screening mechanism to identify individuals at risk for mortality and refer them to qualified doctors for more rigorous evaluation. Early identification of risk factors will allow women and newborns to get timely medical care and reduce the child mortality rate in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21320/govt-approves-trial-of-worlds-first-synthetic-jaw-bone-graft-by-amrita-vishwa-vidyapeetham.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21320/govt-approves-trial-of-worlds-first-synthetic-jaw-bone-graft-by-amrita-vishwa-vidyapeetham.html Thu, 26 May 2022 16:40:00 +0530 Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham has got a Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) approval for conducting a pilot clinical trial for a novel bone graft developed jointly by Amrita School of Nanosciences, Amrita School of Medicine and Amrita School of Dentistry, Kochi.   The project was funded by the Dept of Sciences and Technology, Government of India, in the initial lab phase and then by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) for the translational large animal testing and regulatory testing phases.   The synthetic bone graft, named  Nanotex Bone, provides a first-of-its-kind solution in the world for patients who lose part of their lower jaw (mandibular bone) due to cancer, injury, or trauma.   The product, patented by Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, also accepts tooth implants, enabling patients to lead a close-to-normal life even after losing a portion of their oral cavity bone.   The clinic trial, which entails testing on ten patients, will be conducted at Amrita School of Medicine and Amrita School of Dentistry, Kochi. It is expected to be completed in two years. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21316/govt-invests-rs-4-87-cr-in-high-powered-magnetron-tech-for-cancer-radiation-therapy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21316/govt-invests-rs-4-87-cr-in-high-powered-magnetron-tech-for-cancer-radiation-therapy.html Wed, 25 May 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Science and Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Earth Science; MoS of Prime Minister's Office and Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh has said that the government is supporting indigenous development of high-powered Magnetron technology used mainly for cancer radiation therapy.                            Dr Jitendra Singh presided over the signing of a MoU between Technology Development Board (TDB) of DST and Panacea Medical Technologies, Bangalore to provide financial support for development and commercialisation of “S Band Tunable Magnetron for Particle Accelerators". TDB has agreed to provide loan assistance of Rs 4.87 crore, out of the total project cost of Rs 9.73 crores to the company. "High-powered Magnetron developed by CSIR-CEERI (Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute), Pilani for commercial use will be a pathbreaking technology for oncologists to treat even 2 mm diameter brain tumour with precision radiation with very little side-effects", said the Minister. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21268/india-lags-behind-other-nations-in-actively-promoting-science-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21268/india-lags-behind-other-nations-in-actively-promoting-science-study.html Wed, 18 May 2022 18:15:00 +0530 Research communication attracts funders, increases opportunities for multi-institutional collaborations and multi-continent projects, and enhances scientific reputation. India lags behind other nations in actively promoting science. These are the findings of a white paper titled ‘Enriching the Indian Scientific Landscape with Research Communication’ by Impact Science, a Cactus Communications brand.   The comprehensive report emphasises the importance of research communication and high-profile work in terms of publications and patents which allow the scientific community to reach out to a worldwide audience and raise awareness about Indian research. To continue this endeavour, the white paper highlights the need for sustained and increased funding from both the private and public sectors.   The white paper addresses the major gap between content portrayal for academics, scientific communities, and non-scientific audiences. It is crucial as limited people have the flair for understanding the language and technicalities of a research paper. Efforts should be invested in opening channels to use the science background and merge it with writing and communication skills that can be understood by the larger audience.    The white paper further talks about how gradually the government and other research institutes are working toward propagating research and popularising the work through newspaper articles or even blogs and social media posts. Researchers prefer Twitter and LinkedIn over other social media platforms. Engagement on these platforms has led to successful collaborations, increased funding, and award nomination possibilities. Leading institutes and scientists are attempting to reach out to a larger audience by preparing videos on popular and current topics such as vaccines, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21264/iisc-develops-tiny-robots-to-enhance-dental-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21264/iisc-develops-tiny-robots-to-enhance-dental-care.html Tue, 17 May 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Nano-sized robots manipulated using a magnetic field can help kill bacteria deep inside dentinal tubules, and boost the success of root canal treatments, as per a new study by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru and IISc-incubated startup, Theranautilus. “The dentinal tubules are very small, and bacteria reside deep in the tissue. Current techniques are not efficient enough to go all the way inside and kill the bacteria,” explains Shanmukh Srinivas, Research Associate at the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE), IISc, and co-founder of Theranautilus. The researchers designed helical nanobots made of silicon dioxide coated with iron, which can be controlled using a device that generates a low intensity magnetic field. These nanobots were then injected into extracted tooth samples and their movement was tracked using a microscope. Crucially, the team was able to manipulate the magnetic field to make the surface of the nanobots generate heat, which can kill the bacteria nearby. “No other technology in the market can do this right now,” says Debayan Dasgupta, Research Associate at CeNSE, and another co-founder of Theranautilus. The team has tested the dental nanobots in mice models and found them to be safe and effective. They are also working on developing a new kind of medical device that can easily fit inside the mouth, and allow the dentist to inject and manipulate the nanobots inside the teeth during root canal treatment. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21183/iit-h-announces-chair-professorship-in-medical-devices-diagnostics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21183/iit-h-announces-chair-professorship-in-medical-devices-diagnostics.html Thu, 05 May 2022 17:45:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IIT-H) has joined hands with Rajesh Mashruwala, Executive VP, TIBCO Software and one of the Co-founders of the Centre for Healthcare Entrepreneurship (CfHE), IIT Hyderabad, to announce the CfHE Vagbhata Chair Professorship in medical devices and diagnostics.With this Chair Professorship, Mashruwala aims to translate healthcare ideas like non-invasive diagnostics, point of care devices, and clinical trials of portable devices to address the last mile in healthcare delivery to rural India in medical devices and diagnostics.Prof BS Murty, Director, IITH, said, “This Chair Professorship will be a golden opportunity for bringing eminent National and International faculty and industry leaders to collaborate with the Department of Biomedical Engineering at IITH with a focussed vision to strengthen this area, develop new courses and programmes, and attract new faculty, visiting faculty, international grants, etc.”The support from the institute will cover the activities related to academics, travel, research, honorariums, and other expenses for the chair professor to visit IIT Hyderabad and engage in research and teaching activities. The term of a Chair Professor will be renewed on an annual basis for three years. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21175/iisc-develops-3d-printed-gloves-for-rehabilitating-stroke-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21175/iisc-develops-3d-printed-gloves-for-rehabilitating-stroke-patients.html Wed, 04 May 2022 16:30:00 +0530 The Department of Physics at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru has developed a soft, wearable device that exploits the fundamental properties of light to sense a patient’s limb or finger movements. The customisable, 3D printed gloves can be remotely controlled, opening up the possibility of teleconsultation by physiotherapists.      The team has developed a mechanism by which customisable wearables like hand gloves can be designed, 3D printed, and controlled remotely. The device can sense various hand and finger movements, and precisely detect parameters like pressure, bending angle and shape.   The researchers used a silicon-based polymer material that is transparent (facilitating manipulation of light), soft (for comfort and repeated use), and most importantly, 3D printed; it can therefore be customised to fit each patient’s arm and fingers. The device can also capture and store data, and transmit it over the Internet, facilitating remote monitoring by clinicians or physiotherapists.   According to the researchers, the device has been tested for stability for over 10 months, and no loss of sensitivity or accuracy was found. The device has been entirely designed and manufactured in India, and is expected to cost less than Rs 1,000. A patent has been filed for the device and the researchers hope to launch it on the market soon. The approach can also be extended to applications like augmented reality and real-time monitoring of health parameters. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21162/iit-mandi-discovers-molecule-for-type-1-2-diabetes-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21162/iit-mandi-discovers-molecule-for-type-1-2-diabetes-treatment.html Mon, 02 May 2022 17:15:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi have identified a drug molecule that can be used to treat diabetes. The molecule PK2 can trigger the release of insulin by the pancreas and can potentially be used as an orally administered medicine for diabetes.   The findings of the research have been published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. The paper has been authored by Dr Prosenjit Mondal, Associate Professor, School of Basic Sciences, and co-authored by Prof Subrata Ghosh, School of Basic Sciences, IIT Mandi, along with Dr Sunil Kumar, ICAR- IASRI, PUSA, New Delhi, Dr Budheswar Dehury, ICMR RMRC, Bhubaneswar, Dr Khyati Girdhar, Shilpa Thakur, Dr Abhinav Choubey, Dr Pankaj Gaur, Surbhi Dogra, Bidisha Biswas from IIT Mandi, and Dr Durgesh Kumar Dwivedi (Regional Ayurvedic Research Institute (RARI) Gwalior).   The multi-institutional team first used computer simulation methods to screen various small molecules that can bind with GLP1R. While PK2, PK3, and PK4 had good binding abilities with GLP1R, they subsequently chose PK2 because of its better solubility in solvents. The researchers then synthesised PK2 in the lab for further testing.  In order to test the biological effects of PK2, the researchers administered it orally to experimental mice developing diabetes and measured glucose levels and insulin secretion. There was a six-fold increase in serum insulin levels in PK2-treated mice over the control group.  These findings provide hope for inexpensive oral drugs for diabetic patients.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21140/iit-jodhpur-proposes-ai-algorithm-for-cataract-detection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21140/iit-jodhpur-proposes-ai-algorithm-for-cataract-detection.html Thu, 28 Apr 2022 16:35:00 +0530 Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur have proposed a multitask deep learning Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithm for automated cataract detection. The proposed method uses eye images captured in the near-infrared domain and is computationally inexpensive, yielding high accuracy. Known as MTCD, the proposed multitask deep learning algorithm is inexpensive and results in very high levels of accuracy.It is also cost-effective as low-cost NIR cameras are used in place of costly ophthalmoscopes. The proposed method can be used in rural settings where the availability of doctors is limited.The research was conceptualised by Dr Mayank Vatsa and Dr Richa Singh from the mage Analysis and Biometrics (IAB) Lab at IIT Jodhpur. They were supported by various UG and Ph.D. students at the lab - Mahapara Khurshid, Yasmeena Akhter, Rohit Keshari, Pavani Tripathi, and Aditya Lakra.IHub-Drishti, TIH at IIT Jodhpur, has recently funded the next stage of this research. The researchers plan to undertake an extensive data collection exercise for building an ophthalmology databank with different kinds of devices. The second part improves the approach and creates an explainable and robust AI algorithm for cataract detection. IIT Jodhpur has collaborated with the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, PGIMER Chandigarh, to further expand this research. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21126/asthma-drug-can-block-sars-cov-2-protein-iisc-researchers-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21126/asthma-drug-can-block-sars-cov-2-protein-iisc-researchers-.html Wed, 27 Apr 2022 12:20:00 +0530 According to a new study by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, a drug used to treat asthma and allergies can bind to and block a crucial protein produced by the virus SARS-CoV-2 and reduce viral replication in human immune cells.   Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the drug, called montelukast, has been around for more than 20 years and is usually prescribed to reduce inflammation caused by conditions like asthma, hay fever and hives.    In the study published in eLife, the researchers show that the drug binds strongly to one end (‘C-terminal’) of a SARS-CoV-2 protein called Nsp1, which is one of the first viral proteins unleashed inside the human cells. This protein can bind to ribosomes – the protein-making machinery – inside our immune cells and shut down the synthesis of vital proteins required by the immune system, thereby weakening it. Targeting Nsp1 could therefore reduce the damage inflicted by the virus.     The team plans to work with chemists to see if they can modify the structure of the drug to make it more potent against SARS-CoV-2. They also plan to continue hunting for similar drugs with strong antiviral activity.      ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21104/indomethacin-shows-efficacy-in-treating-hospitalised-covid-19-patients-iit-m-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21104/indomethacin-shows-efficacy-in-treating-hospitalised-covid-19-patients-iit-m-.html Fri, 22 Apr 2022 16:35:00 +0530 A recent peer-reviewed journal paper published in Nature Scientific Reports has shown the excellent efficacy of Indomethacin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, as an antiviral agent in the treatment of mild and moderate COVID-19 patients.   The study conducted at Panimalar Medical College and Research Institute was led by Dr Rajan Ravichandran, an Adjunct Faculty at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and Director Nephrology at Madras Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (MIOT) hospitals. The study was conceptualised and coordinated by Prof R Krishna Kumar, Institute professor, IIT Madras.   The Indian researchers are the first to show the efficacy of indomethacin through a randomised clinical trial on the scientific basis has been researched by Italian and US scientists. The entire study was funded by Kris Gopalakrishnan an alumnus of IIT Madras and Chairman, Axilor Ventures.   Prof R Krishna Kumar, Institute professor, IIT Madras, "None of the 103 patients who received indomethacin developed oxygen desaturation. On the other hand, 20 of the 109 patients from the control group were desaturated with oxygen saturation levels below 93 per cent. Indomethacin group patients recovered from all symptoms in three to four days. It took double the time for the control group. Liver and kidney function tests showed no adverse reaction. The fourteenth‐day follow‐up showed that nearly half of the control group patients had several discomforts while a few indomethacin patients complained only of tiredness”.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21082/iasst-develops-plasma-based-green-disinfectant-against-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21082/iasst-develops-plasma-based-green-disinfectant-against-covid-19.html Wed, 20 Apr 2022 06:10:00 +0530 Researchers at the Institute of the Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), an autonomous research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt of India, Guwahati, Assam have developed a plasma-based disinfectant generated with the help of cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) which could act as a green decontaminant for COVID-19.   The team has demonstrated that the plasma generated has the potential to deactivate SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, which binds to human ACE2 receptor for inducing viral infection and subsequent COVID-19.    The scientists passed plasma forming gases such as helium, argon and air through a high voltage electric field which led to the formation of a stable plasma with a mixture of ions, and electrons emitting a pink glow of CAP inside the reaction chamber.    This research recently published in the international journal of the RSC (Royal Society of Chemistry) Advances shows that short-lived highly reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) generated in the plasma led to complete deactivation of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein occurs within 2 min of CAP treatment. The RT-PCR analysis has also established that CAP can deactivate the RNA of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.   The researchers showed that the CAP, a plasma-based disinfection method is a better alternative to environmentally hazardous chemical-based decontamination methods. The cold atmospheric plasma is environmentally safe since, during the entire decontamination process by plasma treatment, no chemical waste is produced. The research was conducted at the COVID-19 testing and research facility of IASST which according to Director Prof Ashis K Mukherjee has carried out more than 1.54 lakhs tests to date. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21062/study-reveals-emerging-differences-in-covid-19-infection-rates-in-recipients-of-different-vaccines.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21062/study-reveals-emerging-differences-in-covid-19-infection-rates-in-recipients-of-different-vaccines.html Fri, 15 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The antibodies generated by Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine rise more slowly and decline more quickly than those generated by the Moderna vaccine, according to a new study from the University of Virginia Health, US. The study also finds that older recipients of the Pfizer vaccine generated fewer antibodies than did younger recipients but this wasn’t the case for Moderna, where age did not appear to be a factor. The researchers determined that both vaccines generated similar peak levels of COVID-19 fighting antibodies. This result is at odds with a prior report from the same group that showed antibodies were higher after Moderna, but they say the discrepancy likely can be explained by the faster rate at which the Pfizer antibodies decline. It will be important for future research to consider time frame from vaccination carefully when assessing peak antibody response, they say. The researchers also noticed that there was a trend for men to generate fewer antibodies than did women, but, contrary to a prior report, this was ultimately deemed statistically insignificant. The scientists note that it remains unclear if the greater antibody response generated by the Moderna vaccine translates into better real-world protection. But the study, they say, may help explain emerging differences in COVID-19 infection rates seen among recipients of the different vaccines. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21043/myopericarditis-following-covid-19-vaccination-is-rare-lancet-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21043/myopericarditis-following-covid-19-vaccination-is-rare-lancet-study.html Tue, 12 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The overall risk of myopericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination is very low, affecting 18 people per million vaccine doses. A new study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, confirms that this risk is comparable to or lower following COVID-19 vaccination than other non-COVID-19 vaccines.The researchers examined international databases, looking at more than 400 million vaccination doses, to compare the risk of myopericarditis following vaccination against COVID-19 and other diseases such as influenza and smallpox. They found no statistically significant difference between the incidence of myopericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination (18 cases per million doses) and other vaccinations (56 cases per million doses).“Our research suggests that the overall risk of myopericarditis appears to be no different for this newly approved group of vaccines against COVID- 19, compared to vaccines against other diseases. The risk of such rare events should be balanced against the risk of myopericarditis from infection and these findings should bolster public confidence in the safety of COVID-19 vaccinations,” says Dr. Kollengode Ramanathan, a cardiac intensivist at National University Hospital, Singapore, and corresponding author. Myopericarditis is a condition that causes inflammation of the heart muscle and, in some cases, severe permanent heart damage. It is most often caused by viruses but can also occur after vaccination in rare instances.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21025/iit-m-unveils-indigenously-developed-polycentric-prosthetic-knee.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21025/iit-m-unveils-indigenously-developed-polycentric-prosthetic-knee.html Fri, 08 Apr 2022 18:25:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) researchers have launched India’s first indigenously developed Polycentric Prosthetic Knee, which aims to improve the quality of life for thousands of above-knee amputees. Called ‘Kadam,’ this ‘Made in India’ product is a polycentric knee for Above Knee Prosthesis developed in association with Society for Biomedical Technology (SBMT) and Mobility India. Kadam makes it possible for above-knee amputees to walk with a comfortable gait. Not just mobility, it also aims to improve the quality of life of users through increased community participation, access to education, livelihood opportunities and overall well-being.It was developed by a team at TTK Center for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development (R2D2) at IIT Madras, which also developed and commercialised ‘Arise,’ the country's first standing wheelchair and NeoFly-NeoBolt: active wheelchair and motorised add-on for seamless indoor-outdoor mobility. R2D2 is involved in research related to human movement, and the design and development of rehabilitation and assistive devices for people with movement impairments. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21010/rural-innovator-innovates-tech-to-kill-sars-cov-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21010/rural-innovator-innovates-tech-to-kill-sars-cov-.html Thu, 07 Apr 2022 08:35:00 +0530 Narishma Chary Mandaji, a rural innovator who is known for re-glowing the dead tube lights, after extensive research and experiments, has come up with a technology that is capable of killing all sorts of viruses including the SARS-CoV. His technology has been imbibed in Instashield, a breakthrough innovative medical device, which uses first-of-its-kind CCMB approved Virus attenuation technology that disables all kinds of viruses including SARS- CoV2) up to 99.9 per cent efficacy in an enclosed space, in air, and on the surfaces.Instashield is a plug and play device that delivers the necessary signals to the electron emitters producing hypercharge high-velocity electrons, which interact with the negative seeking s-protein of the corona family of viruses, thus, reducing infectivity and preventing air and surface borne transmission of the corona family of viruses. Its hyper-charged cannons fire trillions (1-100 trillion electrons per second) of negatively charged ions, creating an electron cloud across closed spaces. A single device has an effective coverage area starting 5,000 square feet and activates within 18 minutes of time. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21000/iit-mandi-gives-further-understanding-on-basic-science-of-covid-19-and-related-infections.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/21000/iit-mandi-gives-further-understanding-on-basic-science-of-covid-19-and-related-infections.html Wed, 06 Apr 2022 06:55:00 +0530 Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, using spectroscopy and simulation methods, unravelled the molecular structure of a functional protein region of the COVID-19 virus. The team has established the structure of one section of an important spike protein responsible for the virus's infectivity.  The unique and pioneering observations have been recently published in the journal Virology. The research was led by Dr Rajanish Giri, Associate Professor, School of Basic Sciences, IIT Mandi, and co-authored by his Prateek Kumar, Taniya Bhardwaj, and Dr Neha Garg, Assistant Professor at Banaras Hindu University. Dr Giri’s research team has used CD spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the shape or conformation of the spike glycoprotein’s intravirion region, also known as the C-terminal region or endodomain. The researchers have validated the simulation results with experimental studies and have shown that the structure of the intravirion region of the spike protein i.e. endodomain is an intrinsically disordered region in isolation. Also, solvent dependent studies suggest the conformational or shape-changing capabilities of this endodomain. Prateek Kumar, Ph.D. scholar, IIT Mandi posits that the structural malleability of this region can help identify many new targets inside the host cell, which, in turn, could help in understanding the basic science of COVID-19 and other coronavirus infections. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20969/iit-kanpur-signs-mou-with-ortho-regenics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20969/iit-kanpur-signs-mou-with-ortho-regenics.html Wed, 30 Mar 2022 15:25:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has transferred a bone regeneration technology to Ortho Regenics. Titled 'Nano-Hydroxyapatite based porous polymer composite scaffolds for bioactive molecule delivery in musculoskeletal regeneration,' the technology has been developed by Prof Ashok Kumar and Arun Kumar Teotia from the Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering at IIT Kanpur.   It has been licensed to overcome the problems related to bone and joint disorders, capable of biocompatible bone regeneration.   The invention can act as a carrier for bone active biomolecules, delivering them directly to the implant site. The novel material is biodegradable and has osteoinductive (bone healing process) and osteopromotive (material for new bone growth) properties for bone regeneration. They are highly biocompatible resulting in good cell material interaction with osteoblast cells (cells responsible for mineralisation of bone during bone formation and bone remodelling), exhibiting high mechanical strength and interaction between the polymer network and the solvent.     The technology provides a collagen-nano-hydroxyapatite composite macroporous gel, which is a potential approach for the reconstruction of irregular bone defects and dental applications as well. Hence, the primary objective of this invention is to overcome the drawbacks of alternative remedies.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20924/iit-jodhpur-unveils-research-centre-for-duchenne-muscular-dystrophy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20924/iit-jodhpur-unveils-research-centre-for-duchenne-muscular-dystrophy.html Tue, 22 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur has established a research centre for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) in collaboration with Dystrophy Annihilation Research Trust (DART), Bengaluru and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur. The current therapeutic options available to treat DMD are minimal and highly expensive (over Rs 2-3 crore per child a year). Drugs are mostly imported from abroad, accelerating dosing costs and putting them out of reach for most families. DMD is a rare and incurable genetic disease and it is the most common and fatal type of muscular dystrophy, marked by gradual muscle deterioration.  The centre at IIT Jodhpur aims to develop affordable therapeutics for DMD and enhance the efficacy of Antisense Oligonucleotide (AON)-based therapeutics. The AON-based therapeutics' idea is to hide or mask specific exons (a segment of a DNA or RNA molecule containing information coding for a protein) in a gene sequence. In DMD patients, one or more exons can be masked with specific molecules called AON or molecular patches. Due to these challenges, DMD patients need personalised medicine. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20917/iit-k-develops-novel-nano-adsorbent-technology-for-waste-water-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20917/iit-k-develops-novel-nano-adsorbent-technology-for-waste-water-treatment.html Mon, 21 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 In a path-breaking development to address the problems of rising pathogens and waterborne diseases due to antibiotic & metal-resistant bacteria, Dr Archana Raichur and Dr Niraj Sinha from the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) have invented a novel nano-adsorbent having applications in waste water treatment. The nano adsorbent would help in selective removal of anti-biotic and metal resistant bacteria from polluted water with a rapid method to synthesize. The uniform cubical nano-adsorbent is eco-friendly, reusable, bactericidal, and multi-layered, and is functionalized for selective removal of harmful bacteria from water. It is a significant development with regards to the current methodologies used to synthesize nano-adsorbents that have been researched in recent years for waste water treatment to address water pollution and related health concerns. These nano-adsorbents have potential in near future to be used as a component of membrane filters and tested for clinical evaluation and application on bio-remediation which is ready to be commercialised. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20907/iit-madras-launches-sudha-gopalakrishnan-brain-centre.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20907/iit-madras-launches-sudha-gopalakrishnan-brain-centre.html Sat, 19 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) has launched the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre to power an ambitious global project to map the human brain at the cellular and connectivity levels, with a focus on high-resolution brain imaging. This state-of-the-art centre aims to become a world-renowned research centre, generating unprecedented human brain data, scientific output and technology tools. It was inaugurated on 19th March 2022 in the presence of Prof. K. VijayRaghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, IIT Madras Distinguished Alumnus Kris Gopalakrishnan, Sudha Gopalakrishnan, and Prof. Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam of IIT Madras, who will be heading this Centre. IIT-M plans to train hundreds of undergraduate and postgraduate students at this Centre in neuroscience and computing, machine learning techniques on cutting-edge brain data. The first ongoing project of the Centre titled ‘Computational and Experimental Platform for High-Resolution Terapixel Imaging of ex-vivo Human Brains’ for high-throughput light microscopic imaging of whole human brains is supported by the Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. Through this project, the Centre has developed a high-throughput histology pipeline that processes whole human brains into high-resolution digital images. Using this technology platform, the Centre is imaging post-mortem human brains of different types and ages. The Centre has already acquired whole brain serial-section cell-resolution volumes of three developing brains to date. These unique first-in-class data sets that provide a high-resolution view of developing brains will be released in the near future. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20882/scientists-develop-touch-less-screen-technology-to-restrain-virus-spreading.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20882/scientists-develop-touch-less-screen-technology-to-restrain-virus-spreading.html Mon, 14 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based scientists from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), and Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced and Scientific Research (JNCASR) have provided an affordable solution to develop a low-cost touch-cum-proximity sensor popularly called touchless touch sensor through a printing technique. The team has set up a semi-automated plant for the production of printing-aided patterned (resolution of around 300 µm) transparent electrodes, which has the potential for being utilized in advanced touchless screen technologies. “We are making a few more prototypes using our patterned electrodes to prove their feasibility for other smart electronic applications. These patterned electrodes can be made available to interested industries and R&D labs on a request basis to explore collaborative projects,” said Dr. Indrajit  Mondal, a co-author in the research. The novel low-cost patterned transparent electrodes have tremendous potential to be used in advanced smart electronic devices like touchless screens and sensors. This touchless touch sensor technology could assist in preventing the spread of viruses that spread through contact. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20878/india-canada-bilateral-centre-to-be-set-up-for-dedicated-st-activities.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20878/india-canada-bilateral-centre-to-be-set-up-for-dedicated-st-activities.html Fri, 11 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh has said that India-Canada Bilateral Centre will be set up for dedicated science and technology (S&T) activities between India and Canada. He said, India has already established a few bilateral centres with other countries such as US, Germany, France etc. which are dedicatedly working on various useful S&T schemes for India and the partner country. A delegation led by Canadian Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development  Mary Ng called on Dr Jitendra Singh and reviewed the progress of bilateral cooperation in several key areas. Dr Jitendra Singh said that renewal of two MoUs between India and Canada is due and is proposed to be signed in upcoming Joint Committee Meeting in May, 2022. The first MoU relates to National Science Engineering Research Center (NSERC) Canada and it is project based scientific exchange programme along with the development of human resource in basic & Applied Sciences of direct relevance to society. The joint research publications/patents/technologies are developed by the academic Institutes. The main focus of this collaboration is to help the society with Science and Technology. The second agreement relates to National Research Council (NRC) Canada and it is Industrial R&D project based scientific collaboration in which Industries from both the sides jointly develop prototype and commercialize it. The funding of the project was done by both the sides (Industry as well as two Government). It is milestone-based activity and the funding was returned back by the Industry as Royalty.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20867/c-camp-invites-ideas-for-amr-diagnostics-challenge-2022.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20867/c-camp-invites-ideas-for-amr-diagnostics-challenge-2022.html Thu, 10 Mar 2022 13:45:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) calls for ideas for  AMR Diagnostics Challenge 2022. The ideas are for new diagnostic tests for rapid, accurate, point of care and cost-effective solutions to address the problems of AMR against infections by priority pathogens in low and middle-income countries.Applications are invited from undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students, innovators, researchers, academicians, clinicians and early-stage startups from India. The applications can be sent till March 15, midnight. There will be three scientific mentoring sessions from top-notch industry experts. Visitors will be mentored for applicable funding opportunities by C-CAMP etc. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20850/india-australia-researchers-predict-covid-19-vaccine-efficacy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20850/india-australia-researchers-predict-covid-19-vaccine-efficacy.html Tue, 08 Mar 2022 13:35:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) in Australia have developed a mathematical model that predicts how antibodies generated by COVID-19 vaccines confer protection against symptomatic infections. The study was published in  Nature Computational Science.    The researchers first analysed over 80 different neutralising antibodies reported to be generated after vaccination against the surface spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. These antibodies are typically present in the blood for months and prevent virus entry by blocking the spike protein. The researchers hypothesised that these 80 antibodies constitute a ‘landscape’ or ‘shape space’, and each individual produces a unique ‘profile’ of antibodies which is a small, random subset of this landscape.   The team then developed a mathematical model to simulate infections in a virtual patient population of about 3,500 people with different antibody profiles and to predict how many of them would be protected from symptomatic infection following vaccination.   The model developed by the team was able to predict the level of protection that would be conferred after vaccination based on the antibody ‘profile’ of the individual, and the predictions were found to closely match efficacies reported in clinical trials for all the major approved vaccines.   The researchers also observed that vaccine efficacy was linked to a readily measurable metric called antibody neutralization titre. This opens up the possibility of using such models to test future vaccines for their efficacies before elaborate clinical trials are launched, the authors suggest.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20701/iit-d-designs-new-strategy-for-development-of-drug-molecules.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20701/iit-d-designs-new-strategy-for-development-of-drug-molecules.html Mon, 21 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0530 An interdisciplinary research group led by Prof V. Haridas from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi’s Chemistry Department has designed and demonstrated a new strategy for developing potential drug molecules for treating various diseases. Prof Haridas has collaborated with virologist Prof. Guruprasad Medigeshi from the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), and biochemist Prof. Bishwajit Kundu from the Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, IIT Delhi for this research work. The researchers utilised the tools of Organic Chemistry and Biophysics to design molecules that target protein interface. They developed a universal privileged scaffold approach for the design of a variety of inhibitors. The universal scaffold could be converted to specific inhibitor for a given Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI), which makes the drug design approach relatively easier. “We used the macromolecular mimicry strategy to design drug molecules, which could be useful for treatment of Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV), the main cause for viral encephalitis in Southeast Asian countries, and protein aggregation diseases such as Alzheimer’s and other related diseases. We have also patented the JEV inhibitor drug molecule,” Prof Haridas, Chemistry Department, IIT Delhi said. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20687/niab-develops-potential-diagnostic-biomarker-for-japanese-encephalitis-virus.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20687/niab-develops-potential-diagnostic-biomarker-for-japanese-encephalitis-virus.html Thu, 17 Feb 2022 18:40:00 +0530 Researchers at the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB), Hyderabad have developed Fluorine Doped Tin Oxide (FTO) electrode fabricated with reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) to treat Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV).   The electrochemical-based immunosensor can be used for the rapid, sensitive and specific detection of the Non-Structural 1 (NS1) secretory protein, which is a suitable biomarker for JEV found circulating in the blood and has been reported to elicit an immune response.   Since the conventional methods for JEV diagnosis are expensive, more hazardous and time-consuming diagnostic techniques and require an elaborate laboratory set-up and trained expertise, the developed biosensor may be able to overcome these limitations. Detection of the NS1 instead of antibody has an added advantage since the antigen is present from day one of the infection and hence facilitates early detection.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20666/scientists-develop-first-of-its-kind-tool-for-understanding-memory-learning-process.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20666/scientists-develop-first-of-its-kind-tool-for-understanding-memory-learning-process.html Tue, 15 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0530 A novel tool being a first of its kind in India has been developed by Prof. Suhel Parvez and his group at the Department of Toxicology, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard (Deemed to be  University),  New  Delhi, who established the Behavioral Tagging model for understanding the process of long-term memory (LTM) consolidation in brain. The researchers used the In Vivo Electrophysiology Facility established at the Department of Toxicology with the support of Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India under the “Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE)” program for the capturing bio-signals for developing the behavioural tagging model. “The facility is well equipped with several neurobehavioral apparatuses for rodents to assess parameters which are analyzed by using Any-MAZE software. Also, the research on neurodegenerative disorders causing memory impairment such as  Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and many more could utilize the findings of the work to find a direct link between the memory consolidation pathway and memory impairment mechanism in such diseased state,” said the researchers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20613/multi-institutional-team-identifies-covid-19-rna-variations-and-implications.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20613/multi-institutional-team-identifies-covid-19-rna-variations-and-implications.html Thu, 10 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0530 A multi-institutional team, co-led by Dr Mitali Mukerji of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur, has used state-of-the-art genomic sequencing methods to identify variations in the RNA of the COVID-19 virus.  The scientists have also studied the fixation of these intra-host variations into extra-host variations and mutations that lead to variants.  The research team studied intra-host Single Nucleotide Variations (iSNV) using a sequencing platform called Illumina. The identification of iSNVs can help in the identification of key sites in the viral RNA that are important for its survival and spread. It also helps in the design of therapeutic protocols to treat COVID-19 infections, and to know the differences in individual and population responses to the infection. An important distinction of this research study is that it was conducted primarily by a team of computational graduates from across distant locations, proving that the pandemic has generated novel cooperation, sharing, and resource-sharing modes for innovative research. The research was initiated at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR – IGIB, (Delhi), and was led by IIT Jodhpur and Institute of Life Sciences (Bhubaneswar). Other collaborating institutes are the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (Ghaziabad), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), (Hyderabad), and National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), (New Delhi). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20593/new-tech-platform-to-detect-sars-cov-2-by-fluorescence-readout.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20593/new-tech-platform-to-detect-sars-cov-2-by-fluorescence-readout.html Tue, 08 Feb 2022 15:20:00 +0530 Scientists from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, along with scientists from IISc (India Institute of Science), have demonstrated a noncanonical nucleic acid-based G-quadruplex (GQ) topology targeted reliable conformational polymorphism (GQ-RCP) platform to diagnose COVID-19 clinical samples. This work has been published recently in the journal ACS Sensors and the team has also filed a patent for the novel technology.   The technology platform can also be used to detect other DNA/RNA pathogens such as HIV, influenza, HCV, Zika, Ebola, bacteria, and other mutating/evolving pathogens.   The platform lays greater emphasis on deciphering and systematic characterization of a unique set of interactions in nucleic acids to attain stable and reliable noncanonical DNA/RNA targets. The RCP-based target validation is a general and modular approach for the development of noncanonical nucleic acid-targeted diagnostic platforms for diverse pathogens, including bacteria and DNA/RNA viruses.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20573/study-identifies-114-genetic-variants-which-cause-oral-cancer-in-humans.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20573/study-identifies-114-genetic-variants-which-cause-oral-cancer-in-humans.html Sun, 06 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0530 In what is claimed to be path-breaking research, Bengaluru-based Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology (IBAB) in collaboration with HCG, has identified 114 genetic variants which cause oral cancer in humans. The study has also revealed key genetic signatures that can predict survival in oral cancer patients with over 90% accuracy. In the press conference held on The World Cancer Day (4 Feb) at Vidhana Soudha, Dr. C.N.Ashwatha Narayana, Minister for IT/BT and S&T said that the study made extensive use of Advanced Machine Learning and Bioinformatics. The analysis of mutations gave out a list of unique genes associated with 114 novel variants, of which 35 were oncogenes, 11 were tumor suppressors, and 2 DNA damage repair genes, he added, the research would guide towards cell-targeted personalized treatment. "Currently, even after the best treatment, oral cancer is found to recur in up 50% of cases. But the present research would make it possible to provide treatment in an effective way such that the disease does not recur and enables precise treatment with improved quality of life", Prof. Vibha Choudhary, IBAB, pointed out. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20565/scientists-develop-self-disinfecting-anti-viral-face-masks.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20565/scientists-develop-self-disinfecting-anti-viral-face-masks.html Fri, 04 Feb 2022 15:20:00 +0530 Scientists at International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), an autonomous R&D Centre of Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, in collaboration with the Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB) and Resil Chemicals, a Bengaluru-based company have developed the self-disinfecting copper-based nanoparticle-coated antiviral face masks under the DST sponsored Nano-Mission project, to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.    ARCI developed copper-based nanoparticles of around 20 nanometres by a Flame Spray Pyrolysis (FSP) processing facility. FSP process involves the conversion of solution precursors into nanopowders by high-temperature pyrolytic decomposition. Stable nanoparticle suspension was obtained by optimising the solid loading and pH. A uniform layer of this nano-coating on the cotton fabric with good adhesion was achieved using a suitable binder.    The coated fabric exhibited an efficacy of more than 99.9 per cent against bacteria. CSIR-CCMB tested the efficacy of this fabric against SARS-CoV-2 for their disinfection properties and reported 99.9 per cent disinfection, as evident from the standard results. Prototype masks having different designs such as single layer and triple layers with nanoparticle coated fabric as outer layer have been demonstrated. A single layer mask is especially useful as a protective antiviral outer mask over a regular mask.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20556/csir-cdri-ties-up-with-us-based-aveta-biomics-for-bone-health-drug.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20556/csir-cdri-ties-up-with-us-based-aveta-biomics-for-bone-health-drug.html Thu, 03 Feb 2022 15:20:00 +0530 CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow, and Aveta Biomics, USA, have joined their hands and announced the exclusive licensing to Aveta Biomics of CDRI's patented technology of Caviunin-based drug compositions for further clinical development and commercialisation. Caviunin scaffold containing drug is the first orally administered drug with both anti-catabolic (prevention of bone breakdown) and anabolic (new bone formation) properties and is ready for Phase 2 clinical trial.Dr Ritu Trivedi's group from the Endocrinology Division (CDRI) has shown that the Caviunin scaffold has a targeted action that prevents bone breakdown, stimulates new bone formation and reduces bone turnover markers.This decade-long research at CDRI provides an insight to develop the first-in-class drug that is likely to modulate the host microbiome. "This license is a testament to the calibre of our innovative science and demonstrates the value of strong research productivity of our world-class scientists. We joined hands with Aveta Biomics given their track record of obtaining four clinical INDs of their botanical drugs for several cancer indications from the US FDA. We expect, therefore, translation of CDRI's research into real drugs for people living with bone-related conditions," said Dr Prof Tapas Kumar Kundu, Director of CDRI. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20505/iit-m-identifies-metabolic-disease-related-gene-protein-variation-in-indians-south-asians.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20505/iit-m-identifies-metabolic-disease-related-gene-protein-variation-in-indians-south-asians.html Mon, 31 Jan 2022 13:10:00 +0530 An Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) led International Research Team has identified a gene/protein variation present among Indians and other South Asians that increased their risk of diabetes, heart attacks and hypertension. The researchers found that the variation was present in approximately 15 per cent of Indian and other South Asian populations. The researchers also found that people carrying this variant are 1.5 times more likely to have hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and coronary artery disease. This combination could account for the higher prevalence of metabolic diseases among Indians and other South Asians. Pancreastatin is a small part (peptide) of a protein called Chromogranin A (CHGA) found in mammals including humans. It exerts important physiological effects, mostly with respect to insulin release. It inhibits the release of insulin in the body in response to blood glucose/glucagon and drugs like sulphonylurea. It also inhibits insulin-induced uptake of glucose by certain cells thereby contributing to insulin resistance. This peptide is also shown to enhance glucose synthesis from non-carbohydrate sources in the liver. The sequencing of the gene responsible for the CHGA protein has shown that several variants exist for Pancreastatin in various populations of the world. Of the many variants, one called Glycine297Serine has been shown to be more potent in inhibiting insulin-induced glucose uptake than the wild-type or other variants of the peptide. The IIT Madras team had earlier analysed the effect of this genetic variation on cardiovascular and metabolic disease states in a small Indian population (n≈400). They found that variation was associated with higher plasma glucose levels. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20499/aiims-jammu-and-csir-iiim-jammu-ink-mou-for-scientific-collaboration.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20499/aiims-jammu-and-csir-iiim-jammu-ink-mou-for-scientific-collaboration.html Sat, 29 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0530 AIIMS Jammu will function in close collaboration with CSIR-IIIM (Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine) Jammu. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Director AIIMS Jammu Dr Shakti Gupta and Director CSIR-IIIM Jammu Dr D Srinivasa Reddy, on behalf of the two institutions, in the presence of Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh. "IIIM Jammu is one of the oldest CSIR laboratories in the country and even today it is conducting pioneering research in Cannabis Medicinal Products and host of other drugs, which makes the institute a natural ally of the AIIMS which has also the mandate of research and medical education", said the Minister. While appreciating the progress made during the brief period since Dr Shakti Gupta took over as the Director of AIIMS, Dr Jitendra Singh suggested that in order to develop an exclusive identity for the institution, the focus should be on futuristic areas like Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AIIMS could be a pioneer in North India in developing AI based healthcare infrastructure. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20359/iit-roorkee-finds-role-of-wbc-markers-in-sepsis-related-complications.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20359/iit-roorkee-finds-role-of-wbc-markers-in-sepsis-related-complications.html Fri, 14 Jan 2022 13:25:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, led by Prof Pranita P Sarangi, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, have shown the role of specific immune cell markers on the outcomes of severe infection and sepsis. This study, funded by the BioCARe Women Scientist grant and Innovative Young Biotechnologist Award grant from the Department of Biotechnology, GoI, has provided important insights into the role of immune cell markers on sepsis-related complications.In this study, Prof Sarangi’s group used two mouse models of sepsis to show the role of integrins in sepsis. When there is an infection, monocytes move from blood circulation and bone marrow towards the infected/inflamed tissue. Once inside the tissues, these monocytes further mature into macrophages and by sensing the signals from the septic environment, these cells gradually switch their functions from inflammatory to immunosuppressive subtype that correlate with their integrin expression profile.“These findings will help in detecting the stages of sepsis and appropriate treatment,” said the lead researcher,” said the lead researcher Shiba Prasad Dash.Results from this research work have been published in The Journal of Immunology, the official journal of the American Association of Immunologists (AAI) and presented at the international conferences organized by the Indian Immunology Society (Immunocon-2019). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20250/iit-d-identifies-new-drug-delivery-platform-technology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20250/iit-d-identifies-new-drug-delivery-platform-technology.html Fri, 24 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0530 A technology has been developed for chemotherapy applications using Red Blood Cell (RBC) membrane by a research group at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D) Centre for Biomedical Engineering (CBME). The technology is a significant success in achieving personalized therapy as it can be based on the RBC membrane of patient, thereby minimizing the side-effects. The technology involves engineering the RBCs in the lab to produce smaller (nano sized) biocompatible vesicles. Drug molecules can simply be trapped inside the particle’s lipid bilayer and circulate for a longer time. This work was validated in an animal system by Prof Neetu Singh’s lab in collaboration with Prof Sujata Mohanty from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. “The concept here utilizes body’s own cells to load multiple drugs at the same time and reach tumor sites in significant concentrations. Interestingly, this nano-RBCs platform has synthetic tunability similar to other polymeric systems or the commonly used liposomes but have proved to be more efficacious”, Prof Neetu Singh, CBME, IIT Delhi said.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20224/iit-mandi-uses-mathematical-models-to-study-effects-of-non-invasive-brain-simulation-methods.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20224/iit-mandi-uses-mathematical-models-to-study-effects-of-non-invasive-brain-simulation-methods.html Mon, 20 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0530 A collaborative research team comprising scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, National Brain Research Centre, India and University at Buffalo, USA, performed mathematical simulation studies on non-invasive brain simulation techniques. Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that passes an electrical current through sections of the brain to study or alter brain function. Three types of non-invasive brain stimulation –  transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) and transcranial oscillatory current stimulation (tOCS) –  were modelled  to investigate their physiological effects. The initial tES effects on the blood vessels were also found to occur via the perivascular space - a fluid-filled space surrounding the blood vessels in the brain. “Our study can help brain- and neuro-specialists plan patient specific restorative neurorehabilitation activities for stroke, post traumatic brain injury, mild cognitive impairment, dementia, and other neuropsychiatric disorders,” said the lead researcher. Such a mathematical model based quantitative analysis would help in individualized therapeutic protocols for neuropsychiatric disorders. The team has planned experimental studies that involve blocking of various pathways to validate their modelling results. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20189/cdri-probes-mitochondrion-of-malaria-parasite-for-alternative-drug-targets.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20189/cdri-probes-mitochondrion-of-malaria-parasite-for-alternative-drug-targets.html Tue, 14 Dec 2021 17:50:00 +0530 Dr Niti Kumar, Scientist, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow, a Swarnajayanti fellowship awardee of 2020-21, along with her research group, is trying to identify proteins which influence the shape-function of the single mitochondrion that the malaria parasite harbors as well as how it undergoes repair.   Understanding these processes will help decipher how the parasite adapts to environmental perturbations, mitigate drug-induced toxicity (phenotypic drug resistance), drive recurrence of infection after completion of treatment, and relapse from dormant stages.   Dr Niti's research group is using multi-pronged approaches to understand how the structurally-functionally diverged components of genome and proteome maintenance pathways give a survival advantage to the malaria parasite. It is very intriguing that despite the vulnerability to genotoxic and proteotoxic stress, the parasite maintains cellular homeostasis even under hostile conditions and can withstand immune surveillance mounted by mosquito vector and human host.   In addition to fundamental research, her group is also involved in the anti-malarial drug discovery programme and open-source drug discovery initiatives (such as Medicines for Malaria Venture).    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20173/ncbs-ties-up-with-tigs-to-bring-advanced-research-developments.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20173/ncbs-ties-up-with-tigs-to-bring-advanced-research-developments.html Fri, 10 Dec 2021 17:55:00 +0530 Bengaluru-based National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) and the Tata Institute of Genetics and Society (TIGS) has announced an institutional alliance. This collaboration seeks to bring the most recently-developed science and technologies to address key fundamental and applied questions in the area of human health and agriculture. The collaboration is expected to further the frontiers of basic and applied research for the benefit of society. The Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS) arose in 2016 as the result of visionary philanthropic support from the Tata Trust. TIGS strives to support research activities, train personnel, and advance knowledge that facilitates the broad applications of genetics and genomics for the benefit of human health and agriculture. Satyajit Mayor, Centre Director, NCBS. “We are delighted to partner with TIGS. This engagement with TIGS is a wonderful opportunity for NCBS researchers to engage with questions that concern both genetics and society, and at the same time broadening the collaborative footprint of TIGS at the Bangalore Life Science Cluster.” Rakesh Mishra, Director, TIGS. “Joining hands with NCBS, Tata Institute of Genetics and Society (TIGS) brings top quality science closer to addressing societal problems in the domain of rare genetic diseases, infectious diseases and nutrition, using cutting edge science and technology.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20163/iisc-links-hydrogen-sulphide-gas-suppression-with-hiv-infection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20163/iisc-links-hydrogen-sulphide-gas-suppression-with-hiv-infection.html Thu, 09 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru and their collaborators have identified a key role played by hydrogen sulphide (H2S) gas in suppressing the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Increased H2S was found to have a direct effect on reducing the rate at which the virus multiplies in HIV-infected human immune cells. The finding paves the way for developing a more comprehensive antiretroviral therapy against HIV. The team included researchers from the Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology (MCB) and the Centre for Infectious Disease Research (CIDR) at IISc, along with collaborators from the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute.  Current state-of-the-art combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) is not a cure for HIV. It can only suppress the virus, cause it to become latent. “This opens the door to supplementing cART with chemical donors of H2S to lock HIV in a state of deep latency, potentially improving the lives of millions infected with the virus. Since H2S donors are already undergoing clinical trials for other diseases, they can quickly be repurposed for HIV treatment”, said the researchers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20141/india-grants-patent-to-macsen-labs-methylene-blue-synthesis-process-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20141/india-grants-patent-to-macsen-labs-methylene-blue-synthesis-process-.html Tue, 07 Dec 2021 15:55:00 +0530 The Indian patent office has granted a patent to Achal Agrawal, CEO of Macsen Labs, Udaipur. The patent relating to the field of chemistry is titled Novel Improved Method for Synthesis of Diaminophenothiazine Compounds. The patent concerns a novel process for synthesising the compound Methylthioninium Chloride or Methylene Blue.   Methylene Blue is the first phenothiazine compound and is already approved for treating a blood disorder called methemoglobinemia. Methylene Blue is currently under clinical trial for its experimental use in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Antimalarial use of the drug has recently been revived. It is also being studied as a photosensitizer for non-invasive photodynamic therapy of cancers.    The inventive process which has been patented yields a high purity compound in minimal steps and has eliminated lengthy purification procedures. Also, the process employs water-based chemistry that excludes the use of harmful chemical solvents, thus further eliminating the probability of occurrence of known or unknown impurities.    The methylene blue compound that is obtained from Agrawal’s inventive process is of 99 per cent purity and meets the Global Pharmacopoeia quality requirements established by compendiums such as United States Pharmacopoeia and European Pharmacopoeia.        ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20108/iit-m-enhances-wearable-assistive-devices-with-latest-technologies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20108/iit-m-enhances-wearable-assistive-devices-with-latest-technologies.html Thu, 02 Dec 2021 15:25:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) researchers are enhancing already-developed wearable devices with the latest technologies that will assist people with hearing impairment and motor disabilities to communicate independently and enhance their quality of life. These wearable sensors will include the latest sensor technologies used in the Internet of Things.Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) is supporting these projects at IIT Madras through its CSR initiatives. The devices are being developed by the Centre for Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology (CREATE), multidisciplinary translational research and educational initiative of IIT Madras. The two major projects being developed by CREATE are ‘Vibe’ and iGest’ for the hearing impaired and for persons with motor disabilities, respectively. Both devices are embedded systems that will bring the latest developments from IoT and ML to wearable assistive devices. Such wearable devices will have rechargeable batteries and communicate with a mobile phone over Bluetooth. Vibe is a wearable device that vibrates for acoustic sounds around a person with a hearing impairment. Vibe features a multitude of sound patterns that are recognised using a microphone and voice recognition modules. iGest will function as an alternative and augmentative communication device for persons with cerebral palsy. It will recognize the gestures of those with limited motor skills and convert them into audio output through a smartphone. It aims to address issues of speech impairment and motor impairments faced by persons with cerebral palsy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20074/iit-jodhpur-aiims-jodhpur-develop-talking-gloves-for-differently-abled-individuals.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20074/iit-jodhpur-aiims-jodhpur-develop-talking-gloves-for-differently-abled-individuals.html Mon, 29 Nov 2021 14:45:00 +0530 In a joint initiative, innovators from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur and All India Institute Of Medical Science (AIIMS) Jodhpur have developed low-cost ‘Talking Gloves’ for people with a speech disability. The developed device costs less than Rs 5000 which uses principles of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to automatically generate speech that will be language independent and facilitate the communication between mute people and normal people. The developed device can help individuals to convert hand gestures into text or pre-recorded voices. Hence, makes a differently-abled person independent and communicates the message effectively.Prof Sumit Kalra, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Jodhpur, along with his team of innovators including Dr Arpit Khandelwal from IIT Jodhpur, and Dr Nithin Prakash Nair (SR, ENT), Dr Amit Goyal (Prof & Head, ENT), Dr Abhinav Dixit (Prof., Dept of Physiology), from AIIMS Jodhpur, have recently acquired a patent for this innovation. The team is further working to enhance the features such as durability, weight, responsiveness, and ease-of-use, of the developed device. The developed product will be commercialised through a startup incubated by IIT Jodhpur. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20064/nbrc-develops-worlds-first-multimodal-brain-imaging-data-and-analytics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20064/nbrc-develops-worlds-first-multimodal-brain-imaging-data-and-analytics.html Fri, 26 Nov 2021 17:20:00 +0530 The National Brain Research Centre (NBRC) has recently developed project SWADESH, a unique brain initiative focusing on certified neuroimaging, neurochemical, neuropsychological data and analytics that are made accessible to researchers for managing brain disorders.   SWADESH is the first large-scale multimodal neuroimaging database designed specifically for the Indian population with big-data architecture and analytics for various disease categories under one platform.   SWADESH proposes a big-data architecture that manages and analyses six modules, namely neurodegenerative [AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Parkinson’s disease (PD)], neuropsychiatric (schizophrenia and bipolar disorder), neurodevelopmental (autism and epilepsy), COVID-19-related disorders, other disorders, and healthy subjects. It is supported by JAVA-based workflow environment and Python.    Backed by a dedicated storage system, it provides quality control, data analysis reports, and data backups. Its development will facilitate the integration of multi-site data and collaborative research worldwide. Presently, SWADESH has data of 500 AD and MCI patients and 70 PD patients. It also includes data of 600 healthy old individuals and 800 healthy young individuals in the control group. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20027/iit-mandi-makes-new-discovery-for-treating-alzheimers-disease.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/20027/iit-mandi-makes-new-discovery-for-treating-alzheimers-disease.html Mon, 22 Nov 2021 16:40:00 +0530 A research team from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi led by Dr Rajanish Giri, Associate Professor, School of Basic Sciences, IIT Mandi, have discovered an important biomolecular mechanism for the formation of protein clusters/aggregates that are often seen in Alzheimer’s disease.   They have shown that signal peptide of the Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) can co-aggregate with Amyloid beta peptide (Aβ42). This Aβ42, known for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease, is a most common form of dementia that slowly destroys memory and other important mental functions.   Dr Giri said, “In Amyloid precursor protein, so far only Aβ region was known to form toxic aggregates. Here, we discovered that signal peptide of Amyloid precursor protein not only forms cell-killing aggregates but also enhances the aggregation of Aβ42 peptide, under in-vitro conditions.”    The inter-institutional team comprising researchers from IIT Mandi, University of Cambridge, UK, and University of South Florida, USA, studied the aggregation pattern of a signal peptide of the APP. They found that the signal peptide of APP protein after being cut-off, now called APP1–17SP, is associated with Alzheimer's disease-associated peptide Aβ42 and forms aggregates with higher toxicity.    “The study will help in future research that could provide the relation of other signal peptides to disease pathogenesis,” said Dr Giri on the future implications of this work.      Image caption- Dr Rajanish Giri, Associate Professor, School of Basic Sciences, IIT Mandi   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19997/jncasr-develops-therapeutics-to-treat-autism-spectrum-disorder.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19997/jncasr-develops-therapeutics-to-treat-autism-spectrum-disorder.html Wed, 17 Nov 2021 18:05:00 +0530 A group of Indian researchers have developed a compound called '6BIO' that can provide a better method to treat Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). They have determined the potency of the compound in a pre-clinical mice model. This is the first compound that has been proved in pre-clinical evaluation to have the potential for improving daily activities like learning and recollecting new tasks in patients with ASD/ Intellectual disability (ID).    In the present work, Vijaya Verma and other authors from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), an autonomous research institute of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, have demonstrated the potential of 6BIO, to treat ASD/Intellectual disability (ID) in a pre-clinical mouse model called Syngap1+/-. Using behaviour and electrophysiology techniques, the team of scientists have shown in research published in the Experimental Brain Research that the administration of 6BIO restores the neuronal function, learning and memory, and reduces epileptic seizures in Syngap1+/- mice.    The authors of this study Vijaya Verma, MJ Vijay Kumar, Kavita Sharma, Sridhar Rajaram, Ravi Muddashetty, Ravi Manjithaya, Thomas Behnisch and James P Clement, identified 6BIO synthesised in JNCASR and found that it restores neuronal function, learning and memory, sociability and reduces epileptic seizures. The other novelty of this study is that 6BIO restored the neural functions not only when administered during development (equivalent of baby (1-2 years) and childhood stages (3-6 years)) but also after mid-childhood (7-11 years) when most of the brain regions are considered to have formed properly.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19826/iisc-designs-novel-computational-model-to-predict-change-blindness.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19826/iisc-designs-novel-computational-model-to-predict-change-blindness.html Fri, 22 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0530 A phenomenon of overlooking a visual change, or ‘change blindness’, has been studied by a research group at the Centre for Neuroscience and the Department of Computer Science and Automation, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. Change blindness reflects the inability to immediately detect salient changes in cluttered scenes. The researchers have developed a novel computational model of eye movement that can predict a person’s ability to detect changes in their visual environment, in a study published in PLoS Computational Biology. The researchers believe that successful change detection may be linked to enhanced visual attention – how some people are better at selectively focusing on specific objects. In the future, the researchers also plan to incorporate artificial neural networks with “memory” into the model – to more realistically mimic the way our brains retain recollections of past events to detect changes. According to the researchers, the insights into understanding change blindness provided by their model could help scientists better understand visual attention and its limitations. Some examples of areas where such insights can be applied include diagnosing neurodevelopmental disorders like autism, improving road safety while driving or enhancing the reliability of eyewitness testimonies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19766/scientists-receive-indian-patent-for-tb-therapeutics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19766/scientists-receive-indian-patent-for-tb-therapeutics.html Wed, 13 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0530 An invention entitled APTAMER AGAINST M.TB HUPB AND USE THEREOF has been granted for the term of 20 years from the 12th day of January 2017 in accordance with the provisions of the Indian Patents Act,1970. This invention pertains to Dr Tarun Sharma, Senior Research scientist, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) and Dr Jaya S. Tyagi from AIIMS-New Delhi. This patent is based on the invention of DNA aptamers against HupB, a protein that plays a vital role in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) biology. The entry and survival of Mtb within host cells is orchestrated partly by an essential histone-like protein HupB (Rv2986c). Despite being an essential drug target, the lack of structural information has impeded the development of inhibitors targeting the indispensable and multifunctional C-terminal domain (CTD) of HupB. To bypass the requirement for structural information in the classical drug discovery route, Dr Sharma in collaboration with Prof Jaya S. Tyagi generated a panel of DNA aptamers against HupB protein through Systemic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential (SELEX) enrichment. Successful delivery of these aptamers in Mtb using appropriate vehicles (egliposomes) may lead to their application as a therapeutic agent for Mtb. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19760/iit-b-designs-models-for-improving-hip-and-knee-implants.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19760/iit-b-designs-models-for-improving-hip-and-knee-implants.html Tue, 12 Oct 2021 18:45:00 +0530 Scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) have developed analytical models that can predict topography of electrical discharge textured (EDT) surfaces, aiding their customisation for improving hip and knee implants.   Dr Suhas S Joshi, Professor at IIT-B has developed analytical and numerical models for the prediction of surface topography which were validated against experimental data. The work is supported by the Advanced Manufacturing Technologies programme of the Department of Science & Technology.   Electrical discharge textured surfaces have suitable surface topography and surface chemistry to promote tissue growth and adhesion. Surface topography prediction is important in EDT surfaces as the process generates characteristically random surfaces that are very difficult to predict.   To optimise the EDT surface topographies for different applications such as orthopaedic implants and rake face of tool inserts, the topography is needed to be known at the design stage through suitable methods of topography prediction. The developed technology is in level 6 of the Technology Readiness Level.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19746/iiser-bhopal-proposes-biochemical-link-between-covid-19-diabetes-ageing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19746/iiser-bhopal-proposes-biochemical-link-between-covid-19-diabetes-ageing.html Mon, 11 Oct 2021 15:00:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal scientists have recently published a review of the biomolecular relationships among COVID-19, ageing, and diabetes.   Dr Amjad Husain, Principal Scientist, and CEO, Innovation and Incubation Center for Entrepreneurship (IICE), IISER Bhopal, along with researchers from The University of Arizona, USA, have presented that existing drugs used to treat diabetes, obesity and ageing can potentially be used to treat COVID-19.   The published review shows that at the molecular level, there are intersecting pathways that are common to diabetes, ageing, and COVID-19.   All three conditions are associated with oxidative stress and lowering of the immune response and complications arising from them lead to the onset of numerous other diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, eye diseases, neuropathy (nerve diseases), and nephropathy (kidney problems).   The researchers believe that an ideal therapeutic candidate for COVID-19 should be able to target the pathways that are common to diabetes, ageing and the SARS-CoV-2 infection.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19720/iit-d-develops-catalytic-technology-for-sustainable-production-of-chiral-apis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19720/iit-d-develops-catalytic-technology-for-sustainable-production-of-chiral-apis.html Thu, 07 Oct 2021 12:00:00 +0530 India is heavily dependent on importing (~85%) Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), and a significant proportion of those APIs are chiral molecules, which are essential building blocks to produce pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and biologically active compounds. A research group at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D) has developed a catalytic technology for the sustainable and economical synthesis of chiral molecules. The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, has funded this research work. The research team has developed a Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) based catalytic technology using inexpensive natural feedstocks and abundant metals for the sustainable and economical synthesis of enantiomerically pure chiral molecules. “The developed catalytic technology may play a crucial role in decreasing the country’s dependence on the import of the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, which also means lowering of the input cost for the industry that would encourage it to pass on the benefit to the society,” said Prof. Kuntal Manna, Chemistry Dept., IIT Delhi. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19715/govt-to-set-up-75-science-technology-and-innovation-hubs-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19715/govt-to-set-up-75-science-technology-and-innovation-hubs-in-india.html Wed, 06 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh has said that the Government will be setting up 75 Science Technology and Innovation (STI) Hubs in different parts of the country, exclusively for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), which will not only promote scientific talent but also contribute to socio-economic development of these communities. After a high level review meeting with senior officials of Department of Science and Technology (DST) in New Delhi, the Minister said, in the last two years, 20 STI Hubs (13 for SCs and 7 for STs) have already been established by DST which will directly benefit 20,000 SC and ST population through various interventions spreading across farm, non-farm, other allied livelihood sectors and various livelihoods assets like energy, water, health, education, etc. The Minister said, STI hubs will have mainly three-fold objectives: a) To address the weakest linkages in the predominant livelihood systems through Science & Technology (S&T) interventions b) Creation of social enterprises based on the strengths in livelihood systems c) To improve the Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) through inputs of S&T for strengthening the livelihoods. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19688/iit-d-opens-rs-500-cr-central-facility-to-all-researchers-in-india-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19688/iit-d-opens-rs-500-cr-central-facility-to-all-researchers-in-india-.html Fri, 01 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0530 The Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D) has developed a new platform whereby anyone from across India can create a user account, log-in to the Central Research Facility (CRF) and book an instrument online for their research work. With this step, all facilities of the CRF on the Institute’s main campus in New Delhi as well as in the Sonipat campus in Haryana are now available for researchers from across the country.    “Rs. 500 crores have been either spent or committed by IIT Delhi to establish various high-end facilities at the CRF. The main sources of funding include the Institutes of Eminence (IoE) grant, special Ministry of Education (MoE) grant, IIT Delhi grant through Industrial Research and Development, DST’s Sophisticated Analytical and Technical Help Institutes (SATHI) project, HEFA loan etc. Today, we have over 50 different facilities, owned and/or adopted by the CRF, which are already available to the users. This number is likely to get doubled in the next two years", said Prof V. Ramgopal Rao, Director, IIT Delhi. In 2017, envisaging the growth of CRF, a new building was constructed at IIT Delhi’s extension campus in Sonipat. Another new building with a much larger area is also under construction in Sonipat right now, which will be completed by March 2022. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19662/iit-g-develops-water-repellent-material-for-wearable-motion-sensors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19662/iit-g-develops-water-repellent-material-for-wearable-motion-sensors.html Wed, 29 Sep 2021 12:40:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) researchers has developed a novel water repellent material that can be used for real-time monitoring of human movements. The material developed is flexible, non-stretchable and environmentally friendly that can detect low strains with high sensitivity. The team has developed such a material that is superior to existing strain sensors for both sensitivity and durability.The researchers have developed a metal-free, chemically reactive, and conductive ink, which they deposited on a chemically reactive paper in a specific pattern. The patterned interface developed by the IIT Guwahati team was found to be tolerant to abrasion, highly water repellent, and sensitive to low strain levels. Dr Uttam Manna, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, Centre for Nanotechnology and School of Health Science and Technology, IIT Guwahati said, “The ink-patterned paper was connected to an electronic component and a Bluetooth module and attached to various parts of the human body for wireless monitoring of different human motions and expressions. It was attached to the finger to detect bending motion, knee to detect walking and squatting motions and to different parts of the face to detect facial expressions. The unconventional interface developed by the IIT Guwahati team holds promise for development of devices in in healthcare. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19668/govt-to-set-up-science-museums-across-country.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19668/govt-to-set-up-science-museums-across-country.html Wed, 29 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM). The MoU aims at setting up Science Museums at select CSIR Laboratories to promote scientific curiosity and awareness among the common people across all sections of society. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the government will be setting up science museums across the country to promote scientific temper, particularly among children and the younger generation.  Dr Jitendra Singh called for imbibing scientific thinking to face the challenges of 21st Century. He said, the recent pandemic has emphasized the importance of increasing awareness of society for science and scientific thinking.Dr Singh added, while CSIR has tied up with KendriyaVidyalayas and NavodayaVidyalayas and Atal Tinkering Labs Schools of NitiAayog, it must reach out to the remote areas and schools. He said use of digital means and the virtual labs of CSIR and the mobile science museums of NCSM will be very complementary and valuable. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19566/asu-paves-way-for-cancer-treatment-with-hippo-pathway-genes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19566/asu-paves-way-for-cancer-treatment-with-hippo-pathway-genes.html Thu, 16 Sep 2021 11:20:00 +0530 A team of researchers from Gurugram-based Apeejay Stya University (ASU)’s Biotech department, including Dr Mohammad Zeeshan Najm, visiting scientist at ASU and Dr Vyas M Shingatgeri, Dean, School of Biosciences at ASU, along with four students, has found out new dimensions about the crucial role of key Hippo pathway genes in the progression of cancer.   During the study, the team of researchers observed that when targeted therapy drugs were administered to patients after analysing multiple genes involved in the Hippo signalling pathway, the patients responded efficiently to the treatment and there were no relapses.   The finding can pave the way for a breakthrough in the treatment of cancer. Targeted therapy or precision medicine is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to target specific genes and proteins that are involved in the growth of cancer cells. Thus, a better understanding of the Hippo pathway is essential to untangle tumour biology and to develop novel anticancer therapies.    The Hippo pathway was first discovered and linked to human cancers in the year 2002. Hippo signalling is a complex tumour suppressor, and its deregulation is a key feature in many cancers. The Hippo-signalling pathway regulates cell proliferation and organ size.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19545/saline-gargle-rt-pcr-innovation-to-be-licensed-for-mass-production.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19545/saline-gargle-rt-pcr-innovation-to-be-licensed-for-mass-production.html Mon, 13 Sep 2021 11:05:00 +0530 Nagpur-based National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has transferred the know-how of indigenously developed Saline Gargle RT-PCR technique, used for testing COVID-19 samples. The Saline Gargle RT-PCR technology is simple, fast, cost-effective, patient-friendly and comfortable; it also provides instant test results and is well-suited for rural and tribal areas, given minimal infrastructure requirements. The know-how has been transferred to the Union Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), on a non-exclusive basis. This would enable the innovation to be commercialized and licensed to all capable parties, including private, government and various rural development schemes and departments.The licensees are expected to set up manufacturing facilities for commercial production in the form of easily usable compact kits. In the light of the prevailing pandemic situation and probable third wave of COVID-19, CSIR-NEERI fast-tracked the know-how transfer process to potential licensees for its wider dissemination across the nation. The ceremonial transfer of the Standard Operating Procedure and Know-How of the Saline Gargle RT-PCR technique was done in the presence of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari recently.The principal inventor of Saline Gargle RT-PCR technology is NEERI scientist Dr Krishna Khairnar and the team of research scholars of Environmental Virology, at CSIR-NEERI, Nagpur.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19485/iit-ropar-unveils-plant-based-smart-air-purifier-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19485/iit-ropar-unveils-plant-based-smart-air-purifier-.html Wed, 01 Sep 2021 16:25:00 +0530 Scientists of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) Ropar and Kanpur and Faculty of Management Studies of Delhi University have developed a living-plant based air purifier 'Ubreathe Life' that amplifies the air purification process in the indoor spaces.    IIT Ropar’s startup company, Urban Air Laboratory, has developed Smart Bio-Filter that can make breathing fresh. It has been incubated at IIT Ropar, which is a designated iHub - AWaDH (Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub) by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.   The technology works through the air-purifying natural leafy plant. The room air interacts with leaves and goes to the soil-root zone where maximum pollutants are purified.   The novel technology used in this product is ‘Urban Munnar Effect’ along with patent-pending “Breathing Roots” to exponentially amplify the phytoremediation process of the plants.    There is a centrifugal fan that creates a suction pressure inside the purifier, and releases purified air, formed at the roots, through the outlet in 360 degree direction. The specific plants tested for air purification include Peace Lily, Snake Plant, Spider plant etc. and all have given good results in purifying indoor air.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19451/niscpr-signs-mou-with-jc-bose-university-to-promote-science-communication-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19451/niscpr-signs-mou-with-jc-bose-university-to-promote-science-communication-.html Sat, 28 Aug 2021 08:00:00 +0530 The National Institute of Science Communication & Policy Research (NIScPR), New Delhi and J.C. Bose University of Science and Technology, YMCA, Faridabad have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for collaboration and networking to advance policy research and science communication by leveraging respective strengths. The MoU signing ceremony was organized in the J.C. Bose University on 27 August 2021. The MoU was signed by the Director Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal on behalf of CSIR-NIScPR, New Delhi and the Registrar Dr. S.K. Garg on behalf of J.C. Bose University. The collaboration will open new avenues for knowledge sharing and skill development in science communication and STI policy research. Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal said that both the institutes have a prosperous legacy of science communication, policy research and science education of more than 60 years. CSIR-NIScPR has been working at the interface of science, technology and society. It works for behavioural change, inculcation of scientific temper and rationality among the public. On the other hand, J.C. Bose University has a good hold on Industry-Academia linkage, technological expertise and has a strong alumni network. In this way, both the institutions can strengthen each other with their own capabilities and contributions by sharing resources including libraries, publications, programmes and laboratories. A collector's edition (August 2021 issue) of the popular science magazine “Science Reporter” of CSIR-NIScPR was also released on this occasion. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19424/scientists-to-study-overlap-of-sars-cov-2-with-tuberculosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19424/scientists-to-study-overlap-of-sars-cov-2-with-tuberculosis.html Mon, 23 Aug 2021 21:05:00 +0530 Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India in collaboration with BRICS countries is implementing SARS-CoV-2 NGS-BRICS consortium and multi-centric programme to study the impact of severe COVID-19 conditions on tuberculosis (TB) patients.   The SARS-CoV-2 NGS-BRICS consortium is an interdisciplinary collaboration to advance COVID-19 health-relevant knowledge and to contribute to improvements in health outcomes.   The consortium will accelerate the translation of genomic data leading to clinical and public health research and interventions from clinical and surveillance samples by utilising the high-end genomic technologies, and epidemiologic and bioinformatics tools for future use in diagnostic assays and tracking transmission dynamics of COVID-19 and other viruses.    The collaborative study is expected to provide valuable co-morbidity data about pulmonary TB patients with or without COVID-19 co-infection that is expected to be generated for better disease management.   Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary of, Department of Biotechnology remarked that the department has taken small steps in the right direction towards collaboration with BRICS countries. She also remarked that the Department plans to expand the BRICS programme.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19409/study-links-disturbed-circadian-rhythm-with-alzheimers-disease.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19409/study-links-disturbed-circadian-rhythm-with-alzheimers-disease.html Fri, 20 Aug 2021 08:00:00 +0530 Researchers from Shoolini University, in Solan, have investigated the cause-and-effect relationship between aberrant circadian rhythms and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology in rats exposed to light for prolonged periods, and report that the anti-depressant fluoxetine may alleviate these neurological symptoms. “Cells of various organs in the body are synchronized to the day-night cycle, and release different biochemical substances including hormones in a time-specific manner. Untimely expression of these hormones can trigger anxiety, cognitive impairment, and memory loss, all symptoms of brain disorders such as AD”, said the researchers. Once the researchers found that circadian rhythm disruption due to chronic light exposure caused memory and cognitive deficits in the rats, their next hypothesis was that fluoxetine, a drug used for treating anxiety and hyperactivity, could alleviate physiological and functional abnormalities associated with circadian rhythm disruption. Sure enough, fluoxetine treatment prevented oxidative damage, Aβ accumulation, and rescued memory and cognitive deficits in the treated rats. Amyloid β (Aβ) is the pathogenic protein known to form aggregates in AD. This study certainly “sheds light” on the cause-and-effect relationship between circadian rhythms and AD progression, paving the way for future investigations on this important topic. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19401/brics-scientists-to-study-intersection-of-covid-19-and-tb-pandemics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19401/brics-scientists-to-study-intersection-of-covid-19-and-tb-pandemics.html Thu, 19 Aug 2021 09:00:00 +0530 A consortium of doctors and researchers from India, Brazil, Russia, and South Africa have partnered to conduct a study on the epidemiological impact and intersection of the COVID-19 and tuberculosis (TB) pandemics in these countries. Under this joint research, the teams from these countries will explore the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the epidemiological characteristics of TB infection and search for mechanisms responsible for the interaction of these two processes. They will also search for strategies to mitigate the negative consequences of the pandemic and develop individual recommendations for each participating country, which can help overcome the impact of epidemics of respiratory viral diseases on the epidemic of tuberculosis. The teams will assess the impact of COVID-19 on trends in the structure of the M. tuberculosis population, primarily through the interaction between scientists from Russia and India. The teams from Brazil and South Africa will evaluate the impact of tuberculosis on the clinical course and treatment outcomes for COVID-19 at the individual level. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictive measures on morbidity and tuberculosis-related mortality will be assessed using mathematical modeling. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19393/iiser-bhopal-identifies-mechanism-of-breast-cancer-progression.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19393/iiser-bhopal-identifies-mechanism-of-breast-cancer-progression.html Wed, 18 Aug 2021 10:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal have shown the mechanism by which breast cancer cells proliferate and spread. Their findings have important implications in designing therapeutic interventions for breast cancer.  The IISER team studied the regulation of one particular gene called ‘ESRP1’ in breast cancer. The researchers found that there is a difference in the expression of the ESRP1 gene between normal and tumour tissues of breast cancer patients.  The researchers explored the regulatory mechanism behind ESRP1 upregulation in breast tumour tissues.  Further, elaborating on how this research will impact breast cancer treatment, Dr. Sanjeev Shukla said, “The finding that such intelligent regulatory mechanisms exist in cancer cells to alter the expression of essential genes as and when required, resulting into cancer progression, lays the foundation towards a better understanding of a complex disease and for improved therapeutic strategies.” Under regular oxygen conditions, cancer cells upregulate ESRP1 to help them multiply in the primary cancerous zone, but under oxygen deficiency, ESRP1 is downregulated, leading to the break-up of the cancer cells from the primary region and spread to other parts of the body. Understanding this orchestration of ESRP1 by breast cancer cells can help in devising strategic therapeutic interventions, which the IISER team continues to work towards. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19380/inst-develops-bio-nanocarrier-to-effectively-treat-visceral-leishmaniasis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19380/inst-develops-bio-nanocarrier-to-effectively-treat-visceral-leishmaniasis.html Mon, 16 Aug 2021 08:00:00 +0530 A group of researchers at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali has developed a non-invasive, easy to administer, cost-effective, and patient compliant potential therapeutic strategy against Visceral Leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease. Their strategy based on nano carrier-based oral drugs coated with Vitamin B12 enhanced oral bioavailability and efficacy of the therapy by more than 90%. Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is a complex infectious disease transmitted by the bite of female Phlebotomine sandflies. It is a neglected tropical disease that affects millions annually, making it the second most common parasitic killer after malaria.  The researchers have developed a smart and intelligent nanocarrier utilizing the natural intrinsic Vitamin B12 pathway present in human body that can mitigate stability challenges and drug-associated toxicity. They have disguised the toxic but highly efficient drug of the disease within a biocompatible lipid nanocarrier shielding it from degradation in the hostile gastric environment, thus overcoming the gastrointestinal enzymatic barriers endured by any foreign synthetic drug molecule.  Anchoring Vitamin B12 on the surface of solid lipid nanoparticles augmented the stability and targeted delivery of the poorly soluble drugs and also enhanced the therapeutic efficiency with reduced risks of off-target actions.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19362/iit-b-develops-low-cost-sensors-to-detect-pulse-rate-variability.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19362/iit-b-develops-low-cost-sensors-to-detect-pulse-rate-variability.html Fri, 13 Aug 2021 09:00:00 +0530 A research team from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) has developed low-cost soft, flexible, and wearable sensors that can be used for diagnosis of pulse rate variability in humans.  Being a high sensitivity flexible pressure/strain sensor, it can also be used for small and large scale motion monitoring, with potential applications in robotics, prosthetics, as well as minimal invasive surgery and identification of tumor/cancerous cells. The team has fabricated these tactile (pressure and strain) sensors using low-cost polyurethane foam and nanomaterial-based inks that can coat several substrates with support from the Advanced Manufacturing Technologies programme of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India. The technology which can be used to monitor the pulse waveform of a human radial artery in real-time is aligned with the ‘Make in India’ initiative, and researchers have applied for 3 national patents for these sensors.  The sensors have been tested for their different level of strains like micro and large scale motion monitoring and have potential applications in biomedical devices, skin electronics, and minimal invasive surgery. This frontier technology for wearable and robotic devices applications is in the third stage of Technology Readiness Level, and the team further plans to develop a prototype for an array of sensors in the future. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19355/iit-m-to-develop-air-sanitisation-tech-for-covid-19-and-tb-prevention.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19355/iit-m-to-develop-air-sanitisation-tech-for-covid-19-and-tb-prevention.html Thu, 12 Aug 2021 13:25:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) and Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Chennai, have collaborated with Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), the UK, to develop India-centric air sanitisation technologies and guidelines to prevent the spread of coronavirus and tuberculosis (TB). The system is aimed at deployment in confined indoor places such as offices and hospitals.   The joint research aims to develop a robust low-cost bio-aerosol protection system to suppress air-transmitted diseases in indoor locations. In collaboration with Magneto Cleantech, a pioneering industry startup based in Delhi, the testing and implementation will be done with real-time applications in various Indian environments.   The target geographies for this project are India and its adjacent countries. The major factor working with this area is the high population and heavy urban pollution.    Project Coordinator Prof Abdus Samad, Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT Madras, said, “The projects’ goal is to develop a solution that is extensively verified and tested from both theoretical and practical perspectives, and finally, the safety made visible in a consumer-friendly manner ensuring the live performance of the system.”   The joint consortium will develop products that would be commercialised through Magneto along with the academic institutions. This will pave the way for many new job openings for young budding engineers.    This project has major funding from Royal Academy Engineering (RAENG), UK, under the ‘Transforming System through Partnership’ scheme. The total budget of the project is about £80,000, and it is for two years (April-2021 to April-2023). Partial funding support is also made by the participating organisations.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19343/researchers-develop-mptx-molecule-to-enhance-sperm-competence-for-ivf-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19343/researchers-develop-mptx-molecule-to-enhance-sperm-competence-for-ivf-.html Wed, 11 Aug 2021 11:35:00 +0530 Dr Rajakumara Eerappa’s group from the Department of Biotechnology, IIT Hyderabad, Dr Jagadeesh Prasad Dasappa’s group from the Mangalore University, and Prof Guruprasad Kalthur’s group from the Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, have designed a small organic molecule mPTX which improves the sperm functional competence required for in vitro fertilization (IVF).    The studies have demonstrated that mPTX, a pentoxifylline derivative, was able to increase sperm motility, prolong in vitro sperm survival, improve sperm fertilisation potential, without adversely affecting the development of the embryos at a much lower concentration compared to the widely used pharmacological agent - pentoxifylline in IVF technology.   mPTX can be a potential drug candidate for aiding viable sperm selection in patients having immotile or poor motile spermatozoa in the ejaculate or from the testicular biopsy, and for increasing sperm motility before IVF.     Recently this work has been published in the reputed peer-reviewed journal, Nature Scientific Reports.     Citing the importance of solutions in given circumstances, Dr Rajakumara Eerappa, Associate Professor, Department of Biotechnology, said, “Our multi-institutional collaborative team is coming up with a formulation, using the combination of this mPTX and other molecules, that could be more effective than the existing formulation for the IVF procedure.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19327/iit-g-invents-biodegradable-low-cost-composite-wound-dressing-film.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19327/iit-g-invents-biodegradable-low-cost-composite-wound-dressing-film.html Mon, 09 Aug 2021 15:40:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) researchers have invented a biodegradable low-cost composite transparent wound dressing film. The material, based on the integration of a synthetic polymer, is non-toxic and will create a moist environment that would enable the body to heal on its own through the endogenous enzymes, according to recent research.   IIT-G has created the knowledge framework and associated protocols for successful identification and optimisation of polymer hydrogel films for the probable wound dressing applications.    Such customised and effectively designed novel materials provide the necessary hope to address issues such as biodegradability of synthetic polymer-based materials, cost of raw materials and processes, utilisation of expensive natural polymers to achieve functional materials, and biocompatibility of developed products, among others.     The laboratory scale-based retail cost of the optimised CA-based PVA-St composite hydrogel film has been about Rs 0.188/cm2, which is about 66 per cent inexpensive in comparison with similar commercial materials that costs Rs 0.565 /cm2.   Considering processing costs and probable insights from scale-up studies, the anticipated price of the developed materials is expected to be about 50 per cent or lesser of the commercial price of the mentioned materials. Compared to the CA-based PVA-St composite hydrogel film, the recently invented MA-based similar film has been about 4.56 per cent inexpensive. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19315/brics-scientists-to-carry-out-genomic-sequencing-mathematical-modelling-of-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19315/brics-scientists-to-carry-out-genomic-sequencing-mathematical-modelling-of-covid-19.html Fri, 06 Aug 2021 13:50:00 +0530 Indian scientists, in partnership with scientists from China, Russia and Brazil, will carry out genomic sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 and studies on the epidemiology and mathematical modelling of the COVID-19 pandemic.   This will help trace genetic mutations, recombinations as well as distribution of the virus and also make projections about the future of its spread.    Whole-genome sequencing is required for the identification of genetic mutations and recombinations of the virus, while epidemiological studies can help assess its distribution. Mathematical modelling is required to assess its future spread.    A research plan has been made by including the expertise of scientists and engineers from diverse backgrounds.    Under this research supported by the Department of Science and Technology, India and Brazil sides will assess the distribution of SARS-CoV-2 in environmental samples through metagenome analysis for wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) surveillance.   Chinese and Russian scientists will carry out the Real-Time PCR detection of SARS-CoV-2 in biological material (nasopharyngeal swabs) from patients with symptoms of respiratory diseases and investigate the genomic variability, comparative genomics and phylogenetic analysis.   The genomic, metagenomic and epidemiological data from India, China, Russia and Brazil will be integrated to develop mathematical models for mutations analysis, population genetics, phylogenetic relationship, recombination analysis and risk evaluation to reveal the spreading network and dynamics of the virus.          ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19294/scientists-develop-human-based-models-to-study-neuro-developmental-disorders.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19294/scientists-develop-human-based-models-to-study-neuro-developmental-disorders.html Wed, 04 Aug 2021 12:00:00 +0530 Dr Yogita K Adlakha has developed human-based models to study neuron development and neurodevelopmental disorder such as autism which can help design treatment strategies for such brain disorders.    A recipient of INSPIRE Faculty fellowship instituted by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Dr Yogita has generated a human-based stem cell model to understand brain development and dysfunction at the National Brain Research Centre, Manesar, Haryana. Currently, she works as a Scientist at Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR biocluster, Faridabad.   Along with her research group, she established a protocol from India for the first time by generating and producing induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from human peripheral blood. They have further refined the protocol of differentiation of iPSCs into the brain-specific stem cells, i.e., neural stem cells (NSCs).    Dr Yogita has developed a human-based model that could help study how the brain develops, particularly the neurons, and what goes awry during brain development leading to cognitive decline, impairment in language, and social interaction.     “My research using DST INSPIRE fund has contributed to expanding the knowledge of neuron development and neurodevelopmental disorder such as autism and the role of small non-coding miRNA in brain-specific stem cells fate,” adds Dr Yogita.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19260/iit-madras-adyar-cancer-institute-to-develop-kit-for-early-ovarian-cancer-detection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19260/iit-madras-adyar-cancer-institute-to-develop-kit-for-early-ovarian-cancer-detection.html Thu, 29 Jul 2021 17:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) is collaborating with the Cancer Institute (WIA) at Adyar in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, to develop a point-of-care device for early diagnosis of ovarian cancer. The two institutions have entered into an MoU to further develop and validate this technology and transfer it to a suitable Industrial partner to manufacture and market the kit to the general public. Under funding from the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, the Department of Molecular Oncology at the Cancer Institute [WIA] had undertaken research to identify proteins which can be detected in the blood which can help in the diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancers, which accounts for over 90% of the ovarian cancers. On the other hand, IIT Madras has received funding from Indo-German Science and Technology Centre (IGSTC), DST- Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) and Indo-US Science and Technology forum (IUSSTF) to develop point-of-care diagnostic platforms for pathogen detection and disease diagnosis. Novel diagnostic device technologies for important diseases specific to India. In particular, tuberculosis and COVID-19  are at the pre-clinical validation stage. Both Institutions will establish a review board and will obtain the necessary ethical clearances to evaluate and review the progress arising from this collaboration.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19233/dst-supports-research-to-inhibit-maturation-of-covid-19-virus.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19233/dst-supports-research-to-inhibit-maturation-of-covid-19-virus.html Mon, 26 Jul 2021 16:00:00 +0530 Scientists from India, Russia, Brazil, and South Africa will work together to repurpose, validate and synthesise lead compounds against main protease and RNA replicas, the enzyme that catalyzes the replication of RNA, of SARS-CoV-2. The approach which could inhibit both maturation and propagation of viruses during the infection in the host cells, can help produce new COVID-19 medicines with improved production methods. While efforts have been made to selectively inhibit a single target enzyme of SARS-CoV-2, but effective potential inhibitors against both replication and maturation machinery of SARS-CoV-2 is yet to be found.  The Department of Science and Technology (DST) will be supporting this research which brings multiple expertise from the several BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) to bring a solution to the COVID-19 crisis that the world is combatting at present. As drug discovery is a complex process, the collaborative effort involving experts from bioinformatics, organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, drug screening, and parasitologists would be of great value for the search of new efficient drugs against COVID-19. The consolidation of efforts, knowledge, and experience of scientists and specialists from different areas will lead to the optimization of the health system and health care both in BRICS countries. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19223/serb-ties-up-with-ge-india-to-promote-advanced-technology-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19223/serb-ties-up-with-ge-india-to-promote-advanced-technology-research.html Fri, 23 Jul 2021 21:00:00 +0530 Under a joint collaboration between the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India and GE’s John F Welch Technology Centre (JFWTC), Bengaluru, academic institutes, labs and industries across the country can jointly apply for funds to work on innovations in areas of energy, healthcare and aviation. The government will soon invite research proposals from academia and research labs along defined problem statements in remote monitoring technologies, artificial intelligence and medical devices for healthcare, among others. The GE and SERB partnership specifically aims to promote innovation and solve specific challenges in areas that are directly relevant to the industry, industry-academia collaborations with focus on industry-relevant skill development leading to employability and research and joint product development. Undertaken as part of the Fund for Industrial Research Engagement (SERB-FIRE), the programme aims at supporting research and development to solve critical national and global problems across these key industries. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19194/iit-ropar-develops-oxygen-rationing-device-amlex.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19194/iit-ropar-develops-oxygen-rationing-device-amlex.html Tue, 20 Jul 2021 15:10:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar has developed a first-of-its-kind oxygen rationing device – AMLEX that supplies a required volume of oxygen to the patient during inhalation and trips when the patient exhales CO2. This process saves oxygen which otherwise unnecessarily get wasted.“The device can operate on both portable power supply (battery) as well as line supply (220V-50Hz)”, said Director, IIT, Ropar, Prof Rajeev Ahuja.“Made specifically for oxygen cylinders, AMLEX can be easily connected between the oxygen supply line and the mask worn by the patient. It uses a sensor which senses and successfully detects inhalation and exhalation of the user in any environmental condition,” said Dr Sahani, Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering. This ready to use device works with any commercially available oxygen therapy masks having multiple openings for airflow. Prof Rajeev Arora said that the country now needs rapid but safe solutions to combat COVID-19. Since the virus is affecting the lungs and subsequently breathing system of the patient, the institution has not intended to go in for patenting of the device. He said rather the IIT would be happy to transfer this technology free of cost, in the interest of the nation, to those interested to go in for mass production of the device. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19190/scientists-develop-3d-robotic-platform-to-reproduce-lung-motion-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19190/scientists-develop-3d-robotic-platform-to-reproduce-lung-motion-.html Mon, 19 Jul 2021 21:00:00 +0530 A group of scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur and Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), Lucknow has developed a novel and cheap 3D robotic motion phantom that can reproduce the lung motion of a human during breathing. The phantom is part of a platform that not only emulates the human lung motion as a patient is breathing but can also be used to check if the radiation is being correctly focussed on a moving target. The phantom is placed inside a CT scanner on the bed in place of the human, and it emulates human lung motion as it is irradiated during therapy. During irradiation, consistently high-quality images of advanced 4D radiation therapy treatments are obtained with minimum exposure of the patients and workers. Before the targeted radiation is delivered to a human subject, its effectiveness in focusing only on the tumor is checked with this phantom.  This is the first time in India for manufacturing this type of robotic phantoms, and it is more affordable than other imported products available in the market as the program can be changed to produce different types of lung motion. The innovators are further trying to commercialize the product, which can be used in place of the overseas model that is very much more expensive and does not give access to the control software. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19177/iit-h-develops-ai-powered-covid-19-test.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19177/iit-h-develops-ai-powered-covid-19-test.html Fri, 16 Jul 2021 14:00:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT-H) research team led by Prof Shiv Govind Singh, Department of Electrical Engineering has developed an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered COVID-19 test that can be performed at an affordable cost at home after commercialisation and required approval from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The test kit can produce results within 30 minutes for both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. The major  benefit  of  this  testing  kit  is  that  it  does  not  require  RT-PCR  (Reverse  Transcription  Polymerase Chain Reaction), an expert human resource, and a BSL 2 lab facility for the extraction of RNA, so it has potential for one to take the test at home without expert supervision.  The Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad has performed the validation of the rapid RNA electronic diagnostic device for detection of SARS-Cov-2 virus in the swab samples independently with the in-house samples and hospital samples as advised by ICMR. These samples were confirmed for their positivity or negativity by the RT-PCR method. The validation report confirmed the kit’s efficiency 94.2 per cent, Sensitivity 91.3 per cent, and Specificity 98.2 per cent. Each test costs around Rs 400 now. However, mass production of the testing kit will help to reduce the cost to around Rs 300 per test. Govind Singh said,  “We have already filed a patent for the device and are now looking for industry partners for ToT of technology for mass production." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19135/iit-m-develops-ai-based-algorithm-to-identify-cancer-causing-alterations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19135/iit-m-develops-ai-based-algorithm-to-identify-cancer-causing-alterations.html Mon, 12 Jul 2021 13:20:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) researchers have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) based mathematical model to identify cancer-causing alterations in cells. The algorithm uses a relatively unexplored technique of leveraging DNA composition to pinpoint genetic alterations responsible for cancer progression.    Explaining the rationale behind this study, Prof B Ravindran, Head, Robert Bosch Centre for Data Science and AI, IIT-M said, “One of the major challenges faced by cancer researchers involves the differentiation between the relatively small number of ‘driver’ mutations that enable the cancer cells to grow and the large number of ‘passenger’ mutations that do not have any effect on the progression of the disease.”    The researchers hope that the driver mutations predicted through their mathematical model will ultimately help discover potentially novel drug targets and will advance the notion of prescribing the “right drug to the right person at the right time.”     In this study, the researchers decided to look at this problem from a different perspective. The main goal was to discover patterns in the DNA sequences – made up of four letters, or bases, A, T, G and C surrounding a particular site of alteration.    The underlying hypothesis was that these patterns would be unique to individual types of mutations – drivers and passengers, and therefore could be modelled mathematically to distinguish between the two classes. Using sophisticated AI techniques, the researchers developed a novel prediction algorithm, NBDriver and tested its performance on several open-source cancer mutation datasets.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19126/iit-d-develops-novel-strategy-for-fungal-eye-infection-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19126/iit-d-develops-novel-strategy-for-fungal-eye-infection-treatment.html Fri, 09 Jul 2021 18:00:00 +0530 In an effort to develop a better anti-fungal strategy for fungal keratitis, a leading cause of monocular blindness i.e, blindness in one eye, in the developing world, an all-women team of the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D) researchers has been working in collaboration with Dr CM Shah Memorial Charitable Trust and Eye Life, Mumbai.  The team has successfully developed a novel peptide-based antifungal strategy for enhanced Natamycin penetration. The developed peptide-drug conjugate showed an appreciable antifungal effect in the lab. US FDA-approved Natamycin is employed as a primary line of treatment for fungal keratitis but due to poor ocular penetration, it requires prolonged and frequent dosing, causing discomfort to patients.  In their research study, the scientists found that conjugate drug penetration was 5-fold higher than Natamycin in rabbits, thus enabling lowering of the dosage frequency. Further, 44% of mice showed complete resolution of fungal infection with the novel conjugate as compared with 13% of mice that were treated with Natamycin suspension only.  The research team is now looking forward to initiating a clinical trial with the participation of the industry and other relevant agencies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19118/shoolini-university-discovers-novel-bacterial-biopigment-with-germ-killing-properties.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19118/shoolini-university-discovers-novel-bacterial-biopigment-with-germ-killing-properties.html Thu, 08 Jul 2021 22:00:00 +0530 A team of researchers from Shoolini University, Himachal Pradesh, have discovered a psychrophilic bacterial strain, called Rhodonellum psychrophilum GL8, at the high altitude Pangong Tso Lake in the Himalayas. The red pigment isolated from this bacterium possesses antimicrobial, antifungal, and skin cell growth stimulating properties. This novel bio-pigment promises to be useful for the development of antimicrobial smart fabrics, medicated bandage. The researchers confirmed the novel status of this strain of Rhodonellum psychrophilum, which they called ‘GL8’, through phylogenetic analysis, and subjected the isolated pigment to chromatographic and spectrometric techniques to identify the constituents. They found that the red pigment extracts contained a mixture of 2-methyl-3-butyl-prodigine, Prodigiosin, 2-methyl-3hexyl-prodigine, 3, 4-Didehydrorhodopsin, anhydrorhodovibrin, alloxanthin and Tetradecanoyl-hexadecanoyl compounds. They further characterized the pigment by testing for bioactive properties. The results revealed that indeed, GL8 is special. Its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity makes it perfectly suited for application in the manufacture of smart fabrics with an antimicrobial finish. Additionally, this pigment has anti-oxidant properties, and acts as a bio-enhancer, augmenting the effects of established antibiotics and anti-fungal agents. The pigment also showed growth stimulating properties of murine skin cells but no toxicity to human cells, which may open avenues for its application in expediting wound healing. The researchers have filed patents based on their discovery ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19110/india-creates-worlds-first-database-of-genomic-variants-of-oral-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19110/india-creates-worlds-first-database-of-genomic-variants-of-oral-cancer.html Wed, 07 Jul 2021 21:00:00 +0530 National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG), Kalyani, an autonomous institute funded by the Department of Biotechnology, has created a database of genomic variations in oral cancer; the first of its kind in the world. NIBMG has made this database publicly-accessible. dbGENVOC is a  browsable  online database of GENomic Variants of Oral Cancer and is a free resource. First release of dbGENVOC contains (i) ~24 million somatic and germline variants derived from whole exome sequences of 100 Indian oral cancer patients and whole genome sequences of 5 oral cancer patients from India, (ii) somatic variation data from 220 patient samples drawn from the USA and analyzed by TCGA-HNSCC project and (iii) manually curated variation data of 118 patients from recently published peer-reviewed publications. Variants were identified by the community approved best practice protocol and annotated using multiple analytic pipeline. dbGENVOC is not just a catalogue of genomic variants, it has a built-in powerful search engine. It also allows a reasonable extent of statistical and bioinformatic analysis to be carried out online, including identifying variants in associated altered pathways in oral cancer. The repository, which will be updated annually with variation data from new oral cancer patients from different regions of India and southeast Asia, has the potential to support advances in oral cancer research and will be a major step in moving forward from simply cataloguing variants to gain insight into their significance. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19095/sctimst-reveals-unique-therapeutic-approach-to-manage-neurological-disorders.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/19095/sctimst-reveals-unique-therapeutic-approach-to-manage-neurological-disorders.html Tue, 06 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Meditation has emerged as an efficacious practice which improves attention, awareness psychological health. Researchers from Shri Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), Trivandrum, have shown that supervised mindfulness meditation benefits patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and early Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in terms of memory and orientation language and visual-spatial perception. It has potential as a therapeutic approach for management of cognitive decline associated with neurological disorders. The researchers conducted a two-phased study with separate objectives for each phase. The first phase was designed to explore neural correlations of mindfulness and study regions of brain activation enhancements among seasoned mindfulness practitioners and healthy non-practitioners through Imaging Biomarkers, which is the first of its kind multimodality imaging work in dementia from India. The second phase was planned to verify the changes in cognitive performance of patients with MCI prior to, as well as subsequent to, mindfulness training. The team carried out cognitive retraining weekly for 1 hour and provided feedback on the performance of the retraining tasks at the end of each session. The patients were given home-based tasks for practicing during the rest of the days.  They also developed a 10 Weeks mindfulness meditation-based program for patients called ‘Mindfulness Unified Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (MUCBT)’ training program. The study concludes that mindfulness meditation has potential in the modulation of brain regions concerned with attention, emotion, stress-response, and behavior which also impact on other body functions such as heart, blood circulation, and metabolism. Further, a rigorous mindfulness-based intervention program has the potential to improve or stabilize cognitive functioning as well as the quality of life among patients suffering from MCI and early Alzheimer’s disease. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18997/scientists-develop-mathematical-metrics-to-quantify-yoga-exercises.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18997/scientists-develop-mathematical-metrics-to-quantify-yoga-exercises.html Wed, 23 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers have developed a novel method which involves a mathematical metrics to quantify and measure the correctness of performance of yoga asanas in terms of stability and steadiness. This mathematical metrics based on Electromyography (EMG), a diagnostic procedure that evaluates the health condition of muscles, can help in assessing the correctness of performance and paves way for making appropriate corrections, thus enabling practitioners to derive maximum benefit from the asanas.  The research work led by Dr. S N Omkar along with Dr. Ramesh D V, Associate Professor, Ramaiah Medical College focused on yoga as a therapy to understand muscle behavior and performance in terms of spatial and temporal components while performing yoga asanas. The researchers used EMG to study both physical and physiological parameters. The study carried out with support from  ‘Science and Technology of Yoga and Meditation (SATYAM)’ Programme of the Department of Science and Technology, GoI  assessed 60 healthy participants aged between 21 – 60 years including male and female for 2 years at the Biomechanics Lab, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. The data was collected for approximately 110 seconds and subjects stayed in the final position for 20 seconds with normal breathing and relaxed mind.  The same procedure was followed for various yoga asanas namely Trikonasana, Vrikshasana, Veerabhadrasana-1, Veerabhadrasana-2, Veerabhadrasana-3, Parsvakonasana. Participants with a history of back pain, shoulder, or neck injuries were excluded from this study. It has been published in the ‘International Journal of Yoga’. The study provides understanding of the mechanics of Yoga both from a biomechanical as well as a motor control perspective which succeeded in laying a foundational framework for future research in this area. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18983/dst-promotes-scientific-approach-to-yoga.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18983/dst-promotes-scientific-approach-to-yoga.html Mon, 21 Jun 2021 18:00:00 +0530 The importance of Yoga for Improving Heart Health was highlighted at a webinar organized on the occasion of International Yoga Day, on 21 June. “There is a connection between health, mind , heart and yoga & meditation can greatly help us in living a healthy and balanced life”, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST) Professor Ashutosh Sharma pointed out at the webinar organized by DST under Science and Technology of Yoga and Meditation (SATYAM). He explained the meaning of yoga and its role in human well-being and elaborated on the efforts of DST in this direction through SATYAM. He emphasized that it is important to understand the science behind Yoga for long term mental and physical well-being and said that now the time has come when along with science, technology should be added in yoga and meditation. Prof KK Deepak from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi outlined the ways in which varied heart diseases and conditions can be addressed holistically through Yoga, in his lecture. Yoga reduces susceptibility to heart rhythm problems. Head, WISE-KIRAN Division, DST Dr Nisha Mendiratta also mentioned that considering the importance of yoga, DST initiated a specialized programme ‘Science and Technology of Yoga and Meditation (SATYAM)’. She emphasized that SATYAM is aimed to investigate the effect of Yoga and Meditation on physical and mental health and well-being as well as on the body, brain, and mind in terms of basic processes and mechanisms. She also stated that more than 100 projects have been supported under SATYAM and around 40 research papers have been published in peer reviewed journals. More than 70 institutions are associated with SATYAM programme. In addition, Minister of State for Education Sanjay Dhotre launched National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) Diploma course in Yogic Science. The two-year Diploma programme has five subjects in the first year in which Yoga Teaching Training will be taught and in the second year five subjects related to Yoga Therapy will be taught. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18915/iit-ropar-builds-first-power-free-cpap-device-jivan-vayu.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18915/iit-ropar-builds-first-power-free-cpap-device-jivan-vayu.html Mon, 14 Jun 2021 16:50:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar has developed a device ‘Jivan Vayu’ which can be used as a substitute for CPAP machine. The device functions even without electricity and is adapted to both kinds of oxygen generation units like O2 cylinders and oxygen pipelines in hospitals. These provisions are not available in otherwise existing CPAP machines. Fulfilling all the medically required parameters, this leak-proof, low-cost CPAP delivery system, Jivan Vayu is designed for a 22mm CPAP closed-circuit tube. It can even be customised as per the size of the tube. Since it can run during power failures, this can be used to safely transport a patient. “This was the need of the hour during the present covid pandemic when the power supply is the key concern for saving lives of those on medical equipment such as ventilators and oxygen concentrators,” said Dr Khushboo Rakha, Assistant Professor, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, who has developed the device at the Advanced Materials and Design Lab of IIT Ropar. “It has an inbuilt viral filter at the air entrainment end which has a viral efficacy of 99.99 per cent”, assures Dr Rakha. The viral filter ensures that the air does not bring in any pathogens from the environment. The device has been manufactured using 3D printing and has also been tested mechanically. ‘Jivan Vayu’ can deliver high flow oxygen (20–60 LPM) while maintaining a continuous positive pressure of up to 20 cm H2O. The device is designed to maintain a FiO2 of above 40 per cent with a PEEP (positive end-expiratory pressure) of 5-20 cm H2O. Dr Rakha and her team have collaborated with Suresh Chand, Faculty Incharge, Rapid Prototyping Lab, Siemens Centre of Excellence at Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh for 3D printing of the device. The device is ready for medical testing and mass manufacturing. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18898/csir-cdri-to-develop-safer-drug-for-heart-attack-and-stroke.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18898/csir-cdri-to-develop-safer-drug-for-heart-attack-and-stroke.html Fri, 11 Jun 2021 14:00:00 +0530 CSIR – Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow is committed to support Pharma Cluster in Uttar Pradesh and has tied up with UP-based Marc Laboratories, a young progressive enterprise with operating base in 13 other states. It has signed an agreement for the development of a synthetic compoundS-007-867 as modulator of blood coagulation cascade, in particular as inhibitor of collagen induced platelet aggregation. This may be helpful in treating patient population of coronary and cerebral artery diseases. The institute has recently obtained the permission to initiate the Phase I clinical trials for the drug. The compound S-007-867 significantly inhibits collagen mediated platelet activation and subsequently reduces the release of ATP from dense granules and thromboxane A2 via COX1 activation. Thus, it effectively maintains blood flow velocity and delays vascular occlusion (blockage of the blood vessel, usually with a clot) and inhibits thrombogenesis (formation of blood clot) without compromising hemostasis. This drug has less bleeding risk as compared to presently existing therapies for coronary and cerebral artery diseases. In animal experiments, the compound elicited better antithrombotic protection than the standard of care with minimal bleeding tendency.  Prophylactic use of this compound could be useful for COVID -19 induced complications. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18877/iit-b-makes-sensor-to-detect-covid-19-in-wastewater.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18877/iit-b-makes-sensor-to-detect-covid-19-in-wastewater.html Wed, 09 Jun 2021 18:05:00 +0530 Scientists from the University of Strathclyde, UK and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay have demonstrated a low-cost sensor that can detect fragments of the virus responsible for COVID-19 within the wastewater.   The technique, published in the journal Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, could be used to enable widespread monitoring of COVID-19 prevalence in low- and middle-income countries which struggle to conduct mass human testing.   The sensor can be used with portable equipment that uses the standard Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus, without the need for the expensive chemicals and lab infrastructure needed for real-time quantitative PCR tests.   The sensor was tested with wastewater collected from a sewage treatment plant in Mumbai spiked with SARS-Cov-2 Ribonucleic Acid (RNA).    The biosensor uses printed circuit board electrodes to detect fragments of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid which have combined with methylene blue – a readily available salt used as a medication and dye – which is added to the sample to produce a measurable electrochemical signal. The sensor was able to detect the genetic material at concentrations as low as 10 picograms per microlitre (pg/μl). The electrodes are reusable, easy to clean, do not undergo any changes that affect their capabilities and have a long shelf-life.   Dr Siddharth Tallur, Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at IIT Bombay, said: “The method we have developed is not just applicable to SARS-CoV-2, it could be applied to any other virus so it’s very versatile. In the future, we’ll focus on optimising the assay further to increase accuracy and also integrate the assay with a portable platform to handle both PCR reaction and electrochemical measurement.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18854/iiser-bhopal-invents-protein-engineering-tech-to-improve-cancer-diagnostics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18854/iiser-bhopal-invents-protein-engineering-tech-to-improve-cancer-diagnostics.html Mon, 07 Jun 2021 14:05:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal Researchers have invented a new technology that can deliver active molecules to specific sections of proteins.   Scientists from IISER Bhopal have been conducting studies on the ‘engineering’ of protein molecules for the past few years. The serial technological breakthrough has gained a detailed insight into the chemical features of these molecular machines. With this understanding, they have designed the first-ever modular platform for the precision engineering of proteins.   The research team from the Departments of Chemistry and Biological Sciences at IISER Bhopal includes Dr Vishal Rai, Dr Ram Kumar Mishra, Dr Sanjeev Shukla, Dr Srinivasa Rao Adusumalli, Dr Dattatraya Gautam Rawale and Dr Neetu Kalra, among others who have worked on this novel research.    Dr Vishal Rai, Associate Professor and Swarnajayanti Fellow, Department of Chemistry, IISER Bhopal, said, “Our team believes that successful platforms for precision engineering of proteins depend on the core understanding of molecular and social behaviour of proteins in the chemical reactions.”    The research team has developed a technology that they call the “LDM platform.” It is empowered by reagents made of three key components. A representative example involves FK that rapidly and reversibly attaches to an amino acid called lysine and FH that reacts slowly, but specifically to another amino acid – histidine.    “A key advantage of our LDM platform is that it does not modify the structure or functions of the native protein,” explained Dr Rai.   The platform will help cancer patients with precise imaging-guided tumour surgeries and directed cancer chemotherapeutics in the coming years. In other words, the technology would empower us to get rid of the tumours without harming the patient's healthy cells.     Image caption- From Left to Right- Dr Dattatraya G Rawale, Dr Sanjeev Shukla, Dr Srinivasa Rao Adusumalli, Dr Ram K Mishra, Dr Vishal Rai, Dr Neetu Kalra, Dr Usha Singh  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18843/nii-receives-trademark-for-indias-first-indigenous-tumour-antigen-spag9.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18843/nii-receives-trademark-for-indias-first-indigenous-tumour-antigen-spag9.html Fri, 04 Jun 2021 18:00:00 +0530 To successfully implement innovation newer modalities for cancer treatment, researchers at the New Delhi-based National Institute of Immunology (NII), an Autonomous Institute of Department of Biotechnology (DBT),and clinicians at Cancer Institute, Adyar, Chennai have been working together to translate new scientific discoveries into improved care for cancer patients. Over the past two decades, this team has been engaged in translating breakthrough that promises to add a highly potent weapon to the armoury against cancer especially employing targeted cancer Immunotherapy. India's first indigenous tumour antigen SPAG9 was discovered by Dr Anil Suri in 1998 who is heading the Cancer Research Program at NII. In a recent development,  the SPAG9 antigen has received the trademark ASPAGNIITM. Currently, ASPAGNIITM is being used in dendritic cell (DC) based immunotherapy in cervical, ovarian cancer and will also be used in breast cancer. Immunotherapy is a new approach that exploits the body’s inner capability to put up a fight against cancer. With this approach, either the immune system is given a boost, or the T cells are “trained’’ to identify recalcitrant cancer cells and kill them. In this personalised intervention,those patients expressing SPAG9 protein can be treated with DC-based vaccine approach. In DC-based vaccine, patient’s cells called monocytes from their blood are collected and modified into what are called dendritic cells. These dendritic cells are primed with ASPAGNIITM and are injected back to the patient to help the ‘fighter’ cells, or T-cells, in the body to kill the cancer cells. DC-based immunotherapy is safe, affordable and can promote antitumor immune responses and prolonged survival of cancer patients. With the funding support of the Department of Biotechnology in future, employing ASPAGNIITM, a phase 2 randomised controlled clinical trial to evaluate the role of metronomic chemotherapy and dendritic cell vaccine in recurrent hormone receptor-negative breast cancer will be initiated at Cancer Institute, Adyar. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18802/iit-ropar-develops-novel-iot-device-for-cold-chain-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18802/iit-ropar-develops-novel-iot-device-for-cold-chain-management.html Tue, 01 Jun 2021 10:20:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar (IIT Ropar) in Punjab has developed a first-of-its-kind IoT device – AmbiTag that records real-time ambient temperature during the transportation of perishable products, vaccines and even body organs and blood. That recorded temperature further helps to know whether that particular item transported from anywhere in the world is still usable or perished because of temperature variation. This information is particularly critical for vaccines including the COVID-19 vaccine, organs and blood transportation.  Shaped as USB device, AmbiTag continuously records the temperature of its immediate surroundings “from -40 to +80 degrees in any time zone for a full 90 days on a single charge. Most of the similar devices available in the international market record data only for 30- 60 days”, said AWaDH Project coordinator, Dr Suman Kumar.  He said it generates an alert when the temperature goes beyond a pre-set limit. The recorded data can be retrieved by connecting the USB with any computer. The device has been developed under Technology Innovation Hub – AWaDH (Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub) and its Startup ScratchNest. AWaDH is a Govt of India project. Dr Kumar said that the device is certified with ISO 13485:2016, EN 12830:2018, CE & ROHS. “So far, such devices are being imported by India in a massive quantity from other countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Ireland, and China," said Amit Bhatti, one of the founders and directors of ScratchNest.  AWaDH Project Director, Professor Pushpendra P Singh informed that IIT Ropar Technology Innovation Hub is gearing for mass-production of AmbiTag. “The device will be made available to all companies involved in COVID vaccine transportation from production facilities to the last mile vaccination centres in the country at the production cost of Rs 400," said Prof Singh.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18799/jncasr-develops-artificial-synaptic-network-that-mimics-human-brain.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18799/jncasr-develops-artificial-synaptic-network-that-mimics-human-brain.html Tue, 01 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Scientists have fabricated a device that can mimic human brain cognitive actions and is more efficient than conventional techniques in emulating artificial intelligence, thus enhancing the computational speed and power consumption efficiency. Scientists from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, devised a novel approach of fabricating an artificial synaptic network (ASN) resembling the biological neural network via a simple self-forming method (the device structure is formed by itself while heating). This work has been recently published in the journal Materials Horizons. Aiming to develop a synaptic device for neuromorphic applications with a humble fabrication method, the JNCASR team explored a material system mimicking neuronal bodies and axonal network connectivity much like the biological system. To realise such a structure, they found that a self-forming process was easy, scalable, and cost-effective. In their research JNCASR team dewetted Silver (Ag) metal to form branched islands and nanoparticles with nanogap separations to resemble bio neurons and neurotransmitters where dewetting is a process of rupture of continuous film into disconnected/isolated islands or spherical particles.  A prototyping kit has been developed to emulate Pavlov’s dog behaviour which demonstrates the potential of this device towards neuromorphic artificial intelligence. By organising a nanomaterial resembling the biological neural substance, the JNCASR team has moved a step further in accomplishing advanced neuromorphic artificial intelligence.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18794/iit-hs-oral-solution-for-black-fungus-set-for-technology-transfer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18794/iit-hs-oral-solution-for-black-fungus-set-for-technology-transfer.html Mon, 31 May 2021 13:25:00 +0530 In 2019 Prof Saptarshi Majumdar and Dr Chandra Shekhar Sharma from the Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Hyderabad made a proven study about oral nanofibrous AMB to be effective for Kala Azar. This is a first-ever attempt to fabricate nanofibrous oral tablets of Amphotericin B (AMB) for the potential cure of Leishmaniasis or Kala Azar. With the two years of advancement of examination, the researchers are now confident that the technology can be transferred to suitable pharma partners for large-scale production. At present, the Kala-Azar treatment is being used as a treatment for Black & other Fungus in the country and its availability & affordability make it need to allow emergency & immediate trial of this oral drug. In present research funded by DST-Nanomission, a team led by Prof Majumdar and Dr Sharma along with their PhD scholars Mrunalini Gaydhane and Anindita Laha intended to deliver Amphotericin B orally at an extremely slow rate, of course within the therapeutic window. The purpose was to increase the drug absorption and reduce aggregation, to lower the drug toxicity. For this, the team has selected gelatin an FDA-approved polymer as an excipient for drug molecules. The team has carried out a cell viability assay (MTT assay) against human kidney fibroblast cells which illustrated no evidence of cell toxicity caused by AmB as well as a minute amount of Glutaraldehyde crosslinker. Citing the importance of solutions in given circumstances, Dr Sharma, Associate Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering said, “As the main idea behind our research is to find a solution to serve society. The technology developed, is made free from IP, so that it can be mass-produced and is affordable and available to the public at large." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18775/neeri-develops-saline-gargle-rt-pcr-testing-method.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18775/neeri-develops-saline-gargle-rt-pcr-testing-method.html Fri, 28 May 2021 13:30:00 +0530 Scientists of Nagpur-based National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), have developed a 'Saline Gargle RT-PCR Method' for testing COVID-19 samples. The Saline Gargle is simple, fast, cost-effective, patient-friendly and comfortable and offers instant results and is well-suited for rural and tribal areas, given minimal infrastructure requirements. The method is environment-friendly as well since waste generation is minimised. Dr Krishna Khairnar, Senior Scientist, Environmental Virology Cell, NEERI says, “Swab collection method requires time. Moreover, since it is an invasive technique, it is a bit uncomfortable for patients. Some time is lost also in the transport of the sample to the collection centre. On the other hand, the Saline Gargle RT-PCR method is instant, comfortable and patient-friendly. Sampling is done instantly and results will be generated within three hours.” "The Saline Gargle RT-PCR method uses a simple collection tube filled with saline solution. The patient gargles the solution and rinses it inside the tube. This sample in the collection tube is taken to the laboratory where it is kept at room temperature, in a special buffer solution prepared by NEERI. An RNA template is produced when this solution is heated, which is further processed for Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). This particular method of collecting and processing the sample enables us to save on the otherwise costly infrastructural requirement of RNA extraction. People can also test themselves since this method allows self-sampling”, he adds.  Dr Khairnar expects that this innovative testing technique will be especially beneficial for rural and tribal areas where infrastructure requirements can be a constraint. The non-technique has received the approval of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). NEERI has further been asked to train other testing labs, to help scale up its adoption across the country. Nagpur Municipal Corporation has permitted to go ahead with the method, following which testing has begun at NEERI, as per approved testing protocol. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18767/iit-mandi-reveals-unique-structural-details-of-covid-19-virus.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18767/iit-mandi-reveals-unique-structural-details-of-covid-19-virus.html Thu, 27 May 2021 16:05:00 +0530 A team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi (IIT Mandi), led by Dr Rajanish Giri, Assistant Professor, School of Basic Sciences, have elucidated the part of structure of a key protein in the COVID-19 virus, which helps in understanding its mode of action, its role in the spread and severity of the disease and development of antiviral therapeutics.  This virus has sixteen non-structural proteins (NSP1–NSP16), of which, the NSP1 plays a vital role in the pathogenicity (ability to cause disease) of the virus. The NSP1 disrupts the proteins of the host cell and suppresses its immune functions. Its importance can be understood by the fact that it is also called the ‘host shutoff factor’. Particularly researchers have found that if the C-terminal region of NSP1 ie 131-180 residues are removed from NSP1 then NSP1 is unable to stop the translation by ribosomes. It is therefore important to understand the molecular mechanisms, biophysical interactions, and chemistry of the interplay of the NSP1 with the host cell. The IIT Mandi team has experimentally studied the structural conformations of SARS-CoV-2 NSP1 under various conditions – in an organic solvent, membrane mimetic environment, and inside liposomes. Using analytical techniques such as circular dichroism spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics simulations, the researchers have shown the dynamic changes in the conformation of the IDR of the NSP1, in response to its surroundings, due to hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions between the protein and the environment.  Understanding the conformational structure and associated functions of key viral proteins such as the NSP1 can eventually help develop therapeutics that can target these proteins and stop the virus in its tracks.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18735/iisc-identifies-biomarkers-to-differentiate-between-bacterial-viral-infections.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18735/iisc-identifies-biomarkers-to-differentiate-between-bacterial-viral-infections.html Tue, 25 May 2021 13:00:00 +0530 A recent study from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru has identified a set of molecular biomarkers that can be used in the differential diagnosis of acute bacterial and viral infections. These biomarkers are different messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules found in the blood; differences in their levels can detect and predict with high probability if an infection is viral or bacterial.  To make it useful in the clinic, the researchers have devised a standalone score called VB10, which could be used for diagnosis, monitoring the stage of recovery after infection, and estimating the severity of the infection. VB10 accurately indicates whether a given blood sample has a bacterial or viral infection, across different bacteria and viruses and across different age groups.   The researchers suggest that the test could be useful for differentiating COVID-19 infection from bacterial infections as well. In the study, they looked at various viral infections for which transcriptomic data is publicly available. This allowed them to develop a generic VB10 test score for viral infections. As soon as transcriptomic data became available for COVID-19, the team tested their approach and found that the test scores could differentiate between SARS-CoV-2 infection and common bacterial respiratory infections.   The researchers expect it to be useful early-on during the infection, and work against any strain.  This can supplement the current COVID-19 diagnosis tests.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18711/government-catalyzes-rd-on-innovation-for-oxygen-concentrators.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18711/government-catalyzes-rd-on-innovation-for-oxygen-concentrators.html Mon, 24 May 2021 00:00:00 +0530 A new initiative by the government will soon catalyze R&D on critical components and innovations concerning Make-in-India Oxygen Concentrators to meet the emerging healthcare requirements to combat COVID-19. This initiative involves invitation for proposals from scientists from educational and research institutes/ laboratories, universities, and medical institutions, start-ups, and industries by  Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body of Department of Science and Technology (DST), to investigate and innovate in the development of (individual/portable) oxygen concentrators. They will be in domains of alternate materials and mechanisms for oxygen separation; design, development, and manufacturing of critical components such as valves and oil-less compressors, design improvements for greater performance, AI-optimized oxygen flow devices, and oxygen-level IoT sensors, and so on. The scientists from industries should align with investigators from academic / research institutions as co-investigators. Funding for industry partner(s), with respect to R&D leading to commercialization, will be forwarded to Technology Development Board (TDB), DST, for their consideration. The duration of the project is one year. This will help meet the need of indigenous concentrators working on newer approach of providing supplementary oxygen in hospital wards and ICUs and as an inexpensive therapeutic oxygen source for patients under home isolation. Proposals should be submitted in the prescribed format through SERB online portal www.serbonline.in on or before 15th June 2021.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18664/sctimst-develops-multiplex-rt-pcr-kit-to-detect-covid-19-mutant-strains.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18664/sctimst-develops-multiplex-rt-pcr-kit-to-detect-covid-19-mutant-strains.html Tue, 18 May 2021 17:00:00 +0530 Researchers at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), based in Thiruvananthapuram, have developed a multiplex RT-PCR kit that targets two SARS CoV2 genes: RdRp and ORFb-nsp14, and the human RNAse P gene as the internal control to help detect a range of mutant strains. Various studies have shown that RdRp and ORF1b-nsp14 genes are more sensitive in detecting COVID-19. In order to target the multiple variants in the second wave, using two highly accurate confirmatory genes like RdRp and ORF-nsp14, can give precise results. The ORFb-nsp14 is one of the least mutated genes in COVID-19 and currently, there are no kits in the market with ORF-nsp14 as the target. The new kit is based on multiplex Taqman chemistry, amplifying all three genes in a single reaction. The amplification time for the assay is 45 minutes, apart from the time required for the RNA isolation from nasopharyngeal swab samples. Multiplexing two confirmatory genes will help shortlist possible new variants if one of the genes fails to amplify and can be marked for sequence analysis. ICMR has validated this kit at the National Institute of Virology, Pune, and found that it has 97.3% sensitivity and 100% specificity in COVID-19 detection. SCTIMST has signed a non-exclusive license MoU with Huwel Lifesciences, Hyderabad, to commercialize the kit. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18650/iit-m-mit-grow-human-brain-tissues-from-3d-printed-bioreactor.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18650/iit-m-mit-grow-human-brain-tissues-from-3d-printed-bioreactor.html Mon, 17 May 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) scientists have grown human brain tissues called ‘organoids’ with help of a 3D Printed Bioreactor that they developed. The objective was to observe the brain tissues while they grow and develop a technology that can potentially accelerate medical and therapeutic discoveries for diseases such as cancer and neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. A 3D printed micro-incubator and imaging chamber was made into a single palm-sized platform, which was successfully demonstrated for long-term human brain cells culture and real-time imaging. This technology has been patented in India. The research team is exploring the feasibility of international collaborations. This project was taken up with the support of the Center for Computational Brain Research (CCBR) at IIT Madras for funding and Sur’s Lab at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), U.S., which guided the researchers. Further elaborating on the applications of this technology, Ikram Khan S.I., IIT Madras Alum (MS Opto-Electronics, 2015–19) and CEO of ISMO Bio-Photonics, an IIT Madras-incubated startup, said, “Considering the importance of our micro-incubator in the field of healthcare and in the pharmaceutical industry, we are working through ISMO Bio-Photonics to develop a user-friendly minimum viable product, and raising seed grants for its further development. This will enable biologists or laboratory technicians to operate, control and monitor the growth of organoids with a user-friendly system powered by Artificial Intelligence-assisted automated cell culture protocols.”   Image caption- (L-R) Chloe Delepine, Hayley Tsang and Ikram Khan .S.I., the MIT & IIT Madras team that worked on this research ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18566/iit-m-uk-researchers-develop-paper-based-sensor-to-detect-antimicrobial-pollutants.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18566/iit-m-uk-researchers-develop-paper-based-sensor-to-detect-antimicrobial-pollutants.html Tue, 04 May 2021 18:50:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) and United Kingdom researchers have developed a paper-based sensor that can detect antimicrobial pollutants, which induce antimicrobial resistance in water bodies. This sensor works on a ‘see and tell’ mechanism that makes it logistically effective for wide implementation. This research was first reported through a journal publication in Nature Scientific Reports and was acclaimed as one of the top 100 in chemistry. This research was funded by Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India in bilateral collaboration with UK’s Natural Environment Research Council and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) under the ‘Indo UK Water Quality Research Programme.’ In IIT Madras, this research was led by Prof S Pushpavanam, Institute Chair Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Madras and Dr T Renganathan, Associate Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Madras. Prof Pushpavanam said, “Paper-based sensor offers an affordable platform for various point-of-care applications as they support fluid flow based on a wicking action and governed by capillary forces. This eliminates the requirement of a pump-to-flow liquids. We have come up with a novel method for the fabrication of paper- based devices using a commercial laser printer.” The practical applications of these Sensors include: Environmental monitoring Food safety analysis Healthcare monitoring Dr Renganathan said, “We have used these fabricated devices for the detection of antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, biocides such as triclosan and heavy metals such as chromium, copper and lead. These devices can be used for antimicrobial resistance surveillance in water bodies.” The novel strategy for low-cost fabrication of the robust Laser Printed-Microfluidic Paper-Based Analytical Sensors developed by IIT Madras will help to detect antimicrobials easily in the parts per million range. It will also help understand the relationship between AMR and AMR-triggering pollutants and assist policymakers in framing solutions to tackle grand societal AMR challenge. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18562/n-protein-of-coronavirus-critical-in-viral-transmission-iiser-bhopal-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18562/n-protein-of-coronavirus-critical-in-viral-transmission-iiser-bhopal-study.html Tue, 04 May 2021 12:00:00 +0530 Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal have shown that proteins from the COVID-19 virus other than the well-known ‘spike protein’ can play a critical role in the infectivity of the virus.  The SARS-CoV-2 virus has an RNA genome, surrounded by a sphere-shaped structure. This structure comprises various types of proteins, with one of them being the ‘spike protein’ that gives the virus its characteristic spiked look or ‘crown’. Since the virus is highly infectious, most studies do not use the live virus, but use a similar protein capsule made up of spike that has been filled with another viral core, in a process called ‘pseudotyping.’ Elaborating on his research, Dr. Ajit Chande, Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, IISER Bhopal said, “Current methods of retrovirus pseudotyping are focused on the spike protein of the virus. Our study picks off from this point.” “We believe that the N-protein promotes the incorporation of the spike protein into viral particles, thereby increasing the chances for each viral particle to bind to the target cell. Our discovery opens up an exciting host of questions for related research in this area,” added Dr. Chande. The researchers found that pseudovirus produced with the nucleocapsid (N) protein had higher infectivity than those containing other proteins. The team plans to carry forward these results into related arenas by exploring potential impact of the N protein on spike across different cellular contexts and also including emerging variants of the SARS CoV-2 in related studies. Furthermore, delineating the interactions between the spike and N protein would help expand our understanding of the spread of the COVID-19 virus and its effects on various people.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18556/iit-mandi-takes-diagnosis-of-neurological-problems-one-step-further.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18556/iit-mandi-takes-diagnosis-of-neurological-problems-one-step-further.html Mon, 03 May 2021 16:05:00 +0530 Innovators at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi have invented a method to simultaneously study the variations in nerve functions and brain blood flow associated with brain disorders such as Ischemic stroke. The invented method helps in locating and classifying damaged sites (lesions) in the brain, brought about, or leading to neurological diseases. Results of this study led by Dr Shubhajit Roy Chowdhury, Associate Professor, School of Computing & Electrical Engineering, IIT Mandi, has been published in IEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine and the team has been recently granted US patent for the invention. Dr Roy Chowdhury has collaborated with Dr Abhijit Das, a neurologist from Institute of Neurosciences, Kolkata, and Dr Anirban Dutta, Assistant Professor, Restorative Neurorehabilitation, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, US. The IIT Mandi team’s invention is based on the fact that intricate interactions between nerve cells (neurons) and blood vessels (vasculature), called the NeuroVascular Coupling (NVC) that regulates blood flow in the brain. Diseases such as Ischemic stroke adversely affect the NVC.  NeuroVascular Uncoupling results in such cases, wherein, the nerve impulses do not trigger the required blood flow. Timely detection of NVC is critical for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of such diseases. “Our method uses a multi-modal brain stimulation system to differentially stimulate different components of the neurovascular unit (NVU) and observes the resultant electrical nerve signals by EEG (electroencephalography) and blood flow by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS),” explained Dr Chowdhury.  “The simultaneous assessment of nerve function and brain blood circulation would allow urgent treatment decisions to be made quickly in cases of stroke and hypertension,” said the lead researcher.  The developed device can also help in identifying the progress of diseases such as Parkinson’s and can in fact predict occurrence of these diseases even before presentation of symptoms. The invention by the IIT Mandi team takes diagnosis of neurological problems one step further and will help in better detection and treatment of these diseases.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18540/iit-bombay-provides-fast-solution-to-oxygen-crisis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18540/iit-bombay-provides-fast-solution-to-oxygen-crisis.html Thu, 29 Apr 2021 17:00:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has come up with a creative and ingenious solution to addressing the shortage of medical oxygen for the treatment of COVID-19 patients in the country. The pilot project which has been tested successfully relies on a simple technological hack- conversion of PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) Nitrogen Unit to PSA Oxygen Unit. Initial tests done at IIT Bombay have shown promising results. Oxygen production could be achieved at 3.5 atm pressure, with a purity level of 93% - 96%. This gaseous oxygen can be utilised for COVID-related needs across existing hospitals and upcoming COVID-19 specific facilities by providing a continuous supply of oxygen. The pilot project is a collaborative effort between IIT Bombay, Tata Consulting Engineers and Spantech Engineers, Mumbai, who deal with PSA Nitrogen & Oxygen plant production. A PSA Nitrogen plant in the Refrigeration and Cryogenics Laboratory of IIT was identified for conversion, to validate the proof of concept. To undertake this study on an urgent basis, an MoU was signed between IIT Bombay, Tata Consulting Engineers and Spantech Engineers to finalise an SOP that may be leveraged across the country. Spantech Engineers installed the required plant components as a skid at IIT Bombay for evaluation using IIT Bombay’s infrastructure at the IITB Nitrogen facility at the Refrigeration and Cryogenics lab. This setup for the experiment was developed within three days, and the initial tests have shown promising results. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18522/iit-k-i2cure-to-advance-research-on-molecular-iodine-based-products.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18522/iit-k-i2cure-to-advance-research-on-molecular-iodine-based-products.html Tue, 27 Apr 2021 18:50:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur (IIT-K) has collaborated with I2Cure (P) Ltd, a ‘Make in India for the world’ biotech company for all future research on molecular iodine-based products that would be undertaken by the Biological Sciences & Bioengineering wing of IIT-K.  I2Cure is the first biotechnology company in the world to produce molecular iodine-based i2cure BioShield’, which is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial with proven efficacy of 99.999 per cent against SARS-CoV-2. Under the terms of the agreement, I2Cure future products would be incubated at IIT-Kanpur. The relationship would be of the equity partners, and validations of Dr Jack Kessler's global research would be done for Indian conditions at IIT-K. IIT-K would also work with I2Cure to develop new ‘Made in India' products for global markets, especially in tackling long-term problems in the space of human preventive health, veterinary science (FMD, Bovine mastitis, dermatitis), and agri products.  Stating on this momentous occasion, Anil Kejriwal, Founder, Chairman, I2Cure shared, “We would jointly be happy to contribute towards the vision of the Prime Minister of India to double agricultural income as well as become a $5 trillion economy. Adding to it, (Prof) Dr Ashok Kumar, Biological Sciences & Bioengineering at IIT Kanpur (BSBE), added, “We’re excited about the prospects of IIT-K researched and curated solutions getting global attention.”    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18511/iit-m-studies-high-transmission-rate-mortality-of-sars-cov-2.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18511/iit-m-studies-high-transmission-rate-mortality-of-sars-cov-2.html Mon, 26 Apr 2021 15:45:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) researchers are studying the high transmission rate and mortality of SARS-CoV-2, using computational tools. The team has studied its two close variants - SARS-CoV and NL63. The team set out to understand how the spike proteins (which enables the coronavirus to penetrate human cells and cause COVID-19) of these different virus strains are interacting with the ACE2 receptors of human cells and how this interaction is affecting their transmission potential and severity of the disease The ‘NL63’ belongs to sub-family alpha coronavirus can be considered as a ‘cousin’ of SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV is more severe than SARS-CoV-2 whereas NL63 shows milder symptoms than SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. The scientists set out to find the reason behind the mildness and severity of disease caused by these viruses.  Using various computational tools, the team found that the interaction area between spike protein and ACE2, surrounding hydrophobicity and interaction energy play a key role in deciding the severity and transmission potential of coronaviruses. The team also found that the distant cousin NL63 has unique ACE2 binding sites compared to SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. However, some of the binding site regions are conserved and any change in these regions is evolutionarily prohibited. Further, they found that less interaction area, surrounding hydrophobicity and interaction energy for the interface residues are the main reasons for the mild severity of NL63 coronavirus. Such a study, the researchers said, will help find ways to reduce the gravity of the severe disease-causing coronaviruses and develop effective therapeutic interventions, which can be used across ACE2 binding corona-virus strains and potentially other viruses that may target ACE2 for infection. The team is also working on repurposing the known drugs, which target the identified conserved regions on the viral S-protein and can help in treating coronavirus infections. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18458/iit-mandi-develops-anti-bacterial-material-for-face-masks-ppe-equipment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18458/iit-mandi-develops-anti-bacterial-material-for-face-masks-ppe-equipment.html Mon, 19 Apr 2021 10:05:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi researchers have developed a virus-filtering, self-cleaning and antibacterial material that can be used to make face masks and other PPE equipment. This path breaking development of Dr. Amit Jaiswal, Assistant Professor, School of Basic Sciences, IIT Mandi comes at a time in which it has become imperative to develop techniques to stop the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Dr. Jaiswal and his team has incorporated nanometre sized sheets of molybdenum sulphide, MoS2, the sharp edges, and corners of which act as tiny knives that pierce bacterial and viral membranes, thus killing them. “The ‘nanoknife’-modified fabrics demonstrated excellent antibacterial activity even after 60 cycles of washing,” said the lead researcher, which makes this an excellent way to reuse masks and reduce biological waste generation.  The researchers have developed prototypes of a 4-layered face mask using the MoS2 modified fabric. They report that these masks, in addition to killing microbes and being light-cleanable, can also filter >96 per cent of particles that are in the size range of the COVID Virus (120 nanometres), without compromising on the breathability of the fabric, and could thus be a powerful tool to prevent the spread of coronavirus and other microbial infections.  “We expect that the impact of this innovation on society will be immense and immediate, considering the current situation of global COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Jaiswal. The proposed materials can also be used to fabricate screens/sheets for creation of makeshift isolation wards, containment cells and quarantines for holding individuals who come in contact with pathogens. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18454/medgenome-suggests-therapeutic-decoy-trap-for-covid-19-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18454/medgenome-suggests-therapeutic-decoy-trap-for-covid-19-treatment.html Fri, 16 Apr 2021 17:00:00 +0530 In a study published in the Nature journal Communications Biology on April 12, 2021, an international team of researchers led by MedGenome, India/USA and SciGenom Research Foundation (SGRF), India analysed genetic variation in ACE2, the receptor for the COVID-19 causing SARS-CoV-2 virus, from over 300,000 individuals and identified key mutations that are predicted to make individuals more susceptible to the COVID-19 virus. They also reported ACE2 variants that can confer protection to individuals from the virus. Using published structure models of ACE2-SARS-CoV-2 interaction, the authors previously had predicted the effect of the variants and now using wetlab experiments have confirmed these predictions. The authors, using recombinant DNA and protein expression technologies, produced several human ACE2 variants and the viral Spike (S)-protein and tested them using biochemical assays to show that ACE2 variants have altered affinity for the S-protein. In a step further, they showed that the recombinant ACE2 with increased affinity for the S-protein blocked the virus from infecting the cell, in line with their predictions.  “Our findings have important implications not just for predicting who might be more susceptible, but also  using this information to create a drug that can trap the virus effectively. Soluble recombinant ACE2, carrying the natural variants that make it more sticky to the viral surface S-protein would be a great decoy-trap that can stop the virus on its tracks when infecting patients.” said Dr. Sekar Seshagiri, President, SGRF, India and a lead study author.  “A fast-evolving virus means that we need to stay vigilant and continue to develop innovative strategies for rapid testing, prevention and treatment of COVID-19 and be better prepared to fight future pandemics. Sustained efforts to comprehensively catalogue the various mutants and their effects on COVID-19 susceptibility will ultimately help develop targeted therapeutics to treat this deadly pandemic. We are in discussions with several pharma partners to advance their drug development work using insights from our genomics-guided study.”, said Sam Santhosh, CEO, MedGenome. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18450/iit-h-develops-affordable-long-lasting-hygiene-product-durokea-series.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18450/iit-h-develops-affordable-long-lasting-hygiene-product-durokea-series.html Fri, 16 Apr 2021 14:00:00 +0530 Union Minister of Education Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ has virtually launched 'World 1st affordable and long-lasting hygiene product DuroKea Series', developed by IIT Hyderabad researchers. Speaking on the occasion Pokhriyal said that Durokea Product is aligned with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attain self-reliance. This next-generation DuroKea antimicrobial technology starts at Rs 189, kills 99.99 per cent of germs instantly and leaves behind the long-lasting protective nanoscale coating up to 35 days till the next wash, he said. The Minister informed that the unique property of DuroKea range is to ensure instant killing (within 60 sec) and prolonged protection which is an immense necessity during this current pandemic situation. This revolutionary antimicrobial property of DuroKea products has been tested and certified by an Indian Government accredited lab and field-tested at the IIT Hyderabad campus, he added. Durokea S, DuroKea M, DuroKea H, and DuroKea H Aqua using innovative “Durokea Technology”, is an adhesive Nano formulation. Durokea Serious products provide instant killing with prolonged protection against a wide range of germs including the COVID-19 Virus. Each product has been extensively tested through field trial and validated in different Indian Government accredited laboratories.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18442/iit-d-creates-handheld-device-for-detection-of-dengue-hiv-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18442/iit-d-creates-handheld-device-for-detection-of-dengue-hiv-.html Thu, 15 Apr 2021 18:00:00 +0530 The GLancing Angle Deposition (GLAD) research group at IIT Delhi’s Physics Department has developed a handheld Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) based platform for early diagnosis of dengue virus. It also gives dengue test results within one hour (rapid diagnosis).  The handheld device has been successfully tested on the clinical blood samples collected from hundreds of individuals in collaboration with ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), New Delhi.  The intergrated device was able to clearly differentiate the three sets of blood samples; dengue positive, negative and healthy. This method provides a sensitive, rapid, and field deployable diagnosis of dengue at the early stage.  The research work was funded by IMPRINT India program of the Ministry of Education with New Age Instruments and Materials Pvt Ltd as the industry partner.  The detection and distinction of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) was also carried out in collaboration with ICMR-National AIDS Research Institute (NARI), Pune through the handheld SERS based platform. Binding of viruses directly on Ag nanorods without using antibodies or intermediate reagents was successfully demonstrated. The SERS platform was capable of distinguishing different tropic strains of HIV-1 suggesting tropism-based detection. The SERS based platform gives HIV-1 test results within an hour.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18429/iit-kgp-shows-alterations-in-lung-cell-metabolism-post-covid-19-infection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18429/iit-kgp-shows-alterations-in-lung-cell-metabolism-post-covid-19-infection.html Wed, 14 Apr 2021 08:00:00 +0530 Researchers at IIT Kharagpur (Kgp) have, for the first time, reported a method to find an alteration in metabolic reaction rates inside lung cells when they are affected by virus/pathogens. As the method finds and reports critical aspects of physiology, which are affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection, it will enable the discovery of therapeutic targets. Scientists have been trying to extract information from the human genome sequences for the past two decades to gather a better understanding of genetic disorders thus allowing us to penetrate deeper into the fabric of life and enable better therapeutics. Using the power of genomics the researchers posed the operation of reactions as a set of mathematical equations and solved it to obtain which reactions are altered in the cells when SARS-CoV-2 infects a person. Further, the researchers have identified pathways like fatty acid synthesis and lipid metabolism that can be targeted by novel drugs. This model is based on genome-scale differential flux analysis (GS-DFA) in context-specific metabolic models. In the case of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the researchers predict that lipid metabolism particularly fatty acid oxidation, cholesterol biosynthesis and beta-oxidation cycle along with arachidonic acid metabolism to be most affected which was confirmed with clinical metabolomics studies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18411/bbc-ibab-launch-scientific-portal-covid-kosha.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18411/bbc-ibab-launch-scientific-portal-covid-kosha.html Sat, 10 Apr 2021 13:00:00 +0530 A collaborative initiative of the Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC) & Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology (IBAB) - with the support of IT BT & ST Dept., Government of Karnataka, a portal for scientific information for scientists & the public has been launched, called Covid-Kosha. "Covid-19 continues to cause deaths globally. A single online centre for all scientific information can enhance the speed and efficiency of communication among scientists, health professionals, policymakers and the public. We developed such a unique information source, the Covid-Kosha. The beta version of this database is now available at ‘covidkosha.org’  OR resource.ibab.ac.in/covidkosha. The database is a result of a collaborative effort between IBAB, BBC and BdataA. Efforts are on to expand the collaborations", said Kshitish K Acharya, Faculty Scientist, IBAB, & Founder, BdataA, Bengaluru. The main features of this database include a painstaking compilation of scientific information, multi-lingual versions, new software for data analysis, and access to all other standard online sources of scientific information related to Covid-19. There are plans to create additional features in the database. "To maintain the database and develop more useful features, we need further support – financially and otherwise”, Acharya added.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18389/vit-to-develop-aptamer-based-poc-diagnostic-kit-for-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18389/vit-to-develop-aptamer-based-poc-diagnostic-kit-for-covid-19.html Thu, 08 Apr 2021 12:00:00 +0530 A research team from the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) has recently bagged a project, funded by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), to develop an aptamer-based point-of-care (POC) diagnostic kit for the detection of COVID-19. An aptamer-based biosensor, also called aptasensor (APTAS), comprises of biorecognition element that detects the target of interest, which then undergoes transduction, to produce a detectable signal. Aptasensor uses aptamers as a biorecognition element, which favors more benefits over antibodies. "When aptamer conjugated nanoparticles and lateral flow assay technology are integrated, it shows colour with spike protein of coronavirus, a breakthrough that could enable rapid, instant, accurate and real-time testing among a huge population", said Dr. Murugan Ramalingam, Principal Investigator of the project and also Professor at the VIT. "It would be highly sensitive and more user friendly. The diagnostic kit is fabricated with nanoparticles, which act as labels for the naked eye detection, by showing intense red colour in the test pad.  When the sputum samples collected from the individuals are applied on the sample pad of the aptamer-based biosensor, the sample flow through the sensor, where the aptamer nanoparticle conjugation provides colour in the test line solely because of the presence of spike protein showing the presence of COVID-19 in the sample," said Abinaya Jaisankar, a Project Associate in this project. This identification makes the testing faster to segregate the affected and non-affected humans. And it is an easier and faster diagnostic method (less than 5 minutes), which would help facilitate rapid detection of coronavirus symptoms. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18340/amrita-vishwa-vidyapeetham-launches-three-ply-n96-nano-mask.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18340/amrita-vishwa-vidyapeetham-launches-three-ply-n96-nano-mask.html Fri, 26 Mar 2021 17:40:00 +0530 Scientists of Centre for Nanosciences & Molecular Medicine at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham have launched a unique three-ply N96 nano mask based on cutting-edge nanotechnology. It is cost effective and offers far superior filtration and breathability than the conventional N95 and surgical masks. The Amrita N96 Nano Mask, costing less than Rs 200, can be washed up to 30 times for reuse. It is long-lasting, skin-friendly and odour-free, and provides very comfortable wear even for long durations. The fabric makes it effortless for the wearer to breathe in and out even while providing almost 100 per cent protection against harmful microbes. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham is offering the technology for licensing to others for volume production and bring the cost of the mask further down. The Amrita N96 Nano Mask with nano-layered filter is lab tested to provide 99.9 per cent bacterial and virus aerosol filtration as well as 96 per cent particle filtration of more than three microns. It has also been tested by the South India Textile Research Association (SITRA), the premier laboratory supported by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, to test masks and PPEs in the country. Dr Shantikumar Nair, Dean (Research) with Centre for Nanosciences & Molecular Medicine, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, said, “It is an ideal safety gear for healthcare workers and anyone else against infections caused by inhaling harmful bacteria and viruses.” Dr Deepthy Menon, Professor – Nanosciences, Centre for Nanosciences & Molecular Medicine, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham added, “This washable, durable and reusable mask ensures 99.9 per cent bacterial and virus aerosol filtration.” Dr CR Reshmi, Scientist, Centre for Nanosciences & Molecular Medicine, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, mentioned, “The nano-coating, though sophisticated, involves easy to use technology that is scalable and apt for industrial applications for a variety of filtration products that we are currently working on.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18328/cmeri-announces-transfer-of-covid-19-related-technologies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18328/cmeri-announces-transfer-of-covid-19-related-technologies.html Thu, 25 Mar 2021 16:15:00 +0530 CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI), Durgapur has transferred its COVID-19 related technologies namely Integrated Municipal Solid Waste Disposal System in modular form, Oxygen Enrichment Unit and Intelligent UVC LED Steriliser Unit to Sai Enviro Engineers Pvt Ltd (SEEPL), Tuticorin Tamil Nadu, Zen Medical Technologies Pvt Ltd, Ranga Reddy, Telangana and Trinity Microsystems Pvt Ltd, New Delhi. The Oxygen Enrichment Unit developed by the institute is a device, which concentrates the oxygen from the air around us by selectively removing nitrogen to supply an oxygen-enriched air. The concentrated oxygen is delivered to the patient with breathing-related problems through oxygen mask or nasal cannula to improve oxygenation in the blood.   Representative of Zen Medical Technologies Pvt Ltd stated that it would also be equally effective for high altitude terrain soldiers for their contingency purposes due to its smooth portability. The Intelligent UVC LED Steriliser Unit brings an extra protection. This is because hand washing and use of mask may not be enough if objects of regular usage like mobile, wallet or key chains are budding with germs.  While taking the technology the people from Trinity Microsystems Pvt Ltd, New Delhi said that the deployment of this steriliser units at schools and industrial units would be very vital for continuing their businesses during the resurgence of the pandemic. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18316/insacogs-genome-sequencing-shows-novel-sars-cov-2-variant-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18316/insacogs-genome-sequencing-shows-novel-sars-cov-2-variant-in-india.html Wed, 24 Mar 2021 16:35:00 +0530 The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics (INSACOG) is a grouping of 10 National Laboratories that was established by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt of India on December 25, 2020. INSACOG is since then carrying out genomic sequencing and analysis of circulating COVID-19 viruses, and correlating epidemiological trends with genomic variants.  Since INSACOG initiated its work, 771 variants of concerns (VOCs) have been detected in a total of 10787 positive samples shared by States/UTs. These include 736 samples positive for viruses of the UK (B.1.1.7) lineage. 34 samples were found positive for viruses of the South African (B.1.351) lineage. One sample was found positive for viruses of the Brazilian (P.1) lineage. The samples with these VOCs have been identified in 18 states of the country.  Genome sequencing and analysis have been carried out on samples from arriving international travellers, contacts of those positive for VOC and community samples from most of the states at INSACOG partner laboratories which are 10 in number. The analysis of samples from Maharashtra has revealed that compared to December 2020, there has been an increase in the fraction of samples with the E484Q and L452R mutations. Such mutations confer immune escape and increased infectivity. These mutations have been found in about 15-20 per cent of samples and do not match any previously catalogued VOCs. These have been categorised as VOCs but require the same epidemiological and public health response of ‘increased testing, comprehensive tracking of close contacts, prompt isolation of positive cases & contacts as well as treatment as per National Treatment Protocol’ by the States/UTs. From Kerala 2032 samples (from all 14 districts) have been sequenced. The N440K variant that is associated with immune escape has been found in 123 samples from 11 districts. This variant was earlier found in 33 per cent of samples from Andhra Pradesh, and in 53 of 104 samples from Telangana. This variant has also been reported from 16 other countries including the UK, Denmark, Singapore, Japan and Australia. As of now these can be at best said to be variant under investigation. Though VOCs and a new double mutant variant have been found in India, these have not been detected in numbers sufficient to either establish or direct relationship or explain the rapid increase in cases in some states. Genomic sequencing and epidemiological studies are continuing to further analyse the situation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18296/iiser-bhopal-nebraska-university-suggest-repurposing-rapamycin-to-treat-covid-19-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18296/iiser-bhopal-nebraska-university-suggest-repurposing-rapamycin-to-treat-covid-19-.html Mon, 22 Mar 2021 16:25:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal and University of Nebraska Medical Centre, Nebraska, (UNMC), US researchers have identified ‘Rapamycin’ as a drug that can be repurposed to treat COVID-19. Research was conducted by Dr Amjad Husain, Principal Scientist, and Chief Executive Officer, Innovation and Incubation Center for Entrepreneurship (IICE), IISER Bhopal, and Dr Siddappa N Byrareddy, Associate Professor, Pharmacology, and Vice-Chair, Research at UNMC, US.  In a peer-reviewed paper published recently in the reputed International Elsevier journal, Chemico Biological Interactions, the researchers showed that the biochemical working of this drug molecule points to its promise in the treatment of COVID-19. Since the repurposed drug has gone through the clinical development process for the treatment of other diseases and has already been tested for toxicity, many steps in preclinical and early clinical development can be avoided and the the drug can be directly tested on COVID-19 subjects in phase-II trials. Elaborating on the importance of this finding, Dr Husain, said, “Using repurposed drug such as Rapamycin that targets mTOR, a central molecule affecting multiple signalling pathways, may yield a significant clinical benefit for the treatment of COVID-19.” Rapamycin inhibits protein synthesis and can also arrest virus replication, irrespective of the type of mutant. At a biochemical level, apart from inhibiting protein synthesis, Rapamycin has been known to inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, Rapamycin is known to reduce obesity through various pathways and this can help in mitigating the severity of COVID-19 effects in obese people. Furthermore, Rapamycin is known to induce autophagy, a cellular recycling process that helps in eliminating the damaged proteins and delaying ageing.  Recently another study got published in the prestigious journal The Lancet-Healthy Longevity that proposed the potential of Rapamycin analogues (rapalogs) to enhance resilience against SARS-CoV-2 infection and reduce the severity of COVID-19. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18273/cecri-designs-wearable-sensor-capable-of-monitoring-biomarkers-from-sweat-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18273/cecri-designs-wearable-sensor-capable-of-monitoring-biomarkers-from-sweat-.html Thu, 18 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Dr. Vinu Mohan A.M., scientist at CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI), Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, a recipient of the INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship instituted by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, has introduced a flexible low cost, wearable sensor that can track sweat for monitoring the health and physiological status of the human body. It can obviate the necessity of blood and other invasive tests. The wearable microfluidic sensor, which does not need a clean room, can be used for in situ monitoring of biomarkers such as lactate, Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+), and Alkaline/acidic nature (pH)  simultaneously from sweat samples. Using the INSPIRE Faculty fellowship, Dr. Vinu is improving upon the sensor to make it stretchable as well so that it can monitor the sweat during exercising and biking. The sensor can analyse biomarkers from human sweat during exercise activities without transfer of signals. The high-throughput sweat sampling ability of the sensor facilitates continuous capture and transport of sweat over the surface of the device resulting in real-time analysis. The flexible sensor can be attached on the irregular skin surface and monitors the dynamic biomarker levels, and are important for clinical diagnosis and personalized point-of-care analysis. Dr. Vinu Mohan and his team are also exploring other reliable biofluids such as saliva and fluid in tissues as they contain abundant chemical markers that could reflect the underlying physiology of the human body. They are also in-parallel focusing on developing wearable energy storage devices as they are essential for powering wearable electrochemical sensors.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18268/iasst-deploys-deep-learning-network-for-breast-cancer-prognosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18268/iasst-deploys-deep-learning-network-for-breast-cancer-prognosis.html Wed, 17 Mar 2021 13:40:00 +0530 A team from the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) in Guwahati, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology, Govt of India, has presented the novel deep learning (DL) based quantitative evaluation of oestrogen or progesterone status with the help of Immunohistochemistry (IHC) specimen to grade for prediction of breast cancer. The scientists developed a classification method based on deep learning (DL) network to evaluate hormone status for prognosis of breast cancer.  The study by Dr Lipi B Mahanta and her group was done in collaboration with clinicians of B Borooah Cancer Institute, the premier cancer institute of the region. With an enormous prospect for converting to a workable commercial software, this work has been accepted for publication in the pioneer journal Applied Soft Computing. IHC strain is used as a prognostic marker in breast cancer pathology and involves a special kind of colour staining for identifying malignant nuclei. It possesses different intensity based on which categories are defined in terms of Allred score (ranges 0 to 3) respectively. Scoring systems called Allred and H-score are used by pathologists in the quantification of the immunohistochemical reaction of oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) tissue slides. Hormone receptors, namely oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) contribute to predicting cancer progression and associated risk of late recurrence of the disease. The team developed an algorithm that indicated whether or not the cancer cells have hormone receptors on their surface. The proposed architecture, namely IHC-Net, can semantically segment the exact positive and negative nuclei from tissue images. Finally, an ensemble method is used, which integrates the decision of three machine learning (ML) models for the final Allred cancer score. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18266/instem-develops-molecular-sensor-to-identify-cancer-drugs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18266/instem-develops-molecular-sensor-to-identify-cancer-drugs.html Tue, 16 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers from inStem in Bengaluru, in collaboration with Curie Institute, Orsay, France, funded by Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research (IFCPAR/CEFIPRA), a bilateral organization supported by Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India and Government of France, have recently developed a molecular sensor, which can identify cancer drugs by detecting how such chemicals modify microtubules inside living cells. Microtubules are part of the cytoskeleton, a structural network within the cell's cytoplasm, and they alter in response to several chemicals. Understanding tubulin modifications has remained a challenge till date because of unavailability of tools that can mark them in living cells, researchers decided to overcome this shortcoming and developed the first tubulin nanobody - or sensor to study the dynamics of microtubule modifications in living cells and use this for identification of new cancer therapeutic drugs. This work has been recently published recently in the Journal of Cell Biology. The researchers from Bangalore and Orsay devised a method to design synthetic proteins, known as nanobodies, which can bind specifically to modified microtubules. These nanobodies are similar to antibodies made in our body as a defense mechanism against pathogens. However, unlike antibodies, the nanobodies are smaller in size and easily amenable for protein engineering. The nanobody was then coupled with a fluorescent molecule to serve as a detection tool, called sensor. They developed and validated a live cell sensor against a unique microtubule modification called tyrosinated form of microtubules that is already known to be important for cell division and intracellular organization. The tyrosination sensor is the first tubulin nanobody - or sensor - that can be used to study the dynamics of microtubule modifications in living cells. CEFIPRA researchers have shown the application of this sensor in studying the effect of small-molecule compounds that target microtubules. These chemicals are frequently used as anti-cancer drugs. Thus, the tyrosination sensor will facilitate studying microtubule functions for many researchers and will aid identifying new drugs of therapeutic value. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18256/iit-mandi-focuses-on-preventing-neurological-problems-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18256/iit-mandi-focuses-on-preventing-neurological-problems-.html Mon, 15 Mar 2021 17:50:00 +0530 A research team at the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, led by Dr Sumit Sinha Ray, Assistant Professor, School of Engineering, has developed a fibrous membrane filter using a biopolymer-based material to remove heavy metals from water.  Acid mine drainage containing large quantity of heavy metals is a menace. Heavy metals in water could lead to several neurological problems in human including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis, and it is important to develop filters to treat effluents that are released into water bodies to prevent pollution. The results of this research have recently been published in Elsevier journal, Polymer. The paper has been co-authored by Dr Ray and his research scholar, Ashish Kakoria, along with Dr Suman Sinha Ray, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago. “The problems of arsenic pollution in the Ganga basin are well known in India,” says Dr Ray.  These membranes contain adsorbents – materials that attract and hold the metals to binding sites in question. “One specialty of these adsorbents is that they contain a large amount of a biopolymer, Chitosan, derived from crab shells that is mixed with a well-known polymer, nylon,” explains Dr Ray. IIT Mandi researchers have used a process called ‘solution blowing’. “Apart from producing nanofibres, solution blowing processes can enable blending of natural polymers like chitosan, lignin etc with synthetic polymers like Nylon, Poly(methyl methacrylate) etc,” says Dr Ray. Using the solution blowing technique, the IIT Mandi team could replace 40 per cent of the nylon with chitosan. Normally adsorbent fibres bind to the target metal only at their surface, in their nanofibre membranes, the adsorption was seen to happen at the sub-surface scale as well.  The membranes could be reused at least eight times before there was considerable reduction in the efficiency of metal adsorption. Recovery of the adsorbed metal in a metal-hydroxyl nitrate form was also easy, which is a value-addition to the membrane filter. The researchers tested their membrane with copper laden water, to establish proof of principle. Dr Ray and his research team at IIT Mandi are all set to scale up the technology to industrial scales, to handle larger volumes of metal-contaminated water. This study is funded by the Ministry of Mines, Govt of India.   Image caption- (R to L) Dr. Sumit Sinha Ray, Assistant Professor, School of Engineering, IIT Mandi, along with his reseach scholar Ashish Kakoria ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18236/iit-madras-discovers-potential-cure-for-parkinsons-disease-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18236/iit-madras-discovers-potential-cure-for-parkinsons-disease-.html Wed, 10 Mar 2021 15:55:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras researchers have found that energy deficiency in certain cells in the human brain to be a major cause for Parkinson’s disease (PD). This research could lead to scientists and other stakeholders focusing on improving the efficiency of energy delivery to these cells, which might finally lead to a cure for PD. IIT Madras researchers developed a computational model that showed that energy deficiency might be a major cause of SNc cell loss in Parkinson’s disease. This computational modelling was developed by Dr Vignayanandam Ravindernath Muddapu. The findings of this research have been published recently in the prestigious peer-reviewed International Journal Nature Scientific Reports. Elaborating on the important findings of this research, Prof V Srinivasa Chakravarthy, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras, said, “Computational studies suggests that metabolic deficiency within the basal ganglia circuit is the common underlying factor at the sub-cellular, cellular, and network level in PD. Thus, we have a reasonably comprehensive theory of the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease.” This research was undertaken at IIT Madras Computational Neuroscience Laboratory, which aims to build a simplified model of the whole brain and use it to develop applications in medicine and engineering.  The computational model showed that: At the sub-cellular level, metabolic deficiency leads to changes like including alpha-synuclein aggregation, reactive oxygen species production, calcium elevation, and dopamine dysfunction, which are characteristic sub-cellular changes in Parkinson’s disease. Prof Chakravarthy and his team plan to develop a therapeutic computational test bench for PD, wherein the proposed model of SNc will be the centre of a larger framework. This will link cellular-level dysfunctions to behavioural-level abnormalities. Moving forward in the next five years, this type of framework will help in providing personalised medicine for PD patients rather than the currently employed trial and error approach.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18232/iit-g-develops-modern-technique-to-explore-actions-of-ayurvedic-rejuvenating-medicine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18232/iit-g-develops-modern-technique-to-explore-actions-of-ayurvedic-rejuvenating-medicine.html Tue, 09 Mar 2021 13:30:00 +0530 Prof Vibin Ramakrishnan, Professor, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Guwahati (IIT-G) and Prof CC Kartha of Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences (http://cardiovascularsciences.org/) have used modern drug development methods to analyse the mode of action of an Ayurvedic rejuvenating medicine - Amalaki Rasayana. In their study, the results of which have been recently published in Nature partnership journal Systems Biology and Applications, they have shown how Amalaki Rasayana reduces high blood pressure-induced structural and functional changes in the heart. Prof Ramakrishnan and Prof Kartha had earlier found that long term oral intake of Amalaki Rasayana reduces the thickening of heart muscle and improves heart function. The present study that used the emerging scientific approaches of Network Pharmacology and Chemoinformatics shows how the formulation is likely to work in the human body. “The hallmark of Ayurvedic system is the long-standing unverified claim that it is a holistic approach; it treats the body as a whole. Our analysis using the tools and techniques of modern medicine suggests that this is, indeed, true”, says Prof Ramakrishnan. The scientists employed in-vivo studies in small animals, gene-expression and proteomics analysis, informatics tools and the techniques of Systems medicine, all of which are used in the development of allopathic drugs. They also examined the possible synergy among the actions of different components of the Rasayana using the Network Pharmacology approach. “This interdisciplinary approach provides opportunities for systematic investigations for unravelling the mechanism of action of multicomponent Ayurvedic medicines from the perspective of a network of normal functional pathways as well as pathways that are altered in chronic diseases”, says Prof Kartha. The work by Prof Ramakrishnan and Prof Kartha integrates Ayurveda with the principles and practices of modern medicine to contemporise the former’s ‘holistic approach’ with the latter’s ‘magic bullet’ style.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18219/rri-develops-platform-to-detect-effect-of-prolonged-alcohol-exposure-on-rbcs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18219/rri-develops-platform-to-detect-effect-of-prolonged-alcohol-exposure-on-rbcs.html Sat, 06 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Scientists have custom-made a platform to detect the effect of prolonged alcohol exposure on Red Blood Cells (RBCs) through high-resolution measurements of their size. The high-resolution platform that shows the reduction in size of RBCs on alcohol exposure can be tuned for a point-of-care screening of multiple conditions that alter the size and count of RBCs in blood. Although it is known that alcohol affects RBCs, the exact physiological changes are very subtle and difficult to measure. In order to overcome this challenge, scientists from Bengaluru based Raman Research Institute (RRI) have developed custom-made electro-fluidic platform that can detect the change by measuring the cell size in enhanced resolution. The device made in RRI relies on the resistive pulse sensing principle. The team first developed techniques for making tiny micron (1/1000th of a millimetre) sized holes or micro-pores at the tip of a glass capillary with careful fabrication, flame polishing, and image verification. Cells passing through the pore created very tiny electrical pulses, which give direct and most sensitive information of cell count and volume. These results may also be used to explain the lack of oxygen-carrying capability of RBC under alcohol exposure leading to blurred vision, muscular in coordination, and altered mental states from alcohol abuse.  This research work, recently published in ACS Sensors journal of the American Chemical Society, was carried out by researchers Saurabh Kaushik, Manohara M., and K.D Murugan under the guidance of Dr. Soni and Dr. V. Sundaramurthy from National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore. “Our lab had been working on building nanofluidic single-molecule detectors for the last few years. We found that some of the ideas used in the nanofluidic field may also be used in microfluidics in general and cell-biology in particular. We were pleasantly surprised with the reproducibility and resolution of our devices,” said Professor Gautam Soni. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18210/iit-guwahati-designs-automated-ai-system-to-detect-colorectal-cancer-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18210/iit-guwahati-designs-automated-ai-system-to-detect-colorectal-cancer-.html Thu, 04 Mar 2021 16:15:00 +0530 A team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati), led by Prof Manas Kamal Bhuyan, Professor, Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering, IIT Guwahati, along with scientists from renowned research institutes around the world, have designed an automated artificial intelligence-based system to detect colorectal cancer using colonoscopy images. Results of their work have recently been published in Nature group - Scientific Reports. The paper has been co-authored by Dr Kangkana Bora of Cotton University, Guwahati, Dr Kunio Kasugai of Aichi Medical University, Japan. Prof Zhongming Zhao from the University of Texas, Health Science Centre, Houston, US, and Dr Saurav Mallik of Harvard University, US have also contributed to the study. “We have developed an innovative automated system that can help the physician rapidly and accurately detect colorectal cancer from colonoscopy images,” says Prof Bhuyan. Scientists from Cotton University, Guwahati, Harvard University, University of Texas Health Science Centre Houston and Aichi Medical University, Japan have collaborated with the IIT Guwahati professor in this development. Assisted by his then-post doctorate student, Dr Kangkana Bora, who is now an assistant professor at the Cotton University, Prof Bhuyan analysed real colonoscopy images generated by Dr Kunio Kasugai of Aichi Medical University, to develop the AI based cancer detection system. “Our extensive experiments show that the proposed method outperforms the existing feature-based (conventional) approaches for colonic polyp detection,” the authors write in their paper. To evaluate the robustness of their system, they compared their work with four classical deep learning models and found theirs to be better than others.  “Our AI algorithm can be easily integrated with current methods of diagnosis, which is a significant USP for this work,” says Dr Bora. They plan to commercialise the technology in the future as the market need is enormous. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18181/iiit-delhi-develops-smart-automated-hand-sanitiser-machine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18181/iiit-delhi-develops-smart-automated-hand-sanitiser-machine.html Mon, 01 Mar 2021 11:40:00 +0530 The Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE) Labs at the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Delhi has developed a smart automated hand sanitiser machine.  The machine drops a fixed (controlled) amount of sanitiser after the presence of hands. It waits for some fixed time before the next shot, in case the user needs more amount. This mechanism avoids the excessive waste of sanitiser, making it extremely safe for use in the current pandemic. The machine has provisions to offer dual-mode operation (either AC or DC power supply), the level indicator, low sanitiser level alarm, temperature sensing, data logging etc. The device has been thoroughly tested for its effectiveness and has been installed at the entry gates of the campus. It has significantly reduced the risk of infection entering the campus and has guaranteed the safety of students as well as the staff to a great extent. The first version of the device (prototype version) was released on the 9th convocation ceremony of the institution, whereas the second and more robust version is in operation for the past five months without any failure and has been placed at gate no 1 of the institute. Besides this current innovation of the automatic hand sanitiser machine, the students and faculty of IIIT Delhi also developed the WashKaro app to provide all COVID-19 related updates to the people. The institute also contributed to drug research by thoroughly exploring the domain of drug repositioning.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18163/rri-develops-technique-for-early-diagnosis-of-cancer-alzheimers-parkinsons.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18163/rri-develops-technique-for-early-diagnosis-of-cancer-alzheimers-parkinsons.html Fri, 26 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Scientists have developed a new technique to measure DNA modifications that can have applications in early diagnosis of multiple diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s diseases. Alteration in DNA affects their expression and functions. DNA controls cell survival through the genetic code as well as via modifications to its structure.  The novel nanopore-based platform developed by the scientists can directly measure such modifications or branched DNA properties with the single-molecule resolution even with extremely low amounts of sample. The platform and associated analysis techniques developed by a team of scientists led by Professor Gautam Soni from Raman Research Institute (RRI), an autonomous Institute funded by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India can quantitatively assess the distribution of supercoiled branches on DNA plasmids (DNA molecule outside the chromosome). This research work done by researchers Sumanth Kumar, Koushik S, and Dr Soni has been recently published in the journal ‘Nanoscale’. The measurement principle of the novel platform is analogous to the Archimedes principle. Individual analyte molecules are driven through a nanopore under an applied voltage, which, during translocation, results in a tiny electrical blip. Charges excluded by the analyte  (supercoiled  DNA) in the  nanopore is directly proportional to the volume of the particle and is directly measured as the current change. This method utilises extremely low amounts of sample and can measure DNA structural changes ranging to a few nanometers resolution in the axis perpendicular to the translocation and few tens of nanometers along the translocation axis. Further optimisation of the technique can help in the development of portable nano-bio sensors for detection and quantification of protein aggregates and cell-free DNA or nucleosomes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18170/iit-m-identifies-alternative-method-for-producing-anti-cancer-drug-camptothecin.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18170/iit-m-identifies-alternative-method-for-producing-anti-cancer-drug-camptothecin.html Thu, 25 Feb 2021 14:10:00 +0530 IIT Madras (IIT-M) Researchers have now developed an alternative method of Camptothecin production to meet the demand and conserve the natural sources. To this effect, they developed a microbial fermentation process that can be an economically efficient and sustainable method of production to fulfil the market demand at large scale.  The research was led by Dr Smita Srivastava, Associate Professor, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras. This work was recently published in the reputed peer-reviewed international Journal of Scientific Reports (a Nature Research Publication). Highlighting the applications for this research, Dr Srivastava, said, “The novelty of the work lies in the fact that unlike other potential microbial strains reported, this strain has been found to show sustainable production even beyond 100 generations. The plan now is to use the isolated novel strain for the development of a microbial fermentation based sustainable bioprocess for large scale in vitro production of Camptothecin, preferably in collaboration with interested Industrial partner(s).” Prof Suresh Kumar Rayala, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras, said, “Preliminary investigations on breast cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer and colorectal cancer cell lines revealed that the microbial extract demonstrates a potent cytotoxic effect on lung cancer (H1299), ovarian cancer (SKOV3) and colorectal cancer (HT29; Caco-2) cell lines, comparable to the standard Camptothecin.” Khwajah Mohinudeen, IIT Madras PhD Research Scholar who worked on this study, said, “Researchers from the Plant Cell Bioprocessing laboratory at IIT Madras have been able to successfully isolate the highest-yielding strain of Camptothecin reported to date with sustainable production up to reactor level. In addition to isolating a novel microbial source for bioprocess development for the large scale production of Camptothecin, we have also come up with a rapid screening technique for isolation of high Camptothecin yielding microbial strains from plants.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18166/syngene-brings-out-novel-approach-to-treat-acute-myeloid-leukaemia.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18166/syngene-brings-out-novel-approach-to-treat-acute-myeloid-leukaemia.html Wed, 24 Feb 2021 18:55:00 +0530 Two Syngene scientists, Vijaykumar Chennupati and Balaji Ramachandran, co-authored an article titled ‘Selective recruitment of γδ T cells by a bispecific antibody for the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia’ that got published in Leukemia, a prestigious international journal from the Nature Publishing Group. The scientists designed and conducted the experiments and performed the data analysis and helped with interpretation. The article details important findings and solutions that were brought forth by the scientists in the novel approach for the treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). Despite significant progress over the last few decades in the treatment of AML, there still remains a major unmet medical need for this disease. The treatment approaches under immunotherapy include, monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy, anti-CD33 antibodies, anti-CD123 antibodies, adoptive T cell therapy, among others. However, each has their own challenges that brings about the need to develop better, safer and accurate treatment solutions to treat AML. The authors designed a bispecific antibody that can simultaneously bind to immune cells and AML cancer cells, thereby bringing the two cell types in close proximity to destroy AML blast cells in the body. Further investigations and research on anti-TRGV9/anti-CD123 have shown promising results that can change the way immunotherapy-based treatment for AML can be carried out. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18162/jncasr-develops-potential-drug-candidate-for-alzheimers-disease.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18162/jncasr-develops-potential-drug-candidate-for-alzheimers-disease.html Wed, 24 Feb 2021 14:45:00 +0530 Scientists have developed a small molecule that disrupts the mechanism through which neurons become dysfunctional in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The molecule could be a potential drug candidate to halt or cure the leading cause of dementia (70-80 per cent) worldwide. A team of scientists led by Professor T Govindaraju from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, designed and synthesised a set of novel small molecules and identified a lead candidate which they found could reduce the toxicity of Amyloid Beta (Aβ) toxicity. The detailed studies established the molecule called TGR63 as the lead candidate to rescue neuronal cells from amyloid toxicity. Remarkably, the molecule was also found to reduced amyloid burden in the cortex and hippocampus, or a complex part embedded deep into the temporal lobe, thereby reversing cognitive decline. This research has been published recently in the journal Advanced Therapeutics. Mice brain affected with Alzheimer’s disease when treated with TGR63 showed a significant reduction of amyloid deposits, validating its therapeutic efficacy. The mice also showed reduction of learning deficiency, memory impairment, and cognitive decline as revealed by distinct behavioural tests. These key attributes have validated the potential of TGR63 as a promising drug candidate for the treatment of AD. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18147/iiser-bhopal-develops-ai-ml-powered-covid-police-to-ensure-safety-protocols-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18147/iiser-bhopal-develops-ai-ml-powered-covid-police-to-ensure-safety-protocols-.html Mon, 22 Feb 2021 16:30:00 +0530 Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal innovators have developed a low cost ‘Crowd and Mask’ monitoring system, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  In an initiative to tackle the spread of COVID-19, Dr PB Sujit, Associate Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, IISER Bhopal along with Dr Mitradip Bhattacharjee and Dr Santanu Talukdar, Assistant Professors, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, IISER Bhopal and Dr Venkateshwar Rao, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, IISER Bhopal, and BSMS Student Kasi Viswanath developed this AI-enabled device that can replicate manual policing to ensure the COVID-19 prevention norms are being followed. Elaborating about this innovation, Dr Sujit said, “We wanted a simple advisory system to warn students of breaching social distancing norms at selected locations” To achieve the desired outcome, the innovators used the principles of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI-ML) in a high definition camera attached to a microchip computer and a 5V battery in a 3D printed case to monitor the movement of people in the campus. If the camera detects that the social distancing and mask norms were not being followed, the device starts alerting the crowd with a pre-recorded message. The innovators deployed the device at the campus in October 2020 and continuously improved it till it became stable with minimum false alarms. The innovators are planning to open source the complete system along with a how-to-use tutorial for the betterment of society in such disruptive times.  “Given opportunity, this device can be deployed at various crowded public places to ensure that the basic safety rules are not violated in this tough time of Covid-19 pandemic,” feels the IISER Bhopal team. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18141/bill-melinda-gates-foundation-inks-mou-with-csir-to-promote-health-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18141/bill-melinda-gates-foundation-inks-mou-with-csir-to-promote-health-research.html Fri, 19 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the development, conduct and promotion of health research in India. Gates Foundation and CSIR will work together to identify opportunities to initiate scientific and technological collaborations. These will focus on developing and testing new preventions, therapies and interventions that can help to solve major health concerns that affect India and other developing countries. As per the MoU, areas of research collaboration would include genetic diseases that impact infant and neonatal mortality; new diagnostics and devices for infectious disease and environmental surveillance; development of cost-effective processes for drug, vaccines, biologics, and diagnostics manufacturing; novel microbiome-directed foods; socio-economic impact of science and technological tools; and other areas of health and development. The MoU was signed by Hari Menon, Director, India Country Office on behalf of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Dr G N Dayananda, Head, Technology Management Directorate – Industry Interface, CSIR. On the occasion of the signing of the MoU,DG-CSIR, Dr Shekhar C Mande, commented, “The opportunity to work closely with Gates Foundation on broad spectrum of activities in health and development, will accelerate the R&D and implementation of innovations in the coming years that are not only relevant to India but to the world’. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18128/iit-m-finds-way-for-more-effective-drugs-to-treat-hiv-aids.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18128/iit-m-finds-way-for-more-effective-drugs-to-treat-hiv-aids.html Thu, 18 Feb 2021 18:00:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) researchers are working on a revolutionary new idea that can pave the way to effective drugs for treating HIV/AIDS. Using molecular dynamics simulations, the research team have shown that introducing electrostatic interaction sites on potential drug molecules can enhance the efficacy of the antiviral drug against the HIV virus. This research was led by Prof Sanjib Senapati, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras, along with his research scholars, Mohammed Ahsan and Chinmai Pindi. The results of their ground-breaking work have recently been published in the prestigious peer-review Journal of the American Chemical Society – Biochemistry. Elaborating on this research, Prof Senapati, said, “Current inhibitors that target HIVPR make use of the weak forces of attraction called ‘van der Waal’s forces’ to attach themselves to the protease molecule. Given that these forces are weak, the efficacy of the drug is variable and the virus will soon become resistant to them.” One of the routes that drug developers work on is to attack is HIV-1 protease (HIVPR), an essential enzyme that is used by the AIDS virus for growth and maturation. Drug designers have aimed at developing efficient inhibitors of the enzyme – inhibitors are molecules that bind with the enzyme, thereby making it unavailable to the virus for growth and maturation. The molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies conducted by IIT Madras researchers showed the presence of a strong and asymmetrical electric charge in the active site of the HIVPR. If a drug molecule can be designed with a complementary charge, so that it can bind tightly with this active site through electrostatic attraction, it can permanently deactivate/inhibit the enzyme.  “Current drugs lack this electrostatic complementarity. This must be investigated because it is well-known that electrostatic forces between molecules are much stronger than van der Waals forces,” added Prof Senapati. Thus, Prof Senapati and his team propose that drug design strategies should embrace both electrostatics and van der Waals interactions to complement the HIVPR active site architecture.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18100/serb-announces-women-excellence-award-2021.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/18100/serb-announces-women-excellence-award-2021.html Sat, 13 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0530 Four young women fellows of National Science Academies have been awarded for excelling in science and engineering on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2021. The SERB Women Excellence Award that has been conferred on them provides a grant of Rs. 15 lakhs for a period of three years to the awardees to pursue their research ideas. The award given by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a Statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) supporting basic research in the frontier areas of science and engineering, was launched in the year 2013. It is a one-time award given to women scientists below 40 years of age who have received recognition from any one or more of the National Academies such as Young Scientist Medal, Young Associateship, etc. The for women scientists selected for the awards include-  Dr. Shobhna Kapoor, Assistant Professor at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, working in the area of Chemical Biology with expertise in ‘Host-Pathogen Interactions and Membrane Biology, Chemical Biology and Biophysics’ Dr. Antara Banerjee, Scientist B National Institute For Research In Reproductive Health, Mumbai, Maharashtra from the Health Sciences area with expertise in Signal Transduction, Biology of Reproduction and Endocrinology Dr. Sonu Gandhi Scientist D from National Institute Of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad from Bionanotechnology area focusing on Nanosensors, Design and Fabrication of Label-free Biosensors Dr. Ritu Gupta, Assistant Professor at Indian Institute Of Technology Jodhpur, Rajasthan working on Nanotechnology with expertise in Materials Science, Nanodevices and Sensors, Health & Energy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17970/us-scientists-link-mitochondrial-dna-levels-with-severity-of-covid-19-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17970/us-scientists-link-mitochondrial-dna-levels-with-severity-of-covid-19-.html Thu, 21 Jan 2021 08:05:00 +0530 Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis have shown that a relatively simple and rapid blood test can predict — within a day of a hospital admission — which patients with COVID-19 are at highest risk of severe complications or death. The study, published Jan 14 in JCI Insight, involved nearly 100 patients newly admitted to the hospital with COVID-19. The blood test measures levels of mitochondrial DNA, a unique type of DNA molecule that normally resides inside the energy factories of cells. “Doctors need better tools to evaluate the status of COVID-19 patients as early as possible because many of the treatments — such as monoclonal antibodies — are in short supply, and we know that some patients will get better without intensive treatments,” said Andrew E Gelman, Co-senior author, Jacqueline G and William E Maritz Endowed Chair in Immunology and Oncology in the Department of Surgery. “We will need larger trials to verify what we found in this study, but if we could determine in the first 24 hours of admission whether a patient is likely to need dialysis or intubation or medication to keep their blood pressure from dropping too low,” said Hrishikesh S Kulkarni, author, Assistant Professor, Medicine. They found that mitochondrial DNA levels were much higher in patients who eventually were admitted to the ICU, intubated or died. The researchers found this association held independently of a patient’s age, sex and underlying health conditions. Gelman said, “The cell breaks open, releasing the contents, including mitochondrial DNA, which itself drives inflammation.” Before they can apply for approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the scientists will need to verify that the test is accurate in a larger multi-centre trial.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17965/transgenic-zebrafish-could-pave-way-for-alternative-anti-cancer-therapy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17965/transgenic-zebrafish-could-pave-way-for-alternative-anti-cancer-therapy.html Wed, 20 Jan 2021 17:45:00 +0530 Scientists are exploring an alternative anti-cancer therapy that involves targeting tumour generated by the formation of new blood vessels which allow the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the body's tissues, technically called angiogenesis. Dr Vimalraj Selvaraj, Centre for Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai, a recipient of the INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship instituted by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, is exploring the role of compensatory angiogenesis signalling cues as key targets for cancer therapy. He has already found that nitric oxide (NO) plays a key role in switching off angiogenesis under tumour microenvironment and that the melatonin hormone suppresses tumour angiogenesis. Using the INSPIRE Faculty programme Dr Vimalraj and his research team is further working to develop transgenic zebrafish (which have exogenous genes added to their genome) model by use of the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing tool to further study the compensatory angiogenesis mechanism in tumour microenvironment. Differential expression of biomolecules between two types of angiogenesis (sprouting angiogenesis and intussusceptive angiogenesis ) and their molecular mechanism will be analysed using transgenic zebrafish models in tumour microenvironment. The transgenic or CRISPR/Cas9 edited Zebrafish platform (TZP) can be used for studying the efficacy of a  drug as anti or pro-angiogenesis in the next phase of the project. The transgenic zebrafish model has been selected for the intussusceptive angiogenesis study because of its rapid development, optically transparent, high yield in offspring, and easy techniques for forward and reverse gene manipulation.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17955/iit-m-develops-ultrasound-based-temperature-tracking-for-treatment-monitoring.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17955/iit-m-develops-ultrasound-based-temperature-tracking-for-treatment-monitoring.html Mon, 18 Jan 2021 18:00:00 +0530 Researchers of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M)  have developed an Ultrasound-based temperature tracking for treatment monitoring. Unlike other imaging modalities, ultrasound combines several advantages such as safety (non-ionising), real-time capability and portability, among others. This solution involves obtaining diagnostic ultrasound signals from the tissue region of interest inside the body, where heating is applied non-invasively from outside either through microwave applicator or High-intensity Focused ultrasound (HIFU), and process these signals, specifically, using prior knowledge from physics of wave interaction with the tissue medium. The Practical Benefits of this technology in the healthcare field include: Non-invasive treatment and real-time monitoring of the process Safe to use as no exposure to ionising radiation is involved Portable and suitable for point-of-care applications The ultrasound-based real-time feedback can be readily integrated with low-intensity ultrasound heat therapy devices that are commonly used in most physiotherapy centres The IIT-M Researchers' contribution is to monitor this in real-time when, specifically, microwave is used. This combination makes it completely non-invasive and affordable. Prof Arun K Thittai, Department of Applied Mechanics, IIT Madras, said, “Having multi-parametric image feedback allows for accurate real-time monitoring for a wide range of thermal therapies. These techniques can be incorporated as a software in existing scanners by the manufacturers and thus does not require any special electronics hardware.” Currently, the IIT-M researchers have demonstrated the feasibility of the methods using experiments done on tissue mimicking phantoms and ex-vivo tissue samples.  The Research Team involves faculty from the Department of Engineering Design at IIT-M for the microwave applicator aspect. This research has been undertaken at the biomedical ultrasound laboratory at IIT-M. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17931/nechri-iit-g-sign-mou-to-conduct-interdisciplinary-research-in-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17931/nechri-iit-g-sign-mou-to-conduct-interdisciplinary-research-in-cancer.html Wed, 13 Jan 2021 14:05:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with North East Cancer Hospital and Research Institute (NECHRI), Jorabat, Assam, at IIT Guwahati. The collaboration between IIT Guwahati and NECHRI started in 2014. Both IIT Guwahati and NECHRI have been engaged in identifying novel biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, therapy and recurrence. Both the institutes have also been engaged in identifying cancer susceptible population from North East India. The MoU will enable IIT Guwahati and NECHRI to strengthen more collaborations and to help cancer patients from NE region.   The institute has already obtained over 500 cancer samples from patients registered with from NECHRI. The researchers involved in this collaboration are currently examining these samples to identify novel prognosis, therapeutic and recurrence biomarkers for the better management of the patients from North East region. Commenting on the MoU, Prof TG Sitharam, Director, IIT Guwahati, said, “This MoU would help both the institutions to conduct interdisciplinary research in cancer and share the expertise between clinicians and scientists.  The main aim of this MoU is to eradicate cancer from North East region, which is known as the hub of cancer in India.”  Prof Kunnumakkara, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Guwahati, said, “This initiative will specifically focus more for the prevention of cancer in North East region and to identify the high-risk population. Dr Munidra Narayan Baruah, Managing Director and Chief Physician, NECHRI said, “This collaboration with IIT Guwahati is historic and would help us to develop indigenous instruments, diagnostic devices and drugs that are affordable for our population through an interdisciplinary approach.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17915/iit-m-links-low-breathing-frequency-with-covid-19-risk.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17915/iit-m-links-low-breathing-frequency-with-covid-19-risk.html Mon, 11 Jan 2021 15:15:00 +0530 A team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M) has found that the process of virus-laden droplets being transported into deep lung increases with decreasing breathing frequency. The research team modeled the breathing frequency in a laboratory and found that low breathing frequency increases the time of residence of the virus and therefore it increases chances of deposition and consequently the infection. Also, the multi-scale lung structure has a significant effect on a person’s susceptibility to COVID-19. The research was led by Prof Mahesh Panchagnula, Department of Applied Mechanics, IIT Madras, with his research scholars Arnab Kumar Mallik and Soumalya Mukherjee, IIT Madras. The findings of this study were published in the international reputed peer-reviewed journal Physics of Fluids. Elaborating on the need for such research, Prof Panchagnula, said, “The study demonstrates the physical process by which aerosol particles are transported into the deep generations of the lung.” In their research, the team reported that holding the breath and having a low breathing rate can increase the chances of virus deposition in the lungs. The study was conducted to pave the way for developing better therapies and drugs for respiratory infections. The researchers studied the movement of the fluorescent aerosol particles in capillaries of size ranging from 0.3 to 2 millimetres which covers the range of bronchiole diameters. They found that the deposition is inversely proportional to the aspect ratio of capillaries, which suggests that the droplets are likely to deposit in longer bronchioles. They found that when the flow of aerosol movement is steady then the particles deposit via the process of diffusion, however, if the flow is turbulent then the particles deposit via the process of impaction. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17864/barc-develops-indigenous-ruthenium-106-plaque-to-treat-eye-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17864/barc-develops-indigenous-ruthenium-106-plaque-to-treat-eye-cancer.html Tue, 29 Dec 2020 18:00:00 +0530 Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space has lauded the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Mumbai for developing Eye Cancer therapy in the form of the first indigenous Ruthenium 106 Plaque for treatment of Ocular Tumours. The handling of plaque is very convenient for the surgeon and it has been acknowledged to be at par with the international standards. Pertinent to mention that in October last year, Dr KN Vyas, Chairman cum Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) had held a detailed discussion with MoSIncharge Atomic Energy Dr Singh regarding the feasibility of developing this regimen of ophthalmic patches by the Department of Atomic Energy. AIIMS, New Delhi agreed to use the Plaque developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) for Eye Cancer treatment and it was in September 2020 that it was used for the first time for the treatment of a patient with Choroidal Hemangioma and the results proved to be satisfactory. According to Dr Atul Kumar, Professor and Head, Dr Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS New Delhi, so far the BARC plaques made in India through the Department of Atomic Energy have been used for seven cases for Ocular Cancer, out of which two were Retinoblastoma, two were Choroidal Melanoma, two Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia (OSSN) and one case of Choroidal Hemangioma. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17798/new-study-reveals-anti-viral-benefits-of-chlorhexidine-mouthwash.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17798/new-study-reveals-anti-viral-benefits-of-chlorhexidine-mouthwash.html Thu, 17 Dec 2020 16:05:00 +0530 A preliminary laboratory based research conducted by Dr HSJ Institute of Dental Sciences, Panjab University in collaboration with CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH) revealed that one of the most routinely used mouth rinses, Chlorhexidine, has proven to be effective against SARS-CoV-2. The study, titled ‘Chlorhexidine: An effective anti-Covid mouth rinse’ was supported by Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and Design Innovation Centre, Panjab University. Studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 virus colonises in the oral and nasal cavities. Mouth rinses can be an effective way to reduce the colonisation and possibly reduce the transmission of infection. The public at large has become very conscious about oral hygiene in these COVID times so as to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Chlorhexidine is a gold standard mouth rinse due to its broad spectrum bactericidal and virucidal properties. This study was aimed at providing an insight into the effectiveness of Chlorhexidine 0.2% against SARS-CoV-2, through an analysis in a laboratory. It was observed that, chlorhexidine digluconate mouth rinses in 0.2% concentration kill more than 99.9% of SARS-CoV-2 virus in minimal contact time of 30 seconds.   Dr Ashish Jain from Dr HSJ Institute of Dental Sciences, the author of the study, said “Our study revealed that a mouth rinse with the required concentration of Chlorhexidine killed coronavirus within 30 seconds after being exposed in a laboratory. These are the initial results from the lab studies and need to be verified through clinical studies. We are indeed grateful to Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and Design Innovation Centre, Panjab University for providing support in conducting this preliminary study successfully. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17709/chitkara-university-scl-design-neural-amplifier-silicon-chip.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17709/chitkara-university-scl-design-neural-amplifier-silicon-chip.html Fri, 04 Dec 2020 12:25:00 +0530 The VLSI Centre of Excellence, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, in collaboration with Semi-conductor Laboratory (SCL), Mohali, Punjab, have designed and fabricated a low-voltage low-noise neural amplifier silicon chip in 0.18 µm technology useful for diagnosis of various chronic diseases like Parkinson, Spinal cord injuries, Epilepsy and Paralysis etc. This neural amplifier chip was released in an event held in Chitkara University campus in the presence of Dr Madhu Chitkara, Pro-Chancellor, Chitkara University, Dr Archana Mantri, Vice-Chancellor, Chitkara University and HS Jatana, Group Head - Design and Process group, SCL.  Speaking on the occasion, Dr Chitkara reiterated University’s commitment to promote the cause of research and innovation so as to pass on the maximum benefit to its students who eventually are nation builders of tomorrow.   The designed neural amplifier silicon chip can also be used in developing neural prosthetics systems for physically disabled persons. Dr Kulbhushan Sharma under the supervision of Dr Rajnish Sharma, Senior Professor, Chitkara University and SCL team led by HS Jatana was associated with this work. The layout and post-layouts simulations of neural amplifier silicon chip were performed by Dr Kulbhushan Sharma during a few months training at SCL under the observation of Rahul Kumar Tripathi, Senior Scientist, SCL. This work is an example of hand in hand efforts put forth by both academia and industry which is useful not only for clinics and patients but also to the research scholars and circuit design community working in bio-potential signal recording all over the world. Further, the novel low-voltage and low-noise techniques reported in the design of neural amplifier are expected to be used by the scientific community for implementing various other circuits such as voltage amplifiers and transimpedance amplifiers etc for biomedical applications. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17676/instem-develops-germicidal-fabric-technology-for-face-masks.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17676/instem-develops-germicidal-fabric-technology-for-face-masks.html Mon, 30 Nov 2020 13:55:00 +0530 An innovative germicidal fabric technology developed in the laboratory of Praveen Vemula at the DBT-Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (DBT-inStem) Bangalore, has been used to coat fabric that has been launched as face masks. Dr Praveen Vemula’s group intensified the development of the germicidal coating in April of 2020, as part of the national effort, led by the Department of Biotechnology, towards the current COVID-19 pandemic.    This technology has been shown to inactivate viruses and bacteria upon contact. In the laboratory, the G-fab technology achieved a 99.99% reduction rate against a wide range of enveloped viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, the influenza virus (H1N1 flu), as well as both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. A non-exclusive license to Color Threads, a company based in Tirupur, and an incubate at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), has enabled the rapid transfer of this technology, and the development of a germicidal fabric called, G-fab 99+ antiviral. DBT-inStem has issued a non-exclusive license to a Tirupur-based Indian company called Color Threads. Incubated at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), the company has further refined the technology to make it market-ready through bulk scale production and setting up manufacturing capacity. Color Threads has also collaborated with the Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited (Van Heusen) to manufacture and market the masks to reach the pan-India population.  DBT-inStem forms part of the Bangalore Life Science Cluster, an innovative institutional model for cutting-edge scientific research. The vision of the Cluster is to have an integrated multi-disciplinary and interactive bioscience and technology research enterprise, which will result in path-changing scientific discoveries, and the translation of these into tangible technological advances. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17670/researchers-identify-rare-form-of-hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17670/researchers-identify-rare-form-of-hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy.html Fri, 27 Nov 2020 18:05:00 +0530 Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) affects the health of the heart muscle. Genetic cause of ~40-50 per cent of HCM are not known. The mutations responsible for HCM often localised to genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. In a study published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports, Scientists from MedGenome, Bengaluru, India and Amrita Institute of Medical Science and Research (Amrita Hospital), Cochin, India report a rare form of HCM where they have identified mutation in a non-sarcomeric protein PRKAG2.  This study was the first of its kind from India that analysed the inheritance pattern of the mutation in a large number of multigenerational affected members from three unrelated families. The genetic data obtained helped refine the clinical diagnosis providing a template for personalised treatment applying genomics in the clinic. The families in the study were followed longitudinally for over seven years to understand the natural history and clinical outcomes of the affected individuals adding to our knowledge of the disease and interventions needed. Dr Sameer Phalke, Senior Scientist, MedGenome and senior study co-author said, “Genetic testing for HCM diagnosis and screening for risk can now be used routinely for overall disease management.”  “As far as inherited cardiovascular disease is concerned, it is quite clear that we are now in the era of leveraging the potential of cardiovascular genetic testing for the prompt recognition of potentially life-threatening disease as well as choosing an appropriate management strategy to achieve optimum outcomes in our patients.” said Dr Hisham Ahmed, Clinical Associate Professor of Cardiology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Kochi,  the lead clinical scientist and senior study co-author. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17587/iit-r-leverages-ai-to-predict-fda-approved-drugs-to-tackle-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17587/iit-r-leverages-ai-to-predict-fda-approved-drugs-to-tackle-covid-19.html Thu, 12 Nov 2020 13:25:00 +0530 Amid the rapid transmission of COVID-19, a group of scientists from IIT Roorkee (IIT-R), led by Prof Soumitra Satapathi have leveraged Artificial Intelligence (AI) to predict 10 FDI- approved commercial drugs available for the treatment of the disease. The study has been published in the prestigious journal PLOS One. The other co-authors of the study include Sovesh Mohapatra, Prathul Nath, Manisha Chatterjee, Neeladrisingha Das, Deepjyoti Kalita and Partha Roy. The complexity in drug design and protocols regarding clinical trials often inhibit the process of developing various new drug combinations for the disease. IIT Roorkee scientists have successfully deployed Machine Learning-based-AI techniques to predict the commercial drugs that could be used for the treatment of COVID-19. "Our study predicts around ten FDA approved commercial drugs that can be used for the treatment," says Prof Satapathi, Principal Investigator and an Associate Professor of Physics in IIT Roorkee. Many of the predicted drugs are already in use for the treatment of COVID-19, and some are in trials. "Given the need of the present time, the present approach will save a lot of resources and time for synthesising novel drugs and thus will be useful for a vast majority of the medical research community,” Prof Satapathi added. The Machine Learning (ML) model based on the naive Bayes algorithm was used to predict the drugs that could be used for the treatment of COVID-19. The study shows that around ten FDA approved commercial drugs can be used for repurposing. Among all, it has also been found that the antiretroviral drug Amprenavir would probably be the most effective drug based on the selected criterions. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17548/vit-uses-bioengineering-approach-for-neuroregeneration.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17548/vit-uses-bioengineering-approach-for-neuroregeneration.html Fri, 06 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0530 An international team of researchers from Vellore institute of Technology (VIT) in Tamil Nadu, led by Murugan Ramalingam, and Jiangsu University (JU) in China, led by Jiabo Hu, have successfully regenerated a defective sciatic nerve using stem cell extracts. Peripheral nerve injury is a common and devastating complication which can dramatically affect a patient's life. Nerve regeneration is a complex process. Stem cells promote peripheral nerve regeneration. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells, capable of renewing themselves and give rise to many different types of cells in the body. The various clinical trials involving stem cells support functional recovery after nerve injury, which sheds light on stem cell therapy in near future. However, the mechanism underlying the regeneration strategies of stem cells has not yet been fully understood. It is thought that the stem cells promote tissue regeneration and functional recovery mainly by releasing various paracrine factors. In a recent study, as reported in the journal of biomaterials and tissue engineering, a team of researchers from the VIT and JU were successfully demonstrated that the stem cell extracts, known as microvesicles (MVs), have nerve tissue regenerative potential and biologically safe and effective in animal models. MVs are a type of extracellular vesicles, having a size range from 100 to 1000 nanometer (nm) in diameter, which are released from the cell membrane. One nm is equal to one-billionth of a meter. A human hair is about 80,000 - 120,000 nm wide. Stem cell-derived MVs contain various signalling molecules that can trigger the tissue regeneration. MVs play a critical role in cell biological process and are responsible for cell-to-cell communication which is essential for tissue repair and regeneration. MVs are considered as a new therapeutic candidate and are preferred over stem cells for their ethical and safety profiles, said Murugan Ramalingam, senior author of the study. The team has isolated the MVs from mesenchymal stem cells by ultracentrifugation process. A Sprague-Dawley rat model of sciatic nerve crush injury was established and the MVs were administrated as injection through caudal vein.  The neural regenerative potential and efficacy of MVs were investigated using various tests, including the rat footprint test, the hematoxylin and eosin staining of nerve fibers and gastrocnemius muscle fibers. The results showed that the stem cell-derived MVs obviously had an effect on nerve injury repair and inhibited the denervation atrophy of gastrocnemius muscles, said Hu, senior author of the study. This study implied that MVs could be considered as a potential candidate for neuroregeneration and as an alternative to stem cell-based approaches where ethics and safety are considered as major concerns. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17513/iit-mandi-links-opioid-addiction-drug-with-type-2-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17513/iit-mandi-links-opioid-addiction-drug-with-type-2-diabetes.html Mon, 02 Nov 2020 17:00:00 +0530 Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi have unravelled the mechanism by which insulin overload in the body causes insulin resistance that is associated with diabetes. They have found the drug that is used in treating opioid addiction can potentially reverse this phenomenon.   The results of the research work that was funded by the Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB) grant, have recently been published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. The paper has been authored by the lead scientist on this research Dr Prosenjit Mondal, Associate Professor, School of Basic Sciences, IIT Mandi, and Co-investigators on the study were research scholars, Abhinav Choubey, Khyati Girdhar of IIT Mandi along with Dr Debabrata Ghosh, Aditya K Kar, and Shaivya Kushwaha of CSIR-IITR, Lucknow and Dr Manoj Kumar Yadav of SRM University, Delhi-NCR, Sonipat, Haryana, “We’ve known that one of the causes of insulin resistance is inflammation”, says Dr Mondal, “We wanted to find out if and how hyperinsulinemia invokes inflammation in the body, which would provide the link between the two conditions”.  The researchers identified a critical protein molecule – SIRT1 which is repressed in hyperinsulinemia. They discovered that a decrease in SIRT1 activates another protein called NFkB, which instigates inflammation, thus providing the link between hyperinsulinemia and systemic inflammation.   The team has also discovered a solution to this problem. The researchers found that low-dose naltrexone (LDN), a drug commonly administered for opiate addiction, can activate SIRT1, thereby reducing inflammation and increasing insulin sensitivity of cells. The significance of this discovery is enormous. “Naltrexone at low doses could potentially restore some of the diabetes-associated events in cellular and animal models”, says Dr Mondal, who is confident that this is a viable path to follow for Type-2 diabetes management. Naltrexone is already an FDA-approved drug that is used for the treatment of opioid addiction and can easily be repurposed for inflammation reduction and diabetes control. The research team intends to study this thread further, to understand the mechanistic aspects of LDN’s effects on hyperinsulinemia-induced inflammation and resulting insulin resistance.   Image caption- (L to R) Dr Prosenjit Mondal, Associate Profesor, School of Basic Sciences, IIT Mandi, along with his research scholar Abhinav Choubey   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17481/csir-reveals-32-unique-genetic-variants-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17481/csir-reveals-32-unique-genetic-variants-in-india.html Wed, 28 Oct 2020 01:05:00 +0530 Results from the extensive computation analysis of the 1029 sequenced genomes from India carried out by CSIR constituent labs, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Delhi and CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad were published in the scientific journal, Nucleic Acid Research, earlier this week. The allele frequencies of the genetic variants generated in the study are available on the IndiGenomes database accessible at http://clingen.igib.res.in/indigen. The analysis led to the identification of 55,898,122 single nucleotide variants in the India genome dataset. Comparisons with the global genome datasets revealed that 18,016,257 (32.23%) variants were unique and found only in the samples sequenced from India. This emphasizes the need for an India centric population genomic initiative. DG CSIR, Dr Shekhar C Mande, complimented the teams from CSIR-IGIB and CSIR-CCMB who undertook the IndiGen program not only leading to the development of this valuable resource, but agumenting capability in genomics and understanding of India’s genomic diversity strengthening the country’s response to the current and future pandemics. The current IndiGenomes data resource provides a compendium of genetic variants representing the contemporary Indian population with an objective to classify variants involved in mendelian disorders and improve precision medicine outcomes. The resource can also enable the identification of markers for carrier screening, variations causing genetic diseases, prevention of adverse events and provide better diagnosis and optimal therapy through mining data of clinically actionable pharmacogenetic variants. The phased data will allow researchers to build Indian-specific reference genome dataset and efficiently impute haplotype information. This resource can provide useful insights for clinicians and researchers in comprehending genetics not only at the population level but at the individual level. The resource is widely accessible to the researchers and clinicians in India and abroad. There have been over ∼200,000 pageviews on the IndiGenomes web page from users spanning 27 countries demonstrating the uniqueness of the resource. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17369/researchers-in-kolkata-explore-homeopathy-to-treat-skin-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17369/researchers-in-kolkata-explore-homeopathy-to-treat-skin-diseases.html Mon, 12 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0530 There are many who certify that Homoeopathy can do wonders in cases of skin related viral diseases. A case study published recently in AYUHOM , the Research Journal of North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homoeopathy, Shillong illustrates this point. The case study has been authored by Sangita Saha, Reader, Department of Organon of Medicine and Mahakas Mandal, Post Graduate Trainee, Department of Practice of Medicine, the Calcutta Homeopathic Medical College &Hospital along with Koushik Bhar, Post Graduate Trainee, the National Institute of Homoeopathy, Kolkata. Treatment of five patients suffering with five different skin diseases with Homoeopathy has given notable results which give a boost to the conviction of the positive effects of Homoeopathic medicine on such skin disorders. The case study was done on five patients with Wart, Herpes Zoster and Molluscan Contagiosum.  Skin warts are benign tumours caused by infection of keratinocytes. Herpes Zoster results from reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (that also causes chickenpox). On the other hand, Molluscan contagiosum is a viral skin infection caused by closely related types of Pox Virus, and is common with children worldwide, especially in warm climates. It is known that Homoeopathy treats the patient, not the disease. Thus, the skin manifestations were treated by the means of internal medication following the principles of Homoeopathy, in these cases. And the results are extremely encouraging. After applying the indicated medicines as per the guidelines of Organon of Medicine and in different phases as per the susceptibility of each individual patient, it has come out that the medicines were able to not only remove or dissolute the skin lesion efficiently, but also to provide relief to the associated symptoms of the patient. Not only that, none of the patients complained about any adverse effect during the treatment. The case studies can be considered as a pilot project. In the next stage randomised controlled trials with larger sample size can be taken up so that conclusive evidence on the healing power of Homoeopathy for viral skin diseases can be generated. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17346/dkms-funds-research-scholarships-to-young-scientists.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17346/dkms-funds-research-scholarships-to-young-scientists.html Wed, 07 Oct 2020 12:55:00 +0530 Germany based DKMS Stiftung Leben Spenden (Foundation for Giving Life) that supports up to four international young scientists each year who want to advance the fight against blood cancer with their promising research projects, is inviting young scientists to apply for John Hansen Research Grant. Each winner will receive $270,000 (€240,000) over a period of three years. Up to four scientists with promising research projects in the field of stem cell transplantation and cell therapy dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and life-threatening blood disorders will be funded. One of the prerequisites for participation is a doctorate or comparable qualification, which dates back twelve years at maximum. DKMS is well-known as an international nonprofit organization in the fight against blood cancer. Until today DKMS has provided more than 87,000 patients across the globe a chance at life by facilitating blood stem cell transplants. In addition, the world's leading stem cell donor center is highly committed in the medical-scientific field in order to continually improve the survival and healing chances of blood cancer patients. This includes the HLA high-performance laboratory in Dresden and its own research unit, the Clinical Trials Unit. The Clinical Trials Unit systematically searches for additional immunogenetic factors that could positively influence the success of a stem cell transplantation. DKMS is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the fight against blood cancer. Its goal is to give as many patients with blood cancer as possible a second chance at life. The organization is a world leader in providing patients with life-saving stem cell transplants. In addition, it is active in India - in cooperation with its partner organization DKMS BMST Foundation India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17331/scientists-find-novel-method-to-detect-gastric-ulcers-causing-bacteria.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17331/scientists-find-novel-method-to-detect-gastric-ulcers-causing-bacteria.html Mon, 05 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Exhaled breath may soon help detect bacteria that infect the stomach, causing various forms of gastritis and eventually gastric cancer. Scientists have found a method for early diagnosis of bacteria that causes peptic ulcer, with the help of a biomarker called ‘BreathPrint’ found in the breath.  Dr Manik Pradhan and his research team at S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata, have recently spotted the new biomarker for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori in semi-heavy water (HDO) in human exhaled breath. The team has used ‘study of different water molecular species in human breath, also called ‘Breathomics’ method to explore different water isotopes in human exhaled breath. This work, funded by the Technical Research Centre (TRC) supported by the DST, was recently published in the journal ‘Analytical Chemistry’ of the American Chemical Society (ACS). The team has already developed a patented ‘Pyro-Breath’ device for diagnosis of various gastric disorders and H. pylori infection, which are under the process of technology transfer. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17241/iit-m-makes-nano-coated-mg-alloys-to-fix-bone-fractures.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17241/iit-m-makes-nano-coated-mg-alloys-to-fix-bone-fractures.html Mon, 21 Sep 2020 01:05:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) researchers have developed nano-coated magnesium (Mg) alloys that can repair bone defects in rabbits. Encouraged by these results, the research team, which is partnering with several other institutions, is planning to study medical applications of nano-coated magnesium alloys in other animals and repairing human bones. Alloys of magnesium are being considered as a good option for orthopaedic applications as magnesium is biocompatible, biodegradable and has other important mechanical properties. Magnesium is the fourth abundant metal in the body and is known to accelerate the healing of bones.  However, the use of magnesium alloys in bone repair is restricted due to few issues. These issues have given a major push to the field of synthetic bone biomaterials where materials such as hydroxyapatite, calcium phosphate, and titanium, among others, are being used for filling the bone gaps. The research was led by Prof. Mukesh Doble, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras, and comprised of Dr. Govindaraj Perumal, Post-Doctoral Research Associate, IIT Madras, Dr. Boopalan Ramasamy, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Dr. A Maya Nandkumar, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, Dr. D. Sivaraman, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai and Dr. R Selvaraj from Bioscience Research Foundation, Chennai. For this study, the researchers deployed AZ31 alloy of magnesium and used it for developing magnesium mesh cage implants. Further, they coated these implants with polycaprolactone and nano-hydroxyapatite by dipping and electrospinning. This nano-coated magnesium mesh was then used to heal the bone defect in femur of rabbits. The researchers found that the rabbit femur implanted with the coated magnesium alloy showed bone formation and also bridged the defect region. The team emphasizes that this was possible due to the biocompatible nature of polycaprolactone and nano-hydroxyapatite which ensured good recovery without any adverse reactions such as ‘fibrosis.’ The team is exploring funding opportunities to further test this newly-developed nano-coated magnesium alloy in repairing bone defects in large animals such as goat or sheep to demonstrate the efficacy of the product and show clinical significance of this research. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17203/nitttr-develops-viral-sequence-predictor-to-counter-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17203/nitttr-develops-viral-sequence-predictor-to-counter-covid-19.html Tue, 15 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Dr Indrajit Saha, Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering of National Institute of Technical Teachers’ Training and Research (NITTTR), Kolkata and his team have recently developed a web-based COVID- Predictor to predict the sequence of viruses online on the basis of machine learning and analyzed 566 Indian SARS-CoV-2 genomes to find the genetic variability in terms of point mutation and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP). The study is sponsored by Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), which has been published in the Journal called Infection, Genetics, and Evolution. They have mainly found that 57 out of 64 SNPs are present in 6 coding regions of Indian SARS-CoV-2 genomes, and all are nonsynonymous in nature. The scientists are on the track to identify the genetic variability in SARS-CoV-2 genomes around the globe including India, find the number of virus strains using Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP), spot the potential target proteins of the virus and human host based on Protein-Protein Interactions. The results show that the USA, England, and India are the top three countries having the geometric mean, 3.27%, 3.59%, and 5.39%, respectively, of mutation similarity score with other 72 countries. The scientists have also developed a web application for searching the mutation points in SARS-CoV-2 genomes globally and country wise. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17200/sctimst-develops-device-to-prevent-deep-vein-thrombosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17200/sctimst-develops-device-to-prevent-deep-vein-thrombosis.html Mon, 14 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0530 The formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the legs or Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), can lead to life threatening complications. Scientists have come up with a device that can facilitate flow of blood from the veins in the legs thus preventing DVT. The device can bring relief to patients affected by prolonged immobility, bed ridden state, post-operative immobilization, paralysis of legs, a large number of whom are affected by DVT causing pain, swelling, redness, warmth and engorged surface veins. The detachment of the clot and its transport to the arteries carrying impure blood to the lungs can cause ‘pulmonary artery embolism’, a potentially life-threatening complication. A team from Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum (SCTIMST), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India has developed a device for the prevention of DVT. The engineering team included Jithin Krishnan, Biju Benjamin and Koruthu P Varughese from SCTIMST. Such devices which are so far imported cost between 2 lakh to 5 lakh rupees whereas the device developed by SCTIMST team can be placed in the market for less than 1 lakh rupees. The newly developed device works by compressing the veins in the legs in sequence so that the flow of blood from the veins in the legs is facilitated. The compression pressure is set in such a way that the veins are compressed but not the arteries. It is equipped with closed loop monitoring of compression pressure and also has controls through valves which are driven by an electronic circuit. A dedicated software and a control circuit are provided in the device to ensure that safe compression levels are always maintained.  The device is also equipped with a power supply back-up in case of power failure. The license for the manufacture and sale of the device has been transferred to Enproducts located in Kochi, Kerala. This seven-year-old company has products in the market in the domain of automation and control. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17187/iit-kgp-develops-affordable-diagnostic-device-for-copd.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17187/iit-kgp-develops-affordable-diagnostic-device-for-copd.html Thu, 10 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (IIT Kgp) have developed an affordable diagnostic intervention for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) based on the internet-of-things medical devices (IoT-MD) integrated with AI. At the Organic Electronics Laboratory (ORELA), Department of Physics, IIT Kgp Prof. Dipak Kumar Goswami and his research team have developed SenFlex.T, a smart mask synced with an android monitoring app through Bluetooth, that can continuously monitor breathing patterns, rate, heart rate, oxygen saturation level in blood. The app is connected to a cloud computing server, where artificial intelligence (AI) has been implemented to predict the severity of COPD through machine learning (ML). "SenFlex.T can be used at home by patients without having to visit diagnostic centres as against the current practice. This will also address the critical issue of addressing COPD at an early stage and by means of advanced healthcare technology, a boon for both patients and the overall healthcare system," explained Prof. Goswami. SenFlex.T smart mask contains a highly sensitive, flexible temperature sensor along with a Bluetooth based measuring electronics. The sensor system can continuously monitor the temperature changes of inhaled and exhaled air during breathing and record the breathing pattern. The temperature sensor has a resolution of 4.3 mK and about 25 ms response time. Further, a commercially available pulse oximeter has been integrated with the sensor system to monitor the oxygen saturation level during breathing. The patient data is uploaded automatically to the cloud server through the mobile app (SenFlex), where it is processed by means of AIML, and reports made available on the app and for doctors’ consultation. The innovation has been reported in the international journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. The researchers have also filed a patent for the innovation and are ready for commercialization. The product cost has been estimated at about Rs 2,500. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17160/jncasr-develops-diagnostic-therapy-for-lung-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17160/jncasr-develops-diagnostic-therapy-for-lung-cancer.html Mon, 07 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Recently researchers from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, have developed a theranostics (diagnostic therapy) drug candidate for lung cancer. The research work funded jointly by DST, BRICS Multilateral R&D Projects grant, and SwarnaJayanti Fellowship Grant was published in the journal Theranostics. The selective recognition and imaging of oncogene specific non-canonical DNA secondary structures (G-quadruplex-GQ structures) holds great promise in the development of diagnostic therapy (theranostics) for cancer and has been challenging due to their structural dynamics and diversity. Prof. T. Govindaraju, along with his team from JNCASR, developed a small molecule for selective recognition of BCL-2 GQ through unique hybrid loop stacking and groove binding mode with turn on far-red fluorescence response and anticancer activity demonstrating the potential as GQ-targeted lung cancer theranostics. This methodology can be further exploited to develop cancer-type specific theranostic drugs with tremendous implications in personalized medicine. A patent application has been already filed for this invention. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17112/iit-kgp-develops-painless-drug-delivery-and-vaccination-device.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17112/iit-kgp-develops-painless-drug-delivery-and-vaccination-device.html Fri, 28 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Researchers at the Dept. of Electronics & Electrical Communication Engineering, IIT Kharagpur (Kgp) have developed a micropump and microneedle which are integral parts of transdermal drug delivery systems capable of administering large and viscous drug molecules in a painless way. Painless transdermal drug delivery has been a success story for decades in the USA and several other countries. In recent years, in order to expand its scope, the scientific community has been working towards developing microneedles with diameters smaller than a hair strand. The hollow microneedles operate by means of a pressurized and controlled micropump delivering the drug through the skin. The micropump pushes out the drug in the reservoir through the microneedle array. The microneedles are painless as they are too small to touch the nerves in the skin and induce pain reactions.  The innovation by IIT Kgp has not only reduced the diameter size of the microneedles but has also increased the strength so that they do not break while penetrating the skin. Explaining the novelty of the innovation, lead researcher Prof. Tarun Kanti Bhattacharyya said, “We have fabricated high strength glassy carbon microneedles which can withstand the skin resistive forces. Added to this is our designing of the ionic polymer metal composite membrane based micropump which increases the flow rate of the drug molecules in a controlled and precise manner. We have further integrated this microneedle and micropump to achieve controlled drug delivery.” The microneedles are fabricated using SU-8 precursor and converting them by means of Carbon Microelectromechanical (C-MEMS techniques to glassy carbon microneedles with outer diameter 55 micrometre, inner diameter 35 micrometre. This process further enhanced the quality, strength and biocompatibility of the product with eight-times increased hardness, 4.8 times increased mechanical stiffness (Young’s modulus), 418 times higher compressive strength and 363 times higher bending strength than the skin resistive forces. It showed a flow rate of 0.012 microlitre per second of deionized water at 8 kilopascal. The other segment of the device, the micropump, has been designed as a flat-walled nozzle diffuser made from ionic polymer metal composite membrane with gold coating. This micropump achieved a flow rate of 30 microlitre per minute at 5V square wave at 0.1Hz. “The device would find extensive use in any form of transdermal medication. A typical use could be achieved in insulin delivery or medication for diseases of the lymphatic system, skin including some forms of cancer, or even COVID-19 vaccine” remarked Prof. Bhattacharyya. “The more we engage in multidisciplinary R&D, the better we would be able to produce customized microneedle based effective delivery systems,” he further added, hoping to transform the drug delivery system from the current syringe based one to a painless but effective experience for the patients. The drug delivery device has been successfully tested with animals as per medical protocol. The researchers have also filed for a patent in India and published the research in IEEE and Nature journals. The research for this innovation was funded by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) and Dept. of Science of Technology, Govt. of India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17092/medgenome-identifies-vaccine-candidates-for-gall-bladder-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17092/medgenome-identifies-vaccine-candidates-for-gall-bladder-cancer.html Tue, 25 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0530 In a paper published in Nature Communications, scientists from Bengaluru based MedGenome, along with an international team of scientists from institutions in India, USA, South Korea, Chile and Australia reported sequencing and analysis of over 150 gallbladder cancer (GBC) samples.  Currently there are no targeted therapies for treating this cancer.  GBC in the US has a higher incidence among Southwestern Native Americans and Mexican Americans.  It is more prevalent in South American countries that include Chile, Bolivia, and Ecuador, and in Asian countries such as Korea, India, Pakistan and Japan.  The team performed a comprehensive genomic analysis and identified several targetable genomic alterations. In particular they identified frequent alterations of the ELF3 gene. They show that the mutated peptides derived from ELF3 have the potential for use as a cancer vaccine to treat GBC patients carrying alteration in this gene. “I congratulate the MedGenome team and our collaborators on this landmark study that offers new insight and opportunities for combating GBC” said Rayman Mathoda, CEO, MedGenome, USA.  She added “Applying our proprietary OncoPeptTM platform, our scientists were able to show the potential for use of ELF3-derived mutant peptides as a cancer vaccine for treating GBC and shows the value of the platform for the identification of cancer vaccine candidates”.  “The work deepens our understanding of the underlying genomics of GBC, including the identification of new pathways, immune microenvironment and actionable mutations”, said Eric Stawiski, VP of Bioinformatics at MedGenome, co-first and co-communicating author.   The study also reports a new class of hypermutated mismatch deficient GBCs that will likely respond to check-point inhibitors.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17086/inst-develops-oral-nanomedicine-against-kala-azar.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17086/inst-develops-oral-nanomedicine-against-kala-azar.html Mon, 24 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Scientists from the Institute of Nano Science & Technology (INST), Mohali have developed an oral nanomedicine with the help of surface-modified solid lipid nanoparticles based combinational cargo system for combating visceral leishmaniasis.  According to the INST team, till-date there is no study reported where a combination of two anti-leishmanial drugs has been delivered through nanomodification as a potential therapeutic strategy against visceral leishmaniasis. This work suggests the superiority of as-prepared modified formulation (m-DDSLNs) surface modified with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPCD) as a promising approach towards the oral delivery of anti-leishmanial drugs. In this study by INST team led by Dr. Shyam Lal M anti-leishmanial drugs Amphotericin B (AmB) & Paromomycin (PM) were encapsulated in solid lipid nanoparticles and further modified with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPCD). The scientists explored the oral therapeutic potential of the formulation in the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis. They employed an emulsion solvent evaporation method to prepare HPCD modified dual drug-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (m-DDSLNs). The nanoparticle-based combinatorial drug delivery system developed by them enhanced the efficacy of the formulation in both in vitro and in vivo models by reducing intracellular amastigote growth in L. donovani-infected macrophages and hepatic parasite burden in L. donovani-infected BALB/c mice model, respectively without causing any significant toxic side effects. According to the INST team, the solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) can help enhance the oral uptake of the therapeutic agent by retaining a solubilized state of the drug in the Gastrointestinal Tract and favors the formation of mixed micelles (a special case of solubilization) by inducing the secretion of bile salts and phospholipids. Further, 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPCD) are cyclic oligosaccharides that are known to be molecular hosts which can selectively include water-insoluble guest molecules within their hydrophobic cavity through non-covalent interactions. This study by INST team may lead to product and process patent enhancing the role of our country for developing innovative therapy against neglected diseases. The usage of lower therapeutic dose of the purified drugs through nanomodifications will be a boon in reducing toxicity, which has been a major hindrance in the existing conventional treatment when administered orally. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17083/study-identifies-unique-clusters-of-t2d-in-indians.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17083/study-identifies-unique-clusters-of-t2d-in-indians.html Fri, 21 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0530 A recent study entitled ‘Novel subgroups of type 2 diabetes and their association with microvascular outcomes in an Asian Indian population: a data-driven cluster analysis – The INSPIRED STUDY, was published online in BMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care on August 18, 2020. This project, called as the INSPIRED study is a collaborative project between the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation and Dr.Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre, Chennai and the Division of Population, Health and Genomics, and the Division of Cardiovascular and Diabetes Medicine, University of Dundee, School of Medicine, Dundee, Scotland, UK. This research was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).   Salient features of this study-   Recently five distinct “clusters” of individuals with diabetes with significantly different characteristics have been identified in a Scandinavian (White Caucasian) population, based on five parameters representing the clinical presentation as well as the presence of insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction.These five subgroups were termed as Severe Autoimmune Diabetes (SAID), Severe Insulin Deficient Diabetes (SIDD), Severe Insulin Resistant Diabetes (SIRD), Mild Obesity-related Diabetes (MOD) and Mild Age Related Diabetes (MARD). Asian Indians (South Asians) represent an ethnic group with high predilection for developing type 2 diabetes; indeed, some of the largest increases in diabetes prevalence have been reported from the South Asian region. Type 2 diabetes in Asian Indians differs from that in white Caucasians in a number of significant ways and this referred to as the ‘Asian Indian Phenotype’ The “Asian Indian Phenotype”, characterized by high levels of abdominal fat and increased insulin resistance even at low levels of body-mass index (BMI), has been postulated as the main reason for this increased propensity to develop type 2 diabetes at younger age. Recent studies from our group suggest that beta-cell dysfunction occurs quite early and rapidly in Asian Indians. For the first time in India (and South Asia), clustering of diabetes was done on 19,084 individuals with type 2 diabetes using eight clinically relevant variables (age at diagnosis, BMI, waist circumference, HbA1c, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol and C-peptide fasting and stimulated) and published in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care. For the first time, type 2 diabetes in the Asian Indians has been shown to be classified into four distinct phenotypic clusters and this has important implications for prognosis and management of diabetes in Indians. SIDD (Severe Insulin Deficient Diabetes) IROD (Insulin Resistant Obese Diabetes) CIRDD (Combined Insulin Resistant and Deficient Diabetes) MARD (Mild Age-Related Diabetes) Classifying Asian Indians with type 2 diabetes into phenotypic clusters provides insights into the pathophysiological processes driving diabetes in this ethnic group which could help in predicting the risk of complications and in focusing more attention on individuals with the highest risk of developing complications of diabetes. Dr.V.Mohan, Chairman of Dr.Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre and President of Madras Diabetes Research Foundation and the senior author of the study said that “These sub groups of type 2 diabetes have implications as far as treatment is concerned and the choice of anti-diabetic drugs, for eg. the severely dependent diabetes (SID) variety would probably respond better to sulfonylurea agents or secretagogues or may need insulin, whereas the insulin resistant variety would respond better to an insulin sensitizer like metformin.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17072/cense-develops-tattoo-sensor-for-monitoring-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17072/cense-develops-tattoo-sensor-for-monitoring-health.html Thu, 20 Aug 2020 15:20:00 +0530 Dr Saurabh Kumar from Centre for Nanoscience and Engineering (CeNSE) at Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, a recipient of the INSPIRE faculty fellowship instituted by the Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India is currently working on wearable sensors that can retract information from human body using its largest organ, the skin. In his recent work published in the journal ACS Sensors, his group has fabricated a skin conformal tattoo sensor about 20 μm thick. The sensor promises inconspicuous and continuous monitoring of vital health parameters of an individual, like pulse rate, respiration rate, and surface electromyography. The sensor serves as a single conduit for sensing respiration rate and pulse, dispensing with the need of mounting multiple sensors. Its remarkably high sensitivity with a gauge factor (GF) has been ascribed to the development of nano-cracks and their propagation through the film upon application of strain. The fast response and highly repeatable sensor follow easy fabrication steps and can be patterned into any shape and size using a laser. The Skin conformal sensor has the ability to perform non-invasive and continuous monitoring of vital health parameters. Further, it has the potential to replace rigid and bulky health monitoring devices. These sensors do not interfere with the daily activities of the user, thus enabling continuous monitoring of vital signs like pulse rate, respiration rate, UV rays exposure, skin hydration level, glucose monitoring, and so on. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17059/indo-us-teams-pursue-cutting-edge-research-to-combat-covid-19-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17059/indo-us-teams-pursue-cutting-edge-research-to-combat-covid-19-.html Tue, 18 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Eight binational teams consisting of researchers from India and the US have received awards to pursue cutting-edge research in pathogenesis and disease management of COVID-19 through Indo-US virtual networks. The areas of research they will pursue include antiviral coatings, immune modulation, tracking SARS CoV-2 in wastewater, disease detection mechanisms, reverse genetics strategies, and drug repurposing. The Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF) announced the awards to eight binational teams, consisting of leading researchers from India and U.S for COVID-19 Indo-U.S. Virtual Networks in support of the efforts of the medical and scientific community to find solutions to the COVID 19 pandemic and emerging global challenges. The IUSSTF is an autonomous bilateral organization jointly funded by the Governments of India and the US that promotes Science, Technology, Engineering and Innovation through substantive interaction among government, academia and industry. The Department of Science & Technology, Governments of India and the U.S. Department of States are respective nodal departments. The eight teams are among the best few who had submitted proposals in response to an invitation of proposals to harness the combined expertise of the Indian and U.S. Science & Technology communities, facilitate partnerships between teams of Indian and U.S. scientists and engineers currently engaged in COVID-related research, and leverage existing infrastructure from both countries to further advance the research and accelerate progress. The mission of the binational Indo-US Science and Technology Forum is to act as a catalyst to promote long-term scientific collaborations between India and the United States through partnerships amongst individual scientists, scientific institutions, and the scientific community at large. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17040/inst-aims-to-develop-non-invasive-cancer-therapy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17040/inst-aims-to-develop-non-invasive-cancer-therapy.html Mon, 17 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Scientists from Institute of Nano Science & Technology (INST) in Mohali, have synthesised different magnetic nano-transducers like Stevioside-coated magnetite nanoparticles; Citric acid-coated Magnetic nanoclusters and Manganese and Zinc doped magnetite nanoparticles for successful application as magnetic hyperthermia agents for cancer therapy. Dr Deepika Sharma and her team from INST have synthesized magnetic nanomaterials using a hydrothermal approach. They have also developed water-stable nanomaterial with a biomolecule as the surfactant to address two of the main concerns regarding the translation of nanotechnology-based strategies to clinical applications - biocompatibility of the material used and therapeutic response of these nanosystems.  The scientists have focused on the design and development of hyperthermia output and understanding the biological phenomena, which include their movement through biological barriers to fight against inoperable tumours. The synthesized “nano-heaters” when subjected to magnetic hyperthermia either alone or in combination with other adjuvant therapy like photothermal therapy. This was then evaluated in terms of cell viability, oxidative stress production, reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential, cytoskeletal damage by confocal microscopy and morphological alterations by scanning electron microscopy in cancer cells and the results published in the ACS Applied Nanomaterials and Journal of Radiation and Cancer Research. For the various nanosystems generated in their lab, INST team have achieved enhanced hyperthermia output with surface modifications of surfactant moieties and generating nanoclusters instead of conventional spherical nanoparticles. Such enhanced hyperthermia output makes it an efficient system to be used for Cancer therapy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17010/iit-mandi-uses-computational-tool-to-study-coronavirus.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/17010/iit-mandi-uses-computational-tool-to-study-coronavirus.html Mon, 10 Aug 2020 13:05:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Mandi research team, in collaboration with researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of South Florida, USA, has used computational tools to understand an important part of the viral proteome called Intrinsically Disordered Protein Regions (IDPRs). The research team is headed by Dr. Rajanish Giri, Assistant Professor, School of Basic Sciences, IIT Mandi. The results of this path breaking and timely work have recently been published in the journal, Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences. The research paper is co-authored by Dr. Rajanish Giri, his research scholars – Ms. Taniya Bhardwaj, Ms. Meenakshi Shegane, Ms. Bhuvaneshwari R. Gehi, Mr. Prateek Kumar and Mr. Kundlik Gadhave, and American scientists, Dr. Christopher J. Oldfield, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Dr. Vladimir N. Uversky, University of South Florida.  The COVID-19 virus essentially consists of the genetic molecule, RNA, enclosed in an envelope made of lipid and proteins. Once in the host, the virus overpasses the host defence mechanisms and inserts its RNA into the host cells.  Then, the virus hijacks the host cell machinery to use the viral RNA for production of viral proteins in a process called ‘translation’, and the infected cell starts generating toxic viral proteins, which leads to various conditions and symptoms.  It is known that proteins provide both structural and functional characteristics to living things and extraneous (viral) proteins can take over the functions of human cells. “In COVID-19, the RNA is translated first into proteins which perform a wide range of functions. Since protein functions depends both on ordered and disordered regions, it is important to understand the whole proteome considering both ordered and disordered proteins”, explains Dr. Giri.  The set of proteins or proteome comprises both ordered regions and disordered regions in proteins.   Explaining the research, Dr. Giri, said, “Intrinsically Disordered Proteins (IDPs), and Intrinsically Disordered Protein Regions (IDPRs) are gaining attention in recent times because they have been discovered to play vital roles in various biological processes”. The IDP and IDPRs have been strongly correlated with the virulence of viruses, and understanding their structure and functions in COVID-19 can help in finding ways to mitigate the effects of the infection. Both the protein structure and non-structure are fundamental things and their knowledge is paramount to understand the virus pathogenesis. Using computational tools it’s possible to investigate the propensities of the proteins and regions that may or may not form the structure.   The IIT Mandi team has also compared IDPRs among the closely related viruses, human SARS and bat SARS-like CoVs. Such comparisons enable a better understanding of the sequence and structural peculiarities of the evolution of the virus and their virulence. The IIT Mandi researchers plan to conduct more in-depth studies to establish structure-function relationships for a better understanding of the functioning of SARS-CoV-2 proteins. ‘Currently, we are also performing experiments to further investigate the disordered proteins in SARS-CoV-2’, says Dr Giri. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16982/inst-explores-economical-nonsurgical-prevention-of-cataract.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16982/inst-explores-economical-nonsurgical-prevention-of-cataract.html Thu, 06 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0530 A team of scientists from Mohali based Institute of Nano Science & Technology (INST), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India has developed nanorods from the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) Aspirin, a popular medication used to reduce pain, fever, or inflammation and found it to be an effective non–invasive small molecule-based nanotherapeutics against cataract. Their research published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry B could help prevent cataracts in an economical and less complicated way. They have used the anti-aggregation ability of self-build aspirin nanorods as an effective non –invasive small molecule-based nanotherapeutics against cataract. Aspirin nanorods prevent the aggregation of crystallin protein and various peptides derived from its fragmentation, which play a crucial role in cataract formation. They prevent the protein/peptide aggregation through biomolecular interactions, which convert beta-turn like the structure of the crystallin peptides, responsible for amyloid formation into coils and helices, those fail to aggregate. These were found to prevent cataract formation by inhibiting aggregation of crystallin, and crystallin derived peptide aggregates.  As with aging and under various conditions, the lens protein crystallin aggregates to form opaque structures in the eye lens, which impairs vision and cause cataract. The targeted disaggregation of the accumulated alpha-crystallin protein and crystallin derived peptide aggregates in aged and cataractous human lenses are considered as a viable therapeutic strategy for the prevention of cataract formation.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16935/snbncbs-develops-novel-device-for-screening-bilirubin-in-new-borns.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16935/snbncbs-develops-novel-device-for-screening-bilirubin-in-new-borns.html Thu, 30 Jul 2020 07:15:00 +0530 Professor Samir K. Pal & his group at S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS), Kolkata, an autonomous research Institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India has developed a device called 'AJO-Neo'. The operation of the device is based on non-contact and non-invasive spectrometry-based techniques for measurement of neonatal bilirubin level as an alternative of total serum bilirubin (TSB) test without limitations of other available bilirubin meters. According to the study conducted by the SNBNCBS team in NRS medical college, the newly developed device is reliable in measuring bilirubin levels in preterm, and term neonates irrespective of gestational or postnatal age, sex, risk factors, feeding behavior or skin color. The device is found to deliver an almost instantaneous report (about 10 seconds) to a concerned doctor, who is sitting 10000 km away from the point of care. This is a significant achievement compared to the conventional “blood test” method, which may take more than 4 hours to generate the report. The Technology has been transferred by the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India in the presence of Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, DST to a Vijayawada based company, M/s Zyna Medtech Private Limited. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16922/department-of-biotechnology-supports-efficacy-trial-with-recombinant-bcg-vaccine-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16922/department-of-biotechnology-supports-efficacy-trial-with-recombinant-bcg-vaccine-.html Tue, 28 Jul 2020 11:50:00 +0530 The world's largest India based vaccine manufacturer Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd (SIIPL), has been supported under the Department of Biotechnology’s National Biopharma Mission for the conduct of a multisite randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled phase III clinical trial of a recombinant BCG vaccine candidate, VPM1002. The objective of this trial is to evaluate the ability of VPM1002 in reducing infection incidence and severe disease outcomes of COVID-19 among high-risk persons of advanced age or co-morbidities and high-exposure healthcare workers (HCWs). BCG vaccine is administered routinely to all new-born babies as a part of the National childhood immunization program to prevent tuberculosis (TB), an infection caused by bacteria that mainly affects the lungs. It has beneficial heterologous effects and proven antiviral and immune-modulatory properties that protect against infectious diseases through the induction of trained innate immunity and heterologous adaptive immunity. About 6,000 health workers and high-risk individuals including those in close contact with COVID patients have been enrolled in a clinical trial to determine if the recombinant Bacillus Calmette-Guerian (rBCG) can boost immunity to fight against the virus. There is an urgent need to ensure the safety and health of HCWs who are on the forefront fighting the epidemic, household contacts of COVID positive patients, and all other people residing or working in COVID-19 hotspots/outbreak areas where there is a high risk of transmission of COVID-19 infection.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16902/jncasr-creates-device-for-monitoring-cells-tissues.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16902/jncasr-creates-device-for-monitoring-cells-tissues.html Fri, 24 Jul 2020 08:00:00 +0530 The need for monitoring of growth patterns of cells over long hours on desired substrates and the functionality of an explant-tissue in a non-vivo environment in their laboratory triggered a team from Bengaluru based Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India to come up with a suitable device. The researchers implemented a 3D-Fluidic device (3D-FD),which has an auto bubble guidance geometry which allows controlled medium exchange to maintain the metabolites without a trace of fluid leakage and bubble formation. The auto bubble guidance geometry (Helical pathway) and controlled delivery of the medium make it efficient as a drug screening platform and unique in the current scenario of Neuro-Technology. This system has broad applications for the research community in biomedical engineering to understand how the tissue grows and the physiology development of cell cultures. Also, this device implementation will help in exploring the intricate tissue/cellular environment and dynamic behaviour of cells. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16850/inst-uses-nanoparticles-to-reduce-severity-of-rheumatoid-arthritis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16850/inst-uses-nanoparticles-to-reduce-severity-of-rheumatoid-arthritis.html Thu, 16 Jul 2020 06:15:00 +0530 Scientists from the Institute of Nano Science & Technology (INST), Mohali, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, have formulated nanoparticles with chitosan and loaded these nanoparticles with zinc gluconate for reducing the severity of rheumatoid arthritis. Element Zinc is vital for maintaining normal bone homeostasis, and its levels are reported to get reduced in rheumatoid arthritis patients and arthritis-induced animals. It is also known that oral supplementation of zinc in the form of zinc gluconate have very low bioavailability in humans.   The team prepared Zinc gluconate loaded chitosan nanoparticles using chitosan and sodium tripolyphosphate in double-distilled water, and zinc gluconate was simultaneously added along with the synthesis of chitosan nanoparticles. Nanoparticles were characterized for various physicochemical properties, and then anti-arthritic potential was investigated against collagen-induced arthritis in Wistar rats. They observed that the treatment of rats with both zinc gluconate and zinc gluconate loaded chitosan nanoparticles reduced the severity of arthritis by reducing joint swelling, erythema, and edema but zinc gluconate loaded nanoparticles exhibited superior efficacy. The team assessed various parameters like biochemical analysis, histological observations, and immunohistochemical expression of inflammatory markers and suggested that zinc gluconate-loaded chitosan nanoparticles exerted superior therapeutic effects compared to the free form of zinc gluconate. This they attributed due to the inflammatory potential of zinc gluconate-loaded chitosan nanoparticles. “Nanobiotechnology provides several effective solutions for the problems that traditional pharmaceutical formulations are often not able to address as effectively, such as sustained and targeted release of drugs, bioavailability, and efficacy of drugs and nutraceuticals, etc. The nanoformulation of zinc gluconate-loaded chitosan nanoparticles developed at INST Mohali is a creative example of a superior therapeutics for rheumatoid arthritis,” said Prof Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, DST.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16829/iiit-d-develops-ai-model-to-repurpose-existing-drugs-for-covid-19-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16829/iiit-d-develops-ai-model-to-repurpose-existing-drugs-for-covid-19-treatment.html Mon, 13 Jul 2020 07:15:00 +0530 In a bid to counter the coronavirus pandemic that has been rampaging around the world,Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Delhi has worked on computational AI (Artificial Intelligence) model for drug repositioning in the treatment of COVID-19. This essentially means that instead of manually going through ever available drug and checking its effectiveness against COVID-19 (which is a painstakingly long process), we can now rely on AI to speed things up and find us the drugs which have the highest probability of success against the disease. The AI model that could prove to be an indispensable tool in the battle against COVID-19 has been the result of collaboration between Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Delhi, IPGME&R Kolkata and INRIA, Saclay, Paris, France. The database of drugs (drugbank.ca) lists more than 100 approved antivirals. Trying out all of them in clinical trials is not possible; it will be expensive both financially and in terms of time – a luxury we cannot afford. Therefore, AI can be used to prune this massive database and select a handful (5 to 10) of drugs that have better chances of succeeding. This would allow more concerted effort/trials on this handful of prospective treatment regimes. To find out the best possible treatments for COVID-19, IIIT-  Delhi  follow the approach of drug target interaction (DTI) prediction. This is a standard approach in computational drug repositioning, i.e. reusing a drug that was developed for a certain disease for treating a different ailment. One classic example is Imatinibmesylate (sold under the trade name Gleevec) which was originally developed as a treatment for leukemia, and was later repositioned to treat gastrointestinal stromal tumors. In simple terms, the AI model computes the similarity between the chemical structures of the drugs and the similarity between the genomic structures of existing viruses and the novel Coronavirus. The model then looks at the historical information about the efficacy of the drugs on different viruses; it selects similar drugs (based on chemical structure) that have been successful in treating viruses that have a genomic structure close to that of the novel Coronavirus. Thus far, the AI models have selected Remdesivir, Umifenovir, Ribavirin and Sofosbuvir as prospective cures, and all of them are undergoing trials for COVID-19. The computational model and the state of clinical practice are thus in sync with each other. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16806/inst-develops-hybrid-compound-to-counter-cancer-cells.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16806/inst-develops-hybrid-compound-to-counter-cancer-cells.html Wed, 08 Jul 2020 09:05:00 +0530 Scientists from the Institute of Nano Science & Technology (INST), Mohali have synthesized a novel inorganic-organic hybrid compound that can inhibit breast, lung, and liver cancer cells, opening up new possibilities for metallodrugs. The solid compound based on phosphomolybdate cluster, an inorganic salt of phosphomolybdic acid, belongs to the Polyoxometalates (POMs) family, which had earlier been identified to have antitumor potential. The team of scientists led by Dr. Monika Singh and Dr. Deepika Sharma has chalked out the mechanism by which the compound kills the cancer cells. The research has been published in the journal Dalton Transactions. POMs are an evolving class of inorganic metal oxides, which over the last decades, established promising biological activities by the virtue of their great diversity in structures and properties. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16812/thsti-develops-human-monoclonal-ab-against-sars-cov2.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16812/thsti-develops-human-monoclonal-ab-against-sars-cov2.html Tue, 07 Jul 2020 22:00:00 +0530 A team of scientists from Faridabad based Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) Infection and Immunity Program, led by Dr. Rajesh Kumar, developed the human monoclonal antibody (mAb) against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV2. The mAb has been shown to bind to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) protein of SARS-CoV2 with high affinity and specificity. The RBD of the spike protein of SARS-CoV2 is the primary target for neutralizing antibodies to block infection. The team hopes this ‘in-house’ mAb facilitates COVID-19 research activities across the country. The team has developed different formats of this mAb - scFv, scFv-Fc, and IgG1 against COVID-19. This well-established platform allows isolating neutralizing antibodies against COVID-19, which might be helpful to use as an alternate therapeutic. Furthermore, the availability of an extensive array of SARS-CoV2 specific monoclonal antibodies can help to design vaccines through structural vaccinology. This part of the research work has been submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for consideration. The research is funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16809/ncpor-gu-synthesise-gold-nanoparticles-for-therapeutic-use.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16809/ncpor-gu-synthesise-gold-nanoparticles-for-therapeutic-use.html Tue, 07 Jul 2020 20:00:00 +0530 The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) and the Goa University (GU) have successfully synthesized gold nanoparticles (GNPs) using psychrotolerant Antarctic bacteria  through a non-toxic, low-cost, and eco-friendly way. Through a study, NCPOR and GU have established that 20-30-nm-sized spherical-shaped GNPs could be synthesized in a controlled environment. These GNPs can be used as a composite therapeutic agent clinical trials, especially in anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-diabetic, and cholesterol-lowering drugs. The NCPOR-GU study revealed genotoxic effect of GNPs on a sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB). The GNPs displayed enough anti-bacterial properties by inhibiting the growth of SRB and its sulphide production by damaging the genetic information of the DNA of the bacterial cell. Genotoxicity describes the property of a chemical agent that is capable of damaging the genetic information of DNA and thus causing mutation of the cell, which can lead to cancer. Nanoparticles (NPs) have wide variety of potential applications in the fields of biomedical, optical and electronics research. Metallic NPs have been efficiently exploited for biomedical applications and among them GNPs are found to be effective in biomedical research. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16801/iit-m-develops-nano-coated-filter-for-healthcare-workers-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16801/iit-m-develops-nano-coated-filter-for-healthcare-workers-.html Tue, 07 Jul 2020 05:05:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Madras Researchers have developed a nano-coated filter media for healthcare workers treating COVID-19 Patients. This filter has applications not only in healthcare but also has defence applications and other places where air filtration of submicron particles is required This nano-coated filter media has been fabricated by a nylon-based polymer coating on cellulose paper and was developed through the electrospinning process. The coating properties are optimized for efficient removal of sub-micron sized dust particles in the air. The nano-coated filter media is in the process of being field tested in practical applications. Upon validation through field trials, it will be recommended for bulk manufacturing through industry collaborations. This pioneering work is funded by Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) for defence applications and due to its high potential for the need of the hour, it is repositioned in health care applications. Highlighting the unique aspects of the nano-coated filter media, Prof. K. Arul Prakash, Department of Applied Mechanics, IIT Madras, said, “The nano-coating fabricated through the electrospinning  process have fiber diameter less than 1 micron and can be positioned according to the need to enhance surface/depth filtration for healthcare workers or public responders. This novel filter with multiple nano-coating have capabilities to filter particles of the order of one micron size, which is a remarkable achievement.” This project was a collaborative effort with faculty from various departments of IIT Madras including Prof. Raghuram Chetty from Department of Chemical Engineering and Prof. Saravana Kumar from Department of Engineering Design. Further, speaking about the applications in Defence, Prof. K. Arul Prakash added, “Nano-coated filter media have much better reverse cleanability behaviour resulting in an extended service life period of air filters providing prolonged working hours for armoured vehicles. This will save a huge cost for defence applications where the filters are currently imported from developed countries.” The Practical Applications of this nano-coated filter media include: Ø  Face masks with an enhanced particle filtration efficiency, Ø  Respirator devices, Ø  Air purification system in operation theatres of hospitals, Ø  Cabin air filters for the comfort and health of air passengers, Ø  Air filters for the armoured vehicle engines, Ø  Computer hard disk drive filters, and Ø  Pneumatic equipment   PROJECT CURRENT STATUS The current status of project is that the researchers are trying to optimize the coating parameters of nanomaterials for bulk manufacturing at an affordable cost and testing the antiviral properties for broader utilization in various applications. Also, attempts are being made to develop composite nano-coated filter media having more than one nanomaterial coating with the possibility of manufacturing multi-layered masks. Various characteristics of the nano-coated material such as permeability (a measure of flow-through media), coating thickness, and mechanical strength have been measured. The optimized nano-coated filter media has been developed using computer tools and validated with experimental results. An increased filtration efficiency for submicron size dust particles of the order of 0.25 microns with a marginal increase in pressure drop is a notable achievement through this technology.  The filtration can be further improved with multilayer nanomaterial coating. The nano-coated filter will not only be restricted for health care and defence applications but, in other places where air filtration of submicron particles is required. The computer simulation methodology adopted for the creation of the structure of the nanocoated filter media is also a novel development in this work. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16791/ncbs-identifies-potential-covid-19-drugs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16791/ncbs-identifies-potential-covid-19-drugs.html Mon, 06 Jul 2020 08:00:00 +0530 Of around 3,30,000 small molecules, 33 small molecules have been identified as potential COVID-19 drugs, which bind to one of the SARS-CoV-2 proteins, NSP1, based on new computational research from Professor R. Sowdhamini’s group at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru. Some of these molecules are known FDA-approved drugs, others are small molecules of natural origin, mostly from plants. This ensures that significant time could be saved on toxicity tests. The team has achieved a huge reduction in molecules and only one in 10,000 molecules have passed their exhaustive computational pipeline, which saves time, money and effort in experimental examinations. These 33 molecules can be taken forward for wet-lab validation, both for binding and to reduce viral application. The team worked on a series of processes to perform the virtual screening, including taking into account the ways the molecule would interact to inhibit the protein, based on the protein structure.  The virtual screening they used requires computational docking algorithms for protein-ligand interactions, where shape and charge complementarity are considered. In the virtual screening with NSP1, FDA-approved anti-viral compounds like Remdesivir and Edoxudine are promising. Esculin and Acarbose which are not anti-viral drugs, but are used as anti-inflammatory and antidiabetics respectively could be used as potential inhibitors. In addition to these, the 33 short-listed molecules which form stable interactions include lactose, Glycyrrhizic acid from Liquorice (also referred to as Athimathuram or Yastimadhu), Corilagin from pomegranates, Galangan from Blue Ginger (also referred to as Galangal or Sitharathai), and Gingeronone and Shogaol from both Ginger and Blue Ginger. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16747/nccs-explores-ways-to-tackle-drug-resistance-in-kala-azar.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16747/nccs-explores-ways-to-tackle-drug-resistance-in-kala-azar.html Wed, 01 Jul 2020 09:05:00 +0530 Visceral leishmaniasis, which is commonly known as Kala-azar in India, is fatal in over 95% of the cases, if left untreated. The only drug available against leishmaniasis, miltefosine, is rapidly losing its effectiveness because of emerging resistance to this drug due to a decrease in its accumulation inside the parasite, which is necessary for the drug to kill the parasite. Specific types of protein molecules, called transporter proteins, play a major role in carrying miltefosine into and out of the parasite’s body, which comprises a single cell. A protein called ‘P4ATPase-CDC50’, is responsible for intake of the drug by the parasite, and another protein, called ‘P-glycoprotein’, is responsible for throwing this drug out from within the parasite’s body. A decrease in the activity of the former protein, and an increase in the activity of the latter results in less amounts of miltefosine being accumulated inside the parasite’s body, thus causing it to become resistant to the drug. A team of researchers at the Department of Biotechnology’s National Centre for Cell Science (DBT-NCCS) in Pune led by Dr. Shailza Singh has been exploring ways to tackle miltefosine resistance.  The researchers worked with one of the species of Leishmania that causes infection, called Leishmania major. They tried to manipulate these transporter proteins in the species in a manner that would result in increased uptake of the drug and decrease in its being thrown out of the parasite’s body. Scientists need to be extremely careful while seeking to manipulate the transport proteins.  They exist across a diverse range of organisms from bacteria to mammals, including humans and any mishandling could cause more harm than be of use. Consequently, though various researchers have been working over the past two decades to combat drug resistance, their activities were limited to laboratory studies. Dr. Singh’s research group used computational methods to design small molecules, called peptides, that could very specifically interact with the transporter proteins of L. major alone, and not interfere with human proteins in any way. The peptides were designed to modulate the transporter proteins “allosterically”, i.e. by interacting with the protein molecule at a location other than the specific location where miltefosine binds to it. This group is the first to have shown allosteric modulation of transporter proteins of Leishmania using computationally-designed synthetic peptides, and their findings were reported in the ‘Biochemical Journal’. These promising research outcomes indicate that this approach could prove useful in the long run to develop novel therapeutics against drug-resistant Leishmania parasites.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16748/inst-develops-low-cost-method-for-producing-antiepileptic-drug-rufinamide.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16748/inst-develops-low-cost-method-for-producing-antiepileptic-drug-rufinamide.html Fri, 26 Jun 2020 13:00:00 +0530 Scientists at Mohali based Institute of Nano Science & Technology (INST), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India, have developed a nanotechnology-based industry-friendly and low-cost method for the production of antiepileptic drug ‘Rufinamide’. Dr. Jayamurugan Govindasamy and his co-workers from INST have developed a new recyclable copper-oxide catalyst, which plays a crucial role in the key reaction for producing the Rufinamide drug. The existing technology for producing the drug has an inherent selectivity issue, which often leads to unwanted non-drug isomer ---1, 5-regioisomer. This necessitates the use of organic solvent, high temperature, and the need to purify and separate the soluble catalyst and so on, leading to unfriendly reaction conditions and high production costs. In the new production method published in the journal Chemical Communications, unlike the traditional CuSO4 catalyst, the newly designed catalyst comprising of very small-sized (3-5 nm) CuI and CuII is so reactive that the reaction can be conducted efficiently under the aqueous condition and at room temperature. Since the catalyst is coated with slightly modified natural bio-polymer, they are biocompatible and can be separated just by filtration technique. The new method promises to overcome many of the current challenges in the synthesis of Rufinamide drug such as high cost, the formation of unwanted 1,5-regioisomer in addition to the required 1,4-regioisomer, limited choice of starting materials (propiolic acid derivatives) leading to multistep synthetic sequences, and poor yields due to use of organic solvents and overheating of the reagents. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16735/iit-g-develops-device-for-diabetic-retinopathy-detection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16735/iit-g-develops-device-for-diabetic-retinopathy-detection.html Fri, 26 Jun 2020 05:05:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT G) in collaboration with Shri Sankaradeva Nethralaya Guwahati, have developed a point-of-care testing device that can detect diabetic retinopathy at an early stage, without need for invasive testing.  The research team is led by Dr. Dipankar Bandyopadhyay, Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering and Head of Center for Nanotechnology, IIT Guwahati. Descriptions and results of their testing device have been recently published in the ACS journal, ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. The paper has been authored by Prof. Bandyopadhyay and his students, Mr. Surjendu Maity, Mr. Subhradip Ghosh, Ms. Tamanna Bhuyan, at IIT Guwahati. The other author and collaborator Dr. Dipankar Das, a Senior Consultant and practicing Ophthalmologist, is the Head of the Department of Ocular Pathology and Uvea in Shri Sankaradeva Nethralaya, Guwahati. The team has also filed an Indian patent for this idea and device. The research is funded by the Ministry of Human Resource and Development, Indian Council of Medical Research and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India. Diabetic retinopathy is a serious non-communicable disease in India, with a conservative estimate that 11 - 20 million Indians will suffer from this malady by 2025. It is caused by abnormal growth in the retinal blood vessels in people with diabetes, and it is usually worsened when the patient is on insulin for diabetic treatment. “Currently, the first step in the test for diabetic retinopathy is an invasive eye exam, in which the eyes are dilated and the ophthalmologist inspects the eye,” explains Dr. Bandyopadhyay. As people who have had eye examination know, this is inconvenient, with blurry vision for a long time after examination. Advanced detection methods such as optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography, detection of exudates in retina, and image analysis are complicated and require skilled operators and can show the malady only after it has progressed enough to be detected. The IIT Guwahati team wondered if there was a simple test such as a blood or urine test, that can detect retinopathy even before symptoms are seen in the eye. This induced the researchers to look for appropriate biomarkers of retinopathy – chemicals that are found in body fluids, that can indicate impending or ongoing retinopathy. The researchers found that β-2-microglobulin (B2M), a protein found in tears and urine, is a reliable indicator for retinopathy. Armed with this knowledge, they set out to develop a device that can detect this protein in these body fluids. The team developed a device in which the sensing element was an antibody to B2M that was immobilised on gold particles a hundred thousand times smaller than the width of the human hair. When the nanogold-laden antibody came in contact with B2M, there was a colour change. “We designed a microfluidic system, in which, the body fluid – tear or urine – was drawn into very thin tubes or capillaries, where they came in contact with the gold-antibody nanoparticles, and the change in colour was assessed to detect B2M”, explains the lead researcher.  Their prototype microfluidic analyser produced good results with reliable and sensitive detection of B2M, offering promise for design of hand-held, easy to operate detectors for diabetic retinopathy, much like the popular glucometers for diabetes itself.  Microfluidic devices, also known as microchips and lab-on-a-chip, have been eliciting considerable interest in recent years in the design of such detection devices. The device typically comprises a small plate containing microchannels for guidance of fluids, in this case, a microdrop of urine or tear. Numerous microfluidic devices have already been developed for the biomarker detection in cancer and other diseases, but there are hitherto, none for detection of diabetic retinopathy.  The IIT Guwahati team’s work is among the first in this area and has tremendous practical implications, especially in India, the diabetic capital of the world. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16732/iit-m-show-ways-to-improve-efficacy-of-anti-cancer-treatments.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16732/iit-m-show-ways-to-improve-efficacy-of-anti-cancer-treatments.html Wed, 24 Jun 2020 13:00:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT M) researchers have shown ways in which traditional cancer therapies can be made more effective. The Research team studies Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), which are highly reactive molecules such as hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals that are used in many common cancer therapies including chemotherapy. The observations made by the IIT Madras team show ways to finetune anticancer therapies for better outcomes.  The Research was led by Prof G.K. Suraishkumar and Prof D. Karunagaran, Faculty, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras.  Their recent work has been published in Springer-Nature’s prestigious peer-reviewed journal Scientific Reports. The research paper was co-authored by Prof. Suraishkumar, Prof. Karunagaran and Research Scholars, Ms. Uma Kizhuveetil and Ms. Sonal Omer. It was financially supported by a grant from the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. The team has shown that the effective ROS levels vary rhythmically in the cell upon being treated with menadione or curcumin.  Thus, the timing of administration of the anti-cancer drugs can affect its effectiveness.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16701/iicb-explores-neuro-invasive-potential-of-sars-cov-2.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16701/iicb-explores-neuro-invasive-potential-of-sars-cov-2.html Wed, 24 Jun 2020 09:50:00 +0530 The team of researchers at CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB), Kolkata has explored the neuro-invasive potential of SARS-CoV-2 and suggested that the virus may infect respiratory centre of the brain and attention should be focused on the respiratory centre of the central nervous system to search for mortality due to COVID 19. The paper published in ACS Chemical Neuroscience and supported by Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB), a Statutory Body of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), implies that SARS-CoV-2 virus might enter the human brain through the nose and reaches the olfactory bulb of the brain.  From there, SARS-CoV-2 virus might infect PreBötzinger complex (PBC), the primary center of the brain that controls the respiratory rhythm generation. This explains that collapse of the respiratory center in the brain may be responsible for breakdown of COVID-19 patients. Team of researchers Dr. Prem Tripathi, Dr. Upasana Ray, Dr. Amit Srivastava and Dr. Sonu Gandhi discussed that although, lung is one of the most infected organs, several other organs, including the brain, are also affected. This is the first report that highlights the SARS-CoV-2 may target the PBC of the brainstem that controls respiration and causes respiratory collapse of COVID-19 patients. The scientists have suggested that cerebrospinal fluid of COVID-19 patients and postmortem brain of deceased patients should be assessed to better understand the route of SARS-CoV-2 entry and its spread to respiratory center of brain. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16734/iit-madras-researchers-show-ways-to-improve-efficacy-of-anti-cancer-treatments.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16734/iit-madras-researchers-show-ways-to-improve-efficacy-of-anti-cancer-treatments.html Wed, 24 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Madras Researchers have shown ways in which traditional cancer therapies can be made more effective. The Research team studies Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), which are highly reactive molecules such as hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals that are used in many common cancer therapies including chemotherapy. The observations made by the IIT Madras team show ways to finetune anticancer therapies for better outcomes. The Research was led by Prof G.K. Suraishkumar and Prof D. Karunagaran, Faculty, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras. Their recent work has been published in Springer-Nature’s prestigious peer-reviewed journal Scientific Reports. The research paper was co-authored by Prof. Suraishkumar, Prof. Karunagaran and Research Scholars, Ms. Uma Kizhuveetil and Ms. Sonal Omer. It was financially supported by a grant from the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. Explaining their Research and its importance, Prof. G.K. Suraishkumar said, “Reactive Oxygen Species are molecules that are generated in the body during normal functioning and are associated with many metabolic processes. The regulation of these species is important because if there is excess produced, it can cause oxidative stress and damage to the cells, resulting in inflammation and various diseases.”  Further Prof. Suraishkumar added, “Despite the known damaging effects of ROS, they can be used to destroy cells that we do not want - such as cancer cells.  Indeed, common cancer therapies, including chemotherapy, are based on the action of ROS generated by the drug on cancer cells.” In the human body, antioxidant molecules are generated to moderate the levels of ROS present in the body, to prevent oxidative damage. To optimize ROS-generating cancer treatment and counter-treatments, oxidative stress is often assessed through measurement of the antioxidant levels in the cells. The IIT Madras Research Team studied the effects of two reactive-oxygen-species generating compounds - menadione (Vitamin K3) and curcumin (the active principle of turmeric) – on cells of cervical and colon cancers. They made two interesting observations in their work. The team has shown that the effective ROS levels vary rhythmically in the cell upon being treated with menadione or curcumin.  Thus, the timing of administration of the anti-cancer drugs can affect its effectiveness.  “This means that by judiciously designing the time of administration of the ROS-generating anti-cancer drug, we can enhance cancer cell death by as much as 27 per cent, thus enhancing the effectiveness of the treatment. We are collaborating with cancer hospitals to try our ‘simple timing’ strategy to enhance the effectiveness of cancer treatment,” said Prof. Suraishkumar. Another interesting observation the IIT Madras team has made is that cellular antioxidant levels do not reflect the effective ROS level in the cell.  “Our observations make us wonder if using antioxidant levels to decide the therapy parameters is less useful than generally believed,” added Prof. Suraishkumar. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16664/jnu-develops-new-drug-for-amoebiasis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16664/jnu-develops-new-drug-for-amoebiasis.html Mon, 15 Jun 2020 06:00:00 +0530 According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Entamoeba histolytica is the third-leading cause of morbidity and mortality due to parasitic disease in humans. It causes amoebiasis or amoebic dysentery, which is highly prevalent in developing countries. A team of researchers from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has developed new drug molecules against the protozoa that causes amoebiasis. This protozoan is anaerobic or micro-aerophilic in nature such that it cannot survive high concentrations of oxygen. However, during infection, it faces a high surge of oxygen inside the human body. The organism synthesizes large amounts of cysteine to counter oxidative stress. This pathogen deploys cysteine as one of the essential molecules in its defence mechanism against high oxygen levels. Entamoeba expresses two crucial enzymes for synthesizing cysteine. Researchers from JNU have characterized and determined the molecular structures of both these crucial enzymes. “We have also successfully screened for potent inhibitors for one of the enzymes, O-acetyl L-serine sulfhydrylase (OASS). Some of these inhibitors can check the growth of this organism with high efficacy,” said Prof. Samudrala Gourinath, lead researcher, School of Life Sciences, JNU. “Cysteine biosynthesis is crucial for the survival of E. histolytica and may be similar protozoan parasites. These can be targeted by inhibiting their pathways, which we have successfully done. The identified molecules can be lead to the development of drug molecules” said Dr Gourinath. The research team includes Sudhaker Dharavath, Ramachandran Vijayan, Khushboo Kumari, and Priya Tomar. The study has been published in the journal European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16648/iiims-pancreatic-cancer-drug-ready-to-enter-clinical-trials.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16648/iiims-pancreatic-cancer-drug-ready-to-enter-clinical-trials.html Fri, 12 Jun 2020 09:05:00 +0530 CSIR constituent lab CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM) Jammu, has received Investigational New Drug (IND) approval from New Drugs Division of Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) for a potent anti-cancer, New Chemical Entity (NCE) effective against pancreatic cancer after successful completion of preclinical development and IND submission. This will pave way for CSIR- IIIM for conducting the clinical trial of this important drug candidate IIIM-290 in pancreatic cancer patients. The proposed clinical trial is aimed to assess the safety, tolerability and exposure of the compound in humans along with the early efficacy indicators in pancreatic cancer patients. This drug was discovered and developed at the natural-products driven drug discovery program of CSIR-IIIM. Dr. Shekhar Mande, DG, CSIR complemented team of scientists Sandip Bharate, Sonali Bharate, Dilip Mondhe, Shashi Bhushan and Sumit Gandhi who were led by Dr. Ram Vishwakarma, Director of CSIR-IIIM, on this significant milestone. They conducted close to a decade of high-end research as a prelude to granting of regulatory approval for clinical trials against pancreatic cancer. Dr Ram Vishwakarma, highlighting the R&D carried out, informed that the anti-cancer screening against NCI-60 cancer cell lines panel and clinically validated protein kinase enzymes involved in cancer provided in 2011, provided an initial potent hit (rohitukine, a pure molecule natural product from the leaves of a tree from the Western Ghats Dysoxylum binectariferum,commonly known as Indian white cedar). Further medicinal chemistry designed to address efficacy/selectivity against a class of cell-cycle regulatory kinases (i.e. cyclin-dependent kinases) identified this preclinical candidate IIIM-290 showing excellent pharmacokinetics, oral bioavailability and potent anticancer activity in a number of animal xenograft models, with the best activity against the pancreatic cancer model. In the last three years, researchers completed all the pre-clinical safety, regulatory and other IND enabling studies, obtained global patents and published in, the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry in 2018. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16636/iasst-develops-ai-based-diagnostic-framework-for-oral-cancers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16636/iasst-develops-ai-based-diagnostic-framework-for-oral-cancers.html Wed, 10 Jun 2020 11:50:00 +0530 Scientists at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology, Govt of India, have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) based algorithms as an aid to rapid diagnosis and prediction of oral squamous cell carcinoma. The framework developed by the research group at the Central Computational and Numerical Sciences Division, IASST led by Dr. Lipi B Mahanta, will also help grading of oral squamous cell carcinoma. An indigenous dataset was developed by the scientists through collaborations to make for the unavailability of any benchmark oral cancer dataset for the study. Exploring different state-of-the-art AI techniques and playing with their proposed method, the scientists have gained unprecedented accuracy in oral cancer grading. The study was conducted applying two approaches through the application of transfer learning using a pre-trained deep convolutional neural network (CNN). Four candidate pre-trained models, namely Alexnet, VGG-16, VGG-19, and Resnet-50, were chosen to find the most suitable model for the classification problem, and a proposed CNN model developed to fit the problem. Although the highest classification accuracy of 92.15% was achieved by the Resnet-50 model, the experimental findings highlight that the proposed CNN model outperformed the transfer learning approaches displaying accuracy of 97.5%. The work has been published in the journal Neural Networks. As of now, the group is set for converting the algorithm into proper software to move on to carry out field trials. This is the next challenge that the group is prepared to meet, considering the ever-present gap between the health and IT sectors. Dr. Mahanta aspires for all the advanced infrastructural support to meet these challenges and feels that the software needs to be actively tested in hospitals, to make it truly robust, more accurate, and real-time worthy. The advent of deep learning in AI holds an extraordinary prospect in digital image analysis to serve as a computational aid in the diagnosis of cancer, thus providing help in timely and effective prognosis and multi-modal treatment protocols for cancer patients and reducing the operational workload of pathologists while enhancing management of the disease. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16629/arci-develops-magnetocaloric-material-for-cancer-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16629/arci-develops-magnetocaloric-material-for-cancer-treatment.html Tue, 09 Jun 2020 08:00:00 +0530 Scientists at the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), an autonomous R&D Centre of Department of Science and Technology (DST) has developed a rare-earth-based magnetocaloric material that can be effectively used for cancer treatment. The magnetocaloric materials (certain materials in which application and removal of a magnetic field causes the materials to become warmer or cooler) developed by ARCI are being tested at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology (SCTIMST). A paper on the research work has been published in the Journal of Alloys and Compounds. Advancements in magnetic materials led to the development of magnetic hyperthermia to try to address the issues of side effects of cancer treatment like chemotherapy. In magnetic hyperthermia, magnetic nanoparticles are subjected to alternating magnetic fields of few Gauss, which produce heat due to magnetic relaxation losses. Usually, the temperature required to kill the tumor cells is between 40 and 45°C. However, the drawback in magnetic hyperthermia is the lack of control of temperature, which may damage the healthy cells in the body and also have side effects like increased blood pressure etc. These problems can be avoided by using magnetocaloric materials, as it can provide controlled heating. The advantage of magnetocaloric materials which heat up or cool down with the application and removal of the magnetic field, respectively is that as soon as the magnetic field is removed, cooling effect is generated, unlike in magnetic nanoparticles where overheating persists, even after removal of the magnetic field. ARCI and SCTIMST are carrying out vitro measurements on the tumour cells with rare-earth nanoparticles dispersed in fluids for testing with MRI at a higher magnetic field of 0.5 Tesla to generate more data. This method, when used in conjunction with radiation therapy, would reduce the side effects, damage caused to the human body and also reduce the treatment time of cancer tumours. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16624/iit-m-shows-role-of-microrna-in-tongue-cancer-cells.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16624/iit-m-shows-role-of-microrna-in-tongue-cancer-cells.html Mon, 08 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) Researchers have identified a specific microRNA (miRNAs) called ‘miR-155’ that is over-expressed in tongue cancer.  This finding is important in that molecular strategies can potentially be devised to manipulate miR-155 expression to develop therapeutics for tongue cancer.   miRNAs affect cancer growth through inhibiting or enhancing the functions of certain proteins.  For example, it has been shown that a type of protein called ‘programmed cell death 4’ helps in stopping cancer cells from growing and spreading.  Inhibition of this protein has been known to cause spread of oral, lung, breast, liver, brain and colon cancers. A team of researchers lead by Prof Devarajan Karunagaran, Head, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras, and his Research Scholar – Mr. Shabir Zargar collaborated with researchers from Cancer Institute and Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital at Chennai and Indian Institute of Science at Bengaluru in this Research. Their recent paper in this area has been published in the reputed peer-reviewed journal Molecular and Cellular biology. It has been co-authored by Mr. Shabir Zargar, Mr. Vivek Tomar, Mr. Vidyarani Shyamsundar, Mr. Ramshankar Vijayalakshmi, Mr. Kumaravel Somasundaram, and Prof. Karunagaran. Elaborating about this research, Prof Karunagaran, Head, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras, said, “MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non‐coding RNAs containing 20–24 nucleotides that participate in virtually all biological pathways in animals. They have been found to play important roles in many cancers, in carcinogenesis (start of cancer), malignant transformation and metastasis – the development of secondary cancer. The miRNAs associated with cancer are called ‘Oncomirs’.” Further, Prof Karunagaran added, “Many of the oncomirs affect cancer by suppressing the performance of tumour suppressing agents that can prevent growth and spread of cancer cells, although some oncomirs are also involved in preventing tumour growth itself. It is therefore important to identify the types of miRNAs that are associated with both suppression and proliferation of cancer cells.”   The team has gone beyond showing the connection between miR-155 and pdcd4.  They have also shown that knocking out miR-155 causes death of cancer cells, arrests the cell cycle, and regresses tumour size in animal models and reduces cell viability and colony formation in bench top assays. Adding on, Mr. Shabir Zargar said, “While it has been long suspected that miR-155 downregulates Pdcd4, there have, hitherto, been no evidence for such interaction.” The collaborative team headed by Prof Karunagaran has now shown beyond doubt that miR-155 is overexpressed in tongue cancer cells and tongue tumour tissues.  This ‘overactivity’ of miR-155 hinders the action of pdcd4, which in turn causes spread and growth of cancer of the tongue. “Our study has shown that the restoration of Pdcd4 levels through molecular manipulation of miR-155 can lead to potential therapeutic developments for cancers, especially of tongue cancer,” adds Prof Karunagaran. miRNA manipulation is being combined with conventional cancer treatment methods such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy, and the study reported by collaborative team can enable such emerging therapeutics for cancer. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16612/ncvtc-to-develop-of-host-directed-antivirals-for-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16612/ncvtc-to-develop-of-host-directed-antivirals-for-covid-19.html Fri, 05 Jun 2020 10:50:00 +0530 The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) has approved support for a study by the National Centre for Veterinary Type Cultures (NCVTC), ICAR-NRC from Hisar in Haryana, which will screen their library of 94 small molecule chemical inhibitors for antivirals against coronaviruses. The molecules are known to inhibit cellular kinases, phosphatases, and epigenetic regulators such as histone methyl transferase, histone deacetylase, and DNA methyl transferase. The targets of these inhibitors are well characterized in cancer, however, their role in the virus life cycle is not known. The selected candidates (hits) with anti-coronavirus activity will be subjected to study their molecular mechanism of action, besides examining generation of potential drug-resistant virus variants. Classically, antiviral drugs are developed by directly targeting certain viral proteins. However, this strategy often fails due to the rapid generation of drug-resistant viruses. Unlike higher organisms, a viral polymerase-the viral enzyme that synthesizes its nucleic acid (RNA) does not have proofreading capacity. Therefore, RNA viruses such as the coronaviruses do not have the mechanisms to remove wrongly incorporated nucleotides (building blocks of viral RNA) during the synthesis of the viral genome. The lack of proofreading capacity results in the accumulation of point mutations in the viral genome. This leads to changes in viral proteins. The altered viral proteins may then become resistant to the available antiviral drugs. This intriguing ability of the viruses to rapidly and frequently change themselves is a big challenge for the scientists in developing antiviral drugs. Viruses can only replicate inside the host cell. A host (human) cell contains around 25,000 proteins. During replication, viruses establish numerous interactions with these cellular proteins. A virus needs more than 1000 different cellular proteins to replicate inside the host cell effectively. "Chemical library screening in medicinal chemistry research is a useful methodology that considerably shortens drug discovery and development cycle, especially for newly identified etiologic agents, such as SARS-Cov-2. Such approach provides for rapid access to useful pharmacophores and narrows down the search for preferred molecular scaffolds and is also compatible with high-throughput robotic assays. While supporting Cov-2 vaccine development programs, it is also imperative to have sufficient focus toward anti-coronavirus drug discovery pipeline," said Prof Sandeep Verma, Secretary, SERB. Dr. Naveen Kuman, scientist NCVTC is exploring an alternate strategy to target such cellular proteins, protein-protein (virus-host) interaction, or epigenetic regulators for antiviral drug development commonly called as host-directed antiviral therapy.  The host-directed antivirals are believed to have fewer tendencies in inducing drug resistance because it is not possible for the virus to easily change missing cellular functions by mutations. In addition, host-directed antiviral agents are likely to exert broad-spectrum antiviral effects because the requirement of host factors by viruses is usually conserved across the members of a particular virus family or sometimes even across the members of different virus families. The institute’s collection of small molecule inhibitors will be the resource from which Dr. Kumar hopes to find his antiviral weapon targeting cellular proteins, protein-protein (virus-host) interaction, or epigenetic regulators for COVID 19.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16575/iasst-develops-herbal-medicine-loaded-smart-bandage.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16575/iasst-develops-herbal-medicine-loaded-smart-bandage.html Thu, 04 Jun 2020 06:30:00 +0530 Scientists from Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India have developed a pH-responsive smart bandage that can deliver the medicine applied in the wound at the pH that is suitable for the wound. The scientists have developed the delivery system by fabricating a nanotechnology-based cotton patch that uses cheap and sustainable materials like cotton and jute. In the research by Dr Devasish Chowdhury, Associate Professor IASST, a nanocomposite hydrogel bound compact cotton patch incorporated with jute carbon dots was fabricated to carry out the drug release. Jute has been used for the first time as a precursor in synthesizing fluorescent carbon dots, and water was used as the dispersion medium. Herbal formulation neem leaf (Azadirachtaindica) extract was taken as the model drug to exemplify the release study. This study published in the journal ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng. demonstrated the stimuli-responsive drug delivery system using natural products – jute and neem leaf extract. The jute carbon dots were immobilized in the hydrogel matrix-bound cotton patch and could effectively exemplify different drug release pattern at two different pH levels --lower at pH 5 than at higher at pH 7. The stimuli-responsive nature of the fabricated hybrid cotton patch acts as an advantage as in case of growth of bacterial infections in a wound, and this induces release of drug at lower pH which is favourable under these conditions. This pH-responsive behaviour of the fabricated cotton patch lies in the unique behaviour of the jute carbon dots incorporated in the system because of the different molecular linkages formed during the carbon dot preparation. Dr Devasish Chowdhury’s group had earlier fabricated a compact cotton patch that showed excellent wound healing ability but posed a disadvantage because of uncontrolled release when drug was loaded to it. In the present work, they controlled the drug release of the cotton patch, thereby making it a smart wound dressing material. Around any wound, pH changes due to bacterial infections. Hence they developed a pH-responsive drug delivery system with the cotton patch. Carbon dots which are zero-dimensional nanomaterials, due to their unique carbon core and surface functional groups can be designed to exhibit different behaviour towards different pH. They are also known for their low toxicity and great biocompatibility. Therefore, different carbon dots were used as a nano-filler in fabricating hybrid cotton patches to check the drug release behaviour. The development of such a stimuli-responsive behavior of hybrid cotton patch paves the way for utilizing it as smart wound-dressing or bandage material. Use of cheap and sustainable material like cotton and jute to fabricate the patch makes the whole process biocompatible, non-toxic, low cost and sustainable.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16550/iit-r-works-on-structure-based-potential-antivirals-against-sars-cov2.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16550/iit-r-works-on-structure-based-potential-antivirals-against-sars-cov2.html Thu, 28 May 2020 10:10:00 +0530 The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) under Department of Science & Technology (DST) has recently supported a proposed study by Prof. Pravindra Kumar from IIT- Roorkee for identification of structure-based potential antivirals against SARS-CoV2.  The study to be funded under Intensification of Research in High Priority areas (IRHPA) will search for small molecule inhibitors targeting some of the most important viral replication enzymes. These enzymes are viral proteases (papain-like protease & 3CLprotease), RNA dependent RNA polymerase (nsp12), and the Methyltransferase or MTase (nsp14).Viral proteases, which are enzymes encoded by the genetic material (DNA or RNA) of viral pathogens, catalyze the cleavage of specific peptide bonds in cellular proteins. In this study, a computer-based high throughput virtual screening approach will be used to identify antiviral molecules from different compound libraries that will be experimentally validated for antiviral potential. The collaborators Dr. ShaillyTomar from IIT Roorkee and Dr. Gaurav Sharma from Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly, will help in experimental testing and evaluation of the antiviral efficacy of the identified antiviral molecules against SARS-CoV-2 virus. As a preliminary work, the investigators have already performed the in silico work by high-throughput virtual screening approach to examine the binding affinity of FDA approved drugs targeting the viral protease Mpro. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16521/iit-g-discovers-ways-to-prevent-memory-loss-due-to-alzheimers-disease.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16521/iit-g-discovers-ways-to-prevent-memory-loss-due-to-alzheimers-disease.html Fri, 22 May 2020 15:25:00 +0530 Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati has worked on out-of-the-box ideas that can help prevent or reduce short-term memory losses associated with Alzheimer’s disease.  The research team headed by Prof. Vibin Ramakrishnan, Professor, Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, IIT Guwahati, and Prof. Harshal Nemade, Professor, Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering, IIT Guwahati, studies the neurochemical principles of Alzheimer’s, and explore new ways to prevent accumulation of neurotoxic molecules in the brain, that are associated with short-term memory loss due to Alzheimer’s disease.  The IIT Guwahati team reports interesting methods such as application of low-voltage electric field, and the use of ‘trojan peptides’ to arrest aggregation of neurotoxic molecules in the brain.  The scientists are assisted by research scholars Dr. Gaurav Pandey and Jahnu Saikia in their work, and the results of their studies have been published in reputed journals such as ACS Chemical Neuroscience, RSC Advances of Royal Society of Chemistry, BBA and Neuropeptides. The development of a cure for Alzheimer’s disease is important especially for India, which has the third highest number of Alzheimer’s patients in the world, after China and US, with more than four million people falling prey to the memory loss associated with it. While current treatments only alleviate some of the symptoms of the disease, there is no disruptive therapeutic approach yet that can treat the underlying causes of Alzheimer’s. “Approximately hundred potential drugs for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease have failed between 1998 and 2011, which shows the gravity of the problem,” says Dr. Ramakrishnan, who participates in worldwide efforts at finding cures for the disease.  A defining hallmark of Alzheimer’s is the accumulation of Amyloid beta peptides in the brain. Dr. Ramakrishnan and Dr. Nemade seek methods to reduce the accumulation of these peptides, in order to arrest the progression of Alzheimer’s. In 2019, the IIT Guwahati scientists found that application of a low-voltage, safe electrical field can reduce the formation and accumulation of toxic neurodegenerative molecules that cause short-term memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease.  They found that external electric/magnetic field modulates the structure of these peptide molecules, thereby preventing aggregation. “Upon exposure to electric field, we could retard the degeneration of nerve cells to an extent of 17 – 35 %. Objectively, this would translate to about 10 years delay in the onset of the disease”, says Dr. Ramakrishnan. Working further in this area, the scientists explored the possibility of using ‘Trojan peptides’ to arrest aggregation of these neurotoxic molecules. The idea of using ‘Trojan peptide’ comes from mythological “Trojan Horse” used as subterfuge by the Greeks in the battle of Troy. The researchers have designed Trojan peptides by adopting a similar approach of ‘deceit’ to impede the aggregation of the amyloid peptide, arrest the formation of toxic fibrillar assemblies, and reduce poisoning of nerve cells that leads to memory loss. “Our research has provided a different path that may extend the onset of the Alzheimer’s disease. However, it would take testing in animal models and clinical trials before bringing in such new therapeutic approaches into human treatment” says project coordinators, Dr. Ramakrishnan and Dr. Nemade.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16510/iit-guwahati-finds-ways-to-prevent-alzheimers-disease.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16510/iit-guwahati-finds-ways-to-prevent-alzheimers-disease.html Fri, 22 May 2020 07:15:00 +0530 Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati has worked on out-of-the-box ideas that can help prevent or reduce short-term memory losses associated with Alzheimer’s disease.  The research team headed by Prof. Vibin Ramakrishnan, Professor, Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, IIT Guwahati, and Prof. Harshal Nemade, Professor, Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering, IIT Guwahati, studies the neurochemical principles of Alzheimer’s, and explore new ways to prevent accumulation of neurotoxic molecules in the brain, that are associated with short-term memory loss due to Alzheimer’s disease.  The IIT Guwahati team reports interesting methods such as application of low-voltage electric field, and the use of ‘trojan peptides’ to arrest aggregation of neurotoxic molecules in the brain. The scientists are assisted by research scholars Dr. Gaurav Pandey and Mr. Jahnu Saikia in their work, and the results of their studies have been published in reputed journals such as ACS Chemical Neuroscience, RSC Advances of Royal Society of Chemistry, BBA and Neuropeptides. The development of a cure for Alzheimer’s disease is important especially for India, which has the third highest number of Alzheimer’s patients in the world, after China and US, with more than four million people falling prey to the memory loss associated with it. While current treatments only alleviate some of the symptoms of the disease, there is no disruptive therapeutic approach yet that can treat the underlying causes of Alzheimer’s. “Approximately hundred potential drugs for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease have failed between 1998 and 2011, which shows the gravity of the problem,” says Dr. Ramakrishnan, who participates in worldwide efforts at finding cures for the disease.  A defining hallmark of Alzheimer’s is the accumulation of Amyloid beta peptides in the brain. Dr. Ramakrishnan and Dr. Nemade seek methods to reduce the accumulation of these peptides, in order to arrest the progression of Alzeimer’s. In 2019, the IIT Guwahati scientists found that application of a low-voltage, safe electrical field can reduce the formation and accumulation of toxic neurodegenerative molecules that cause short-term memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease.  They found that external electric/magnetic field modulates the structure of these peptide molecules, thereby preventing aggregation. “Upon exposure to electric field, we could retard the degeneration of nerve cells to an extent of 17 – 35 %. Objectively, this would translate to about 10 years delay in the onset of the disease”, says Dr. Ramakrishnan. Working further in this area, the scientists explored the possibility of using ‘Trojan peptides’ to arrest aggregation of these neurotoxic molecules. The idea of using ‘Trojan peptide’ comes from mythological “Trojan Horse” used as subterfuge by the Greeks in the battle of Troy. The researchers have designed Trojan peptides by adopting a similar approach of ‘deceit’ to impede the aggregation of the amyloid peptide, arrest the formation of toxic fibrillar assemblies, and reduce poisoning of nerve cells that leads to memory loss. “Our research has provided a different path that may extend the onset of the Alzheimer’s disease. However, it would take testing in animal models and clinical trials before bringing in such new therapeutic approaches into human treatment” says project coordinators, Dr. Ramakrishnan and Dr. Nemade. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16478/arci-makes-next-gen-biodegradable-metal-implants.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16478/arci-makes-next-gen-biodegradable-metal-implants.html Thu, 21 May 2020 10:10:00 +0530 Scientists at the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) and Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences, Thiruvananthapuram both autonomous institutes under the Department of Science & Technology (DST) have jointly developed new generation Iron-Manganese based alloys for biodegradable metal implants for use in humans. Biodegradable materials (Fe, Mg, Zn, and polymer), which can participate in the healing process and then degrade gradually by maintaining the mechanical integrity without leaving any implant residues in the human body are better alternatives to currently used metallic implants which remain permanently in the human body and can cause long-term side effects like systemic toxicity, chronic inflammation, and thrombosis. The ARCI team employed both conventional melting and powder metallurgy techniques in manufacturing of the new Fe-Mn based biodegradable alloys and stent having dimensions as Diameter: 2 mm, Length: 12 mm and Wall thickness: 175 µm. Iron-Manganese based alloy Fe-Mn (having Mn composition of more than 29% by weight) is a promising biodegradable metallic implant which exhibits single austenitic phase (non-magnetic form of iron) with MRI compatibility. Based on the impressive results, the ARCI team is certain that the newly developed Fe-Mn based alloys are suitable for biodegradable stent and orthopedic implant applications. Invivo and in-vitro studies are being planned at Sri Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences by the team. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16476/jncasr-creates-hydrogel-for-sustained-insulin-delivery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16476/jncasr-creates-hydrogel-for-sustained-insulin-delivery.html Tue, 19 May 2020 08:25:00 +0530 Scientists at Bengaluru based Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), an autonomous research institute under the Department of Science and Technology, have recently developed an injectable Silk fibroin-based hydrogel for sustained insulin delivery in diabetic patients. A patent application has also been filed for this invention. Prof. T. Govindaraju and his research team from JNCASR have developed the silk fibroin (SF) formulation using biocompatible additives and prepared an injectable SF hydrogel (iSFH) that can ease insulin delivery in diabetic patients. The iSFH has demonstrated successful delivery of active insulin in rats, and the results have been published in the journal ACS Applied Bio Materials. The JNCASR scientists have shown that subcutaneous injection of insulin with-iSFH in diabetic rats formed active depot under the skin from which insulin trickled out slowly and restored the physiological glucose homeostasis for a prolonged period of 4 days with no risks of low blood sugar through sudden burst of high concentration of insulin into the blood. The viscous additives used by the team restricted the mobility of SF protein backbones and results in the rapid gelation. The microstructures provide mechanical strength (to support injectability), and porous morphology of iSFH allowed the encapsulation of human recombinant insulin in its active form in diabetic rats. The JNCASR team hopes that pharmaceutical companies will come forward and further develop it for human use. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16417/iit-g-duke-nus-conduct-predictive-studies-on-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16417/iit-g-duke-nus-conduct-predictive-studies-on-covid-19.html Tue, 12 May 2020 06:10:00 +0530 Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G), India, and the Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, have used data science models to analyse and predict the total number of infected people for different States in India in the next 30 days. A report solely based on anyone model can potentially mislead us. In an attempt to guard against this possibility, they have considered the exponential, the logistic, and the Susceptible Infectious Susceptible (SIS) models, along with the model-free daily infection-rate (DIR) using open-source data. They have interpreted the results jointly from all models rather than individually. The data-driven assessment is carried out by Dr. Palash Ghosh, Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics, IIT Guwahati, and his Ph.D. scholar, Rik Ghosh, in collaboration with Dr. Bibhas Chakraborty, Associate Professor, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore. Their report is based on the growth of active cases in recent times, along with the daily infection-rate (DIR) values for each State. They label a State as severe if a non-decreasing trend in DIR values is observed over the last two weeks along with a near exponential growth in active infected cases; as moderate if an almost decreasing trend in DIR values is observed over the last two weeks along with neither increasing nor decreasing growth in active infected cases; and as controlled if a decreasing trend in the last two weeks’ DIR values is observed along with a decreasing growth in active infected cases. In their analysis, the logistic model under-predicts the next 30-day prediction, whereas the exponential model over-predicts the same, reflecting the worst-case scenario. They argued that, despite the nation-wide lockdown, people are still out of home for essential businesses, which can contribute to the spreading of the virus. The maximum value of DIR in the last two weeks can capture how severely the COVID-19 is spreading in recent times. Note that the DIR value of 0.10 cannot be interpreted in a similar way for two different States, say, with 500 and 5000 active cases, respectively. For the first State, we see 500 x 0.10 = 50 new cases and for the second State, we observe 5000 x 0.10 = 500 new cases. In an attempt to capture these various subtleties in a realistic prediction, they propose a combination of the logistic and the exponential predictions using the maximum value of DIR over the last two weeks as a weighting factor. Given the situation in entire India, they recommend this composite prediction to be used for assessment purposes for each State. States that are in severe category need to do much more in terms of the preventive measures immediately to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking about the data-driven State-wise assessment of the COVID-19 situation in India, Dr. Palash Ghosh said, “India is a vast country with a geographic area of 3,287,240 square kilometres, and a total population of about 1.3 billion. Most of the Indian States are quite large in geographic area and population. While analyzing the novel coronavirus infection data, considering our entire country to be on the same page may not reveal the right picture. This is so because the first infection, new infection-rate, progression over time, and preventive measures taken by various State governments and the common public for each State are different. We need to address each State separately. It will enable the government(s) to utilize the limited available resources optimally.” Prof. T. G. Sitharam, Director, IIT Guwahati, believes that a joint interpretation from several data science models is essential to have a better perspective about the current situation and the future prediction to control this pandemic. The idea of State-wise analysis is a vital step for better management of the COVID-19 condition in India.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16411/researchers-launch-race-to-develop-sustainable-covid-19-vaccine-delivery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16411/researchers-launch-race-to-develop-sustainable-covid-19-vaccine-delivery.html Sat, 09 May 2020 22:00:00 +0530 Scientists are launching a major new research project in India that will help to engineer an efficient and sustainable delivery mechanism – ready to get an eventual COVID-19 vaccine to billions of people around the globe. Researchers racing to develop, test and manufacture an effective coronavirus vaccine will also need to distribute the drug globally, but universal vaccine access is already a major challenge, particularly in low-income countries across the global South - partly due to the lack of robust cold-chains. The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization estimates that only 10% of health care facilities in the world’s poorest countries have a reliable electricity supply while in some countries less than 5% of health centres have vaccine-qualified refrigerators. Backed by the Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation, experts from the University of Birmingham and Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh are joining forces with non-profit, commercial and academic partners to begin investigating the scale of challenge involved in distributing a potentially temperature-sensitive COVID-19 vaccine. Toby Peters, Professor of Cold Economy at the University of Birmingham, commented: “Universal vaccine access is already a major challenge. With COVID-19, rapid mass immunisation will probably be required; maintaining a continuous cold chain to rapidly transport and deliver COVID-19 vaccines to all communities, many where electricity supply and cooling infrastructure is often non-existent or unreliable, will be a daunting task.  “Given most of the technologies deployed today will still be in operation in the next decade, the emergence of sustainable and off-grid cold-chain devices allows us the opportunity to create sustainable solutions for COVID-19 vaccine deployment that also can deliver resilient and sustainable health cold-chain systems as a lasting legacy.” Shubhashis Dey, Associate Director of Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation commented: “COVID-19 related mass immunization requirements offer us an opportunity to not only increase our vaccine production, but also create a robust logistics cold chain system that can handle the country’s overall vaccine needs. The vaccination program will require millions of citizens of all age group to be vaccinated within a short span of time. Our effort is designed to help India overcome this massive logistic challenge sustainably and create a model of global adoption.” Research in India led by Centre for Environment Education, and supported by commercial partners such as Zanotti (a part of the Daikin Group), Sure Chill and Nexleaf Analytics, will begin addressing on the group research to address a number of questions that will be key to solving the cold-chain conundrum, including: Does any country have the infrastructure, resources and planning capability to meet the demand of COVID-19 immunisation, while still meeting current vaccine needs? If not, what infrastructure and training do we need in place? What are the short- and long-term infrastructure financing requirements to create such an efficient vaccine delivery system? Can we achieve this sustainably – economically, socially and environmentally? Clean cold experts from the University of Birmingham and Heriot-Watt University are already working with Indian counterparts Centre for Environment Education and MP Ensystems to explore how integrated ‘Community Cooling Hubs’ can integrate food cold chains with other cold-dependent services such as community health facilities, social facilities and even emergency services. Professor Phil Greening, from the Centre for Sustainable Road Freight at Heriot-Watt University, commented: “We may have 12-18 months to engineer a robust, efficient distribution system to ensure any vaccine for COVID-19 can reach the world’s population, whether they are in urban or remote rural areas. “A radical approach like community cooling hubs could help meet the different communities’ cooling needs in a clean, affordable and sustainable way while helping to safeguard people’s health. “There will be many knowns and unknowns in facing the coronavirus challenge, but a vaccine is one of the very few exit strategies around which scientists and government are aligned.”  The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that, as a result of broken cold-chain, there are more than 1.5 million deaths globally from vaccine-preventable diseases every year - 30% of which are among children under five. WHO estimates that more than 25% of some vaccines may be wasted globally every year because of temperature control and logistics failure. Researchers at the University of Birmingham and Heriot-Watt University believe that their work in this area will ultimately help to: Develop a short- to medium-term crisis exit solution aimed to deliver COVID-19 vaccine in a safe, efficient and clean manner, while still maintaining routine vaccine deliveries. Create a long-term contingency framework through establishment of logistics specifically for medicine, blood, vaccines, that is cost-effective, sustainable and responsive to different levels of challenge – basic needs, natural disasters/ regional epidemics, national pandemics. Deliver lasting value by meeting current unmet and future vaccine demand. Professor Peters added: “Ultimately, we need a global effort to prepare the vaccine and in parallel a global strategy to develop the appropriate sustainable and legacy equitable cold chains and achieve this with minimum environmental impact. “Out-of-the-box thinking is needed if we are to define sustainable and inclusive solutions that can be delivered quickly and at scale to beat this pandemic and unlock connections between COVID-19 vaccine deployment, sustainable cold chain and development of clean energy infrastructure.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16381/indias-rd-expenditure-on-the-rise.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16381/indias-rd-expenditure-on-the-rise.html Wed, 06 May 2020 05:05:00 +0530 India’s gross expenditure in R&D has tripled between 2008 & 2018 driven mainly by Govt sector and scientific publications have risen placing the country internationally among the top few. This is as per the R&D Statistics and Indicators 2019-20 based on the national S&T survey 2018 brought out by the National Science and Technology Management Information (NSTMIS), Department of Science and Technology (DST). "The report on R&D indicators for the nation is an extraordinarily important document for the evidence-based policymaking and planning in higher education, R&D activities and support, intellectual property, and industrial competitiveness. While it is heartening to see substantial progress in the basic indicators of R&D strengths such as the global leadership in the number of scientific publications, there are also areas of concern that need strengthening," said Prof Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, DST The report shows that with the rise in publication, the country is globally at the 3rd   position on this score as per the NSF database, 3rd in the number of Ph.D. in science & engineering. The number of researchers per million population has doubled since 2000. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16369/dst-gives-nod-to-mathematical-study-of-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16369/dst-gives-nod-to-mathematical-study-of-covid-19.html Tue, 05 May 2020 09:00:00 +0530 Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, has approved funding for 11 projects under MATRICS scheme for studying Mathematical modelling and computational aspects to tackle the COVID 19 pandemic. Most of these studies attempt to propose mathematical/ simulation models to account for various factors relevant to COVID 19 by modifying the basic SIR (Susceptible-Infected-Recovered) models. Some of such factors are heterogeneity of population, the role of asymptomatic population, migration and quarantine, effect of social distancing and lockdown, socioeconomic factors and so on. These studies will be primarily aimed to study Indian conditions and will provide an estimate of Basic Reproduction Number- the qualitative indicator of the degree of contagiousness of the disease.  These will be helpful to forecast future pandemic by using the data available and provide fundamental insights into kinetics and management of infectious diseases. The proposed studies also aim to identify the maximum likelihood infection tree when infection reports and contact network structure are known to substantially reduce the efforts of the administration by targeting a subset of manageable size. They will address the spread of pandemic and the impact of preventive issues through a parametric prediction process with an outcome consisting of a packaged solution in the form of usable software which may be made available for ready use by the Government of India and identify possible cure of COVID 19 through the study of DNA structures by creating patterns of DNA of different viruses.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16346/ari-develops-bug-sniffer-for-pathogen-detection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16346/ari-develops-bug-sniffer-for-pathogen-detection.html Fri, 01 May 2020 07:15:00 +0530 Researchers at the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India, have developed a sensitive and low-cost sensor to rapidly detect bacteria.  The portable device can detect as low as ten bacterial cells from a sample size of one milliliter in just 30 minutes. At present, they are working on a method for simultaneous separation and detection of Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. Lead researcher Dr. Dhananjay Bodas and his team from ARI call it the ‘bug sniffer,’ which is a biosensor that uses synthetic peptides, magnetic nanoparticles, and quantum dots to detect the presence of bacteria, providing a cost- and time-effective way of screening water and foodborne pathogens. The researchers also developed a chip comprising of microchannels made from copper wires and poly (dimethylsiloxane) The conventional techniques available for pathogen detection are less sensitive and cannot detect low cell numbers, besides being time-consuming and laborious whereas the ARI device, can detect pathogens with a limit of detection of 10 cells per 1 mL within 30 minutes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16347/snu-offers-potential-cure-for-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16347/snu-offers-potential-cure-for-covid-19.html Thu, 30 Apr 2020 06:30:00 +0530 UP based Shiv Nadar University (SNU) has announced a potential breakthrough solution in the global battle against COVID-19. A team of researchers led by Dr Subhabrata Sen from the Department of Chemistry, Shiv Nadar University, India along with his collaborator Professor Ralf Jockers, Institut Cochin (INSERM, CNRS, Université de Paris, France), has discovered a set of New Chemical Entities (NCEs) with the ability to cure Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) or Acute Lung Injury (ALI) induced by COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) or other Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), which are also caused by coronaviruses. The two-fold strategy devised by the research team involved (a) application of the NCEs to inhibit attachment, entry and infection of the new SARS-CoV-2 through a known target on the virus; and (b) co-administration of a known drug (that modulates a set of hormonal receptors in human) and these NCEs to attenuate ARDS caused by SARS-CoV-2. The researchers believe their therapy would not only prevent COVID-19 from affecting a person’s lungs, but will also address lung injuries already inflicted by the virus, in cases the ventilators are either not proving effective or are not available altogether, bringing much relief to COVID-19 patients suffering from ARDS. The discovery has come out of months of research conceptualizing small molecule modulators of a set of hormonal receptors in humans and how they are connected with potential receptors in the lungs that act as entry of SARS-CoV-2, SARS and MERS in the human host. Additionally, the researchers looked into the pathophysiological condition of lungs during respiratory failure. This included extensive investigations of lung specimens from patients who were retrospectively found to have COVID-19. Using these data, the researchers designed the project that helps in attenuating acute respiratory distress. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16326/iit-jodhpur-explores-neuroinvasive-nature-of-coronavirus.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16326/iit-jodhpur-explores-neuroinvasive-nature-of-coronavirus.html Wed, 29 Apr 2020 09:05:00 +0530 Scientists of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Jodhpur have explored the neuroinvasive nature of the COVID 19 virus SARS-CoV-2 highlighting that loss of smell and taste of infected patients makes their entire Central Nervous System (CNS) and the underlying structures in the brain more prone to viral infection with devastating effects. Dr. Surajit Ghosh and his team have pointed out that SARS-CoV-2 is known to interact with a specific human receptor known as hACE2 (human angiotensin-converting enzyme-2) which also happens to be the entry point of the virus and has an almost ubiquitous presence in most human organs ranging from lung parenchyma to nasal mucosa. The brain is also known to express this receptor. They have attributed the loss of smell or taste to the fact that nose and mouth both are very important entry points of the virus, which then may be slowly making its way to the olfactory bulb using the neurons of the olfactory mucosa. The olfactory bulb located in the forebrain is the structure that is chiefly responsible for the sense of smell. This explains the loss of smell associated with many asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19 and also may be exposing the CNS to viral infection. The paper accepted in ACS Chemical Neuroscience and supported by Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB), a Statutory Body of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), has suggested probable therapeutic strategies that could be adopted to combat it on the basis of understanding the neurological manifestations of the COVID-19. The paper recounts a recently conducted study on the brain scans (CT and MRI) of a patient infected by COVID-19 virus that shows a rare encephalopathy called ANE, which leads to brain dysfunction with seizures and mental disorientation. It indicates that in the presence of human ACE2 receptors in CNS, the brain may be infected by the virus through the olfactory bulbs and also through other peripheral nerve terminals or simply blood circulation and may breach the blood-brain barrier to innervate and attack CNS. The scientists said that it may also completely destroy the medulla oblongata of the hindbrain, which regulates breathing, heart, and blood vessel function. The paper also rings warning bells to the asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19 with anosmia (loss of smell) and ageusia (loss of taste) to self-quarantine themselves as soon as they feel these and consult specialized nephrologists before they turn into carriers. It also suggests brain autopsies of COVID-19 infected patients and analysis of their cerebrospinal fluid. Professor Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, DST said, “The pathway of infection of SARS-CoV-2 and its impact on various organs is an important area that would also help with the future rational approaches for therapy. The neuro-invasive nature of the virus and its effects on the senses of smell and taste are thus interesting and useful areas of investigation.” The publication highlights that activities like smoking could increase the chances of contracting COVID-19 infection, attributing this to the interactions and co-expression of the hACE2 receptor and the nicotinic receptor, which is stimulated on smoking. The paper reflects upon therapeutics agents ranging from the peptide-based therapeutics, which will curb the interaction between the viral protein and the human receptor to the strategic design of small molecule inhibitors designed against the viral spike protein that interacts with the ACE2. It also suggests the development of subunit vaccines from the purified virus along with antibody-based drugs.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16314/indian-scientists-join-global-consortium-in-rapid-response-to-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16314/indian-scientists-join-global-consortium-in-rapid-response-to-covid-19.html Mon, 27 Apr 2020 10:00:00 +0530 Following a wave of reports from patients and clinicians about rapid onset smell loss, prominent health organisations across the world have suggested anosmia as an early indicator for the COVID-19 infection, even in the absence of other symptoms. Scientists worldwide have united in the Global Consortium of Chemosensory Researchers (GCCR) with the goal of rapidly collecting data across geographical and cultural boundaries to investigate the connection between the chemical senses and COVID-19. Researchers from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (National Centre for Biological Sciences and TIFR-Hyderabad), Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Delhi, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, and the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)-Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO) are part of a  group of more than 600 clinicians, neurobiologists, data scientists, cognitive scientists, sensory researchers, and technicians from 50 countries. The GCCR will use data collected in a worldwide survey to assess the correlation between the loss of sense of smell (anosmia) with COVID-19. Data collected intends to provide a worldwide dataset to help clinicians, epidemiologists, and research scientists. The survey will be translated into more than 20 languages.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16298/rcb-working-on-new-solutions-to-beat-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16298/rcb-working-on-new-solutions-to-beat-covid-19.html Fri, 24 Apr 2020 10:00:00 +0530 A team of researchers at Faridabad-based Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) led by Dr. Avinash Bajaj has initiated a study to engineer virucidal coatings to prevent the COVID-19 Transmission. The study is being conducted in collaboration with Dr. Milan Surjit from Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) and Dr. Samrat Mukhopadhay from Department of Textile Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), is an 'Institution established by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, under the auspices of UNESCO. Dr. Bajaj's group has expertise in engineering of antimicrobial molecules that can target the membranes of microorganisms selectively. Here, the group will be extending their expertise on developing the molecules that will target the membranes of Covid-19 viral particles selectively. These molecules will then be used for engineering of different surfaces like glass, plastic and textiles including cotton, nylon, and polyester to provide virucidal coating that can potentially inhibit the viral transmission. In another effort to help fight the pandemic, a research group led by Prof. Deepak T. Nair at the Centre is trying to find out how to inhibit the activity of a protein called nsp12 protein that houses the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity responsible for the duplication of the RNA genome of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In addition, a group of scientists at the Centre is working to develop a highly sensitive and  specific, rapid, point-of-care, low-resource-requiring, colorimetric and cost-effective test for COVID-19 detection with Dr. Priyanka Maurya of S H C Shine Biotech, another on a probe based RT PCR diagnostics kit with Dr. Shailendra Vyas of  Bioheaven, a third group on a rapid molecular diagnostic kit with Dr. Sandeep Verma of InnoDx and the fourth on a PCR based in-vitro diagnostic kits with Dr. Suresh Thakur of NGIVD.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16299/csir-to-repurpose-sepsivac-to-enhance-immunity.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16299/csir-to-repurpose-sepsivac-to-enhance-immunity.html Thu, 23 Apr 2020 16:55:00 +0530 Natural defense mechanism of the body (innate immunity) plays a key role in the fight against COVID-19 and other viral infections. It is a fast, first and efficient immune response for identifying and eliminating COVID-19 and other viruses. The majority of persons coming in contact with COVID-19 or other viruses either do not get the disease or get a milder form of the self-limiting disease as innate immunity is adequate. Cells of human immune system like Macrophages, NK cells offer such protection. While the world is working towards developing vaccines and antiviral agents for the management of COVID-19, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has decided to develop/repurpose an approved immunomodulator, Sepsivac®, to enhance innate immunity of the body to limit the spread of COVID-19 and fasten the recovery of the patients of COVID-19, through its flagship New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI) program. Sepsivac® is expected: to protect the close contacts of COVID-19 patients and health care staff by boosting their innate response and thereby preventing them from acquiring the disease. to provide quicker recovery to the hospitalized COVID-19 patients, who are not critically ill. It will also prevent the progression of disease wherein patients will need ICU management. Both these new clinical trials are now approved by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). They will be randomized, double-blind, two-arm, controlled clinical trials. These two clinical trials are in addition to the recently announced trial on evaluating the efficacy of the drug for reducing mortality (deaths) in critically ill COVID-19 patient. Sepsivac® contains heat-killed Mycobacterium W (Mw). It is found to be extremely safe in patients and no systemic side effects are associated with its use. Sepsivac® was also developed under the NMITLI program of CSIR and is manufactured by Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Ahmedabad.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16274/cdri-steps-up-efforts-to-combat-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16274/cdri-steps-up-efforts-to-combat-covid-19.html Tue, 21 Apr 2020 13:00:00 +0530 Working on three out of the five verticals formulated by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow has inked an MoU (memorandum of understanding) with King George’s Medical University (KGMU) to sequence the virus strains obtained from COVID-19 patients in Uttar Pradesh. Initially, the Lucknow-based lab will sequence the virus strains from the samples of a few patients. This activity will be taken up under the first vertical ‘digital and molecular surveillance’. As of now, eight different variants of the virus are known to be causing the COVID-19 infection. A team has been put into place for analyzing whether changes to the viral sequences, if any, will impact the proposed treatment strategies. Therapeutics or repurposing of drugs to fight against COVID-19 is the second vertical where CDRI is getting involved. Under this, the researchers are trying to repurpose some already existing drugs that have been used by clinicians. “One of the fastest ways to get therapeutics to the patient is through repurposing known drugs against COVID-19 infection. Here, CDRI has identified several candidate drugs for repurposing and will develop them further under the collaboration,” said Professor Tapas Kumar, Director, CSIR-CDRI. The institution has a diverse library of molecules and these have been screened using in silico approaches against a panel of drug targets from SARS-CoV-2 under the third vertical, ‘target-based screening systems’. The identified hits will be evaluated in a preliminary drug-target-based screen (primary screen). “The m-protease, CL-proteinase, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, Spikeprotein-ACE2 system, and other targets are presently being worked on. Their binding/inhibition will also be evaluated in in vitro and in vivo systems with the help of sister laboratories and KGMU,” said Dr Kumar. Professor Amita Jain will lead the team of scientists of KGMU, while Professor R. Ravishankar will lead the team of scientists from CSIR-CDRI. Dr Raj Kamal Tripathi, a virologist at CDRI and an alumnus of KGMU, is leading all the screening related work at CSIR-CDRI.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16259/imtech-starts-genome-sequencing-of-novel-coronavirus.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16259/imtech-starts-genome-sequencing-of-novel-coronavirus.html Mon, 20 Apr 2020 06:10:00 +0530 After the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and the Institute of Genomic and Integrated Biology (IGIB), one more institute of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has started whole-genome sequencing of novel coronavirus. Chandigarh-based Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTech) has taken up the task of large-scale genome sequencing of the virus.  Viruses have higher mutation rate compared to that of microbes and their genetic material keeps on changing quickly as they replicate rapidly. Dr Sanjeev Khosla, Director, IMTech said, “These genome sequencing samples will be submitted to international recognized repository. The complete genome sequence information will enable researchers to gain insights about the origins of the virus, the different types of strains circulating in India and how it has spread across the length and breadth of our country. The genomic resource obtained from this sequencing will also allow identification of new targets for diagnosis and drugs for COVID-19.” Whole-genome sequencing is a method used to determine the complete DNA sequence of a specific organism’s genome. As the Institute is known for its specialization in microbial and genomic research, CSIR-IMTech will perform sequencing of the SARS-Cov-2 RNA genome isolated from clinical samples. So far, 9000 samples have been sequenced internationally as per Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) — a public platform started by the WHO in 2008 for countries to share genome sequences. The genomic resource obtained from this sequencing will also allow identification of new targets of diagnosis and drugs for COVID-19. “We have already started clinical testing of samples and now by embarking on this mission to sequence viral strains, we will be better equipped to understand the nature of this virus, which has caused a global pandemic”, Dr. Sanjeev Khosla added. CSIR-IMTech will be using its experience in portable, real-time and direct genome sequencing to study the chemical modification in SARS-Cov-2 strains from India.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16251/ccmb-to-develop-inactivated-virus-vaccine-for-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16251/ccmb-to-develop-inactivated-virus-vaccine-for-covid-19.html Fri, 17 Apr 2020 06:05:00 +0530 Researchers from Hyderabad based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) have embarked upon developing an inactivated virus vaccine for the dreaded novel coronavirus.  Inactivated vaccines are known for their safety and easy production. Vaccination is thought to be the most effective and sure way to arrest the progress and deadly effect of this virus. Various organisationsacross the world are working towards finding a vaccine and the World Health Organisation (WHO) has listed more than 42 promising candidates currently under development. “If we grow a large amount of virus and we can inactivate it, that will be material for candidate vaccine to be injected. Now the virus will not be active but the human body will recognise the proteins of the virus and start making antibodies against it. So, it acts as inactivated virus vaccine”, said Dr Rakesh Mishra, Director, CCMB while speaking with India Science Wire. Once the cell-culture-based production of the virus is in place, it would be handed over to the industry partner, he told. The important technological challenge is culturing the virus outside of the human host. As the novel coronavirus has evolved to life on human cells, especially in cells with active ACE2 receptors, locating the right source of the cell line to culture the virus outside of the human body is key to this technology. CCMB is using the epithelial cell line from African green monkey grown in Petri dish to artificially culture and harvest the deadly virus. Afew more options of cell lines will be explored to find the right one on which the novel coronavirus can infect, grow and multiply.  The cells will be observed and if the cells show changes, including dying of cells and release of the virus, then the culture is positive. “We are growing the cells in the culture that will harbour the virus so we can make an in-vitro system, which can be checked for its potential”, said Dr Mishra. The novel coronavirus grown in the cell culture will be harvested, inactivated and the vaccine would be developed. Finding a right cell culture technology for the novel coronavirus will also help in drug development. Once a virus infects the cells, the potential drug candidate can be tested against the same. “If we infect fresh cells with the virus, after 2-3 days the cells would be dead and lots of viruses would be produced. However, if you administer the potential drug, the cell will not die and the replication of viruses would be arrested if the drug is effective”, he explained. This way, one can check if a particular drug is effective as antiviral.   Apart from this, CCMB will also pool in samples and use its facilities to test a large number of suspects harbouring virus infection.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16238/dst-looks-into-metabolomics-alteration-for-covid-19-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16238/dst-looks-into-metabolomics-alteration-for-covid-19-treatment.html Thu, 16 Apr 2020 05:05:00 +0530 The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), will support exploration of metabolomics alteration in COVID-19 infected patients conducted by IIT Bombay in collaboration with some hospitals in Mumbai. The study will identify potential biomarker candidates to predict progression from non-severe to severe COVID-19 conditions. Search for potential diagnostic candidates will involve metabolite profiling of different patient groups with various complications.Metabolites are small biomolecules, capable of regulating various pathways in all the living-organisms. Dr. Sanjeeva Srivastava, Professor at IIT Bombay, with the expertise of using state-of-the-art mass spectrometry-based technologies, has teamed up with Dr. Om Shrivastav, Director, Infectious Diseases, Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai and Dr. Jayanthi S. Shastri, Professor & Head (Microbiology) T N Medical College & Nair Hospital and Dr. Mala Vinod Kaneria, Infectious Disease Specialist at Kasturba, Nair &Jaslok Hospitals, for this research. An advanced mass spectrometry-based national facility equipped with hybrid and tribrid mass spectrometers will facilitate the analysis of nasopharyngeal swab andplasmasamples. A team of over 20 researchers having expertise in handling a large number of different types of human biospecimens for proteomics and metabolomics investigations will work on it. “This is a very interesting approach to differentiate between the mild and severe cases of COVID-19 based on the determination of biomarkers fromdetailed metabolome or proteome investigations. If successful, it could help both in advanced diagnostic and therapeutic strategies,” said Professor Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, DST. The study will include COVID-19 confirmed patients with mild and typical respiratory tract symptoms as non-severe group and patients with respiratory distress or multi-organ failure as severe groups. Patients with flu symptoms and RT-PCR negative will serve as controls. The comparison of metabolomics between these groups in terms of severity with the help ofthe patient’s plasma and swab samples will be a novel approach to understand the progression of infection and also assess changes in the metabolite profile of the host. By identifying potential markers to distinguish the patients based on severity,the study can help find novel targets for therapy. A number of research groups are working globally on COVID-19 problem, and most of these studies have been restricted to cell-line based investigation. However, detailed metabolome or proteome investigation of COVID-19+ patient clinical samples needs to be done to provide novel cues of COVID-19 severity. Investigation of different patient groups having mild to severe symptoms will provide early cues to identify an asymptomatic group of patients and understandinginfection mechanism and the difference between severe cases of COVID-19 from non-severe ones in terms of biological pathways. This might be helpful for future therapeutic interventions. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16223/ncbs-preparing-solutions-to-fight-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16223/ncbs-preparing-solutions-to-fight-covid-19.html Wed, 15 Apr 2020 09:05:00 +0530 Bengaluru based National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) and Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem) have received approval to immediately undertake projects that aim to develop affordable, field-deployable actions in the fight against COVID-19. Given the acute shortage of reagents for the manufacture and procurement of COVID-19 diagnostic test kits in the country and worldwide, a rapid compressed sensing technology for COVID-19 pooled testing is being developed. Mathematical models of COVID-19 spread are being developed, including detailed agent-based models and coarse-grained epidemiological models. These will be fit to national-level quantitative data on COVID-19 spread, to provide recommendations on outbreak suppression. A rapid colour-based assay for point-of-care COVID-19 detection is being developed. A method to rapidly screen FDA-approved drugs that interfere with key steps of viral entry and processing is being developed. Cheminformatics approaches will be used to study whether antivirals already in use for other coronaviridae infections could be repurposed for COVID-19. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16211/iit-g-develops-antimicrobial-spray-based-coating-for-ppe.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16211/iit-g-develops-antimicrobial-spray-based-coating-for-ppe.html Tue, 14 Apr 2020 08:05:00 +0530 A team of researchers of Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) has developed affordable antimicrobial (antiviral/antibacterial) spray-based coating for Personal Protective Equipment and 3D printed Ear Guard for comfortable use of face masks by healthcare workers. The concepts have been developed by Dr. Biman B. Mandal, Professor, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Guwahati, along with his PhD scholars, Bibhas K. Bhunia and Ashutosh Bandyopadhyay.   Talking about the work, Dr. Biman B. Mandal said, “Effective yet affordable technologies are need of the hour for India. We at IITG under the leadership of our Director, Prof. T.G. Sitharam, are committed to contribute to the nation’s immediate need at this hour of COVID-19 crisis.” Antimicrobial Spray-based Coating for Personal Protective Equipment: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that are being used presently are designed to protect the wearer from infectious microbes/aqueous virus droplets acting as a barrier. However, these PPE, generally, do not have the ability to prevent the spread of microbes as the surface of the fabric readily allows adherence and accumulation of microbes with time. This leads to further spread of the microbes due to negligent handling of PPE and wrong disposal protocols. In an attempt to safeguard healthcare workers and citizens from current Coronavirus crisis and other infectious diseases, the research group has developed an affordable antimicrobial (antiviral/antibacterial) spray-based coating for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits to kill and prevent the spread of microbes once they come in contact with the coated PPE surface. The strategic association of metal nanoparticle cocktail, such as copper, silver and other active ingredients, present in the spray acts as an antimicrobial agent. This ensures limited penetration and accumulation of microbial contaminants on PPE. Thus, the coating has the potential to reduce the risk of secondary infection by limiting the transmission of the microbes. The innovation is affordable and readily deployable using existing infrastructure available with PPE manufacturers. It can be spray/dip-coated onto any kind of surface including textiles and other medical device surfaces to get rid of microbial load. This will allow reusability of PPEs and easy containment of the microbes. The research team has developed the prototype of the technology. Further validation of product safety is ongoing and antimicrobial action specifically against Coronavirus will be done at a government facility. The team has filed for a Provisional Patent for the technology. The technology has several advantages like: Killing of microbes will allow reusability of masks and other PPEs. Hence, less burden will be on the manufactures for making millions of masks which are generally thrown away after single use Restrict spreading of microbes to fingers and other individuals due to negligent usage of masks where users tend to touch them while removing Reduce bioburden and transmission after disposal The affordable technology can be implemented through a one-step facile spray/dip method using existing industry infrastructure to coat fabric materials which are commonly used for mask/bodysuits. The technology has been developed by Dr. Biman B. Mandal along with his PhD scholar, Bibhas K. Bhunia. 3D Printed Ear Guard for Comfortable Use of Face Masks by Healthcare Workers: Long-time usage of strapped and tight-fitting face masks is painful to the ears.  This has been a major concern with healthcare workers who have to wear these masks for hours during duty cycle. Even for commoners during corona crisis, masks are to be worn constantly. To address this critical issue, the research team has 3D printed ‘Ear Guard’ prototype. The ergonomical design of the guard holds the face mask strap in a place without giving pressure to the ear. Therefore, masks can be worn effortlessly for hours without pain or discomfort to the wearer. Using 3D printers, these ‘Ear Guards’ are being made in a free size to fit all. These are being printed at the Biomaterial & Tissue Engineering Laboratory of IIT Guwahati using polymer resins. The ear guards are affordable, long-lasting and designed to give comfortable wearing experience. Presently, the team is printing thousands of these ear guards to be distributed to hospitals across the Northeast Region and if needed, across India. 3D Printed Ear Guard has been designed and printed by Dr. Biman B. Mandal along with his PhD scholars, Ashutosh Bandyopadhyay and Bibhas K. Bhunia.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16209/medgenome-sgrf-predict-covid-19-susceptibility.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16209/medgenome-sgrf-predict-covid-19-susceptibility.html Mon, 13 Apr 2020 09:05:00 +0530 A group of Indian and US researchers from MedGenome and SciGenom Research Foundation (SGRF) collaborated to analyze DNA sequence and variation data from over 300,000 individuals to predict susceptibility to the COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.  The group identified variations in the ACE-2 protein gene that are predicted to make individuals more susceptible to the virus – their findings are published online at  https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.04.07.024752v1. They also report variants in the ACE2 gene that will protect individuals carrying some of those variants. SARS-CoV-2 is a highly contagious virus and is the cause of the current COVID-19 pandemic.  Symptoms caused by the virus include fever, chills, cough, diarrhea and pneumonia. While some infected individuals are asymptomatic, about 10% need hospitalization and ~1-5% of the cases are fatal.  Understanding why some individual are more severely affected than others by the virus is important for managing at risk individuals. In this study posted in bioRxiv, the research team has attempted to understand how genetic factors affect susceptibility to the virus. SARS-CoV-2 enters human cells by binding to ACE2, a cell surface protein that functions like a door to the cells for the virus.  ACE2, an enzyme created by the ACE2 protein, usually plays a role in the maintenance of blood pressure but is tricked by the virus into becoming an entrance. One of the reasons the SARS-CoV-2 virus is highly infectious is because it can bind to the ACE2 cell receptor with higher affinity compared to the previous SARS-CoV virus which caused the disease called SARG which was less contagious, even though it caused an epidemic in 2003. Natural human ACE2 protein variation encoded in an individual’s DNA can allow the virus to bind to ACE2 either strongly or weakly and hence alter their susceptibility to the disease which has caused the current pandemic.  “We analyzed ACE2 protein altering variants from over 300,000 individuals variant data from across the world and have found variants that are predicted to bind to the virus less tightly and hence make individuals less susceptible – giving these individuals natural protection against the invading virus” said Dr. Sekar Seshagiri, President, SciGenom Research Foundation, India and lead study author.  “The converse is also true; in this data set, we found ACE2 variants that will render individuals more susceptible to the virus” said Dr. Eric Stawiski, Vice President Bioinformatics, MedGenome. The team used its world class bioinformatics capabilities to accelerate the analysis and complete this study in very short order.  The variants in ACE2 identified are not common, but this work sets the stage for larger studies that can focus on understanding the role and impact of these variants in patients.  by studying variations in clinical outcomes and data in patients with the different genetic variants identified.  The team is continuing to conduct more research to build on these findings to help fight COVID-19 and is also supporting Pharma and  Biotech companies help find solutions for COVID-19 through its research support services teams. “Our finding on ACE2 variants can help enable the development of a rationally engineered soluble ACE2 that can quickly be developed as a therapeutic against this deadly virus” added Dr. Sekar Seshagiri.  “We are in discussions with Pharma partners to advance their drug development work with genomics insights and capabilities, in particular in the context of this COVID-19 crisis. I think we have a potential drug solution that should work and can be developed quickly with the right Pharma/Biotech partner.” said Sam Santhosh, Chairman, MedGenome.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16206/iit-b-to-develop-nasal-passage-gel-to-prevent-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16206/iit-b-to-develop-nasal-passage-gel-to-prevent-covid-19.html Mon, 13 Apr 2020 06:10:00 +0530 Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), is supporting a technology by the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering (DBB), IIT Bombay for capturing and inactivation of novel corona virus, the causative agent of COVID-19. The funding will help the team from the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay develop a gel that can be applied to nasal passage, which is a major entry point of the corona virus. This solution is not only expected to protect the safety of health workers, but can also lead to reduction in community transmission of COVID-19, thereby helping disease management. Given the contagious nature of COVID-19, health providers including doctors and nurses are at maximum risk while taking care of COVID-19 patients, particularly asymptomatic ones who cannot be detected and pose a greater risk in spreading the disease. The team is planning a 2-pronged approach to limit transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the causative agent of COVID-19. Primarily, since viruses replicate within host cells of the lungs, the first component of the strategy will be to inhibit binding of viruses to host cells. While this is expected to reduce host cell infection, viruses will still remain active, therefore, raising the need to inactivate them. Secondly, biological molecules would be incorporated, which would inactivate the trapped viruses in a manner similar to that of detergents. Upon completion, this approach will lead to development of gels that can be locally applied in the nasal cavity. Prof Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, DST said, "Our health care workers and others working in the front-line of fight against the virus deserve a fool-proof, 200% protection. The nasal gel being developed in conjunction with other protective measures, will provide a strong extra layer of defense", Prof. Kiran Kondabagil, Prof. Rinti Banerjee, Prof. Ashutosh Kumar and Prof. Shamik Sen from the Dept. of Biosciences & Bioengineering at IIT Bombay will be part of this project. The team has expertise in the areas encompassing virology, structural biology, biophysics, biomaterials, and drug delivery and it is expected that the technology would be ready in about 9 months. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16170/iit-m-develops-computational-algorithms-to-link-diseases-to-underlying-genes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16170/iit-m-develops-computational-algorithms-to-link-diseases-to-underlying-genes.html Fri, 10 Apr 2020 06:10:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT M) Faculty are working with researchers across the world and have developed computational algorithms to link diseases to underlying genes. Their algorithms not only detect gene groups that cause diseases but also the links between various related diseases and these gene groups. The IIT Madras team comprehensively analysed existing module identification algorithms and developed an improved system that achieved 50% performance improvement in identifying disease-relevant modules over existing approaches. The team hopes to develop detailed maps of tissue- and disease-specific networks in future that can help in better understanding of the connections among genes, proteins and diseases, and thus contribute towards the cutting-edge field of disease network biology. The research was led by Prof. B. Ravindran, Head, Robert Bosch Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, (RBC DSAI), IIT Madras, Dr. Karthik Raman and Dr. Himanshu Sinha, Faculty Members, RBC DSAI, IIT Madras, and Coordinators, Initiative for Biological Systems Engineering (IBSE), IIT Madras. Their recent work was conducted as part of the DREAM Challenge, an open science approach involving researchers from industry, academia and non-profit organizations throughout the world. The results have recently been published in Frontiers in Genetics and have been included in a compendium paper that has been published by the DREAM Challenge Consortium in the prestigious peer-review journal Nature Methods. These papers have been co-authored by the above researchers with Prof Srinivasan Parthasarathy, Department of Computer Science and Engineering and Department of Biomedical Informatics, Ohio State University, who is also a VAJRA (Visiting Advanced Joint Research) Visiting Professor at IIT Madras, and Research Student Beethika Tripathi. Elaborating on the fundamentals of this research, Dr. Ravindran said, “All biological processes are a result of complex interactions among genes and proteins, and diseases are often caused by perturbations in them. Genes are seldom isolated and occur as connected groups called disease modules. The ability to identify and automatically extract these modules can help in understanding the root causes of several diseases and the functional roles of different protein/genetic modules in disease.” Using the ‘overlapping’ community detection algorithms, the team has successfully shown overlaps in disease modules in related diseases.  “We know from real life that diabetes, cardiovascular problems and cholesterol issues are interrelated; our algorithm captures the link,” added Dr. Ravindran on the efficacy of their system. The international DREAM challenge, run by a community of researchers from a variety of organizations, encourages researchers from all over the world to solve fundamental biomedical problems.  One of the recent DREAM challenges was the development of algorithms to extract disease modules from six different networks of proteins/genes.  This challenge was taken up by 400 participants from all over the world, including the IIT Madras team. Highlighting the performance of the Algorithm developed by IIT Madras Research, Dr. Karthik Raman, Associate Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, IIT Madras, said, “One of our algorithms ranked fifth in one of the challenge categories. Our team refined the algorithm further and now it is comparable to the one that won the first place in the challenge, and even better in terms of the ‘hit ratio’ than the winner.” "Given that several genes participate in multiple biological functions, it is important that the algorithms consider module overlaps.  This is what we have done in our algorithm”, added Dr. Sinha, Associate Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16156/ccmb-igib-focus-on-novel-coronavirus-genome-sequencing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16156/ccmb-igib-focus-on-novel-coronavirus-genome-sequencing.html Thu, 09 Apr 2020 05:10:00 +0530 Novel coronavirus is a new virus and researchers are trying to figure out all the different aspects of it. Two institutes of Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad and Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), New Delhi have started working together on the whole genome sequencing of novel coronavirus. “This will help us to understand the evolution of the virus, how dynamic is it and how fast it imitates. This study will help us to know how fast it evolves and what are the future aspects of it” said Dr Rakesh Mishra, Director, CCMB while speaking withSenior ScientistJyoti Sharma fromIndia Science Wire, DST. Whole-genome sequencing is the method used to determine the complete DNA sequence of a specific organism’s genome. The approach for sequencing the latest coronavirus involves getting samples from patients that have are found to be positive and sending these samples to a sequencing centre. Genome sequencing need very large number of samples for study. “Without much data if you make any conclusion that may not be right. At the moment we are accumulating as many sequencings as we can and once, we have few hundred sequencing with us then we will be able to make many inferences from many biological aspects of this virus” said Dr Mishra. Three to four people from each institute are continuously working on the whole genome sequencing. In the next 3-4 weeks researchers would be able to get at least 200-300 isolates and this information would help them to make some further conclusion about behaviour of this virus. For this purpose, National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune has also been requested to give virus that has been isolated from different places. This will help the scientists to cover the whole country to get a bigger and clearer picture. This will help the institutes to establish the family tree of the virus. Dr Mishra told that based on this they can study from where the virus has come which strain has more similarity, the varied mutations and which strain is weak and what strain is strong. “This will give some strategic clues to understand it and to implement better isolation strategies” he said. In addition to this the institute has also increased the testing capacity. A large number of people are undergoing testing and they would go for mass screening. This will help them to identify the number of positive cases and then send them for isolation or quarantine. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16141/dst-focuses-on-nanotechnology-for-treating-covid-19.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16141/dst-focuses-on-nanotechnology-for-treating-covid-19.html Tue, 07 Apr 2020 08:00:00 +0530 The Department of Science and Technology (DST) using the Science and Engineering Board (SERB) portal invites ideas in the form of short-term proposals for developing antiviral Nano-coating and new nano based material for use in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which can be transferred to a partnering industry or start-up for scale up. Such Nano coatings could contribute immensely in the emerging health care requirements in India’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. This call is for bringing the Academic groups and relevant Industrial Groups together for submitting proposals to DST’s Nano Mission.It encourages multidisciplinary efforts and collaboration with industrial partners for scaling up production within a year. The invitation calls for development of Antiviral Nano-coatings for producing anti-COVID-19 Triple Layer Medical masks and N-95 respirator or better masks in large quantities and PPEs for safeguarding health care workers against COVID-19. The industry contribution could include either manpower support, or support partly for testing of nano-coating to meet the EU or US standards. The proposals will be screened for suitability and scope followed by a peer-review on a first come first evaluation basis. The items developed and transferred to industry will need to meet the International standards and may facilitate development of appropriate Indian Standards too for ensuring quality of the nano-coating based product. The last date for submission of proposals is April 30, 2020. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16098/jncasr-develops-novel-anti-microbial-coating.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/16098/jncasr-develops-novel-anti-microbial-coating.html Thu, 02 Apr 2020 09:00:00 +0530 Bengaluru based Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), an autonomous institution under the Department of Science and Technology, has developed a one-step curable anti-microbial coating which, when coated on different surfaces such as textile, plastic and so on could kill a range of virus types including COVID 19. This covalent coating, the research paper about which has been accepted in the journal Applied Material and Interfaces, has been found to completely kill influenza virus as well as resistant pathogenic bacteria and fungi, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and fluconazole-resistant C. albicans spp. The molecules developed have an ability to chemically cross-link with different surfaces upon UV irradiation. Upon the formation of the coating, it has been shown to permeabilize the membranes of pathogens (i.e. bacteria) leading to their inactivation. Microbial attachment and their colony formation on different surfaces play a major role in the transmission of deadly infections in the community as well as healthcare settings. Keeping this in mind, an easy approach was developed to coat a wide range of substrates used in daily life as well as in clinical settings. Considering the current corona virus outbreak, if shown to be active, the molecule can be synthesized in large scale through a CRO (Contract Research Organization) and can be coated on various personal protective tools such as masks, gloves, gowns, etc. in collaboration with the private organizations. The molecules can also be coated on other medical devices and tools to avoid hospital-acquired or nosocomial infections. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15999/iit-d-prepares-alcohol-based-hand-sanitizer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15999/iit-d-prepares-alcohol-based-hand-sanitizer.html Mon, 23 Mar 2020 09:05:00 +0530 The Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D) has prepared alcohol based hand sanitizer, which has been prescribed by WHO for destroying coronavirus and its spores from surfaces and hand for use by the campus community. The formulation contains three chemicals along with Aloe Vera and the major component is isopropyl alcohol (around 75%). “Alcohol rub sanitizers containing at least 70% alcohol are known to kill microorganisms on hands within 30 seconds to one minute after application,” said Prof Anil J Elias, Head, Dept. of Chemistry. The advantage of hand sanitizers is that when soap and water are not readily available, it comes for ready use. The chemicals in hand sanitizer evaporate off while rubbing the hands together. However, it is always better to wash hands with soap and water before using hands for eating. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15990/iit-b-explores-role-of-lipids-for-treating-infectious-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15990/iit-b-explores-role-of-lipids-for-treating-infectious-diseases.html Fri, 20 Mar 2020 10:30:00 +0530 Recipient of the Inspire Faculty Award instituted by Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, Dr. Shobhna Kapoor from IIT Bombay is using biologically active lipid molecules as chemical biology tools to elucidate their biological disease-causing function. Her group has recently shown that mycobacterial lipid insertion induces the re-modeling of the host plasma membrane and alters the host autophagy signaling pathway. Thus, their collective work is substantiating the host cell membrane insertion and modification of cellular immune processes as a well-accepted mode of action of virulent mycobacterial lipids. The mechanism of action of Mtb lipids on human host membrane and related cellular events represents a golden opportunity to deepen the understanding of the function of Mtb lipids in membrane-dictated bacterial survival, pathogenesis, and drug resistance. Dr Shobhna also investigates the role of Mtb lipids in drug-membrane interactions, underscored by the fact that lipids critically dictate the molecular interactions of drugs with membranes influencing drug diffusion, partitioning, and accumulation, thereby underpinning a lipid-composition specificity. The outcome of her research has myriad implications in drug discovery, basic sciences, and biotechnological applications. Using the Inspire fellowship she will pursue further research for discovering novel approaches to tackle tubercular infections and antibiotic resistance-associated problems in general.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15982/iit-h-creates-its-own-hand-sanitizer-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15982/iit-h-creates-its-own-hand-sanitizer-.html Thu, 19 Mar 2020 10:00:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad Researchers have developed their own hand sanitizer, in line with the standards recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a Federal Health Agency in the U.S, for the Institute Community. Around ten liters of this hand sanitizer have already been deployed in the campus for the benefit of the students, staff and faculty at locations such as faculty lounge, Shiru Café, meeting halls and laboratories, among other areas. This makes it more likely that people will use it and this will help stop the spread of germs and promote good health and hygiene. This has been developed by Dr. Shivakalyani Adepu, who was a Research Scholar at the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering, IIT Hyderabad along with Dr. Mudrika Khandelwal, Associate Professor, Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering, IIT Hyderabad. Speaking about their effort, by Dr. Mudrika Khandelwal said, “My research group has always believed in doing scientific research and outreach for the benefit of society. This is our small contribution at the time of need. I am glad we would make this happen and hope to make similar contributions in the future.” The composition of this hand sanitizer is 70 per cent isopropanol with glycerol, polypropylene glycol to increase the viscosity and reduce the volatility so that the sanitizer stays on skin to allow action, as well as lemongrass oil for antimicrobial activity and therapeutic aroma. The 70 per cent IPA solution penetrates the cell wall, coagulates all proteins, and therefore the microorganism dies. Adding on, Dr. Shivakalyani Adepu said, “This was done purely to support the community at this time when it is critical to adopt safe and hygienic practices. We have not thought of commercialization. Our motto is to help people around us. We can assure that these are as safe as any commercial sanitizer, and possibly more effective. Our laboratory conducts a lot of microbiological studies and we have tested these kinds of materials before and have been using the same for several years now. Its efficacy is well known and has been reported.” According to WHO and CDC, hands account for transmitting nearly 80 per cent of the infections due to frequent touching of eyes, nose, mouth and ears which leads to the entry of germs. Nearly one in five people do not regularly wash their hands. Of those who do, 70 per cent do not use soap. The alcohol-based hand sanitizers kill most bacteria, and fungi, and stop some viruses, present on hands within 30 seconds of application. If 70 percent of alcohol is poured to a single-celled organism, the diluted alcohol also coagulates the protein, but at a slower rate, so that it penetrates all the way through the cell before coagulation can block it. Then the entire cell is coagulated and the organism dies.       ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15976/inst-develops-novel-material-to-stop-rapid-blood-loss.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15976/inst-develops-novel-material-to-stop-rapid-blood-loss.html Wed, 18 Mar 2020 10:55:00 +0530 After a serious injury, few challenges are more urgent than stopping life-threatening bleeding. Scientists from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology, have developed a starch-based ‘hemostat’ material that concentrates the natural clotting factors in blood by physically absorbing excess fluid. The biodegradable microparticles that combine to form a gel on a wound offer significant improvements over existing alternatives. The early-stage development of the material has been published in the journal Materialia, and Dr. Deepa Ghosh and her colleagues who worked on it hope to develop a versatile, potentially life-saving, and inexpensive product that would be a more realistic solution for lower-income economies worldwide. The product has increased absorption capacity, improved absorption, inexpensive, biocompatible as well as biodegradable.   By chemically modifying natural starch to form microparticles, Dr. Ghosh’s team has combined the advantages of biocompatibility and biodegradability with a five- to ten-fold increase in fluid absorption and much-improved adhesion. When the microparticles combine, they create an adherent gel that can remain on the wound until slowly dissipating as healing proceeds.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15890/sctimst-develops-technology-for-treating-brain-aneurysms.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15890/sctimst-develops-technology-for-treating-brain-aneurysms.html Tue, 03 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0530 The research team of Sree Chitra Thirunal Institute of Medical Science and Technology (SCTIMST), Thiruvanthapuram,  an Institute of National Importance under the Department of Science and Technology has developed an innovative intracranial flow diverter stent for the treatment of aneurysms of the blood vessels of the brain. It is ready for transfer and further testing in animals, followed by human trials. Flow diverters stents when deployed in the artery in the brain bearing the aneurysms, divert blood flow away from the aneurysm, thus reducing the chances of its rupture from the pressure of blood flow. Intracranial aneurysm is a localized ballooning, bulging or dilation of arteries in the brain caused by progressive weakening of the inner muscles of the wall of the blood vessels. Spontaneous rupture of the aneurysm can result in bleeding into the space around the brain resulting condition called a subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Subarachnoid haemorrhage can lead to paralysis, coma or death. The Surgical treatment of an aneurysm involves opening the skull and a clip on the neck of the aneurysm, so that it is cut off from the path of blood flow. There are three non-surgical, minimally invasive endovascular treatments of aneurysms of the brain. In two of these procedures, the aneurismal sacs filled with platinum coils or occluded using high viscosity liquid polymer which solidifies when released into the sac thus sealing the sac. All these techniques have some limitation or the other. A more attractive third minimally invasive option is deploying a flow diverter stent to bypass the segment of the blood vessel which has the aneurysm. Flow diverters have the advantages of being flexible and adaptable to the shape and course of the vessel. Also, flow diverters promote healing of the vessel wall by removing the constant stress of blood flow on it. The Chitra flow diverter is designed to have a better grip on the walls of arteries of complex shapes in order to reduce the risk of migration of the device. The unique design is in its weave also makes this stent resistant to kinking or twisting, when it is placed in tortuous arteries and those with complex shapes. Even a 180 degrees bend does not occlude the lumen of the stent. A portion of the wires is made radio-opaque for better visibility in X –Rays and fluoroscopy thus aiding accurate delivery of the diverter in the blood vessel. Nitinol, a superelastic alloy with shape memory was acquired from National Aero Space Laboratories, Bengaluru (CSIR-NAL). When the device is deployed at the site, it is released from its crimped locked position and assumes the desired and originally designed shape because of the shape memory property of Nitinol. The flow diverter is delivered to the aneurysm in the brain using a delivery system. The delivery system has also been developed by the team The imported flow diverter stents cost Rs 7-8 lakhs and are not manufactured in India. With the availability of the indigenous technology from SCTIMST and Nitinol from NAL, a well-established industry should be able to manufacture and sell at a much lower price. The device is expected to be transferred to the Industry very soon and will subsequently undergo testing in animal and human clinical trials before commercialization. SCTIMST has filed separate patents for the stent and the delivery system. The team was led by Dr Sujesh Sreedharan, Mr Muraleedharan CV, Mr Ramesh Babu (Biomedical Technology Wing, SCTIMST), Dr Jayadevan ER, Dr Santhosh Kumar K. (Department of Imaging Sciences and Interventional Radiology, Hospital Wing, SCTIMST), Mr Rajeev A, Mr Subhash Kumar, MS, Mr Anku Sreekumar, Ms N. J. Jnana.  Mr Sree Hari U and Ms G.V Liji ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15871/rcb-receives-rs-3-6-cr-for-research-on-pigmentary-disorder.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15871/rcb-receives-rs-3-6-cr-for-research-on-pigmentary-disorder.html Fri, 28 Feb 2020 10:10:00 +0530 Studies to understand the problem of pigmentary disorders is expected to get a major shot in the arm with Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance conferring an Intermediate Fellowship Award on Dr. Rajender K. Motiani, Assistant Professor at Faridabad-based Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB). The award consists of a grant of Rs 3.60 crore for a period of five years. Physiological pigmentation is a critical defense mechanism by which skin is protected against harmful UV radiations. Inefficient pigmentation predisposes to skin cancers, which are one of the leading causes of cancer-associated deaths worldwide. Further, pigmentary disorders (both hypo and hyper pigmentary) are considered a social stigma and therefore they impart long-term psychological trauma and tremendously hamper mental well-being of patients. The current therapeutic strategies are not efficient in alleviating pigmentary disorders. The research project to be taken up under the award would seek to identify novel targetable molecular players that critically regulate pigmentation process. Further, the researchers would try to repurpose commercially available drugs for treatment of pigmentary disorders. In long run, this project is expected to have a two pronged benefits for society - protection from UV-induced skin cancers and potential treatment options for pigmentary disorders. So far, the focus in the pigmentation biology field has been to understand the enzymes regulating melanin synthesis and on the melanosome proteins involved in their biogenesis and maturation. However, melanosome biogenesis and melanin synthesis are complex phenomenon and other cellular organelle could potentially regulate this process. Studies conducted by Dr. Motiani and his team on differentially pigmented melanocytes earlier have indicated that Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) and Mitochondria are critical regulators of pigmentation. The aim of the new project is to delineate the role of Endoplasmic Reticulum and Mitochondria signaling pathways in pigmentation and to identify the key Endoplasmic Reticulum and Mitochondrial proteins that regulate pigmentation. They would then target these signaling cascades with FDA approved drugs to know whether any known drugs could be repurposed for alleviating pigmentary disorders too.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15782/bioasia-2020-announce-genome-valley-excellence-award-to-dr-carl-h-june-dr-vas-narasimhan.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15782/bioasia-2020-announce-genome-valley-excellence-award-to-dr-carl-h-june-dr-vas-narasimhan.html Thu, 13 Feb 2020 17:10:00 +0530 BioAsia, Asia's largest annual global Biotechnology and Life Sciences forum organized by the Government of Telangana, has announced that the prestigious Genome Valley Excellence Award will be given to: Carl H June, CAR-T Cell Therapy Pioneer Richard W. Vague Professor in Immunotherapy, Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, USA for his pioneering work in the field of immunotherapy; breakthrough research in developing CAR-T therapy for treatment of Cancer and development and commercialization of world’s first FDA-approved gene therapy. Vas (Vasant) Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis for inspiring the world with the bold new vision to reimagine the pharmaceutical business including embracing digital technology and transforming healthcare; his extensive work on a range of public health issues particularly in developing countries and exemplary work in development of over 20 novel medicines, including advances cell and gene therapies as well as vaccines. Dr. Carl H June is an American immunologist and Oncologist. He is the pioneer in the field of immunotherapy and globally acknowledged for the development of T-Cell Therapy for Cancer. His findings have helped to develop and commercialize the first FDA approved gene therapy called Tisagenlecleucel. CAR-T Cell therapy, a form of immunotherapy that uses specially altered T-Cells (a part of the immune system) to fight cancer. A sample of patient’s T-Cells is collected from the blood and then modified to produce special structures called Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) on their surface. Dr. June is Richard W. Vague Professor in Immunotherapy, Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, USA. Dr. Vasant Narasimhan, popularly known as Vas Narasimhan, is the CEO of a global pharmaceutical company – Novartis. He is an Indian American Physician and has led a strategic and cultural transformation at Novartis to build a leading medicines company globally powered by advanced therapy platforms and data science. Dr. Narasimhan joined Novartis in 2005 and he served as the Global Head of Development before he assumed charge of CEO of the company in 2017. Dr. Narasimhan previously served as Global Head of Biopharmaceuticals and Oncology injectables at Sandoz International. He is a member of the US National Academy of Medicine. With his ancestral roots at Tamil Nadu, Dr. Narasimhan completed his graduation in biological sciences from University of Chicago and did his MD from Harvard Medical School. He also completed his master’s degree in Public Policy from John F Kennedy School of Government, US. The award will be presented to them during the 17th edition of BioAsia which will be held between February 17 to 19, 2020 at HICC, Hyderabad. Genome Valley Excellence Award was constituted in 2004 to recognize and honour eminent individuals and organizations for their exceptional contribution to the Life Sciences research and public health. The Government of Telangana presents this special award to eminent leaders every year after a careful examination and technical consideration by the reputed jury committee appointed by it.  Speaking on 2020 Genome Valley Excellence Award, Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary, Dept of Industries & Commerce, Govt. of Telangana, said, "We are pleased to announce the prestigious Genome Valley Excellence Award 2020 to Dr. Carl H June and Dr. Vas Narasimhan for their remarkable contributions to the life sciences sector which would further revolutionize the whole public health across the globe. BioAsia, attracts lot of the best minds of the life sciences industry across the world and is an excellent platform for industry, academia, scientific community and startups to interact, network and build relationships towards the core objectives of their respective fields. The Government of Telangana has always been supportive of innovations in Life Sciences and is committed to helping the industry to grow by providing it the world-class infrastructure while ensuring time-bound approvals to improve the ease of doing business in the state". Elaborating the significance of Genome Valley Excellence Award, Shakthi Nagappan, CEO, BioAsia & Director (Life Sciences and Pharma), Government of Telangana, said, "Presenting the Genome Valley Excellence Award is one of the highlights of the BioAsia summit organized every year. We have been conferring the prominent scientists, industry leaders and organizations who are inspiring the leaders to join the mission of improving human life and made significant contributions to the Life Sciences sector across the globe. Over the years, the Genome Valley Excellence Award has been gaining tremendous esteem among the global lifesciences community as several Nobel laureates are also among the recipients of this prestigious award". BioAsia 2020 is set to host eminent global industry leaders from the life sciences sector including Dr. Vas Narasimhan, CEO, Novartis, Dr. Carl June, CAR-T Expert, University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Peter Piot, Director, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and Co-Discoverer of Ebola, Mr. Ajay Piramal, Chairman, Piramal Group, Mr. Dilip Shanghvi, Chairman, Sun Pharma, Mrs. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, CMD, Biocon, Mr. K Satish Reddy, Chairman, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, among others.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15725/iit-hyderabad-finds-molecule-to-potentially-treat-als.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15725/iit-hyderabad-finds-molecule-to-potentially-treat-als.html Thu, 06 Feb 2020 06:05:00 +0530 ALS is a neurodegenerative disorder that severely affects the voluntary movement of the muscles and can lead to paralysis and death & occurs due to changes in specific genes Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad researchers have found a molecule called ‘AIM4’ that shows promise in the treatment of a rare and debilitating neurodegenerative disease called ‘Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis’ (ALS), also known as ‘Lou Gehrig's disease.’  ALS is a neurodegenerative disorder that severely affects voluntary movement of muscles and can lead to paralysis and death. It occurs due to changes in specific genes, which may be triggered by factors such as smoking, exposure to toxins, metals and pesticides.   The results of this research, performed by a team lead by Dr. Basant Kumar Patel, Dr. Sandeep Singh and Dr. Rajakumara Eerappa, faculty from the Department of Biotechnology, IIT Hyderabad, and Prof. Ganesan Prabushankar, Department of Chemistry, IIT Hyderabad, has recently been published in the reputed peer-reviewed International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. The paper has been co-authored by these scientists along with research scholars: Amandeep Girdhar; Vidhya Bharathi; Vikas Ramyagya Tiwari; Suman Abhishek; Waghela Deeksha; Usha Saraswat Mahawar, and Gembali Raju. There are no drugs available at present to cure ALS and treatment options are limited to two drugs only for management of the condition. Research is ongoing throughout the world to find better drugs that can arrest this disorder and not merely manage the symptoms. Such research must first identify the causes for the onset of ALS. Elaborating on this research, Dr. Basant Kumar Patel, Associate Professor, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Hyderabad, said, “One of the causes of ALS is the alterations in the genes that code for a critical protein called TDP-43.  The gene alteration modifies the protein, which results in its liquid-liquid phase separation. This phase separation in turn causes the proteins to be deposited on nerve cells, resulting in neurodegeneration.” The ‘ice bucket challenge,’ which went viral in the U.S. and the U.K. in 2014, created awareness about this disease among people. The disease is relatively unknown in India although Indians seem to have an earlier onset of this malady compared to people of the West and show longer lasting symptoms and disease progression. In 2016, Dr. Patel and Prof. G. Prabushankar found a small molecule called ‘AIM4,’ which seemed to be better than the other related molecules that have been studied all around the world, in its ability to inhibit abnormal aggregation of TDP-43 in vitro ALS disease model systems. Armed with this knowledge, the IITH scientists proceeded to analyse this molecule and study its action on TDP-43, to predict how it would potentially inhibit the deposition of the protein in nerve cells.  The results of this work have recently been published in the above journal. Dr. Patel added, “We have shown that AIM4 prevents liquid-liquid phase separation of the modified protein, TDP-43-A315T. By this, AIM4 prevents aggregation of the protein and may potentially prevent the deposition on neurons.”  The research group compared the ability of AIM4 to prevent protein phase separation with that of other molecules such as Dimebon. Dimebon is an antihistamine that was studied for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders by an American pharmaceutical company but failed clinical trials.  The IIT Hyderabad Research team found that AIM4 was better than such earlier molecules in preventing protein phase separation. The research team has also discovered through computational studies that AIM4 has specific binding site on this protein and binding energy calculations have shown that the bond between AIM4 and the mutant protein is energetically favourable, which makes it a promising drug for potential treatment of ALS. “This work is an important step forward in the area of therapeutics of the neurodegenerative disease ALS as current options for ALS are minimal or even non-existent”, said Dr. Patel.  The work by the IITH researchers shows that AIM4 is a promising molecule that must be studied further for development of drugs for ALS and perhaps even other neurodegenerative diseases.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15692/researchers-discover-gene-which-may-create-pain-killers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15692/researchers-discover-gene-which-may-create-pain-killers.html Mon, 03 Feb 2020 10:00:00 +0530 A collaborative work of researchers from centre  of Innovative and Applied Bioprocessing, Mohali, Punjab and Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), Manipur have identified a new gene that could be used to synthesise gamma-aminobutyrate, which is a high-value biomolecule with neuroprotective features.  The scientists have isolated the new gene from samples of Kinema, a naturally fermented soybean food product which is found in Sikkim himalayan region of India. The scientists have also developed a new method to synthesise gamma-aminobutyrate from Glutamate molecule using the new gene.  Gamma-aminobutyrate is effective against multiple nerve cells problem. With its multiple neuroprotective effects over the years it has become a popular option for stress and pain management. It finds wide application in food and pharmaceutical industries. It can be used as a precursor molecule for synthesis of polymers like Nylon-4.  The scientists have filed a patent for their invention under Patent File No. 201911030305. The joint research team consisted of Dr. Sudhir P. Singh, Dr. Nitish Sharma, Dr. Amit K. Rai, and Dr. Dinabandhu Sahoo. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15519/csir-partners-with-nature-india-to-promote-science.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15519/csir-partners-with-nature-india-to-promote-science.html Fri, 10 Jan 2020 08:00:00 +0530 The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) and Nature India have launched the Nature India essay competition 2020 to provide young and experienced scientists, researchers and authors in India, a platform to share ideas on how societally-impactful science can advance and strengthen the country. The Nature India essay competition is open for readers aged 25 to 50. The essayists will have an opportunity to draft a compelling narrative with personal anecdotes, emotion and a science-backed story that may become potentially historic in helping shape the roadmap for India’s scientific future. The essays should convey thoughts on the societal impact of science in India in not more than 1000 words. The tone of the essays must be aspirational, with emotions and story-telling. The essays should be reasoned, well-researched, forward-looking and supported by existing science. On the launch of the essay competition, Director General, CSIR, Dr Shekhar C Mande remarked that the fruits of science must benefit the society and that Nature India essay competition would give an opportunity to Indian scientists to share their perspective and aspirations on this crucial aspect of S&T. The submitted essays will be judged by a panel of editors, scientists and science communicators. The deadline for completed essays is midnight, India time, on March 9, 2020. The winners will have their essays published in the Nature India annual volume as well as the Nature India blog Indigenus. The top three essays will win a cash prize (Rs 40,000, Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000 or equivalent), a three-year subscription to Nature, trophies and certificates. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15494/science-must-find-solutions-to-diseases-naidu-at-isc-2019.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15494/science-must-find-solutions-to-diseases-naidu-at-isc-2019.html Tue, 07 Jan 2020 19:00:00 +0530 Delivering the Valedictory Speech at the 107th Indian Science Congress in Bengaluru on 7th January, the Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu urged the corporate India to develop a symbiotic partnership with the universities and to identify and fund a dozen futuristic projects. The Vice President, while noting how technology was making our lives more comfortable, said that at the same time new challenges were arising. He said science must find solutions to problems like increasing urbanization, pollution, urban-rural divide, growing antibacterial resistance, genetic & non-communicable diseases and water scarcity, among others. Urging schools to lay the foundation for the spread of a strong scientific culture in the country, he stressed that such a foundation would become the basis for creating an ecosystem for creativity and innovation to thrive. Observing that there was a crying need for our universities and scientific institutions to promote R & D on a big scale, the Vice President called for expanding the academia-industry linkage to promote research and innovation in a big way. Technological innovation was a key driver in boosting economy, improving people’s lives and enabling better delivery of services he added. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15469/pm-puts-focus-on-revolutionising-st-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15469/pm-puts-focus-on-revolutionising-st-in-india.html Sun, 05 Jan 2020 14:00:00 +0530 The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi inaugurated the 107th Indian Science Congress (ISC) on 3rd January 2020 at University of Agricultural Sciences in Bengaluru. Delivering the inaugural address, the Prime Minister said, “The growth story of India depends on its achievements in the Science & Technology sector. There is a need to revolutionise the landscape of Indian Science Technology and Innovation.” “My motto for the young scientists bourgeoning in this country has been – “Innovate, Patent, Produce and Prosper”. He said these four steps will lead India towards a faster development. “Innovation for the people and by the people is direction of our ‘New India”, he added. He said, “New India needs technology and also a logical temperament, so that we can give a new direction to our social and economic sectors”. He said science and technology provides a level playing field in making opportunities accessible to all and that it also plays a unifying role in the society. A key attraction of the ISC which is ongoing till 7th January, is the Pride of India exhibition. This Expo has emerged as a unique platform for organizations from government, private and public sector to showcase their achievements in the field of Science and Technology.    India’s leading research organizations like Department of Science and Technology (DST), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO), Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), Geological Survey of India (GSI), are some of the major exhibitors at the Pride of India Expo.  A key attraction of this year’s Expo at Indian Science Congress is “Vigyan Jyot” or Flame of Knowledge to popularize science among youth and motivate them to take up science as their career. On 4rth January, Bharat Ratna, Professor C.N.R. Rao addressed the inaugural session of the Rashtriya Kishore Vaigyanik Sammelan (Children’s Science Congress), a part of the ongoing 107th Indian Science Congress. He said that the future of the country depended on science and technology and the future of science lay on the children who with their hard work and sincerity can work wonders in science. In addition, the 9th Women Science Congress (WSC) organised as part of the ISC showcased the achievements of women scientists and motivated young women to actively participate in science to identify and find simple solutions to a range of problems through Science and Technology. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15444/merck-announces-young-scientist-award-winners-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15444/merck-announces-young-scientist-award-winners-in-india.html Tue, 31 Dec 2019 06:25:00 +0530 Merck, a leading science and technology company, has announced the winners of the first Merck Young Scientist Award, recognizing the contributions of young Indian scientists in innovative research. The Merck Young Scientist Award is constituted to encourage young scientists in pursuing their research aspirations. The company received over 1600 registrations and 575 applications which were scrutinised by an eminent jury constituted by distinguished scientists and academicians in the country. The winners are: Dr. Debojyoti Chakraborty,  Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi Dr. Dipyaman Ganguly, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata Dr. Siddhesh S Kamat, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune Dr. Mahendran K .R, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram Dr. Sakya S. Sen, CSIR - National Chemical Laboratory, Pune Dr. Basker Sundararaju, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur  Runners-up:  Dr. Dibyendu Kumar Das, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur Dr. Dhiraj Bhatia, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar Dr. Tamal Das, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Hyderabad Dr. Santosh Chauhan, Institute of Life Sciences, Bhuvaneshwar Dr. Uttam Manna, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati The winners received cash award of INR2,00,000 & Travel Award of INR 1,50,000 each and the runners up each received cash prize of INR 1,00,000. Merck Young Scientist Award is a step towards the company’s vision of empowering the scientific community. The award is presented to a Researcher or Scientist with less than 10 years of research experience (post PhD), residing in India and presenting innovative scientific research that can benefit the society The Jury included eminent scientists from top Indian Academic institutes with Dr. Shahid Jameel, Chief Executive Officer, The Welcome Trust / DBT India Alliance, as the Chair and, Dr. Anurag Agrawal, Director Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology, Prof. Apurva Sarin, Director, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Dr. Davinder Gill, Chief Executive Officer Hilleman Laboratories and Dr. Radha Rangarajan, CEO, Co-Founder, Vitas Pharma, as Co-Chairs. The award ceremony was held in Bangalore on December 27, 2019. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15432/iit-h-unravels-working-of-protein-that-repairs-damaged-dna.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15432/iit-h-unravels-working-of-protein-that-repairs-damaged-dna.html Mon, 30 Dec 2019 09:10:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad Researchers have unravelled the working of a protein that repairs damaged DNA. Nature has evolved techniques to not only protect DNA, but also to repair damaged DNA so that catastrophic damage can be averted.  In humans, one such repair mechanism involves activation of a special class of proteins called ‘DNA repair proteins.  With increasing awareness of the impact of DNA damage on almost all diseases and maladies, there is a worldwide effort to understand how these repair proteins work, both as an academic exercise and as the foundation for therapeutic interventions. The research team is headed by Dr. Anindya Roy, Associate Professor, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Hyderabad. The Research was funded by Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. The results of the study, conducted in collaboration with Dr. Arun Goyal, Professor, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Guwahati, has been published recently in the reputed peer-reviewed journal Nucleic Acid Research. The published paper has been co-authored by Dr. Anindya Roy, Dr. Arun Goyal and research scholars, Monisha Mohan, Ms. Deepa Akula and Mr. Arun Dhillon. What makes matter a living being, be it a bacterium or man is the DNA. DNA is the blueprint of the life-form and encodes the directions that the life-form must take in order to become a bacterium, rose, lion or man.  It is thus essential for the survival of every cell and is usually kept well protected within the nucleus of cells, and in some non-nuclear parts like the mitochondria.  Any damage to DNA can result in outcomes that can range from unperceivably mild changes, such as the sudden appearance of a harmless mole, to catastrophic diseases, such as cancer.  The retention of DNA integrity is therefore essential for proper function and survival of all organisms. Protection of DNA is daunting because of the possibility of damage by external sources and the intrinsic instability of DNA itself. “Our laboratory at IIT Hyderabad seeks to understand the workings of the DNA damage repair proteins. Certain types of chemicals produced naturally in the body can cause damages in DNA and, if not fixed fast, may trigger cell death”, explains Dr. Anindya Roy. The doctoral student in his laboratory Ms. Monisha Mohan discovered the mechanism by which these DNA repair proteins assemble when DNA is under threat.  They studied the action of one specific protein called alkB homolog 3, or ALKBH3.  It has been known that ALKBH3 repairs alkylated DNA containing 1-methyladenosine and 3-methylcytosine through oxidative demethylation, but the mechanism has hitherto remained unclear. Dr. Anindya Roy and the research team have unravelled the mechanism by which ALKBH3 brings about demethylation. “We have found that ALKBH3 has a direct protein-protein interaction with another protein called RAD51C and this interaction stimulates ALKBH3-mediated repair of methyl-adduct located within 3′- tailed DNA”, adds Dr. Anindya Roy on the technical aspects of their discovery. “The knowledge gained from our studies might, in the long term, be beneficial from a cancer therapeutic perspective”, hopes Dr. Anindya Roy as his team proceeds with work on understanding how DNA repair works. The team is fascinated by the universality of the mechanism – it is just as applicable to the bacterium as it is to human beings.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15434/iit-roorkee-synthesizes-orthopedic-implants-for-healing-bone-fractures.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15434/iit-roorkee-synthesizes-orthopedic-implants-for-healing-bone-fractures.html Fri, 27 Dec 2019 11:20:00 +0530 IIT Roorkee researchers have synthesized bioresorbable and economical orthopedic implants for healing bone fractures. The current therapeutic strategies for healing bone defects commonly suffer from the occurrence of bacterial contamination on the graft, resulting in non-union in the segmental bone defects and the requirement for secondary surgery to remove or sterilize the primary graft. A membrane with enhanced anti-bacterial efficacy, mechanical strength and osteoconductivity would represent an improvement in the therapeutic strategy for guided bone regeneration. The two independent studies have been published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules and RSC Advances. The study aimed to optimize the content of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) and TiO2 in the polymer matrix of chitosan (CTS) with a constant amount of nano-hydroxyapatite (5%) with the objective of mimicking the mechanical and biological microenvironment of the natural bone extracellular matrix with enhanced anti-bacterial efficacy. “The current clinical grafting methods suffer from post-operative infections and the unwarranted adhesion between the healing bone and the adjacent soft tissues. A membrane with enhanced anti-bacterial efficacy would fight-off any post-operative bacterial infections on their own without any secondary interventions or surgeries, thus helping reduce the cost and the healing time. A mechanically strong membrane would provide a barrier for maintaining the original shape of the bone and avert any postoperative attachment between the bone and the surrounding soft tissues. These two associated complications with the current standards inspired these studies” said Sarim Khan, who is the first author on the two studies. The study establishes that the addition of an optimized amount of natural clay mineral (Halloysite) to a chitosan matrix results in a bioresorbable membrane which is ideal for bone tissue regeneration in humans. In the study, they have shown that the membrane is highly favorable to osteoblasts (bone cells) for bone regeneration. The membrane possesses enhanced antibacterial resistance so it can fight off any postoperative infections. Lastly, the membranes possess a superior tensile strength of 67 MPa and enhanced elastic behavior, which will help the membrane in undergoing day to day mechanical fatigue cycles without any damage. These membranes can be implanted instead of the traditional metallic stents and plates because they are way cheaper (300 times) and there is no need for secondary surgery to remove the stents and plates as these grafts are bioresorbable. Moreover, this method does away with the other complications associated with the traditional clinical grafting methods such as donor site morbidity, the limited supply of grafting material, and immunogenic rejection. Research has shown that 20% of women aged over 50 in India suffer from osteoporosis, such a low-cost alternative would make the treatment affordable for healing fractures due to osteoporosis in women. The research team is currently planning on working with industries to run clinical trials in order to establish its commercial use.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15414/iit-m-researchers-conduct-study-on-risk-of-hypertension.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15414/iit-m-researchers-conduct-study-on-risk-of-hypertension.html Thu, 26 Dec 2019 07:05:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Madras Researchers have found an association between a particular tissue-remodelling enzyme called ‘MMP7’ and risk of hypertension. Hypertension, a common disease in India, is associated with remodelling of heart tissues. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a crucial role in such hypertension-induced heart tissue remodelling, which results in alterations in the structural and mechanical support to blood vessels. This directly results in increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. MMPs are a group of enzymes that have been found to be associated with degradation of extracellular matrix proteins (that provide structural support to the cells), during regular tissue growth. MMPS are active during normal growth, and in events such as wound healing, tissue repair and remodelling in response to injury. While the activity of MMPs in healthy adult tissues is normally quite low, it has been found that certain illnesses such as inflammatory diseases, tumour growth and metastasis can cause an increase in MMP activity.    The Research was undertaken by a team led by Prof. Nitish R. Mahapatra, Department of Biotechnology Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, IIT Madras.  The Results were recently published in the reputed peer-reviewed journal Hypertension. This study was carried out in collaboration with Translational Health Science and Technology, Faridabad, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, PGIMER-Chandigarh and Madras Medical Mission, Chennai. The research paper has been co-authored by Dr. Lakshmi Subramanian, Sakthisree Maghajothi, Mrityunjay Singh, Dr. Kousik Kesh, Dr. Ananthamohan Kalyani, Saurabh Sharma, Dr. Madhu Khullar, Dr. Suma M. Victor, Dr. Snehasikta Swarnakar, Dr. Shailendra Asthana, Dr. Ajit S. Mullasari, and Prof. Nitish Mahapatra. Speaking about the findings of this research, Prof. Nitish Mahapatra said, “This study helps us better understand the role of variations and functional regulatory changes in MMP7 gene promoter in increasing risk of cardiovascular disease among individuals.  This understanding will help us embark on preventive strategies for individuals carrying the variation that could lead to hypertension and related cardiovascular complications.” Blood levels of a particular type of MMP called ‘MMP7’ has been found to be elevated in the event of hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and other metabolic syndrome group of ailments such as diabetes mellitus.  An earlier study has shown that knocking down MMP7 can reduce hypertension in rats. Structural changes in MMP7 gene, have been associated with coronary artery disease, acute myocardial infarction, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and several cancers.  However, the connection between variations in the MMP7 gene and hypertension has hitherto not been well-understood. Dr. Mahapatra’s team studied the association of an MMP7 gene promoter with hypertension in two geographically distinct Indian populations – North and South Indians. They found that a change in the regulatory region of the MMP7 gene showed strong association with increased hypertension risk.  People with these changes also had increased blood MMP7 levels and high blood pressure, which suggested that this change in the gene may contribute to cardiovascular risk. The team also dissected the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind the increased blood MMP7 levels in the carriers of this genetic variation.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15402/dmrc-jodhpur-becomes-niirncd.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15402/dmrc-jodhpur-becomes-niirncd.html Mon, 23 Dec 2019 13:15:00 +0530 Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan visits ICMR, Jodhpur Institute Shifting its focus from Regional to National level research the Institute will now be called by the name National Institute for Implementation Research on NonCommunicable Diseases (NIIRNCD) 11th December 2019, New Delhi Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Hon’ble Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Science and Technology and Earth Sciences and Sh. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti visited ICMR’s -Desert Medicine Research Centre (DMRC), Jodhpur as Chief Guest for the renaming ceremony of DMRC Jodhpur Institute to National Institute for Implementation Research on Non-Communicable Diseases (NIIRNCD). This National Institute will now focus on National level research with field stations located in other parts of the country. The Hon’ble Ministers also laid the foundation stone of the administrative block of the Institute. At the event Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Hon’ble Union Minister appreciated the research work being done by the Institute and said that generally any institute is named first and its action plan is prepared later; but this Institute has demonstrated the advantages of implementation research; made an action plan and now it is named after its work. In the coming years, this institute will work for the people of the country by facilitating and carrying research in the area of Non Communicable diseases. Hon’ble Union Minister further mentioned that Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), along with all its institutes, have been working since 1911 for the betterment of health of the people. Sh. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti said that I am happy to know that ICMR has taken this important initiative and has chosen Rajasthan for the same. He also said that after becoming a national Institute, its reputation has not been confined to Jodhpur or Rajasthan, but the Institute will serve the needs of the entire nation with respect to NCDs. He wished the Institute all the best for its future activities. Addl. DG ICMR and Director NIIRNCD Dr. G.S.Toteja, briefed the Ministers about the research activities of the institute since its inception in 1984. He informed that under the mega community based study on sickle cell anaemia, more than one lakh tribal population have been screened and cards related to their status as normal/ carrier or diseased have been distributed to them. He also informed that under another project for early detection of breast cancer in women, about 84,000 women have been trained for breast self-examination and out of these women, 489 were found to be suspected of breast cancer, out of which 9 women have been confirmed with breast cancer cases and are currently undergoing treatment. Dr. Toteja said that the Institute will continue to work in collaboration with the State Government for the community so that effective health care reaches to the poorest. Dr Harsh Vardhan congratulated Dr. G.S. Toteja, for not confining only to collecting data or publishing research papers but also educating masses on prevention of diseases. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15394/prof-vijay-raghavan-launches-echo-network.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15394/prof-vijay-raghavan-launches-echo-network.html Mon, 23 Dec 2019 09:05:00 +0530 EChO Network, a national program to provide a template for cross-disciplinary leadership in India with the specific focus of increasing research, knowledge, and awareness of Indian ecology and the environment was launched recently in New Delhi by Prof. K Vijay Raghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. EChO Network would develop a national network to catalyse a new generation of Indians who can synthesize interdisciplinary concepts and tackle real-world problems in medicine, agriculture, ecology, and technology. With no precedent for such a network anywhere in the world, EChO Network establishes a new platform to change how science is embedded in our modern society. Through interactive sessions with citizens, industry, academia, and the government, the Network will identify gaps in knowledge regarding selected topics in human and environmental ecosystems. The program will then train postdoctoral leaders in research and outreach on these topics, while also incorporating current public and private efforts into a national network. It would then go on to establishing nation-wide awareness in these issues through public discourse and education for citizens, industry, and government with information exchange at all educational levels. Over time EChO Network intends to create an international distributed institute comprising individuals housed within industry, government, private, and academic sectors, combining their expertise and resources collectively to tackle large scale problems. The initiative has drawn in partners from Government, industry and academia, with the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Govt. of India steering the program under the guidance of Prof. Shannon Olsson, Director, EChO Network. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Hindustan Unilever Limited, RoundGlass, India Climate Collaborative, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), and Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) are the founding partners of the EChO Network. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15312/bengaluru-to-host-107th-indian-science-congress-in-jan-2020.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15312/bengaluru-to-host-107th-indian-science-congress-in-jan-2020.html Thu, 12 Dec 2019 11:20:00 +0530 The 107th session of the Indian Science Congress Association, will be held at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru from 3 to 7, January 2020 under the theme ‘Science and Technology: Rural Development’. As per tradition, this prestigious conference will be inaugurated by the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi in presence of other state ministers and dignitaries. The five days event will bring together more than 15,000 delegates from the scientific fraternity and academia, R&D institutes, defence, government, PSUs and Corporate Houses. The Pride of India Expo 2020 which is organized concurrently with the Indian Science Congress is a confluence of new ideas, innovations and products surrounding the entire canvas of scientific world will also be inaugurated simultaneously. Over the years, the PoI Expo has emerged as a perfect platform for meaningful relationships between the scientific fraternity, academia, and entrepreneurs to leverage collaborations in R&D, technology transfers, launch of tech-driven innovative products, concepts etc. among stakeholders. Academics, researchers, professionals, scientists, educational leaders, policy makers, students, PSU’s, ministries, corporates and others are expected to participate in large numbers. Speaking at the curtain raiser of the 107th Indian Science Congress – Pride of India Expo-2020, Dr. C N Ashwath Narayanan, Hon. Deputy Chief Minister and Minister Higher Education, Medical Education and IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka said, “Indian Science Congress (ISC) is India’s oldest, biggest and one of the most prestigious scientific events and we are proud to host this edition in Bengaluru at the University of Agricultural Sciences from January 3 to 7, 2020. Karnataka and Bengaluru is a hub for technology and research in India. I appeal to the organizations, entrepreneurs, startups and young scientists to take part in the science congress in large numbers and showcase their innovations, ideas and interact with India’s premier research institutes and distinguished scientist.” In his address Prof. K. S. Rangappa, General President, 107th Indian Science Congress and Former Vice-Chancellor, University of Mysore said, “The Pride of India Expo (PoI) showcases cutting-edge technologies, scientific products and services, achievements, innovations, initiatives, research labs, institutions dealing with education, defence, space, life sciences and healthcare, agriculture and food processing, energy, environment, infrastructure, automobiles, ICT, BFSI etc. Spread over an area of 15000 sqm and over 150 organizations from all across the globe, PoI will provide unlimited resources and a unique platform to interact, collaborate and network with the leaders of industries.”            Dr. S Rajendra Prasad, Chairman Organizing Committee, 107th Indian Science Congress and Vice Chancellor, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru said, “Some of the major attractions include Vigyan Jyot (VJ) – the Flame of Knowledge, Genesis, Eduvision, Host State Pavilion and Special Pavilions. Vigyan Jyot (VJ) - Flame of Knowledge, is a novel initiative to popularize science and encourage it as a career amongst the youth thus preparing scientists and innovators of tomorrow. VJ is inspired by the vision 2020 of our former President Dr. A.P.J Kalam to make India a powerful and prosperous nation by reaching the benefits of science and technology to every Indian and enriching their quality of life. VJ will be kept at PoI Expo venue on all the five days of the event and will be handed over to the General President elect, 108th Indian Science Congress, at the valedictory function.” Genesis is a one day symposium which is organized concurrent to the ISC with complimenting theme to the main science congress. The objective is to bring scientists, industrialists, academicians and policy makers on a common platform to exchange ideas and explore collaborative opportunities. Eduvision is a unique theme pavilion that hosts leading institutions, academic bodies, universities, research and other stakeholders associated with the education sector, while host State pavilion represents the initiatives and policies adopted by the government in the field of Science and Technology, Agriculture, Healthcare, Education etc.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15304/instem-unilever-team-discovers-way-to-combat-amr.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15304/instem-unilever-team-discovers-way-to-combat-amr.html Wed, 11 Dec 2019 10:50:00 +0530 A team of scientists from the Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), and the Unilever R&D department, Bengaluru, have discovered a way to stimulate skin cells to secrete naturally occurring antibiotics called Antimicrobial Peptides or AMPs. Together, the team probed the cellular mechanisms that regulate the release of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are natural antibiotics produced by skin cells to fight off bacteria. AMPs target and kill bacteria in such variable ways that few bacteria ever develop resistance to them, thus making AMPs uniquely suited to treating antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. The scientists’ work led to the discovery of a new signalling pathway in skin cells that controls the long-term release of AMPs from these cells. By tweaking this pathway, researchers can induce AMP release from skin cells without any exposure to bacteria. This has tremendous potential in preventing and treating infections for post-surgery wounds, and for diabetic patients and those with weakened immune systems.  Apart from their role as natural antibiotics, AMPs are also known to be involved in wound healing in the skin. This fact spurred Dr. Amitabha Majumdar (Unilever R&D) to hypothesize that the same machinery used to release AMPs during wound healing could be harnessed to control AMP release from skin cells for treating or preventing infections. To test this, Dr. Majumdar contacted Dr. Colin Jamora of the Joint IFOM-inStem Research Laboratory at inStem’s Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Homeostasis, whose group works extensively on the mechanisms of wound healing in skin.  When the joint team of scientists probed the cellular mechanism regulating AMP release, they discovered a new signalling pathway for long-term release of AMPs from skin cells. Usually, AMPs are released to fight off bacterial infections when direct contact between skin epidermal cells and bacteria occur, and this process is triggered by a reduction in the levels of a protein called caspase-8.  Interestingly, the researchers found that reducing caspase-8 via molecular techniques is also enough to trigger the release of stored AMP from skin cells. Just by modulating caspase-8 levels in the skin, AMP release can be controlled to prevent a whole spectrum of infections; this may be especially useful for diabetics and patients with weakened immune systems who are highly susceptible to bacterial, yeast, fungal, and viral infections in post-surgery wounds. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15288/data-available-to-explore-genomic-variations-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15288/data-available-to-explore-genomic-variations-in-india.html Mon, 09 Dec 2019 12:25:00 +0530 In the Dec 5th issue of journal Nature, scientists from National Institute of Biomedical Genomics, Kalyani, India, and MedGenome, Bengaluru, India, along with collaborators of the GenomeAsia 100k consortium report genome sequences of 1,267 individuals that includes 598 individuals representing 55 ethnic groups that span the major language groups from the India subcontinent. This progress represents a significant step towards bridging the gap in our understanding of the underexplored genome variation found in the ethnically diverse groups in India. It is for the first time that this data will be available in public to be leveraged by experts that can help improve the healthcare outcomes significantly. The ~3.0 million bases that make up the DNA sequence of our genomes provides a rich evolutionary archive of the similarities and differences between any two individuals. The sequence differences, though representing only ~0.1% of the genomes, contribute significantly to the observed differences between individuals.  They also account for the differences in susceptibility to various diseases within and among population groups.  These variations alter the risk for inherited disorders and also predicts adverse drug effects.  The over 63 million DNA variation reported by this project is an important resource for identifying disease relevant variants in Asian-Indians.  Recently, Dr. V Mohan and colleagues at the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, Chennai, as reported in BMC Medical Genetics, used the variation database from this study in their analysis and identified genetic alterations that contribute to maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) in southern India. The practice of endogamy, marriage within select social or caste groups, over ~1000 years has led to a higher burden of population specific recessive disorders in India. ”The data from this study besides helping understand the population groups has already proved to be a great resource for disease gene discovery in an ongoing analysis of over 1500 familial inherited disorder cases” said Dr. Sekar Seshagiri, an author on the study and President, SciGenom Research Foundation, India.  Dr. Partha Majumder, distinguished Professor and Founder of the National Institute of Biomedical Genomics said, “This study is an exemplar of the power of international collaboration involving both the academia and the industry.  The results of this study will spawn further collaborations to make biomedical genomics come of age in India.” Sam Santhosh, CEO MedGenome and author on the paper added, “We have a great opportunity to apply genomics in India to understand, manage and treat diseases. Genomic analysis of our unique population groups and disease cohorts will lead to identification of genetic mutations and drug targets not just for India but for the whole world. The data from GenomeAsia 100k effort will help enhance our efforts in make cutting edge genomics accessible to Indians”. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15253/iit-hyderabad-designs-novel-ecg-device.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15253/iit-hyderabad-designs-novel-ecg-device.html Tue, 03 Dec 2019 16:30:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad Researchers have developed a low-power device that can monitor electrocardiogram (ECG) and alert patients and doctors in real-time about the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). CVD tops the list of public health concern compared to other diseases and has almost become the primary cause of human deaths, as per a survey of the World Health Organization (WHO). The main causes include changings trend in lifestyle, unhealthy eating habits, tobacco usage, low fruit and vegetable intake and lack of physical activity and lot of stress. These factors necessitate developing a personalized CVD monitoring device powered by battery backup and with a very low form factor to achieve unobtrusiveness that works under the emerging cyber-physical system setup. This area was researched by a team comprising Vemishetty Naresh. Ph.D. Research Scholar, Advanced Embedded Systems and IC Design Laboratory, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Hyderabad and Dr. Amit Acharyya, Associate Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Hyderabad. As a proof of concept demonstration, the researchers have taken healthy and various unhealthy cases from the Physionet database to validate the proposed method. Their research has been published recently in the peer-reviewed international journal Scientific Reports, an online open access, scientific journal published by prestigious Nature Research. Speaking about the importance of this Research, Dr. Amit Acharyya said, “CVD is one of the deadliest disease and irrespective of the economy of the country people are getting affected by it. It is manifested in different forms necessitating the early diagnosis, therapy and prognosis. Hence the proposed work on the classification is going to be of immense help for the society.” In addition, they also worked on developing different classification techniques and integrating them to make a generic algorithm. A novel System-On-Chip (SoC) architecture is developed in a low complex way by resource sharing concept for the CVD automation. Thus the whole system can cover various ECG abnormalities and finally come up with the prototype board which looks similar to as a smartphone at the patient end. Speaking about their plans to take this Research to benefit the society at large, Vemishetty Naresh said, “There is an exponential increment in human mortality rate, due to the delayed diagnosis, lack of proper distribution of health care facilities and prognosis centers in the vicinity. There is a need of a robust automated device for the early detection of the vital abnormal ECG signals in chronic CVD patients.” This medical science and technological needs impose many challenges on such device development such as low power consuming system design tradeoff between the on-board processing and RF (Radio Frequency) communication, low complexity analog front-end circuit design and energy harvesting or self-power mechanism to prolong battery life. Further, there is great necessity to develop a robust algorithm to find any desynchronization in the ECG waves. With the present advancement in technology, there is a great scope for developing robust medical ECG devices in analyzing the ECG signals and classify the patient condition. This method will predict the departure from the healthy condition to unhealthy condition corresponding to the CVDs. Whole system working description: The Researchers overcame these challenges by proposing a novel System-on-Chip (SoC) architecture for CVD monitoring. Scrutinizing the technical challenges like low-power and low-area for delivering reliable healthcare under resource constraints, they have proposed low-complex Boundary Detection (BD) and Feature Extraction (FE), low-complex f-QRS Detection and Morphology Identification (FDMI) architecture, Rule Engine (RE), and Token based compression technique.  The aim of the Researchers is to take this idea further to the system level from the concept and propose a low-complexity but medically reliable SoC architecture. The above proposed methodologies are used to extract the essential clinical features from each ECG beat and compared with the standard values to give the binary classification as normal or abnormal. Many research articles had put thrust on studying the clinical features of ECG beats and the heart rate variability for the diagnosis. Despite these findings, it is difficult to derive an equivocal temporal relationship of these methodologies to predict arrhythmias. The prediction of ECG abnormalities associated with the change of morphology in the localized features (PR interval, QRS complex, QT interval) will allow the clinicians’ sufficient time to intervene to stop its escalation causing sudden cardiac death. To mitigate the above limitations our attempt in this thesis is to propose a generalized Phase Space Reconstruction (PSR) based detection and classification of the CVD by exploiting the localized features of the ECG unlike the state-of-art PSR techniques. Since the aim was to do the real-time ECG classification on an edge-device that is running under resource constrained environment with scarcity of power and area, therefore the idea of the researchers was is to propose a low-complexity yet accurate solution and therefore they adopted classical technique of localized features detection. Access to CVD care in India is relatively poor due to the fact that the primary health care system in India has largely been focused towards the management of communicable diseases, maternal and child health care. Considering the statistics of CVD deaths, the integration of CVD preventive care in the primary healthcare centers in India requires special attention, with a need for innovative models in health promotion. Cardiovascular diseases healthcare monitoring systems have gained significant importance in recent years owing to their tremendous challenge for portable personal health analysis. With the consideration of portable remote monitoring, it is necessary to develop the remote CVD device having low form factor, consuming minimal power for the prolonged battery life and the device should be reliable enough to extract the significant clinical features for the cardiovascular diseases classification and prediction at an affordable cost. This work was partly supported by Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India under the ‘Internet of Things (IoT) Research of Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (ICPS) Programme,’with the Project entitled ‘IOT Based Holistic Prevention and Prediction of CVD (i-PREACT).’   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15210/iisc-researchers-use-an-anti-malarial-drug-with-tb-antibiotic-to-reduce-drug-resistance.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15210/iisc-researchers-use-an-anti-malarial-drug-with-tb-antibiotic-to-reduce-drug-resistance.html Wed, 27 Nov 2019 11:25:00 +0530 Administering anti-malarial drug Chloroquine (CQ) with anti-TB drugs can reduce the tolerance of the TB bacteria, mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), towards it. That, in turn, can help fight drug-resistant TB, according to a new research whose findings were published in Science Translational Medicine, a journal of American Association for the Advancement of Science. The first-of-its-kind research was conducted on mice by scientists from the Indian Institute of Science in collaboration with the National Centre for Biological Science and Foundation for Neglected Disease Research. If it translates into positive results for clinical trials on humans, it will be an important milestone for India. The country has the most number of TB and drug-resistant TB cases, according to the Global TB report 2019. India contributed to as many as 27 per cent of the world’s drug-resistant TB cases, followed by China (14 per cent). That means India harbours 130,000 drug-resistant TB cases. A challenge in TB treatment is that it takes six months or more as the bacteria persists in the body for long and strongly fights the drug. The drug thus takes long to kill the bacteria. The duration gives the bacteria enough time to diversify, mutate and produce sub-populations to become tolerant against the drug. Proposed Regimen “Tolerance comes when the bacteria affect human immune cells, like when it enters macrophages (white blood cells). So at IISC we have identified that bacteria that is tolerant is actually hiding in macrophages,” Said Amit Singh from IISc, lead resercher on the study. “These particular macrophages have slightly more acidic pH than those sensitive to the drugs (those which get eliminated by the drugs). This acidity is signal for bacteria to launch an adaptation programme to tolerate oxidative stress of the drug,” he added. If the acidic pH was not allowed in macrophages, one could interfere in the bacteria’s adaptation and the drug would remain sensitive, Singh said. This is what the scientists did. “My group at the IISC has developed a biosensor to peek inside the bacterial subpopulations in real time,” he said.  Offsetting acidic pH by the licensed anti-malarial drug Chloroquine restored homogeneity in the bacterial population — the diversification of bacterial population could be stopped — according to Singh. “This significantly potentiated the activity of anti-TB drugs used in clinics, and reduced relapse rates as without an acidic pH environment the bacteria will not think about undergoing an adaptation programme. It remains sensitive to the drug,” he added. Chloroquine successfully counteracted drug tolerance and relapse in mice, according to the research. Also, it exhibited no adverse interaction with anti-TB drugs. The excellent oral bioavailabity and few other factors, the researchers said, made it a good candidate for developing new therapeutic combinations for the treatment of TB. Asked about TB patients without malarial infection, Singh said: “Chloroquine has a long history of safe usage in humans. Moreover, the concentrations used in our study is 10-20 fold lower than what is used to treat malaria. “Further, a chronic form of Q fever caused by bacterium Coxiella burnetti in humans requires 18-24 months of Chloroquine in combination with doxycycline. Chloroquine is also used for the long-term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Therefore, we don’t anticipate any major side effects of Chloroquine on TB patients.” He, however, added that it needed in-depth experimentation, using human subjects. Challenges too Several issues remained before the therapy can be combined with standard anti-TB therapy. CQ’s efficacy in shortening drug-resistant TB infections was yet to be evaluated. “Despite treatment with anti-TB drugs, Mtb cells persist in animal tissues and the sputum of patients with TB in a metabolically altered state and remain undetectable by viable counts. It will be interesting to investigate the impact of CQ on these heterogeneous subpopulations of Mtb that are difficult to detect and retain persister phenotypes in animal models,” the paper added. The research was conducted in vivo only; human trials with the regimen may be a long way. Singh said eradicating drug-tolerant bacteria using Chloroquine was likely to inhibit the evolution of drug-resistant MDR/XDR strains of Mtb. “This study provides a solid foundation to initiate human clinical trials to shorten antibiotic treatment of tuberculosis using Chloroquine in combinations with anti-TB drugs. If successful, Chloroquine combination can reduce the therapy time from six months to possibly four months or shorter,” he added.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15144/bacteriophage-therapy-may-ease-severity-of-alcoholic-hepatitis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15144/bacteriophage-therapy-may-ease-severity-of-alcoholic-hepatitis.html Mon, 18 Nov 2019 16:10:00 +0530 A specific strain of a common bacteria found in most people with alcoholic hepatitis correlates with greater liver disease severity and mortality, according to a new study published in Nature. Alcoholic hepatitis is a serious form of alcohol-associated liver disease, and people with it have high levels of the bacterium Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) in their gut.  The study also found that a novel therapeutic approach that specifically targets the E. faecalis strain lessened alcohol-associated liver disease in mice. The research team was funded in part by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), of the National Institutes of Health. “This is a hopeful advance against a potentially life-threatening disease for which few effective treatments are available,” said NIAAA Director Dr. George F. Koob. “Alcoholic hepatitis has a mortality rate of more than 50% within the first 60 days of diagnosis in severe cases and is a particularly important area of focus for NIAAA. The current findings warrant further investigation as a potential novel treatment for people with alcoholic hepatitis.” A multitude of bacteria populate the human digestive tract, and this gut microbiota plays important roles in maintaining health. With chronic alcohol misuse, the levels and types of bacteria in the gut microbiota change which contributes along with other factors to alcohol-associated liver diseases such as alcoholic hepatitis. In analyses of gut microbes from alcohol use disorder (AUD) patients with alcoholic hepatitis, a team of scientists led by Bernd Schnabl, M.D., of the University of California, San Diego, found that fecal samples from patients with alcoholic hepatitis had about 2,700-fold more E. faecalis than samples from non-AUD controls. Further studies of E. faecalis, showed that cytolysin, a toxin secreted by specific E. faecalis strains, killed liver cells and caused liver damage in a mouse model of alcohol-associated liver disease. “We detected cytolysin-positive E. faecalis (cytolytic E. faecalis) in fecal samples from 30% of patients with alcoholic hepatitis, and in none of the fecal samples from non-AUD controls,” said Dr. Schnabl.  “Importantly, 89% of cytolysin-positive patients with alcoholic hepatitis died within 180 days after admission compared to only about 4% of cytolysin-negative patients.” In another series of experiments, the researchers studied mice that had been transplanted with feces from the intestines of people with alcoholic hepatitis and that contained cytolytic E. faecalis. They confirmed that transplantation of the bacteria caused severe liver disease in mice. Dr. Schnabl and his colleagues then investigated the therapeutic potential of bacteria-killing viruses known as bacteriophages that specifically target cytolytic E. faecalis. Using a mouse model of alcohol-associated liver disease, mice were transplanted with stool from cytolysin-positive alcoholic hepatitis patients and treated with a cocktail of bacteriophages targeting the cytolytic E. faecalis strains. The researchers found that mice treated with bacteriophages that target cytolytic E. faecalis had less liver injury and inflammation compared to controls. Administration of E. faecalis-targeting bacteriophage also significantly reduced levels of cytolysin in the liver. “Taken together, our findings link cytolytic E. faecalis with worse clinical outcomes and mortality in humans with alcoholic hepatitis, and that bacteriophages can specifically target cytolytic E. faecalis in a mouse model of alcohol-induced liver disease,” said Dr. Schnabl.  “A prospective clinical trial is required to validate the human relevance of our findings and to test whether this new therapeutic approach is effective for patients with alcoholic hepatitis.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15138/side-effects-minimizes-with-single-low-dose-antidepressant-intravenous-ketamine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/15138/side-effects-minimizes-with-single-low-dose-antidepressant-intravenous-ketamine.html Mon, 18 Nov 2019 12:30:00 +0530 National Institutes of Health researchers found that a single, low-dose ketamine infusion was relatively free of side effects for patients with treatment-resistant depression. Elia Acevedo-Diaz, M.D., Carlos Zarate, M.D., and colleagues at the NIH’s National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) report their findings in the Journal of Affective Disorders. Studies have shown that a single, subanesthetic-dose (a lower dose than would cause anesthesia) ketamine infusion can often rapidly relieve depressive symptoms within hours in people who have not responded to conventional antidepressants, which typically take weeks or months to work. However, widespread off-label use of intravenous subanesthetic-dose ketamine for treatment-resistant depression has raised concerns about side effects, especially given its history as a drug of abuse. “The most common short-term side effect was feeling strange or loopy,” said Acevedo-Diaz, of the Section on the Neurobiology and Treatment of Mood Disorders, part of the NIMH Intramural Research Program (IRP) in Bethesda, Maryland. “Most side effects peaked within an hour of ketamine administration and were gone within two hours. We did not see any serious, drug-related adverse events or increased ketamine cravings with a single-administration.” The researchers compiled data on side effects from 163 patients with major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder and 25 healthy controls who participated in one of five placebo-controlled clinical trials conducted at the NIH Clinical Center over 13 years. While past studies have been based mostly on passive monitoring, the NIMH IRP assessment involved active and structured surveillance of emerging side effects in an inpatient setting and used both a standard rating scale and clinician interviews. In addition to dissociative (disconnected, unreal) symptoms, the NIMH IRP assessment examined other potential side effects — including headaches, dizziness, and sleepiness. The study did not address the side effects associated with repeated infusions or long-term use. Out of 120 possible side effects evaluated, 34 were found to be significantly associated with the treatment. Eight occurred in at least half of the participants: feeling strange, weird, or bizarre; feeling spacey; feeling woozy/loopy; dissociation; floating; visual distortions; difficulty speaking; and numbness. None persisted for more than four hours. No drug-related serious adverse events, cravings, propensity for recreational use, or significant cognitive or memory deficits were seen during a three-month follow-up. To overcome the limitations associated with side effects and intravenous delivery, ongoing research efforts seek to develop a more practical rapid-acting antidepressant that works in the brain similarly to ketamine. These NIMH researchers, in collaboration with the National Institute on Aging, and the National Center for Advancing Translational Science, are planning a clinical trial of a ketamine metabolite that showed promise as a potentially more specific-acting treatment in pre-clinical studies. Meanwhile, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration earlier this year approved an intranasal form of ketamine called esketamine, which can be administered to adults with treatment-resistant depression in a certified doctor’s office or clinic. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14941/icmr-rewards-46-scientists-for-biomedical-research-excellence.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14941/icmr-rewards-46-scientists-for-biomedical-research-excellence.html Fri, 18 Oct 2019 10:55:00 +0530 The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, organized an award presentation ceremony for distinguished contributions in the area of Biomedical Research. Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, Dr. Harsh Vardhan was the Chief Guest. ICMR awards recognise the contributions of Indian biomedical scientists undertaking pioneering work in various fields of health sciences and finding solutions for the health problems of the country. A total of 39 awards (2017 & 2018) were presented to 46 scientists including 14 women scientists and two awards for scientists belong to under privileged communities and scientists working in under-developed areas. The awardees belong to Institutes of ICMR, CSIR-labs, AIIMS, New Delhi, PGI, Chandigarh, SGPGI, Lucknow, IIT’s, JIPMER, Puducherry, SCTIMST, Thiruvananthapuram, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, State and Central Universities and other reputed Institutions across the country. The Minister congratulated the awardees for their contribution in the area of health research that will provide new ways and means to solve various health issues. On the occasion he said, “ICMR has contributed a lot in solving the health problems and uplifting the health status of the country. He also highlighted the need to strengthen innovation for developing new technologies as well as to carry out research to reduce out of pocket expenditure and help in reducing disease burden. Minister appreciated the ICMR efforts in tackling the emerging and re-emerging infections like ZIKA and NIPAH in the country and congratulated its scientists for excellent work. Secretary Department of Health Research and DG-ICMR Prof. Balram Bhargava said, “It has been ICMR’s endeavour for over a century now to promote scientific research as well as provide scientists with the necessary platform and tools to find solutions to the most difficult health challenges. It is indeed heartening to see the talent pool available in our country today - it gives us immense hope for the future. It will be our constant endeavour to create an enabling environment for the Next Generation scientists to help them achieve their full potential and serve the nation.” On the Occasion A book ‘’Gandhi and Swasthya’’ Hindi version of the special issue of IJMR to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and Centenary Stamp of National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad was also released by Hon’ble HFM. He also gave away the ICMR-NIN Centenary Award to Late Dr C Goplan, former DG ICMR. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14908/penn-researchers-to-develop-diagnostic-tool-for-parkinsons.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14908/penn-researchers-to-develop-diagnostic-tool-for-parkinsons.html Tue, 15 Oct 2019 12:25:00 +0530 Researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, US will lead a multi-institutional effort in pursuit of developing a critical tool for imaging the brains of patients with Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. The Center Without Walls — a collaboration between Penn Medicine, Washington University-St. Louis, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of California-San Francisco, and Yale University — has received a five-year $20 million grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) to pursue this work. “The NINDS set an incredibly ambitious goal that required an equally ambitious project,” said the Center’s principal investigator Robert H. Mach, PhD, the Britton Chance Professor of Radiology at Penn Medicine. “At the end of five years, we hope to have a radioactive tracer that will be able to detect Parkinson’s early on and provide detailed information about the disease’s progression, which is critical for discovering and testing new treatments.” A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that uses a radioactive drug (tracer) that binds to certain proteins or sugars, in order to show areas of the body that have higher levels of chemical activity, indicating disease. It was just under a decade ago that researchers first identified a radiotracer that could be used to detect the presence of amyloid protein plaques in the brain, which are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Though the search for a successful Alzheimer’s drug remains elusive, PET scans have revolutionized how the disease is diagnosed and monitored.  Now, Mach and his team at the Center Without Walls are pursuing a similar outcome for Parkinson’s and a handful of other diseases that are characterized as “proteinopathies,” which occur when certain proteins “misfold” and structurally abnormal. With this funding, the researchers plan to develop two different radiotracers: one that will bind to a protein in the brain known as alpha-synuclein for the imaging of Parkinson’s and multiple system atrophy, and the other that will bind to the protein 4R tau for imaging frontotemporal degeneration and progressive supranuclear palsy. Identifying compounds that are able bind to the proteins alpha-synuclein and 4R tau is akin to “finding a needle in a haystack,” Mach said. To accomplish this undertaking, a research group within the Center Without Walls — led by E. James Petersson, PhD, an associate professor of Chemistry — will use a technology that can computationally screen for molecules, synthesize them, and interpret binding data based on crosslinking. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14819/icgeb-receives-us-patent-for-discovering-novel-enzyme.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14819/icgeb-receives-us-patent-for-discovering-novel-enzyme.html Fri, 04 Oct 2019 11:00:00 +0530 A new cellulase preparation discovered by scientists at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi has received a US patent award. This discovery is likely to provide a better alternative to the available option on the market for commercial cellulase enzyme to produce ethanol for second generation (G2) biofuel. While screening vast microbial consortia from nature, the Microbial Engineering Group led by Dr Syed Shams Yazdani has discovered a cocktail of enzymes that have been shown to have balanced cellulase and hemicellulase activity and can break down the agricultural biomass into simpler sugar with great efficiency. The isolated fungal species has been identified as Penicillium funiculosum, which has the ability to produce large amounts of secretary protein in the form of cellulases and hemicellulases in the extracellular medium. These cellulases and hemicellulases are found to be active against a wide variety of agriculture residues, such as rice straw, wheat straw, sugarcane bagasse, and cotton stalk, among many others. The simple sugar released by the action of these enzymes can further be fermented to ethanol to produce second generation (2G) biofuel or any other biochemicals. Currently, there is very limited availability of commercial cellulase enzyme preparation on the market for 2G ethanol and this is often stated as the major reason for the higher cost of 2G ethanol. This discovery is likely to provide a better alternative to the available option on the market. A detailed genomics, proteomics and biochemical characterisation by the Group showed the superiority of cellulases produced by this patented fungal platform compared to previous reports.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14763/kolkata-to-host-5th-india-international-science-festival.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14763/kolkata-to-host-5th-india-international-science-festival.html Wed, 25 Sep 2019 11:30:00 +0530 The 5th edition of India International Science Festival (IISF) 2019 will be held at Kolkata from 5th to 8th November, 2019. The Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan announced this at a curtain raiser Press Conference in New Delhi. Addressing the Press Conference, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said “IISF 2019 will play a crucial role in promoting love and passion of science among students by bringing science outside the lab. It is time to make science a Jan Andolan” . The Science and Technology Minister further informed the gathering that the theme for this year’s festival is RISEN India-Research, Innovation, and Science Empowering the Nation. The IISF 2019 is the fifth edition since its inception in 2015. The first and second IISF were held in New Delhi, the third in Chennai and the fourth IISF was held in Lucknow, which witnessed a Footfall from over 10 lakh people worldwide. The Young Scientists’ Conference is another major event, where in around 1500 young scientists and researchers are expected to interact with various subject matter experts of international repute. An exhibition of India’s Scientific & Technological prowess would also be in display through several expos, the most prominent being the Science Expo at Science City. New-age Technology show and an expo for the Divyangjan would be another highlight. This year’s IISF will also witness Vigyanika,the Science Literature Festival where several programs related to the various genre will been organised. It is noteworthy to point that for the first time, there will be a two-day Science and Technology media conclave, which shall be organised at the Bose Institute’s new campus in Salt Lake area. The International Science Film Festival of India (ISFFI) will be another highlight of the festival and will promote in recognizing the efforts of filmmakers and motivate them to develop scientific and innovative content. The special role of Women Scientists and Entrepreneurs in shaping the scientific growth trajectory will be another highlight of this Festival. The programme (Women Scientists & Entrepreneurs Conclave) aspires to develop new entrepreneurship and explore new vistas of opportunities in the field of science and technology among women. Approximately 700 women scientist/entrepreneurs will attend the event. India International Science Festival (IISF) 2019 is an annual event organised jointly by science & technology- related Ministries and Departments of the Government of India and Vijnana Bharati (Vibha), 2019. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14503/iit-h-researchers-develop-unique-treatment-for-kala-azar.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14503/iit-h-researchers-develop-unique-treatment-for-kala-azar.html Fri, 23 Aug 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad Researchers have developed a method to produce controlled-release oral tablets for treating fungal infections and leishmaniasis (kala azar or black fever) that are prevalent in the country. Their tablets were found to release the drug Amphotericin B in a sustained and controlled manner over a period of 10 days.  Amphotericin B (AmB) is the drug of choice for progressive and potentially life-threatening fungal infections of the abdomen and heart valves, fungal pneumonia, and leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease. It is used to treat Kala Azar or black fever, a dangerous and often fatal form of Leishmaniasis, common among the economically underprivileged sections in states such as Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. The development of oral, controlled release tablets for fatal fungal infections and leishmaniasis, could help in better management of the disease burden in the country. The development of cures for dangerous fungal diseases and leishmania has been challenging. Prof. Brahmchari who first used an antimony compound for treating kala azar in the nineteen twenties was even nominated for the Nobel Prize in 1929. The disadvantages associated with AmB include high cost, toxicity and poor bioavailability (<0.9%). Amb is administered through injection, which results in uncontrolled release of the drug into the blood stream.  There have been attempts to make oral medication containing AmB to control the delivery of the drug and bring down costs. In order to make controlled-release oral tablets, the drug molecules must be loaded onto a base that dissolves gradually to release the drug over a period of time.  The Research was led by Prof. Saptarshi Majumdar and Dr. Chandra Shekhar Sharma, Associate Professor, Creative and Advanced Research Based On Nanomaterials (CARBON) Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Hyderabad. The team’s work has been published in the July 2019 issue of the reputed peer-reviewed journal Nano-Structures and Nano-Objects. The paper has been co-authored by Dr. Anindita Laha, Ms. Mrunalini Gaydhane. Speaking on the rationale of using nanofibres to produce oral tablets of AmB, Dr. Chandra Shekhar Sharma said, “Nanofibres – fibres that are a hundred thousand times thinner than the human hair – are increasingly being considered as a medium for controlled release of drug molecules because of their large surface area and porosity. There are two choices to be made in producing controlled-release tablets. The polymer that is used as the base nanofibre and the mode of producing the nanofibre itself.” For the first, Dr. Sharma’s team chose gelatine (or gelatin in American terminology), an U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved natural polymer, a form of collagen naturally found in the bones, cartilage, tendon and connecting tissues of animals. Gelatine is biodegradable, nontoxic and biocompatible and is extensively used in food and medical industries. For the manufacturing method, the team chose a process called ‘electrospinning.’ Electrospinning uses electric force to draw charged threads of the polymer into fibres with diameters in the order of some hundred nanometres. The IIT Hyderabad team faced a small problem in making gelatine nanofibres by electrospinning.  Dr. Sharma said, “While gelatine nanofibres could be easily produced by electrospinning, their poor structural consistency in aqueous conditions required them to be crosslinked”.   Prof. Majumdar added, “Through careful control of the crosslinking conditions, we could achieve sustained release of AmB over a period of ten days.” The team also found that the nanofibrous oral tablet was stable over a wide range of pH, which means that it would not be destroyed in the gastrointestinal track before drug absorption into the blood stream. So the team found a way to crosslink the fibres Thus, the drug, AmB was loaded to the gelatine before electrospinning, and after electrospinning, the drug-loaded nanofibres were crosslinked with saturated vapors of aqueous gluteraldehyde.  The nanofiber mats so obtained were finally compressed into tablets.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14491/iit-g-collaborates-with-iisc-for-breast-cancer-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14491/iit-g-collaborates-with-iisc-for-breast-cancer-research.html Thu, 22 Aug 2019 08:00:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore collaborate for an experiment to show how breast cancer cells spread through blood to other parts of the body. The multidisciplinary, multi-institutional team seeks to bridge this gap in understanding and works towards unravelling the mechanisms involved in the growth and spread of breast cancer. The research led by Prof. Siddhartha Ghosh from IIT Guwahati, Prof. Gautam Biswas from IIT Guwahati, Dr. Mohit Kumar Jolly from IISc Bangalore and Dr. Amaresh Dalal from IIT Guwahati together with a research fellow Dr. Binita Nath and research scholars, Anil Bidkar and Vikash Kumar developed a PDMS based complex flow passage with an overall diameter of 184 micrometres (one micrometre = ten thousandth of a cm), with built-in blockages at certain locations that reduce the effective flow passages with a diameter of 7 micrometres. The complex flow passage mimics a capillary endothelial barrier followed by a capillary network. Their work has recently appeared in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, published from Switzerland. Highlighting the importance of understanding how metastasis works, Prof. Siddhartha Sankar Ghosh, IIT Guwahati, said, “While breast cancer starts as a local disease, the cancer can grow and spread to other organs, in a process called “metastasis”, which is the most devastating attribute of the disease. We do not yet fully know the molecular and cellular mechanisms of breast cancer metastasis, and this hinders the development of treatment protocols that can prevent or treat cancer spread.” “Our bodies are made up of billions of cells of various types and various types of cancers start from different types of cells”, added Prof. Ghosh, adding that breast cancer starts in epithelial cells.  Epithelial cells are found in skin and as lining for all organs inside the body as well as body parts such as breast and the insides of the chest cavity. It has been known that cancer cells migrate from their point of origin to other parts of the body by transforming into other types of cells.  For example, the conversion of cancer-ridden breast epithelial cells into mesenchymal cells enables cell migration, invasion, and drug resistance, and consequently, contributes to cancer spread and disease aggressiveness. The cancer carrying mesenchymal cells can re-convert to epithelial cells at another site, causing secondary cancer. Talking about the experimental model devised to study and bridge the gap in understanding this research, Prof. Gautam Biswas from IIT Guwahati, said, “While the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is known to be an important factor in cancer spread, how the converted cells travel through the blood vessels and undergo reverse transition (mesenchymal to epithelial) at the secondary sites has hitherto not been completely understood. Our effort was to understand how the cells lose theirs EMT phenotype and revert back t0 epithelial format through a process termed MET.”   This structure was designed to mimic broken membranes through which cancer cells find way into the blood stream.  The PDMS passage was then connected to channels that mimicked network of blood vessels. The cells undergo Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition. The EMT Cells then brought back through the mimicked endothelium into the tissue compartments. The reversion process is termed as MET. The movement of the cells through the various sections of the complex microchannel was captured using high speed camera, and the video-graphs showed the ways in which cancer spread from one site to another, through such narrow passages. The team found that the EMT cells had enhanced migratory properties and retained 50% viability, even after migration through wells and constricted passages.  They also found that the cells collected at the channel outlet regained epithelial character.  Perhaps the most important observation that the team made was that the EMT cells were more resistant to drugs compared to the original epithelial cells and the reconverted epithelial cells. “Our work is seminal in the area of cancer metastasis in that it explains the flow dynamics of the breast cancer cells and presents a vivid picture of EMT movement”, further added Prof. Ghosh.  Surveys have shown that breast cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer among Indian women, with 25.8 of 100000 women suffering from it.  It has been predicted that by 2020, there would be 18 lakh Indian women with breast cancer.  This research highlights the need for interdepartmental and inter-institutional studies, to understand cancer better and for the development of better screening programme and therapeutic protocols to manage this disease burden in future. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14490/merck-invites-applications-for-young-scientist-award.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14490/merck-invites-applications-for-young-scientist-award.html Wed, 21 Aug 2019 11:40:00 +0530 Merck, a leading science and technology company, invites applications for the ’Merck Young Scientist Award’. The company will award 6 curious minds. The award is aimed at offering a career push with worthwhile incentives to young scientists. Merck Young Scientist Award is aligned with Merck’s vision of solving some of the toughest problems in life sciences by collaborating with the scientific community. The application window is open from 1st August 2019 and will close on 15th September 2019.   The eligibility criteria are as follows -  Any researcher/scientist with less than 10 years of research experience (Post PhD)   Scientist from academic or research institutes across India   Researchers residing in India     Eligible applicants are invited to apply on the website- https://mysaindia.com/   Important Dates  Submission Period: 1st August – 15th Sept 2019   Review Period: 16th Sept – 15th Nov 2019   Award Ceremony: November 2019    Awards   Cash award: Rs 2,00,000   Travel Award: Rs 1,50,000   The awards will be decided by a well acclaimed jury from leading science organisations and academia from the industry. The jury is chaired by Dr Shahid Jameel and co-chaired by Dr Anurag Agarwal, Director, CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrated Biology, Prof Apurva Sarin, Director, Instem, Human Frontiers Science Program, Dr Davinder Gill, CEO, Hilleman Laboratories, Dr Radha Rangarajan, CEO, Vitas Pharma. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14471/iit-h-develops-sensor-device-to-rapidly-detect-heart-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14471/iit-h-develops-sensor-device-to-rapidly-detect-heart-diseases.html Tue, 20 Aug 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad Researchers are collaborating with research institutions across the world to develop a device to detect heart disease with high speed, sensitivity and reliability. Their ground-breaking work has recently been published in the reputed peer-reviewed Journal of Materials Chemistry B.  The Research Team is headed by Prof. Renu John, Head, Department of Biomedical Engineering, IIT Hyderabad. Their work not only offers promise in the diagnosis or prediction of heart disorders within minutes but can also be extended to detection of other diseases. The clinical complications of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) are presently major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Primary and specialist health providers use a variety of tools for both clinical assessment of existing heart diseases and to identify vulnerable patients at risk for CVD. Biosensors are one such tools. Prof. Renu John’s studies on microfluidics would help in building biomarker-based biosensors that could be used for instantaneous detection of heart attack and other cardiac diseases. Elaborating on this collaborative multi-institutional Research, Prof. Renu John said, “Biomarkers are biological molecules that represent health and disease states.  They are specific chemicals that are released in the body in response to certain physiological conditions. Cardiac troponins or cTns, for example, are biomarkers of heart diseases and are conventionally detected in the blood stream using antibodies that bind specifically to them. Biosensors are devices that combine the sensing element (e.g. antibody) with a transducer that converts the interaction of antibody into electrical or optical signal that can be measured. Conventional biosensing includes such techniques as ELISA, chemiluminescent immunoassay and radioimmunoassay. ” Prof. B.D. Malhotra from Delhi Technological University said, “The major issue with the conventional assays for the detection of cTns relates to poor sensitivity and limit of detection.  Improvements in detecting biosensors such as cTns in the blood require improvements in the design of the biosensor.” Prof. Malhotra believes that the technique can be extended to other diseases as well by varying the type of biomarker/antibody that is attached to the nanospheres.   Microfluidics based biosensing thus offers new opportunities in areas of biological engineering, biomedical studies, point-of-care diagnostics, and environmental monitoring. There has been increased interest in the past decade to develop microfluidics-based sensors for biomedical applications. The field of microfluidics deals with the manipulation of very small volumes of fluids in the range of quadrillionth of a liter – in effect being a ‘miniaturized plumbing’ activity that can squeeze an entire lab into a single micro-sized device. At such minute volume scales, fluids behave in interesting ways, which makes unusual applications possible. Microfluidics-based biosensors can enable portable analytical devices that can provide almost instantaneous results, compared to long-drawn out lab-tests. Nanosized materials – materials that are a hundred thousand times smaller than the thickness of a single human hair – are often used in microfluidics-based biosensors as the transducer to convert the bio-chemical reaction into an optical or electrical signal. Prof. Renu John’s team and collaborators from IIT Kanpur, Zoological survey of India, Iowa State University and Delhi Technological University, used hollow nickel vanadate nanospheres, modified with chitosan and loaded with antibodies of cTns in a microfluidic setup.  When blood containing the CVD biomarker cTns was passed through the biofluidic setup loaded with the biosensing nanospheres, cTns binds with the antibody and induces an electrical signal in the nanosphere, which is then detected. Prof. Renu John and his team tested the performance of the microfluidic biosensors using blood serum of cardiac patients and compared the results with those of conventional chemiluminescence assays. They found that the microfluidic devices could detect the CVD biomarker cTns with extremely high degree of accuracy and sensitivity.  cTns levels as low as 0.000000000005 grams in one milliliter of blood could be detected, which makes this technique a very useful tool for detection of cardiovascular maladies.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14382/iit-g-researchers-develop-hand-held-device-to-detect-bacteria-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14382/iit-g-researchers-develop-hand-held-device-to-detect-bacteria-.html Tue, 06 Aug 2019 14:20:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) researchers have developed a low-cost, hand-held device to detect bacteria. This Research by IIT Guwahati will enable rapid detection of bacteria, which is important not only in healthcare, but also in anti-bioterrorism measures and environmental monitoring applications. Bacterial infection is a common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and despite development of a range of antibiotics, the challenge continues to lie in detecting and diagnosing bacterial infection early on, as present detection techniques tend to be time-consuming.  The research team led by Prof. Parameswar K. Iyer, Department of Chemistry, and Prof. Siddhartha S. Ghosh, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Guwahati, has developed this novel, low-cost, bio-compatible sensor that can detect bacteria almost instantaneously without the need for cell culture and microbiological assays. The Organic Field Effect Transistor (OFET)-based bacterial diagnostic device has been shown to have the ability to detect 103 cfu mL−1 of bacteria and distinguish between Gram positive and Gram negative types. Their work has been patented as well as published in the July 2019 issue of the reputed peer-reviewed Journal of Materials Chemistry A of the Royal Society of Chemistry. At present, the detection of bacteria in body fluids is done in laboratories.  The cells that are derived from the patient are initially cultured or grown so that enough of the bacterial cells are available for microbiological analysis.  Explaining the need to develop faster and easier methods to detect bacteria, Prof. Iyer says, “Current diagnostic processes are frustratingly time-consuming, especially when time is of the essence in administering treatment.” While newly developed techniques such as real time qPCR can detect bacteria faster than conventional assay-based methods, they are restricted by the need for expensive apparatuses and trained personnel.  What would be useful are hand-held rapid detection kits like those used for blood sugar monitoring and pregnancy detection.” The IIT Guwahati team consisting of Dr. Anamika Dey, Dr. Ashish Singh, Dr. Deepanjalee Dutta (all three former PhD scholars from Center for Nanotechnology, IITG), Prof. Siddhartha Sankar Ghosh and Prof. Parameswar Krishnan Iyer, brings portable bacterial detection kits closer to reality. The sensor detects the charges on the cell walls of bacteria.  Highlighting the functionality of the device, Prof. Ghosh said, “It is known that Gram positive bacteria such as S. pneumoniae, have different cell wall compositions than Gram negative bacteria such as the common E. coli. Such asymmetric cell wall organizations could alter flow of electrons at the channel of OFETs during their detection.” The important breakthrough by the team was in developing and using an Organic Field Effect Transistor (OFET) to detect this surface charge. The OFET is an electronic device that works on the principle that charges in the vicinity of the channels of certain semiconductors can induce a current in them. Thus, the charges on the surface of the bacterium, induces a current in the OFET, which is registered and read.  The OFET devices developed by the team consists of a unique and hybrid tri-layer dielectric system built on simple glass and flexible PET (a kind of plastic) substrates, and can operate at ultra-low operating voltages. The team has shown that this OFET sensor can not only detect bacteria, but also differentiate between Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria.   “Not only have we shown the sensing capabilities of this portable OFET device, but we have also shown the mechanism by which sensing occurs and elucidated the role of bacterial wall in distinguishing various bacterial types”, added Prof. Iyer on the significance of this latest interdisciplinary research work. The OFET-based ready-to-use diagnostic tool will facilitate rapid detection and diagnosis at the point of care. The current device is particularly useful for the detection of bacteria primarily for water-borne diseases. These sensors will also be useful in instantaneous detection of time-critical illnesses such as meningitis.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14372/scientists-develop-new-ultrasound-tomography-system-for-cancer-diagnosis-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14372/scientists-develop-new-ultrasound-tomography-system-for-cancer-diagnosis-.html Mon, 05 Aug 2019 14:45:00 +0530 A group of scientists from NUST MISIS, Russia has developed a universal system for real-time optical-acoustic and laser ultrasound tomography. One of the promising areas of use of the new device is biomedicine. This system will allow to detect a cancer tumor with high sensitivity and to accurately show its borders in the ultrasound scan format without surgical treatment, as well as to visualize the vessels during operations. The results are published in the international scientific journal Photoacoustics. The device developed at the NUST MISIS Laboratory of laser ultrasound non-destructive control can be used for detecting oncological tumors, as well as for online visualization of the patient's blood vessels, diagnosing the insertion of medical needles or other instruments into the vessels during various procedures, such as shunting or stenting. The development solves the problem of low contrast and low-resolution images of many biological tissues and organs obtained with standard ultrasound. In comparison with conventional ultrasound, the new technology provides the doctor not only with standard ultrasound images, but also with additional information about those tissues which are poorly distinguished acoustically (using ultrasound), but at the same time have different absorption capacity. These tissues include cancer. The whole system is based on a well-known physical phenomenon – the optoacoustic effect. The essence of it is following: laser radiation of a very short wavelength is absorbed in the irradiated object (in this case, living tissues of the body), which leads to rapid heating of a part of this object. Heating leads to the expansion of the substance of tissues and the corresponding excitation of ultrasonic waves. Thus, irradiation with short laser pulses leads to "vibration" of a tissue area and the emission of ultrasound by it. Roughly speaking, a living organ "squeaks" on ultra-high tones. "In the installation, laser radiation is used to excite ultrasound in two modes. In the first one, which is optoacoustic, light is absorbed directly in the object under study (a small portion of a blood vessel or tumor begins to 'vibrate'). The waves excited in this way are recorded by a multitude of receivers (a special acoustic antenna), and the signals from these elements are then used to build accurate images of the object, providing contrast  for light absorption," said Vasily Zarubin, one of the co-authors, engineer of the NUST MISIS Laboratory of laser ultrasound non-destructive control. "In the second, laser ultrasound mode, the light is absorbed in a special plate, and this plate begins to 'vibrate'. The waves excited in it are used to study the object in a manner similar to the standard ultrasound. In this case, ultrasonic waves are scattered by in homogeneities of the object and are received by the same acoustic antenna. The signals from it are used to construct the final laser ultrasound images."   Thus, the device allows receiving two types of images at the same time - optical-acoustic and laser ultrasonic. Images of the first type provide optical contrast - they allow to clearly distinguish areas that absorb optical radiation in different ways. The second type of images (laser ultrasound) provides acoustic contrast - allows you to clearly distinguish areas that reflect ultrasound waves in different ways. Accordingly, the image obtained on the new device as a combination of these two types provides physicians with much more information for diagnostics in comparison with standard ultrasound. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14296/iit-mandi-researchers-link-lead-toxicity-with-fatty-liver-disease.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14296/iit-mandi-researchers-link-lead-toxicity-with-fatty-liver-disease.html Fri, 26 Jul 2019 15:05:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi Researchers have, for the first time, unraveled the mechanisms by which lead (Pb2+) salts can promote accumulation of fat in the liver. Epidemiological studies have shown that this disease affects 9 per cent to 32 per cent of Indian population. The actual numbers could also be higher as the condition often goes undiagnosed.  Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a dangerous epidemic of this generation and is a rapidly growing health problem intimately related to the metabolic group of diseases such as obesity and diabetes, among others.  It is a condition wherein there is excessive fat accumulation in the liver.  While obesity has been known to be the leading cause for NAFLD, recent observations have shown that even thin people can be ‘metabolically obese’ and have NAFLD. Their research work was performed in collaboration with researchers from Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow and School of Chemical and Life Sciences - Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi. This research work is recently published in a reputed peer-reviewed journal “FEBS Letters”. Speaking about this Research, Dr. Prosenjit Mondal, Assistant Professor, School of Basic Sciences, IIT Mandi, who has uncovered the pathway by which lead promotes NAFLD, said, “While the connection between lead and fatty liver disease has been known for a while, the actual mechanism by which lead worsens this condition has hitherto remained unknown.” NAFLD, and most metabolic group of diseases, are often caused by the poor regulation of De novo lipogenesis (DNL), a complex process in which carbohydrates circulating in the blood are converted into fat. The poor regulation of DNL leads to abnormal production of fat, which settles in the liver and other internal organs as visceral fat. It has been found that the metal lead, which is a serious environmental toxin, can lead to poor regulation of fat formation and deposition in the liver.  Lead toxicity is a serious concern in India and the use of lead containing paints, pesticides, packaging and even beer contributes towards high exposure of Indians to this toxic metal and its salts. Lead salts absorbed by the human body is stored in soft tissues, and autopsy studies have shown that the liver hoards almost 33 per cent of the total lead cruising in the body.   De novo lipogenesis or DNL is a complex process that involves numerous biomolecules, one of which is Carbohydrate Responsive Element Binding Protein (ChREBP).  ChREBP activates the regulatory enzyme, fatty acid synthase, which is responsible for fat production in liver cells.  The activity of ChREBP in human liver cells is kept in control by another biomolecule called sorcin.  “We observed Pb2+ ions to suppress sorcin activity, and this over-activates ChREBP, which in turn triggers fatty acid synthase.  This increases fat production in the liver, leading to NAFLD”, explains Dr. Mondal.  Dr. Mondal and his research team did not stop with elucidating the mechanism of lead induced liver toxicity.  They also proposed chemicals that can target the Pb2+-Sorcin-ChREBP cascade, so that drugs can be discovered and developed to treat NAFLD caused by lead toxicity. They injected mice with a small DNA segment (plasmid) through adenovirus (that expresses sorcin); which increased sorcin activity and thereby reduced the progression of fatty liver disease. NAFLD is a complex syndrome and its causes, symptoms and progression are likely to differ among individuals.  Research such as those at IIT Mandi will help in acquiring a comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease from the perspective of xenotoxins (chemicals that are not normally found in the body, but are introduced), which will in turn help in devising therapies and treatment methods. The study was funded by Seed Research grant from IIT Mandi to Dr. Prosenjit Mondal. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14259/the-spines-that-prick-memories.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14259/the-spines-that-prick-memories.html Tue, 23 Jul 2019 15:20:00 +0530 Spines can be thin or stubby, mushroom-shaped or branched – at least if they are microscopic (a thousandth of a millimeter) spines found on brain cells. These tiny spines crown nerve cell “branches” called dendrites. Research in recent years has shown that dendritic spines change throughout our lifetime: growing or shrinking, appearing and disappearing. This is known as plasticity and it is linked to our brain’s ability to learn new things or forget old ones. Weizmann Institute researchers recently managed to look inside these spines and by combining mathematical modeling with lab experiments, they discovered a unique mechanism for regulating these changes – one that is faster and stronger than any that had been described before. The findings were recently published in PLOS Biology. Brain plasticity centers on the synapses between nerve cells; the dendritic spines are found on one side – known as “post-synaptic” as this is where signals are picked up. On the pre-synaptic side, nerve cell extensions known as axons fire off those signals. The network of synapses enables each cell to communicate with thousands of others but just as some memories become stronger while others fade away, the connections between some individual nerve cells can improve with time while others may wither. Still the tiny dendritic spines which were first described at the beginning of the 20th century were thought for many years to remain stable throughout our lifetime. It was only in recent years – with the advent of microscopy methods that enabled the observation of living tissue at high resolution – that scientists discovered that the spines are composed of two parts and each part can change. The “head” of a spine can expand and contract; the “neck” can lengthen and shorten. And in around 30% of the necks, an addition was discovered: a mysterious organelle called a spinal apparatus. In previous research, the group of Prof. Menahem Segal of the Weizmann Institute’s Neurobiology Department had shown that this organelle is a reservoir of calcium ions – a crucial component of synaptic communication. By regulating oscillations of calcium in the dendritic spines, it can affect the strength of the connections between nerve cells. In the present study, led by Staff Scientist Dr. Eduard Korkotian in Segal’s group, the researchers investigated how the calcium ions get out of their reservoir and to the heads of the dendritic spines. They found a system of channels in which molecules on the spine apparatus which have openings pointed toward the spine’s head act like one-way valves to usher calcium ions into the apparatus. Other channels let calcium ions out in the other direction and this action then activates the production and delivery of proteins into the heads of the spines. This positive feedback mechanism ultimately strengthens synaptic connections. Korkotian says that the mechanism is faster – by a factor of 10 – than others that have been seen before: “The spine apparatus is a ‘high-speed elevator’ for getting calcium ions into the dendrites – just one or two milliseconds, in contrast to 15 milliseconds or more – and the amounts that can be passed from one side to the other are around ten time higher as well. This is apparently crucial for learning, memory and plasticity.” Once the calcium reserves are depleted, the entire synapse dries up and disappears. The next question was: How does the “calcium ball” start rolling in the first place? The calcium ion channels in the spine apparatus are – by default – closed and calcium ions need to get to exactly the right spot to pry them open. Is this an improbable event or one that is reasonably likely? The researchers worked with the group of Prof. David Holcman of the École Normale Supérieure, Paris, to create a computerized model of the spine apparatus. They found that a single calcium ion in this spot is sufficient to activate the mechanism that opens the channel, thus increasing the probability that calcium ions will get into the dendritic spine heads where they can strengthen the nerves’ connections. How are our memories stored? “When we investigate this question on the level of many billions of spines, each of which can change independently, we have to understand how these then fit into the connected world of the brain,” says Segal. “One clue is that in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, the spines disappear. A cell loses the ability to communicate with other cells – even those with which it had previously kept in close contact. Once the calcium reserves are depleted, the entire synapse dries up and disappears.” Thus, future research that might have clinical application could focus on testing drugs that would keep the calcium reserves topped up. That way, the nerve cell could be prevented from degenerating, and it might even be given the opportunity to form new connections. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14256/researchers-identify-toxin-responsible-for-legionella-growth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14256/researchers-identify-toxin-responsible-for-legionella-growth.html Tue, 23 Jul 2019 12:40:00 +0530 A team of scientists led by EMBL group leader Sagar Bhogaraju and Ivan Dikic of Goethe University, Frankfurt, discovered that the toxin SidJ in Legionella bacteria enforces a unique modification on human proteins and helps legionella grow inside human cells. SidJ hijacks human protein Calmodulin to its own advantage in one of the classic examples of pathogenic bacteria exploiting the human molecular machinery and turning it against us. This makes SidJ an ideal target to curb Legionella infection.   Legionella – a complex bacterium Pneumonia resulting from exposure to Legionella – although uncommon and affecting only 1 in 100,000 in Europe – has a higher than 10% fatality rate. The pathogenic bacterium Legionella pneumophila has more than 300 toxins that it uses to infect humans. Once the aerosols containing the bacteria are inhaled, Legionella enters the lungs where it starts infecting human cells, causing pneumonia. Legionella toxins especially target the innate immune pathways facilitating the survival of the bacteria inside human cells and allowing the replication of the bacteria. Due to the large number of toxins it is difficult to see the effects of deleting one or multiple of these toxins on the Legionella infection capacities. This is further complicated by the fact that several toxins with similar functions exist inside the bacteria. This makes Legionella hard to target with specific drugs. Focus on the SidJ toxin Researchers from EMBL Grenoble and the Goethe University in Frankfurt have now studied the toxin SidJ in detail. It is an important toxic protein of Legionella that gets injected into the human cytoplasm and enables the successful infection and replication of the bacteria. In contrast to the other toxins in Legionella, the deletion of SidJ alone leads to a considerable growth defect of the bacteria in human cells. This makes SidJ one of the most important toxins of Legionella and an attractive target to curb Legionella infection. While SidJ has been studied in the field for already more than a decade, the precise function of it remained unknown until today. “SidJ has no sequence similarity to any of the proteins with a known function. We had to resort to standard biochemical methods and mass spectrometry to determine its function”, explains Bhogaraju. “While working out its mechanism proved to be challenging, it was also very exciting!” In particular, the missing detailed molecular study of the toxin hindered the development of drugs that can target SidJ. The work by multidisciplinary scientists of Bhogaraju and Dikic groups now describes the molecular function of this protein in detail, elucidates its importance for Legionella infection and provides the identity of the human proteins that are targeted by SidJ. Toxin at work The group showed that SidJ possesses protein glutamylation activity: it attaches the amino acid glutamate to a target protein as post-translational modification. “This kind of activity is a first for bacterial proteins”, says Ivan Dikic, Director of the Institute of Biochemistry II at Goethe University. SidJ glutamylates many human proteins that are involved in tackling microbial infections and innate immunity. In order to do this, SidJ interacts with the human protein Calmodulin – a highly conserved multifunctional intermediate calcium-binding messenger protein. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14130/us-researchers-develop-machine-learning-model-to-detect-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14130/us-researchers-develop-machine-learning-model-to-detect-cancer.html Mon, 08 Jul 2019 15:00:00 +0530 The invasive and expensive diagnosis process of bladder cancer, which is one of the most common and aggressive cancers in the United States, may be soon helped by a novel non-invasive diagnostic method thanks to advances in machine learning research at the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC), Moores Cancer Center, and CureMatch Incorporated. Research scientists Igor Tsigelny and Valentina Kouznetsova have been working on the development of a machine-learning (ML) model that looks at a patient’s metabolites and their chemical descriptors. The model accurately classifies the stages of bladder cancer in a patient, according to the researchers.  The researchers trained the software – called multi-layer perceptron or MLP – with the data of urine metabolites of the patients with the different stages of the disease. Each stage has its own profile of metabolites. MLP analyzes the chemical descriptor of the sets of metabolites related to each stage of cancer and creates AI models of these profiles. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14081/iit-m-researchers-unravel-unique-mechanism-of-bacterial-proteins.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/14081/iit-m-researchers-unravel-unique-mechanism-of-bacterial-proteins.html Wed, 03 Jul 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Madras researchers have unravelled the mechanism by which bacterial proteins respond to changes in external environment. Results of their work that involved both experiments and simulations, is now published in the prestigious peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications. This research by Dr. Athi Narayanan Naganathan, Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance Fellow and Assistant Professor, Protein Biophysics Laboratory, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras, is significant in that it explains in detail the structural changes that occur in bacterial proteins in response to stimulus. Speaking about the importance of this research, Dr. Athi Narayanan said, “Bacterial systems display incredible adaptability which is primarily driven by proteins that respond in an intricate manner to changing environmental conditions. In this work, we have shown that understanding and manipulating the basic molecular forces that hold the protein together can go a long way in understanding pathogenicity.” The susceptibility to and intensity of bacterial infection are directly related to the virulence of the bacteria.  Bacterial virulence is in turn affected by external environmental conditions such as heat, presence of salts etc. Bacteria have developed regulatory mechanisms that enable their survival under hostile conditions in the host or outside.  For example, E. coli, a common bacterium that results in severe diarrhoea, fever, and dehydration, has to decide when and whether to express the virulence factors (molecules produced by bacteria) so that a host can be successfully invaded. They primarily sense their location (say, whether they are in the soil or in a human host) by monitoring the external salt concentration and temperature. Bacterial systems have evolved molecular sensors that can inform them whether a host has been invaded or if the environment is hostile or friendly. Such sensors, a majority of which are proteins, undergo structural changes proportional to the prevailing environmental conditions. These changes then determine the extent to which they interact with other proteins that in turn drives expression or silencing of specific genes. “We have investigated the role of solution osmolarity conditions in modulating the structure, stability, and conformational properties of Cnu and have shown that it acts as an exquisite molecular sensor of solvent ionic strength. The array of conformations that Cnu populates in response to changes in salt concentration are remarkably matched in the binding partner, H-NS, resulting in large changes in the binding properties and hence function. Such molecular symphonies happen not just in bacteria but in all cell types, and what we show here is just one of the many mechanisms that are possible,” Dr. Athi Narayanan says on the nature of this ground-breaking work. The molecular mechanism by which bacterial proteins sense changes in salt concentrations was not clearly known. To answer this, his research team has chosen a specific protein, Cnu, that is known to have osmo-regulatory (salt-regulatory) properties. Cnu binds to another protein called H-NS and confers salt and temperature adaptability to the bacterium. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13865/people-living-in-city-with-active-coal-power-plants-have-higher-body-levels-of-mercury-iit-hyderabad-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13865/people-living-in-city-with-active-coal-power-plants-have-higher-body-levels-of-mercury-iit-hyderabad-.html Tue, 11 Jun 2019 14:40:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad Researchers have found that people living in a city with active coal-fired power plants and consuming local aquatic produce may have higher body levels of mercury. They arrived at this finding after analyzing the amounts of mercury in the hair of over 600 people in three cities in India. Their study has recently been reported in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, a peer-reviewed a Public Health journal. Mercury is a neurotoxin that is distributed in the environment and present in many products encountered in daily life. It is used in industry and consumer products, exists as a natural impurity in ores, is non-degradable, and widely circulates within and between ecosystems. The Research Team was headed by Dr. Asif Qureshi, Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Hyderabad. The IIT Hyderabad Research team chose three cities for their analysis – Hyderabad, a city in the interior of the country with no specific local mercury source, Vasco da Gama, a city along the West Coast, with again, no specific mercury source but probably more fish-eaters, and Nellore, a coastal city in Andhra Pradesh with several coal-fired power plants. After collating information on demography, body mass index, dietary patterns, professions and other variables of more than 600 people in these cities, the research team proceeded to analyze the amount of mercury in their bodies. Human exposure to mercury is not new. Historically it has been used in medicines and cosmetics, during mining of gold and silver, and industrial mercury poisoning from fur-treatment has been known to result in the ‘mad hatter’ disease in Victorian England. Speaking about this Study, Dr. Asif Qureshi said, “In modern times, the non-occupational exposure of humans to mercury comes from food, especially fish, and rice grown in contaminated fields. Coal-fired power plants are estimated to be the largest emitters of mercury to the atmosphere. The total mercury emissions in India are estimated to become around 540 tons in 2020. In addition to neurotoxicity, mercury has also been implicated in adverse effects on lungs and kidneys, and heart diseases.  So, how much of mercury are Indians exposed to?  This is a question we attempt to answer.” “Hair is an excellent indicator of mercury in the body”, adds Dr. Qureshi.  Hair concentrates mercury and its sampling is non-invasive, making it easy to both measure and correlate to the amount of mercury in the body. Accordingly, strands of hair were cut from the occipital (back) region of the heads of participants and analyzed using a direct mercury analyzer equipment. Statistical analysis was carried out to correlate the amount of mercury found in the hair, with corresponding variables such as dietary pattern, occupation and location.  Dr. Qureshi’s survey showed that nearly 5.5% of the people tested had mercury levels above the current US-EPA reference. It was found that the women of child-bearing age surveyed in this study had generally lower hair mercury than the women of child-bearing age in the US or EU. “This could be because participants in our study consume smaller sized fishes and species that belong to lower trophic levels. In contrast, larger and higher trophic level species such as tuna and cod are among the most commonly consumed fish species in the US or EU”, the authors justify this observation, in their paper. The general understanding gleamed from Dr. Qureshi’s work is that people must take care of how much fish and which fish they eat. This is most easily done by issuing of consumption advisories by governmental bodies (as is done in the US for example), avoiding panic and helping consumers make informed decisions. Because, fish is also a good source of nutrition.  Power plants themselves must take more stringent measures to contain mercury release into the atmosphere.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13845/shoolini-university-team-designs-smart-gel-for-colon-cancer-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13845/shoolini-university-team-designs-smart-gel-for-colon-cancer-treatment.html Tue, 11 Jun 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Cancer is one of the most complex diseases and one of the main reasons for loss of human life around the world. As per the latest reports of World Health Organisation, the global cancer death rate is likely to increase from 45 per cent to 70 per cent by 2030. Though there are many hypotheses, the exact cause of cancer still remains a mystery while doctors and researchers around the world continue to make endless efforts to find its cure and to improve the present methods and existing treatments.
 Researchers of Shoolini University are involved in independent and collaborative projects relating to cancer. One such research-project being undertaken by the research scholars of the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences is related to colon cancer, which is one of the most common cancers in both men and women around the world. As per the 2018 statistics of World Cancer Research Fund, colorectal cancer i.e. cancer of the colon or rectum is the third most common cancer worldwide with over 1.8 million new cases in 2018. Most of the anti-cancer drugs being given are toxic. Therefore, high dose beyond a particular level is not possible. As a result, treatment of the patient gets slowed down. Further, indiscriminate distribution of drugs in body because of non-targeted drug delivery in chemotherapy is yet another limitation of existing treatments for the disease. Dosage reduction, targeted delivery and smart drug delivery systems are some of the major approaches being studied by the research scholars to overcome these limitations. Smart drug delivery systems are ones such as gels which change the drug release profile depending upon surrounding biological conditions and can thus be called 'smart'. Dr. Poonam Negi, who is heading the research said, "There exists a plethora of anti-cancer drug delivery systems that have taken the advantage of the slight difference of pH existing between healthy tissues (pH∼7.4) and that of solid tumors (pH 6-7). However, limitations exist with regard to their stability, consistency of release and other issues, which restrict their commercial application." Recognising the fact that there is a difference in pH of normal cells and that of tumors, researchers from the Pharmacy Department at Shoolini University have designed a 'smart gel' which is pH responsive and is designed for topical/oral and intramuscular or surgical insertion at site. Dr. Negi explained, "It releases anti-cancer drug, as per tumor growth and associated pH change. Thus, the tumor gets a 'sustained release' of drug in case it grows, otherwise the drug is not released, if there is no tumor growth and hence no pH change is there." Dr. Poonam added that although a number of patents and publications are disclosed in the prior findings relating to smart nanogels for delivery of anti-cancer drugs, none discloses the specific gel of the present invention, which is unique in terms of sensitivity and the process involved.

 A provisional patent entitled smart anti-cancer nanogel was co-filed by Chetna Verma, Dr. Poonam Negi and Dr. Deepak Pathania on November 21 last year. Dr. Poonam is an Associate Professor in the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, while Miss Chetna was her PhD student who is now a Post Doctoral fellow at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. Dr. Deepak Pathania is the Head of Department, Department of Chemistry in the Central University of Jammu. Prof. Bhuvnesh Gupta who is currently a Professor with IIT Delhi has also contributed to this research. Set up in 2009, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences is a research-driven private university with full-recognition from the UGC. A leading university of India, it is recognised for its focus on innovation, quality placements, and world-class faculty. Nestled in the lower Himalayas, the university has received accreditation from NAAC and it is ranked by the NIRF. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13671/scientists-use-electric-field-to-heal-wounds-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13671/scientists-use-electric-field-to-heal-wounds-.html Mon, 20 May 2019 10:50:00 +0530 Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have found a way to charge up the fight against bacterial infections using electricity. Work conducted in the laboratories of the Indiana Center for Regenerative Medicine and Engineering, Chandan Sen, PhD and Sashwati Roy, PhD, has led to the development of a dressing that uses an electric field to disrupt biofilm infection. Researchers at IU School of Medicine are the first to study the practice of using an electric field-based dressing to treat biofilms rather than antibiotics. They discovered the dressing is not only successful in fighting the bacteria on its own, but when combined with other medications can make them even more effective. This discovery has the potential to create significant changes in the way physicians treat patients with bacterial infections  which are resistant to antibiotics. The dressing can also help prevent new biofilm infections from forming in the future. The dressing electrochemically self-generates 1 volt of electricity upon contact with body fluids such as wound fluid or blood, which is not enough to hurt or electrocute the patient. Marketing of the dressing for burn care was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The team is now studying the device’s effectiveness in patients recovering from burns.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13540/us-scientists-develop-test-for-identifying-chronic-fatigue.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13540/us-scientists-develop-test-for-identifying-chronic-fatigue.html Mon, 06 May 2019 10:55:00 +0530 People suffering from a debilitating and often discounted disease known as chronic fatigue syndrome may soon have something they’ve been seeking for decades: scientific proof of their ailment. Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have created a blood test that can flag the disease, which currently lacks a standard, reliable diagnostic test. The test, which is still in a pilot phase, is based on how a person’s immune cells respond to stress. With blood samples from 40 people — 20 with chronic fatigue syndrome and 20 without — the test yielded precise results, accurately flagging all chronic fatigue syndrome patients and none of the healthy individuals.  The diagnostic platform could even help identify possible drugs to treat chronic fatigue syndrome. By exposing the participants’ blood samples to drug candidates and rerunning the diagnostic test, the scientists could potentially see whether the drug improved the immune cells’ response. Already, the team is using the platform to screen for potential drugs they hope can help people with chronic fatigue syndrome down the line.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13504/iit-m-team-links-zinc-supplementation-with-fat-deposition-in-the-liver.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13504/iit-m-team-links-zinc-supplementation-with-fat-deposition-in-the-liver.html Wed, 01 May 2019 09:00:00 +0530 A research team led by Dr. Prosenjit Mondal, Assistant Professor, School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, and Dr. Debabrata Ghosh from CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Lucknow, has recently shown that zinc oxide nanoparticles can prevent fat accumulation in the liver and thereby prevent Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Their work has recently been published in the journal, Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine. Liver, the largest internal human organ, secretes bile, stores glucose in the form of glycogen, and converts vitamins, minerals and amino acids into their biologically absorbable forms. While hepatitis viral infections and alcohol-induced liver malfunctions used to be the main cause of liver diseases in the past, the dramatic shift towards sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy food habits has caused them to be outpaced by Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease or NAFLD. “NAFLD is a condition in which the body creates too much fat that gets stored in the liver cells, called steatosis, which could lead to scarring or cirrhosis, and eventual liver failure”, says Dr. Prosenjit Mondal. WHO reports that the number of deaths due to liver diseases in India was 259,749 in 2017. Nearly 120 million Indians are estimated to suffer from NAFLD, with a higher incidence rate amongst obese and diabetic people. “Insulin resistance is one of the hallmarks of NAFLD”, the researchers write in their article. In addition to converting blood glucose into storable forms such as glycogen, insulin also induces lipid generation from non-fat sources, a process called lipogenesis. A complex array of cellular factors and enzymes regulate lipogenesis. When this signaling becomes faulty, due to bad lifestyle and/or genetic predisposition, insulin function is impaired and there is excess lipogenesis, resulting in increased fat accumulation in the liver. The research team has shown using cell and mice models that zinc supplementations either in the form of nanoparticles or salts are effective in reducing fat accumulation in the liver and inducing peripheral insulin sensitivity. The researchers first treated human hepatocellular carcinoma cells with zinc oxide nanoparticles and tested the lipid accumulation in the cells in comparison to untreated cells. They also injected the nanoparticles into the bodies of mice fed with fatty diet and monitored cell signaling, gene expression and also assessed the cellular energy levels.  The mice were also subjected to glucose tolerance tests to assess insulin function and compared with mice fed with normal diet and fat-fed mice not treated with the nanoparticles. In the cell tests, the researchers found that the presence of zinc oxide nanoparticles prevented accumulation of fat in them. In the mice models, they found that the zinc supplements prevented the cellular factors that enhance fat storage in the livers of fat-fed mice. In nutshell, Zinc supplements ameliorate fatty liver disease through negative energy balance, and hepatic lipogenic regulation in diet-induced obese mice. The above observations of the team may help in formulating therapeutic strategies to improve insulin sensitivity and ameliorate liver steatosis associated withtype 2 diabetes. “ZnO nanoparticles can improve the physiological homeostasis during obesity and its associated metabolic abnormalities”, says research scholar, Ms. Surbhi Dogra (co-investigator from IIT Mandi) on the potential outcomes of further research along these lines. The study was funded by Seed Research grant from IIT Mandi, and Science & Engineering Research Board grant, India (ECR/2015/000165) to Dr. Prosenjit Mondal.Co-investigators on the study were research scholars, Ms.  Surbhi Dogra, Ms. Khyati Girdhar, Mr. P. Vineeth Daniel, Mr. Swarup Chatterjee, Mr. Abhinav Choubey & faculty Dr. Subrata Ghosh from IIT Mandi and Dr. SatyakamPatnaik and Aditya K Kar from CSIR-IITR. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13467/mit-researchers-develop-unique-imaging-system-for-tumor-surgery-assistance.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13467/mit-researchers-develop-unique-imaging-system-for-tumor-surgery-assistance.html Thu, 25 Apr 2019 18:05:00 +0530 Ovarian cancer is usually diagnosed only after it has reached an advanced stage, with many tumors spread throughout the abdomen. Most patients undergo surgery to remove as many of these tumors as possible, but because some are so small and widespread, it is difficult to eradicate all of them. Researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US, working with surgeons and oncologists at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), have now developed a way to improve the accuracy of this surgery, called debulking. Using a novel fluorescence imaging system, they were able to find and remove tumors as small as 0.3 millimeters — smaller than a poppy seed — during surgery in mice. Mice that underwent this type of image-guided surgery survived 40 percent longer than those who had tumors removed without the guided system. The researchers are now seeking FDA approval for a phase 1 clinical trial to test the imaging system in human patients. In the future, they hope to adapt the system for monitoring patients at risk for tumor recurrence, and eventually for early diagnosis of ovarian cancer, which is easier to treat if it is caught earlier. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13325/us-researchers-discover-new-technique-to-test-for-viral-infections.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13325/us-researchers-discover-new-technique-to-test-for-viral-infections.html Wed, 10 Apr 2019 11:00:00 +0530 A team of Colorado State University researchers has developed technology that can detect extremely small amounts of antibodies in a person’s blood. Antibodies develop to infect cells or kill pathogens, essentially fighting off a bacteria or virus. The levels of antibodies in the blood can tell whether that person is sick. Using a small wire that is one-fourth the size of a human hair, the researchers have developed a sensor that can detect as few as 10 antibody molecules within 20 minutes. Standard medical testing requires billions or trillions of antibody molecules for detection and can take up to a day to process. This type of cost-effective instrument could help clinicians treat diseases sooner in people and could be used in low-resource settings. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13282/instem-scientist-working-on-decoding-proteome-for-autism.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13282/instem-scientist-working-on-decoding-proteome-for-autism.html Thu, 04 Apr 2019 16:35:00 +0530 Increasingly, a large number of psychiatric disorders are being reported to have deviations from ‘normal’ protein synthesis and so understanding what these changes are, will likely help to understand the disease phenotype better and devise novel biomarkers and therapeutic avenues. In this regard, Dr Aditi Bhattacharya, Independent Research Investigator at The Centre for Brain Development and Repair (inStem) in Bengaluru has been working on decoding the proteome and translational control in Autism Spectrum Disorders and Intellectual Disability to understand the disease phenotype better. In her recently published research paper, she says “Eukaryotic mRNA translation or protein synthesis is one of the most critical processes in an organism’s life, since proteins are the main executors of cellular function. Nowhere is the need for ‘on-demand’ protein synthesis felt more intensely than in neurons, where synaptic activity requires fast responses in a spatially-restricted manner. Protein synthesis is therefore considered an inescapable requisite to proper brain functioning.” The paper also says the proteome of any cell is “the set of expressed proteins at a given time, under defined conditions”. So it is easy to see that the proteome ‘fluctuates’ with different stimuli and measuring the proteome provides an unbiased snapshot of what proteins are deemed necessary to be expressed in a neuron/cell in response to said stimuli. Genetic syndromes like Fragile X syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis complex, Rett’s Syndrome etc. have been shown to have high co-incidence with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID). These conditions have also been demonstrated to have eccentric protein synthesis in neural cells. However the exact identity of proteins whose expression is dysregulated is still largely unknown. This is in part because tools to investigate proteomic changes in intact brain circuits is limited. Dr Aditi says “I have co-developed an approach (BONLAC, Bowling-Bhattacharya et al., 2015) to address this problem by adapting existing cell biological tools like BONCAT/FUNCAT (Dieterich et al., 2006, 2010) and SILAC (Spellman et al.,2008) to look at proteomic changes in brain slices derived from rodent models of ASD/ID.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13277/tum-researchers-succeed-in-marking-proteins-with-ubiquitin.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13277/tum-researchers-succeed-in-marking-proteins-with-ubiquitin.html Thu, 04 Apr 2019 11:05:00 +0530 Human cells have a sophisticated regulatory system at their disposal: labeling proteins with the small molecule ubiquitin. In a first, a team from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has succeeded in marking proteins with ubiquitin in a targeted manner, in test tubes as well as in living cells. The procedure opens the door to exploring the inner workings of this vital regulatory system.Plants, fungi, animals and even humans have it: the protein ubiquitin. It comprises a sequence of 76 amino acids, making it a relatively small biomolecule. But its influence is far-reaching: the type, position, and number of ubiquitin molecules bound to proteins determine their stability, function, and location within the cell. "Virtually every process in the cell is directly or indirectly affected by ubiquitin. That is why malfunctions of this labeling mechanism are associated with the development and progression of cancer and many other severe diseases," explains Kathrin Lang, Professor of Synthetic Biochemistry at the Technical University of Munich. The discovery of the important role this cellular regulatory system plays in the controlled degradation of proteins was acknowledged with the 2004 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. But, in many cases the details of how ubiquitin modifications affect the function of cells remains unclear. Kathrin Lang's team has now developed a method for attaching ubiquitin labels to targeted proteins – a key to exploring the system.  A bacterial enzyme creates new linksLang’s team uses two tricks to circumvent the complicated natural system: They incorporate a novel modified amino acid, at which the bacteria-derived enzyme sortase can attach ubiquitin or a ubiquitin-similar molecule."The biggest challenge was to align the various steps – the incorporation of the unnatural amino acid into a target protein and the transfer of ubiquitin by the enzyme sortase – in such a way that they will work not only in the test tube but also in living cells," recalls Maximilian Fottner, the lead author of the study.In the meantime, the researchers at the Technical University of Munich have optimized and patented their new method for many different cellular proteins. "We have already entered into collaborations with physicians and cell biologists who now want to work with us to study the effects of ubiquitin markers on the development of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's at the molecular level," says Prof. Lang. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13262/research-leads-to-new-molecular-diagnostic-testing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13262/research-leads-to-new-molecular-diagnostic-testing.html Wed, 03 Apr 2019 12:10:00 +0530 A new sophisticated computational model, developed by scientists at Lawson Health Research Institute in Canada, is bringing an innovative method of diagnosing rare hereditary conditions. Children with developmental delay represent a significant portion of referrals made to the Medical Genetics Program at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC). The challenge is to determine which of the 25,000 genes in the body is responsible for the condition. The latest in a series of research publications around the theme of epigenomic testing applied the new pattern recognition model to DNA samples of 965 patients with neurodevelopmental and congenital anomalies that did not have a definitive diagnosis despite extensive clinical genetic testing. Their DNA, acquired through blood samples, was examined using the new model, and dozens of new cases were resolved. This research highlights the value of epigenomic testing in the routine assessment of neurodevelopmental and congenital disorders. From this research, LHSC will be the first site in the world to offer this type of genetic testing. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13233/scientists-create-handheld-crispr-device.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13233/scientists-create-handheld-crispr-device.html Mon, 01 Apr 2019 11:30:00 +0530 A team of engineers at the UC Berkeley and the Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) of The Claremont Colleges combined CRISPR with electronic transistors made from graphene to create a new hand-held device that can detect specific genetic mutations in a matter of minutes. The device, dubbed CRISPR-Chip, could be used to rapidly diagnose genetic diseases or to evaluate the accuracy of gene-editing techniques. The team used the device to identify genetic mutations in DNA samples from Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients. But unlike most forms of genetic testing, including recently developed CRISPR-based diagnostic techniques, CRISPR-Chip uses nanoelectronics to detect genetic mutations in DNA samples without first “amplifying” or replicating the DNA segment of interest millions of times over through a time- and equipment-intensive process called polymerase chain reaction, or PCR. This means it could be used to perform genetic testing in a doctor’s office or field work setting without having to send a sample off to a lab. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13231/designer-organelles-bring-new-functionalities-into-cells.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13231/designer-organelles-bring-new-functionalities-into-cells.html Fri, 29 Mar 2019 14:15:00 +0530 For the first time, scientists have engineered the complex biological process of translation into a designer organelle in a living mammalian cell. Research by the Lemke group at EMBL – in collaboration with JGU Mainz and IMB Mainz – used this technique to create a membraneless organelle that can build proteins from natural and synthetic amino acids carrying new functionality. Their results – published in Science on 29 March – allow scientists to study, tailor, and control cellular function in more detail. During evolution, the development of new organelles allows cells and organisms to become more complex, due to the ability to sort cellular processes into specific hotspots. “Our tool can be used to engineer translation, but potentially also other cellular processes like transcription and post-translational modifications. This might even allow us to engineer new types of organelles that extend the functional repertoire of natural complex living systems,” explains Christopher Reinkemeier, PhD student at EMBL and JGU Mainz and co-first author of the paper. “We could for example incorporate fluorescent building blocks that allow a glimpse inside the cell using imaging methods.” “The organelle can make proteins by using synthetic non-canonical amino acids. Currently we know of more than 300 different non-canonical amino acids – compared to 20 which are naturally occurring. We are no longer restricted to the latter ones,” says co-first author Gemma Estrada Girona. “The novelty we introduce is the ability to use these in a confined space, the organelle, which minimises the effects on the host.” Wobbly wall-less organelles Translation is such a complex process that it cannot be contained in one single organelle surrounded by a membrane. Therefore, inspiration was drawn from phase separation: the process responsible for the formation of membraneless organelles in vivo, such as nucleoli or stress granules. Phase separation is used by cells to locally concentrate specific proteins and RNAs. Even though these wall-less organelles have wobbly boundaries as they dynamically interact with the surrounding cytoplasm, they can still do very precise tasks. The team combines phase separation with cellular targeting to create their membraneless organelle and to make sure that only one organelle per cell is formed. In the end, only five new components have to be engineered into a cell to build it. The assembly of these components generates a large structure, which might create some burden on the cell. In the future, the group aims to engineer minimal designer organelles, to minimise any impact on the physiology of the healthy organism. Edward Lemke – visiting group Leader at EMBL, Professor at JGU Mainz and Adjunct Director at the IMB – led the project. He concludes: “In the end, we aim to develop a technique to engineer synthetic cellular organelles and proteins that do not affect the host machinery at all. We want to create a tool that does not have any uncharacterised effects. The organelle should be a simple add-on that allows organisms to do custom-designed novel things in a controlled fashion.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13162/nih-to-test-experimental-drug-to-curb-opioid-cravings.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13162/nih-to-test-experimental-drug-to-curb-opioid-cravings.html Fri, 22 Mar 2019 12:05:00 +0530 A clinical trial of an experimental drug designed to treat cravings associated with opioid use disorder (OUD) has begun in the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center. The Phase I trial in healthy adults will assess the safety of the experimental compound, ANS-6637, and how it is processed in the body when given with another drug that is processed by the same liver enzyme pathway. The NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is helping to conduct the trial, which is funded through NIH’s Helping to End Addiction Long-Term (HEAL) Initiative, a  comprehensive program to accelerate research efforts to stem the public health crisis of OUD. Anthony S. Fauci, NIAID Director said, “Opioid drugs play an important role in controlling pain, but have strong potential for misuse, as evidenced by the opioid epidemic gripping every region of the United States. Opioid misuse and addiction are associated with high-risk behaviors that may lead directly or indirectly to infections with HIV or hepatitis C virus, to other illnesses, and to premature death. Because substance use disorders and certain infectious diseases are often intertwined, infectious disease physicians must understand and be prepared to address both issues in order to provide optimal care for their patients.” Opioid use causes a surge of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain, and habitual use ‘rewires’ the brain’s reward system, possibly generating irresistible cravings to both opioids and associated cues, like injecting equipment or drug use partners. Henry Masur, M.D., chief of the Clinical Center’s Critical Care Medicine Department, and a principal investigator in the new trial said, “At this time, there are few pharmacological interventions that specifically target the cravings felt by some patients who have physical dependence or opioid use disorder. This trial will lay the groundwork for future studies; together these may lead to effective treatments for the drug cravings that impede the pursuit of sobriety.” ANS-6637 is being developed by Amygdala Neurosciences, Inc. Pre-clinical studies in animals suggest that the compound inhibits the dopamine surge that accompanies opioid use in persons with OUD, without impacting the background levels of dopamine required for normal brain functions. The trial will enroll up to 50 healthy adults aged 18 through 65 years. Participants will stay in the Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, for 10 days and return for a final outpatient visit after one week. On the first day, volunteers will receive a single dose of the licensed drug midazolam. Midazolam was chosen because its processing by the body is well understood, acting as a template for liver metabolism. They will receive no drug on day two. On study days three through seven, volunteers will receive 600 milligrams of ANS-6637 each day. On day eight, participants will receive midazolam and ANS-6637 together to see how the investigational agent affects midazolam levels. This in turn will help researchers understand how ANS-6637 is processed by the body, setting up the next phase of scientific investigation in patients with OUD.  Sarah Kattakuzhy, M.D., associate investigator and assistant professor at the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore said, “Opioid use disorder is a treatable medical illness that, much like in the early days of HIV, has been held back from scientific advancement by stigma and misconception. With the support of the HEAL Initiative and NIAID, we can now assess a novel potential therapeutic in the treatment of OUD. If proven effective, ANS-6637 could be part of a comprehensive package of services, including harm reduction, opioid agonist therapy and behavioral interventions, enabling us to offer our patients the highest level of evidence-based therapy.” Dr. Kattakuzhy and colleagues are planning further study of ANS-6637 as a treatment for OUD in clinical trials at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13127/scientists-find-new-approach-that-shows-promise-for-treating-cystic-fibrosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13127/scientists-find-new-approach-that-shows-promise-for-treating-cystic-fibrosis.html Tue, 19 Mar 2019 09:00:00 +0530 Researchers at NIH say a widely-used antifungal drug may hold promise for treating people with cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening genetic disorder that causes serious damage to the lungs. In studies using human cells and animals models, the researchers found that the medication, called amphotericin, helps lung cells function in a way that could make it easier for patients to fight chronic bacterial lung infections that are a hallmark of the disease. The findings from the study, which was supported in part by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health, will appear in the journal Nature.  If human studies validate the findings, the use of the drug could be good news to the more than 30,000 people in the United States and 70,000 worldwide who live with cystic fibrosis, a disease with no cure and few treatment options. It holds special promise for a subset of patients, about 10 percent of the people with cystic fibrosis, who do not respond to any treatment. Martin D. Burke, leader of the study and a professor of chemistry at the University of Illinois in Champaign said, “The really exciting news is that amphotericin is a medicine that’s already approved and available on the market. We think it’s a good candidate.” Cystic fibrosis is caused by a defect in a gene called CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator). This gene normally makes a protein that controls or channels the movement in and out of cells of such materials as salt, bicarbonate, and water—all of which are important to normal lung function. In people with cystic fibrosis, however, the defective gene makes a protein that is itself defective, causing the accumulation of acidic and sticky mucus that not only clogs the lungs and makes it hard to breathe, but also makes the lungs vulnerable to bacterial infection. While some treatments are currently available, they are limited because different people have different types of mutated proteins, and because 10 percent of people with cystic fibrosis make no protein at all. But amphotericin, Burke said, has the potential to work regardless of the kind of mutation, and even when the protein is missing.    “Instead of trying to correct the protein or do gene therapy – the latter of which is not yet effective in the lung – we use a small molecule surrogate that can perform the channel function of the missing or defective protein,” Burke said. The researchers call this surrogate — the amphotericin — a “molecular prosthetic,” because it restores function much like a prosthetic device does when it replaces a limb. In their studies, the researchers used lung tissue from patients with cystic fibrosis, as well as pig models of cystic fibrosis, and found that amphotericin spurred a host of changes associated with improved lung function — restoration of pH levels, improved viscosity, and increased antibacterial activity, among others.  The researchers noted that amphotericin can be delivered directly to the lungs to avoid common side effects. They cautioned that more experimental studies are needed before the drug is safe to treat cystic fibrosis in people. But experts are hopeful. James Kiley, Ph.D., director of the Division of Lung Diseases at the NHLBI said, “The cystic fibrosis community is truly in need of new therapies to reduce the burden of this disease. We are interested to see how this potential treatment performs in clinical trials in the future.” This work was supported in part by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Both are part of the National Institutes of Health. The study was also supported by additional institutions outside of NIH. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13118/mit-researchers-design-device-for-delivering-tb-drugs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13118/mit-researchers-design-device-for-delivering-tb-drugs.html Fri, 15 Mar 2019 15:15:00 +0530 A research team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US  has devised a new way to deliver antibiotics against tuberculosis (TB) , which they hope will make it easier to cure more patients and reduce health care costs. Using this new approach, a coiled wire loaded with antibiotics is inserted into the patient’s stomach through a nasogastric tube. Once in the stomach, the device slowly releases antibiotics over one month, eliminating the need for patients to take pills every day. The new device is a thin, elastic wire made of nitinol — an alloy of nickel and titanium that can change its shape based on temperature. The researchers can string up to 600 “pills” of various antibiotics along the wire, and the drugs are packaged in polymers whose composition can be tuned to control the rate of drug release once the device enters the stomach. The wire is delivered to the patient’s stomach via a tube inserted through the nose, which is used routinely in hospitals for delivering medications and nutrients. As part of their study, the researchers interviewed 300 tuberculosis patients in India, and most said that this kind of delivery would be acceptable to them for long-term treatment. The research was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the MIT Tata Center, the National Science Foundation, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, and the Division of Gastroenterology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13048/purdue-researchers-develop-innovative-more-cost-effective-method-for-making-drugs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13048/purdue-researchers-develop-innovative-more-cost-effective-method-for-making-drugs.html Mon, 11 Mar 2019 11:10:00 +0530 David H. Thompson, a professor in Purdue’s Department of Chemistry and a member of the Purdue University centre for Cancer Research, has written a research paper published in Organic Process Research and Development about how to make a generic form of lomustine, prescribed to people with Hodgkin lymphoma and certain brain cancers. But the continuous manufacturing process described in the paper is not just limited to lomustine. It can be applied to many other products. The ability to reduce production costs has the potential to allow for more agile and cost effective production of many life-saving medicines. The goal is to improve manufacturing flexibility, enhance quality and uniformity, while lowering the costs for patients. This is especially important for achieving the anticipated benefits of personalized and regenerative medicine products that target tiny patient populations that currently make their manufacture on large-scale cost-prohibitive. Continuous manufacturing is an alternative to “batch” production where the drug product is produced continuously through a sequence of coupled flow reactors. Thompson and his team selected continuous manufacture for lomustine production because of improved quality monitoring throughout the manufacturing process. In addition, this approach can also reduce production costs by utilizing a safer and smaller production facility. Thompson began working on applying his innovative continuous manufacturing process for lomustine after reading an article written by Dr. Henry Friedman, a well-known Duke University neuro-oncologist, in The Cancer Letter in September 2017. The article wrote about how the cost of lomustine had risen dramatically. Thompson approached his team and said they needed to do something. “We have to help the people impacted by this problem. We must show how to make lomustine quickly and cheaply, to provide an alternative for people in need,” he said. Within six months, Thompson’s team developed a method to make lomustine at a rate equivalent to one dose every two hours using continuous manufacture. His group is now developing methods to scale up the production rate. “All of this is happening in a space that is the size of a small desk. A very small footprint,” Thompson said. Thompson said the speed of development was aided by Purdue’s Bindley Bioscience centre at Purdue’s Discovery Park because this resource brings together researchers from different disciplines, and makes available key instrumentation. Not satisfied with simply demonstrating a solution, Thompson has joined with credible industry partners and founded Continuity Pharma to translate its process to the scalable production of lomustine. This work aligns with Purdue's Giant Leaps celebration, celebrating the global advancements in health, longevity and quality of life as part of Purdue’s 150th anniversary. Health is one of the four themes of the yearlong celebration’s Ideas Festival, designed to showcase Purdue as an intellectual centre solving real-world issues. The researchers have filed for a patent on their continuous synthesis process to make lomustine with the help of Purdue’s Office of Technology Commercialization. The Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization operates one of the most comprehensive technology transfer programs among leading research universities in the U.S. Services provided by this office support the economic development initiatives of Purdue University and benefit the university's academic activities. The office is managed by the Purdue Research Foundation, which received the 2016 Innovation and Economic Prosperity Universities Award for Innovation from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13009/scientists-develop-stem-cell-derived-kidney-tubules-in-microfluidic-chips.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/13009/scientists-develop-stem-cell-derived-kidney-tubules-in-microfluidic-chips.html Wed, 06 Mar 2019 15:55:00 +0530 Scientists from the Hubrecht Institute, the University of Utrecht, and MIMETAS have successfully grown kidney tubules derived from human kidney adult stem cells in microfluidic chips. Henriette Lanz, Ph.D., Director of Biology at MIMETAS and co-author on the paper explains: “Scientists at the Hubrecht Institute managed to reprogram stem cells found in the human kidney cortex to cells that are similar to tubular cells of the kidney. From these cells, my team has grown three-dimensional perfused kidney tubules. We have discovered that these tubules are fully polarized, meaning that they distinguish inside from outside, just like in a real kidney. Moreover, the biologically important barrier function of the kidney tubes is intact. We show that transporter activity is functional, which is a hallmark of kidney tissue, responsible for pumping of nutrients and toxicants across the kidney barrier. We can grow 40 of such tubules in one single OrganoPlate®. The kidney tubes can be used to create disease models that allow the development of novel therapies. This novel technology offers a powerful human alternative to animal testing for toxic side effects of new medicines.” A mini kidney from the lab doesn't look like a normal kidney, but the simple cell structures share many of the characteristics of real kidneys. Researchers can use them to study certain kidney diseases. “We can use these mini kidneys to model various disorders: hereditary kidney diseases, infections, and cancer. This allows us to study in detail what exactly is going wrong”, says Hans Clevers, Professor of Molecular Genetics at Utrecht University and the University Medical Center Utrecht, and group leader at the Hubrecht Institute. “This helps us to understand the workings of healthy kidneys better, and hopefully, in the future, we will be able to develop treatments for kidney disorders.” This research has been published in Nature Biotechnology by the world-leading research group from Professor Hans Clevers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12972/pm-confers-shanti-swarup-bhatnagar-prizes-for-st.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12972/pm-confers-shanti-swarup-bhatnagar-prizes-for-st.html Fri, 01 Mar 2019 15:30:00 +0530 Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently conferred Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) prizes for the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 in New Delhi. The SSB prize is awarded each year on the basis of conspicuously important and outstanding contributions to human knowledge and progress, made through work done primarily in India during the five years, preceding the year of the prize. The SSB prize, comprising a citation, a cash award of Five Lakh rupees and a plaque is given to each person selected for the award in the following disciplines viz. Biological sciences, Chemical Sciences, Medical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Engineering Sciences and Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and Planetary Science. The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) Prize for Science and Technology was instituted in the year 1957, in the memory of late Dr (Sir) Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, the founder director of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR). Any citizen of India engaged in research in any field of science and technology up to the age of 45 years is eligible to be nominated. List of receipients in the field of Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences- Dr Rishikesh Narayanan, Indian Insitute of Science- 2016- Biological Sciences Dr Suvendra Nath Bhattacharya, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology- 2016- Biological Sciences Dr Niyaz Ahmed A S, University of Hyderabad- 2016- Medical Sciences   Dr Deepak T Nair, Regional Centre of Biotechnology- 2017- Biological Sciences Dr Sanjeev Das, National Institute of Immunology- 2017- Biological Sciences Dr Amit Dutt, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre- 2017- Medical Sciences Dr Deepak Gaur, Jawaharlal Nehru University- 2017- Medical Sciences   Dr Ganesh Nagaraju, Indian Insitute of Science- 2018- Biological Sciences Dr Thomas Pucadyil, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research- 2018- Biological Sciences Dr Ganesan V, NIMHANS- 2018- Medical Sciences     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12893/research-led-by-johns-hopkins-defines-cells-used-in-bone-repair-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12893/research-led-by-johns-hopkins-defines-cells-used-in-bone-repair-.html Thu, 21 Feb 2019 15:25:00 +0530 Research led by Johns Hopkins investigators has uncovered the roles of two types of cells found in the vessel walls of fat tissue and described how these cells may help speed bone repair. The study found that one of these perivascular stem cell types, pericytes, induces growth of new blood vessels, while another type, adventicytes, induces the formation of bone cells called osteoblasts. In laboratory tests, researchers found that the two types of cells did a better job promoting bone repair in mice with skull defects when they were used together than when either type was used alone. A description of the work was published online Jan. 7 in the journal NPJ Regenerative Medicine. Bone defects from trauma, cancer or congenital reasons are common, but beyond a certain size, bone deficits cannot heal on their own, says senior study author Aaron James, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of pathology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Cells taken from fat tissue have been tried in tissue engineering studies for bone repair, but some results have been disappointing, he says. "A prevailing theory in stem cell therapies derived from fat is that a heterogeneous cell population somehow works in concert to speed tissue regeneration, like different instruments in an orchestra playing in unison," James says. "But the cellular or molecular mechanisms behind this theory have not been defined." The current study tried to isolate specific subpopulations of cells to try to determine which would work best. "This study shows that two different cell populations--pericytes and adventicytes--can be used to regenerate tissue in a sort of beneficial duet," James says, with distinct but complementary roles. James and colleagues isolated pericytes and adventicytes from human liposuction specimens. To determine the functions of each cell type, they applied pericytes and adventicytes in equal numbers alone and in combination with nonhealing skull defects in mice. Then they used microcomputed tomography imaging (used for high-resolution assessment of bones and soft tissue) eight weeks later to study the amount of bone repair. Bone formation was just patchy in the mice given either one of the cell types, but was much more robust in the mice that received both cell types as a combination therapy. Additional laboratory tests of the cells in culture found that pericytes stimulated blood vessel growth while adventicytes stimulated bone cell formation. "Given these distinct but overlapping roles in bone repair, future use of a combination progenitor cell therapy may be effective," James says. "Although our study used equal numbers of each type of cell, it will be important to study whether different ratios of these two cell types can support even more dramatic bone repair." James' lab and collaborators have studied perivascular stem cells in other models, including placing cells in an intramuscular location to form bones, and using them to fuse segments of bone together in rat spines and to repair fractures in rat leg bones. Ongoing studies are further categorizing cell types and teasing out their functional differences. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12866/iit-h-researchers-reveal-use-of-antarctic-fungi-in-treating-leukemia.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12866/iit-h-researchers-reveal-use-of-antarctic-fungi-in-treating-leukemia.html Tue, 19 Feb 2019 15:00:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad researchers working with scientists from National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa have isolated Antarctic fungi that contain L-Asparaginase, an enzyme-based chemotherapeutic agent used to treat Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The isolation of L-asparaginase containing fungi from extreme environments could lead to development of new chemotherapeutic treatment methods that have fewer side effects than the existing methods. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of childhood cancer. In ALL, the bone marrow produces an excess of immature lymphocytes, a form of white blood cells. One of the most frequently used chemotherapy drugs to treat ALL is the enzyme L-Asparaginase. L-Asparaginase reduces the supply of asparagine, an amino acid that is essential for the synthesis of protein, to cancer cells. This prevents the growth and proliferation of the malignant cells. The IIT Hyderabad Team includes Dr. Devarai Santhosh Kumar, Associate Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering and Dr. Asif Qureshi, Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, along with their research students Mr. Anup Ashok, Ms. Kruthi Doriya and Ms. Jyothi Vithal Rao. The NCPOR team included Dr. Anoop Kumar Tiwari. Their path-breaking work has recently been published in Nature’s Open Source Journal, Scientific Reports. Speaking about the need to discover other sources of pure L-Asparaginase, Dr. Devarai Santhosh Kumar, who is the Principal investigator, said, “Extensive purification steps are necessary before L-Asparaginase derived from E. Coli and E. Chrysanthemi is used as a drug to treat ALL. This increases the cost of the drug.” The L-Asparaginase enzyme used for chemotherapy is currently derived from commonly found bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Erwinia chrysanthemi. These enzymes are always associated with two other enzymes, glutaminase and urease, both of which cause adverse side effects in patients such as pancreatitis, hemostasis abnormalities, central nervous system dysfunction and immunological reactions. The Research team looked at psychrophiles as alternate sources of the enzyme. Psychrophiles are organisms that are capable of growth and reproduction in low temperatures in the range of −20 °C to +10 °C, such as those found in Antarctic regions. These organisms have modified life processes that help them adapt to the extreme conditions of living. For example, psychrophiles have ‘anti-freeze’ enzymes that are powerful enough to be able to work at the freezing temperatures of the poles, unlike mesophiles that live in more habitable zones of the earth. The potency of these enzymes makes them promising as powerful drugs for diseases such as cancer. Industrial Bioprocess and BioProspecting Laboratory Research Team, seeking alternate sources of L-Asparaginase, screened and isolated fungi collected from the soil and mosses in Schirmacher Hills, Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica. These fungi were found to have L-Asparaginase free of glutaminase and urease. The team isolated 55 samples of fungi, of which 30 isolates had pure L-Asparaginase. Maximum enzymatic activity was seen in a strain of fungus called Trichosporon asahii IBBLA1 and the enzyme activity was comparable to that of purified enzymes obtained from bacterial sources. The absence of glutaminase and urease would prevent the serious side-effects currently seen with the use of bacteria-derived L-Asparaginase. “Fungal species have the ability to mimic the properties of the human cells, as both are eukaryotic in nature, which makes it easier for their usage in treatment of ALL”, the researchers write in their Nature Scientific Reports paper. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12802/antibody-based-treatment-can-eliminate-disease-blood-forming-stem-cells-effectively.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12802/antibody-based-treatment-can-eliminate-disease-blood-forming-stem-cells-effectively.html Tue, 12 Feb 2019 12:30:00 +0530 An antibody-based treatment can gently and effectively eliminate diseased blood-forming stem cells in the bone marrow to prepare for the transplantation of healthy stem cells, according to a study in mice by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine. The researchers believe the treatment could circumvent the need to use harsh, potentially life-threatening chemotherapy or radiation to prepare people for transplant, vastly expanding the number of people who could benefit from the procedure. "There are many blood and immune disorders that could be cured by a transplant of healthy stem cells," said Judith Shizuru, MD, PhD, professor of medicine at Stanford. "But the pre-treatments necessary to get the healthy cells to transplant effectively are so toxic that we can't offer this option to many patients. A treatment that specifically targets only blood-forming stem cells would allow us to potentially cure people with diseases as varied as sickle cell disease, thalassemia, autoimmune disorders and other blood disorders." Shizuru is the senior author of the study, which is published online Feb. 11 in Blood. Postdoctoral scholar Wendy Pang, MD, PhD, and assistant professor of pediatrics Agnieszka Czechowicz, MD, PhD, share lead authorship of the work. The study is one of two recently co-authored by Shizuru, Czechowicz and research associate Hye-Sook Kwon, PhD, indicating that an antibody targeting a protein called CD117 on the surface of blood-forming, or hematopoietic, stem cells can efficiently and safely eliminate the cells in mice and non-human primates. CD117 is a protein found on the surface of the stem cells. It regulates their growth and activity; the antibody, called SR1, binds to the protein and prevents its function. The use of antibodies against CD117 to eliminate blood-forming stem cells is based on studies conducted in the laboratory of study co-author Irving Weissman, MD, director of Stanford's Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine and of the Ludwig Center for Cancer Stem Cell Research and Medicine at Stanford, and by then-graduate student Czechowicz. The results of these studies, including a recently published article in Blood co-authored by Kwon that showed the antibody treatment was safe in non-human primates, set the stage for a clinical trial of the antibody at Stanford and the University of California-San Francisco in children with an immune disorder called severe combined immunodeficiency. Hematopoietic stem cells are found in the bone marrow. They give rise to all the cells of the blood and immune system. Blood cancers, such as leukemia, arise when the stem cells or their progeny begin dividing uncontrollably; other genetic conditions such as sickle cell anemia or thalassemia occur when the hematopoietic stem cells generate malformed red blood cells or hemoglobin. Often the best chance for a cure for these and other diseases originating in the bone marrow is to eliminate the patient's own defective hematopoietic stem cells and replace them with healthy stem cells from a closely matched donor. But in order to do so, the patient must be able to withstand the pre-treatment, known as conditioning. Most conditioning regimens consist of a combination of chemotherapy and radiation in doses high enough to kill stem cells in the marrow. Shizuru and her colleagues studied a mouse model of a class of human diseases called myelodysplastic syndromes, or MDS. People with MDS are unable to make mature, properly functioning blood cells and the only cure is a stem cell transplant. The disease primarily affects older adults, who are more likely than younger people to have additional, complicating medical factors and who are less likely to withstand the conditioning regimen. "Many of these people are elderly and unable to qualify for a transplant," Pang said. "But there is no other cure for MDS." Because there are many different types of MDS, the patients are assigned risk levels based on disease type, blood test results and the presence or absence of specific mutations in the affected cells. According to the World Health Organization, patients with low-risk MDS have a median survival rate of 5.5 years; those with high-risk disease have a median survival of 2.2 years. SR1, the anti-CD117 antibody Pang and Czechowicz studied, recognizes CD117 on the surface of hematopoietic stem cells isolated from either healthy donors or from patients with MDS. They found that the antibody blocked the growth of both healthy and diseased stem cells in a laboratory setting. Then, the researchers investigated the effect of SR1 treatment on mice that were engineered to have a hybrid blood systems consisting of both human and mouse hematopoietic stem cells. They found in the mice that SR1 quickly and efficiently eliminated both healthy human hematopoietic stem cells and cells isolated from low-risk MDS patients. In those animals with diseased human stem cells, SR1 pre-treatment significantly improved the ability of healthy hematopoietic stem cells to engraft after transplantation. "SR1 directly targets the disease-initiating cells for elimination in the mice, even though these cells typically have a significant competitive advantage," Pang said. "This is the first antibody directed against CD117 that has been proven to clear both normal and diseased human cells from the recipient. We are very pleased with the results." Although SR1 is also able to significantly reduce the number of high-risk MDS cells from the mice, the researchers found that the effect was transient: The diseased cells eventually returned even after transplant. In such cases, it may be necessary to combine anti-CD117 treatment with other therapies to completely eliminate the diseased cells, the researchers believe. "Based on the results of this study and others, we have received approval from the Food and Drug Administration to move forward with a clinical trial for MDS patients using a version of SR1 appropriate for a trial in humans," Shizuru said. "We are very hopeful that this body of research is going to have a positive impact on patients by allowing better depletion of diseased cells and engraftment of healthy cells." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12740/nih-study-links-psoriasis-treatment-and-improvement-in-heart-artery-disease.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12740/nih-study-links-psoriasis-treatment-and-improvement-in-heart-artery-disease.html Wed, 06 Feb 2019 12:50:00 +0530 Researchers at National Institute of Health have found that treating psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease, with biologic drugs that target immune system activity can reduce the early plaque buildup that clogs arteries, restricts blood flow, and leads to heart attacks and stroke. The findings highlight how immunotherapies that treat inflammatory conditions might play a role in the reduction of cardiovascular disease risks. The study, funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health, appears online today in the journal Cardiovascular Research. Nehal N. Mehta, M.D., head of the Lab of Inflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases at NHLBI said, “Classically a heart attack is caused by one of five risk factors: diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, family history, or smoking. Our study presents evidence that there is a sixth factor, inflammation; and that it is critical to both the development and the progression of atherosclerosis to heart attack.” Now researchers provided first in-human evidence that treatment of a known inflammatory condition with biologic therapy, a type of drugs that suppresses the immune system, was associated with a reduction in coronary artery disease, in particular of rupture prone plaque which often leads to a heart attack. Psoriasis, a common skin disease affecting 3-5 percent of the U.S. population, is associated with heightened systemic inflammation, which elevates risk of blood vessel disease and diabetes. Inflammation occurs when the body’s defensive mechanism kicks in to ward off infection or disease, but this mechanism can turn against itself when triggered, for instance, by excess low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) that seep into the lining of the arteries. The resulting inflammatory response can cause blood clots, which block arteries and can lead to heart attack and stroke. Inflammation puts 20-30 percent of the U.S. population at risk for these kinds of events. People with inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and psoriasis have a much higher rate of cardiovascular events. Those high rates make worse already troubling numbers: More than 15 million Americans, and many more worldwide, suffer from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Heart attack occurs in 750,000 individuals every year in the United States; globally, more than 7 million people had heart attacks in 2015. The current findings came from an observational study of the NIH Psoriasis Atherosclerosis Cardiometabolic Initiative cohort, which had 290 psoriasis patients, 121 of whom suffered moderate to severe skin disease and qualified for the biologic therapy approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For a year, researchers followed the eligible patients, all of whom had low cardiovascular risk, and compared them to those who elected not to receive biologic therapy. Study results show that biologic therapy was associated with an 8 percent reduction in coronary artery plaque. “The findings that intrigued us most were that coronary plaque sub-components changed over one year, including the necrotic core and non-calcified components, which are the culprits for most heart attacks,” Mehta said. Prior research had linked psoriasis with premature development of high-risk coronary plaque. Now, Mehta’s team has shown beneficial changes in this plaque when psoriasis is treated with biologic therapy – even without changes in other cardiovascular risk factors such as cholesterol, glucose, and blood pressure. “This appears to be an anti-inflammatory effect. In the absence of improvement in other cardiovascular risk factors, and without adding new cholesterol medications, patients’ soft-plaque still improved. The only change was the severity of their skin disease,” said Mehta. “Our data are observational so the next steps should be randomized, controlled trials,” concluded Mehta. Researchers say continued research will need to be done to confirm whether this is so, or whether the positive effect is a result of treating the underlying inflammatory disease.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12739/ministry-of-st-csir-iicb-release-first-ayurvedic-cancer-drug.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12739/ministry-of-st-csir-iicb-release-first-ayurvedic-cancer-drug.html Wed, 06 Feb 2019 11:45:00 +0530 “Kudos CM 9” the first ever ayurvedic invention in the World for Cancer treatment researched & developed by Ministry of Science & Technology, CSIR-IICB (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology) was recently launched. This is the world’s first non-chemical, non-synthetic Ayurvedic Drug to combat the deadly menace of cancer. Cancer is growing rapidly all over the world at an alarming pace and is the major cause of morbidity and mortality. It may be noted that nearly 2900 death per day and approximately 10,60,000 death per year takes place in India alone, due to cancer. Prof. Chitra Mandal, Senior Scientist, Cancer Biology & Inflammatory Disorder Division, CSIR- IICB said, “Kudos CM9 is the result of 30 years of extensive research by Ministry of Science & Technology, CSIR-IICB to find the first ever ayurvedic cancer cure drug which has no side effects and has been proven to be the most effective and the safest medicine for the dreadful disease Cancer.” Kudos CM 9 is beneficial in both benign and malignant tumour treatment. It is very highly useful in curing early stage / early diagnosed cancer patients and in controlling further spread of cancer growth in patients undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy also prevents relapse of cancer. Dr. Priyanka CEO, Kudos Ayurveda said, “Kudos CM9 is the world’s first Ayurvedic cancer cure drug which works on programmed cell death concept i.e it kills only cancer cells and protects healthy cells. Thus boosting the immunity power of the patients. Kudos CM 9 is a gold shield to provide immuno-therapy to cancer patients and is a well-known immunomodulator. Kudos CM9 helps to fight cancer by blocking certain cancer promoting enzymes & hormones. Kudos CM9 helps to prevent cancer in high risk individuals. Also, possesses antimutagenic, chemoprotective and radioprotective properties.” “Kudos CM9 helps to prevent, fight and cure cancer at every stage, i.e. genesis, growth and spread of cancer. Kudos CM9 is equally effective in those patients who have become resistant to chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy. Kudos CM9 is also highly useful for those patients, who are not fit for surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy due to old age, marked weakness or any other factor”, she added. “The standard treatment of cancer includes radiationtherapy, chemotherapy and surgery. The cancer drugs currently available in market are synthetic and treatment is very costly, as the cost of these drugs are beyond the reach of common people. Drug resistance is another problem which is one of the causes for relapse.  Many of the clinically approved targeted cancer drugs quickly acquire drug resistance. Majority of cancer drugs show severe side effects.” Dr Priyanka further added. Prof. Samit Chattopadhyay, Director of CSIR-IICB & CSIR-NEIST said, “CSIR-IICB (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology) has transferred this unique Anti-Cancer Technology to Kudos Laboratories India - Kudos Ayurveda a trusted company for Ayurvedic medicine in India with over 100 years of experience in Ayurveda to manufacture and market this wonder drug Kudos CM9 in India & globally for the benefit of masses at large.” Kudos CM 9 will go a long way in the treatment of millions of Cancer patients all over the world.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12732/scientists-succeed-in-creating-functional-blood-vessels-in-vitro.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12732/scientists-succeed-in-creating-functional-blood-vessels-in-vitro.html Tue, 05 Feb 2019 16:20:00 +0530 Advances in stem cell research offer hope for treatments that could help patients regrow heart muscle tissue after heart attacks, a key to achieving more complete recovery. Scientists have reported success in creating functional blood vessels in vitro for hearts of rats that had sustained a heart attack. The journal Nature Communications published the paper, whose lead authors are Ying Zheng and Charles Murry of the UW Medicine Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine in Seattle. “To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that building organized blood vessels with perfusion outside the body leads to improved integration with host blood vessels and better tissue blood flow,” said Zheng, a University of Washington associate professor of bioengineering. The scientists set out to show that by growing stem cell-derived heart tissue in a petri dish, with attention to blood vessels’ construction, they could improve the tissue’s incorporation with existing heart vessels. “I come from a mechanical background,” Zheng continued. “I love thinking about the dynamics of blood flow. Our whole bodies are vascularized. This network of vessels is dynamic and interconnected, like a transportation system that remodels itself all the time.” Disruption to blood flow during a heart attack leads to significant loss of heart muscle and heart function. Heart muscle grown from stem cells must not only survive and integrate with the host tissue, but it must also restore adequate blood flow, explained Murry. He is a UW professor of pathology, bioengineering, and medicine/cardiology. The research team used human stem cells to create a vascularized construct, or patch, with a functioning network of blood vessels that mimics the vasculature of a human heart.  “Being able to organize the vessels in the tissue outside the body was very important,” Zheng said. “When we implanted the patch, we saw that the stem cell-derived tissue integrated effectively with the host’s coronary circulation. This improved blood flow to the engineered tissue and gave it the nutrients it needed to survive.” Optical microangiography imaging techniques developed by Ricky Wang, a UW professor of bioengineering, revealed that blood flow within the grafts was twentyfold higher than has been reported for any other such graft. This suggested that nurturing the tissue in the lab had a meaningful benefit for the heart cells before they were implanted into the rats’ hearts, the researchers said.  The work was funded by National Institutes of Health grant.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12703/mit-engineers-develop-inflatable-pill-for-the-stomach.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12703/mit-engineers-develop-inflatable-pill-for-the-stomach.html Mon, 04 Feb 2019 09:00:00 +0530 A team of engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US has designed an ingestible, Jell-O-like pill that, upon reaching the stomach, quickly swells to the size of a soft, squishy ping-pong ball big enough to stay in the stomach for an extended period of time. The inflatable pill is embedded with a sensor that continuously tracks the stomach’s temperature for up to 30 days. If the pill needs to be removed from the stomach, a patient can drink a solution of calcium that triggers the pill to quickly shrink to its original size and pass safely out of the body. The new pill is made from two types of hydrogels — mixtures of polymers and water that resemble the consistency of Jell-O. The combination enables the pill to quickly swell in the stomach while remaining impervious to the stomach’s churning acidic environment. Down the road, the researchers envision the pill may safely deliver a number of different sensors to the stomach to monitor, for instance, pH levels, or signs of certain bacteria or viruses. Tiny cameras may also be embedded into the pills to image the progress of tumors or ulcers, over the course of several weeks. The researchers believe that the pill might also be used as a safer, more comfortable alternative to the gastric balloon diet, a form of diet control in which a balloon is threaded through a patient’s esophagus and into the stomach, using an endoscope.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12662/researchers-create-artificial-skin-with-sensors-for-burn-victims.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12662/researchers-create-artificial-skin-with-sensors-for-burn-victims.html Wed, 30 Jan 2019 10:45:00 +0530 A new type of sensor could lead to artificial skin that someday helps burn victims 'feel' and safeguards the rest of us, University of Connecticut researchers suggest in a paper in Advanced Materials. Our skin's ability to perceive pressure, heat, cold, and vibration is a critical safety function that most people take for granted. But burn victims, those with prosthetic limbs, and others who have lost skin sensitivity for one reason or another, can't take it for granted, and often injure themselves unintentionally. Chemists Islam Mosa from UConn, and James Rusling from UConn and UConn Health, along with University of Toronto engineer Abdelsalam Ahmed, wanted to create a sensor that can mimic the sensing properties of skin. Such a sensor would need to be able to detect pressure, temperature, and vibration. But perhaps it could do other things too, the researchers thought. "It would be very cool if it had abilities human skin does not; for example, the ability to detect magnetic fields, sound waves, and abnormal behaviors," said Mosa. Mosa and his colleagues created such a sensor with a silicone tube wrapped in a copper wire and filled with a special fluid made of tiny particles of iron oxide just one billionth of a meter long, called nanoparticles. The nanoparticles rub around the inside of the silicone tube and create an electric current. The copper wire surrounding the silicone tube picks up the current as a signal. When this tube is bumped by something experiencing pressure, the nanoparticles move and the electric signal changes. Sound waves also create waves in the nanoparticle fluid, and the electric signal changes in a different way than when the tube is bumped. The researchers found that magnetic fields alter the signal too, in a way distinct from pressure or sound waves. Even a person moving around while carrying the sensor changes the electrical current, and the team found they could distinguish between the electrical signals caused by walking, running, jumping, and swimming. Metal skin might sound like a superhero power, but this skin wouldn't make the wearer Colossus from the X-men. Rather, Mosa and his colleagues hope it could help burn victims "feel" again, and perhaps act as an early warning for workers exposed to dangerously high magnetic fields. Because the rubber exterior is completely sealed and waterproof, it could also serve as a wearable monitor to alert parents if their child fell into deep water in a pool, for example. "The inspiration was to make something durable that would last for a very long time, and could detect multiple hazards," Mosa says. The team has yet to test the sensor for its response to heat and cold, but they suspect it will work for those as well. The next step is to make the sensor in a flat configuration, more like skin, and see if it still works. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12648/intensive-lowering-of-blood-pressure-can-have-a-measurable-impact-on-mci-says-a-nih-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12648/intensive-lowering-of-blood-pressure-can-have-a-measurable-impact-on-mci-says-a-nih-research.html Tue, 29 Jan 2019 11:30:00 +0530 Intensive lowering of blood pressure did not significantly reduce dementia risk but did have a measurable impact on mild cognitive impairment (MCI), according to the final, peer-reviewed results from the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) Memory and Cognition in Decreased Hypertension (SPRINT MIND). SPRINT MIND secondary results are the first to show an intervention that significantly reduces the occurrence of MCI, which is a well-established precursor of dementia. SPRINT MIND was an integral aspect of the initial design for SPRINT, a large, randomized clinical trial of intensive blood pressure lowering on cardiovascular and renal disease; both were funded by the National Institutes of Health. “Dementia continues to be a large public health challenge, and based on the primary results of this study, we still have yet to find an intervention strategy proven to reduce the risk of dementia,” said Richard J. Hodes, M.D., director of the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of NIH and the lead institute on Alzheimer’s research. “Nevertheless, the secondary results showing that intensive lowering of blood pressure may reduce risk for MCI, a known risk factor for dementia, gives us additional avenues to explore on the path to prevention.” MCI is a condition in which people have more difficulty with cognition, thinking, remembering, and reasoning, than normal for people their age. Dementia is a more severe form of loss in cognitive functions that interferes with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is very common in persons over the age of 50 and a leading risk factor for heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and a growing body of research suggests that it may increase risk for dementia later in life. The participants in SPRINT were adults 50 years and older at high risk for cardiovascular disease. Results of the SPRINT trial, which ended early, showed that intensive blood pressure control, i.e., a systolic blood pressure target of less than 120 mmHg (<120 mmHg), compared to a standard target of less than 140 mmHg (<140 mmHg), reduced cardiovascular events and overall mortality. Between November 2010 and March 2013 more than 9,300 participants were randomized to the two target groups with nearly 4,700 in each group. In August 2015, the SPRINT trial was stopped after 3.3 years of treatment when the major beneficial effects of intensive blood pressure management on mortality and cardiovascular disease were discovered. Assessment for development of dementia and MCI continued for the full planned five years. SPRINT MIND aimed to address whether intensive blood pressure control would also reduce the risk of developing dementia and cognitive impairment over the ensuing five years. Cognitive assessments were given to participants who had high blood pressure but no history of stroke or diabetes at the start of the trial, and over 91 percent had at least one follow up. Participants were classified into one of three categories: no cognitive impairment, MCI, or probable dementia. The SPRINT MIND Research Group, including corresponding author Jeff D. Williamson, M.D., M.H.S., from Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, noted that the primary results of this analysis found no statistically significant difference between standard and intensive treatment in the proportion of participants that were diagnosed with dementia. The study, however, had fewer cases of dementia than expected. Nevertheless, the secondary results suggested that the intensive treatment reduced the risk of MCI and the combined risk of MCI and dementia. Due to the success of the SPRINT trial on the cardiovascular outcomes, the study intervention was stopped early; as a result, participants were treated for a shorter period than originally planned. The authors concluded that the shorter time and the unexpected fewer cases of dementia may have made it difficult to determine the role of intensive blood pressure control on dementia. “The fact that there was still an MCI result when the study was cut short makes these results encouraging,” explained Laurie Ryan, Ph.D., chief of the Dementias of Aging Branch in the NIA Division of Neuroscience. The authors emphasized that this is the first randomized clinical trial demonstrating that an intervention significantly reduces the occurrence of MCI, which is an established risk factor and often a precursor for dementia. An important conclusion from this research is that the intensive lowering of systolic blood pressure to <120 mmHg target — which reduces the risk of cardiovascular events and mortality — is safe for the brain. “This is a landmark study in that it is the first trial of its size and scope to look at a modifiable risk factor for dementia and MCI,” said Lenore J. Launer, Ph.D., a senior investigator in the NIA Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences and co-author of the paper. “The study had a carefully designed hypothesis, used approved appropriate tools to assess dementia and MCI, was blinded for diagnosis, and got a good sample of older people.” The authors noted that there currently are no proven interventions that prevent or delay the incidence of MCI or dementia. Therefore, people should consult with their healthcare providers to decide the best blood pressure goals for themselves and to determine how to reach those goals (for example, introducing lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise; or lifestyle changes with addition of blood pressure medications). “This study is in line with where the field of dementia research is going: preventing memory loss earlier,” added Ryan, who is also the program lead for SPRINT MIND. “Much like we have research-based interventions for heart health and cancer prevention, we hope to have guidance based on this and subsequent studies that will more definitively show how to slow or even stop dementia well before symptoms appear.” These results also emphasize the connection between vascular health and the brain. The results were reported Jan. 28, 2019 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12647/stanford-researchers-develop-urine-test-for-bladder-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12647/stanford-researchers-develop-urine-test-for-bladder-cancer.html Tue, 29 Jan 2019 11:20:00 +0530 Researchers at the Stanford School of Medicine in the US have developed a highly sensitive urine test for diagnosing and monitoring bladder cancer. The test involves looking for fragments of cancer DNA in urine samples. According to the researchers, this study describes a new diagnostic approach to bladder cancer focused on analysis of urine samples. Urine is in direct contact with bladder tumors, which shed some of their DNA into it. The researchers found that by testing for bladder cancer in urine, they could detect cancer in the early stages of development, when it can be treated more easily. Their approach correctly identified the presence of bladder cancer in 83 percent of patients with early stage bladder cancer, compared with only 14 percent for the clinically available urine cytology test. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12645/brain-biomarkers-could-help-identify-risk-of-severe-ptsd-nih.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12645/brain-biomarkers-could-help-identify-risk-of-severe-ptsd-nih.html Tue, 29 Jan 2019 10:50:00 +0530 NIH-funded study has linked brain activity related to associative learning with PTSD symptom severity. A study has shed light on the neurocomputational contributions to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in combat veterans. The findings, published in Nature Neuroscience, revealed distinct patterns for how the brain and body respond to learning danger and safety depending on the severity of PTSD symptoms. These findings could help explain why symptoms of PTSD can be severe for some people but not others. The study was funded in part by the National Institute of Mental Health, part of the National Institutes of Health. Susan Borja, Ph.D., chief of the NIMH Dimensional Traumatic Stress Research Program said, “Researchers have thought that the experience of PTSD, in many ways, is an overlearned response to survive a threatening experience. This study clarifies that those who have the most severe symptoms may appear behaviorally similar to those with less severe symptoms, but are responding to cues in subtly different, but profound, ways.” PTSD is a disorder that can sometimes develop after exposure to a traumatic event. People with PTSD may experience intrusive and frightening thoughts and memories of the event, experience sleep problems, feel detached or numb, or may be easily startled. While almost half of all U.S. adults will experience a traumatic event in their life, most do not develop PTSD. One theory explaining why some symptoms of PTSD develop suggests that during a traumatic event, a person may learn to view the people, locations, and objects that are present as being dangerous if they become associated with the threatening situation. While some of these things may be dangerous, some are safe. PTSD symptoms result when these safe stimuli continue to trigger fearful and defensive responses long after the trauma has occurred.    Despite the prominence of this theory, the way in which this learning occurs is not well understood. In this study, Ilan Harpaz-Rotem, associate professor of psychiatry at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut; Daniela Schiller, associate professor of psychiatry and neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, and colleagues examined how the mental adjustments performed during learning and the way in which the brain tracks these adjustments relate to PTSD symptom severity. Combat veterans with varying levels of PTSD symptom severity completed a reversal learning task in which two mildly angry human faces were paired with a mildly aversive stimulus. During the first phase of this task, participants learned to associate one face with the mildly aversive stimulus. During the second phase of this task this association was reversed, and participants learned to associate the second face with the mildly aversive stimulus. Although all participants, regardless of PTSD symptomology, were able to perform the reversal learning, when the researchers took a closer look at the data, they found highly symptomatic veterans responded with greater corrections in their physiological arousal (i.e., skin conductance responses) and several brain regions to cues that did not predict what they had expected. “What these results tell us is that PTSD symptom severity is reflected in how combat veterans respond to negative surprises in the environment—when predicted outcomes are not as expected—and the way in which the brain is attuned to these stimuli is different. This gives us a more fine-grained understanding of how learning processes may go awry in the aftermath of combat trauma and provides more specific targets for treatment”, said Dr. Schiller. “One’s inability to adequately adjust expectations for potentially aversive outcomes has potential clinical relevance as this deficit may lead to avoidance and depressive behavior,” said Dr. Harpaz-Rotem. The amygdala, a brain area involved in associative learning, value encoding, and emotional responses, was particularly important. Both smaller amygdala volume and less precise tracking of the negative value of the face stimuli in the amygdala independently predicted PTSD symptom severity. Differences in value tracking and associability were also found in other brain regions involved in computation related to threat learning, such as the striatum, the hippocampus, and the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12628/iit-mandi-finds-the-target-protein-for-action-of-antimalarial-drug-against-zika-virus.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12628/iit-mandi-finds-the-target-protein-for-action-of-antimalarial-drug-against-zika-virus.html Mon, 28 Jan 2019 15:15:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Mandi researchers are making rapid strides in finding a drug to treat the Zika virus (ZIKV) that has affected more than a million people across the world.  A team led by Dr. Rajanish Giri, Assistant Professor of Biotechnology, IIT Mandi, is working on this subject. Following an earlier finding by Prof. Indira Mysorekar from Washington University at St. Louis, USA, that hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), a drug commonly prescribed for treating malaria, reduces ZIKV transmission from mother to foetus, Prof. Giri’s lab has identified the target viral protein on which HCQ acts. Prof. Giri has collaborated with Prof. Mysorekar and Prof. Sanjeev Kumar Singh from Alagappa University, Tamil Nadu, on this work and their findings have recently been published in ACS Omega, an Open Access journal of the American Chemical Society. The Zika virus is a mosquito-borne emerging global pathogen belonging to the flavivirus genus. Other members of this genus includedengue virus, yellow fever virus, and Japanese Encephalitis virus. ZIKV infection leads to fever, headaches, lethargy, conjunctivitis-like symptoms and may even be associated with neurological diseases such as Guillain-Barré syndrome. More seriously, ZIKV infection is associated with devastating foetal diseases such as microcephaly. Earlier in July 2017, Prof. Mysorekar’s group showed that HCQ inhibits viral-induced autophagy and thereby reduces viral transmission to the foetus. Prof. Giri explains, “While Prof. Mysorekar’s group originally selected HCQ for its ability to inhibit autophagy, its mechanism of action against ZIKV target protein was not known. Our work has identified a viral protein on which HCQ acts.” This finding is important as development of drugs against ZIKV hinges on understanding the interactions between the potential drug and the target components of the virus. Prof. Giri also added, “To block Zika virus activity we targeted an important enzyme called protease. This enzyme governs the polyprotein maturation, leading to survival and pathogenesis of the virus.” Viral proteases are enzyme in viruses and are good targets for drug action. In the case of the Zika virus, the NS2B-NS3 protease is important for viral multiplication in the host.  In order to find molecules that can inhibit the action of NS2B-NS3 protease, Prof. Giri’s team first performed high throughput virtual screening of an FDA-approved drug library and identified five compounds that showed promising affinity towards Zika virus protease.  One of the five compounds was HCQ.  “Repurposing approved drugs can be an efficient method to identify drug compounds, which may be capable of activating or inhibiting new targets”, the researchers mention in their ACS Omega research article.  They add that such an approach can reduce development time and cost and improve safety. The top five compounds identified through screening were subjected to molecular dynamics simulation. “Various amino acid residues are involved in stabilizing drug molecules at the active site of the NS2B-NS3 protease of Zika virus”, the researchers write. Prof. Giri then chose HCQ from the five drug molecules for further analysis, based on the computational drug discovery work and validation by molecular dynamics simulations. The research team designed and cloned the protease gene construct of the Zika virus and expressed and purified its NS2B-NS3 protease enzyme. HCQ inhibited the enzyme activity, showing that HCQ is a promising drug for ZIKV infection. In the next step, the research team treated trophoblast cells infected with ZIKV with HCQ and noticed that there was significant reduction of viral burden. In vitro enzyme inhibition and computational simulation studies showed that the HCQ bonded with the NS2B-NS3 protease complex, thus competitively inhibiting its ability to contribute to viral multiplication. Understanding the interactions between molecules such as HCQ and important viral enzymes such as proteases is an important step in the development of drugs that can attack the virus and prevent it from multiplying in the host cells. Drawing inspiration from earlier studies in this area, Prof. Giri and his team have identified potential candidates within existing banks of drugs that stop the growth/spread of the Zika virus within the host. In future, this discovery may hasten implementation of effective therapies against ZIKV infections.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12599/blood-test-shows-early-detection-of-lung-transplant-rejection-nih.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12599/blood-test-shows-early-detection-of-lung-transplant-rejection-nih.html Fri, 25 Jan 2019 12:00:00 +0530 Researchers at National Institutes of Health have developed a simple blood test that can detect when a newly transplanted lung is being rejected by a patient, even when no outward signs of the rejection are evident. The test could make it possible for doctors to intervene faster to prevent or slow down so-called chronic rejection—which is severe, irreversible, and often deadly—in those first critical months after lung transplantation. Researchers believe this same test might also be useful for monitoring rejection in other types of organ transplants. The work was funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health. The study’s findings were published Jan. 22 in EBioMedicine, a publication of The Lancet. Hannah Valantine, M.D., co-leader of the study and lead investigator of the Laboratory of Organ Transplant Genomics in the Cardiovascular Branch at NHLBI said, “This test solves a long-standing problem in lung transplants: detection of hidden signs of rejection. We’re very excited about its potential to save lives, especially in the wake of a critical shortage of donor organs.” The test relies on DNA sequencing, Valantine explained, and as such, represents a great example of personalized medicine, as it will allow doctors to tailor transplant treatments to those individuals who are at highest risk for rejection. Lung transplant recipients have the shortest survival rates among patients who get solid organ transplantation of any kind—only about half live past five years. Lung transplant recipients face a high incidence of chronic rejection, which occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the transplanted organ. Existing tools for detecting signs of rejection, such as biopsy, either require the removal of small amounts of lung tissue or are not sensitive enough to discern the severity of the rejection. The new test appears to overcome those challenges. Called the donor-derived cell-free DNA test, the experimental test begins with obtaining a few blood droplets taken from the arm of the transplant recipient. A special set of machines then sorts the DNA fragments in the blood sample, and in combination with computer analysis, determines whether the fragments are from the recipient or the donor and how many of each type are present. Because injured or dying cells from the donor release lots of donor DNA fragments into the bloodstream compared to normal donor cells, higher amounts of donor DNA indicate a higher risk for transplant rejection in the recipient. In the study, 106 lung transplant recipients were enrolled and monitored. Blood samples collected in the first three months after transplantation underwent the testing procedure. The results showed that those with higher levels of the donor-derived DNA fragments in the first three months of transplantation were six times more likely to subsequently develop transplant organ failure or die during the study follow-up period than those with lower donor-derived DNA levels. Importantly, researchers found that more than half of the high-risk subjects showed no outward signs of clinical complications during this period. “We showed for the first time that donor-derived DNA is a predictive marker for chronic lung rejection and death, and could provide critical time-points to intervene, perhaps preventing these outcomes. Once rejection is detected early via this test, doctors would then have the option to increase the dosages of anti-rejection drugs, add new agents that reduce tissue inflammation, or take other measures to prevent or slow the progression”, Valantine added. This research is supported by The Genomic Research Alliance for Transplantation Study, which is funded by the Division of Intramural Research of NHLBI. The research is also supported by The Genome Transplant Dynamics Study, which is funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12542/study-connects-alzheimers-with-hearing-disorder.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12542/study-connects-alzheimers-with-hearing-disorder.html Mon, 21 Jan 2019 11:10:00 +0530 Older adults concerned about displaying early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease should also consider a hearing check-up, suggest recent findings. What might appear to be signs of memory loss could actually point to hearing issues, says Dr. Susan Vandermorris, one of the study's authors and a clinical neuropsychologist at Baycrest. A recent Baycrest study, published in the Canadian Journal on Aging, found that the majority (56 per cent) of participants being evaluated for memory and thinking concerns and potential brain disorders had some form of mild to severe hearing loss, but only about 20 per cent of individuals used hearing aids. Among the participants, a quarter of them did not show any signs of memory loss due to a brain disorder. "We commonly see clients who are worried about Alzheimer's disease because their partner complains that they don't seem to pay attention, they don't seem to listen or they don't remember what is said to them," says Dr. Vandermorris. "Sometimes addressing hearing loss may mitigate or fix what looks like a memory issue. An individual isn't going to remember something said to them if they didn't hear it properly." Hearing loss is the third most common chronic health condition in older adults, which is experienced by 50 per cent of individuals over the age of 65 and 90 per cent of people over the age of 80. It takes an average of 10 years before people seek treatment and less than 25 per cent of individuals who need hearing aids will buy them. Hearing status is not always addressed in neuropsychology clinics, but can impact performance on memory assessments done verbally, adds Dr. Vandermorris. "Some people may be reluctant to address hearing loss, but they need to be aware that hearing health is brain health and help is available," she adds. The study analyzed results from 20 individuals who were receiving a neuropsychological assessment at Baycrest. Participants completed a hearing screening test after their cognitive evaluation. Neuropsychologists were privy to hearing test results after their initial assessment, which altered some of their recommendations. For example, some clients were referred to a hearing clinic for a full audiology assessment or to consider using a hearing aid, as well as provided education on hearing loss and communication. "Since hearing loss has been identified as a leading, potentially modifiable risk factor for dementia, treating it may be one way people can reduce the risk," says Marilyn Reed, another author on the study and practice advisor with Baycrest's audiology department. "People who can't hear well have difficulty communicating and tend to withdraw from social activities as a way of coping. This can lead to isolation and loneliness, which can impact cognitive, physical and mental health." This study builds on earlier research that analyzed how addressing memory problems could benefit older adults seeking hearing loss treatment. "We are starting to learn more about the important role hearing plays in the brain health of our aging population," says Dr. Kate Dupuis, lead author on the study, a former postdoctoral fellow at Baycrest, clinical neuropsychologist and Schlegel Innovation Leader at the Sheridan Centre for Elder Research. "In order to provide the best care to our older clients, it is imperative that neuropsychologists and hearing care professionals work together to address the common occurrence of both cognitive and hearing loss in individuals." Since the studies, Baycrest's Neuropsychology and Cognitive Health Program and Hearing Services have incorporated general screening for hearing and memory issues into their assessments, as well as provided educational materials to clients. Next steps for the study will involve optimizing screening strategies for hearing loss in memory assessments and ongoing interprofessional collaborations to create educational tools that counsel clients about the relationship between hearing, memory and brain health. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12538/scientists-turn-to-stem-cells-for-treating-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12538/scientists-turn-to-stem-cells-for-treating-diabetes.html Fri, 18 Jan 2019 21:25:00 +0530 Scientists working to develop more effective treatments for diabetes are turning to stem cells. Such cells can be transformed into cells that produce insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar. But there's a major challenge: the amount of insulin produced by theses cells is difficult to control. Now, by tweaking the recipe for coaxing human stem cells into insulin-secreting beta cells, a team of researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has shown that the resulting cells are more responsive to fluctuating glucose levels in the blood. When they transplanted the beta cells into mice that could not make insulin, the new cells began secreting insulin within a few days, and they continued to control blood sugar in the animals for months. "We've been able to overcome a major weakness in the way these cells previously had been developed. The new insulin-producing cells react more quickly and appropriately when they encounter glucose," said principal investigator Jeffrey R. Millman, PhD, an assistant professor of medicine and of biomedical engineering. "The cells behave much more like beta cells in people who don't have diabetes." The researchers now believe it may be time to evaluate whether the same stem-cell approach could produce insulin and effectively control blood sugar in people. Millman was a part of a research team at Harvard that, in 2014, converted skin cells into stem cells and, in 2016, did the same thing with skin cells from a patient with diabetes. Each time, the stem cells were then treated with various growth factors to coax them into insulin-secreting beta cells. The beta cells, however, didn't work as well as the researchers had hoped. "Previously, the beta cells we manufactured could secrete insulin in response to glucose, but they were more like fire hydrants, either making a lot of insulin or none at all," he said. "The new cells are more sensitive and secrete insulin that better corresponds to the glucose levels." For this study, Millman's laboratory still grew beta cells from human stem cells, but they made numerous changes to the "recipe" for producing insulin-producing beta cells, treating the cells with different factors at different times as they grew and developed to help the cells mature and function more effectively. After that process was complete, the researchers transplanted the beta cells into diabetic mice with suppressed immune systems so that they wouldn't reject the human cells. Those transplanted cells produced insulin at levels that effectively controlled blood sugar in the mice, functionally curing their diabetes for several months, which, for most of the mice in the study, was about the length of their lives. As laboratory researcher rather than a clinician, Millman said he can't predict exactly when such cells may be ready for human trials but believes there are at least two ways that stem cell-derived beta cells could be tested in human patients. "The first would be to encapsulate the cells in something like a gel -- with pores small enough to prevent immune cells from getting in but large enough to allow insulin to get out," he said. "Another idea would be to use gene-editing tools to alter the genes of beta cells in ways that would allow them to 'hide' from the immune system after implantation." Millman said that if stem cell-derived beta cells are proven safe and effective for people with diabetes, his method of manufacturing the cells quickly could be ramped up to an industrial scale. In his laboratory alone, his team is able to grow and develop more than a billion beta cells in just a few weeks. The new study is published Jan. 17 in the journal Stem Cell Reports. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12519/scientists-identify-backup-for-hematopoietic-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12519/scientists-identify-backup-for-hematopoietic-system.html Thu, 17 Jan 2019 11:35:00 +0530 New research from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research has identified the backup for an important biological system - the hematopoietic system, whose adult stem cells constantly replenish the body's blood supply. Blood-forming adult stem cells reside deep in the bone marrow and are responsible for regenerating the body's blood supply including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. In a study published online January 15, 2019, in the journal Cell Reports, Stowers Institute for Medical Research scientists from the laboratory of Linheng Li, Ph.D., and collaborators investigated how these cells, despite being sensitive to DNA damage, manage to repopulate blood cells after chemotherapy or injury has depleted their numbers. The finding provides evidence that hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) consist of different functional populations of cells, including "primed" cells, which are ready at a moment's notice to be activated to produce red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, and "reserve" cells, which come into play when there has been damage to the first-line stem cells. "Under severe stress - radiation or chemotherapy that injures blood cells, including primed hematopoietic stem cells - that's when reserve cells kick in," says Linheng Li, Ph.D., an Investigator at the Stowers Institute and senior author of the study. Reserve HSCs could hold the key to understanding how blood cells repopulate after severe injury depletes the bone marrow that produces blood cells. This concept may provide an insight for understanding treatment-resistant leukemia cells. The study appears online January 15, 2019, in the journal Cell Reports. Every second, two million new blood cells are churned out by the amazing, regenerative HSCs that reside in the core of most bones. Only a fraction of these cells actively move through the cell cycle at any given time; the rest lie in an inactive or quiescent state, which was once believed to protect them from harm. However, several studies have shown that the majority of these quiescent HSCs are sensitive to DNA damage from chemotherapy. Over a decade ago, Li suggested that a special population of HSCs that are resistant to damage might still reside in the bone marrow, hidden in some unexplored niche. In this study, Meng Zhao, Ph.D. (now a faculty member at Sun Yat-Sen University in Guangzhou, China), Fang Tao, Ph.D., Zhenrui Li, Ph.D. (now a fellow at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital), Aparna Venkatraman, Ph.D., and Xi C. He, M.D., undertook a series of experiments using a mouse model to prove that these cells exist. A key experiment utilized a cell surface marker to isolate reserve and primed HSCs. The researchers transplanted reserve HSCs or primed HSCs into recipient animals. After the engraftments were established, they treated recipient mice with the chemotherapy agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). While the primed HSCs reflected by their derived blood cells began to decline after treatment, the reserve HSCs' derivatives were unscathed. "In effect, we showed that hematopoietic stem cells have functionally distinct subpopulations - one that acts under normal conditions, and the other that acts under times of stress," says Li. Next, the researchers examined bone and marrow from transplanted mice, labeling the reserve cells with fluorescent tags and studying them microscopically to pinpoint their location in the bone marrow. With Sarah Smith, Ph.D., from the Stowers Microscopy Center, they spotted the fluorescently labeled cells lurking in a specialized niche along the inside surface of the bone, adjacent to a population of cells known as N-cadherin+ bone-lining cells, which was reported by the Li team in 2003 as the first niche identified to support HSCs. In the current study, Tao and colleagues found that these N-cadherin+ bone-lining cells are mesenchymal or skeletal stem cells with the potential to produce bone, cartilage, and fat. Therefore, N-cadherin may be used as a marker to isolate skeletal stem cells and may have potential uses in bone and cartilage regenerative medicine. These N-cadherin+ bone-lining cells appear to protect the reserve cells from injury by feeding them survival factors like the aptly named stem cell factor and others. When the researchers depleted these support cells, the reserve cells were no longer able to survive chemotherapy treatment. "Interestingly, we found that N-cadherin+ cells lining the bone are also resistant to chemotherapy, while stromal cells in the central marrow are sensitive to chemotherapy, which allows N-cadherin+ cells to better support the reserve stem cells," said Tao, who, along with Zhao, is co-first author on the study. Other coauthors include Jay Unruh, Ph.D., Shiyuan Chen, Christina Ward, Pengxu Qian, Ph.D., John M. Perry, Ph.D., Heather Marshall, Ph.D., and Jinxi Wang, M.D., Ph.D. The work was supported by funding from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research to L.L. and a grant to the University of Kansas Cancer Center from the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under award number P30CA168524. Additional support included National Key Research and Development Program of China (2017YFA0103403, 2018YFA0107203) to M.Z.; Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India overseas associateship to A.V.; and the National Institutes of Health award numbers R01AR059088 and R01DE018713 to J.W. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12498/uk-researchers-design-ai-tool-for-aggressive-ovarian-cancer-screening.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12498/uk-researchers-design-ai-tool-for-aggressive-ovarian-cancer-screening.html Tue, 15 Jan 2019 16:05:00 +0530 A team at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, has created an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that looks for clusters of cells within tumours with misshapen nuclei, the control centres within each cell. The researchers found that having misshapen nuclei was an indication that the DNA of cancer cells had become unstable, and believe it could in future help doctors to select the best treatment for each patient. The researchers also found that immune cells were not able to move into the clusters of cells with misshapen nuclei, which suggests that cancers with these clusters are better at evading the immune system. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12490/autistic-persons-nerve-cells-grow-remarkably-big-and-fast-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12490/autistic-persons-nerve-cells-grow-remarkably-big-and-fast-research.html Mon, 14 Jan 2019 12:50:00 +0530 Young nerve cells derived from people with autism are precocious, growing bigger and developing sooner than cells taken from people without autism, a new study shows. As a proxy of brain growth, researchers led by Simon Schafer of the Salk Institute in La Jolla, Calif., transformed skin cells from people with and without autism into stem cells that then developed into nerve cells in the lab. Along the way, the scientists monitored the cells’ growth and the behavior of their genes. Compared with cells derived from five people without autism, cells from eight people with autism grew bigger, with longer and more elaborate branches, the researchers found. Three-dimensional balls called organoids made of the autism-derived cells were bulkier, too. In addition to this physical development, a group of genes important for brain development switched on sooner. Trouble in the autism-derived cells, however, actually began a bit earlier, just as the cells were on the cusp of becoming nerve cells. At the neural stem cell stage, certain spots of these cells’ chromatin — tightly packed genetic material — were more open and accessible than they should have been, an unfolding that can lead to abnormally active genes. The results show that open chromatin “can have major effects on neuronal development,” says neuroscientist David Amaral of the University of California, Davis. In experiments, the researchers could bypass this stage, as well as the ensuing abnormalities. When forced to skip the neural stem cell stage, the cells’ abnormal growth patterns disappeared. “It’s amazing to me that this experiment worked,” says coauthor and neuroscientist Rusty Gage, also of the Salk Institute. That finding bolsters the idea that a discrete event at a particular time — opens chromatin at the neural stem cell stage — may set the brain up for autism. The cells used in the study came from people with a type of autism marked by enlarged brains. Because of the wide variety of autism spectrum disorders, similar experiments ought to be done with cells taken from people with different kinds of autism, says neuroscientist Luis de la Torre-Ubieta of the University of California, Los Angeles.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12485/nih-team-develops-ai-approach-for-cervical-cancer-screening.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12485/nih-team-develops-ai-approach-for-cervical-cancer-screening.html Mon, 14 Jan 2019 09:00:00 +0530 A research team led by investigators from the National Institutes of Health and Global Good has developed a computer algorithm that can analyze digital images of a woman’s cervix and accurately identify precancerous changes that require medical attention. This artificial intelligence (AI) approach, called automated visual evaluation, has the potential to revolutionize cervical cancer screening, particularly in low-resource settings. To develop the method, researchers used comprehensive datasets to train a deep, or machine, learning algorithm to recognize patterns in complex visual inputs, such as medical images. The approach was created collaboratively by investigators at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and Global Good, a fund at Intellectual Ventures, and the findings were confirmed independently by experts at the National Library of Medicine (NLM). The researchers plan to further train the algorithm on a sample of representative images of cervical pre-cancers and normal cervical tissue from women in communities around the world, using a variety of cameras and other imaging options. This step is necessary because of subtle variations in the appearance of the cervix among women in different geographic regions. The ultimate goal of the project is to create the best possible algorithm for common, open use. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12484/with-hiv-undetectable-equals-untransmittable-nih.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12484/with-hiv-undetectable-equals-untransmittable-nih.html Fri, 11 Jan 2019 17:10:00 +0530 In recent years, an overwhelming body of clinical evidence has firmly established the HIV Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) concept as scientifically sound, say officials from the National Institutes of Health. U=U means that people living with HIV who achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load—the amount of HIV in the blood—by taking and adhering to antiretroviral therapy (ART) as prescribed cannot sexually transmit the virus to others. Writing in JAMA, officials from NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) review the scientific evidence underlying U=U and discuss the implications of widespread acceptance of the message. In the new commentary, Anthony S. Fauci, Director, NIAID and colleagues summarize results from large clinical trials and cohort studies validating U=U. The landmark NIH-funded HPTN 052 clinical trial showed that no linked HIV transmissions occurred among HIV serodifferent heterosexual couples when the partner living with HIV had a durably suppressed viral load. Subsequently, the PARTNER and Opposites Attract studies confirmed these findings and extended them to male-male couples. Validation of the HIV treatment as prevention strategy and acceptance of the U=U concept as scientifically sound have numerous behavioral, social and legal implications, the NIAID officials note. U=U can help control the HIV pandemic by preventing HIV transmission, and it can reduce the stigma that many people with HIV face. The success of U=U as an HIV prevention method depends on achieving and maintaining an undetectable viral load by taking ART daily as prescribed. Numerous factors, including lack of access to quality health care, can make ART adherence difficult. To enhance the overall success of U=U, the authors emphasize the importance of implementing programs that help patients remain in care and address the barriers to daily therapy.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12478/researchers-discover-unique-feature-of-transplanted-stem-cells.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12478/researchers-discover-unique-feature-of-transplanted-stem-cells.html Fri, 11 Jan 2019 13:00:00 +0530 Bone marrow transplants, which involve transplanting healthy blood stem cells, offer the best treatment for many types of cancers, blood disorders and immune diseases. Even though 22,000 of these procedures are performed each year in the US, much remains to be understood about how they work. A new USC and Stanford study, conducted in mice, deepens the mystery, showing that successfully transplanted stem cells don't behave "normally" as in a healthy person without a transplant. Instead, the radiation and high-dose chemotherapy used to wipe out diseased stem cells prior to transplantation appear to trigger "extreme behavior" in the newly transplanted cells. The findings appeared in Proceedings of the National Academy of the Sciences (PNAS) on January 8. "Our research has important implications for understanding and optimizing bone marrow transplants and certain types of gene therapy," said lead researcher and co-corresponding author Rong Lu, assistant professor of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine at USC. The other co-corresponding author is Irving Weissman, director of the Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine. In a series of experiments, scientists learned that when transplanted into an irradiated mouse, only a very small minority of the stem cells produce blood and immune cells, while many other stem cells become dormant and do nothing. In addition, post-radiation, this handful of "super producer" stem cells also become biased towards producing only certain types of immune cells. However, the overall blood and immune system, still tends to remain balanced. In mice that had not undergone radiation, all stem cells contributed equally to the blood and immune systems, with the exception of T cells, suggesting that the preconditioning regimen used to ensure successful transplantation is the source of the abnormal cell behavior. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12475/fortis-conducts-successful-knee-surgery-on-hiv-patient-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12475/fortis-conducts-successful-knee-surgery-on-hiv-patient-.html Fri, 11 Jan 2019 11:55:00 +0530 A 61 year old, HIV positive patient successfully underwent a bilateral total knee replacement surgery at Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta road.  Dr Srinivas JV- Director of Orthopaedics-Fortis Hospitals, Bannerghatta road along with Dr Sheela Chakravarthy-Director, Internal Medicine and Dr Venkatesh S- Consultant, Interventional Cardiology, led the team of doctors. The patient visited Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta road with a complaint of severe pain in both the knees. Post diagnosis, the doctor found that she was suffering from severe osteoarthritis in both knees along with an underlying HIV positive status. Since the last five months, she was unable to do her day-to-day activities including walking, bending and squatting. Dr. Srinivas J.V said, “The patient was suffering from severe knee pain which had affected her daily routine and activities like walking and bending knees. As the patient is HIV positive, we performed a fitness and preoperative evaluation before recommending total knee replacement surgery. Post consulting Dr Sheela Chakravarthy and Dr Venkatesh S, we went ahead with the surgery. The patient withstood the procedure well and was mobilised with full weight bearing walking with a walker post operation. The patient was discharged after a week post surgery and we advised her to continue physiotherapy along with proper rest of 3-4 weeks.” Dr. Sheela Chakravarthy said, “HIV patients are at a high risk considering their immunocompromised status. Proper evaluation and optimisation of HIV drugs and assessment of early warning signs helps in managing the condition. This helps in giving them a chance to lead a normal life and manage their complications better with the help of highly skilled orthopaedic surgeons. Additionally, an intensive care unit enables to manage early setbacks expected because of HIV disease” NCBI states that there are challenges in the management of inflammatory arthritis in patients who are HIV-positive, which includes difficulties in assessing the disease activities and limited information about the safety of immunosuppressive drugs in these individuals. Rheumatic diseases are very common in patients who are infected with HIV. The HIV virus can cause many of the symptoms of arthritis and rheumatic diseases. Some joint and muscle related diseases can result from HIV infection affecting any age group. Sometimes it can also occur due to the medicines consumed to keep a control on HIV. Rheumatic diseases can cause a lot of discomfort, weakness and improper functioning. It is important to inform the doctor if a patient experiences joint pain or muscle weakness while consuming the HIV drugs. People with HIV should follow a well-balanced diet along with healthy eating habits and following a proper exercise regime. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12454/researchers-identify-new-biomarker-for-colorectal-cancers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12454/researchers-identify-new-biomarker-for-colorectal-cancers.html Wed, 09 Jan 2019 12:50:00 +0530 A recent study sees John Hopkins researchers identifying a protein involved in cell proliferation and the development of new blood vessels that could serve as a marker for the early detection of colorectal cancers. These results of the study were published online in the journal Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. According to the laboratory studies, investigators found that expression of the protein called beta-1,4 galactosyltransferase-V (beta-1,4-GalT-V), was increased in human colorectal cancer tumor cells compared with normal tissue. Scientists also observed an increase in the protein's activity and in its product lactosylceramide, a fat that can produce superoxides, which lead to an increase in new cells and blood vessels that cancers can use to spread throughout the body. According to lead author of the study Subroto B Chatterjee, professor of perdiatrics and a specialist in vascular biology at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine, the findings demonstrate that lactosylceramide could be added to a growing list of biomarkers such as NMT1, APC and TP53 in blood tests for colorectal or potentially other cancers to increase their success at early detection of disease. According to the researchers colorectal cancer affects more than 1.4 million people worldwide and causes almost 7 lakh deaths over the world. The lead author further opined that colonoscopies usually don't begin until a person turns 50. According to Chatterjee there is a great need for reliable biomarkers for early-stage diagnosis of colorectal cancer. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12449/researchers-use-ai-to-diagnose-diabetic-eye-disease.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12449/researchers-use-ai-to-diagnose-diabetic-eye-disease.html Wed, 09 Jan 2019 10:55:00 +0530 A team of Australian-Brazilian researchers led by RMIT University have developed an image-processing algorithm that can automatically detect one of the key signs of Diabetic retinopathy, fluid on the retina, with an accuracy rate of 98%. Fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography scans are currently the most accurate clinical methods for diagnosing diabetic retinopathy. An alternative and cheaper method is analysing images of the retina that can be taken with relatively inexpensive equipment called fundus cameras, but the process is manual, time-consuming and less reliable. To automate the analysis of fundus images, researchers in the Biosignals Laboratory in the School of Engineering at RMIT, together with collaborators in Brazil, used deep learning and artificial intelligence techniques. The algorithm they developed can accurately and reliably spot the presence of fluid from damaged blood vessels, or exudate, inside the retina. The researchers hope their method could eventually be used for widespread screening of at-risk populations. The researchers are in discussions with manufacturers of fundus cameras about potential collaborations to advance the technology. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12444/scientific-advancement-is-limited-by-a-lack-of-diversity-in-genomic-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12444/scientific-advancement-is-limited-by-a-lack-of-diversity-in-genomic-research.html Tue, 08 Jan 2019 15:50:00 +0530 A growing number of genomic studies have generated important discoveries regarding human health and behaviour, but new research from the University of Oxford suggests that scientific advancement is limited by a lack of diversity. They show that the people studied in genetic discovery research continue to be overwhelmingly of European descent, but also for the first time reveal that subjects are concentrated in a handful of countries i.e. the UK, US and Iceland, and have specific demographic characteristics. The authors caution that this lack of diversity has potentially huge implications for the understanding and applications of genetic discoveries. The study published in Communications Biology contributes to a richer understanding of a multitude of facets which shape genomic bias over time. The work reviewed nearly 4,000 scientific studies between 2005 and 2018, curated by the NHGRI-EBI GWAS Catalogue, which contains all Genetic-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) to date. These studies have identified multiple genetic groups related to diseases such as type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's, to psychiatric disorders, physical, behavioural and psychological traits. The study examined the explosion in the number of people studied, number and strength of genetic association discoveries, and growth and variation in the number of outcomes (or 'phenotypes') studied. It also looked at who was being studied in terms of ancestral background, geographical location and demographics, but also who was conducting the research, including the networks and characteristics of the researchers themselves. Despite a staggering growth in sample sizes, the number of traits and diseases studied and genetic discoveries, findings from the study reveal that ancestral diversity has stalled and that non-white groups are still massively under-represented. By extending research in this area they show that this has varied considerably over time and that when non-European ancestry groups are included, it is often only to 'replicate' results, as opposed to fundamental new genetic discoveries. Moving beyond ancestral diversity, the authors estimate for the first time that 72% of the (often repeatedly) utilised data came from individuals recruited from just three countries; the UK (40%), US (19%) and Iceland (12%). Data was subject not only to geographical concentration, but also featured a higher than anticipated proportion of older people, women and in some of the most prominently used data, also subjects with higher socioeconomic status and better health. Prof Melinda Mills (MBE FBA), lead author and Nuffield Professor of Sociology, said "The lack of ancestral diversity in genomic research has been an on-going concern, but little attention has been placed on the geographical and demographic characteristics of the people who are studied, who studies them, and exactly what they study. Genetic discoveries offer exciting medical possibilities, but without increasing the diversity of people studied and environments they live in, the usage and returns of this research are limited. There is increasing recognition that our health outcomes are a complex interplay between genes and the environment -- or in other words nature and nurture -- yet most discoveries have been taken from populations that are very similar, with limited environmental variation." The authors also analysed the core funders of this work (primarily UK and US sources) and revealed gender disparities in scientific authorship, estimating that up to 70% of authors in the senior 'last author' position are male. They also provide evidence of a tightly knit core network revolving around providers of access to the data, such as researchers working as Principle Investigators of longitudinal cohorts and senior members of large biopharmaceutical companies. They provide a number of core policy recommendations for editors, funders and policy-makers. These include: prioritising multiple types of diversity and strategies for monitoring diversity, warnings regarding the interpretation of genetic differences between ancestral groups, calls for local participant involvement, and strategies for reforming incentive structures that intertwine the roles of authorship, data ownership and access to results. Professor Mills adds "We were able to harness different types of data and link them together in new ways to empirically demonstrate the inner workings of this important research area for the first time. It is our hope that the ten evidence-based policy recommendations will be taken up in order to further enhance the power of the on-going genomic revolution." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12437/five-day-106th-session-of-indian-science-congress-concludes-in-jalandhar.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12437/five-day-106th-session-of-indian-science-congress-concludes-in-jalandhar.html Tue, 08 Jan 2019 14:20:00 +0530 The 106th session of Indian Science Congress (ISC), 2019 concluded in Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar yesterday. The five-day session was inaugurated by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and attended by Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Science &Technology Minister on 3rd January, 2018. As a part of the ISC, Women’s Science Congress was held which was inaugurated by Smriti Zubin Irani, Union Minister for Textiles & Industry and concluded by Prakash Javadekar, Union HRD Minister. Science Communicators’ Meet was inaugurated by Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister for Electronics & IT. The Children’s Science Congress was inaugurated by the Nobel Laureates Avram Hershko from Israel and F.Duncan M.Haldane from USA. During five days, significant lectures from three Nobel Laureates; 20 Plenary Sessions & several sectional symposia with top authorities from DRDO, ISRO, DST, ICAR, CSIR, ICMR, AICTE, NAAC, UGC, ISCA, the USA, UK Universities, were attended by nearly 30,000 participants. More than fifteen thousand delegates participated at this scientific meet. During the ISC, a solar-powered driverless bus designed and created by the students of Lovely Professional University was also inaugurated.  A Time capsule with items representing today’s technology and India’s scientific prowess was buried to be opened after 100 years. While making concluding remarks of the event, Dr Manoj Kumar Chakrabarti, General President, Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) 2019 highlighted that, “106th edition of ISC provided the best platform to exchange ideas and innovations among scientists gathered from across the world.” He also applauded the invaluable contribution of Indian Scientists and all at different events of ISC-2019, particularly the scientific temperament of people of Punjab who participated in huge numbers.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12418/nih-study-implicates-hyperactive-immune-system-in-aging-brain-disorders.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12418/nih-study-implicates-hyperactive-immune-system-in-aging-brain-disorders.html Fri, 04 Jan 2019 16:20:00 +0530 In a study of fruit flies, NIH scientists suggested that the body’s immune system may play a critical role in the damage caused by aging brain disorders. The results are based on experiments in which the researchers altered the activity of Cdk5, a gene that preclinical studies have suggested is important for early brain development and may be involved in neurodegenerative diseases, such as ALS, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Previously, they found that altering Cdk5 sped up the genetic aging process, causing the flies to die earlier than normal and have problems with walking or flying late in life and greater signs of neurodegenerative brain damage. In this study, published in Cell Reports, they suggested that altering Cdk5 resulted in the death of dopamine releasing neurons, especially in the brains of older flies. Typically, Parkinson’s disease damages the same types of cells in humans. Further experiments in flies suggested the neuron loss happened because altering Cdk5 slowed autophagy, or a cell’s waste disposal system that rids the body of damaged cells in a contained, controlled fashion, which in turn triggered the immune system to attack the animal’s own neurons. This immune system attack is a much “messier” and more diffuse process than autophagy. Genetically restoring the waste system or blocking the immune system’s responses prevented the reduction in dopamine neurons caused by altering Cdk5. The authors concluded that this chain reaction in which a breakdown in autophagy triggers a widely destructive immune reaction may occur in human brain during several neurodegenerative disorders and that researchers may want to look to these systems for new treatment targets and strategies.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12409/pm-delivers-inaugural-address-at-106th-session-of-indian-science-congress.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12409/pm-delivers-inaugural-address-at-106th-session-of-indian-science-congress.html Thu, 03 Jan 2019 16:35:00 +0530 The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, today delivered the inaugural address at the 106th session of the Indian Science Congress.  Reflecting on the theme of the event this year ‘Future India: Science and Technology’ he said that India's true strength will be in connecting its science, technology and innovation, with its people.  He recalled the great Indian scientists of the past, including Acharyas J.C. Bose, C.V. Raman, Meghnad Saha, and S.N. Bose, and said that they served the people through "minimum resources" and "maximum struggle." "The life and works of hundreds of Indian Scientists are a compelling testament of integration of deep fundamental insights with technology development and nation-building.  It is through our modern temples of science that India is transforming its present and working to secure its future," the Prime Minister said.  The Prime Minister emphasized that the pursuit of science is fulfilled through the achievement of two objectives: generation of profound or disruptive knowledge; and use of that knowledge for socio-economic good.   As we boost our discovery science ecosystem, we must also focus on innovation and start-ups, the Prime Minister said. He said that the Government has launched the Atal Innovation Mission to promote innovation among our scientists. More Technology Business Incubators have been established in the last four years than in the forty years before that. "Our Scientists must commit themselves to addressing problems of affordable healthcare, housing, clean air, water and energy, agricultural productivity and food processing. While Science is universal, technology must be local for providing solutions relevant to local needs and conditions," the Prime Minister said.  The Prime Minister said that big data analysis, artificial intelligence, block-chain etc should be utilised in the agricultural sector, especially to help the farmers with relatively small farm-holdings.  He urged the scientists to work towards ease of living for the people. In this context, he mentioned issues such as drought management in low rainfall areas; early disaster warning systems; tackling malnutrition; tackling diseases among children such as encephalitis; clean energy; clean drinking water; and cyber security. He called for time-bound solutions through research, in these areas.  The Prime Minister mentioned major achievements of Indian science in 2018, including: production of aviation grade biofuel;  Divya Nayan - a machine for visually impaired;  inexpensive devices for diagnosis of cervical cancer, TB and dengue a real-time landslide warning system in the Sikkim-Darjeeling region. He said that strong pathways to commercialization, are needed to leverage   our Research & Development achievements, through industrial products.   The Prime Minister called for research, which is a fusion of Arts and Humanities, Social Science, Science and Technology. Noting that our strengths in research and development are built on the backbone of our national laboratories, central universities, IITs, IISC, TIFR and IISERs, the Prime Minister said that a strong research ecosystem must be developed in the State Universities and Colleges, as well. He announced that the Union Government has approved a National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems with an investment of over Rs. 3600 crore. The Mission will cover in a seamless way, R&D, Technology Development, Human resources and Skills, Innovation, Start-up Ecosystem and strong Industry and International Collaborations, he added.  Speaking on achievements in the space sector, the Prime Minister mentioned the success of Cartosat 2 and other satellites. He said preparations are underway for sending three Indians into space, through the Gaganyaan in 2022. He expressed happiness that research has begun to find an effective solution for sickle cell anaemia.  He said that the ‘Prime Minister’s Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council’ will help formulate appropriate Science and Technology interventions, catalyze collaborations across stakeholder Ministries and implement multi-stakeholder policy initiatives.  We have launched the ‘Prime Minister’s Research Fellows’ Scheme under which, a thousand bright minds from the best Institutions in the country will be offered direct admission in Ph.D. Programs in IITs and IISc, the Prime Minister said. The scheme will catalyze quality research and address shortage of faculty in the premier Educational Institutions, he added.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12398/nih-developed-test-detects-protein-associated-with-alzheimers-and-cte.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12398/nih-developed-test-detects-protein-associated-with-alzheimers-and-cte.html Wed, 02 Jan 2019 16:35:00 +0530 An ultrasensitive test has been developed that detects a corrupted protein associated with Alzheimer’s disease and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition found in athletes, military veterans, and others with a history of repetitive brain trauma. This advance could lead to early diagnosis of these conditions and open new research into how they originate, according to National Institutes of Health scientists and their colleagues. In their new study, published in Acta Neuropathologica, the researchers explain how they adapted a diagnostic test originally developed for prion diseases to detect abnormal clusters of tau protein. Like other proteins involved in neurological diseases, tau protein clusters can seed themselves and contribute substantially to the disease processes of Alzheimer’s and CTE. The study involved brain samples from 16 Alzheimer’s patients, two boxers with CTE, and numerous control cases involving other brain diseases. The test is extremely sensitive. For example, if a pinhead-sized sample of brain tissue from an Alzheimer’s patient were pulverized and diluted into a thousand gallons of liquid, the test still could detect tau seeds in a pinhead-sized volume of that dilution. The test is called AD RT-QuIC: Alzheimer’s disease real-time quaking induced conversion. Scientists at NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases developed RT-QuIC about a decade ago to detect Creutzfeldt-Jakob (CJD) and other prion diseases. Since then, they have repeatedly improved and adapted it to detect other neurological diseases, such as Parkinson’s and dementia with Lewy bodies. The test, which already is used in clinical settings to diagnose sporadic CJD, is noted for its rapid and accurate results. Their latest findings could be a major advance for Alzheimer’s diagnostics because the study points to tau seeds as potential biological “markers” for Alzheimer’s disease in the brain. Scientists are testing therapies to slow the accumulation of tau clusters and the progression of neurological disease. In these efforts, they need more sensitive and accurate tests to better select clinical trial participants and assess whether new therapeutic strategies work as hoped. Alzheimer’s affects about 5.7 million people in the United States alone at an estimated annual cost of $232 billion, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12374/breast-cancer-drugs-could-help-treat-resistant-lung-cancers-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12374/breast-cancer-drugs-could-help-treat-resistant-lung-cancers-research.html Mon, 31 Dec 2018 10:40:00 +0530 A class of drugs used to treat certain breast cancers could help to tackle lung cancers that have become resistant to targeted therapies, suggests a new study in mice from the Francis Crick Institute and the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR). The research, published in Cell Reports, found that lung tumours in mice caused by mutations in a gene called EGFR shrunk significantly when a protein called p110α was blocked. Drugs to block p110α are currently showing promise in clinical trials against certain breast cancers, so could be approved for clinical use in the near future. The new findings suggest that these drugs could potentially benefit patients with EGFR-mutant lung cancers whose tumours have become resistant to treatment. “At the moment, patients with EGFR-mutant lung cancers are given targeted treatments that are very effective for the first few years,” explains study leader Professor Julian Downward, who has labs at the Crick and the ICR. “These drugs are improving, but unfortunately after a couple of years the cancer usually becomes resistant and starts to grow and spread again. The second line of treatment is currently conventional chemotherapy, which is not targeted and has substantial side-effects. “Our new study suggests that it would be worth investigating whether p110α inhibitors could be used as a second-line therapy. As our research is at such an early stage, more research in mice and patient cells would be needed before even considering clinical trials, but it opens up a promising avenue of investigation.” For this research, the team targeted a specific interaction between the RAS protein and p110α. The RAS gene is mutated in around one in five cancers, causing uncontrolled growth, and is a key focus of Julian’s research. When they blocked this interaction in genetically modified mice with EGFR mutations, their tumours shrank significantly. Before the intervention, the tumours filled around two thirds of the space inside the lung. When the interaction between RAS and p110α was genetically blocked, this shrank significantly to about a tenth of the space inside the lung. The intervention also had very few side-effects. “As we wanted to pinpoint the specific interaction responsible, we used a genetic technique that would not be practical in a patient treatment,” says Julian. “We’re looking to develop ways to do this with drugs, as blocking this specific pathway would significantly reduce side-effects, but this work is many years from the clinic. In the medium-term, investigating existing drugs that inhibit p110α will be the next step. While these have side-effects, including temporary diabetes-like symptoms during treatment, they are still less toxic than chemotherapy.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12351/research-describes-how-neurons-disconnect-from-each-other-in-huntingtons.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12351/research-describes-how-neurons-disconnect-from-each-other-in-huntingtons.html Thu, 27 Dec 2018 09:35:00 +0530 A hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington’s is the progressive death of nerve cells in the brain. The cells don’t die quickly, though. They first start to disconnect from each other because their neurites — long finger-like extensions that make connections all through the brain — become smaller. Now, using animal models and nerve cells grown in the lab, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine suggest a new mechanism dubbed “neuritosis” that might explain neurons shrinking in Huntington’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, opening new targets for therapy. The study is published this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. “Neuritosis is a process that hasn’t been recognized or described until now and could play a very important role in normal brain development, aging and neurodegenerative disease,” said senior author Robert Friedlander, M.D., chair and Walter E. Dandy Professor of Neurosurgery and Neurobiology at Pitt’s School of Medicine. It all started when Sergei Baranov, Ph.D., a staff scientist in Friedlander’s lab, noticed an interesting phenomenon in mouse nerve cells that he was growing in the lab. “Their mitochondria, the cellular powerhouses, weren’t working as well at the neurite ends” said Baranov. Then, when the researchers looked at neurons in the spinal cords of mice, they found the same phenomenon. “Other researchers must have noticed this as well, but we were able to visualize it and suggest the potential cause as well as outcome,” he noted. The researchers found that when proteins in mitochondria at the ends of neurites were damaged by normal wear and tear, newer ones weren’t coming in to replace them as quickly as they did for mitochondria near the nucleus. This made them function less efficiently, which activated ‘executioner’ enzymes called caspases and ultimately led to neurites withering away. Friedlander and his team called this neuritosis, a variation on apoptosis, the cell death process that involves caspase activation. “It’s quite intuitive, once we discovered how it works,” said Friedlander. “Neuronal projections are really long and the farther you are from the nucleus, which is the central factory, the harder it gets to repair and replenish the cellular machinery, making the ends more vulnerable to even small stresses.” The researchers then wanted to understand whether neuritosis plays a role in neurodegenerative disease, and they had reason to suspect that it does. Previous work in Friedlander’s lab showed that mutations in huntingtin, the protein linked to Huntington’s, interferes with the same protein supply chain that breaks down in neuritosis. To test their hunch, Friedlander’s team used genetically modified mice that carried a mutant version of the human huntingtin protein. These mice exhibit symptoms of the disease, including accelerated neuronal death. Their findings were similar to what they had seen in the cells, but more pronounced. There were fewer mitochondria at the ends, and what remained was more dysfunctional than in normal neurons. There was also more activation of caspases, and increased levels of cell death. “It’s quite likely that neuritosis happens in nerve cells normally and doesn’t result in cell death, but in neurodegenerative diseases, there are higher levels of stress to the already vulnerable neurite ends, which could push neuritosis over the edge and lead to cells dying,” said Friedlander. “If we can somehow find a way to keep mitochondria at nerve ends healthy, it may be beneficial in treating neurodegenerative diseases.” Additional authors on the study include Oxana V. Baranova, Svitlana V. Yablonska, Ph.D., Yalikun Suofu, Ph.D., Alberto L. Vazquez, Ph.D., Takashi D. Y. Kozai, Ph.D., X. Tracy Cui, Ph.D., Lisa M. Ferrando, Timothy M. Larkin, Yulia Y. Tyurina Ph.D., Valerian E. Kagan, Ph.D., D.Sc., Diane L. Carlisle, Ph.D., all of Pitt, and Bruce S. Kristal, Ph.D., of Harvard Medical School. The research was funded by National Institute of Health grants R01NS089688, R01NS039324, R01NS077748 and R01NS100743, the David Scaife Family Charitable Foundation, the University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute, and the Walter L. Copeland Fund of the Pittsburgh Foundation.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12303/depression-anxiety-can-increase-the-risk-of-heart-diseases-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12303/depression-anxiety-can-increase-the-risk-of-heart-diseases-study.html Wed, 19 Dec 2018 09:40:00 +0530 Being anxious or depressed can increase risks for heart disease and stroke, the same as smoking and obesity, according to a new study, that underscores the importance of treating mental health conditions. According to IANS, the findings showed that people with high levels of anxiety and depression are at 65 per cent higher risk for a heart condition, 64 per cent for stroke, 50 per cent for high blood pressure and 87 per cent for arthritis. "These increased odds are similar to those of participants who are smokers or are obese," said lead author Andrea Niles, from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). However, the study published in the journal Health Psychology, showed that cancer was found as an exception to conditions impacted by depression and anxiety. "Our findings are in line with a lot of other studies showing that psychological distress is not a strong predictor of many types of cancer," said co-author Aoife O'Donovan from the UCSF. O'Donovan stressed on the need to stop attributing cancer diagnoses to histories of stress, depression and anxiety. The team also found that symptoms such as headache, stomach upset, back pain and shortness of breath increased exponentially in association with high stress and depression. Odds for headache, for example, were 161 per cent higher in this group. "Anxiety and depression symptoms are strongly linked to poor physical health, yet these conditions continue to receive limited attention in primary care settings, compared to smoking and obesity," Niles said. The results of the study underscore the "long-term costs of untreated depression and anxiety," O'Donovan noted. For the study, the team looked at the health data of more than 15,000 older adults over a four-year period. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12289/new-therapeutic-drug-offers-hope-for-bone-marrow-cancer-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12289/new-therapeutic-drug-offers-hope-for-bone-marrow-cancer-patients.html Tue, 18 Dec 2018 10:20:00 +0530 A therapeutic drug has been found to improve outcomes and survival rates for patients with a serious type of bone marrow cancer. In a clinical trial by researchers at Newcastle University in Britain, patients with newly diagnosed myeloma were treated with a drug called lenalidomide. The results, published in the journal The Lancet Oncology, showed an improvement for those who received lenalidomide drug, compared to those not receiving it. "This is a major breakthrough as it shows that the long-term use of lenalidomide significantly improves the time myeloma patients stay in remission after initial therapy," said Professor Graham Jackson from the Northern Institute for Cancer Research at Newcastle. Myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells and it can affect several areas of the body, such as the spine, skull, pelvis and ribs. Current treatment usually involves chemotherapy and a stem-cell transplant. "It is a huge step and, importantly, identifies that for younger patients lenalidomide improves their overall survival for this difficult-to-treat bone marrow cancer," Jackson said. "Our research highlights that lenalidomide should be considered for newly diagnosed patients following stem-cell transplantation," he added. As part of the study, a total of 1,137 newly diagnosed patients were randomly assigned to lenalidomide maintenance therapy and 834 patients to observation - this was after they completed their initial treatment. The results show that lenalidomide can prolong the average remission time by more than two years in younger patients and by well over a year in older, less fit patients. It reduced the risk of progression or death by more than 50 per cent in both groups, reported IANS ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12285/kmc-medical-genetics-team-discovers-rare-bone-disorder.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12285/kmc-medical-genetics-team-discovers-rare-bone-disorder.html Mon, 17 Dec 2018 15:40:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the Department of Medical Genetics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal led by Dr Girisha KM, Professor and Head Department of Medical Genetics, has discovered a rare disease affecting bone growth in children. The condition decreases the height of the individuals by abnormal development of bones. The team also found the genetic basis of this condition. The work has been published online in the renowned journal, Human Mutation published by Wiley, USA. Giving details of the discovery Dr Girish said, “Two patients from two different families were referred by child specialists when they noticed that the children were gaining height slowly as compared to other children of similar age. The clinical genetics team of experts at Manipal comprising Dr Girish Katta and Dr Anju Shukla, initially could not identify any known genetic condition. Hence, they started to look for yet unidentified cause of this condition. “The team used a state of art technique called exome sequencing that analyzes all the genes in an individual,” Dr Girish said. The clinical team was ably assisted by Neethukrishna Kausthubham as a bioinformatics expert and Dr Srilakshmi Bhavani at Manipal looking into the mechanisms of the disease and correlating with the children’s condition. Once the team identified the gene, they were further assisted by the German team comprising Dr. Kerstin Kutsche and Dr Leonie Von Elsner. Further experiments were conducted on cell lines and mechanism of disease was elucidated. The overall work had inputs from Dr Geert Mortier from Antwerp University in Belgium. The research spanned over three years. Vice Chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dr H Vinod Bhat remarked; “This work illustrates the University’s commitment to foster collaborations with international universities to take MAHE to the global level in research.” Dr Pragna Rao, Dean KMC, Manipal said that the German and Belgian partners are visiting professors of KMC, Manipal. She added, “The experiments also suggest that this condition is potentially amenable to treatment.” Pro Vice Chancellor Dr Poornima Baliga congratulated the genetics team, which has already contributed to the discovery of nearly 15 new disorders from MAHE. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12245/us-researchers-create-3dprinted-glucose-biosensors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12245/us-researchers-create-3dprinted-glucose-biosensors.html Wed, 12 Dec 2018 10:00:00 +0530 A 3D‑printed glucose biosensor for use in wearable monitors has been created by Washington State University (WSU) researchers. The work could lead to improved glucose monitors for millions of people who suffer from diabetes. Using 3D printing, the WSU research team has developed a glucose monitor with much better stability and sensitivity than those manufactured through traditional methods. The researchers used a method called direct-ink-writing (DIW), that involves printing inks out of nozzles to create intricate and precise designs at tiny scales. The researchers printed out a nanoscale material that is electrically conductive to create flexible electrodes. The WSU team’s technique allows a precise application of the material, resulting in a uniform surface and fewer defects, which increases the sensor’s sensitivity. The researchers found that their 3D‑printed sensors did better at picking up glucose signals than the traditionally produced electrodes. The team is now working to integrate the sensors into a packaged system that can be used as a wearable device for long‑term glucose-monitoring. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12226/researchers-develop-blood-test-to-diagnose-alzheimers-disease-accurately-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12226/researchers-develop-blood-test-to-diagnose-alzheimers-disease-accurately-.html Mon, 10 Dec 2018 13:25:00 +0530 Scientists have developed a blood test that can accurately diagnose or even predict Alzheimer's disease before symptoms appear.  Currently the only way to definitively diagnose Alzheimer's disease in life is through brain scans and tests of cerebrospinal fluid that must be collected via lumbar puncture.  Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital are working to develop a blood test that could replace these procedures to accurately diagnose or even predict Alzheimer's disease before symptoms appear.   The tau protein has long been implicated in Alzheimer's, however, tau occurs as a family of related molecules which have subtly different properties.  The team took advantage of the complexity of tau and built assays to measure different forms of tau and identified a subset of tau proteins which are specifically elevated in Alzheimer's disease.  “A blood test for Alzheimer's disease could be administered easily and repeatedly, with patients going to their primary care office rather than having to go into a hospital," said corresponding author Dominic Walsh, PhD, of the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases at the Brigham. "Ultimately, a blood-based test could replace cerebrospinal fluid testing and/or brain imaging. Our new test has the potential to do just that. Our test will need further validation in many more people, but if it performs as in the initial two cohorts, it would be a transformative breakthrough."  Walsh and colleagues developed tests capable of detecting different populations of tau fragments in cerebrospinal fluid and blood. They applied these tests to participants who had donated both plasma and cerebrospinal fluid. They validated results in a second group of patients.  The team analysed five different tests for tau fragments, finding that one, known as the NT1 assay, showed sufficient ability to predict AD cases and exclude controls to pursue its use as a potential screening tool for Alzheimer's disease. This was confirmed in both sets of patients.  While performing the experiment twice - in two sets of patients with two different demographic backgrounds - provided important confirmation, the authors note that both groups of participants were small (65 participants and 86 participants, respectively).  Larger groups of participants will need to be studied. Researchers are also interested in studying patients over time to determine how tau levels in blood may change as the disease progresses and what those numbers may look like before the onset of symptoms.  "We've made our data and the tools needed to perform our test widely available because we want other research groups to put this to test," said Walsh. "It's important for others to validate our findings so that we can be certain this test will work across different populations."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12194/iit-team-designs-novel-system-to-detect-lung-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12194/iit-team-designs-novel-system-to-detect-lung-diseases.html Wed, 05 Dec 2018 22:15:00 +0530 A team of scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (IIT K) has developed a decision support system to diagnose malignant lung tissues and other interstitial lung diseases (ILD). The system uses non-invasive and comparatively affordable methods of image analysis that would aid the radiologists to identify malignancy by reading growth in the lung nodules. The malignancy detecting tool detects the lung nodule, segments the nodule, and provides a way to modify segmentation, retrieve similar nodules from the database with their report and assess the chance of malignancy of the query nodule based on the retrieval results. The team is working towards further improvements in the system in order to conduct clinical trials on bigger sample sizes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12183/russian-team-designs-drug-for-cancer-diagnostics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12183/russian-team-designs-drug-for-cancer-diagnostics.html Wed, 05 Dec 2018 10:55:00 +0530 A team of scientists from N.I. Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, a company Amplituda Science and Technology Centre, and other research groups, has developed a combined action drug based on ionizing radiation and bacterial toxin. The drug affects tumor cells selectively providing better diagnostics and treatment of malignant tumors. The drug consists of nanoparticles, as the core, with embedded radiopharmaceutical agent (a source of ionising beta-radiation), and a highly toxic toxin derived from bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The radiopharmaceutical agent is well secluded inside the nanoparticle and guarantees its side-effect-free targeted action to tumor cells. The scientists observed that the drug not only treats, but also facilitates visualisation of the tumors, which makes it a diagnostic tool. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12166/effective-new-target-for-mood-boosting-brain-stimulation-found.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12166/effective-new-target-for-mood-boosting-brain-stimulation-found.html Mon, 03 Dec 2018 12:10:00 +0530 Researchers University of California, San Francisco have found an effective target in the brain for electrical stimulation to improve mood in people suffering from depression. The team led by Vikram Rao and Kristin Sellers in the lab of Edward Chang studied 25 patients with epilepsy who had electrodes placed in the brain for medical reasons to pinpoint the origin of their seizures. Many of those patients also suffered from depression, which is often seen in people with epilepsy. With the patients' consent, Chang's team took advantage of those electrodes to deliver small electrical pulses to areas of the brain thought to be involved in regulating mood. Vikram Rao said, "Stimulation induced a pattern of activity in brain regions connected to OFC that was similar to patterns seen when patients naturally experienced positive mood states. Our findings suggest that OFC is a promising new stimulation target for treatment of mood disorders." Previous studies have explored deep brain stimulation (DBS) for mood disorders, but its success depends critically on target selection. Targets in other mood-related areas deep in the brain hadn't always led to reliable improvements. In the new study, the researchers focused their attention and the electrical stimulation on the OFC. The OFC is a key hub for mood-related circuitry. But it's also widely regarded as one of the least well-understood brain regions. "Although OFC is a more superficial target, it shares rich interconnections with several brain regions implicated in emotion processing," Sellers says. That made this relatively small brain area an attractive target for therapeutic stimulation. The researchers used the implanted electrodes to stimulate OFC and other brain regions while collecting verbal mood reports and questionnaire scores. Those studies found that unilateral stimulation of the lateral OFC produced acute, dose-dependent mood-state improvement in subjects with moderate-to-severe baseline depression. The changes in brain activity the researchers observed after stimulation closely resembled those seen when people are in a good mood. The researchers say that plenty of work remains before DBS could enter routine clinical practice. Chang's team is currently exploring whether stimulation of OFC produces durable improvement in mood over longer periods of time. They also hope to develop a medical device for patients with treatment-resistant mood disorders that can monitor brain activity in OFC and stimulate only when needed to keep that activity within a healthy range. "Ultimately, it would be ideal if activity in mood-related brain circuits could be normalized indefinitely without patients needing to do anything," Rao says. The findings show that mood can be immediately improved by electrical stimulation of a relatively small area of brain, the researchers say. They also add to evidence that mood disorders are the result of dysfunction in brain circuits.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12100/vp-honors-2018-nasi-scopus-young-scientist-award-winners.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12100/vp-honors-2018-nasi-scopus-young-scientist-award-winners.html Fri, 23 Nov 2018 12:35:00 +0530 Elsevier, the information analytics business specializing in science and health, announced the Honorable Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, presided over the 12th NASI-Scopus Young Scientist Awards 2018 at a gala ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi. The Awards recognize young early career researchers from the scientific community who have contributed towards bolstering key flagship national programs through their body of research work such as the "Make in India", "Digital India", "Healthy India" and "Clean India " initiatives. The NASI-Scopus Young Scientist Awards, currently in its twelfth year, is a joint collaboration between Elsevier and National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI) to celebrate the best and brightest young scientists in India, whose works cut across a broad spectrum of key research disciplines. The Awards program is part of Elsevier's global initiative to support young researchers in India to enable and encourage them to expand the frontiers of science in their chosen areas of study leading to excellence in their respective disciplines. India's Vice President and Guest of Honor, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, said: "At a time when the world has become a global village and boundaries of different disciplines are blurring, the role of science and technology becomes far more important than ever before. I compliment the National Academy of Sciences India and Elsevier for instituting these Awards to promote scientific excellence among the youngsters. The winners of the NASI-Scopus Young Scientist Awards 2018 are: Agriculture, Plant Sciences and Rural Development   Dr. Jitender Giri, National Institute of Plant Genome Research, New Delhi • Biomedical Research and Healthcare   Dr. Maddika Subba Reddy, Group Leader and Staff Scientist- V, CDFD, Hyderabad • Environmentally Sound Sustainable Development   Dr. Vimal Chandra Srivastava, Indian Institute of Technology-Roorkee, Roorkee • Innovation in Engineering and Physical Sciences   Dr. Ajay S. Karakoti, Associate Professor, Ahmedabad University, Ahmedabad •Women in Science   Dr. Zhumur Ghosh, Bose Institute, Kolkata The Award winners each received a citation and a plaque, along with a cash prize of INR 75,000 for outstanding contribution in categories related to key areas of national priorities.  This year's award program attracted more than 750 submissions from premier research institutions across India such as IITs, IISc, NIPGR, CSIR and JNU among others, and applications were judged by a panel of 19 subject experts from India's academic community based on the criteria like; The quality and number of publications, the nature and uniqueness of research, outcomes of research, impact on society, and vision of the researcher etc. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12081/nih-explains-behavioral-reaction-to-painful-experiences.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12081/nih-explains-behavioral-reaction-to-painful-experiences.html Wed, 21 Nov 2018 18:15:00 +0530 Researchers at the National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), part of the National Institutes of Health, have identified activity in the brain that governs the reactions that are generated due to exposure to uncomfortable sensations. Using heat as the source of discomfort, experiments conducted by the center’s intramural program showed that bodily responses to pain are controlled by a neural pathway involving heightened activity in the spinal cord and two parts of the brainstem. Alexander T. Chesler, Stadtman Investigator at NCCIH and senior author of the study said, “Much is known about local spinal cord circuits for simple reflexive responses, but the mechanisms underlying more complex behaviors remain poorly understood. We set out to describe the brain pathway that controls motor responses and involuntary behaviors when the body is faced with painful experiences.” Experiments showed that the parts of a brainstem involved in this circuit are the parabrachial nucleus (PBNI) and the dorsal reticular formation in the medulla (MdD). A specific group of nerve cells in the PBNI is activated by standing on a hot surface, triggering escape responses through connections to the MdD. These PBNI cells express a gene called Tac1, which codes for substances called tachykinins that participate in many functions in the body and contribute to multiple disease processes. The MdD cells involved in this circuit also express Tac1. A different group of cells in the PBNI participates in the aspects of the response to noxious heat that involve the forebrain. Arnab Barik, postdoctoral fellow at NCCIH and one of the study’s authors said, “Our data provide evidence that the PBNI produces streams of information with distinct functional significance. The brainstem-spinal cord pathway identified in this study selectively controls pain response and elicits appropriate behaviors based on sensory input.” “This kind of feed-forward circuitry is unique because it is an upward spiral. The more this pathway is activated by harmful activity, the more it reacts, leading to dramatic behavioral responses”, added Chesler With this knowledge of the brain activity, NIH provides new insight into how the body responds to harmful, painful stimuli. The mechanism described in this study can help researchers better understand how pain is encoded in the brain. Further investigation of this circuit may increase understanding of how responses to pain are coordinated with other biological needs, such as feeding and reproduction. These findings may also offer opportunities to understand how the body becomes dysregulated during chronic pain. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12074/lack-of-gut-bacteria-may-lead-to-type-2-diabetes-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12074/lack-of-gut-bacteria-may-lead-to-type-2-diabetes-.html Tue, 20 Nov 2018 17:55:00 +0530 Researchers reported that old mice have less Akkermansia muciniphila bacteria than young mice do. That loss triggers inflammation, which eventually leads cells to ignore signals from the hormone insulin. Such disregard for insulin’s message to take in glucose is known as insulin resistance and is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes. Researchers have suspected that bacteria and other microbes in the gut are involved in aging, but how the microbes influence the process hasn’t been clear. Monica Bodogai of the U.S. National Institute on Aging in Baltimore and colleagues examined what happens to mice’s gut bacteria as the rodents age. The mice lose A. muciniphila, also called Akk, and other friendly microbes that help break down dietary fiber into short-chain fatty acids, such as butyrate and acetate. Those fatty acids signal bacteria and human cells to perform certain functions. Losing Akk led to less butyrate production, Bodogai’s team found. In turn, loss of butyrate triggered a chain reaction of immune cell dysfunction that ended with mice’s cells ignoring the insulin. Treating old mice and elderly rhesus macaques with an antibiotic called enrofloxacin increased the abundance of Akk in the animals’ guts and made cells respond to insulin again. Giving old animals butyrate had the same effect, suggesting that there may be multiple ways to head off insulin resistance in older people in the future. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12069/iit-hyderabad-to-develop-mobile-phone-based-detectors-to-check-for-milk-adulteration.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12069/iit-hyderabad-to-develop-mobile-phone-based-detectors-to-check-for-milk-adulteration.html Tue, 20 Nov 2018 15:10:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad Researchers are developing a Smart Phone-based sensors to detect adulteration in milk. As a first step, they have developed a detector system to measure the acidity of milk through design of an indicator paper that changes color according to the acidity of the milk. They have also developed algorithms that can be incorporated on to a mobile phone to accurately detect the color change. The research team has developed a sensor-chip based method for measuring pH, an indicator of the acidity and have used a process called ‘electrospinning’ to produce paper-like material made of nanosized (~10-9 m diameter) fibres of nylon, loaded with a combination of three dyes. The paper is “halochromic”, that is, it changes color in response to changes in acidity. The Researchers have developed a prototype smart phone-based algorithm, in which, the colours of the sensor strips after dipping in milk are captured using the camera of the phone, and the data is transformed into pH (acidity) ranges. They have used three machine-learning algorithms and compared their detection efficiencies in classifying the colour of the indicator strips.  On testing with milk spiked with various combinations of contaminants, they found near-perfect classification with accuracy of 99.71%. The research by a team of researchers comprising of Prof. Shiv Govind Singh, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Hyderabad, Dr. Soumya Jana and Dr. Siva Rama Krishna Vanjari, Associate Professors in the Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Hyderabad and others, has been published in the November 2018 issue of Food Analytical Methods journal. Speaking about the importance of this research, Prof. Shiv Govind Singh said, “While techniques such as chromatography and spectroscopy can be used to detect adulteration, such techniques generally require expensive setup and are not amenable to miniaturization into low-cost easy-to-use devices. Hence, they do not appeal to the vast majority of milk consumers in the developing world.” Further, Prof. Shiv Govind Singh added, “We need to develop simple devices that the consumer can use to detect milk contamination. It should be possible to make milk adulteration detection failsafe by monitoring all of these parameters at the same time, without the need for expensive equipment.” In the long run, the team hope to develop sensors for other physical properties such as conductivity and refractive index, and integrate it with the pH detection unit to obtain comprehensive milk quality check systems that can be easily deployed by the consumer using mobile phones and other hand-held devices. The conventional way to detect adulteration in milk is to analyse the chemicals that are present in it by complex processes.  This research group will focus on detecting the contamination through sensing changes in the biophysical properties of milk.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12048/scientists-re-design-cancer-drug-for-better-effect.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12048/scientists-re-design-cancer-drug-for-better-effect.html Mon, 19 Nov 2018 10:00:00 +0530 A group of scientists from Baburaoji Gholap College, Pune; Biocon Limited, Bengaluru and CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, has redesigned one cancer drug to get new chemicals which themselves may be potential anti-cancer and anti-bacterial drugs. The group has synthesized several new compounds from Sunitinib, a drug used for treating kidney cancers. At least one of them promises to be more effective than Sunitinib itself. The team has tested the compounds on different types of human cancer cells – prostate, breast, cervical and monocyte. In addition, the new compounds have been tested on four types of bacteria as well - Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. According to the scientists, one of the compounds, code named 9g, seems to be the most effective against both cancer cells and bacterial agents. Other compounds too showed potential anti-proliferation and antibacterial activity. Further structural optimization of these compounds may offer new anticancer drug. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12002/iit-team-develops-nanodots-to-fight-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/12002/iit-team-develops-nanodots-to-fight-cancer.html Mon, 12 Nov 2018 14:45:00 +0530 A group of scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee has developed fluorescent carbon nanodots that can serve as theranostic i.e. therapeutic and diagnostic, agents for cancer.  These nanosized carbon materials have been extracted from the leaves of the rosy periwinkle plant.  Carbon dots, also called carbon quantum dots, are fluorescent materials that are well-suited as both therapeutic and diagnostic agents for cancer because of two unique characteristics – they are biocompatible and can be rapidly excreted from the body and exhibit low toxicity while producing a reliable optical signal.  In addition, they can be chemically modified for use as multimodal probes and therapeutic conjugates. The scientific team is planning next stage animal studies for further evaluation of these nanomaterials in oncological applications, for both diagnostics and treatment.  They will concurrently study the factors that would affect the performance and use of carbon nanodots in cancer theranotics, including developing efficient means of delivery, processes for conservation of nanodot bioactivity and the enhancement of specificity towards the target cells. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11993/us-researchers-create-sensor-to-monitor-wound-healing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11993/us-researchers-create-sensor-to-monitor-wound-healing.html Fri, 09 Nov 2018 18:55:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), US has created a new sensor to map blood-oxygen levels over large areas of skin, tissue and organs. As oxygen is important for healing of injuries, researchers expect that the mapping sensor would enable real-time monitoring of wound healing. The new sensor is lightweight, thin and flexible. It consists of organic electronics printed on bendable plastic and can be placed anywhere on the skin. The sensor can identify blood-oxygen levels at nine points in a grid. It is expected to facilitate mapping of skin graft oxygenation and monitoring of oxygen levels in transplanted organs, among others. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11904/precision-of-non-invasive-blood-tests-depends-on-skin-type.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11904/precision-of-non-invasive-blood-tests-depends-on-skin-type.html Wed, 24 Oct 2018 12:30:00 +0530 Testing of blood parameters like glucose and haemoglobin levels using non-invasive devices based on light sensors is becoming popular. A new study by Indian researchers, however, has found that accuracy of such techniques depends on skin factors like roughness.   The instruments that use light sensors for diagnostics are called photo plethysmograph (PPG) devices. The properties of the skin over which a PPG device is used must be taken into consideration for accurate estimation of blood parameters including blood glucose and haemoglobin, according to a study done by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi. Photoplethysmography is an optical sensing method that does not require any cut into the body or removal of tissue. It estimates the volume of blood within an organ, by using light emitting diodes (LEDs) of different wavelengths and photodetectors for sensing the optical response. The device can be placed on finger, ear lobes and the wrist. Researchers worked on optimizing the placement of sensors in reflection photoplethysmographic system to estimate the best position of the photodiode pair in the sensor, by analysing the roughness of the surfaces of skin layers. “The optical properties of the skin significantly affect the PPG signal and therefore measurements in PPG must consider skin characteristics such as skin roughness,” explained Dr. Shubhajit Roy Chowdhury, a senior member of the research team. The team measured reflected light from an illuminated flat human skin, for three different surfaces of skin layers; stratum corneum, epidermis and dermis which are upper, middle and lower layers respectively. A set of photodetectors were used to measure complete distribution of reflected light over a hemisphere-shaped device rotated on different plains, to identify the best position of the photodetector pair based on the intensity of the light being received. The hemisphere used in the study is made up of an opaque material of plastic painted in black with radius equal to two centimeter, and has one LED and six photodetectors with equal spacing between them. It was kept over a clean index finger placed on a black pad. This was to test best orientation of sensing photodiodes in terms of light detection. The experiment was carried on five different fingers of eight different persons in 22-30 age groups. The photoplethysmograph sends light into the tissue and detects the amount of backscattered light. Blood absorbs more light than the surrounding tissue and thus any change in blood volume results in variations in the amount of the backscattered light. The prevalent invasive methods for estimation of blood parameters are widely practiced despite potential risks of infection due to the cut in the skin. But as a no-cut, low-cost and a convenient diagnostic tool, photoplethysmograph has many advantages, and is a better option. It measures the blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, cardiac output, and the autonomic functions of the body, and can be used in primary health care centres and remote clinics in rural and hilly areas. New insights generated in this study can be used to optimise PPG devices. “The light-based diagnostic technique can enable cheap primary health care in which, non-invasive, accurate and simple-to-use point of care diagnostic techniques are preferred,” said Dr. Roy Chowdhury. The technique, however, needs to be validated against standard blood tests and cut off levels using existing measuring devices. The research team included Dr. Shubhajit Roy Chowdhury, Yashika Arora and Swathi Ramasahayam. The findings have been published in IEEE Sensors Journal.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11895/injectable-gel-may-deliver-islet-cells-to-treat-type-1-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11895/injectable-gel-may-deliver-islet-cells-to-treat-type-1-diabetes.html Tue, 23 Oct 2018 11:50:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati have developed an injectable gel using silk proteins to deliver insulin-producing cells needed to address Type 1 diabetes. The gel has been tested in rats. Normally islets in the pancreas are surrounded by an extracellular matrix which provides structural and biochemical support to cells. The components of this matrix bind to transmembrane proteins on the islet surface to facilitate cell to cell connection, proliferation and insulin secretion. Previous studies had suggested hydrogels have potential to deliver islets as they contain high water content and mimic hydrophilic content of extracellular matrix. However, the use of harsh chemicals in making gels makes them unsuitable to deliver cells or bioactive molecules. To address this problem, researchers used a mixture of two silk proteins (mulberry Bombyx mori and non-mulberry Antheraea assama) which leads to self-gelation. Insulin-producing islet cells were harvested from rats and encapsulated in hydrogel. The hydrogel was loaded with immunosuppressive drugs to prevent immune rejection. It was then injected under the skin of rats. “The islet delivery matrix could be easily injected in a minimally invasive manner while maintaining islet cell viability and glucose responsive insulin production at the transplantation site. The hydrogel could be highly affordable as raw materials for making the hydrogel are abundantly available,” said Biman B Mandal, who led the research. The development, he said, is promising as it may help Type 1 diabetes patients to get rid of frequent insulin injections in future. The research team included Manishekhar Kumar, Prerak Gupta, Sohenii Bhattacharjee and Biman B Mandal of IIT-Guwahati and Samit K Nandi of West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences in Kolkata.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11827/indian-plastic-surgeons-develop-new-technique-for-the-treatment-of-scars-wounds.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11827/indian-plastic-surgeons-develop-new-technique-for-the-treatment-of-scars-wounds.html Wed, 10 Oct 2018 17:45:00 +0530 Eminent facial plastic surgeon, Dr Debraj Shome and dermatologist Dr. Rinky Kapoor have developed a new technique to treat complex scars and surgery wounds. The new study has been published in the prestigious international peer reviewed ‘Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal’ of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The study was conducted amongst 100 patients, with face and neck scar sizes varying between 1-7 inches wide, over a six month period in the age group of 19-47 years, where it was observed that 76% patients showed considerable improvement (meaning scar appeared to have blended with the surrounding skin). The scars showed more than 80% improvement, after 6 months of treatment. Dr Debraj Shome, Director, The Esthetic Clinics, said, “The study assumes importance considering that there have been very few techniques invented to improve complex wound healing and scar treatment, especially amongst colored people, of Asian Indian,  African & Hispanic origin in the last three decades. There is no study till date that has used Botox in this radical manner that we have utilized for scar healing. There are studies in which has Botox has been used for keloids, but never for normal scar healing and prevention of widened scars and for improvement of scars. This is the first time in the world this has been done. This research will mean scars and wounds all over the body can now look better in those individuals, in whom the presence of melanin (dark skin pigment) impacts wound healing.” The treatment regimen comprises of a combination of botox injections injected two weeks prior around the scar, followed by scar revision surgery, topical application of a cream containing Centenella Asiatica (a herb native to Indian subcontinent) for at least 6 months post- surgery and multiple sittings of carbon dioxide laser skin resurfacing. Facial scars occur following wounds, previous surgeries, or are caused by injuries such as burns or acid attacks or facial trauma. Widened facial scars remain a stigma and both patients and the surgeon end up disappointed. Facial scars heal poorly because of continuous movement of the facial muscles, which impacts the wound healing and scar maturation process, leading to wider and more depressed scars. The fundamental concept behind the technique is to eliminate the tension caused by local muscles on the wounds by temporary paralyzing the facial muscles via botox which assists in the long term wound healing process. The study also clears myths associated with laser treatment. Dr. Rinky Kapoor said, "Carbon dioxide laser was thought to be unsafe and fraught with complications in pigmented skin. However, our experience has shown that with appropriate power parameters, this laser is the gold standard of treatment of facial scars even in our population. This scar treatment protocol will revolutionize scars and their treatment in Indians and other populations with pigmented skin." At present scar treatment is conducted by various approaches such as corticosteroids injections, irradiation, ultrasound, silicone applications and surgery. However, none of them prevent the underlying pathologic process or help in minimising scars. Botox treatment was earlier confined to treatment of certain eye disorders, muscle stiffness/spasms or movement disorders and wrinkles. In the last decade, there has been renewed interest emerging among researchers to investigate botox’s wound healing properties in animals. The new protocol, if accepted widely, could revolutionize the way scars are treated by facial plastic surgeons around the world. Dr Debraj Shome is one of India’s finest facial plastic surgeons, who is credited for his research in cancer & for the invention of a revolutionary hair regrowth composition called the QR 678 Growth Factor Injections, which is completely ‘Made in India’ and has the potential to change the way problems of the hair are treated world over. Dr Shome and his team are working on multiple projects including treatment of acne scars and generation of artificial skin, which could change the way burns are treated. Dr. Shome was awarded as the “Indian of the Year-2017” at the Indian Leadership Conclave. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11786/researchers-identify-mechanism-of-head-muscles-formation-in-womb.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11786/researchers-identify-mechanism-of-head-muscles-formation-in-womb.html Wed, 03 Oct 2018 13:05:00 +0530 Indian researchers have identified the mechanism by which muscles above the neck, known as head muscles, are formed during development of embryo in the womb. The study, done in mice and human stem cells, may help in future to test drugs developed for treating muscular dystrophies involving head muscles. Till now scientists had only known about the way muscles below the neck develop in the embryo. The new study has found that the process is different for development of head muscles. It was observed that formation of head muscles was triggered by inhibition of two pathways called Wnt/beta-catenin and Nodal pathways, while muscles below neck require switching on of two different pathways (Wnt and Fgf). “We found that muscles in the head, such as jaw and facial muscles, have fundamentally different developmental program when compared to that of muscles below neck. We have shown this by mutating two genes in mice embryos,” explained Dr. Ramkumar Sambasivan, a member of the research team at the Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (InStem), Bangalore. “We observed that in the mutant mice embryos, muscle development below neck fails completely. The head muscle development, however, surprisingly, appeared completely normal. These findings provided evidence that the two muscle groups have distinct paths of development,” he added. “The study has traced evolutionary process that allow emergence of head in vertebrates and identifies mechanistic cues that might be involved in the process. This information can be used to streamline therapy for muscular disorders affecting distinct parts of the body, rather than a ‘one therapy fits all muscles’ approach,” commented Dr Suchitra Gopinath of Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad, who was not part of this study. According to the news reported by VigyanPrasar, Sam J. Mathew, Assistant Professor at Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Faridabad, said “This work raises interesting possibilities to find new treatment strategies for patients who have weakness and dysfunction of the head muscles.” The research team included Nitya Nandkishore (InStem and SASTRA University, Thanjavur), Bhakti Vyas (InStem and Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal), Alok Javali (InStem and NCBS), Subho Ghosh and Dr. Sambasivan (InStem). The results have been published in journal Development. The study was supported by Department of Biotechnology ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11754/iit-mandi-prof-identifies-crucial-regions-within-zika-virus-protein.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11754/iit-mandi-prof-identifies-crucial-regions-within-zika-virus-protein.html Wed, 26 Sep 2018 16:40:00 +0530 Studies on virus and development of antiviral drugs used to be time-consuming and complex because the virus had to be grown in the laboratory for study. The advent and advancement of bioinformatics in the past decades have eased virology research now. Database of viral proteins and genes are now available, which help with rapid computational analyses of the virus to provide a better understanding of their action on the host.  Viral bioinformatics has, in turn, offered fresh perspectives in the design of drugs and therapeutic methods to combat virus-borne illness. Dr. Rajanish Giri at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mandi, seeks to unravel the structure and action of the Zika Virus through computational research and biophysical studies.  He is assisted in this work by Vladimir Uversky from University of South Florida and research scholar Pushpendra Mani Mishra. The team uses computer programs to understand the protein structure of the Zika virus, which would be valuable in designing therapeutic agents to treat viral infections.  Their work has recently been published in the Journal of Molecular Biology. “This research work is fundamental in nature and very important in terms of understanding, exploring and unraveling the complex mechanism of viral pathogenesis” says Dr. Giri. The Zika infection is a mosquito-borne illness, much like dengue and chikungunya, although viral transmissions through infected blood and sexual contact are also possible.  The biochemical and microbiological basis of the infection is being studied all over the world. The Zika virus, like any virus, consists of a shell of protein, enclosing the nucleic acid —single-stranded RNA.  The RNA codes for a polyprotein, which is a long chain of various proteins linked with one another. When there is a Zika infection, RNA genome of virus encode the polyprotein of the virus that matures  into various protein  by the combined action of host and viral protease enzymes. The generated viral components form the new viral particles in addition to disrupting some of the functions of the host, resulting in various symptoms.  In the case of Zika, some of the viral proteins disrupt the generation of nerve cells in the host. Since nerve cells are extensively formed in the foetus, the infection affects the nervous system of the unborn, resulting in abnormalities such as miscarriage, stillbirth, and brain malformations called microcephaly.  Viral vaccines and anti-virals are chemicals that bind to the viral proteins so that they cannot destroy the normal functions in the host. While proteins usually have fixed three-dimensional molecular structures, most virus, including the Zika virus, contain flexible regions, also known as disordered regions, within the protein components.  These disordered regions contain some specific areas in them called Molecular Recognition Features (MoRF), which orchestrate the interactions of the proteins with other proteins. Designing chemicals/agents that would bind to the MoRF site of the disordered proteins would prevent them from binding to the host protein and nucleic acids, thereby preventing the molecular signaling and ultimately the infection. In order to design an anti-viral for Zika, it is necessary to identify the MoRF sites in the viral proteins that are produced due to encoding and processing of viral polyprotein in the host’s body. Dr. Giri and his team at the Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi, have performed computational studies to identify and analyse the MoRF in the Zika Virus Proteome. There are various computer programs (bioinformatic applications) used in the field of proteomics that can be used to analyse the protein structure of any organism, using a reference protein database.  Dr. Giri’s team has used molecular recognition feature analysing computational tools to to identify the MoRF regions in proteins of Zika virus. They have used protein information from a Zika virus protein database called UniProt, as reference to confirm the protein sequence in a particular strain of Zika, called Mr 766.  The disorderliness of the cofactor region (NS2B Region) of a particular enzyme protein (NS2B-NS3) has been confirmed using a technique called circular dichroism spectroscopy.  This analysis and identification of disorderliness and the presence of MoRF site in the Zika protein would help in understanding the specific regions of the viral protein responsible for interaction between the virus and host in an infection and specific functions such as regulation and molecular signaling in the virus. Such understanding, in turn, would provide a handle to identify chemicals that can disrupt the interaction by selectively binding with the MoRF regions of the NS2B site of the protein. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11706/india-us-to-conduct-collaborative-research-on-eye-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11706/india-us-to-conduct-collaborative-research-on-eye-diseases.html Wed, 19 Sep 2018 11:50:00 +0530 Indian researchers will soon be able to join hands with US scientists to boost their scientific endeavour, thanks to an initiative funded jointly by the Indian and US governments. The research will be focused on blinding eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that affect millions of people in the country. The collaborative research programme, being facilitated and funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the US Department of Health and Human Services, will focus on determining genetic susceptibility and key biomarkers that could provide the basis for accurate diagnosis and future therapy. The proposed research initiative also covers serious visual disorders such as congenital cataracts, retinitis pigmentosa, refractive error and corneal injury. While basic, translational or epidemiological research will be encouraged, clinical trials will not be supported under the plan. The DBT will provide funds for the Indian component and the NIH Research Project Grant will directly support salaries of US personnel and research activities within the US.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11682/iit-b-scientists-develop-unique-platform-for-lung-cancer-detection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11682/iit-b-scientists-develop-unique-platform-for-lung-cancer-detection.html Mon, 17 Sep 2018 10:45:00 +0530 A team of scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) has developed a platform that detects volatile organic compounds such as benzene, acetone, benzaldehyde and ethanol in a gas phase at single molecular levels. These organic compounds in exhaled breath are clinically established biomarkers for early stage lung cancer. The volatile compounds have been detected using lab samples and clinical applications for detecting early-stage lung cancer will gradually become possible once validated on human subjects. The scientists used surface-enhanced Raman scattering to dramatically increase the sensitivity of the platform such that it detects molecules at extremely low concentrations using a small amount of sample. The scientific team is now looking to reduce the size of the platform to make it portable. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11641/bengaluru-team-develops-electrochemical-sensor-for-biomedical-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11641/bengaluru-team-develops-electrochemical-sensor-for-biomedical-research.html Sun, 09 Sep 2018 10:55:00 +0530 A team of researchers from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, has come up with a nanocomposite material made of platinum-doped cerium oxide and cuprous oxide that works efficiently in electrochemical cells to detect their levels, in combination, in spiked human urine and serum samples. This electrochemical sensor can be used to detect the presence of dopamine and paracetamol. When not present in the right amount, dopamine as a neurotransmitter can lead to, for example, Parkinson’s disease. Paracetamol is a drug commonly used to treat pain and fevers; however, if present above a critical concentration, this can affect the sympathetic nervous system. Dopamine levels have been known to be affected by long-term use of paracetamol. Thus, it is useful to know the levels of these two chemicals in the body simultaneously. The team further plans to target multiple biomolecule detection using the nanocomposite and to get into real-time device fabrication.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11545/niced-researchers-identify-new-anti-bacterial-compound.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11545/niced-researchers-identify-new-anti-bacterial-compound.html Mon, 27 Aug 2018 10:25:00 +0530 A team of researchers from National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (ICMR-NICED), West Bengal has assessed a compound called ellagic acid against H. pylori (an antibiotic resistant bacterial strain). During their experiments, the researchers found out that the compound can kill almost all clinical strains of this bacterium. Ellagic acid was also found to aid in the healing of the damaged gastric tissue in mice model. Ellagic acid is a major polyphenolic component of fruits, vegetables and nuts which has been previously reported to have antibacterial properties. According to the research team, ellagic acid is a good antioxidant and can boost immunity of the body. It can prove to be an inexpensive, diet-based treatment supplement as well. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11502/iit-b-scientists-to-develop-effective-tb-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11502/iit-b-scientists-to-develop-effective-tb-treatment.html Fri, 17 Aug 2018 10:55:00 +0530 The Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B), along with three other renowned national institutes, is running clinical trials of a breakthrough medicine that aims at treating multi-drug resistance (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) and killing the bacteria in the lungs more quickly, if taken along with regular medication. The research holds promise as it would significantly shorten the current two-year treatment, and the easy mode of administration would persuade more patients to complete their course of medication. Currently, MDR-TB treatment involves 16 tablets a day and daily injections for the first six months. This research began last year and the first phase of the trials has been completed at the National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases, New Delhi, which is also conducting the study with the National Jalma Institute of Leprosy and Other Mycobacterial Diseases in Agra, and the Delhi-based Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The study is being funded by Tata Trusts (Rs 2 crore) and the ministry of human resource development (Rs 2.5 crore). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11481/researchers-to-develop-test-for-severe-alcoholic-hepatitis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11481/researchers-to-develop-test-for-severe-alcoholic-hepatitis.html Tue, 14 Aug 2018 10:55:00 +0530 In a recent study led by researchers at the New Delhi-based Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), a biomarker in human urine has been identified that may help develop a simple test to let clinicians predict response to treatment prior to starting therapy for patients of Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis (SAH). SAH progresses fast and results in death in 60 percent of cases. Unlike Hepatitis B and C which are treatable with drugs, therapeutic options for SAH patients are limited. Corticosteroid therapy is available but not all patients respond to it. Those who do not respond to steroid therapy have high risk of infections and may die within three months. Based on their study, researchers concluded that one particular urinary metabolite - acetyl-L-carnitine – can be used as a biomarker to predict non-response. This study is the first demonstration of the utility of urine to determine treatment responsiveness in SAH. According to the researchers, the findings could form the basis for the development of a cost-effective dipstick screening test for restricting steroid use to patients with a good likelihood of responding. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11482/scientists-devise-a-technique-to-detect-hundreds-of-proteins-in-a-single-sample.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11482/scientists-devise-a-technique-to-detect-hundreds-of-proteins-in-a-single-sample.html Tue, 14 Aug 2018 10:55:00 +0530 New technology developed by a team of McGill University scientists shows potential to streamline the analysis of proteins, offering a quick, high volume and cost-effective tool to hospitals and research labs alike. Proteins found in blood provide scientists and clinicians with key information on our health. These biological markers can determine if a chest pain is caused by a cardiac event or if a patient has cancer. Unfortunately, the tools used to detect such proteins haven't evolved much over the past 50 years - despite there being over 20,000 proteins in our body, the vast majority of protein tests run today target only a single protein at-a-time. Now, PhD candidate Milad Dagher, Professor David Juncker and colleagues in McGill's Department of Biomedical Engineering have devised a technique that can detect hundreds of proteins with a single blood sample. Part of their work, just published in Nature Nanotechnology, describes a new and improved way to barcode micro-beads using multicolour fluorescent dyes. By generating upwards of 500 differently coloured micro-beads, their new barcoding platform enables detection of markers in parallel from the same solution--for example, a blue barcode can be used to detect marker 1, while a red barcode can detect marker 2, and so on. A laser-based instrument called a cytometer then counts the proteins that stick to the different coloured beads. Though this kind of analysis method has been available for some time, interference among multicolour dyes has limited the ability to generate the right colours. Now, a new algorithm developed by the team enables different colours of micro-beads to be generated with high accuracy--much like a colour wheel can be used to predict the outcome of colour mixing. Professor Juncker's team is hoping to leverage its platform for improved analysis of proteins. "Current technologies hold a major trade-off between the number of proteins that can be measured at once, and the cost and accuracy of a test", Dagher explains. "This means that large-scale studies, such as clinical trials, are underpowered because they tend to fall back on tried-and-true platforms with limited capabilities." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11466/novel-clot-buster-to-revolutionize-treatment-of-strokes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11466/novel-clot-buster-to-revolutionize-treatment-of-strokes.html Mon, 13 Aug 2018 10:45:00 +0530 A new Clot buster, PEGylated Streptokinase - a Novel Biological Entity developed by Dr. Girish Sahni, DG, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR and his team of inventors at CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (CSIR-IMTECH), Chandigarh is all set to revolutionize the treatment of ischemic strokes. Ischemic stroke is a condition caused by a dysfunction in the supply of blood to the brain due to emboli, thrombus or atherosclerosis occurring in cerebral arteries. CSIR-IMTECH and Epygen Biotech Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, have entered into an agreement for the latter to develop PEGylated Streptokinase for treatment of Ischemic Stroke. Epygen is the first company in India with exclusive license of this Novel Biological Entity (NBE) thrombolytic protein for ischemic stroke. PEGylated Streptokinase, the novel recombinant protein Thrombolytic molecule has been precisely engineered through decades of research for enhanced proteolytic stability and extended plasma half-life, fibrin-specificity and associated clot specificity, with reduced immuno-reactivity which would be significant attributes with unmistakable clinical advantages such as reduced probability of hemorrhage over current treatment regimens of thrombolytic drugs for acute  stroke. These are huge advantages with a potential to transform the way ischemic stroke, deep-vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and acute myocardial infarction are treated around the globe, especially in the developing world. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11457/research-team-offers-new-clues-to-understanding-epilepsy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11457/research-team-offers-new-clues-to-understanding-epilepsy.html Fri, 10 Aug 2018 11:05:00 +0530 New therapies could be on the horizon for people living with epilepsy or anxiety, thanks to a breakthrough discovery by UNLV, Tufts University School of Medicine, and an international team of researchers studying how proteins interact to control the firing of brain cells. The study, published in Nature Communications, provides new insight into ways to regulate a specialized "compartment" of cells in the brain that controls their signaling. If scientists and doctors can influence that compartment, they can control the firing of brain cells, which may in turn stop or prevent seizures, among other things. UNLV neuroscientist and lead author Rochelle Hines said controlling patterns of activity are very important to the brain's function. "If we can better understand how the brain patterns activity, we can understand how it might go wrong in a disorder like epilepsy, where brain activity becomes uncontrolled," Hines said. "And if we can understand what is important for this control, we can come up with better strategies for treating and improving the quality of life for people with epileptic seizures and maybe other types of disorders as well, such as anxiety or sleep disorders." The six-year project moved one step closer to answering decades-old questions about brain wave control, by quantitatively defining how two key proteins -- the GABAA receptor a2 subunit and collybistin -- interact. When the interaction was disrupted in rodent models, EEG tests showed brain waves moving out of control, mimicking patterns seen in humans with epilepsy and anxiety. "That's the piece that could potentially change textbooks: Previously, we had questions about how these pieces fit together and thought that maybe a group of three or more proteins interacted," Hines said. "But our team's research strongly suggests that there's a very specific interaction between two of them, and this has implications for how neuroscientists might be able to regulate this area." Coordinating the research effort was Stephen Moss, professor of neuroscience at Tufts and director of the AstraZeneca Laboratory for Basic and Translational Neuroscience in Boston. Moss said that the study results should stimulate the development of drugs that target the GABAA receptor a2 subunit as new, more effective treatments for epilepsy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11451/researchers-identify-genetic-mutations-of-appendix-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11451/researchers-identify-genetic-mutations-of-appendix-cancer.html Thu, 09 Aug 2018 09:35:00 +0530 The rarity of appendix cancer, accounting for less than 1 percent of tumors that originate in the gastrointestinal tract, and the lack of scientific data for this disease means that current treatment guidelines recommend applying therapies to people with appendix cancer that are intended for those with colon cancer. To understand why some patients with appendix cancer respond to standard treatment while others do not, University of California San Diego School of Medicine and Moores Cancer Center researchers, in collaboration with Foundation Medicine, performed genetic profiling on 703 appendiceal tumors -- the largest such study of this disease to date -- to compare mutations present in both cancer types. The findings, published online August 8 in JCO Precision Oncology, confirm that genetic mutations in appendix cancer are distinct from those found in colon cancer and that mutations in the genes TP53 and GNAS are good predictors of survival among people with appendix cancer. "For tumors that are rare like appendix cancer, obtaining molecular profiles will help identify potential treatment options since we don't have the clinical trial data to help guide treatments as we do in common tumors," said lead author John Paul Shen, MD, a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of co-author Trey Ideker, PhD, UC San Diego School of Medicine professor of medicine. "Equally important, the mutation profile can be used as a biomarker to separate high-risk patients, who need intensive treatment, from low-risk patients who may not need such an intensive treatment." The retrospective study found that appendix cancer is comprised of five distinct subtypes: mucinous adenocarcinomas (46 percent), adenocarcinomas (30 percent), goblet cell carcinoids (12 percent), pseudomyxoma peritonei (7.7 percent) and signet ring cell carcinomas (5.2 percent). A mutation in the gene GNAS, rare in colon cancer, was found to be quite frequent in appendix cancer, especially in mucinous adenocarcinomas (52 percent) and pseudomyxoma peritonei (72 percent). Patients with tumors harboring a GNAS mutation had a median survival of almost 10 years, while those whose tumors had a TP53 mutation had median survival of only three years. Patients who had neither gene mutation had a six-year median survival rate. "This striking finding raises the question of whether patients with early stage, GNAS-mutant tumors need to be treated with chemotherapy, as it is possible they could be cured with surgery alone; a question we will focus on in our next study," said Shen. "Understanding the molecular differences between the subtypes of appendiceal tumors is an important stepping stone for future clinical trials to develop and test different therapeutic approaches that are specific to this disease," said senior author Olivier Harismendy, PhD, assistant professor of medicine at UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11449/iiserb-researchers-develop-a-new-method-to-synthesize-adc-for-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11449/iiserb-researchers-develop-a-new-method-to-synthesize-adc-for-cancer.html Wed, 08 Aug 2018 15:55:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal have developed a new method to synthesize antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) using the chemical route. Antibody-drug conjugates combine drugs with antibodies that specifically target tumour markers in cancer cells. When administered to patients, antibodies in a conjugate track tumour markers and attach themselves to the surface of cancer cells. The antibody-market reaction triggers a signal in tumour cells which absorbs antibodies together with the drug. However, several amino acid residues in antibodies like lysine, tyrosine, tryptophan, cysteine, and histidine compete during installation of drugs. Amino acid residues also have multiple copies, each having different level of reactivity making it difficult to identify the right one. The researchers at IISER have now demonstrated that it was possible to synthesize an effective conjugate with lysine without much of a problem. The process makes use of 4-acetylbenzaldehyde, an electron-rich aromatic aldehyde and triethylphosphite, which is an organo-phosphorous compound used as a reagent. The team has developed conjugate of breast cancer drug, Trastuzumab, and anti-cancer drug Doxorubicin and tested its anti-proliferative effect on a HER2 over-expressing cancer cell line. After two days of treatment, the conjugate showed significant inhibition of SKBR3 breast cancer cell proliferation. For evaluating selectivity of the conjugate, the researchers compared its anti-proliferative effect against a direct dose of Doxorubicin for effect on SKBR3 breast cancer cells and on the non-pathogenic HER2 negative MDA-MB-231 cells. The technology is being transferred for commercial use through the IISER Bhopal based startup, Plabeltech. The research team included M. Chilamari, Neetu Kalra, and Sanjeev Shukla besides Dr. Vishal Rai. The results of the study, funded by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), have been published in journal Chemical Communications.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11440/mahe-researchers-discover-biomolecules-for-the-benefit-of-diabetics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11440/mahe-researchers-discover-biomolecules-for-the-benefit-of-diabetics.html Tue, 07 Aug 2018 11:15:00 +0530 Insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas, plays an important role in stimulating the muscle, fat, and liver cells to consume glucose and produce energy. In addition to this, insulin also carries out specialized functions in cells such as the endothelial cells, which line the blood vessels throughout the body. In individuals with diabetes who respond differently to insulin (insulin-resistant conditions), these endothelial cells do not function and lose their tone and elasticity which may further lead to diabetes-associated vascular complications such as kidney damage, loss of vision, stroke, heart disease and erectile dysfunction. Dr. Vinod Bhat, Vice Chancellor of MAHE said, “MAHE is supporting molecular genetics program as there is plenty to discover to the benefit of patients.  Majority of T2D subjects suffer from vascular diseases and it is important to study vascular endothelial cells in order to identify newer therapeutic interventions to restore normal function of the endothelial cells. MAHE is in unique environment that researchers, clinical practitioners and public health experts can work together to bring about change in the society on how the diseases are managed in individuals”. In the recently published paper in the scientific journal, “Laboratory Investigations”, a Springer-Nature journal, extensive research conducted by scientists of School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, identified key genes influenced by inflammatory mediator, interleukin-6 (IL-6), on endothelial cells associated with insulin resistance.  That could be reason behind Type 2 Diabetic (T2D) subjects suffer from vascular diseases despite controlling the glucose levels by insulin or anti-diabetic drugs. Dr. K. Satyamoorthy, group leader said, “The hypothesis behind morbidity associated with vascular diseases in T2D, even after strict control of glucose levels, is due to metabolic memory. This is based on epigenetic mechanisms and can be regulated by several factors such as inflammation, hyperglycemia, or stress. Hence, studying these epigenetic mechanisms is important and led to the discovery of new genes and mechanisms”.  Normal levels of IL-6 produced by immune cells protect the body from pathogens during infections; however, conditions such as diabetes are associated with sterile inflammation and where there is increased production of IL-6 levels, which lead to deleterious effects and may even cause insulin resistance. Dr. Manjunath B. Joshi, primary scientist added, “It has long been known that the inflammatory molecule IL-6 concentrations are high in serum of T2D subjects and we were wondering how IL-6 influences endothelial cells and if there is a role in disturbing insulin function. Our work links high IL-6 levels with decreased insulin function and investigates underlying epigenetic mechanisms”. Mr. Ashwath Balakrishnan, PhD scholar associated with the work at MAHE said, “Epigenetic changes caused by key enzyme, DNMT1 is destabilized in response to IL-6 leading to disturbed production of nitric oxide and hence insulin is unable to impart its normal function”. Dr. HS Ballal, Pro-Chancellor for MAHE said,  “We have been striving for societal benefit through our network of hospitals, education institutions with special emphasis on research and developmental activities. The work being carried out at School of Life Sciences is critical to manage chronic diseases such as diabetes and may lead to better clinical practices in future”. Diabetes accounts for about 5million deaths worldwide annually and globally more 350million suffer from the disease.  Diabetes and its precursor conditions could encompass 7% of the world population by 2030.  Diabetes and associated complications such as nephropathy, neuropathy and cardiovascular diseases are the major problems worldwide and grave public health problem.  Future research could focus on understanding the function(s) of these newly identified genes and also to reverse these epigenetic changes, which might help to minimize the burden of vascular diseases in T2D subjects.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11425/researchers-design-biosensor-for-detecting-fungal-infection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11425/researchers-design-biosensor-for-detecting-fungal-infection.html Mon, 06 Aug 2018 10:20:00 +0530 A team of researchers from CSIR – Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati and MNR Dental College & Hospital, Hyderabad have developed an electrochemical nanobiosensor that can efficiently diagnose invasive aspergillosis. The researchers used gold nanoparticles, a polysaccharide called chitosan, a gold electrode and a chemical called 1,6-Hexanedithiol (HDT) to assemble the biosensor.  It works by detecting gliP, a gene found exclusively in the Aspergillus species. The biosensor developed by the researchers is quicker and cost-effective as compared to the existing methods, allowing early detection and affordability to patients. The researchers hope that they can soon have a market-ready product. This study was supported by grants from the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Government of India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11380/researchers-develop-sensitive-diagnostic-test-for-tb-meningitis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11380/researchers-develop-sensitive-diagnostic-test-for-tb-meningitis.html Mon, 30 Jul 2018 11:20:00 +0530 A team of researchers from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi and Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad has developed a diagnostic test for TB meningitis with nearly 100 per cent sensitivity and about 91 per cent specificity. The diagnostic test is based on a derivative of a DNA aptamer that is a small single-stranded DNA molecule that binds to a specific target molecule and is a chemical rival of antibodies. The derivative shows high binding affinity in nanomolar range and high specificity to a TB antigen (HspX). Besides higher binding affinity, there is significantly higher load of the HspX antigen in cerebrospinal fluid samples, leading to higher sensitivity. The aptamer-based diagnostic test for TB meningitis has been patented by AIIMS and THSTI and licensed to AptaBharat Innovation Pvt Limited, a THSTI spinoff founded by Dr. Tarun Kumar Sharma, Centre for Biodesign and Diagnostics at THSTI. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11365/iisc-team-develops-low-cost-endoscopy-simulator.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11365/iisc-team-develops-low-cost-endoscopy-simulator.html Thu, 26 Jul 2018 11:10:00 +0530 A group of scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru has developed a low cost simulator for endoscopy, a medical procedure to examine the interior of a body by inserting a tube with an attached camera. The objective of the simulator called EndoMimyk is to train clinicians with graphic visualization. Such a simulator can help bridge the spatial and temporal gap between the patient and the doctor and is useful in remote medical diagnosis and treatment. EndoMimyk is not the first such simulator available. But the one developed by the IISc group is a novel system consisting of a haptic interface, VR models and instrumented tools. According to the researchers, haptics is a fast emerging technology that offers immersiveness while interacting with virtual environments. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11342/pune-scientists-use-nanovesicles-for-improved-cancer-drug-delivery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11342/pune-scientists-use-nanovesicles-for-improved-cancer-drug-delivery.html Mon, 23 Jul 2018 11:35:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune have been able to increase the uptake of anticancer drug Alisertib by breast cancer cells and achieve greater ability to restrict cancer cell growth. The researchers encapsulated the poorly water-soluble anticancer drug Alisertib in polysaccharide nano-sized balls or vesicles. Better uptake of the drug when encapsulated meant lower concentration of the drug was sufficient to restrict cancer growth significantly better than the free drug. According to the researchers, nanovesicles with the drugs loaded become water dispersible thus increasing the uptake by cancer cells. The team is currently working to make the nanovesicles even more specific to cancer cells. The drug-loaded nanovesicles are cleaved by esterase enzyme once inside the cell. In spite of being cleaved, the drug is released slowly in a controlled manner over 8-10 hours. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11325/us-researchers-develop-magnetic-wire-for-identifying-blood-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11325/us-researchers-develop-magnetic-wire-for-identifying-blood-cancer.html Thu, 19 Jul 2018 10:55:00 +0530 A group of researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine in the US has created a magnetic wire to capture free-floating tumour cells in the patients’ blood. Expected to aid in early diagnosis, the wire is threaded into a vein to detect even scarce and hard-to-capture tumour cells. The wire attracts unique magnetic nanoparticles that have been engineered with an antibody to bind to any tumour cells circulating in the bloodstream and pull them out. The capability of the magnetised wire to capture more cells, compared to existing blood-based cancer-detection approaches, could aid in the early detection of cancer. In addition, the new technique is expected to aid in the assessment of patient’s response to cancer therapy. Currently, the team is working towards refining the technique for humans, including obtaining approval for the nanoparticles. They aim to develop the technology as a tool to improve detection, diagnosis, treatment and assessment of cancer therapy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11300/iit-researchers-design-unique-wound-dressing-and-skin-graft.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11300/iit-researchers-design-unique-wound-dressing-and-skin-graft.html Mon, 16 Jul 2018 10:30:00 +0530 A group of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has developed bioactive wound dressings and bio-artificial skin by using silkworm silk fibroin as matrix and coating it with recombinant spider silk proteins. While wound dressings reduced bacterial population by nearly fourfold and showed good anti-biofilm properties, the silk scaffolds seeded with human dermal and epidermal cells led to the development of bio-artificial skin. If animal trials are also successful, the wound dressing might help in treating chronic and severe wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers, while skin graft might come handy for burn patients. The group is currently performing follow up studies using various animal models to examine the efficacy of bioactive constructs, to understand the healing properties and study cell-material interactions. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11271/research-reveals-verapamil-as-an-effective-type-1-diabetes-therapy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11271/research-reveals-verapamil-as-an-effective-type-1-diabetes-therapy.html Tue, 10 Jul 2018 10:40:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Comprehensive Diabetes Centre have discovered a safe and effective novel therapy to reduce insulin requirements and hypoglycemic episodes in adult subjects with recent onset Type 1 diabetes by promoting the patient's own beta cell function and insulin production, the first such discovery to target diabetes in this manner. The findings reveal that regular oral administration of verapamil, a common blood pressure medication first approved for medical use in 1981, enabled patients to produce higher levels of their own insulin, limiting their need for insulin injections to balance out their blood sugar levels. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human trial identified verapamil as a safe, effective, and promising therapy, a groundbreaking finding in the field of diabetes research. According to the researchers, future long-term studies are needed to help determine the effect of verapamil on both the pediatric Type 1 diabetes population, and individuals with Type 1 diabetes who have been living with and/or diagnosed with the disease longer than three months. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11257/scientists-create-platform-to-carry-out-liquid-biopsy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11257/scientists-create-platform-to-carry-out-liquid-biopsy.html Fri, 06 Jul 2018 11:40:00 +0530 Scientists from Duke University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Singapore based Nanyang Technological University have found that a microfluidic platform based on sound waves can rapidly carry out liquid biopsies. The study showed that the technology can separate circulating tumour cells (CTCs) from 7.5ml of a blood sample with at least an 86% efficiency within one hour. Fast and efficient extraction of CTCs and their growth is expected to enable a liquid biopsy that can assess individual CTC profiling to facilitate diagnosis, prognosis and treatment decisions. According to the scientists, the risk of damage to CTCs is decreased with the new approach because each tumour cell is exposed to the sound waves only for a fraction of a second. The sound waves also eliminate the need for labelling or surface modification, allowing retaining of natural functions and states of the cells. Currently, the teams are working towards further developing the technology to enhance its speed and efficiency, while determining its feasibility in various culturing and profiling projects to validate its clinical use. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11228/researchers-develop-economical-diagnostic-test-for-hepatitis-b.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11228/researchers-develop-economical-diagnostic-test-for-hepatitis-b.html Tue, 03 Jul 2018 10:20:00 +0530 Researchers from Imperial College London and Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, in collaboration with the Pasteur Institute in Paris and other African and European institutions, have developed an accurate diagnostic score that consists of inexpensive blood tests to identify patients who require immediate treatment against the deadly hepatitis B virus. The score consists of two simple blood tests- one measuring presence of antigens, proteins produced by the virus, and another for enzymes produced by the liver in response, to accurately assess patients for treatment. The score was found to be as accurate as existing methods for identifying the patients in need of immediate treatment but at a fraction of the cost, $20 compared to $100-500 for current tests. The new diagnostic test, called TREAT-B, was found to accurately identify HBV positive patients who require treatment in 85 per cent of cases, and could accurately identify those who do not need treatment in 77 per cent of cases. According to the researchers, the test could also be developed further to be implemented as a finger-prick test, similar to those used to detect HIV, to get quicker results. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11227/iit-engineers-develop-painless-needles-technology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11227/iit-engineers-develop-painless-needles-technology.html Mon, 02 Jul 2018 17:10:00 +0530 Engineers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar, in collaboration with scholars at Ohio State University (US), have developed a technology of painless micro-needles, based on the concept of mosquito bite, where one does not feel the pain on being bitten. According to the team, the use of a numbing agent; a serrated design to the needle vibration during the piercing; and a combination of soft and hard parts on the proboscis are the methods for painless needles. However, these needles could be costlier than those traditional ones, but will be useful for children and adults. Till now, the engineers have only developed a technology, however no such device has been made. In the near future, the team may develop the device or needle based on the technology or they will look out for someone who could make this device. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11222/niper-scientists-use-nimbolide-as-anti-cancer-agent.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11222/niper-scientists-use-nimbolide-as-anti-cancer-agent.html Mon, 02 Jul 2018 11:45:00 +0530 Scientists of Hyderabad-based NIPER have claimed to have found that Nimbolide, a chemical compound derived from Neem leaves and flowers, may efficiently work towards curing breast cancer. They are approaching various agencies such as the departments of biotechnology, AYUSH and, science and technology for funding to carry out further research and take up clinical trials, said scientist Chandraiah Godugu. According to the researchers, further studies are being carried out to facilitate clinical trials. It might also become the cheapest anti-cancer drug by implementing advanced technological processes of production as Neem tree was found ubiquitously in India. In addition to its anti-cancer property, it may prove to be a promising chemo preventive agent.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11210/us-scientists-to-develop-rapid-diagnostic-test-for-zika.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11210/us-scientists-to-develop-rapid-diagnostic-test-for-zika.html Fri, 29 Jun 2018 12:00:00 +0530 Investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital in the US are working to develop a new way to rapidly and accurately diagnose Zika using mobile health technologies that could potentially be deployed in resource-limited settings. The researchers also envision that the tool could provide home testing for couples who are trying to conceive, particularly in locations with high risk of infection.  The team has developed tiny platinum nanomotors that target Zika as well as microbeads that bind the virus. When both components are added to a sample containing Zika, they form a three-dimensional complex that moves in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. This movement can be detected using a smartphone hooked up to a $5 optical device. The new work highlights the potential of using cell phone technology for viral diagnostics, and the research team plans to further explore and apply the approach to other viruses. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11199/us-researchers-use-radar-and-ai-technologies-for-managing-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11199/us-researchers-use-radar-and-ai-technologies-for-managing-diabetes.html Thu, 28 Jun 2018 11:05:00 +0530 Researchers from the University of Waterloo in Canada have combined radar and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to detect changes in glucose levels without the need for painful finger pricks several times a day. The research involves collaboration with Google and German hardware company Infineon, which jointly developed a small radar device and sought input from select teams around the world on potential applications. The system at Waterloo uses the radar device to send high-frequency radio waves into liquids containing various levels of glucose and receive radio waves that are reflected back to it. Information on the reflected waves is then converted into digital data for analysis by machine-learning AI algorithms developed by the researchers. The software is capable of detecting glucose changes based on more than 500 wave features or characteristics, including how long it takes for them to bounce back to the device. Next steps include refining the system to precisely quantify glucose levels and obtain results through the skin, which complicates the process. Researchers are also working with Infineon to shrink the radar device so that it is both low-cost and low-power. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11169/iisc-scientists-use-asthma-drug-for-treating-tb.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11169/iisc-scientists-use-asthma-drug-for-treating-tb.html Mon, 25 Jun 2018 10:15:00 +0530 A team of scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has found out that a drug (Pranlukast) currently used for treating asthma is more effective against tuberculosis (TB). Studies carried out in mice models found the drug to be effective in treating TB both when used alone and in combination with an anti-TB drug rifampicin. According to the scientists, the drug uses a unique strategy to target the TB bacteria and is therefore quite unlikely to cause any adverse side-effects either to the human cells or the beneficial bacteria found in humans. The team plans to test the drug on guinea pigs in a few months’ time. The efficacy will be tested by using it alone and in combination with rifampicin. If encouraging results are obtained from guinea pig studies, the team intends to straight away conduct Phase II trials in humans, as the safety of the drug is already proven. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11159/bcg-vaccine-found-to-improve-blood-sugar-levels-in-type-1-diabetics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11159/bcg-vaccine-found-to-improve-blood-sugar-levels-in-type-1-diabetics.html Fri, 22 Jun 2018 11:30:00 +0530 A study from a Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) research team reports that after three years of receiving two administrations of the bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine four weeks apart, participants in clinical trials with longstanding type 1 diabetes showed an improvement in HbA1c to near normal levels which persisted for the following five years.  “This is clinical validation of the potential to stably lower blood sugars to near normal levels with a safe vaccine, even in patients with longstanding disease," says Denise Faustman, MD, PhD, director of the MGH Immunobiology Laboratory , principal investigator of BCG clinical trials at MGH and senior author of the npj Vaccines report. "In addition to the clinical outcomes, we now have a clear understanding of the mechanisms through which limited BCG vaccine doses can make permanent, beneficial changes to the immune system and lower blood sugars in type 1 diabetes." Faustman will also present five-year follow-up results of a separate group of BCG clinical trial participants with longstanding type 1 diabetes on Saturday, June 23, at the 78th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association in Orlando. Used for almost a century to prevent tuberculosis, BCG has been known for more than 30 years to boost production of a cytokine called tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which may be beneficial in autoimmune diseases both by eliminating the auto reactive T cells that attack an individual's tissues - in the case of type 1 diabetes, pancreatic islets - and by inducing production of regulatory T cells (Tregs) that could prevent an autoimmune reaction. Faustman's team first reported in 2001 that inducing TNF production could cure type 1 diabetes in mice, but since TNF dosing is toxic in humans, clinical trials have utilized BCG for its ability to elevate TNF levels safely. Initial clinical trial results, published in a 2012 PLOS One paper, reported that two doses of BCG spaced four weeks apart led to reductions in auto reactive T cells, an increase in Tregs and what turned out to be a transient increase in insulin production. But by the end of that short 20-week trial, there was no reduction in HbA1c, the established measure of blood sugar levels over time. An extension and expansion of that trial with long term follow-up has found significant clinical benefits, including restoration of near blood sugar levels. The current results are based on data from 282 human study participants - 52 with type 1 diabetes who participated in the BCG clinical trials and 230 who contributed blood samples for mechanistic studies. Regular monitoring of clinical trial participants found that HbA1c levels of those receiving BCG had dropped by more than 10 percent at three years after treatment and by more than 18 percent at four years. That reduction was maintained over the next four years, with treated participants having an average HbA1c of 6.65, close to the 6.5 considered the threshold for diabetes diagnosis, and with no reports of severe hypoglycemia. Participants in the placebo group and in a comparison group of patients receiving no treatment experienced consistent HbA1c elevations over the same eight-year time period. In investigating how BCG administration produces its beneficial effects, the research team identified a mechanism never previously seen in humans in response to treatment with any drug - a shifting of the process of glucose metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation, the most common pathway by which cells convert glucose into energy, to aerobic glycolysis, a process that involves significantly greater glucose consumption by cells. The researchers also found that BCG could reduce blood sugar elevations in mice that were caused by means other than autoimmune attack, raising the possibility that BCG vaccines could also be beneficial against type 2 diabetes. Mihai G. Netea, PhD, professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at Radboud University Medical Center in the Netherlands, says of this study, "The clinical effects and the proposed mechanism demonstrated are exciting and add to the emerging consensus that the BCG vaccine can have a lasting and valuable impact on the immune system. We know, and this study shows, that BCG vaccination induces epigenetic reprogramming at the chromatin architecture level and functional alterations indicative of a permanent change in immunity. The MGH trials and other, larger prevention and intervention trials underway around the globe may lead to a major shift in the prevention and treatment of infections and autoimmunity." Netea was not involved in the current study. The results are published in npj vaccines.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11151/scientists-solve-method-to-cure-cancer-through-neem.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11151/scientists-solve-method-to-cure-cancer-through-neem.html Wed, 20 Jun 2018 17:40:00 +0530 Researchers from the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad have decoded a phytochemical obtained from the leaves and flowers of the Neem tree, Nimbolide to help cure cancer.   Nimbolide has been found to be effective against various cancers so far but a commercial drug based on the chemical has evaded the researchers for years. In a recent discovery, the local scientists found that Nimbolide is not absorbed well by the body if taken orally, hence becoming a major hurdle in the manufacture of medicines based on Nimbolide.   Researchers decoded the quandary behind the low bioavailability (absorption by the body) of Nimbolide which has paved its way for the use in cancer treatment effectively.   Scientists have decoded the enigma behind the low bioavailability (absorption by the body) of Nimbolide, thus enabling its use in cancer treatment effectively. The team from NIPER tested the compound intravenously (IV) with a high success rate. This suggests that Nimbolide must be used intravenously instead of orall   The team tested the compound for cancers of the pancreas, throat and prostate intravenously (IV) witnessing a high success rate. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11133/kolkata-researchers-design-drug-nanocarriers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11133/kolkata-researchers-design-drug-nanocarriers.html Mon, 18 Jun 2018 13:00:00 +0530 A group of researchers from CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, has designed an efficient drug nanocarrier using gold nanoparticles coated with a simple organic molecule (porphyrin). The nanocarrier was found to effectively deliver the anti-tumour drug doxorubicin anti-tumour drug to the nucleus of the diseased cell and bring about programmed cell death. The porphyrin molecule was found to be uniformly distributed on gold nanoparticles and the porphyrin–gold complex was stable. The complex without the drug showed no toxicity to healthy and cancerous cells. Multidrug resistance is one of the major barriers in cancer cells, where the drug is quickly ejected out, reducing the effective drug concentrations within the cells and thus decreases its sensitivity. The researchers are currently studying the pathways by which drugs can damage the DNA, and trying to design a system that can release the drug more efficiently. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11130/brazilian-scientists-devise-ai-based-approach-for-pathogen-detection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11130/brazilian-scientists-devise-ai-based-approach-for-pathogen-detection.html Mon, 18 Jun 2018 10:40:00 +0530 A team of scientists from the University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Brazil has developed a new platform based on artificial intelligence (AI) for the diagnosis of various pathogenic diseases. The approach uses a combination of AI algorithm and mass spectrometry to accurately identify metabolic markers in patient blood samples. Mass spectrometry can detect numerous molecules present in blood serum, while the algorithm can pin-point patterns related to viral, fungal, bacterial and genetic diseases. The team built the platform using Zika virus infection as a model and observed more than 95 per cent accuracy for diagnosis of this condition. It is expected that the algorithm can examine large data volumes for specific patterns that can help in classification, prediction, decision making and modelling. Currently, the team is assessing the platform for the diagnosis of fungal systemic diseases, with plans to extend the evaluation to bacterial and genetic conditions. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11125/swiss-researchers-develop-3d-bioprinting-device-for-muscles.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11125/swiss-researchers-develop-3d-bioprinting-device-for-muscles.html Fri, 15 Jun 2018 11:20:00 +0530 Researchers from Zurich University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland have developed a screening platform that uses 3D bioprinting for the automated production of 3D muscle and tendon-like tissues. The device works by printing muscle and tendon tissue models in alternating layers of photo-polymerised gelatin-methacryloyl-based bioink and cell suspensions in a dumbbell shape on to a newly designed cell culture insert in 24-well plates containing two vertical posts. The cells showed high viability after they had been printed in the culture and good tissue differentiation based on marker gene and protein expressions. The scientists believe the device could fill a gap in the market for medication that treats age-related degenerative muscle and tendon diseases. The current lack of efficient and robust functional assays for compound screening has been labelled as one of the reasons for a bottleneck in the discovery and development of drugs for musculoskeletal issues. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11117/scientists-create-vaccine-based-on-spider-silk.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11117/scientists-create-vaccine-based-on-spider-silk.html Thu, 14 Jun 2018 11:50:00 +0530 A team of scientists from the universities of Geneva, Freiburg, Munich and Bayreuth has developed spider silk microcapsules capable of delivering vaccine directly to the heart of immune cells. Scientists used synthetic spider silk biopolymers which is a lightweight, biocompatible, non-toxic material highly resistant to degradation from light and heat. Silk microparticles form a transport capsule that protects the vaccine peptide from rapid degradation in the body, and delivers the peptide to the center of the lymph node cells, thereby considerably increasing T lymphocyte immune responses. One of the limitations of this process, however, is the size of the microparticles: while the concept is in principle applicable to any peptide, which are all small enough to be incorporated into silk proteins, further research is needed to see if it is also possible to incorporate the larger antigens used in standard vaccines, especially against viral diseases. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11096/researcher-says-a-new-virus-can-drive-parkinsons-disease.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11096/researcher-says-a-new-virus-can-drive-parkinsons-disease.html Mon, 11 Jun 2018 16:20:00 +0530 A new kind of virus called as the lytic Lactococcus phages was found to be higher in those patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease (PD).   According to the study conducted by the American Society for Microbiology, bacteriophages play a certain role in the onset of Parkinson’s disease.   The researchers, led by George Tetz, showed that the abundance of lytic Lactococcus phages was higher in PD patients when compared to healthy individuals.   This abundance led to a 10-fold reduction in neurotransmitter-producing Lactococcus, suggesting the possible role of phages in neurodegeneration.   Comparative analysis of the bacterial component also revealed significant decreases in Streptococcus spp. and Lactobacillus spp. in PD.   Lactococcus are regulators of gut permeability and are enteric dopamine producers, which plays a primary role in PD. “The depletion of lactococcus due to high numbers of strictly lytic phages in PD patients might be associated with PD development and directly linked to dopamine decrease as well as the development of gastrointestinal symptoms of PD,” said Tetz.   To explore bacterial and bacteriophage community compositions associated with PD, the researchers used shotgun metagenomics sequencing data of fecal microbiome from 32 patients with PD and 28 controls.   The results indicated that the decrease in Lactococci in the PD patients was due to the appearance of strictly lytic, virulent lactococcal phages belonging to the c2-like and 936 groups that are frequently isolated from dairy products. These results opened a discussion on the role of environmental phages and phagobiota composition in health and disease.   “Bacteriophages have previously been overlooked as pathogenic factors, and the study points out their pivotal role in pathogenesis,” said Tetz. Future research is needed to explore bacterial viruses as a diagnostic and treatment target for therapeutic intervention.   The study research is presented at ASM Microbe, the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, held from June 7th to June 11 in Atlanta, Georgia. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11091/aiims-team-discovers-type-4-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11091/aiims-team-discovers-type-4-diabetes.html Sat, 09 Jun 2018 16:30:00 +0530 Scientists at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have discovered and described a new type of diabetes -Type 4 Diabetes, which specifically affects the ocular (eye) and brain tissues. The study, published in an international journal, talks about the understanding of Glaucoma, which is an eye disorder. The scientists claim that discovery of Type 4 Diabetes will help understand the disorder and diagnosis of Glaucoma. According to the research team, Diabetes Type 3 (Alzheimer's disease) and Diabetes Type 4 (Glaucoma) are restricted to brain and ocular tissues specifically and are not associated with high levels of blood glucose. There are striking similarities in genetic, biochemical, and molecular aspects which prove that Glaucoma is a form of brain-specific diabetes. There might be one billion people suffering from it across the world by 2030. It is sometimes even uncontrolled by medicines and requires multiple surgeries and lifelong therapies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11072/scientists-to-develop-portable-blood-test-device-to-check-heart-attacks.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11072/scientists-to-develop-portable-blood-test-device-to-check-heart-attacks.html Wed, 06 Jun 2018 13:05:00 +0530 An international team of researchers based at King’s College London is developing a blood test to diagnose heart attacks which could one day be carried out on a simple handheld device, enabling rapid diagnosis in Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments by negating the need for lab tests. The research regarding the blood test was partly funded by the British Heart Foundation and presented at the British Cardiovascular Society Conference in Manchester recently. It uses similar technology to the troponin test, but analyses the level of a protein called cardiac myosin-binding protein C (cMyC). The amount of cMyC in a patient’s blood stream increases rapidly after a heart attack. The fact that CMyC increases to a higher extent than troponin protein means that the test can rule out heart attacks in a higher proportion of patients straight away. The researchers are now hoping to create a portable testing device to be used in UK A&E departments, and in ambulances in countries where there are often considerable distances to be travelled when taking patients to their nearest hospital. A handheld device could replace the time-consuming processes involved in having blood samples analysed in hospital labs. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11050/scientists-develop-blood-test-to-detect-liver-damage.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11050/scientists-develop-blood-test-to-detect-liver-damage.html Fri, 01 Jun 2018 12:10:00 +0530 Scientists from University College London (UCL) in collaboration with the University of Massachusetts in the US have developed a new blood test to identify liver damage within one hour. The test is designed to detect the damage even before the appearance of symptoms and so addresses the need for the early diagnosis of liver diseases. Validated in clinical samples, the test was found to differentiate samples from healthy individuals and those with different degrees of liver damage. The University of Massachusetts researchers devised a sensor that uses polymers coated with fluorescent dyes, which bind to blood proteins and change in brightness and colour based on the composition of the sample. When tested using small blood samples from 65 subjects, the sensor was able to detect different protein level patterns in their serum. The blood test demonstrated the capability to distinguish fibrotic samples from healthy ones 80 per cent of the time, compared to 60 per cent in the case of differentiating mild-to-moderate and severe fibrosis. With plans for assessment in larger populations, the team intends to refine the test’s effectiveness. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11038/uk-researchers-first-to-3d-print-human-corneas.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11038/uk-researchers-first-to-3d-print-human-corneas.html Thu, 31 May 2018 10:40:00 +0530 Researchers at Newcastle University in the UK have been the first to 3D-print human corneas, using a technique that could ensure an unlimited supply of corneas in the future. The proof-of-concept research for the new 3D-printing technique reports how human corneal stromal cells were taken from a healthy donor cornea and mixed together with alginate and collagen to create a ‘bio-ink’ solution that could be printed. Using a low-cost 3D bio-printer, the bio-ink was successfully printed in concentric circles to form the shape of a human cornea in less than 10 minutes. The stem cells were then shown to culture. The scientists also demonstrated that they could build a cornea to match unique patient specifications. The dimensions of the printed tissue were originally taken by scanning a patient’s eye and using the data to rapidly print a cornea which matched the size and shape. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11029/mit-researchers-create-ingestible-sensor-for-gi-bleeding.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11029/mit-researchers-create-ingestible-sensor-for-gi-bleeding.html Wed, 30 May 2018 11:35:00 +0530 A team of researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US has developed an ingestible sensor that features genetically engineered bacteria to diagnose bleeding in the stomach or other gastrointestinal (GI) problems. The ‘bacteria-on-a-chip’ device combines sensors made from living cells with ultra-low-power electronics to convert the bacterial response into a wireless signal that can be read by a smartphone. The newly developed sensors respond to heme, a component of blood, and have shown their ability to work in pigs. In order to focus the initial demonstration on bleeding in the GI tract, the researchers have created a probiotic strain of E. coli to express a genetic circuit that causes bacteria to release light when they encounter heme. The researchers have also developed an Android app that can be used to evaluate the data provided by the new approach. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11016/iiit-researchers-create-apparatus-to-predict-bowel-movements.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/11016/iiit-researchers-create-apparatus-to-predict-bowel-movements.html Mon, 28 May 2018 10:40:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the Delhi’s Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) has developed an apparatus that can predict bowel movements to help people with lower body paralysis make arrangements in advance. The apparatus consisting of a stethoscope and a microphone has to be wrapped around the abdomen. The stethoscope will listen to the intestinal sounds while the microphone will amplify it and send it to a smartphone, which will record these sounds. Using a pre-trained machine learning classifier, the sounds will be classified as either a bowel sound or a non-bowel sound in the smartphone. In case if the sound is a bowel sound, the person will be notified that she/he is about to experience a bowel movement. The project is right now in testing phase and the team aims to test it on at least 100 users before it is made available for commercial use. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10987/scientists-develop-new-technique-to-detect-chikungunya-virus.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10987/scientists-develop-new-technique-to-detect-chikungunya-virus.html Tue, 22 May 2018 13:25:00 +0530 Indian scientists have developed a biosensor technique which can be potentially help in detecting Chikungunya virus. According to the scientists, the technique can be used to develop a point of care device for rapid identification of the dreaded disease. This technique is based on molybdenum disulphide nanosheets. The researchers synthesized the nanosheets by chemical route and characterized them by using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray Diffraction. Molybdenum disulphide nanosheets were then subjected to physical adsorption onto the screen printed gold electrodes and then employed for the detection of chikungunya virus DNA using electrochemical voltammetric techniques. This study has been jointly carried out by researchers of Amity University, Noida, Jamia Millia Islamia University, Delhi and Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak. The research team has published a report on the study in the recent issue of research journal Scientific Reports. Conventionally, Chikungunya is detected through RT-PCR (Real-time polymerase chain reaction) from serum samples or by determination of serum antibodies. These methods are time consuming and the procedure is cumbersome. Thus, there was a need for a rapid and point-of-care diagnostic tool. “Advantages like rapid response time and suitability for mass production associated with detection of DNA hybridization have triggered development of DNA-based electrochemical biosensors. These advantages motivated the present work. A practical advantage of electrochemical detection could have future implications in translating to cheap assays using single-use screen-printed electrodes, which is an ideal tool due to their low cost, disposability and design flexibility as compared to traditional electrode materials,” said the researchers. However, some other experts felt that the technique was not a new idea as it was used commonly for developing biosensors. Prof. Ashok Kumar, scientist at New Delhi based CSIRs Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, who was not involved in the study, told India Science Wire, “In this study researchers are detecting synthesized small fragments of cDNA and not taking RNA samples from chikungunya which is essential for diagnosis of disease. They have just hybridized with complementary strands of DNA. Even validation was carried out using spiked DNA samples in blood serum which is not correct for real samples. Sensitivity of the sensor cannot be applicable with real samples of RNA of the patients.” The research team consisted of Dr. Chaitali Singhal, Manika Khanuja, Nahid Chaudhary, C.S. Pundir and Jagriti Narang reports India Science Wire. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10975/uk-trial-approves-breath-test-for-cancer-detection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10975/uk-trial-approves-breath-test-for-cancer-detection.html Mon, 21 May 2018 10:40:00 +0530 A new clinical trial by the Imperial College London has validated the use of their breath test as a first-line diagnostic to identify oesophageal and gastric cancer. The test has been designed to detect chemical compounds called volatile organic compounds (VOC), which produce a distinctive smell and can be detected in the patient’s exhaled breath. According to the researchers the non-invasive test can detect cancer from benign diseases with 85% accuracy. They hope that their test can aid clinicians in deciding if a patient needs further investigations. The researchers expect that as a first-line diagnostic, the test will help some patients to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures. The team is working on further improving the test and planning a larger trial to confirm the findings in GP surgeries, where the test is intended to be used. The team also wants to evaluate the test for other cancers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10916/fasting-boosts-stem-cells-regenerative-capacity.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10916/fasting-boosts-stem-cells-regenerative-capacity.html Thu, 10 May 2018 20:55:00 +0530 As people age, their intestinal stem cells begin to lose their ability to regenerate. These stem cells are the source for all new intestinal cells, so this decline can make it more difficult to recover from gastrointestinal infections or other conditions that affect the intestine. This age-related loss of stem cell function can be reversed by a 24-hour fast, according to a new study from MIT biologists. The researchers found that fasting dramatically improves stem cells’ ability to regenerate, in both aged and young mice. The researchers say that in fasting mice, cells begin breaking down fatty acids instead of glucose, a change that stimulates the stem cells to become more regenerative. The researchers found that they could also boost regeneration with a molecule that activates the same metabolic switch. Such an intervention could potentially help older people recovering from GI infections or cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. “Fasting has many effects in the intestine, which include boosting regeneration as well as potential uses in any type of ailment that impinges on the intestine, such as infections or cancers,” says Omer Yilmaz, an MIT assistant professor of biology, a member of the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, and one of the senior authors of the study. “Understanding how fasting improves overall health, including the role of adult stem cells in intestinal regeneration, in repair, and in aging, is a fundamental interest of my laboratory.” David Sabatini, an MIT professor of biology and member of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research and the Koch Institute, is also a senior author of the paper, which appears in the May 3 issue of Cell Stem Cell. “This study provided evidence that fasting induces a metabolic switch in the intestinal stem cells, from utilizing carbohydrates to burning fat,” Sabatini says. “Interestingly, switching these cells to fatty acid oxidation enhanced their function significantly. Pharmacological targeting of this pathway may provide a therapeutic opportunity to improve tissue homeostasis in age-associated pathologies.”  The paper’s lead authors are Whitehead Institute postdoc Maria Mihaylova and Koch Institute postdoc Chia-Wei Cheng. The findings suggest that drug treatment could stimulate regeneration without requiring patients to fast, which is difficult for most people. One group that could benefit from such treatment is cancer patients who are receiving chemotherapy, which often harms intestinal cells. It could also benefit older people who experience intestinal infections or other gastrointestinal disorders that can damage the lining of the intestine. The researchers plan to explore the potential effectiveness of such treatments, and they also hope to study whether fasting affects regenerative abilities in stem cells in other types of tissue. The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health, the V Foundation, a Sidney Kimmel Scholar Award, a Pew-Stewart Trust Scholar Award, the MIT Stem Cell Initiative through Fondation MIT, the Koch Institute Frontier Research Program through the Kathy and Curt Marble Cancer Research Fund, the American Federation of Aging Research, the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, the Robert Black Charitable Foundation, a Koch Institute Ludwig Postdoctoral Fellowship, a Glenn/AFAR Breakthroughs in Gerontology Award, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10890/iit-madras-develops-a-wound-dressing-material-to-treat-diabetic-wounds.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10890/iit-madras-develops-a-wound-dressing-material-to-treat-diabetic-wounds.html Tue, 08 May 2018 10:10:00 +0530 Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology Madras have developed novel reduced graphene oxide loaded nanocomposite scaffolds for treating normal and diabetic wounds. Wounds in diabetic patients do not heal as rapidly as it would in a normal and healthy individual. This leads to chronic non-healing wounds that can result in serious complications like amputations. Treatment of such chronic non-healing wounds in diabetes is still a major clinical challenge. Although there are some wound dressings that are commercially available, they are very expensive. As the diabetic population in India keeps growing, treating these diabetic wounds is a major clinical and social challenge. The work of Prof. Vignesh Muthuvijayan, Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, IIT Madras, focuses on developing low-cost wound dressings that are effective in treating diabetic wounds. Dr. T Ponrasu, an Institute Postdoctoral Fellow, working under Prof. Vignesh Muthuvijayan’s mentorship has developed a new and rapid technique for preparing reduced graphene oxide from graphite powder. Speaking about his research, Prof. Vignesh Muthuvijayan, Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, IIT Madras, says, “We wanted to exploit graphene-based materials’ property of improving blood vessel formation at certain concentrations to prepare an inexpensive wound dressing. The psyllium-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite that we prepared has shown exciting results in animal studies. We hope this is the first step towards developing inexpensive wound dressings using graphene-based materials for clinical use.” Researchers at IIT Madras used a convex lens to focus sunlight on graphene oxide to obtain reduced graphene oxide. Then, they load these reduced graphene oxide dispersions into a plant carbohydrate polymer (psyllium) solution to obtain wound dressing scaffolds. Fibroblast cells, responsible for wound healing are used to evaluate the toxicity and bioactivity of these scaffolds on the cell attachment, migration and proliferation. These newly developed scaffolds provide a suitable tissue-friendly environment for the cells and subsequently improve cell proliferation and attachment. The wound healing efficacy of these scaffolds was studied, and the results revealed that these scaffolds provided an ideal environment to wounds for the regrowth of damaged skin through proliferated fibroblast cells on the injured site. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry analyses showed that these scaffolds treatment enhanced new blood vessels formation, collagen synthesis and deposition in treated wounds. Overall, the research shows that these wound dressings could significantly accelerate healing of normal and diabetic wounds. The normal wounds treated with the dressings healed in 16 days compared to 23 days in untreated normal wounds. Similarly, the diabetic wounds treated with the dressings healed in 20 days compared to 26 days in untreated diabetic wounds. These scaffolds are easy to prepare, inexpensive, and show excellent healing properties. Thus, the material acts as a good wound dressing and helps in accelerated healing of normal and diabetic wounds.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10889/iit-roorkee-researchers-identify-new-enzyme-from-yak-cheese.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10889/iit-roorkee-researchers-identify-new-enzyme-from-yak-cheese.html Tue, 08 May 2018 10:00:00 +0530 Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee Researchers have identified a new enzyme from yak cheese that has the potential to improve the nutritional value of cereals by improving bioavailability of vital minerals. This will be of great benefit to India where deficiency of micronutrients such as phosphorous, iron, calcium and zinc is a major health issue particularly for vegetarians. In plants, phosphorous is stored mainly as organic phosphorous called ‘phytate,’ which is an anti-nutritional factor (ANF). Nuts, seeds, beans and whole grains are rich in phosphorous, while vegetables and fruits have lesser quantity. Despite this, people with vegetarian diets not only exhibit deficiency of phosphorous as well as other minerals. This is because humans lack an enzyme called phytase needed to convert phytate into free phosphorous for absorption by the body. The newly identified enzyme promises to address this problem. It has been found to effectively dephytinize the phytate and generate free phosphorous. Researchers have also shown that it also helps to increase bioavailability of iron, zinc, magnesium and calcium. Speaking about the importance of this project to the country, Dr. Naveen Kumar Navani, Associate Professor, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Roorkee, who led the research, said, "As per FAO reports, micronutrient deficiency (also regarded as Hidden Hunger) afflicts one in three people globally. This results in severe debilitation at mental and physical level specifically for children. Enzymes like Phytase have ability to reduce such burden of hidden huger by making non-available micronutrients available for the body" Elaborating on his research, he said that the Phytase enzyme was identified, cloned and characterised from a probiotic bacterium called 'Lactobacillus fermentum NKN51.’ The bacterium was isolated from ethnic cheese (called churpee) made from milk of Himalayan yak from Khardong village in Nubra valley, Leh. The enzyme has been named ‘phyLf.’ Dr. Navani and his team were now collaborating with Dr. AjitYadav of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) - Central Avian Research Institute, Izzatnagar, to apply this purified phytase enzyme along with other plant derived antimicrobials to see their efficacy on reducing the load of pathogenic bacteria like Salmonella and improving the growth performance of poultry. In the long term, this enzyme could be used in enhancing the micronutrient availability to infants, pregnant women and the elderly. Dr. Navani said that Nuts, Seeds, Beans and Whole Grains were rich in phosphorous while vegetables and fruits have lesser quantity. Dephytinisation of durum wheat and finger millet flour with the purified enzyme, followed by in-vitro model of gastric digestion showed increased levels of bio-accessibility and dialyzability of iron, zinc, magnesium and calcium contents. Conventionally, phytase enzymes are derived from fungi and are considered fit for use to improve nutritive values of poultry and other livestock feeds. Dr Navani said that his team was looking for a source that could be used to improve food items consumed by humans - a food grade bacterium. They tried samples of milk and other dairy products of cow, buffalo, sheep and goat from different parts of the country. The research was funded by the National Agricultural Science Fund of Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) and Uttarakhand Council of Science and Technology. The researchers have published results of their work in a recent issue of journal Bioresource Technology.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10876/csir-ncl-develops-tb-drug-with-improved-stability.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10876/csir-ncl-develops-tb-drug-with-improved-stability.html Fri, 04 May 2018 12:10:00 +0530 The Pune-based CSIR National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), has come up with an anti-tuberculosis (anti-TB) cocrystal drug with improved stability. The research work done by professor AK Nangia and his team at the CSIR-NCL and the School of Chemistry, University of Hyderabad, has cleared the way for development of a stable formulation of 4-FDC (4 drugs fixed dose combination) for curing TB.  The team led by Nangia studied the cause for the instability of the 4- FDC drug and discovered a pharmaceutically stable cocrystal by applying crystal engineering principles to improve the stability, so that the drug inhibits a cross-reaction between Isoniazid and Rifampicin and thereby overcomes the formation of inactive by-products.  Nangia said, “Stable cocrystal drug with longer shelf life will improve the prospects of transport logistics and inventory management of TB drugs.” In the next phase longer term stability data on 4-FDC will be validated with suitable excipients and polymeric additives to develop the tablet formulation in fast track translation. The pharmaceutical cocrystals of INH (INH-Caffeic acid and INH-Vanillic acid) were used to improve the stability of 4-drug FDC. The team showed that the pharmaceutically stable cocrystal of INH is able to improve the stability 5-fold of the current 4-FDC drugs. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10874/us-scientists-develop-pill-for-better-cancer-detection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10874/us-scientists-develop-pill-for-better-cancer-detection.html Fri, 04 May 2018 11:45:00 +0530 Scientists at the University of Michigan have developed a pill that carries a dye to ‘light up’ tumours upon exposure to infrared light, helping with diagnosis of breast cancer. The team expects that the new approach will provide an alternative for mammography, which is considered imprecise and uncomfortable. According to the university, mammograms fail to identify benign tumours that do not need surgery or chemotherapy, and detect those present in dense tissue.   In order to address these concerns, researchers turned to molecular imaging and used a dye that tags a molecule found on cancer cells, in the blood vessels that feed tumours and also in inflamed tissue. Information on the types of molecules on the tumour surface facilitates better differentiation between malignant cancer and a benign tumour. When tested in mice with breast cancer, the new pill is reported to have demonstrated the ability to fluoresce the tumours using infrared light. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10843/iit-d-team-develops-faster-typhoid-diagnostic-method.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10843/iit-d-team-develops-faster-typhoid-diagnostic-method.html Fri, 27 Apr 2018 11:20:00 +0530 A group of scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D) has developed a rapid and accurate method for diagnosis of Salmonella typhi bacteria which causes enteric fever and typhoid. Most serological methods, which look for antibodies in the body, are unable to pick up an infection in the early stages as the numbers are low. The lack of specific, rapid and affordable diagnostic tests leads to inappropriate use of antibiotics in all fevers cases. The new method uses magnetic nanoparticles coupled with antibodies. In tests, it was found that over 65 per cent bacteria cells got bound to nanoparticles within 30 minutes. The minimum time taken for conventional methods to confirm the presence of disease-causing bacteria is 72 hours while the new method confirmed it in 6 hours. According to the study, the method has the potential for clinical use due to its high detection levels and ability to identify cells which can cause disease in a quicker turnaround time. In future, it can be developed into a handheld and portable device. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10815/iit-r-scientists-work-on-treating-chikungunya.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10815/iit-r-scientists-work-on-treating-chikungunya.html Mon, 23 Apr 2018 10:45:00 +0530 A group of scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, has developed a small molecule that has good antiviral activity against chikungunya virus. The researchers have reported that the molecule, Pep-I, has superior antiviral activity against chikungunya virus. The small molecule was found to effectively bind to the protein of the virus (nsP2 protease) and prevent the virus from replicating. The team also tested whether the molecules were specifically inhibiting only the chikungunya virus. They used Sindbis virus, the model virus of the genus alphavirus to which chikungunya belongs, to test the specificity. However, the two molecules did not show antiviral activity against Sindbis virus indicating that they are very specific to chikungunya virus. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10774/iasst-team-develops-healing-bandage.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10774/iasst-team-develops-healing-bandage.html Sat, 14 Apr 2018 20:20:00 +0530 A group of researchers at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati, has fabricated a smart bandage material that can heal wounds better and faster and has antimicrobial properties. The bandage is made of cotton patch coated with chitosan-based hydrogel that is loaded with curcumin and graphene oxide. The researchers used curcumin as a model drug and the same can be replaced with other antimicrobials. The nanosize of graphene oxide allows large amount of drug to be loaded on to the patch. According to the research team, graphene oxide also increases the strength of the patch especially when it gets wet. Currently, there is no control over drug release. The team is trying to address this by using different nanomaterials. The researchers want to make sure that like graphene oxide, the chosen nanomaterial is biocompatible and does not get released into the wound.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10771/uk-team-develops-novel-skin-patch-for-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10771/uk-team-develops-novel-skin-patch-for-diabetes.html Fri, 13 Apr 2018 22:45:00 +0530 A group of scientists at the University of Bath has created a non-invasive adhesive patch that promises the measurement of glucose levels through the skin without carrying out the painful finger-pricking blood tests among patients. The patch does not pierce the skin, instead it draws glucose out from fluid between cells across hair follicles, which are individually accessed via an array of miniature sensors using a small electric current.   Researchers noted that the readings can be taken every ten to fifteen minutes over several hours, as the glucose keeps collecting in tiny reservoirs.   In addition, each miniature sensor of the array, in the low-cost wearable sensor, can operate on a small area over an individual hair follicle, which significantly reduces inter-skin and intra-skin variability in glucose extraction.   The team tested the patch on both pig skin and on healthy human volunteers for the study. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10753/iit-researchers-develop-breast-cancer-detection-technique.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10753/iit-researchers-develop-breast-cancer-detection-technique.html Wed, 11 Apr 2018 10:35:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar, has developed an active infrared thermography (IRT) technique for detection of early breast cancer. It is a fast, painless, non-contact and non-invasive imaging method. It is complementary to mammography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging methods for early diagnosis of breast cancer. The technique makes use of infrared emission emanating from the breast. The emanating radiations from the surface of breast under test or examination are detected with an infrared camera to map the thermal gradients over it, in order to reveal hidden tumors inside it. This new screening tool, IRT, is also helpful in diagnosing various diseases like diabetes, thyroid, skin cancer and others besides breast cancer at early stage. The team is working towards the development of a portable low-cost IRT screening system, which would provide an early detection of breast cancer irrespective of patient’s age, size and type of breast and stage. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10738/csir-clri-team-use-industry-waste-to-treat-wounds.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10738/csir-clri-team-use-industry-waste-to-treat-wounds.html Mon, 09 Apr 2018 10:50:00 +0530 A team of scientists at the Chennai-based CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR-CLRI) has extracted protein from discarded animal tissues and demonstrated a better use in the form of wound healing and human tissue engineering. Tonnes of animal tissues that are rich in collagen protein go waste in the meat industry. The researchers have found that various collagenous tissues available as inedible by-products in abattoirs can be successfully used for the production of collagen-based products for biomedical applications. Collagen has been reported to play a major role in healing of tissues, but their low mechanical strength and fast biodegration has restricted its use. The research tried to overcome these limitations by incorporating the collagen with another biopolymer, chitosan, obtained from shells of crustaceans. The hybrid scaffold is specifically developed for highly exudating wounds to absorb the fluid and to keep the wound dry for faster healing. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10721/research-shows-how-muscles-regulate-their-oxygen-consumption.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10721/research-shows-how-muscles-regulate-their-oxygen-consumption.html Wed, 04 Apr 2018 15:00:00 +0530 After exercise muscles consume oxygen to produce energy, until the level of oxygen drops below a particular threshold. Subsequently, energy is generated by the process of anaerobic metabolism, which does not require oxygen. However, this leads to the production of lactic acid and eventually exhaustion and cramping. In a new study, researchers demonstrate that the enzyme FIH (Factor Inhibiting HIF) is a key to how this switch-over happens. “We’ve discovered that the muscles regulate oxygen consumption in a very precise way using the oxygen-sensitive enzyme FIH,” says principle investigator Professor Randall Johnson at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet. “The enzyme makes sure that the muscles can use a more effective oxygen-based metabolism for as long as possible and then promotes a very quick transition to anaerobic metabolism.” Using mice in which the production of the enzyme was blocked, the researchers found that mice lacking FIH in their muscles require more oxygen than normal when exercising. “We were able to show that without FIH, the muscles use much more oxygen than is otherwise the case,” says Professor Johnson. “This could be of great significance to elite athletes, who, according to an earlier study of ours, have uncommonly high levels of muscular FIH.” “No one’s entertained the idea of developing a drug that affects FIH before, but I think our study will lead to greater examination of that possibility,” says Professor Johnson.  “Here you’re able to affect the metabolism itself, perhaps mainly in the muscles, but possibly in other parts of the body too. This can be important in other contexts, such as diabetes and obesity.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10716/indian-scientist-fabricates-injectable-bandage.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10716/indian-scientist-fabricates-injectable-bandage.html Wed, 04 Apr 2018 10:20:00 +0530 A team of scientists led by Dr. Akhilesh K. Gaharwar, at the Texas A&M University, has successfully fabricated an injectable bandage to stop bleeding and promote wound healing. The team has used kappa-carrageenan and nanosilicates to form injectable hydrogels to promote hemostasis and facilitate wound healing via a controlled release of therapeutics. When kappa-carrageenan is mixed with clay-based nanoparticles, injectable gelatin is obtained. The charged characteristics of clay-based nanoparticles provide hemostatic ability to the hydrogels. Specifically, plasma protein and platelets form blood adsorption on the gel surface and trigger a blood clotting cascade. The team also found that these injectable bandages can show a prolonged release of therapeutics that can be used to heal the wound. The negative surface charge of nanoparticles enabled electrostatic interactions with therapeutics thus resulting in the slow release of therapeutics. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10705/nih-research-explains-connection-between-iron-malaria-infection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10705/nih-research-explains-connection-between-iron-malaria-infection.html Mon, 02 Apr 2018 11:45:00 +0530 Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have a possible explanation for why iron can sometimes worsen malaria infection. By studying mice and samples from malaria patients, the researchers found that extra iron interferes with ferroportin, a protein that prevents a toxic buildup of iron in red blood cells and helps protect these cells against malaria infection. They also found that a mutant form of ferroportin that occurs in African populations appears to protect against malaria. These basic findings, published in Science, may help researchers and healthcare officials develop strategies to prevent and treat infections, which numbered nearly 216 million worldwide in 2016. Tracey Rouault, the study’s senior author and a senior investigator at NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) said, “Our study helps solve a long-standing mystery. Iron supplements can sometimes worsen malaria infection and, conversely, iron deficiency can be protective in some cases. Our findings reveal that ferroportin — its function, as well as its regulation by iron levels — helps to explain these observations.” The study team found that red blood cells use ferroportin to remove excess iron, which malaria parasites consume as a food source. In studies of mice, the team found that the absence of ferroportin in erythroid cells (red blood cells and their precursors) caused iron to accumulate to toxic levels inside red blood cells. This, in turn, stressed the cells and shortened their life span. In addition, the team found that mice lacking ferroportin had more parasites and worse outcomes when infected with malaria, compared to infected mice with intact ferroportin. When they fed mice a high-iron diet, the researchers also found that a hormone called hepcidin regulates ferroportin in erythroid cells. The hormone, which is more abundant in high-iron environments, lowered ferroportin levels on erythroblasts (precursors to red blood cells) and, subsequently, in red blood cells. Additionally, hepcidin physically bound to ferroportin, preventing iron from being removed from the cells. Next, the researchers sought to determine whether a ferroportin mutation, called Q248H, found in African populations protects against malaria. This mutation shields ferroportin from hepcidin’s effects. The team analyzed patient samples from two existing malaria studies. De-Liang Zhang, Ph.D., the current study’s lead author said, “Our findings suggest that Q248H does protect against malaria, possibly explaining why it occurs in people who live in malaria-endemic regions.” In one study, which enrolled children hospitalized for malaria in Zambia, the team found that nearly 20 percent of the 66 patients had the mutation. Children with the mutation tended to have fewer malarial parasites in their blood and tolerated their fevers for a longer period before coming to the hospital. While the trends were not statistically significant, they raise the possibility that Q248H reduces the iron available in the blood, therefore reducing the malaria parasite’s food source. In the other study, which enrolled 290 pregnant women in Ghana, the researchers found that nearly 9 percent had the mutation. Women with the mutation were significantly less likely to have pregnancy-associated malaria, in which parasites accumulate in the placenta and can cause adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. “Given the importance of iron metabolism overall, we will continue studying the ferroportin mutation and explore its other potential health effects,” added Dr. Zhang. Funding for the study was provided by NICHD and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10650/iit-g-researchers-use-silk-scaffolds-for-bone-regeneration.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10650/iit-g-researchers-use-silk-scaffolds-for-bone-regeneration.html Mon, 26 Mar 2018 11:15:00 +0530 A group of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has developed a scaffold made of silk composite functionalised with copper-doped bioactive glass to facilitate faster bone regeneration. The scaffold seeded with stem cells was found to differentiate into bone cells, facilitate growth of blood vessels and successfully integrate the newly formed bone cells with the native bone. The researchers were able to replicate the results in rabbits using functionalised non-mulberry silk composite. Rabbits with scaffolds implanted at the site of bone injury showed successful growth of bone cells and integration with the native bone at the end of three months. The research team developed the silk composite by adding chopped silk fibre to liquid silk. Unlike pure silk, the silk composite has greater strength. The addition of bioglass further enhanced the strength of the composite. The team plans to undertake trials on larger animals now, and is hopeful to get regulatory clearance soon. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10604/indian-scientists-develop-app-for-monitoring-blood-pressure.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10604/indian-scientists-develop-app-for-monitoring-blood-pressure.html Fri, 16 Mar 2018 09:30:00 +0530 A team of scientists, few of Indian origin, at Michigan State University in the US has developed a new smartphone app and hardware that could help measure blood pressure more accurately than existing cuff devices. Users can turn on the app and press their fingertip against the sensor unit. With their finger on the unit, they hold their phone at heart level and watch their smartphone screen to ensure they are applying the correct amount of finger pressure. The team feels that this invention can give patients a convenient option. Keeping a log of daily measurements would produce an accurate average, discounting an occasional measurement anomaly. The research team will continue to improve accuracy and hopes to pursue more comprehensive testing based on the standard protocol of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10571/iisc-researchers-explore-asthma-drug-for-treating-tb.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10571/iisc-researchers-explore-asthma-drug-for-treating-tb.html Thu, 08 Mar 2018 14:45:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has found that an existing anti-asthma drug is effective against tuberculosis and can help address the problem of drug resistance as well. The researchers observed that the drug, Pranlukast, destroys a specific metabolic pathway in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of TB, which is crucial for its survival in human cells. The drug targets a unique arginine biosynthesis enzyme which is exclusive to Mtb, thereby impeding its arginine production. It also targets the pathogen pro-survival pathways in the host, directly reducing intracellular survival of the TB bacteria. The researchers feel that since Pranlukast is an FDA approved molecule and is already being used as an anti-asthmatic drug in various parts of the world, it has the potential to be included directly into the therapeutic regime against TB. The team plans to engage with clinical collaborators for trials in the future. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10501/uoh-scientists-devise-nanomedicine-against-malaria.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10501/uoh-scientists-devise-nanomedicine-against-malaria.html Wed, 28 Feb 2018 11:30:00 +0530 A team of scientists at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) has developed a new drug delivery system, which comes with a time temperature clock, and has the potential to neutralise the mosquito’s sting. The team has used biodegradable, porous, polymeric nano capsules, which efficiently deliver the drug into the body and control the action of the parasite- P. falciparum. The nanomedicine is in the form of an injectable capsule. Inside the patient’s body, the capsule will release the drug when the temperature starts rising during malaria and stop when the temperature comes down. The scientists claim that the new formulation is quite efficient in killing the P. falciparum infection in RBCs (Red Blood Cells), and is ready for animal trials. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10473/iit-d-researchers-develop-3d-scar-tissue-model.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10473/iit-d-researchers-develop-3d-scar-tissue-model.html Mon, 26 Feb 2018 11:15:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi have for the first time developed a 3D scar-tissue model through tissue engineering. The team was successful in replicating the early inflammatory microenvironment that initiates a cascade of events that lead to scar development. Creating scar tissue in the lab has great implications for the pharmaceutical industry. According to the research team, the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, which are developing anti-fibrosis or anti-scar medicines, need not have to test them on animals. They can use the tissue-engineered model instead. The researchers believe that since the scar tissue formed in vitro followed similar signalling pathways as natural scar tissue, new drug molecules and immunomodulatory strategies designed to manipulate one or both the pathways might help in modulating scar tissue formation. The team is now using selective peptide domains and a 3D bioprinting strategy to develop progressively more complex in vitro scar tissue, which would recapitulate more hallmark features that are critical for tissue fibrosis. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10467/us-researchers-study-tears-to-diagnose-parkinsons.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10467/us-researchers-study-tears-to-diagnose-parkinsons.html Fri, 23 Feb 2018 17:25:00 +0530 Tears may hold clues to whether someone has Parkinson's disease, according to a preliminary study released by Mark Lew, MD, of the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles and a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology.  Lew says the research team investigated tears because they contain various proteins produced by the secretory cells of the tear gland, which is stimulated by nerves to secrete these proteins into tears. Because Parkinson's can affect nerve function outside of the brain, the research team hypothesized that any change in nerve function may be seen in the protein levels in tears.  For the study, tear samples from 55 people with Parkinson's were compared to tear samples from 27 people who did not have Parkinson's but who were the same age and gender. Tears were analyzed for the levels of four proteins.  Researchers found differences in the levels of a particular protein, alpha-synuclein, in the tears of people with Parkinson's compared to controls. Additionally, levels of another form of alpha-synuclein, oligomeric alpha-synuclein, which is alpha-synuclein that has formed aggregates that are implicated in nerve damage in Parkinson's, were also significantly different compared to controls. Total levels of alpha-synuclein were decreased in people with Parkinson's, with an average of 423 picograms of that protein per milligram (pg/mg) compared to 704 pg/mg in people without Parkinson's. But levels of oligomeric alpha-synuclein were increased in people with Parkinson's, with an average of 1.45 nanograms per milligram of tear protein (ng/mg) compared to 0.27 ng/mg in people without the disease. More research now needs to be done in larger groups of people to investigate whether these protein changes can be detected in tears in the earliest stages of the disease, before symptoms start.  The study was supported by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research and the Plotkin Foundation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10431/scientists-at-iit-design-novel-wound-healing-patch.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10431/scientists-at-iit-design-novel-wound-healing-patch.html Sun, 18 Feb 2018 14:20:00 +0530 A team of scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras has developed a new material that can be used to make patches to help in healing of wounds and in preventing infection. The patch was able to heal scratch wounds completely in 24 hours and also kill pathogens like S. aureus and M.tuberculosis. The team embedded silver oxide nanoparticles on silk fibre to design this new material. The silk patch was found to be more effective than the commercially used antibiotic, ciprofloxacin. The silk material was able to maintain the moisture and had ideal water-holding capacity. The team intends to test the synergistic wound-healing and antibacterial activities of this silk patch on animal models and then go ahead for commercialising it for clinical use. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10425/epilepsy-study-links-mossy-brain-cells-to-seizures-and-memory-loss-nih-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10425/epilepsy-study-links-mossy-brain-cells-to-seizures-and-memory-loss-nih-research.html Fri, 16 Feb 2018 14:35:00 +0530 According to a new study in Science, loss of mossy cells may contribute to convulsive seizures in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) as well as memory problems often experienced by people with the disease. The study was funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), part of the National Institutes of Health. Vicky Whittemore, program director at NINDS said, “The role of mossy cells in epilepsy has been debated for decades. This study reveals how critical these cells are in the disease, and the findings suggest that preventing loss of mossy cells or finding ways to activate them may be potential therapeutic targets.” Mossy cells, named for the dense moss-like protrusions that cover their surface, are located in the hippocampus, a brain area that is known to play key roles in memory. Loss of mossy cells is associated with TLE, but it is unknown what role that plays in the disease. Using state-of-the-art tools, Ivan Soltesz, professor of neurosurgery and neurosciences at Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, and his team were able to turn mossy cells on and off to track their effects in a mouse model of epilepsy. :This study would not have been possible without the rapid advancement of technology, thanks in part to the BRAIN Initiative, which has encouraged scientists to develop innovative instruments and new ways to look at the brain,” said Dr. Soltesz. “It’s remarkable that we can manipulate specific brain cells in the hippocampus of a mouse. Using 21st century tools brings us closer than ever to unlocking the mysteries behind this debilitating disease”, he added. In TLE, many seizures, known as focal seizures, originate in one part of the brain and are evident on electroencephalography (EEG) scans that show the brain’s electrical activity. These seizures can result in symptoms such as twitching or a strange taste or smell, and many people with TLE might not be aware that these symptoms are seizures. Sometimes, focal seizures can spread throughout the entire brain becoming generalized, resulting in involuntary muscle spasms, or convulsions, that affect the limbs and other parts of the body as well as loss of consciousness. When Dr. Soltesz’ group detected focal seizures on the mice’s EEG scans, they turned mossy cells on or off to see whether they had any effect on the seizures. The researchers found that turning on the cells prevented the focal seizures from transitioning into convulsive ones. When the mossy cells were turned off, however, convulsive seizures were more likely to occur. Mossy cells had only a minor effect on the occurrence of focal seizures. Anh Bui, an M.D., student at the University of California-Irvine, and first author of the paper said, “This was the first time we were able to show specifically that mossy cell activity can control convulsive seizures. These mice were missing most of their mossy cells, yet we were able to see effects just by manipulating the small number of surviving cells.” People with TLE often experience temporary changes in thinking and long-term problems with memory. Dr. Soltesz and his colleagues looked at the role of mossy cells in two specific types of memory: object recognition and spatial memory, which refers to identifying where objects are located and navigating around the environment. In these experiments, the mice were placed in a chamber with two identical items. The following day, one of the items was replaced with a different one (to test for object recognition) or moved to a different location (to test for spatial memory). The epileptic mice had trouble with spatial memory tasks but their ability to recognize objects was unaffected. In addition, turning off mossy cells in healthy mice also led to problems with spatial memory in those animals. These findings suggest that a decrease in mossy cells may lead to convulsive seizures as well as memory deficits. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10386/iit-researchers-develop-non-invasive-health-monitoring-device.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10386/iit-researchers-develop-non-invasive-health-monitoring-device.html Tue, 13 Feb 2018 10:20:00 +0530 A group of engineers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras, has developed the algorithm for a medical-grade, wearable device called VinCense. The device can be used for unobtrusive monitoring of vital signs including pulse-rate, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, skin temperature and blood pressure. VinCense can also be deployed for home healthcare delivery, insurance, analytics and occupational health screening. It also has applications in non-communicable diseases screening, general public health and community health. The real-time data recorded by the device is stored in the patent-pending secured cloud from where healthcare providers can access vitals using an intuitive interface. VinCense was developed by a team of researchers at the Biomedical Engineering Group, Department of Applied Mechanics, IIT-Madras, along with MedIoTek Health Systems which works on mobile health technology. The research team is developing algorithms that provide more accurate vitals from the wearable device which IIT-M claimed is the first of its kind in the country. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10374/experts-in-us-develop-recyclable-e-skin.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10374/experts-in-us-develop-recyclable-e-skin.html Sat, 10 Feb 2018 19:45:00 +0530 A team of scientists at the University of Colorado, US has developed a new type of malleable, self-healing and fully recyclable electronic skin that has applications ranging from robotics and prosthetic development to better biomedical devices. Electronic skin, known as e-skin, is a thin, translucent material that can mimic the function and mechanical properties of human skin. The new e-skin has sensors embedded to measure pressure, temperature, humidity and air flow. Another benefit of the new e-skin is that it can be easily conformed to curved surfaces like human arms and robotic hands by applying moderate heat and pressure to it without introducing excessive stresses. To recycle the skin, the device is soaked into recycling solution, making the polymers degrade into smaller molecules like oligomers and monomers. The recycled solution and nanoparticles can then be used to make new, functional e-skin. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10342/nicotinamide-riboside-can-prevent-neurological-damage-in-alzheimers-patients-nih-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10342/nicotinamide-riboside-can-prevent-neurological-damage-in-alzheimers-patients-nih-research.html Wed, 07 Feb 2018 11:40:00 +0530 The supplement nicotinamide riboside (NR) which is a form of vitamin B3 – prevented neurological damage and improved cognitive and physical function in a new mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. The results of the study, conducted by researchers at the National Institute on Aging (NIA) part of the National Institutes of Health, suggest a potential new target for treating Alzheimer’s disease. NR acts on the brain by normalizing levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a metabolite vital to cellular energy, stem cell self-renewal, resistance to neuronal stress and DNA repair. In Alzheimer’s disease, the brain’s usual DNA repair activity is impaired, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction, lower neuron production, and increased neuronal dysfunction and inflammation. Richard J. Hodes, Director of the NIA said, “The pursuit of interventions to prevent or delay Alzheimer’s and related dementias is an important national priority. We are encouraging the testing of a variety of new approaches, and this study’s positive results suggest one avenue to pursue further.” The international team of scientists was led by Vilhelm A. Bohr, senior investigator and chief of the Laboratory of Molecular Gerontology of the NIA’s Intramural Research Program with Dr. Yujun Hou, a postdoctoral investigator in the laboratory. Based on their studies in human postmortem brain, they developed a new strain of mice mimicking major features of human Alzheimer’s such as tau pathology, failing synapses, neuronal death and cognitive impairment. Using this animal model, the researchers tested the effects of an NR supplement by adding it to the drinking water of the mice. Over a three-month period, researchers found that mice who received NR showed reduced tau in their brains, but no change in amyloid-beta. The NR-treated mice also had less DNA damage, higher neuroplasticity (activity and reorganization of brain cells associated with learning or memory), increased production of new neurons from neuronal stem cells, and lower levels of neuronal damage and death. In the hippocampus area of the brain – in which damage and loss of volume is found in people with dementia – NR seemed to either clear existing DNA damage or prevent it from spreading further. The NR-treated mice also performed better than control mice on multiple behavioral and memory tests, such as water mazes and object recognition. NR mice also showed better muscular and grip strength, higher endurance, and improved gait compared to their control counterparts. The research team believes that these physical and cognitive benefits are due to a rejuvenating effect NR had on stem cells in both muscle and brain tissue. “We are encouraged by these findings that see an effect in this Alzheimer’s disease model. We are looking forward to further testing of how NR or similar compounds might be pursued for their possible therapeutic benefit for people with dementia”, said Dr. Bohr   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10327/iisc-team-develops-novel-diagnostic-probe.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10327/iisc-team-develops-novel-diagnostic-probe.html Tue, 06 Feb 2018 11:30:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru with their counterparts in Israel has developed a path-breaking process to detect diseases, at reasonable diagnostic costs. These nanomachines, measuring about 500 nanometres in length, can measure changes in blood viscosity or thickness to detect diseases at an early stage. These tiny probes can be used in fluids up to 70-100 times more viscous than water. Once injected into the bloodstream, these tiny probes or nanomachines measure changes in blood thickness to detect diseases. These probes, made of glass and iron, are spiral in shape and are navigated through the bloodstream using a magnetic field. They can exit the body through sweat or urine. If the fluid inside the blood vessel gets thicker, it will be picked up by the nanomachines. These can detect blood clots or blood vessel obstructions caused by cardiovascular diseases at an early stage. The researchers believe that the technology of nanomachines needs time for development and will probably be ready for human trials in 8-10 years. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10309/iit-g-researchers-use-silk-to-design-artificial-vertebral-disc.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10309/iit-g-researchers-use-silk-to-design-artificial-vertebral-disc.html Fri, 02 Feb 2018 12:45:00 +0530 Researchers from the Department of Biomaterial and Tissue Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati (IIT-G), have developed a silk-based bioartificial disc that may find use in disc replacement therapy in future. The researchers claim that the use of a silk biopolymer to fabricate a biocompatible disc can reduce the cost of artificial discs in the future. The team has developed a fabrication procedure for a silk-based bioartificial disc adopting a directional freezing technique. The disc mimics internal intricacy of human disc and its mechanical properties too are similar to those of the native ones. The new disc has been tested in laboratory mice and scientists observed negligible immune response. At present, therapeutic treatment for degenerative disc disease can only provide symptomatic relief of pain without restoring the functions of discs, while disc replacement surgery is very costly. The researchers believe if the silk-based biodiscs transcends clinical translation, it can be an affordable option for disc replacement therapy in future. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10296/niv-scientists-develop-novel-technology-for-testing-deadly-virus.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10296/niv-scientists-develop-novel-technology-for-testing-deadly-virus.html Thu, 01 Feb 2018 10:20:00 +0530 Scientists at Pune based National Institute of virology (NIV) have developed a revolutionizing technology that is intended to transform the present procedure of testing deadly viruses in India and abroad. The technology has the potential to change the way clinical laboratories are currently functioning across the world. The scientists have developed compounds, which can be added to blood collection tubes or vacutainers to instantly render a wide range of viruses non-infectious, without affecting their cell structure. The method eliminates bio-risks involved in handling deadly viruses, making their testing possible even at common laboratories. Eventually, it eliminates the need to test such samples at highly secured bio-safety labs, eliminating huge expenses on logistics and delays in diagnosis. The NIV has handed over the novel technology to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research, and for commercial transfer to industry. The technology is indigenous, cost-effective and can be easily incorporated in the manufacturing process of blood collection tubes in India and elsewhere. The scientists have validated the efficacy of the formulation against viruses that include Japanese Encephalitis, Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), dengue, chikungunya, Chandipura and Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF). Among these viruses, CCHF and KFD are highly lethal and can be transmitted between humans via close contact with blood or other body fluid. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10280/amrita-scientists-discover-new-way-to-kill-cancer-cells.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10280/amrita-scientists-discover-new-way-to-kill-cancer-cells.html Tue, 30 Jan 2018 12:45:00 +0530 In major medical breakthrough, scientists of Centre for Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine at Kochi’s Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences have succeeded in turning nanoparticles of calcium phosphate – a biomineral naturally found in human bones – into fully biodegradable radio frequency (RF) agents and made them imageable by MRI and CT scans. This has paved the way for safer, cheaper diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The project has been funded by the Dept. of Biotechnology, Govt. of India. Dr. Shanti Nair, Director, Centre for Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi said, “The development of calcium phosphate nanoparticles with imageable properties for drug delivery applications is a major innovation in the quest to develop biodegradable contrast agents for imaging (diagnostic) purposes. Calcium phosphate is naturally found in human bones and is non-toxic and fully biodegradable. Now that its nanoparticles have been made imageable by MRI and CT scans, their accumulation in tumours can be verified and the MR contrast used for image-guided surgical treatment of cancer.” Currently, the most common treatment for cancer involves radiation and use of gamma rays to kill cancer cells. However, this inflicts collateral damage – healthy cells also get destroyed along with cancer cells. Radiation treatment with Cyber-Knife is much more precise, but very expensive. In this situation, the most easily accessible and cheapest cancer treatment available today uses radio frequency (RF) microwaves. But for this method to work, the RF agent should be non-toxic to human body and preferentially accumulated in the tumour. This is where the development of calcium phosphate nanoparticles as a biodegradable RF agent becomes significant. The project’s key principal investigator Dr. Manzoor Koyakutty, Professor, Centre for Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, explained, "The main advantage of calcium phosphate is that our body does not treat it as foreign material, leading to minimum toxicity and immune rejection compared to other engineered nanoparticles which are non-biodegradable. We have made this biomineral imageable using MRI and CT. It can be guided precisely to cancer tumours, which will enable their treatment under image guidance, using radio waves to heat up and destroy the cancerous cells. We are now conducting large animal studies, after which clinical trials will follow." The team of co-inventors has launched a new company which has already acquired the rights from Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences to bring the product to clinics. This spin-off venture is supported by the Biotechnology Innovation Grant of Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India. The discovery of RF hyper-thermic property (heat generation under radio waves) of calcium phosphate was by chance. A team of researchers at Amrita Centre for Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine, including Dr. Anusha Ashokan, Dr Vijay Harish and Dr GS Gowd, was doing experiments to optimize MRI imaging and RF properties of some calcium-containing materials. During experimentation, they accidentally found that the calcium compound was getting heated up when exposed to radio waves. This led to the optimization of calcium phosphate nanoparticles for RF applications. The scientists enhanced their hyper-thermic properties by doping them with iron nanoparticles having magnetic properties, which also helped in magnetic resonance imaging. Dr. Vijay Harish, Physician Scientist, Dept. of Nuclear Medicine, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi stated, "Image guided therapy using biodegradable material such as calcium phosphate is very attractive from the clinical perspective. It will allow doctors to treat cancer patients with precision.” ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10268/scientists-at-iisc-suggest-use-of-nanomotors-to-tackle-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10268/scientists-at-iisc-suggest-use-of-nanomotors-to-tackle-cancer.html Mon, 29 Jan 2018 14:40:00 +0530 Scientists from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, have demonstrated that the integration of therapeutic modalities to magnetic nanomotors may be of significance in cancer therapy. Accroding to the research team, nanomotors are nanosystems capable of motion through an external force; magnetic field in the case of magnetic nanomotors. They have the potential to be steered and localized within the human body. The team has reported the first successful voyage of these magnetic nanomotors in human blood. In general, the magnetic nanomotors tend to form agglomerates due to magnetic attraction, which severely limits their applications. In the present study, researchers have circumvented this problem by providing a ferrite layer on the magnetic nanomotors, which renders these nanomotors stable against agglomeration, making it possible to store them in a suspension for more than six months. This interesting research demonstrates a single step method to fabricate magnetic nanomotors in a scalable manner that are highly stable and also provide therapeutic potential via magnetic hyperthermia which could have implications in cancer therapeutics. The researchers are now working towards improving the heating efficiency of these nanomotors, as well as methods to attach drugs to these nanomotors to carry out in vivo experiments. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10260/iit-engineers-design-new-treatment-for-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10260/iit-engineers-design-new-treatment-for-cancer.html Thu, 25 Jan 2018 19:45:00 +0530 A group of research engineers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee has develop a new solution for treating cancer. The new method termed as Photo Thermal Therapy works on the concept of targeted drug delivery into the afflicted area with the use of light. Since ultraviolet rays are harmful to cellular targets, the researchers have looked at an alternative method that is metal-nitrosyls, which can be used under visible light for the release of Nitric Oxide (NO). According to researchers, the experimental results showed that the photo-released NO was cytotoxic and was responsible for death of the cancerous cells. The researchers are hopeful that there will be further investigations on the use of such activity in treatment of other diseases as well. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10257/stanford-scientists-design-needle-free-hiv-test.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10257/stanford-scientists-design-needle-free-hiv-test.html Thu, 25 Jan 2018 14:15:00 +0530 A group of scientists at Stanford University in the US, in collaboration with the Alameda County Public Health Laboratory, has developed a simple, hassle-free diagnostic test for HIV. In the new test, the group has combined the reliability of blood with the convenience of saliva tests to ensure detection before the infection could spread. For the new test, bits of HIV were attached to one or the other arm of a DNA piece that was added into the saliva sample, where the arms would bind to the HIV antibodies, allowing easy identification using conventional laboratory methods. While additional studies are required, the test is reported to have demonstrated the ability to correctly detect 22 subjects who tested HIV-positive using other methods. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10245/barcelona-scientists-develop-a-new-organ-on-a-chip-device.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10245/barcelona-scientists-develop-a-new-organ-on-a-chip-device.html Wed, 24 Jan 2018 11:05:00 +0530 A team of scientists from the Biomedical Applications Group of the Microelectronics Institute of Barcelona (IMB-CNM) of the Spanisch Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), the CIBER-BBN, the Diabetes and Metabolism group of the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), CIBERDEM- Institute of Health Carlos III, and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) has developed a microfluidic device that mimics the human blood-retinal barrier.  The device is composed by several parallel compartments, arranged to emulate the retinal layer structure. In every compartment a type of cells has been cultured- endothelial cells which constitute capillary vessels which carry oxygen and nutrients, neuronal cells which form the neuroretina, and retinal pigmented epithelial cells, which form the outer layer of the blood-retinal barrier. The compartments are interconnected by a grid of microgrooves under the cells, with which cells can exchange signal molecules and therefore communicate between them.  This device, scientists say, can be used to study the effects of molecules or harming conditions on the human retina. The team also wants to use the device to study the diabetic retinopathy, a disease whose causes and progression are not well understood yet. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10228/iit-d-team-develops-a-unique-drug-testing-platform.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10228/iit-d-team-develops-a-unique-drug-testing-platform.html Mon, 22 Jan 2018 12:10:00 +0530 A team of scientists from the Centre for Biomedical Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has used a novel method to culture bacteria and determine its growth at much lower concentration in relatively less time, four–six hours. This new platform has been designed to help in early detection of the presence of bacteria and carrying out drug susceptibility testing within a short time period. Currently available clinical methods require more than 10 hours to culture and observe growth of pathogenic bacteria and a higher bacterial concentration for laboratory confirmation. The team has prepared alginate microgels that encapsulate E. coli bacteria and carbon dots. The microgels were found to support bacterial growth and colony formation, and the pH changes in response to bacterial growth. The team used the platform to test for antibiotic sensitivity by treating E. coli with ampicillin drug of different concentrations. The scientists propose that the platform can help in simultaneously studying resistance to different drugs, combination of drugs and resistance to different concentrations of drugs. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10211/us-engineers-create-sensor-for-monitoring-health-conditions.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10211/us-engineers-create-sensor-for-monitoring-health-conditions.html Wed, 17 Jan 2018 11:50:00 +0530 A group of engineers at the University of Connecticut have created a biodegradable pressure sensor that could help doctors monitor chronic lung disease, swelling of the brain, and other medical conditions before dissolving harmlessly in a patient's body. The sensor emits a small electrical charge when pressure is applied against it and thus could be used to provide electrical stimulation for tissue regeneration. Other potential applications include monitoring patients with glaucoma, heart disease, and bladder cancer. The small, flexible sensor is made of medically safe materials already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in surgical sutures, bone grafts, and medical implants. It is designed to replace existing implantable pressure sensors that have potentially toxic components. The research group is investigating ways to extend the sensor's functional lifetime. The lab's ultimate goal is to develop a sensor system that is completely biodegradable within the human body. The team has already filed for a patent for the new sensor. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10195/iit-engineers-develop-novel-technology-for-helping-diabetics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10195/iit-engineers-develop-novel-technology-for-helping-diabetics.html Mon, 15 Jan 2018 16:50:00 +0530 A team of biomedical engineers led by assistant professor Durba Pal, at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar has come out with a unique procedure which can go a long way in benefiting diabetics undergoing surgical procedures or having suffered injuries. The technology uses the biological material (ribonucleic acid and locked nucleic acid bases) to directly help healing of the skin without any side effects. Following injury, a transient down regulation of miR200b, which is a specific non-coding RNA, can be used as a potential therapeutic target for diabetic wound healing that can help in hastening the restorative process. The high expression of miR200b in diabetic wound endothelial cells cause for its dysfunction, leading to healing impairment. The research carried out shows that diabetic wound can be healed by delivering anti-miR200b locked nucleic acid bases (LNA) at the wound edge. This is the first evidence showing miR200b as a potential therapeutic target for diabetic wound healing. Recognising the work of Durba Pal, as an important innovative research which is highly significant to the human race, the Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) awarded her at its 11th annual Global Healthcare Summit (GHS) held at Kolkata, recently. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10159/iicb-scientists-connect-stress-with-gastric-ulcer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10159/iicb-scientists-connect-stress-with-gastric-ulcer.html Sun, 07 Jan 2018 16:55:00 +0530 A scientific team at CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (CSIR-IICB), Kolkata have for the first time identified the molecular mechanism by which acute mental stress affects the stomach causing gastric ulcer or stress-related mucosal disease.  The team has used drugs that can act specifically on mitochondria present in the stomach to prevent gastric ulcer caused by stress. Stomach is known as the body’s second brain with a specialised neural network, repository of neurotransmitters and different kinds of nerve cells innervating the organ, though fewer in number. By using a drug that prevents corticosterone from binding to the receptor found inside the cell, the researchers were able to significantly prevent stomach injury in the animals. Corticosterone is the main hormone involved in the regulation of stress response. Further research can lead to a new generation of anti-stress medications with minimal side effects which would aim at targeting the mitochondrial pathology to take care of a bigger psychosomatic health complication. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10152/iit-researchers-mix-metal-with-pain-killer-drugs-to-treat-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10152/iit-researchers-mix-metal-with-pain-killer-drugs-to-treat-cancer.html Fri, 05 Jan 2018 11:10:00 +0530 A group of researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore, Ropar and Guwahati have combined ruthenium, a metal which is part of the platinum group, with commonly used pain killers, categorized as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, to develop four new drug complexes. Anti-cancer activities of four new combination drugs with ruthenium — complex 1 (with naproxen), complex 2 (with diclofenac), complex 3 (with ibuprofen) and complex 4 (with aspirin) — were tested against lung, breast and cervix cancer cell lines in laboratory. Complex 3 is more effective in preventing the enzyme causing pain and swelling, followed by complex 2 and complex 1. Complexes 2 and 3 have shown remarkable effects in stopping the growth of cancer cells in lung, breast and cervical cancer. The drugs used in the study work against cancer cells in different ways, thus creating a more effective and holistic way of treating the disease. Though the rationale and research methodology of this study is sound and academically interesting, it may still be regarded as indicative rather than conclusive. It is still preliminary to be adjudged as mainstay treatment. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10147/stem-cell-transplant-for-severe-scleroderma-improves-survival-quality-of-life-nih-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10147/stem-cell-transplant-for-severe-scleroderma-improves-survival-quality-of-life-nih-research.html Thu, 04 Jan 2018 13:45:00 +0530 New clinical trial findings by National Institutes of Health show that a therapeutic regimen involving transplantation of a person’s own blood-forming stem cells can improve survival and quality of life for people with severe scleroderma, a life-threatening autoimmune disease. The regimen, known as myeloablative autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), includes chemotherapy and total body radiation to destroy the bone marrow followed by transplantation of the person’s own blood-forming stem cells to reconstitute the marrow and immune system. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, found myeloablative HSCT to be superior to treatment with the immune-suppressing drug cyclophosphamide. Scleroderma is characterized by hardening of the skin and connective tissues. Diffuse systemic sclerosis is a severe, often fatal form of the disease that also involves the internal organs. Treatment options are limited. People with the disease may take antirheumatic drugs and immune-suppressing drugs like cyclophosphamide to help manage symptoms, but none of these medications has been proven to provide long-term benefit. The clinical trial, called Scleroderma: Cyclophosphamide or Transplantation (SCOT), compared the safety and potential benefits of the two treatment regimens among 75 people with diffuse systemic sclerosis who had lung or kidney involvement. Compared with cyclophosphamide, transplantation offered significantly greater long-term benefits, but also carried known short-term risks, such as infections and low blood cell counts. “We need effective therapies for scleroderma and other severe autoimmune diseases, which can be not only debilitating to the patient but also difficult to treat,” said Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., director of NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which sponsored the study. “These results add to the growing evidence that stem cell transplants should be considered as a potential treatment option for people with poor-prognosis scleroderma.” Two previous clinical trials suggested HSCT benefited people with severe scleroderma. Participants in these earlier trials received non-myeloablative HSCT, a less intensive procedure using lower doses of chemotherapy that does not completely destroy the bone marrow. However, neither trial changed clinical practice in the United States, in part because of concerns about the durability of responses to treatment and the safety of these transplant regimens. The SCOT trial assessed a myeloablative transplant regimen, which researchers thought might offer better long-term outcomes. Investigators followed the participants for up to six years to assess safety and durability of remission. The study investigators used an analytic approach based on a hierarchy of clinical outcomes specific for severe systemic sclerosis to compare every participant in the study with every other participant. These outcomes included death, survival without scleroderma-related organ damage, progression of lung and skin disease, and quality of life. At four and a half years of follow up, participants who received a transplant experienced significantly better outcomes overall than those who received cyclophosphamide. In addition, 44 percent of participants who received cyclophosphamide had begun taking antirheumatic drugs for progression of their scleroderma, compared to only 9 percent of those who received a transplant. Our findings indicate that undergoing stem cell transplantation for severe scleroderma poses more short-term risks but offers greater long-term gains than cyclophosphamide treatment,” said Keith M. Sullivan, M.D., of Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, who served as a principal investigator of the SCOT study. “While treatment decisions should always be made on an individual basis, we hope that our work will help define a new standard of care for this severe, life-threatening autoimmune disease.” The investigators are continuing to follow many of the SCOT participants to further assess their long-term health outcomes.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10141/cornell-researchers-develop-a-device-for-diabetes-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10141/cornell-researchers-develop-a-device-for-diabetes-management.html Thu, 04 Jan 2018 11:05:00 +0530 A Cornell University-led research team has developed a device that could revolutionize management of diabetes. The research group has devised an ingenious method for implanting hundreds of thousands of islet cells into a patient. They are protected by a thin hydrogel coating and, more importantly, the coated cells are attached to a polymer thread and can be removed or replaced easily when they have outlived their usefulness. The research group took inspiration from the way water beads on a spider's web and devised this ingenious method. This therapy would involve minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery to implant approximately six feet of hydrogel-coated thread into the patient's peritoneal cavity. Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has given patent protection to the string, known as Thread-Reinforced Alginate Fibre for Islets Encapsulation (Traffic). ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10136/iict-team-identifies-a-novel-bacterial-strain.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10136/iict-team-identifies-a-novel-bacterial-strain.html Wed, 03 Jan 2018 12:15:00 +0530 A team of scientists at the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad have identified a novel strain of bacterium that produces compounds with antibiotic properties. A strain of Streptomyces species has been isolated from the Institute’s soil that produces two anti-biotic compounds. The novel strain, called RAB 12, produces the chemical compounds RSP 01 and RSP 02 that showed antimicrobial activity. Both these compounds have exhibited antibiotic activity ten times more potent than Actinomycin D. A drug on the list of WHO’s ‘List of Essential Medicines’, Actinomycin D exhibits both antibiotic and anti-tumour activity. It is among the oldest drugs used for treatment of many types of cancers. IICT has put together a large repository of bacterial isolates from soils collected from various parts of the country. The researchers are yet to analyse the antibiotic potential of many of those isolates. In the case of RAB 12, the two compounds, RSP 01 and 02, are promising candidates for industrial and clinical applications. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10132/nih-discovery-brings-stem-cell-therapy-for-eye-disease-closer-to-the-clinic.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10132/nih-discovery-brings-stem-cell-therapy-for-eye-disease-closer-to-the-clinic.html Wed, 03 Jan 2018 11:35:00 +0530 Scientists at the National Eye Institute (NEI) which is a part of the National Institutes of Health, report that tiny tube-like protrusions called primary cilia on cells of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) are essential for the survival of the retina’s light-sensing photoreceptors. The discovery has advanced efforts to make stem cell-derived RPE for transplantation into patients with geographic atrophy, otherwise known as dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Kapil Bharti, Stadtman investigator & study’s lead investigator at the NEI said, “We now have a better idea about how to generate and replace RPE cells, which appear to be among the first type of cells to stop working properly in AMD.” In a healthy eye, RPE cells nourish and support photoreceptors, the cells that convert light into electrical signals that travel to the brain via the optic nerve. RPE cells form a layer just behind the photoreceptors. In geographic atrophy, RPE cells die, which causes photoreceptors to degenerate, leading to vision loss. Bharti and his colleagues are hoping to halt and reverse the progression of geographic atrophy by replacing diseased RPE with lab-made RPE. The approach involves using a patient’s blood cells to generate induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), cells capable of becoming any type of cell in the body. iPSCs are grown in the laboratory and then coaxed into becoming RPE for surgical implantation. “The cells frequently fail to mature into functional RPE capable of supporting photoreceptors. In cases where they do mature, however, RPE maturation coincides with the emergence of primary cilia on the iPSC-RPE cells”, Bharti said. The researchers tested three drugs known to modulate the growth of primary cilia on iPSC-derived RPE. As predicted, the two drugs known to enhance cilia growth significantly improved the structural and functional maturation of the iPSC-derived RPE. One important characteristic of maturity observed was that the RPE cells all oriented properly, correctly forming a single, functional monolayer. The iPSC-derived RPE cell gene expression profile also resembled that of adult RPE cells. And importantly, the cells performed a crucial function of mature RPE cells: they engulfed the tips of photoreceptor outer segments, a pruning process that keeps photoreceptors working properly. By contrast, iPSC-derived RPE cells exposed to the third drug, an inhibitor of cilia growth, demonstrated severely disrupted structure and functionality. As further confirmation of their observations, when the researchers genetically knocked down expression of cilia protein IFT88, the iPSC-derived RPE showed severe maturation and functional defects, as confirmed by gene expression analysis. Tissue staining showed that knocking down IFT88 led to reduced iPSC-derived RPE cell density and functional polarity, i.e., cells within the RPE tissue pointed in the wrong direction. Bharti and his group found similar results in iPSC-derived lung cells, another type of epithelial cell with primary cilia. When iPSC-derived lung cells were exposed to drugs that enhance cilia growth, immunostaining confirmed that the cells looked structurally mature. The report suggests that primary cilia regulate the suppression of the canonical WNT pathway, a cell signaling pathway involved in embryonic development. Suppression of the WNT pathway during RPE development instructs the cells to stop dividing and to begin differentiating into adult RPE, according to the researchers. The researchers also generated iPSC-derived RPE from a patient with ciliopathy, a disorder that causes severe vision loss due to photoreceptor degeneration. The patient’s ciliopathy was associated with mutations of cilia gene CEP290. Compared to a healthy donor, iPSC-derived RPE from the ciliopathy patient had cilia that were smaller. The patient’s iPSC-derived RPE also had maturation and functional defects similar to those with IFT88 knockdown. Further studies in a mouse model of ciliopathy confirmed an important temporal relationship: Looking across several early development stages, the RPE defects preceded the photoreceptor degeneration, which provides additional insights into ciliopathy-induced retinal degeneration. The study’s findings have been incorporated into the group’s protocol for making clinical-grade iPSC-derived RPE. They will also inform the development of disease models for research of AMD and other degenerative retinal diseases, Bharti said. This work was supported by the NEI intramural research program and the NIH Common Fund’s Regenerative Medicine Program.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10130/brain-on-a-chip-test-to-predict-the-effects-of-biological-and-chemical-agents-on-brain.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10130/brain-on-a-chip-test-to-predict-the-effects-of-biological-and-chemical-agents-on-brain.html Tue, 02 Jan 2018 17:05:00 +0530 Scientists and engineers from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have developed a 'brain-on-a-chip' device that could be used to test and predict the effects of biological and chemical agents, disease, or pharmaceutical drugs on the brain over time without the need for human or animal subjects. The device is a part of the Lab's iCHIP (in-vitro Chip-Based Human Investigational Platform) project. It simulates the central nervous system by recording neural activity from multiple brain cell types deposited and grown onto microelectrode arrays. The platform, described in the journal PLOS One, could help scientists understand how brain cells connect and interact, combat brain disorders, determine how soldiers are affected by exposure to chemical and biological weapons and develop antidotes to counteract those effects. Dave Soscia, co-lead author and LLNL research engineer said, “While we're not close to the point where we can fully recapitulate a brain outside of the body, this is an important step in terms of increasing complexity of these devices and moving in the right direction. The idea is that eventually the community gets to a point where people are confident enough in the devices that the effects they see from putting chemicals or pharmaceutical drugs into the platform environment are similar to the results we would see in the human body." To recreate the regions of the brain, researchers divided the chip into four distinct areas -- three sub-regions and an external region representing the brain's cortex. Researchers deposited primary hippocampal and cortical cells onto the electrodes, positioned based on their relative orientation in the brain, using custom-built inserts that can be removed after the cells are placed in the device to allow free communication among the different regions. The team then monitored the cells' action potential patterns -- the "bursts" of electrical energy that cells emit when communicating -- and observed how the cells interacted over time. The researchers also successfully performed tests with a four-cell insert, to prove more cell types could be used simultaneously. Scientists said, “the platform is part of LLNL's broader vision for countering emerging and existing threats, allows them to study the networks formed among various regions of the brain, and obtain timely, human-relevant data without animal or human testing. The data would be used to better predict human response to countermeasures, viruses or pharmaceutical drugs, and could help scientists determine if certain types of neurons are more susceptible to exposure.” Elizabeth Wheeler, iCHIP principal investigator said, “This allows us to come up with a platform that we can use to test how chemical agents would affect the brain. Obviously at a high dose, we know exposure is going to be detrimental, but think about the warfighter who is exposed to a low level of chemical for a long time. Using this device in the future, we might be able to predict how that brain is going to be affected. If we understand how it's affected, then we can develop a countermeasure to protect the warfighter." Researchers said the technology also is enabling them to see how cells communicate differently when combined with, or located close to, different cell types. Depositing the cells with the micro-fabricated, funnel-like insert allows the insert to be used with any type of chip platform or cell type, because it doesn't require patterning the chip's surface with different chemicals to adhere the cells to it. “It was very important to us that we didn't have physical barriers, so the cells could grow processes to interact and communicate. Here you literally just put an insert in, pipette the cells through the top of the insert, and it deposits them with precision onto specific regions on the electrode array. And because it's removable, the cells adhere but they have nothing holding them back; they're allowed to grow freely and communicate with the other regions”, Soscia said. Kris Kulp, LLNL biologist said, “We found that a hippocampal neuron still looks like a hippocampal neuron even if there were cortical neurons present, but they did modify some of their characteristics based on having a different kind of neighbour. They retained their identifying characteristics, but they communicated a little differently." “With the brain-on-a-chip platform, researchers could analyze how disease spreads through the brain, model epilepsy, or potentially examine the effects of chemical or biological exposure over a timespan of several months.” The initiative incorporates brain and blood-brain barrier chip-based platforms for applied scientific research. The next step, researchers said, is to expand the brain-on-a-chip device to three dimensions and sort through the data collected thus far to determine how it correlates with in vivo data.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10122/delhi-researchers-use-ai-for-diagnosing-asthma.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10122/delhi-researchers-use-ai-for-diagnosing-asthma.html Mon, 01 Jan 2018 11:15:00 +0530 A group of researchers from Delhi’s CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrated Biology (IGIB), Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) and AIIMS has been able to improve the diagnosis of childhood asthma and even identify three asthma subtypes. The researchers have been able to correctly identify children with asthma and also the subtypes along with potential biomarkers using artificial intelligence (AI). Researchers observed that children belonging to subtype 1 showed a typical signature of ammonia metabolite but had no family history of asthma. Subtype 3 had lower blood eosinophilia and elevated neutrophilia compared with the other two subtypes. Children belonging to this subtype had a stronger family history of asthma and suffered from more acute asthma episodes even when on treatment. Subtype 2 had high eosinophil count but was otherwise similar to subtype 1, but very different from subtype 3. The algorithm was able to differentiate the total nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum of healthy children and those who had asthma. The algorithm has 80 per cent sensitivity and 75 per cent specificity in identifying children with asthma.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10116/spanish-researchers-create-e-nose-for-detecting-colon-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10116/spanish-researchers-create-e-nose-for-detecting-colon-diseases.html Fri, 29 Dec 2017 11:45:00 +0530 A team of researchers from Spain have developed a prototype of an electronic nose that can distinguish between patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, both classified as inflammatory bowel diseases. With the developed prototype, researchers want to contribute to the creation of non-invasive diagnosing systems. The device called Moosy 32 eNose can detect volatile organic compounds which act as diagnostic markers or to reveal the intensity level of the disease's activity. The concentration of these components can be a differentiating marker between certain bowel diseases and their accurate detection by way of non-invasive devices such as the electronic nose would be a great step forward for the detection and monitoring of the evolution of these diseases. The system is being tested for further medical use, such as detecting prostate cancer. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10110/experts-in-the-us-design-a-skin-patch-for-diabetes-management.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10110/experts-in-the-us-design-a-skin-patch-for-diabetes-management.html Thu, 28 Dec 2017 10:45:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) in the US has developed a pain-free skin patch containing dissolvable compounds that responds to blood chemistry to manage glucose automatically. The biochemical formula of mineralised compounds in the patch responds to sugar levels for days at a time. In a proof-of-concept study performed with mice, the researchers showed that the biochemically formulated patch of dissolvable microneedles can make the management of Type-2 diabetes much easier. The skin patch can deliver drugs to regulate blood sugar in diabetics for days at a time, potentially putting an end to the need for painful daily injections and needle pricks. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10105/defending-against-environmental-stressors-may-shorten-lifespan-nih-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10105/defending-against-environmental-stressors-may-shorten-lifespan-nih-research.html Wed, 27 Dec 2017 12:20:00 +0530 According to the new research by National Institutes of Health, a shorter life may be the price an organism pays for coping with the natural assaults of daily living. The scientists used fruit flies to examine the relationship between lifespan and signaling proteins that defend the body against environmental stressors, such as bacterial infections and cold temperatures. Since flies and mammals share some of the same molecular pathways, the work may demonstrate how the environment affects longevity in humans. The research identified Methuselah-like receptor-10 (Mthl10), a protein that moderates how flies respond to inflammation. The finding provides evidence for one theory of aging, which suggests longevity depends on a delicate balance between proinflammatory proteins, thought to promote aging, and anti-inflammatory proteins, believed to prolong life. These inflammatory factors are influenced by what an organism experiences in its every day environment. Corresponding author Stephen Shears, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) at NIH said, “Mthl10 appears on the surface of insect cells and acts as the binding partner to a signaling molecule known as growth-blocking peptide (GBP). Once Mthl10 and GBP connect, they initiate the production of proinflammatory proteins, which, in turn, shortens the fly’s life. However, removing the Mthl10 gene makes the flies unable to produce Mthl10 protein and prevents the binding of GBP to cells. As a result, the flies experienced low levels of inflammation and longer lifespans.” “Fruit flies without Mthl10 live up to 25 percent longer. But, they exhibit higher death rates when exposed to environmental stressors. The research reveals that the ability of a young organism to defend against repeated environmental stress may be an empty victory, because the animal may not live as long. He believes the research may contribute to the discovery of drugs that target excess inflammation induced by signaling proteins in humans, extending life”, he added. NIEHS visiting fellow and first author Eui Jae Sung said, “When he started the project in 2013, scientists did not know what cell-surface protein was working with GBP to promote inflammation. So, Sung began testing 1700 compounds that could individually suppress the production of every known cell-surface protein in the fruit fly. He looked for the protein that prevented GBP from binding and activating inflammation. He found several candidates, but all were eliminated during further testing, except Mthl10.” "After verifying that Mthl10 binds to GBP, our Japanese collaborators confirmed it through experiments in fruit flies," Sung said. Shears also added that, their study proposes that the human counterpart to GBP is a protein called defensin BD2, but the nature of its binding partner is currently unknown. It is not always possible for humans to prevent illness and environmental stress from influencing the level of inflammation they experience. But, there are other steps they can take. Another part of our fruit fly study shows that avoiding excess calorie intake, basically not over-indulging in too much carbohydrate and fat, may reduce levels of proinflammatory proteins."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10104/yale-researchers-devise-diagnostic-test-for-viral-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10104/yale-researchers-devise-diagnostic-test-for-viral-diseases.html Wed, 27 Dec 2017 11:35:00 +0530 According to a new study conducted by researchers at Yale University, a new test that measures RNA or protein molecules in human cells can accurately identify viral infection as a cause of respiratory symptoms. To identify biomarkers of viral infection applicable to many different respiratory viruses, the researchers tested human nasal cells in the laboratory. With genetic sequencing techniques, the researchers screened the cells for mRNAs and proteins that increase when a virus is present. Performed with a simple nasal swab, the test could prove to be a quicker, cheaper way to diagnose respiratory viral illnesses than current methods. The test could also help reduce the misuse of antibiotics to treat viral infections. The research team's goal is to create a gene- or protein-based test available for general use within one to five years. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10097/inflammation-drives-progression-of-alzheimers-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10097/inflammation-drives-progression-of-alzheimers-research.html Tue, 26 Dec 2017 12:50:00 +0530 According to a new study by scientists of the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) and the University of Bonn now published in the journal Nature, inflammatory mechanisms caused by the brain's immune system drive the progression of Alzheimer's disease. These findings provide new insights into pathogenetic mechanisms that are believed to hold potential for tackling Alzheimer's before symptoms manifest. The researchers envision that one day this may lead to new ways of treatment. Further institutions both from Europe and the US also contributed to the current results. Alzheimer's disease is a devastating neurodegenerative condition ultimately leading to dementia. An effective treatment does not yet exist. The disease is associated with the aberrant aggregation of small proteins called "Amyloid-beta" (Abeta) that accumulate in the brain and appear to harm neurons. In recent years, studies revealed that deposits of Abeta, known as "plaques," trigger inflammatory mechanisms by the brain's innate immune system. However, the precise processes that lead to neurodegeneration and progression of pathology have thus far not been fully understood. Prof. Michael Heneka, a senior researcher at the DZNE and Director of the Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Gerontopsychiatry at the University of Bonn said, "Deposition and spreading of Abeta pathology likely precede the appearance of clinical symptoms such as memory problems by decades. Therefore, a better understanding of these processes might be a key for novel therapeutic approaches. Such treatments would target Alzheimer's at an early stage, before cognitive deficits manifest.” Previous work by the group that was published in Nature in 2013, had established that the molecular complex NLRP3, which is an innate immune sensor, is activated in brains of Alzheimer's patients and contributes to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's in the murine model. NLRP3 is a so-called inflammasome that triggers production of highly pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, upon activation, NLRP3 forms large signaling complexes with the adapter protein ASC, which are called "ASC specks" that can be released from cells. Prof. Eicke Latz, director of the Institute of Innate Immunity and member of the cluster of excellence "ImmunoSensation" at the University of Bonn said, "The release of ASC specks from activated cells has so far only been documented in macrophages and their relevance in disease processes has so far remained a mystery.” In the current study, it was demonstrated that ASC specks are also released from activated immune cells in the brain, the "microglia." Moreover, the findings provide a direct molecular link to classical hallmarks of neurodegeneration. “We found that ASC specks bind to Abeta in the extracellular space and promote aggregation of Abeta, thus directly linking innate immune activation with the progression of pathology," Heneka says. “Additionally, analysis of human brain material indicates at several levels that inflammation and Abeta pathology may interact in a similar fashion in humans. Together our findings suggest that brain inflammation is not just a bystander phenomenon, but a strong contributor to disease progression. Therefore, targeting this immune response will be a novel treatment modality for Alzheimer's”, Heneka added.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10092/iiser-iit-researchers-use-ai-for-early-cancer-detection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10092/iiser-iit-researchers-use-ai-for-early-cancer-detection.html Tue, 26 Dec 2017 11:40:00 +0530 A team of researchers from Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata and Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) has developed an artificial intelligence-based algorithm that not only differentiates normal and precancerous tissue but also makes it possible to tell different stages of progression of the disease within a few minutes and with accuracy exceeding 95 per cent. This becomes possible as the refractive index of the tissue is different in the case of healthy and precancerous cells, and this keeps varying as the disease progresses. The team has quantified the changes in tissue refractive index using a statistical biomarker called multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MFDFA). While MFDFA provides quantification of light scattered from the tissues, artificial intelligence-based algorithms such as hidden Markov model (HMM) and support vector machine (SVM) help in discriminating the data and classifying healthy and different grades of cancer tissues. The team is expanding the investigations to study in vivo samples for precancer detection, with an accuracy of more than 90 per cent. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10086/iit-h-researchers-create-an-artificial-skin.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10086/iit-h-researchers-create-an-artificial-skin.html Fri, 22 Dec 2017 11:35:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology-Hyderabad (IIT-H) has developed a pressure-sensitive artificial e-skin which can be mounted on the skin that has lost functionality to recreate the sense of touch, sense pressure and can be stretched.  The low-cost, biodegradable electronic skin mimics the functionality of the human skin in terms of sensing even minor pressure and strain variations and is based on natural rubber. Made from natural rubber and carbon nano tube, the e-skin is an example of nanotechnology being used for durable and affordable health care in the country. Though the marking aspect of the e-skin has not been finalised, the initial response has been encouraging. Professor Sushmee Badhulika, Associate Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering was last week honoured with the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) Young Engineer Award in this connection. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10082/iisc-team-to-develop-novel-diagnostic-technology.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10082/iisc-team-to-develop-novel-diagnostic-technology.html Thu, 21 Dec 2017 12:15:00 +0530 Bhushan J Toley, an Assistant Professor at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, in the chemical engineering department has recently won the Grand Challenges Exploration grant of $100,000. He has won this grant for the development of a new technology that could improve the diagnosis and monitoring of infectious diseases in remote areas. In 2003, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation launched Grand Challenges in Global Health, which focuses on 14 major scientific challenges that, if solved, could lead to key advances in preventing, treating, and curing diseases of the developing world. The technology being developed by the IISc team would be used to dry and stabilise sputum, urine, or blood samples collected in rural and remote locations so that they can be stored for a long period of time. The dried samples can then be transported and used for DNA or RNA analysis in a laboratory for the detection of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis. Drying the samples would help protect the DNA, but this requires a sterile method that can handle larger volumes of multiple types of specimens. The technology is at a very early stage. However, the idea is novel and has not been used for sample collection before. IISc had filed a provisional patent application to protect it and in the next one year, the team plans to file a full patent application. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10080/nih-study-finds-clues-about-why-common-cancer-drug-causes-hearing-loss.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10080/nih-study-finds-clues-about-why-common-cancer-drug-causes-hearing-loss.html Thu, 21 Dec 2017 11:25:00 +0530 Scientists at NIH have found a new way to explain the hearing loss caused by cisplatin, a powerful drug used to treat many forms of cancer. Using a highly sensitive technique to measure and map cisplatin in mouse and human inner ear tissues, researchers found that forms of cisplatin build up in the inner ear. They also found a region in the inner ear that could be targeted for efforts to prevent hearing loss from cisplatin. The study is published and was supported by the National Institute on Deafness and other Communications Disorders (NIDCD) which was part of the National Institutes of Health. Cisplatin and similar platinum-based drugs are prescribed for an estimated 10 to 20 percent of all cancer patients. The NIH’s National Cancer Institute supported research that led to the 1965 discovery of cisplatin and continued development leading to its success as an essential weapon in the battle against cancer. The drugs cause permanent hearing loss in 40 to 80 percent of adult patients and at least half of children who receive the drug. The new findings help explain why cisplatin is so toxic to the inner ear, and why hearing loss gets worse after each treatment, can occur long after treatment, and is more severe in children than adults. James F. Battey, Director of NIDCD said, “Hearing loss can have a major impact on a person’s life. Many adults with hearing loss struggle with social isolation and depression, among other conditions. Children who lose their hearing often have problems with social development and keeping up at school. Helping to preserve hearing in cancer patients who benefit from these drugs would be a major contribution to the quality of their lives.”  Lisa L. Cunningham, Chief of the NIDCD Section on Sensory Cell Biology, led the research team, which included scientists from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS). In most areas of the body, cisplatin is eliminated within days or weeks after treatment, but in the inner ear, the drug remains much longer. The team developed a mouse model that represents cisplatin-induced hearing loss seen in human patients. By looking at inner ear tissue of mice after the first, second, and third cisplatin treatment, researchers saw that cisplatin remained in the mouse inner ear much longer than in most other body tissues, and that it builds up with each successive treatment. They also studied inner ear tissue donated by deceased adult patients who had been treated with cisplatin, and observed that cisplatin is retained in the inner ear many months or years after treatment. In addition, when they examined inner ear tissue from one child, they found cisplatin buildup that was even higher than seen in adults. These results suggest that the inner ear readily takes up cisplatin, but it has very little ability to remove the drug. “Our findings suggest that if we can prevent cisplatin from entering the stria vascularis in the inner ear during treatment, we may be able to protect cancer patients from developing cisplatin-induced hearing loss,” said Cunningham. In mice and human tissues, the research team saw the highest buildup of cisplatin in a part of the inner ear called the stria vascularis, which helps maintain the positive electrical charge in inner ear fluid that certain cells need to detect sound. The research team determined that the accumulation of cisplatin in the stria vascularis portion of the inner ear contributed to cisplatin-related hearing loss.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10069/indian-researchers-collaborate-to-develop-new-cancer-drug.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10069/indian-researchers-collaborate-to-develop-new-cancer-drug.html Wed, 20 Dec 2017 10:50:00 +0530 Researchers from eight different groups spread over labs in Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram, Bengaluru, and a couple of Indian scientists at the Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, have designed and synthesised ‘Disarib’, a drug which induces the death of cancer cells. Preliminary tests have been carried out as well. It has been patented, a first for a home-grown drug developed for targeted therapy of cancer. During the preliminary tests, the molecule was found effective against a range of cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma, breast cancer, ovarian cancer and colon cancer. To start with, the efficacy will be checked out on cancer cells of patients suffering from leukaemia and lymphoma. Besides Disarib, new drugs with similar action against cancer cells will be tested for toxicity and efficacy as part of the new project. The Department of Biotechnology has approved this collaborative effort to produce the first home-grown drug, which has been found to be better than the one approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), for it does not set off any side effects. Results of the study approved by the Department of Biotechnology will decide when the drug will be available in the market. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10055/nccs-scientists-to-increase-bone-marrow-transplantation-efficiency.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10055/nccs-scientists-to-increase-bone-marrow-transplantation-efficiency.html Tue, 19 Dec 2017 11:40:00 +0530 A team of scientists at Pune’s National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) have found novel ways to rejuvenate the haematopoietic stem cells taken from aged donors and restore their functionality prior to transplantation to improve their engrafting efficiency. The team co-cultured aged haematopoietic stem cells and young mesenchymal stromal cells for 36 hours. The brief exposure was sufficient to rejuvenate the stem cells and improve their functionality. The improved functionality of stem cells increases their engraftment capacity when transplanted and improves the success rate of bone marrow transplantation. Currently, haematopoietic stem cells taken from older donors for bone marrow transplantation have lower efficiency and capacity to engraft in recipients thus limiting their usefulness. The team’s work on mouse models has shown that in vitro rejuvenation of aged haematopoietic stem cells will expand the pool of donors for bone marrow transplantation and other regenerative therapies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10051/iit-researchers-create-a-bioengineered-liver.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10051/iit-researchers-create-a-bioengineered-liver.html Mon, 18 Dec 2017 13:50:00 +0530 A group of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have created a bioengineered liver model within a 3D silk scaffold. The silk scaffold is capable of supporting growth, distribution as well as sustaining the functionality of liver cells. The researchers tested scaffolds made of mulberry and non-mulberry silk fibroins and a blend of the two silk varieties in petri dishes in the lab and in animal models. Unlike mulberry silk, non-mulberry silk has cell binding sites (RGD) that help in better cell attachment and proliferation. Once successful in animal models and humans, the scaffolds can potentially be used for generating a bioartificial liver for human transplantation. The 3-D platforms may also come in handy for high-throughput drug testing by pharmaceutical companies. Currently, animals are used for carrying out such tests. A non-animal model made of human liver cells will have distinct advantages and also reduce the number of animals sacrificed. They can also be used for creating cirrhosis disease models for drug development. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10047/iit-mumbai-researcher-to-treat-cancer-at-just-rs-10000-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10047/iit-mumbai-researcher-to-treat-cancer-at-just-rs-10000-.html Fri, 15 Dec 2017 17:40:00 +0530 Dr Rohit Srivastava, from IIT Mumbai, is working on a technique based on gold nano-structures that would offer treatment at just Rs.10,000. In order to continue research on this promising procedure, the scientist is now resorting to crowd funding and has started a page for this. Speaking at a session on ‘Nano Medicine’ at Bengaluru India Nano-2017, he said the technology, when fully developed and tested, will help in healing cancer without surgery or chemotherapy. It is among the new techniques to cure cancer being developed and is expected to drastically reduce the treatment cost and cut-off hospital stay. “Many of the patients affected by cancer have to spend in lakhs for proper diagnosis and treatment,” he said, adding that average cost comes around 3 to 5 lakh per patient, said a news report of The New Indian Express. According to Rohit, nanoshells filled with anti-cancer drug and coated with gold nano-particles, are targeted at the cancer cells. Then, the nanoshells are heated to around 50 degrees using Near Infrared Light, causing the shell to disintegrate and deliver the drug at the cancer site. He said that Phase 1 trials were complete and they were preparing for Phase 2 testing of the procedure. Prof Shanthikumar V Nair, Dean, Centre for Nanosciences, Kochi, said nano medicine targeting cancer cells clearly shrank the size of the tumour. “Current search is exploring the possibility of delivering multiple drugs using a single capsule,” he said. The crowdfunding page seeks funds to the tune of Rs. 7 crore. Forty-five days after the fundraising page was started, they have been able to raise Rs. 63,000.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10042/drug-hastens-multiple-food-allergy-treatment-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10042/drug-hastens-multiple-food-allergy-treatment-research.html Fri, 15 Dec 2017 14:55:00 +0530 Team of researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine maintain that combining the antibody drug omalizumab with a procedure to desensitize children to multiple food allergies is safe and effective. The research published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology showed omalizumab increased the speed and safety of treatment for multiple food allergies issues. Dr. Sharon Chinthrajah, the study’s senior author said, “We were excited to see the clinical efficacy of this combination approach using omalizumab and multiple foods.” Authors said the trial used a placebo-controlled, randomized design to determine whether omalizumab made it safer and faster for children to receive oral immunotherapy to desensitize them to multiple foods simultaneously. The results also showed at the end of the nine-month trial that 83 percent of children receiving omalizumab tolerated at least two grams of two different food allergens while only 33 percent receiving a placebo reached the same level of tolerance. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10039/us-scientists-develop-detection-test-for-2-cancer-types.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10039/us-scientists-develop-detection-test-for-2-cancer-types.html Fri, 15 Dec 2017 12:30:00 +0530 A group of researchers at Georgia State University in the US have developed a new blood test for diagnosing lymphoma and melanoma. The test involves the use of mid-infrared spectroscopy, which is used to characterise biological samples at molecular level, to examine blood serum. Based on their findings, the researchers concluded that the test has potential as a diagnostic technique for screening both types of cancer. Since early diagnosis and treatment of the condition could improve chances of survival, the new test is being developed as a quick and reliable alternative to existing time-consuming, invasive and costly diagnostic regimen. The research team believes that the findings can be used to develop diagnostics for the health care of melanoma and lymphoma patients by analysing body fluid samples collected with relatively low risks.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10033/indian-scientists-to-develop-diagnostic-test-for-prostate-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10033/indian-scientists-to-develop-diagnostic-test-for-prostate-cancer.html Thu, 14 Dec 2017 11:20:00 +0530 A group of scientists from King George’s Medical University, Centre of Biomedical Research, Lucknow University, and Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow have evaluated the usefulness of Macrophage Inhibitory Cytokine-1 (MIC-1) protein in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. The team has identified a sensitive and specific diagnostic marker for prostate cancer that may differentiate between cancerous and non-cancerous prostate enlargement. The commonly used diagnostic test is to check the level of Prostate-Specific Antigen or PSA, in serum. Though it is a reliable marker, it is not confined to prostate cancer only. PSA levels increase in benign prostatic hyperplasia also, which is a non-cancerous increase in the size of the prostate gland. Although further validation needs to be done on larger datasets, scientists believe MIC-1 could be a potential marker that might be routinely used in the laboratory for prostate cancer diagnosis with or without PSA. With further analyses, MIC-1 screening might be clinically useful in distinguishing between grades of prostate cancer too. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10022/us-chemists-design-an-injectable-dye-for-imaging.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10022/us-chemists-design-an-injectable-dye-for-imaging.html Wed, 13 Dec 2017 10:45:00 +0530 A group of chemists at the Washington State University in the US have created an injectable dye that illuminates molecules with near infrared light, making it easier to see what is going on deep inside the body. The new dye will help medical researchers track the progression of a wide array of diseases, such as cancer. Near infrared light passes right through the human body, making it almost invisible and making dyes that respond to this color of light perfect for bio-imaging. The new Washington Red dye is a unique and inexpensive dye that can be potentially used in many areas. The dye could be used to track the progression of a wide variety of diseases and to study specific biological processes, such as inflammation in the heart or the buildup of tumors cells, which could eventually lead to the design of new drugs and medical therapies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10004/iisc-researchers-use-aluminium-metal-to-kill-bacteria.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/10004/iisc-researchers-use-aluminium-metal-to-kill-bacteria.html Mon, 11 Dec 2017 11:15:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru used etched aluminium to kill both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant bacteria and also prevent bacteria from attaching and growing on the surfaces. The researchers used sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide of different concentrations to etch the aluminium alloy for different time periods, and were able to keep the surfaces nearly free of Gram-negative bacteria. Bacterial isolates of E. coli and S. aureus were used for the antibacterial studies. Though only fewer spherical-shaped S. aureus were killed by surface topography, there was significant reduction of the bacteria on the surface. There was one-third reduction in S. aureus adhering on the surface that had only micro-features, and one-tenth reduction on surfaces had both nano and micro-features. The researchers feel that now hospital-acquired infections can be reduced by using the etched aluminium surfaces in ICUs, operation theatres and other places as well as by using them on regularly used objects such as taps, bedside tables, hand rails to name a few where transmission of bacterial infections is high.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9997/new-forecast-shows-6-million-with-alzheimers-disease-cognitive-impairment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9997/new-forecast-shows-6-million-with-alzheimers-disease-cognitive-impairment.html Fri, 08 Dec 2017 13:50:00 +0530 Using new methodology, team of scientists at National Institute of Health calculate that approximately 6 million American adults have Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment, which can sometimes be a precursor to the disease. The estimate, funded by the National Institutes of Health, also forecasts that these numbers will more than double to 15 million by 2060, as the population ages. This new forecast differs from earlier estimates. For the first time, scientists have attempted to account for numbers of people with biomarkers or other evidence of possible preclinical Alzheimer’s disease, but who do not have impairment or Alzheimer’s dementia. In the Alzheimer’s affected brain, abnormal levels of the beta-amyloid protein clump together to form plaques (seen in brown) that collect between neurons and disrupt cell function. Abnormal collections of the tau protein accumulate and form tangles (seen in blue) within neurons, harming synaptic communication between nerve cells. People with such signs of preclinical disease are at increased risk to develop Alzheimer’s dementia. The researchers say they factored those rates of transition in their multi-state model; further, the model can estimate the impact of some possible prevention efforts on the number of future cases. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9995/us-researchers-use-3d-printed-structures-to-mimic-human-organs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9995/us-researchers-use-3d-printed-structures-to-mimic-human-organs.html Fri, 08 Dec 2017 12:05:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the University of Minnesota has 3D printed lifelike artificial organ models that mimic the exact anatomical structure, mechanical properties, and look and feel of real organs. These patient-specific organ models, which include integrated soft sensors, can be used for practicing surgeries to improve surgical outcomes in thousands of patients worldwide. Currently, most 3D printed organ models are made using hard plastics or rubbers. This limits their application for accurate prediction and replication of the organ's physical behavior during surgery.  The research team took MRI scans and tissue samples from three patients' prostates and tested the tissue and developed customized silicone-based inks that can be tuned to precisely match the mechanical properties of each patient's prostate tissue. These unique inks were used in a custom-built 3D printer.  In the future, researchers hope to use this new method to 3D print lifelike models of more complicated organs, using multiple inks. Researchers wish to create bionic organs using the method of 3D printing some day. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9982/iit-d-researchers-design-a-breath-analyser.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9982/iit-d-researchers-design-a-breath-analyser.html Wed, 06 Dec 2017 18:00:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D) have developed a low cost state-of-the-art indigenous version of breath analyser that can be used to detect alcohol content in blood from one’s breath sample. Smart alcohol sensors have been developed and implanted in the device which can detect the percentage of alcohol or ethanol in the blood in parts per million, in one’s breath. The alcohol sensors are made up of small silicone based chips which can be produced in large numbers thus reducing the cost per chip.  The most attractive feature of this sensor is room temperature operation, which has been achieved by using a combination of metal oxide and silicon nanostructures. The researchers claim that the device has quite good sensitivity towards ethanol (alcohol) and also high level of selectivity as compared to the sensors available in the market. With high selectivity the breathalyser would work with more accuracy as it can detect ethanol even if in small traces in one's breathe. This will help in differentiating ethanol from other compounds like methanol, acetone, toluene, benzene etc. that may be present in one’s breath and also in the atmosphere. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9977/us-researchers-use-dna-sequencing-for-diagnosing-kidney-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9977/us-researchers-use-dna-sequencing-for-diagnosing-kidney-diseases.html Wed, 06 Dec 2017 11:45:00 +0530 According to a new study by the Columbia University Medical Center, DNA sequencing could soon become part of the routine diagnostic workup for patients with chronic kidney disease. Diagnosis typically relies on clinical, rather than genetic, evidence. Even with a kidney biopsy, it can be difficult to identify different subtypes of the disease. As a result, the precise cause of kidney failure often remains unknown. The researchers found that DNA sequencing could identify the genetic cause of the disease and influence treatment for many patients with chronic kidney disease. The researchers also identified three patients who harbored a mutation in a gene not previously associated with kidney failure, thereby defining a new genetic cause of kidney disease. The study demonstrated that whole exome sequencing may offer real clinical value in diagnosing and managing patients with kidney disease, especially those with a family history of kidney problems or those with an unknown cause of disease. Additional studies, in larger and more diverse patient populations, could help better define which categories of patients would benefit most from genomic sequencing in their clinical workup for kidney disease. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9957/scientists-study-the-mechanism-of-maintaining-blood-triglycerides.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9957/scientists-study-the-mechanism-of-maintaining-blood-triglycerides.html Tue, 05 Dec 2017 10:50:00 +0530 A team of scientists from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) Mumbai, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru and Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Pune has deciphered a crucial mechanism by which liver maintains a balance of triglycerides in blood. Researchers have identified the role of a motor protein, Kinesin, in this mechanism. Kinesin acts as a carrier of lipid droplets that contain fat molecules and assists in transport and secretion of triglycerides outside the liver cells.  During fasting, kinesin detaches from lipid droplets. There is no secretion and thus fat accumulates in liver while the reverse happens after eating. This maintains the amount of circulating fat in the blood. Apart from its role in regulating the fat secretion, the team has found that Kinesin is important for replication of hepatitis C virus that infects liver. The researchers suggest that a targeted interference against kinesin on lipid droplets can be used to block hepatitis infection. The team plans to take this direction of research further.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9948/medical-experts-offer-fresh-hope-for-surviving-migraine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9948/medical-experts-offer-fresh-hope-for-surviving-migraine.html Mon, 04 Dec 2017 10:40:00 +0530 A group of researchers in the US has identified a medication that can prevent the severe headaches before they start. The drug called Fremanezumab, developed by Teva Pharmaceuticals, is a biological agent that binds to and blocks the action of a migraine-associated protein called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Mounting evidence of its importance in migraines has made this peptide a focal point of research and drug development. The peptide is released at high levels during migraine in response to inflammation, and triggers a cascade effect that stimulates more of its release. This results in increasing sensitivity of the brain to pain. By blocking this peptide, doctors hope to break the cycle of increasing inflammation and increased pain sensitivity that contributes to migraine headaches. Another study was also conducted tested the effectiveness of the drug erenumab, co-developed by Novartis and Amgen, in people suffering from migraine. Both drugs have been submitted for approval by the Food and Drug Administration, and their manufacturers hope to introduce them to the market in 2018. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9933/iit-m-team-designs-nano-cocoons-for-drug-delivery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9933/iit-m-team-designs-nano-cocoons-for-drug-delivery.html Thu, 30 Nov 2017 16:25:00 +0530 Scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras have designed ultra-small cocoons that can serve as a potential drug delivery system in future using a commercially available polymer and tiny carbon fibres that are thinner than human hair as ingredients. The scientists used bio-compatible polymer, polyethylene glycol (PEG), used not just in healthcare and cosmetics but also as coating and paint material, and multi-walled carbon nanotubes to these nano biomaterials. The scientists were able to successfully insert curcumin, the active ingredient of turmeric that is found to have anti-cancerous properties, in these nano-cocoons, and also deliver them inside lab-bred brain cancer tissues. The team feels that apart from exploring the optimum drug loading and drug release, there is the need to find out whether these cocoons are suitable for targeting different cells in the human body. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9913/uk-scientists-identify-microorganisms-to-cure-hiv.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9913/uk-scientists-identify-microorganisms-to-cure-hiv.html Wed, 29 Nov 2017 10:45:00 +0530 A group of scientists from the Newcastle University in the UK have found actinobacteria species with potential to treat HIV in Chile’s Atacama Desert, one of the highest and driest places on Earth. It is notable that one strain of bacteria found is proven to be an inhibitor of an enzyme that allows the HIV virus to reproduce itself. This could provide essential clues for the development of anti-HIV drugs. The researchers believe that the discovery of new bacteria could potentially be used to create new treatments as work continues to tackle the antibiotics problem. The team is focussing their study on actinobacteria as they are keystone species in our ecosystems and are acknowledged as an unrivalled source of bioactive compounds. This microbial seed bank represents an enormous untapped resource for biotechnology programmes, especially in an era where resistance to existing antibiotics is rapidly becoming a major threat to global health. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9904/researchers-at-sctimst-develop-a-nanocluster-for-brain-imaging.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9904/researchers-at-sctimst-develop-a-nanocluster-for-brain-imaging.html Tue, 28 Nov 2017 10:30:00 +0530 A team of researchers at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), Thiruvanathapuram, have developed a gold nanocluster that is able to cross the blood–brain barrier. The fluorescent gold nanocluster of size 1.7 nanometre can be used both as a carrier of drugs to the brain and for imaging the brain for tumours and other disorders. To enable the nanocluster to cross the barrier, the researchers coated the gold nanoparticles with glutathione that facilitates the uptake of amino acids into the brain. For drug delivery studies, a model drug pilocarpine (a seizure-inducing agent) added to the nanoparticle was injected into the mice. The animals showed the preliminary neurological symptoms, but never had seizures, indicating that the gold nanoclusters released the drug slowly. The researchers claim that the new nanocluster can be used for the early stage diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases when the barrier is not disrupted or loosened. More studies are required before going for human clinical trials since the blood–brain barrier varies from species to species. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9902/light-therapy-might-help-people-with-bipolar-depression-says-a-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9902/light-therapy-might-help-people-with-bipolar-depression-says-a-study.html Mon, 27 Nov 2017 18:35:00 +0530 Researchers are exploring light therapy to see if it can also help treat depression that’s part of bipolar disorder. Although it’s unclear how lack of light might cause the winter blues; some researchers suggest that the dark days affect the production of serotonin in the skin. The idea is to replace the sunshine lost with a daily dose of bright white artificial light. The light box is more like a screen of desktop computer and some people call it happy box. To test the usefulness of treating bipolar disorder, researchers at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University enrolled 46 patients who had at least moderate bipolar depression. Half of participants were assigned to receive bright light therapy. The other half received a dim red placebo light. They also kept taking their regular medication. In an effort to insure lack of bias, the placebo group was instructed not to search for information about light therapy and not to discuss the appearance of their light with anyone else in the study. All participants were told to place the light box about one foot from their face for a 15-minute session to start. Every week, exposure was increased until it reached a dose of 60 minutes per day. Patients didn't have to stare at the box, says psychiatrist Dorothy Sit, lead author of the study, published last month in the American Journal of Psychiatry. They simply had to be in front of it. "They could read the paper, a journal, or look at their bills," she says. Patients with SAD typically do their light therapy first thing in the morning, when they awake. But earlier research by Sit found that early morning light therapy could switch people with bipolar disorder into a manic phase. So in the new study, she decided to have patients engage in light therapy midday, between noon and 2:30 p.m. After four to six weeks, Sit found 68 percent of patients using bright white light therapy achieved remission of depression compared to 22 percent of patients who received the placebo light. For the bright-light patients, "they returned to work, they were able to look after things at home, they were functioning back to their normal selves again," says Sit. Sit and other researchers say it's important that people with bipolar disorder not try light therapy on their own. First, the results in this study are "intriguing, but highly preliminary," according to Al Lewy, a psychiatrist and professor emeritus at Oregon Health and Science University who was one of the pioneers of light therapy to treat SAD. And given that light therapy can trigger hypomania, Lewy says that the therapy should be conducted under a doctor's supervision, preferably a psychiatrist. "If there's the slightest chance that a patient will switch into a manic episode, then their doctor can be there to treat them." Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks, according to the National institute of Mental Health. About 3 percent of the U.S. adult population suffer from the disorder. This study "offers a glimmer into a new pathway for treatment," says psychiatrist Ken Duckworth, medical director of the patient advocacy group National Alliance on Mental Illness. That's needed, he says, because "bipolar depression is one of the most difficult types of depression to treat." Medications such as mood stabilizers and antidepressants that work well to treat the manic phase of bipolar disorder are not effective in treating the depressive phase, Duckworth says. And people with bipolar disorder "spend most of their time on the depressive end of the spectrum." Sit says it's important to see her findings duplicated in future research, which should also investigate how the light affects the body's circadian rhythms at different times of day, and how that affects bipolar symptoms. This study is reported by Shots of NPR Science Desk. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9889/bengaluru-scientist-develops-a-novel-cancer-therapy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9889/bengaluru-scientist-develops-a-novel-cancer-therapy.html Mon, 27 Nov 2017 10:40:00 +0530 Dr. R V Kumar at Bengaluru's Centre for Advanced Research and Development (CARD) has created a drug delivery system that will target only cancer cells and leave healthy cells unharmed. This breakthrough system has been developed to reduce the side-effects of chemotherapy. The patented system is contained in a whole-body device called Cellular Focused Resonance Nano-Permeabilisation or Cellforn. Cellforn creates temporary nano pores that can receive drugs, allowing delivery to the cell membrane of the cancer tissue, identified with pretreatment proton density evaluations. The system creates temporary receptors or holes induced by fast radio bursts that is timed and delivered to target lesions. Concentrations of target drugs are delivered based on their molecular weight. Cellforn also prevents the cancer tissue from developing immunity to the drugs. The system could make drugs 10 to 70 times more effective as they can be highly localised and used on tissues and organs inside the body, non-invasively. After getting a US patent in April this year, Kumar claims his precision-targeted drug delivery system is market-ready. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9878/jnu-researchers-develop-a-novel-molecule-against-malaria.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9878/jnu-researchers-develop-a-novel-molecule-against-malaria.html Fri, 24 Nov 2017 10:35:00 +0530 A team of researchers from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) have deciphered a multiprotein complex that is involved in the invasion of the red blood cells (RBCs) by malaria parasites. For the very first time, a peptide molecule has been identified that can effectively prevent the interaction between malaria parasites and receptors found on RBCs thereby preventing the parasites from invading the RBCs and causing the disease. The molecule targets a specific receptor called cyclophilin B found on the surface of RBCs that are used by the parasites to bind and invade them. Instead of targeting the parasite, the peptide molecule binds to cyclophilin B receptors, and due to this the parasites are unable to bind to the receptors and invade the cells. After deciphering the mechanism of parasite entry, the team is now working to reduce the dosage to use the peptide as a drug. The researchers feel that it is easier to take the drug than the peptide to clinical testing by making necessary modifications. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9874/nih-scientists-find-infectious-prion-protein-in-skin-of-cjd-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9874/nih-scientists-find-infectious-prion-protein-in-skin-of-cjd-patients.html Thu, 23 Nov 2017 14:35:00 +0530 National Institutes of Health scientists and collaborators at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, have detected abnormal prion protein in the skin of nearly two dozen people who died from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). The scientists also exposed a dozen healthy mice to skin extracts from two of the CJD patients, and all developed prion disease. The study results, published in Science Translational Medicine, raise questions about the possible transmissibility of prion diseases via medical procedures involving skin, and whether skin samples might be used to detect prion disease. CJD is an incurable — and ultimately fatal  —  transmissible, neurodegenerative disorder in the family of prion diseases. Prion diseases originate when normally harmless prion protein molecules become abnormal and gather in clusters and filaments in the human body and brain. The accumulation of these clusters has been associated with tissue damage that leaves sponge-like holes in the brain. Most people associate prion diseases with the brain, although scientists have found abnormal infectious prion protein in other organs, including the spleen, kidney, lungs and liver. Sporadic CJD is known to be transmissible by invasive medical procedures involving the central nervous system and cornea, but transmission via skin had not been a common concern. Using a test for prion diseases known as Real-Time Quaking-Induced Conversion (RT-QuIC), scientists analysed skin tissue from 38 patients — 23 who had died from CJD, and 15 who died of other causes. They also collected brain tissue from the 23 CJD patients and from seven individuals who died of other causes. RT-QuIC correctly detected abnormal prion protein in each CJD patient sample tested and in none of the non-CJD group. The scientists noted that in the CJD group, the “seeding potential” for normal prion protein to convert to abnormal was 1,000 to 100,000 times lower in skin than brain tissue. The scientists then exposed humanized laboratory mice to either brain or skin extracts from two of the CJD patients. All 12 mice inoculated with brain tissue developed prion disease, as did all 12 inoculated with skin extracts, though disease in the skin group took about twice as long — roughly 400 days — to develop. The group also reported that brain degeneration in both groups of infected mice was similar. Byron Caughey, senior investigator at NIAID’s Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) who helped oversee the study said, “Perspective is important when interpreting these outcomes. This study used humanized mice with tissue extracts directly inoculated into the brain, so the system was highly primed for infection. There is no evidence that transmission can occur in real-world situations via casual skin contact. However, the results raise transmission questions that warrant further study.” “Our objective has always been to facilitate RT-QuIC testing using the most broadly available and least-invasive sample possible, whether that is blood, skin, nasal brushings, or other samples”, he added. His research group has developed RT-QuIC over the past decade at RML, where he also has trained many international colleagues to use and advance the test. Dr. Caughey’s group is continuing its development of RT-QuIC applications, including further studies of when and where the pathological prion protein appears in skin, and how to effectively inactivate its infectious forms.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9871/yale-university-creates-new-device-for-tb-diagnosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9871/yale-university-creates-new-device-for-tb-diagnosis.html Thu, 23 Nov 2017 11:20:00 +0530 A group of engineers at Yale University in the US have teamed with UK-based biotech firm QuantuMDx Group to develop a handheld device for the quick diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). The device is able to allow easy treatment of the condition by identifying the TB cells even before they become infectious. It works on a phenomenon called dielectrophoresis that uses an attracting or repelling force to separate the cells in the absence of a charge. The sample with the TB cells receives a voltage to isolate the cells once it starts flowing through a chip present on the device. The cells are then trapped using frequency-dependent phenomena. QuantuMDx has already developed multiple prototypes that are currently being evaluated to obtain evidence for supporting the commercialisation of the device. The team is currently working on refining the technology to ensure accuracy and intend to make the device portable to facilitate its use even in resource-poor areas. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9863/iit-h-team-develops-new-diagnostic-device.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9863/iit-h-team-develops-new-diagnostic-device.html Wed, 22 Nov 2017 10:50:00 +0530 A group of researchers from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Hyderabad, has developed a new device that promises to help early detection of infectious diseases at low costs. The device uses a biochip and a nanomaterial based on Zinc Oxide. The device has been demonstrated in rapid detection of malaria. A sensing platform has been integrated with a three-electrode system within the biochip. The sensing electrode consists of antibody conjugated nanofibers. Upon recognizing the presence of even a trace of malaria’s biomarkers in blood serum, the device registers a signal. It is calibrated to assess the quantitative level of infectious biomarker present in the sample. Samples obtained from a hospital were tested using the device. The device is highly sensitive and can detect the malaria parasite at the minutest concentration. It can also help in detecting the infection on day one itself. The research team is working on taking the device to the next level wherein the diagnosis could be transmitted to a medical professional via a smart phone. In addition, the researchers are also working on a device through which several diseases could be detected in one go. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9861/uc-researchers-to-test-the-genetic-control-of-mosquitoes-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9861/uc-researchers-to-test-the-genetic-control-of-mosquitoes-in-india.html Tue, 21 Nov 2017 18:00:00 +0530 India might become testing ground for a new but controversial technology that can wipe out malaria from the country, provided the technology of U.S. developers is approved by regulators. Malaria is spread by female mosquitoes of genus Anopheles with several species capable of carrying the parasite. Using gene-editing technology, researchers at the University of California (UC) -- at its campuses in Irvine (UCI) and San Diego (UCSD) -- modified the Anopheles Stephensi mosquitoes to create a strain that resists infection by Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite that causes malaria. And employing what is called "Gene Drive", they showed that the gene which prevents malaria transmission in these genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes can be passed on to their offspring. This implies that, in several generations, the entire population of A.stephensi in the wild can potentially be replaced by one incapable of transmitting malaria. But, will this silver bullet that works in laboratory, perform in the real world? That is what the US team is planning to find out using malaria endemic India as the test-bed for their experiment under a generous $70 million (Rs 460 crore) grant from India's Tata Trusts. This is the largest foreign investment ever received by UCSD and 50 per cent more than the annual budget (Rs 300 crore) of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) -- India's nodal agency for the control of all vector-borne diseases, not just malaria; reports IANS. Suresh Subramani, professor of molecular biology at UCSD, says his team will work with a new Centre being created in India at the Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (InStem) in Bengaluru. The collaboration, he says, "Represents a fantastic opportunity to train scientists of Indian origin in the new technology of 'active genetics' for the benefit of society."    According to UCSD spokesman Mario Aguilera, "Gene Drive technology has not yet been applied for vector control anywhere." Field trials in India, if allowed, will be the world's first.    Some scientists like P.K. Rajagopalan, former head of Vector Control Research Centre in Puduchery, says GM mosquito field releases should never be allowed.    "I am 88 and have spent all my life with mosquitoes in the field," Rajagopalan told this correspondent. "Mosquitoes had evolved by natural selection long before man. To think one can replace the natural population with another is a pipe dream."    Rajagopalan noted that Sri Lanka controlled malaria "by super-active surveillance and hard field work, making the environment inhospitable for mosquito breeding. Nowhere in the world has anyone controlled mosquitoes or vector borne diseases using GM releases."    R.S. Sharma and A.C. Dhariwal, two former NVBDCP directors, agreed. "Now everybody is pushing their agenda without knowing the biology of vector diseases in the field," Sharma said.    Dhariwal wondered "why the Tata Trust is pumping money into a California University and not into the Indian Council of Medical Research". The Trust's chief trustee, R. Venkataramanan, did not reply to request for a comment.    Govindarajan Padmanabhan a renowned biochemist at the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru, is an ardent proponent of GM crops but is wary about Gene Drives.    "There are issues of stability of the genetic elements over generations and also potential for resistance development to the spread," he told this correspondent, adding: "The environmental and ecological consequences are also being debated globally and I am not sure release of such engineered mosquitoes would ever become a reality in India, where even the Bt brinjal embargo has not been lifted."    But not everyone is opposed. L.S. Shashidara, biology professor at Indian Institute of Science Engineering and Research (IISER) in Pune, does not want to throw the baby out with the bathwater.    "I am quite confident that this is a safe technology," he said. "Of course, it has to be proved beyond doubt. By not doing research itself, we may miss a great opportunity to help the society."    "This new approach is at a very early stage," admitted K. VijayRaghavan, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, responsible for ensuring safety from the use of GM organisms. "Results from laboratory studies will determine how fruitful this approach is."    It is not the first time India is sought after as testing ground for release of GM mosquitoes. In 1975 a US-funded project that planned to release them at Sonepat in Haryana for control of dengue, was terminated by the then government on suspicion that the data collected from the experiment could have implications in biological warfare.    Since then, India has been wary about similar proposals under the banner of collaboration. Permission is pending for another proposal by the British firm Oxitec for release of GM mosquitoes for controlling dengue.    Resistance to the field trial of the anti-malarial GM mosquitoes by the UCSD team is likely be fierce because of the unpredictability of Gene Drives and the potential they hold for altering entire ecosystems.    And, a recent report in the journal "Nature Methods" said: "Gene-editing technology can introduce hundreds of unintended mutations into the genome."    Recognising these pitfalls, the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine said: "Gene Drive systems raise many questions with respect to their safety related to public and environmental health due to their intrinsic qualities of rapid spread and irreversibility."    The Convention on Biological Diversity has called for "a moratorium on development and release of genetically engineered gene drives".    Gene Drives are also considered controversial because their self-propagating nature makes them an ideal tool in the hands of would-be bioterrorists to spread disease-causing organisms.    While consensus is still to emerge, the US team indicated it will not push this untested technology on unwilling people. Asked when the Indian field trial with his GM mosquitoes for malaria control will start, UCI vector biologist Anthony James told this correspondent: "It will depend entirely on community acceptance and the regulatory requirements. I do not have a way to put a date on these." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9853/mit-scientists-devise-a-cell-weighing-method.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9853/mit-scientists-devise-a-cell-weighing-method.html Tue, 21 Nov 2017 10:45:00 +0530 Researchers at MIT have now shown that they can use a new type of measurement to predict how drugs will affect cancer cells taken from multiple-myeloma patients. Furthermore, they showed that their predictions correlated with how those patients actually fared when treated with those drugs. This type of testing could help doctors predict drug responses based on measurements of cancer cell growth rates after drug exposure. The latest version of the device, which can measure 50 to 100 cells per hour, consists of a series of suspended microchannel resonator sensors that weigh cells as they flow through tiny channels. Over a 20-minute period, each cell is weighed 10 times, which is enough to get an accurate mass accumulation rate (MAR) measurement. A decrease in MAR following drug treatment means the cells are sensitive to the drug, but if they are resistant, there is no change in MAR. The MIT researchers have started a company to begin a larger clinical study for validating this approach, and they plan to investigate the possibility of using this technology for other types of cancer. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9847/scientists-at-manipal-university-use-lasers-to-study-wound-healing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9847/scientists-at-manipal-university-use-lasers-to-study-wound-healing.html Mon, 20 Nov 2017 11:00:00 +0530 A team of scientists at Manipal University in Karnataka have demonstrated the ability of laser-induced fluorescence technique to quantify the amount of collagen in healing tissues and thus analyze the recovery process. The more the collagen content, the healthier the tissue. The strategy is to study biochemical changes by exploiting tissue fluorophores or chemical compounds that can re-emit light upon light excitation. Some of the most common fluorophores are collagen, elastin, amino acids (building blocks of proteins) such as tryptophan, phenylalanine and tyrosine that are responsible for tissue autofluorescence. The injured areas are hit with a laser light of a particular wavelength and the emitted light is captured in the range, generating a spectrum. For each region, multiple spectra are generated and averaged. This yields an image that correlates with collagen content reflective of the healthy repair. Based on this knowledge, scientists have proposed a simple technique to evaluate the progression of healing using a non-invasive, fast and an easy to use tool. Scientists have promising results in tissue samples from burn patients and with further analyses and studies, they hope to have this tool routinely used for patients in the near future, ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9832/scientists-at-sastra-university-work-on-disrupting-bacterial-assemblies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9832/scientists-at-sastra-university-work-on-disrupting-bacterial-assemblies.html Fri, 17 Nov 2017 11:25:00 +0530 A team of scientists at the Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy (SASTRA) in Tamil Nadu have figured out a way to disrupt such microbial assemblies and prevent them from forming. They have synthesized a new class of glycolipid based surfactant from renewable feedstocks, monosaccharide and cashew nut shell liquid. The researchers were able to show the effectiveness of these glycolipids in breaking down the biofilms formed by bacterial assemblies. Biofilms are dense, sticky mat like assemblies formed by communities of bacteria in critical medical equipment such as catheters and implants. By forming biofilm, bacteria tend to display resilience towards environmental factors including antibiotics. Around 80 per cent and more bacterial chronic infections are caused by biofilms that are tolerant to 1000 times more antibiotic concentrations than free-living cells of bacteria. These findings hold the promise of developing new strategies to control hospital-acquired infections like pneumonia and urinary tract infection.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9823/us-scientists-try-first-gene-editing-in-the-body.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9823/us-scientists-try-first-gene-editing-in-the-body.html Thu, 16 Nov 2017 11:20:00 +0530 Scientists for the first time have tried editing a gene inside the body in a bold attempt to permanently change a person’s DNA to try to cure a metabolic disease called Hunter’s syndrome. Those suffering with Hunter syndrome, lack a gene that makes an enzyme that breaks down certain carbohydrates. These build up in cells and cause havoc throughout the body. Currently, weekly doses of the missing enzyme can ease some symptoms, but cost $100,000 to $400,000 a year and do not prevent brain damage. Through an IV, the person received billions of copies of a corrective gene and a genetic tool to cut his DNA in a precise spot. This study uses a different tool called zinc finger nucleases. They work like molecular scissors that seek and cut a specific piece of DNA. The genes will travel to the liver, where cells use the instructions to make the zinc fingers and prepare the corrective gene. The fingers cut the DNA, allowing the new gene to slip in. The new gene then directs the cell to make the enzyme the patient lacks. Signs of whether it’s working may come in a month; tests will show for sure in three months. If it’s successful, it could give a major boost to the fledgling field of gene therapy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9815/uk-researchers-devise-a-simple-water-test-to-prevent-bone-disease.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9815/uk-researchers-devise-a-simple-water-test-to-prevent-bone-disease.html Wed, 15 Nov 2017 11:15:00 +0530 Researchers at the University of Bath in the UK are working on devising a simple colour-changing test to rapidly detect fluoride in drinking water and this may help prevent skeletal fluorosis, a crippling bone disease. This disease causes crippling deformities of the spine and joints, especially in children whose skeletons are still forming. While low amounts of fluoride are beneficial for healthy teeth, high levels of fluoride can weaken bones, leading to skeletal fluorosis. The test is at the proof of concept stage, and the team aims to develop it into a disposable test strip that is low cost and easy to use by anyone. The Bath researchers are partnering with the Nasio Trust, a charity that works to protect and support vulnerable children in East Africa, to develop their system for ease of use in the field. The team is now looking for additional partners to take the technology forward and help develop the test. They are also working towards adapting the technology to other types of notorious water contaminants of global concern, including mercury, lead and cadmium. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9809/surgery-can-treat-migraine-says-a-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9809/surgery-can-treat-migraine-says-a-study.html Tue, 14 Nov 2017 18:15:00 +0530 It makes sense to go under the knife to get rid of migraine, a study conducted by doctors from AIIMS Delhi and Srinagar military hospital has concluded. Their claim is based on follow-up results of 30 patients who underwent surgery to treat the neurovascular disease that affects 20% of the global population and is characterised by severe ache on one side of the head. Conventionally, doctors prescribe analgesics and steroids to such patients for pain relief, but these medicines have known side-effects.With surgery, the study claims, 14 (46.7%) out of 30 patients reported complete elimination of migraine after a year and an equal number reported significant relief of symptoms one year after the procedure. Only two (6.6%) patients failed to notice any significant improvement. The results have been published in the latest issue of the Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, a monthly US journal. Dr Anson Jose, maxillofacial surgeon at Srinagar's military hospital, who led the study, told TOI that surgery for migraine involved removing some muscles of the forehead or temples that are believed to trigger the attacks by compressing neighbouring nerve branches.Surgical treatment of migraine is being done abroad on trial basis, but in India there have been few such attempts.While patients are given botox injections at the trigger site, there is at least a 50% reduction in frequency and intensity of pain, surgical removal of these muscles provides long-term relief," said Dr Ajoy Roychoudhary, professor and head, division of oral maxillofacial surgery at Centre for Dental Education and Research at AIIMS. Bahman Guyuron, a US-based plastic surgeon, noticed the benefits of surgery in migraine patients in 1990's while doing cosmetic procedures like forehead lifts. Dr Roychoudhary said Guyuron observed that many of his patients, who were also suffering from migraine, reported significant reduction in headache. "This led to the beginning of research in this field," the AIIMS professor said. He, however, cautioned that surgery may not be a solution for all. Dr Kameshwar Prasad, professor and head of neurology at AIIMS said surgical management of migraines is an innovative experiment. "It presents a very diverse approach to treat migraine and may even prove ground-breaking in future. But we would require more studies...." he said. Migraine headache is a widespread neurovascular disorder, affecting nearly 20% of the world population. A Delhi-based dentist, Priyanka Sharma (28), who underwent surgery last year, said "I... stumbled upon the possibility of surgery and opted for it. It has helped reduce the painful attacks significantly." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9805/us-researchers-develop-a-device-for-treating-dry-eyes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9805/us-researchers-develop-a-device-for-treating-dry-eyes.html Tue, 14 Nov 2017 11:25:00 +0530 A group of researchers at Stanford in the US have developed a handheld neurotransmitter device that gives patients a new, drug-free alternative to lubricating eye drops and topical ointments. The dry eye sufferers need to insert the neurostimulator device into their nose in order to bring out more tears. This has shown to provide significant relief to the patients suffering from the problem of dry eyes. More than 20 million Americans suffer from dry eyes. In fact, one out of every four patients report symptoms of dry eye, making it one of the most common conditions seen by eye care practitioners. Healthy eyes are lubricated with tears that are a mixture of oils, water, proteins, and mucus. The protective film this fluid creates supports clear vision. Without it, eyes dry out and become vulnerable to painful abrasions of the cornea. The researchers believe that this will be a very beneficial treatment option for dry eye patients. It's an innovative technology that effectively and safely increases tear production.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9797/iit-h-team-develops-a-novel-drug-delivery-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9797/iit-h-team-develops-a-novel-drug-delivery-system.html Mon, 13 Nov 2017 11:30:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad have developed a novel drug-delivery system that releases a commonly used pain killer called diclofenac sodium at the target site in a controlled fashion such that there is constant release of the drug for as long as 12 hours. The drug has low half-life of one–two hours and so constant release for up to 12 hours becomes particularly significant. To prevent burst or quick release of the drug, the team has fabricated a transdermal patch containing the drug and made the patch highly water repelling, so as to ensure that the highly water-soluble drug is released in a slow and sustained fashion. The patch was developed by mixing the drug with cellulose acetate bio-polymer and electrospun in the form of a nanofabric. Ordinary nylon mesh with different pore sizes (50, 100 and 200 microns) was used at the site of the collector and this allowed the nanofibres to get deposited with micron-sized gaps in between. The transdermal patch loaded with the pain killer can be used for treating local muscular pain. The researchers plan to develop transdermal patch prototypes and test them on animals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9790/iiser-mohali-uncovered-how-salmonella-survives-in-human-cells.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9790/iiser-mohali-uncovered-how-salmonella-survives-in-human-cells.html Fri, 10 Nov 2017 12:55:00 +0530 A team of scientist at the Institute of Science and Research (IISER), Mohali has uncovered mechanism of how Salmonella manages access to membranes and nutrients in human cells through structures (known as lysosomes) that hold a variety of proteins for its own growth and survival. The research was led by Dr Mahak Sharma along with other team members including Aastha Sindhwani, Subhash B. Arya, Harmeet Kaur, Divya Jagga, Amit Tuli, Mahak Sharma. The results of the study have been published in journal PLOS Pathogens. Generally, many disease-causing bacteria are insidious. They try to manipulate intracellular structures of human cells for their own growth and survival. Among the bacterial pathogens which use human proteins for thriving are Mycobacterium tuberculosis which causes tuberculosis and Salmonella enterica typhimurium, causative agent of typhoid and gastroenteritis. According to the study, pathogens have evolved several tactics to manipulate the activity of host proteins, all aimed at creating their intracellular replicative niche (known as a vacuole). For example, M. tuberculosis sucks iron and other nutrients from the host cells to prevent degradation of its own niche. On the other hand, Salmonella acquires both membrane and nutrients within a mature acidic vacuole. It avoids bacteria-killing enzymes by rerouting them out of the host cell as well as by forming an extensive network of membranes with its vacuole that dilutes these enzymes. “We are trying to understand how lysosomal proteins; specifically the small GTP-binding proteins and their effectors facilitate cargo delivery to lysosomes. Previous studies have shown that Salmonella vacuole acquires several characteristics of the host cell lysosomes for nutrient access from this organelle but the mechanism at play was not known,” Dr. Mahak Sharma told India Science Wire. Dr. Amit Tuli of CSIR-IMTECH, Chandigarh, who collaborated for the study, further explained that “Salmonella-containing vacuole (SCV) does not inhibit maturation of its vacuole but rather acquires several features of host lysosomes. Indeed, acidification of the vacuole is required for production of virulence factors that in turn help Salmonella to acquire both membranes and nutrients from the host endosomes and lysosomes.” Researchers say Salmonella secretes a protein known as SifA that recruits a host chemical, HOPS complex, to SCV membranes. Recruitment of HOPS complex is key step leading to docking and fusion of SCVs with host endosomes and lysosomes. Blocking HOPS function prevents Salmonella replication inside its vacuolar niche but cutting off nutrient supply. "Based on our findings, we envision that small molecules or peptide-based inhibitors that specifically block the interaction of Salmonella protein SifA with host factors, including HOPS complex, can potentially prevent Salmonella replication and infection in the human host,” added Dr Sharma.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9787/igib-scientists-develop-a-technique-for-sensing-throat-infection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9787/igib-scientists-develop-a-technique-for-sensing-throat-infection.html Thu, 09 Nov 2017 10:30:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the CSIR- Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), New Delhi, have developed a new sensor-based technique for detecting the presence of Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria, the most common cause of throat infections. It is claimed to be quick and cost-effective. The device, a DNA chip-based sensor, consists of a carbon electrode embedded with gold nanoparticles to improve its electronic properties. Many small-sized DNA probes are located on the modified chip. They attach themselves to the target DNA samples of bacteria taken from throat swabs of the patient. The new sensor has been found to be better than earlier reported sensors due to its ability to pick up bacterial DNA even if present in small numbers, within 30 minutes. The main objective was to develop a rapid, accurate, sensitive, specific and cost-effective method for detection of S. pyogenes. The current methods of detecting S. pyogenes infection are culture tests, biochemical assays, polymerase chain reaction and genetic markers. These methods are time consuming, expensive and are unable to pick up the bacteria if present in small numbers and may even wrongly identify other bacteria as S. pyogenes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9786/new-global-nutrition-report-reveals-51-indian-women-to-be-anaemic-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9786/new-global-nutrition-report-reveals-51-indian-women-to-be-anaemic-.html Wed, 08 Nov 2017 16:25:00 +0530 According to the new Global Nutrition Report 2017, 51% of Indian women are anaemic. India comes at the bottom of the table with 51% women suffering from anaemia following the first four countries China, Pakistan, Nigeria and Indonesia.  Anemia is a serious condition that can have long-term health impacts for mother and child.  Low awareness, illiteracy can be the reason behind the lack of proper nutrition among Indian women. However, many women in countries with high-income, also suffer from anaemia, the global report suggests.  614 million women aged 15-49 years were affected by anaemia around the world.  The Global Nutrition which is an independently researched annual report of the state of the world's nutrition collected data from 140 countries around the world. In 2016, the report showed that nearly 48% of women in India were anaemic. Global Nutrition Report indicates three important trends of malnutrition as ’significant burdens' - childhood stunting, anaemia in women of reproductive age and overweight adult women. In India, 38% of children under-5 are affected by stunting and 21% of under-5s are defined as 'wasted' or 'severely wasted'. Children who are too short for their age due to lack of nutrition are stunted. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9780/us-scientists-work-on-breath-analysers-for-malaria-detection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9780/us-scientists-work-on-breath-analysers-for-malaria-detection.html Wed, 08 Nov 2017 13:05:00 +0530 A group of researchers from  Washington University in St. Louis are working on developing a new breath test that could detect malaria. The team found that malaria in blood leaves a typical breathprint that is unique and can be detected using a breath analyser test. The study shows that when a person gets malaria, he or she can exhale certain chemical compounds that could be easily detected using an appropriate device. The scientists noted that the breath of a person with malaria contains a compound that is similar to a vapour that plants produce that can attract mosquitoes. The team feels that malaria detection using simple tools such as this breath analyser could be a boon to the regions affected with this disease. At present malaria requires blood tests for diagnosis. There are simple finger prick tests for diagnosis of malaria but these tests are limited in their success at diagnosing malaria correctly.  Simple non-invasive and easy to administer tests such as these breath analyser tests could be helpful in rural areas where resources are scarce.  Such a tool once developed would be able to detect the disease early and provide life saving treatment to the infected persons. It can also act as a surveillance tool to know the prevalence of the infection in large populations where healthcare reaches poorly. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9776/researchers-use-metal-for-killing-cancer-cells.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9776/researchers-use-metal-for-killing-cancer-cells.html Tue, 07 Nov 2017 11:55:00 +0530 According to a new study conducted by an international collaboration between the University of Warwick in UK and Sun Yat-Sen University in China, iridium, a rare metal, can kill cancer without harming healthy cells. The team created a compound of iridium and organic materials and then introduced it into a lung cancer tumour grown in the lab. When red laser light is shone onto it through the skin, the compound is activated, converting the oxygen in the tumour into singlet oxygen, a poisonous form of the element that effectively kills the cancer cells from the inside. Platinum metal is already being used in more than 50 percent of cancer chemotherapies. The potential of other precious metals such as iridium to provide new targeted drugs which attack cancer cells in completely new ways and combat resistance, and which can be used safely with the minimum of side effects, is now being explored. The team used ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry to highlight which proteins in the cancer cells were being targeted. They found that the compound had damaged proteins that manage heat shock stress and glucose metabolism, which are known to be crucial molecules for cancer’s survival. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9770/iit-k-researchers-design-a-phone-app-for-studying-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9770/iit-k-researchers-design-a-phone-app-for-studying-cancer.html Mon, 06 Nov 2017 11:15:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur have developed a new smartphone App, SmartIHC-Analyser for helping in faster and more accurate evaluation of cancer after treatment. The App analyses the expression of a protein marker called Ki-67 for determining an increase in the number of cancer cells. The App, now available for Android phones, analyses microscopic images of stained cancer tissue and in less than a minute tells if there is progression or regression of cancer cells post treatment. The smart phone is fitted to the eye-piece of the microscope using a specially designed 3D-printed holder to take microscopic images of the cancer cells. To analyse proliferation, the colour variations in the stained cancer cells are studied. Cells positive for the protein marker will appear brown whereas the negative ones will appear blue. The new App takes pictures and counts the differently stained cells and gives the proliferation index in less than a minute. The researchers analysed 30 cases of Ki-67-stained breast cancer tissues collected from Tata Medical Center, Kolkata and compared the results from the App with manual counting. Based on this comparison with the manual method, the App had nearly 97 per cent accuracy. Tata Medical Center has been collaborating on this study with IIT-K. The researchers believe that health workers at public health centres can be trained to use the App thus enabling faster results. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9766/researchers-use-a-portable-ultrasound-device-for-spotting-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9766/researchers-use-a-portable-ultrasound-device-for-spotting-cancer.html Fri, 03 Nov 2017 11:10:00 +0530 A team of researchers from Butterfly Network,  a U.S. based start-up, have developed a novel smartphone-based portable ultrasound machine that can help detect cancer easily at home. The machine called Butterfly IQ is a pocket-sized ultrasound device that works by shooting sound waves into the body and capturing the echoes. This machine uses 9,000 tiny drums etched onto a semiconductor chip. The device was tested by John Martin, chief medical officer at Butterfly Network earlier this year, who had been having an uncomfortable feeling of thickness in his throat. He used the device, which was connected to his smartphone, to obtain black and grey images. Eventually Martin discovered a cancerous mass in his own throat using this device.  He found a three centimetre mass that was diagnosed as squamous-cell cancer, a form of skin cancer that develops in the cells of the outer layer of the skin. The company now plans to combine the instrument with artificial-intelligence software that could help a novice position the probe, collect the right images, and interpret them. By 2018, its software will let users automatically calculate how much blood a heart is pumping, or detect problems like aortic aneurisms. The Butterfly IQ is the first solid-state ultrasound machine to reach the market in the US. The company plans to go on sale this year for $1,999-far less than any other model on the market.  ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9760/new-dengue-variant-gets-identified-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9760/new-dengue-variant-gets-identified-in-india.html Thu, 02 Nov 2017 10:50:00 +0530 Scientists at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune have found a genetic variant of the existing dengue virus in Tamil Nadu. According to the World Health Organization, the dengue virus (DEN) comprises four distinct serotypes (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3 and DEN-4). Distinct genotypes (genetic structures) have been identified within each serotype. During this study, the scientists found that the Asian genotype of the serotype 1 had entered India from Singapore. The Asian genotype was responsible for epidemics in Singapore during 2005 and in Sri Lanka during 2009. Scientists at the NIV, which is the apex body for virology research in the country under the Indian Council of Medical Research, spotted the new virus while carrying out a routine study that analyses samples of dengue virus to identify the virus strain circulating in different parts of the country.  This identification of the Asian variant requires further study to understand its role in the recurrent dengue outbreaks in the country, so it is too early to say the Asian genotype has replaced the African-American genotype. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9754/combatting-viruses-code-breakers-turn-code-writers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9754/combatting-viruses-code-breakers-turn-code-writers.html Wed, 01 Nov 2017 12:50:00 +0530 Researchers who successfully cracked a code that governs infections by a major group of viruses have gone a step further, creating their own artificial code, reports University of York. Previously, scientists at the Universities of York and Leeds discovered that many simple viruses use a hidden code within their genetic instructions for the production of viral proteins that gets decoded during viral assembly. Now the same researchers have moved beyond simply reading the hidden assembly instructions to writing their own messages to regulate viral assembly. Their ability to decode and repurpose the self-assembly instructions within viral genomes is so efficient that they can write artificial instructions for assembly that are even better than those found in nature. Since the artificial messages are written in the form of RNA molecules that, unlike viral genomes, no longer encode messages for creating viral proteins, these are completely harmless to the human body. This new understanding of viral self-assembly codes could prove hugely important in a range of clinical applications, such as cancer therapy and immunisation. Trojan horse Professor Reidun Twarock, a Mathematical Biologist with the University of York’s Departments of Mathematics, Biology, and the York Centre for Complex Systems Analysis, said: “If you were to compare our research to household DIY, it’s like taking a set of instructions for building a shelf, learning what makes the assembly so efficient, then using the instructions to build a different shelf using better-quality wood. “In the future, our research should allow the introduction into the body of something that looks like a virus from the outside, but contains a different cargo inside the shell of coat proteins. It would be completely harmless as everything that makes it infectious has been stripped away, leaving only the message of the assembly code that makes formation of the protein shell efficient. “The idea is to enable efficient formation of coat protein shells that ‘trick’ the immune system, triggering a response, which would mean it was primed to act immediately if it were to encounter a real infection. Or, in a different application of the same technology, to transport other cargoes into a cell for therapeutic purposes, like a Trojan horse.” The research, which also involved the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and the University of Oxford, is presented in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). Applications Professor Peter Stockley, a Biological Chemist from the Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology at the University of Leeds, said: “Our research means it is now possible to create virus-like particles highly efficiently, that encompass the artificial assembly manual and potentially also other cargoes, but that are unable to replicate. “Such particles have a wide range of potential applications, including in the production of synthetic vaccines and systems to deliver genes to specific cells.” Professor Stockley added: “During the Second World War the need to decode the German military codes known as Enigma drove the development of electronic computing, which in turn led to the digital world of today. In the same way, this new understanding of viral self-assembly codes is likely to trigger multiple applications of the technology, just as digital computers proved to be useful for more than simple code-breaking.” The research was funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), a Royal Society Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowship and a Joint Wellcome Trust Investigator Award to Professors Stockley and Twarock.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9750/researchers-use-artificial-beta-cells-for-treating-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9750/researchers-use-artificial-beta-cells-for-treating-diabetes.html Wed, 01 Nov 2017 09:35:00 +0530 A group of researchers from the University of North Carolina have now developed a much more patient-friendly option for treating diabetes- artificial cells that automatically release insulin into the bloodstream when glucose levels rise. These artificial beta cells (AβCs) mimic the functions of the body's natural glucose-controllers, the insulin-secreting beta cells of the pancreas. These cells contain specially designed, insulin-stuffed vesicles. A rise in blood glucose levels leads to chemical changes in the vesicle coating, causing the vesicles to start fusing with the AβC's outer membrane, thus releasing the insulin payloads. The AβCs could be subcutaneously inserted into patients, which would be replaced every few days, or by a painless and disposable skin patch. The group further plans to optimize and test these synthetic cells in larger animals, develop a skin patch delivery system for them, and ultimately test them in people with diabetes. The cell-free skin patch, a senses blood glucose levels and secretes insulin into the bloodstream as needed. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9743/new-ai-system-can-detect-bowel-cancer-in-less-than-a-second.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9743/new-ai-system-can-detect-bowel-cancer-in-less-than-a-second.html Mon, 30 Oct 2017 17:50:00 +0530 Scientists have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) system that can automatically detect colorectal cancer in less than a second. Researchers from Showa University in Yokohama, Japan developed the computer-aided diagnostic system that uses an endocytoscopic image - a 500-fold magnified view of a colorectal polyp - to analyse about 300 features of the polyp after applying narrow-band imaging (NBI) mode or staining with methylene blue. The system compares the features of each polyp against more than 30,000 endocytoscopic images that were used for machine learning, allowing it to predict the lesion pathology in less than a second. Researchers studied 250 men and women in whom colorectal polyps had been detected using endocytoscopy. The AI-assisted system was used to predict the pathology of each polyp and those predictions were compared with the pathological report obtained from the final resected specimens. The team assessed 306 polyps in real-time by using the AI-assisted system, providing a sensitivity of 94 per cent, specificity of 79 per cent, accuracy of 86 per cent, and positive and negative predictive values of 79 per cent and 93 per cent respectively, in identifying neoplastic changes. "We believe these results are acceptable for clinical application and our immediate goal is to obtain regulatory approval for the diagnostic system," said Yuichi Mori from Showa University in Yokohama. The team is now undertaking a multi-centre study for this purpose and is also working on developing an automatic polyp detection system. "Precise on-site identification of adenomas during colonoscopy contributes to the complete resection of neoplastic lesions," said Mori. "This is thought to decrease the risk of colorectal cancer and, ultimately, cancer-related death," Mori added. Source: PTI   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9744/zika-virus-infects-developing-brain-by-first-infecting-cells-meant-to-defend-against-it.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9744/zika-virus-infects-developing-brain-by-first-infecting-cells-meant-to-defend-against-it.html Mon, 30 Oct 2017 17:50:00 +0530 Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, with colleagues in Brazil, report that the Zika virus is transmitted from mother to fetus by infected cells that, ironically, will later develop into the brain’s first and primary form of defense against invasive pathogens. The findings are published in the current online issue of Human Molecular Genetics. “It’s a Trojan Horse strategy,” said Alysson Muotri, PhD, professor in the UC San Diego School of Medicine departments of Pediatrics and Cellular and Molecular Medicine. “During embryogenesis — the early stages of prenatal development — cells called microglia form in the yolk sac and then disperse throughout the central nervous system (CNS) of the developing child. “In the brain, these microglia will become resident macrophages whose job is to constantly clear away plaques, damaged cells and infectious agents. Our findings show that the Zika virus can infect these early microglia, sneaking into the brain where they transmit the virus to other brain cells, resulting in the devastating neurological damage we see in some newborns.” Beginning in 2015, a dramatic increase in children born with microcephaly or abnormally small heads and other birth defects was observed in Brazil. The phenomenon was subsequently linked to infection by the Zika virus, which Muotri and others confirmed last year caused birth defects in experimental models. Typically, the Zika virus is transmitted to people through the bite of infected Aedesspecies mosquitoes. However, a pregnant woman can also pass the virus to her fetus, though scientists have not been able to precisely describe the mode of transmission. “Considering the timing of transmission, we hypothesized that microglia might be serving as a Trojan horse to transport the virus during invasion of the CNS,” Muotri said. To test their hypothesis, the researchers used human induced pluripotent stem cells to create two relevant CNS cell types: microglia and neural progenitor cells (NPCs), which generate the millions of neurons and glial cells required during embryonic development. Then they established a co-culture system that mimicked the interactions of the two cell types in vitro when exposed to the Zika virus. They found that the microglia cells engulfed Zika-infected NPCs, doing their job. But when these microglia carrying the virus were placed in contact with non-infected NPCs, they transmitted the virus to the latter. “That suggests microglia may indeed be the culprit for transmitting the virus to the CNS during prenatal neurodevelopment,” Muotri said. Muotri and colleagues then tested whether an FDA-approved drug called Sofosbuvir, marketed as Sovaldi and used to treat hepatitis C, might limit viral infection of NPCs in co-culture with infected microglia. It did. “Sofosbuvir significantly decreased cell death of NPCs and the viral load in NPCs” Though the findings are based on in vitro research and further investigation is necessary, Muotri said they were encouraging, suggesting microglial cells could be a therapeutic target for reducing Zika transmission into the CNS of developing fetuses. “The co-culture system we’ve developed is robust and useful for studying neuro-immune interactions,” he said. “It can also serve as a drug-screening platform for discovering new therapeutic compounds against Zika virus infections in a human context.” Co-authors of the study include: Pinar Mesci, Angela Macia, Christopher N. LaRock, Leon Tejwani, Isabella R. Fernandes, Nicole A. Suarez, and Victor Nizet, UC San Diego; Paolo M. de A. Zanotto, University of Sao Paolo; and Patricia C.B. Beltrao-Braga, University of Sao Paolo and School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, Sao Paolo. Source: UC San Diego News Center ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9742/experimental-vaccine-may-protect-against-hiv-infection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9742/experimental-vaccine-may-protect-against-hiv-infection.html Mon, 30 Oct 2017 17:45:00 +0530 Scientists have developed a novel vaccine candidate that may prevent HIV infection by stimulating an immune response against sugars that form a protective shield around the virus. “An obstacle to creating an effective HIV vaccine is the difficulty of getting the immune system to generate antibodies against the sugar shield of multiple HIV strains,” said Lai-Xi Wang, a professor at University of Maryland in the US. “Our method addresses this problem by designing a vaccine component that mimics a protein-sugar part of this shield,” said Wang. Researchers designed a vaccine candidate using an HIV protein fragment linked to a sugar group. When injected into rabbits, the vaccine candidate stimulated an antibody response against the sugar shield in four different HIV strains. The protein fragment of the vaccine candidate comes from gp120, a protein that covers HIV like a protective envelope. A sugar shield covers the gp120 envelope, bolstering HIV’s defenses. The rare HIV-infected individuals who can keep the virus at bay without medication typically have antibodies that attack gp120. Researchers have tried to create an HIV vaccine targeting gp120, but had little success as the sugar shield on HIV resembles sugars found in the human body and therefore, does not stimulate a strong immune response. More than 60 strains of HIV exist and the virus mutates frequently. As a result, antibodies against gp120 from one HIV strain will not protect against other strains. To overcome these challenges, researchers focused on a small fragment of gp120 protein that is common among HIV strains. They used a synthetic chemistry to combine the gp120 fragment with a sugar molecule, also shared among HIV strains, to mimic the sugar shield on the HIV envelope. Researchers then injected the protein-sugar vaccine candidate into rabbits and found that the rabbits’ immune systems produced antibodies that were physically bound to gp120 found in four dominant strains of HIV in circulation. “This result was significant because producing antibodies that directly target the defensive sugar shield is an important step in developing immunity against the target and therefore the first step in developing a truly effective vaccine,” Wang said. “But the ability of the vaccine candidate to raise substantial antibodies against the sugar shield in only two months is encouraging. Other studies took up to four years to achieve similar results. This means that our molecule is a relatively strong inducer of the immune response,” he added. Source: Press Trust of India   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9739/cardiff-researchers-develop-3d-viewing-of-cancer-cells.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9739/cardiff-researchers-develop-3d-viewing-of-cancer-cells.html Mon, 30 Oct 2017 11:10:00 +0530 A pair of researchers at Cardiff University in the UK have developed a groundbreaking new microscope which allows them to examine cancer cells in 3D. The researchers claim the pioneering technology could lead to the discovery of new cancer treatments. Using a technique called CARS (Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering) and laser beams the team can monitor the vibrations of molecules inside the cancer organoids to see how new treatments affect or kill them. The new microscopic technology that allows the researchers to grow cancer cells as 3D miniature tumours called organoids, that more closely resemble a living tumour in a person and can help in better understanding different people’s cancers and how drugs can be used to treat them. The main advantage of this method is that the sample remains virtually unaffected during imaging, meaning that the same organoid can be studied multiple times over different days, and crucially both before and after drug treatment. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9731/london-scientists-start-human-trial-for-hiv-vaccine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9731/london-scientists-start-human-trial-for-hiv-vaccine.html Fri, 27 Oct 2017 10:50:00 +0530 Scientists at the Imperial College of London are launching trials that could lead to a breakthrough in developing the world’s first HIV vaccine. At present, the best preventative treatment is PrEP, a pill that is taken daily and which offers a high degree of protection against HIV. About 60 volunteers are being recruited by Imperial’s clinical research facility at Hammersmith hospital. They will receive three vaccination pills over a year. The pills, manufactured by the US pharmaceutical company PaxVax, do not contain the HIV virus but a small amount of adenovirus 4, which has been engineered to express the HIV protein. So there is no risk of getting HIV. As part of the trial, participants will swallow this tablet. The virus will replicate to a minor extent in the gut and then die off, but it is hoped that this will give out antibodies in mucosal surfaces in the vagina and rectum, the sites that HIV would normally enter. The level of antibodies will then be measured and tested against HIV, to ascertain whether these antibodies neutralise the virus. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9721/scientists-in-scotland-to-begin-human-testing-of-alzheimers-vaccine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9721/scientists-in-scotland-to-begin-human-testing-of-alzheimers-vaccine.html Thu, 26 Oct 2017 11:20:00 +0530 Scientists in Scotland are to begin human testing of a vaccine that could help prevent Alzheimer’s and cure chronic disease like psoriasis. Researchers at the University of Dundee and Oxford were able to take the protein coat of cucumber mosaic virus and incorporate a tetanus vaccine-derived protein structure known to stimulate the immune system in order to create vaccines to treat multiple chronic diseases. Tests have shown the resultant vaccine could also help treat psoriasis and some allergies, and raises antibody levels that are believed to be beneficial in preventing dementia. The vaccines can be preventative as well as therapeutic, providing a cure for diseases like psoriasis after it has already been established. Now scientists are set to begin human trials of the vaccine having received regulatory approval and believe the study could help spare hundreds of thousands of people from the ravages of chronic disease. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9710/uk-scientists-create-intelligent-nanoparticles-against-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9710/uk-scientists-create-intelligent-nanoparticles-against-cancer.html Wed, 25 Oct 2017 11:20:00 +0530 Scientists from the University of Surrey at UK have created intelligent nanoparticles that heat up to a temperature high enough to kill cancerous cells, after which they self-regulate and lose heat before they get hot enough to harm healthy tissues. The self-stopping nanoparticles could soon be used as part of hyperthermic-thermotherapy to treat patients with cancer. Thermotherapy has long been used as a treatment method for cancer, but it is difficult to treat patients without damaging healthy cells. But tumor cells can be weakened or killed without affecting normal tissue if temperatures can be controlled accurately within a range of 42°C to 45°C. Scientists from Surrey's Advanced Technology Institute have collaborated with the Dalian University of Technology in China to create nanoparticles which, when implanted and used in a thermotherapy session, can induce temperatures of up to 45°C. The Zinc-Cobalt-Chromite ferrite nanoparticles produced for this study are self-regulating in such a way that they self-stop heating when they reach temperatures over 45°C. Importantly, the nanoparticles are also low in toxicity and are unlikely to cause permanent damage to the body. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9706/scientists-one-step-closer-to-developing-a-living-antibiotic.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9706/scientists-one-step-closer-to-developing-a-living-antibiotic.html Tue, 24 Oct 2017 12:20:00 +0530 By manipulating the behavior of bacteria that feed on other bacteria, scientists in Japan are one step closer to developing a ‘living antibiotic’ that could be used to treat infections. A group of researchers at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) in Japan have discovered a method to manipulate the predatory behavior of bacteria, which may help tackle the problem of antibiotic resistant microbes. They published their findings in ACS Synthetic Biology. In 2016 the World Health Organization named antibiotic resistance was named as one of the biggest threats to global health, food security and development by World Health Organisation in the year 2016. The announcement cited a growing list of infections, such as tuberculosis and gonorrhea, that are becoming more difficult to treat each year as resistance to current antibiotic treatments increases. One strategy that has recently been proposed to counter the rise of antibiotic resistant microbes is to use a unique type of predatory bacteria that feeds on other bacteria. Dubbed ‘living antibiotics,’ this group of carnivorous fauna have caught the attention of researchers around the world. Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus is harmless to humans yet lethal to its prey—Gram-negative bacteria—which include disease-causing pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Legionella. Hence, control of the predatory behavior of B. bacteriovorus could potentially treat many different types of infections. However, due to its unusual predatory nature and other unique features, genetic manipulation of B. bacteriovorus has been limited. In this study, a group of scientists led by Dr. Mohammed Dwidar from the Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Engineering Unit at OIST in Japan identified tools that may allow for the manipulation of genes that influence the predatory behavior of B. bacteriovorus. The researchers used riboswitches, which are gene expression-controlling tools known to function well in other bacteria, to tackle the challenge of understanding and manipulating B. bacteriovorus predation. The way in which a gene is expressed follows a specific pathway—DNA is converted into RNA via transcription, RNA is converted into proteins via translation, and then the proteins carry out different functions. Dwidar said, “People want organic food without chemicals. The predatory bacteria may be a potentially safe alternative to antibacterial agents for some plant diseases. We can also use it for industry, for example, in water treatment plants.” Yohei Yokobayashi, Professor, OIST said, “In the future, you could spray these bacteria on fresh food to protect against food poisoning.” The riboswitch plays a role at the translation phase. By putting a riboswitch at the beginning of a strand of RNA, then ‘activating’ it with a chemical, the riboswitch can start or stop the RNA from being translated into a protein. The OIST researchers inserted a riboswitch into one of the genes believed to be important to the predatory behavior of B. bacteriovorus: flagellar sigma factor fliA. They then activated the riboswitch with the chemical theophylline. After placing the modified bacteria in petri dishes together with some E. coli prey, the modified B. bacteriovorus multiplied more quickly in the presence of theophylline than in its absence. This quicker multiplication implies that B. bacteriovorus was consuming its prey faster, and thus multiplying more quickly. This in turn shows that the predatory lifecycle can be controlled by theophylline. In addition to the ‘living antibiotic’ end-goal, there are many more potential uses for easily manipulatable B. bacteriovorus cells. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9703/researchers-provide-a-quick-way-for-detecting-malaria.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9703/researchers-provide-a-quick-way-for-detecting-malaria.html Tue, 24 Oct 2017 11:20:00 +0530 A group of researchers from the Institute of Engineering and Management in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, in West Bengal, claim to have developed a mobile, low-cost malaria detection system, which can also diagnose dengue with some modifications. The research team attached a mobile phone camera on a paper microscope which can be used to take images of blood samples on a slide with some chemicals, and the data can be processed at a central server to detect the presence of malaria. The framework includes fitting the image capturing camera, the necessary magnification, the algorithm developed to process the image and find out whether malarial parasites are present. The malaria detection, monitoring and mitigation framework has been patented. The system is called 'Centaur' and the detection kit, including the foldable papermade microscope, incurs a manufacturing cost of just 80 rupees. The team plans to train social workers in remote villages on using the device if it gets the nod for mass production by the West Bengal government. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9695/iisc-scientists-design-a-new-tool-for-detecting-malaria.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9695/iisc-scientists-design-a-new-tool-for-detecting-malaria.html Mon, 23 Oct 2017 11:30:00 +0530 Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru have developed a new diagnostic tool for early detection of malaria. This new tool can detect the disease even in the red blood cells that do not themselves host the parasite but lie near the infected ones. The red blood cells that lie close to the infected ones appear rigid much like the affected ones and this helps in easy diagnosis. Scientists have used a tweezers technique in which laser beams are made to focus at the micron-sized red blood cells under a microscope and then imaged using a video camera. The team observed that the motion frequency of the infected cells was different than that of the normal cells. The team also observed that when the infected cells became rigid, they took about 1.33 seconds to fold whereas normal cells took only 0.8 seconds. The researchers thus concluded that a measure of folding time can also be used to determine whether a cell is infected. The researchers believe that the tweezers technique can be used as a general screening tool for all stages of malarial infection. The technique is very easy and does not require trained personnel as it is fully automated.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9688/scientists-from-india-and-russia-design-nanoparticles-against-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9688/scientists-from-india-and-russia-design-nanoparticles-against-cancer.html Thu, 19 Oct 2017 15:05:00 +0530 Scientists from the National University of Science and Technology MISIS (NUST MISIS), Moscow, and the Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata have developed star-shaped gold nanoparticles that can selectively destroy cancer cells. These stable, inexpensive and non-toxic particles will also make it possible to detect cancer at an early stage. Star-shaped nanoparticles appear to be most efficient in photothermal therapy (PTT) that uses light radiation for the treatment of many medical conditions, including cancer. When a nanoparticle reaches the affected area, it is blasted with a laser pulse. The nanoparticle absorbs the light and focuses it like a lens, directing it straight to the star’s sharp edge. This light is then converted into heat, that is concentrated at the tip of the star. The generated heat flow breaks the membrane of a cancer cell and destroys it while leaving the healthy cells unharmed. The gold nanoparticles are synthesised in a water solution of vitamin C, which makes them inexpensive and non-toxic. Experts from the Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center also participated in the development.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9685/harvard-researchers-provide-a-digital-solution-for-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9685/harvard-researchers-provide-a-digital-solution-for-diabetes.html Wed, 18 Oct 2017 10:55:00 +0530 A team of researchers at Harvard University have successfully trialed an artificial pancreas system that uses an algorithm on a smartphone to automatically deliver appropriate levels of insulin. This might provide a way to let diabetics focus on their everyday lives instead of pumps and needles. The artificial pancreas system consists of an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor placed under the user's skin. The mobile software tells the organ to regulate glucose levels based on criteria like activity, meals and sleep, and it refines its insulin control over time by learning from daily cycles. Effectively, it's trying to behave more like the pancreas of a person without diabetes. The trial results were promising. There is still plenty of testing and approvals necessary before an artificial pancreas like this can reach the market. If it does, though, it could reduce some of the stress in diabetics' lives.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9679/iit-d-researchers-bank-upon-nanoparticles-for-drug-delivery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9679/iit-d-researchers-bank-upon-nanoparticles-for-drug-delivery.html Tue, 17 Oct 2017 12:40:00 +0530 A group of researchers from Centre for Biomedical Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi has devised a simple method for achieving controlled and sustained release of drugs using a nanoparticle system. When conventional drugs are administered to the patients, these get easily cleared from the body and thus it becomes necessary for these drugs to be frequently administered. On the other hand, nanoparticles have been shown to be effective carriers of drugs. The nanoparticle system can increase the blood circulation time of a drug as well as help in targeting the drug to the disease site. This can help in improving the treatment efficiency. The nanoparticle system developed by the research team shows a combination of release profiles, where there is an initial release of the drug, which on demand, can be accelerated using radiofrequency. Thus, the system can control when the drug has to be released. It is similar to loading few tablets in a reservoir and triggering when and how more drugs are to be released as per the requirement. So, one can load different types of drugs used in combinatorial therapy and control the sequence of their release in body using the radio-frequency trigger.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9668/iit-scientists-design-hybrid-material-for-cancer-diagnosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9668/iit-scientists-design-hybrid-material-for-cancer-diagnosis.html Mon, 16 Oct 2017 11:20:00 +0530 A group of scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar, Punjab, and IIT Mandi, have been working on the overexpression of biotin receptors on cancer cells and enhanced production of thioredoxin reductase enzyme in cancer cells for cancer diagnosis. As part of the study, breast and cervical cancer cell line based experiments have shown encouraging results. The researchers have developed a hybrid assembly by binding naphthalimide moiety to carbon dots using disulphide covalent bond. In normal cells, there is very little level of thioredoxin reductase enzyme, which is detected by a yellow light emission. Whereas in case of cancer cells, there is an elevated level of the enzyme, which is detected by a blue light emission. In this arrangement, the carbon dots behave as an energy donor and the naphthalimide moiety as an acceptor, thus establishing fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). The naphthalimide used here can also act as a cancer therapeutic. The nanosensor was found to reduce the viability of cancer cells up to 70 per cent. The naphthalimide that gets released when the disulfide bond is broken is responsible for the destruction of cancer cells. Since naphthalimide is expensive, the researchers are trying to develop a cheaper substitute. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9659/researchers-at-iisc-develop-novel-method-for-delivering-aspirin.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9659/researchers-at-iisc-develop-novel-method-for-delivering-aspirin.html Fri, 13 Oct 2017 11:00:00 +0530 Scientists from an interdisciplinary team at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru has come up with a novel chemical compound made of a sugar molecule called xylitol that can be tailored to release aspirin, which is known to reduce fever and pain, over a desired duration in the body. This unique drug delivery system that can carry a large amount of drug is not only harmless to living cells but can also be easily injected. While commonly used pills or patches have aspirin trapped inside a capsule or a mesh, the new compound has aspirin built directly into the backbone of a long polymer chain based on xylitol that is naturally found in fruits and vegetables, and is used as a sweetener. The researchers modified the reaction conditions in such a way that xylitol was forced to form a long, straight chain that can easily be dissolved into a gel and injected. The linear polymerization was achieved using a novel technique. The technique can also be used to develop similar delivery vehicles for other drugs with sustained and tunable release. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9650/iiser-bhopal-adopts-new-strategies-to-fight-breast-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9650/iiser-bhopal-adopts-new-strategies-to-fight-breast-cancer.html Thu, 12 Oct 2017 12:35:00 +0530 New strategy to fight breast cancer has been recently adopted by a team of researchers led by Dr. Sanjeev Shukla from the Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal. Researchers found the splicing was different in the case of cancer cells — instead of exon 9, exon 10 gets included when the pre-mRNA is spliced into mRNA. The research is based on the fact that inhabiting the growth and accelerating the death rate of breast cancer cells may be possible by starving the cancer cells of glucose or by inhibiting or reversing the energy production process (aerobic glycolysis). Aerobic glycolysis confers the proliferative advantage to the cancer cells. The results were published in the journal the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Dr Shukla said, “In normal cells, exon 9 gets included while exon 10 is excluded when precursor messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) is spliced or edited into mature messenger RNA (mRNA). The researchers found the splicing was different in the case of cancer cells instead of exon 9, exon 10 gets included when the pre-mRNA is spliced into mRNA.” “The methylation at exon 10 allows BORIS to bind to the exon 10 and leads to the inclusion of exon 10 in the mature mRNA. Due to aberrant alternative splicing, exon 10 gets included in the mature mRNA leading to the formation of PKM2, a cancer-specific isoform of pyruvate kinase”, he added. The DNA methylation along with BORIS regulates the switch from PKM1 to PKM2 isoform and this is the first time DNA methylation causing alternative splicing in cancer cells has been studied. DNA methylation also silences tumour suppressor genes. Dr Shukla also said, “The BORIS gene is predominantly expressed in germ cells and gets over expressed in cancer cells but not in somatic cells. So BORIS is a potential target for cancer therapy. BORIS acts as an oncogene in cancer progression and BORIS overexpression is associated with poor survival outcomes.” The team has been able to reverse aerobic glycolysis by inhibiting DNA methylation or reducing the expression of BORIS (Brother of Regulator of Imprinted Sites) gene. The team also that studied two breast cancer cell lines and found increased exon 10 in both cancer cell lines but exon 9 was found to be increased in normal, primary cells. The presence of exon 10 in breast cancer cell lines led to higher expression of cancer-specific PKM2 isoform. “To rule out other factors responsible for alternative splicing of PKM, the researchers mutated the BORIS binding site at the PKM exon 10 region. There was reduced exon 10 and increased exon 9 in the mutant cells. Also, there was reduced BORIS enrichment which resulted in reduced exon 10 inclusion in the mutant cells,” Dr. Shukla added. As predicted, BORIS depletion reduced the consumption of glucose in breast cancer cells. Inhibition of DNA methylation too decreased glucose uptake. Interestingly, BORIS depletion went beyond reduction in glucose consumption — it resulted in reduced cancer cell growth and cell viability. Smriti Singh from the Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Educationand Research (IISER), Bhopal and the first author of the paper said, “When BORIS is down regulated it affects alternative splicing of several genes which are associated with cancer hallmark (cancer growth, reduced apoptosis abnormal metabolism). So targeting BORIS will have a great impact for cancer therapy. So we must determine whether inhibiting DNA methylation or BORIS is more effective in cancer therapy.” “Inhibiting DNA methylation is easier as drugs are already available, but it might also have more side effects. But as BORIS is a cancer-specific target and is also involved in other cancer-related hallmark (cancer growth, reduced apoptosis and abnormal metabolism), targeting it might be a better approach for cancer therapy,” says Dr. Shukla.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9641/new-technique-developed-to-detect-microbe-vibrations.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9641/new-technique-developed-to-detect-microbe-vibrations.html Wed, 11 Oct 2017 11:40:00 +0530 Researchers at the National institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the US have devised a way of classifying bacteria based on how it vibrates. The technique, which relies on ultrasensitive piezoelectric sensors, makes it possible to determine the appropriate antibiotics to treat an infection in less than one hour. The technique involves taking some bacteria and smearing them all over a thin quartz disc, which is connected to a pair of electrodes, and a signal noise is generated. The researchers used E. coli bacteria and the antibiotic polymyxin. After coating the quartz disc in bacteria and observing the expected signal noise, the researchers then administered the antibiotic. Within seven minutes, the noise dropped to near-zero. Repeating the experiment with a different antibiotic, ampicillin, a decrease in noise was detected after 15 minutes. Next steps include testing the new technique out on more antibiotics and bacteria. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9639/vice-president-inaugurates-third-international-conference-on-yoga-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9639/vice-president-inaugurates-third-international-conference-on-yoga-.html Tue, 10 Oct 2017 16:40:00 +0530 M. Venkaiah, Vice President inaugrated the two-day ‘International Conference on Yoga for Wellness’ today at Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. Shripad Yesso Naik, The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH was also present at the inaugural function along with C.K. Mishra, Secretary (AYUSH), Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Special Secretary and Yoga Gurus of International repute were also present. About 500 delegates including 69 from 44 overseas countries are registered to attend the conference. The conference is being organized by Ministry of AYUSH as a part of commemorating the celebration of 21st June as International Day of Yoga declared by the United Nations. The thematic areas of deliberations include Yoga research in non-communicable diseases and scope of Yoga in Integrated Medicine, Control of Cancer, Depression, Gynecological disorders and Pain Management. 25 national and international experts are the speakers and 11 highly reckoned resource persons of Yoga and Medical field as Chairpersons and Co-chairpersons of the technical sessions. Vice President said, "the ancient science of Yoga is India’s invaluable gift to the modern world. He further said that we believe that knowledge and science should be transmitted freely for the welfare of the entire world." "Yoga goes beyond the physical exercises and connects the body with thought processes. He further said that Yoga has nothing to do with religion, as some people unfortunately attribute religious overtones to this ancient scientific system. It is a science of well being that needs to be studied and practiced just as any other medical system." "Yoga should become a part and parcel of our daily routine to combat the modern-day health problems, both physical and mental. He further said that Yoga aims to help us to achieve a state of equilibrium when we are at peace with ourselves so that we can create a peaceful environment", he added. Interest and enthusiasm for Yoga has increased tremendously all over the world during the last three years with the UN declaration of International Day of Yoga and its global celebrations. The International Conference has been organized with the technical and logistic support of Central Council for Research in Yoga & Naturopathy and Moraji Desai National Institute of Yoga and it is an attempt to project the potential of Yoga in the management of certain health problems and for promotion of wellness and for sharing of scientific experiences. This will be the third International Conference on Yoga organized by the Ministry of AYUSH. The last two International conferences on the themes of ‘Yoga for Holistic Health’ and ‘Yoga for Body and Beyond’ were organized in 2015 and 2016 respectively.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9634/us-scientists-develop-molecule-to-fight-hiv.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9634/us-scientists-develop-molecule-to-fight-hiv.html Tue, 10 Oct 2017 12:00:00 +0530 Scientists at the University of California have developed a novel “kick and kill” technique against HIV that uses a molecule to awaken dormant virus cells and then knocks them out. Current anti-AIDS drugs are highly effective at making HIV undetectable and allowing people with the virus to live longer, healthier lives. Researchers have been looking for ways to eliminate the reservoirs where the virus hides, and they may have now developed a solution - a technique called “kick and kill”. The new approach involves sending an agent to “wake up” the dormant virus, which causes it to begin replicating so that either the immune system or the virus itself would kill the cell harbouring HIV. Destroying the reservoir cells could rid some or all of the HIV virus from people who are infected. Although the scientists’ approach has not been tested in humans yet, a synthetic molecule they developed has been effective at kicking and killing HIV in lab animals. With further development, the technique could lower the viral reservoir enough for people with HIV to be able to discontinue their anti-viral therapy ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9628/researchers-at-iisc-use-nanomaterials-for-treating-parkinsons.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9628/researchers-at-iisc-use-nanomaterials-for-treating-parkinsons.html Mon, 09 Oct 2017 10:55:00 +0530 A team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru has fabricated a metal oxide nanomaterial that is capable of mimicking all three major cellular antioxidant enzymes, thereby controlling the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) inside cells. A problem arises when ROS is generated in excess and the enzymes are unable to control the level of ROS. Oxidative stress due to excessive ROS causes damage to DNA, proteins and lipids; oxidative stress is implicated in several diseases such as neurodegeneration, cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Based on in vitro test results, the nanomaterial appears a promising candidate for therapeutic applications against oxidative stress-induced neurological disorders, particularly Parkinson’s. The manganese oxide nanomaterial was able to control the level of Reactive Oxygen Species inside the cells. They did not scavenge the ROS completely. If they do then the normal physiological functions of the cells get affected. It actually scavenges reactive oxygen species and brings it to optimum level so normal functions of the cell are not affected. The nanozymes have therapeutic potential particularly for Parkinson’s disease. The researchers are trying to design an animal model in mice for in vivo testing. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9626/scientists-identify-new-bacterium-that-could-be-source-of-antibiotics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9626/scientists-identify-new-bacterium-that-could-be-source-of-antibiotics.html Fri, 06 Oct 2017 16:25:00 +0530 Scientist at the National Collection of Industrial Microorganism has recently identified a new bacterium from a lime quarry in Karnataka, which shows the promise of becoming a source of antibiotics. The study was conducted in collaboration with Gulbarga University, Northern Border University of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Sun Yat-Sen University in Guangzhou, China. The other members of the team are Amit Kumar Sahu, Syed Raziuddin Quadri, Dayanand Agasar, Jamal Al Ruwaili, and Wen Jun-Li. Named Allostreptomyces indica YIM 75704T, the bacterium belongs to Streptomycetaceae, a family of bacteria whose members have attracted attention in recent years for producing various natural products of considerable commercial value. Syed Dastager, scientist at the National Collection of Industrial Microorganism said, “Preliminary studies have indicated that the bacterium could be used to produce antibiotics for several diseases including malaria. More studies, however, need to be conducted before any final conclusion can be reached.” NCIM is part of Pune-based National Chemical Laboratory. The new bacterium was isolated from an open pit limestone mine in the Gulbarga region of Karnataka. The area is known for its limestone mines and crushers. The temperatures there ranged from nearly 5°C in winters to more than 45°C in summers. “The bacteria in this region are extremophiles. They can not only survive inhospitable temperatures but also alkaline soils”, said Dr. Dastager. The new species was identified by studying the sequence of 16S ribosomal RNA genes, which are conserved across members of the same species. “Finding new bacteria opens an opportunity to discover new biomolecules and antibiotics”, he added. Dr. Dastagar and his team had discovered 18 new species of bacteria in 2008 and some of them later proved to be a good source of antifungals. The team has published its findings in Journal of Antibiotics.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9623/caltech-team-develops-test-for-identifying-resistant-bacteria.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9623/caltech-team-develops-test-for-identifying-resistant-bacteria.html Fri, 06 Oct 2017 10:25:00 +0530 A new test developed at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) that identifies antibiotic-resistant bacteria in as little as 30 minutes could help turn the tide by allowing medical professionals to better choose which antibiotics to treat an infection with. The test operates on the principle that typical bacteria will replicate their DNA less well in an antibiotic solution, resulting in the presence of fewer DNA markers. However, if the bacteria are resistant to the antibiotic, their DNA replication will not be hampered and the test will reveal similar numbers of DNA markers in both the treated and untreated solutions. The team has been working on urine samples so far but they plan to move on with blood samples now. Blood infections are more difficult to test because the bacteria are present in much lower numbers than they are in urine, but such a test could help reduce mortality from blood-borne infections, which can turn fatal if not treated quickly. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9621/newly-approved-cancer-drugs-do-not-extend-survival-says-a-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9621/newly-approved-cancer-drugs-do-not-extend-survival-says-a-study.html Thu, 05 Oct 2017 12:30:00 +0530 A research conducted by UK scientists on 48 drugs approved in Europe between 2009 and 2013, some of them in India also, show no clear evidence to prove this. The drugs approved were meant for 68 cancer indications. According to medicalxpress, the researchers, based at King's College London and the London School of Economics say: "When expensive drugs that lack clinically meaningful benefits are approved and paid for within publicly funded healthcare systems, individual patients can be harmed, important societal resources wasted, and the delivery of equitable and affordable care undermined." The research team analyzed reports on cancer approvals by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) from 2009 to 2013. Of 68 cancer indications approved during this period, 57% (39) came onto the market on the basis of a surrogate endpoint and without evidence that they extended survival or improved the quality of patients' lives. After a median of 5 years on the market, only an additional 8 drug indications had shown survival or quality of life gains. Thus, out of 68 cancer indications approved by the EMA, and with a median 5 years follow-up, only 35 (51%) had shown a survival or quality of life gain over existing treatments or placebo. For the remaining 33 (49%), uncertainty remains over whether the drugs extend survival or improve quality of life. The researchers outline some study limitations which could have affected their results, but say their findings raise the possibility that regulatory evidence standards "are failing to incentivise drug development that best meets the needs of patients, clinicians, and healthcare systems." Taken together, these facts paint a sobering picture, says Vinay Prasad, Assistant Professor at Oregon Health & Science University in a linked editorial. He calls for "rigorous testing against the best standard of care in randomized trials powered to rule in or rule out a clinically meaningful difference in patient centered outcomes in a representative population" and says "the use of uncontrolled study designs or surrogate endpoints should be the exception not the rule." He adds: "The expense and toxicity of cancer drugs means we have an obligation to expose patients to treatment only when they can reasonably expect an improvement in survival or quality of life." These findings suggest "we may be falling far short of this important benchmark." This study comes at a time when European governments are starting to seriously challenge the high cost of drugs, says Dr Deborah Cohen, Associate Editor at The BMJ, in an accompanying feature. She points to examples of methodological problems with trials that EMA has either failed to identify or overlooked, including trial design, conduct, analysis and reporting. "The fact that so many of the new drugs on the market lack good evidence that they improve patient outcomes puts governments in a difficult position when it comes to deciding which treatments to fund," she writes. "But regulatory sanctioning of a comparator that lacks robust evidence of efficacy, means the cycle of weak evidence and uncertainty continues."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9617/child-mortality-dips-one-million-saved-since-2005-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9617/child-mortality-dips-one-million-saved-since-2005-study.html Wed, 04 Oct 2017 15:55:00 +0530 According to the latest study published in The Lancet, India has avoided about 1 million (10 lakh) deaths of children under age five since 2005, owing to the significant reductions in mortality from pneumonia, diarrhoea, neonatal infections and birth asphyxia/trauma, measles and tetanus. The ‘India’s Million Death Study’, implemented by the Registrar General of India, is the first study to directly quantify changes in cause-specific child deaths in India, nationally and sub-nationally, from 2000-15 among randomly selected homes.  The study illustrates that the conditions prioritized under the National Health Mission had the greatest declines. Pneumonia and diarrhoea mortality fell by over 60% (most of the decline due to effective treatment), mortality from birth-related breathing and trauma during delivery fell by 66% (most of the decline due to more births occurring in hospital), and measles and tetanus mortality fell by 90% (mostly due to special immunization campaigns against each). The study states that mortality rate (per 1000 live births) fell in neonates from 45 in 2000 to 27 in 2015 (3.3% annual decline) and 1-59 month mortality rate fell from 45.2 in 2000 to 19.6 in 2015 (5.4% annual decline). Further, amongst 1-59 months, pneumonia fell by 63%, diarrhoea fell by 66% and measles fell by more than 90%. These declines were greater in girls, indicating that India has, remarkably, equal numbers of girls and boys dying, a significant improvement from just a few years ago. Pneumonia and diarrhoea mortality rates for 1-59 months declined substantially between 2010 and 2015 at an average of 8-10 % annual decline nationally and more so in the rural areas and poorer states.  The Million Death Study builds on the SRS by directly monitoring the causes of death in over 1.3 million (13 lakh) homes. Since 2001, about 900 staff interviewed about 100,000 (1 lakh) living members in all homes who had a child die (about 53,000 deaths in the first month of life and 42,000 at 1-59 months)every six months and completed a simple two-page form with a local language half-page narrative describing the deceased’s symptoms and treatments. The records have been digitized and each one uniformly coded for cause of death independently by two of about 400 trained physicians, using World Health Organization approved procedures. This is a direct study based on face-to-face interviews with families, and is not based on modelling or projections from small samples.  The results signify that the strategic approach of the Health Ministry has started yielding dividends and the efforts of focusing on low performing States is paying off.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9614/uk-scientists-develop-new-screening-test-for-ebola-virus.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9614/uk-scientists-develop-new-screening-test-for-ebola-virus.html Wed, 04 Oct 2017 14:35:00 +0530 Researchers at Northumbria University in the UK have developed a new and rapid point-of-care diagnostic test, EbolaCheck, for the detection of Ebola virus. The research is intended to aid in early identification and treatment of Ebola-like symptoms to minimise the spread of the disease. Suitable for deployment at the scene of an outbreak, the test can be used to test a blood sample that is 700 times smaller than the specimen previously required, and delivers results within 70 minutes. As the new technology can detect and measure genes and genomes, it is expected to be useful for diagnosis of other viruses such as the Zika, MERS, SARS, flu, and dengue. The diagnostic platform can also be used for bacterial and parasitic infections such as meningitis and malaria. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9608/iit-researchers-re-define-a-drug-for-chikungunya.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9608/iit-researchers-re-define-a-drug-for-chikungunya.html Tue, 03 Oct 2017 10:30:00 +0530 A drug to treat chikungunya virus infection is in the offing, and in vitro studies carried out by a team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee show promise. Currently, there is no cure for the disease and treatment is focused more on relieving the symptoms.  Since the team used an existing drug piperazine, safety of the drug is already known and hence the trials on animals and humans will be more to understand the efficacy of the drug in treating chikungunya infection. Piperazine is used for the treatment of worm infections. The antiviral drug indinavir used for treating HIV positive people is a piperazine-based molecule. The derivatives of piperazine are used as anti-histamines and anti-depressants drugs too. Drug binding studies were carried out using chikungunya virus and it was found that the binding of the drug at the caspid protein was better in the case of chikungunya virus. The function of capsid protein is essential for the virus budding and replication of virus. On studying the antiviral activity of piperazine molecule against chikungunya, it was found that the molecule inhibits virus replication. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9601/igib-researchers-propose-reverse-resistance-mechanism-for-cancer-drugs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9601/igib-researchers-propose-reverse-resistance-mechanism-for-cancer-drugs.html Thu, 28 Sep 2017 10:50:00 +0530 Resistance to anticancer drugs is a major problem in oncology affecting a large number of cancer patients. Now, researchers at the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), New Delhi have found a way to make cancer cells that are resistant to two commonly used anticancer drugs — doxorubicin and topotecan — to once again become sensitive to the drugs. Improving or regaining the sensitivity of existing anticancer drugs is a quicker way to address the problem of cancer drug resistance than developing new drugs.  Chemotherapeutic drugs like doxorubicin and topotecan act by inducing DNA damage. Once the DNA damage gets induced it leads to the activation of an important protein called p21, which gets produced in larger quantities. The p21 protein helps stop the growth of cells and triggers senescence or apoptosis in cancer cells thereby killing them. However, in many drug-resistant cancer cells the production of p21 is compromised, thereby preventing the destruction of cancer cells even in the presence of these drugs. The team revolved its work around p21. They used small molecules to disrupt the functioning of p21. But more specificity is still required to take this study further.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9587/uk-researchers-put-bioactive-glass-to-repair-decayed-teeth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9587/uk-researchers-put-bioactive-glass-to-repair-decayed-teeth.html Wed, 27 Sep 2017 10:55:00 +0530 A group at Queen Mary University of London have now developed a very fast dissolving 'bioactive' glass which they are putting in toothpaste to repair decayed teeth. The team have already developed versions of bioactive glass that release fluoride, forming a chemical that mimics tooth and bone mineral, and have put these to use in toothpaste and dental fillings that put back the lost mineral in decayed teeth. Now, the team's research has shown the potential of a glass that uses chlorine instead of fluorine. The chlorine atom and ions are much bigger, which enables them to incorporate much more of it into the glass. The team's spin out company BioMin Technologies Ltd have also launched the first product based on these Chloride-containing glasses - a remineralizing toothpaste called "BioMinC". The toothpaste is designed for people who don't want to use a Fluoride-containing toothpaste and for areas of the world where the water is naturally fluoridated ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9584/triple-action-antibody-to-be-tested-as-hiv-vaccine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9584/triple-action-antibody-to-be-tested-as-hiv-vaccine.html Tue, 26 Sep 2017 11:05:00 +0530 Scientists from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in collaboration with the pharmaceutical company Sanofi have engineered a three-pronged antibody that protected monkeys from two strains of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) better than the equivalent naturally occurring antibodies. The single antibody with triple action afforded monkeys better protection against infection with two strains of monkey HIV than the individual natural antibodies from which the engineered antibody was derived. The engineered tri-species antibody also prevented infection by more different HIV strains in cell cultures and with greater potency than natural, single-specificity antibodies. Clinical trials to test the new broadly neutralizing tri-specific antibody in healthy people and in people living with HIV are due to start in 2018. If the clinical trials in HIV prove successful, the technology could be used against a wide range of other infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases and cancers.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9578/indian-researchers-suggest-non-surgical-treatment-for-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9578/indian-researchers-suggest-non-surgical-treatment-for-cancer.html Mon, 25 Sep 2017 11:10:00 +0530 The researchers from Mumbai’s Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and Tata Memorial Centre have synthesised hybrid polymer-gold nanoparticles as photothermal agent to ablate solid tumours. The near infrared light heats up the nanoparticles and the heated nanoparticles, in turn, can kill the cancer cells. Unlike other agents tried out by others, the hybrid nanoparticles used by the Mumbai team has no toxicity, is biodegradable and gets cleared from the body through urine. The team used a thermoresponsive polymer (poly(N-vinyl caprolactam)) nanoshell which can be loaded with an anticancer drug. The polymer nanoshell is coated with gold nanoparticles. Besides killing the cancer cells through thermal ablation, the polymer degrades at about 43 degree celsius and releases the drug to completely kill the tumour. Cancer cells get killed above 42 degree celsius. The hybrid nanoparticles can be injected into the blood and need not be injected directly into the tumour. The nanoparticles are able to reach the tumour cells through enhanced permeability and retention effect. The team is planning to carry out clinical trials (Phase I) on people with oral cancer. Trials in animals have already been carried out and the efficiency has been encouraging. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9576/strategy-to-make-more-effective-chemotherapy-for-breast-cancer-proposed-by-indian-scientists.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9576/strategy-to-make-more-effective-chemotherapy-for-breast-cancer-proposed-by-indian-scientists.html Fri, 22 Sep 2017 15:30:00 +0530 Scientists at the University of Calcutta and the Saroj Gupta Cancer Care and Research Institute in Kolkata have identified mechanisms that make breast cancer stem cells resistant to chemotherapy. This knowledge, they say, can be used to develop combination therapy along with conventional drugs to tackle aggressive triple negative breast cancer or TNBC. TNBC is a subset of breast cancer which is resistant to most drugs and tends to recur once drug therapy is stopped. The research team included Dr Urmi Chatterji, Pritha Mukherjee, Dr Arnab Gupta, and Dr Dhrubajyoti Chattopadhyay. The study was funded by the Department of Biotechnology. Pritha Mukherjee, a member of the research team explained, “Breast cancer stem cells are resistant to drugs, live longer and proliferate once chemotherapy ends. This is because elevated expression of drug efflux pumps that throw out the drug from cells.” The study has found that three molecules – SOX2, ABCG2, and TWIST1 – play an important role in this process. The researchers have further showed that on shutting down the SOX2 molecule (which further affects TWIST1) and treatment with anti-cancer drug paclitaxel, restricts migration of cancer stem cells. Even after removal of the drug, these cells did not migrate. Professor Urmi Chatterji of the University of Calcutta said, “This means obliterating SOX2 expression specifically in breast cancer stem cells before or during chemotherapy is a possible approach to eliminate their population within a tumour, with a promise to prevent post-chemotherapy recurrences.” Dr Arnab Gupta, director of Saroj Gupta Cancer Care and Research Institute said, “The outcome of this basic understanding may be translated into a clinical method for controlling tumor recurrence. A treatment strategy which ensures eradication of persistent drug resistant cells would serve as a complete therapy.” Professor Dhrubajyoti Chattopadhyay, vice chancellor of Amity University and co-author of the study said, “Designing new methods which would target SOX2 would in effect render resistant cell population sensitive to anti-cancer drugs.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9572/researchers-suggest-use-of-nanogel-for-repairing-heart-damage.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9572/researchers-suggest-use-of-nanogel-for-repairing-heart-damage.html Fri, 22 Sep 2017 10:15:00 +0530 Heart disease and heart-related illnesses are a leading cause of death around the world, but treatment options are limited. Now, one group of international researchers reports that encapsulating stem cells in a nanogel could help repair damage to the heart. The team encapsulated stem cells in nanogels, which are initially liquid but then turn into a soft gel when at body temperature. The nanogel didn't adversely affect stem cell growth or function, and the encased stem cells didn't trigger a rejection response. When these enveloped cells were injected into mouse and pig hearts, the researchers observed increased cell retention and regeneration compared to directly injecting just the stem cells. In addition, the heart walls were strengthened. Finally, the group successfully tested the encapsulated stem cells in mouse and pig models of myocardial infarction. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9563/delhi-scientists-test-therapy-for-treating-cervical-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9563/delhi-scientists-test-therapy-for-treating-cervical-cancer.html Thu, 21 Sep 2017 10:30:00 +0530 Researchers at the National Institute of Immunology (NII) in New Delhi have identified a tumour antigen called SPAG9 that promises to be a potent weapon in combating cervical cancer. The therapeutic vaccine based on the antigen is being tested among 54 patients at Cancer Institute at Adyar in Chennai. The trials are being conducted by a team of oncologists. If proven efficacious, it could change the face of cervix cancer treatment. The human trials are being conducted subsequent to elaborate trials with animal models. Invasion of foreign bodies like bacteria or virus usually trigger a volley of fighter cells called T cells. These T cells surround germs and fight them. Each type of virus or bacteria requires specific antigen T cells. Vaccination primes the body to potential threats and keeps the arsenal of antigens ever ready to fight an invasion. Immunotherapy is a new approach that exploits body’s inner capability to put up a fight against cancer. Under the approach, either immune system is given a boost or the T cells are trained to identify recalcitrant cancer cells and kill them. NII has outsourced the manufacturing of recombinant SPAG9 to Syngene International of Biocon Limited in Bengaluru. If the trials succeed, it will be the first molecule identified in India and will be an example of translational research outcome. These findings have opened new avenues for novel treatment modalities in battling the deadly disease of cancer worldwide ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9554/researchers-develop-paper-based-sensor-patch-for-diabetics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9554/researchers-develop-paper-based-sensor-patch-for-diabetics.html Wed, 20 Sep 2017 10:20:00 +0530 A new paper-based sensor patch developed by researchers at Binghamton University, State University of New York could allow diabetics to effectively measure glucose levels during exercise. The team has developed and demonstrated a self-powered, wearable and disposable patch that allows for non-invasive monitoring of glucose in human sweat. This wearable, single-use biosensor integrates a vertically stacked, paper-based glucose/oxygen enzymatic fuel cell into a standard Band-Aid adhesive patch. The paper-based device attaches directly to skin, wicks sweat to a reservoir where chemical energy is converted to electrical energy, and monitors glucose without external power and sophisticated readout instruments. The sensing platform holds considerable promise for efficient diabetes management, and a fully integrated system with a simple readout that can be realized towards continuous non-invasive glucose monitoring. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9550/researchers-in-kolkata-propose-effective-breast-cancer-therapy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9550/researchers-in-kolkata-propose-effective-breast-cancer-therapy.html Tue, 19 Sep 2017 10:30:00 +0530 Scientists at the University of Calcutta and the Saroj Gupta Cancer Care and Research Institute (SGCC&RI), Kolkata, have identified mechanisms that make breast cancer stem cells resistant to chemotherapy. This knowledge can be used to develop combination therapy along with conventional drugs to tackle aggressive triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). In this process, the study has found that three molecules – SOX2, ABCG2, and TWIST1 – play an important role. The researchers have further shown that on shutting down SOX2 (which further affects TWIST1 also) and treatment with anti-cancer drug, paclitaxel, restricted migration of cancer stem cells. Even after removal of the drug, these cells did not migrate. Designing new methods which would target SOX2 would in effect render resistant cell population sensitive to anti-cancer drugs. Further research has identified nano formulation of anti-cancer drugs which have the potential to reduce SOX2 expression and effectively obliterate the cancer stem cell population in cells-in-culture as well as in tumors induced in mice. It has immense potential in being developed as a promising drug in future. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9545/nirrh-mumbai-reveals-more-about-embryo-implantation-in-the-womb.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9545/nirrh-mumbai-reveals-more-about-embryo-implantation-in-the-womb.html Mon, 18 Sep 2017 12:15:00 +0530 Researchers at the National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health (NIRRH) in Mumbai have found a cross-talk between the embryo and the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium) and discovered a chain of chemical events that facilitate the implantation of the embryo in the womb. The understanding of this initial step has several potential implications such as improving the success rate of in vitro fertilisation (IVF), which hovers around 30% and developing contraceptives which work by preventing the implantation of the embryo. In all probability, the insight into the implanting mechanism might help in better understanding of conditions such as pre-eclampsia (gestational hypertension). The results of the study were published in the journal Endocrinology. As per the study, even in normal situations there is about 40% wastage of embryos as they fail to implant, leading to unsuccessful pregnancy. That is because a delicate and intricate balance exists between the embryo which is able to implant itself and the endometrium that receives it. At present very little of this process is understood. Using cell lines of trophoblast (the outer layer of the dividing bunch of cells of blastocyst) and endometrium (the inner lining of the uterus) samples from women who have undergone hysterectomy the researchers recreated the system in a lab dish. Chemicals were used to make the endometrium thicker (decidua) to mimic the lining of the uterus which is ready to allow the embryo to implant itself. Dr Deepak Modi, Lead researcher said, “We depleted the HOXA10 protein in one set of decidual cells while we kept it at normal level in another set of cells. We found increased invasion of trophoblasts and therefore better implantation where cells with reduced HOXA10 level were used. We could also show that the trophoblast cells which have more invasion have increased activity of the enzymes that digest the extracellular matrix proteins of the decidua.” Dr. Satish Kumar Gupta from the National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi and one of the authors of the paper said, “Previously it was thought that higher HOXA10 expression was better for implantation. But our study, for the first time, showed that at the site of implantation the HOXA10 expression is lower." It took the team eight years to complete the study. The biggest challenge was to test and prove the sequence of events observed in the lab happen in the womb. “This was a big technical challenge as getting human tissue of women in early stages of pregnancy is impossible. So we took tissues from monkeys which are very close to humans to validate the lab findings,” says Dr. Modi. In baboons, lower levels of HOXA10 protein were found at the site of implantation as compared with other sites of the decidua. Geeta Godbole, first author of the paper, Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory at NIRRH said, “This helped confirm that reduced HOXA10 protein was associated with the enhanced invasion and implantation of the embryo in the decidua.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9538/researchers-develop-novel-technology-for-improving-accuracy-of-diabetes-tests.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9538/researchers-develop-novel-technology-for-improving-accuracy-of-diabetes-tests.html Fri, 15 Sep 2017 10:25:00 +0530 Researchers from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Stanford University and the University of Florida report the development of a novel antibody detection technology that holds promise for improving the accuracy of diagnostic tests for type 1 diabetes in young children and making population wide screening practical. The scientists say the technology enables screening for more autoimmune antibodies implicated in type 1 diabetes than current tests by incorporating a full-length pancreatic protein, called the pancreatic zinc transport 8 (ZnT8), that is targeted for autoimmune attack in people with the disease. By improving the accuracy of this test, researchers intend to catch the disease earlier and extend testing to all people. Type I diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes, is a relatively rare form of the disorder in which the pancreas produces no insulin. The team hopes the new technology will ultimately be combined with current tests to reach the critical 99 percent accuracy to begin implementing type 1 diabetes tests across the entire population. However, further research is required to improve the design before it becomes clinically available. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9533/worlds-cheapest-pocket-ventilator-developed-by-robotic-engineer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9533/worlds-cheapest-pocket-ventilator-developed-by-robotic-engineer.html Thu, 14 Sep 2017 11:05:00 +0530 Young robotics engineer in Delhi in collaboration with a neurosurgeon at the AIIMS have developed the world’s cheapest and smallest ventilator, which looks like a clunky cellphone and can easily slip into your back pocket. Diwakar Vaish, inventor said, “It is almost 450 times smaller than the conventional ventilators and can be moved around easily.” Diwakar developed this device along with Dr Deepak Agrawal, professor of neuroscience at AIIMS. Dr Deepak said, “There is an FDA-approved disposable ventilator that costs between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000, but it has a maximum life of four weeks. This will be a one-time investment and since it runs on room air, and not oxygen, the operational costs are close to zero. There is no requirement for oxygen cylinders, which cost between Rs 3,000 and Rs 4,000 a day,” said Dr Vaish. Controlled with an android app, the ventilator uses an artificial intelligence algorithm to adjust air supply to the normal breathing pattern of the patient. “It works by pushing the atmospheric air into the lungs of the patients who cannot breathe on their own. The disposable ventilators currently in use also push in air, but they do it at a fixed frequency that does not necessarily match the patient’s breathing pattern, which may cause low oxygen saturation. This device synchronises ventilator air support with the normal breathing pattern,” said Dr Agrawal. “We have successfully used it for a couple of hours on six fully paralysed patients at AIIMS who have been unable to return home for the want of affordable ventilators”, he added.  “The oxygen supplied to the patients through conventional ventilators is usually diluted to 40% concentration, air contains 20% oxygen. Nine in 10 of all patients, barring the ones with severe lung problems, can breathe in the normal atmospheric air because the problem is in their diaphragm, not lungs,” Dr Agrawal added.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9534/us-researchers-develop-new-effective-drug-against-malaria.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9534/us-researchers-develop-new-effective-drug-against-malaria.html Thu, 14 Sep 2017 11:05:00 +0530 Tulane University researchers have developed a new drug that is effective against non-severe cases of malaria, according to results from an FDA-supervised clinical trial. The drug, called AQ-13, was able to clear the parasite responsible for the disease within a week, matching the effectiveness of the most widely used treatment regimen. Mosquitoes infected by a parasite spread malaria, causing more than 200 million illnesses across the globe and more than 400,000 deaths annually. For decades, chloroquine was used to treat malaria until Plasmodium falciparum developed resistance. A drug combination- artemether and lumefantrine- is the primary treatment for malaria although resistance is also developing to the drug combination in some countries. Researchers hope to expand testing of the drug to more participants, including women and children, before it can be widely recommended as a new treatment. The same biotechnology that helped the team develop the new drug has also identified similar drugs that also hold promise against drug-resistant parasites. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9528/csir-immt-researchers-use-gold-to-detect-lead-contamination.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9528/csir-immt-researchers-use-gold-to-detect-lead-contamination.html Wed, 13 Sep 2017 11:30:00 +0530 A group of scientists at the CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar have used gold nanoparticles to develop a simple method to detect lead in wastewater. The new technique makes of specially-produced miniscule particles of the yellow metal, and the property of gold nanoparticles to change colour when they ‘bunch-up’ in the presence of metal particles such as lead because of their optical properties. This method of detecting lead particles using specially-produced gold nanoparticles is a rapid, one-step method. It is a cost-effective method as compared to the more traditional methods of lead detection. Exposure to lead is known to cause severe and irreversible damage to the brain and nervous system in children, and to the kidneys in adults. It can also result in complications during pregnancy and lead to birth defects. Though there is a maximum acceptable limit of lead in wastewater, there is no known ‘safe’ level for humans. According to the World Health Organisation, lead poisoning is completely preventable. Therefore, there is a need for a simple and rapid method for detecting lead that is cost-effective and easily administered in lieu of the existing expensive and time-consuming methods. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9519/researchers-develop-compounds-for-treating-psoriasis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9519/researchers-develop-compounds-for-treating-psoriasis.html Tue, 12 Sep 2017 10:40:00 +0530 In a recent study, scientists from Emory & Case Western University have shown that compounds derived from fire ant venom can reduce skin thickening and inflammation in a mouse model of psoriasis. Solenopsins are the main toxic components of fire ant venom. They chemically resemble ceramides, which are lipid-like molecules essential for maintaining for the barrier function of the skin. Ceramides can be found in many skin care products. For this study, the team of researchers used solenopsin analogs or similar to act as ceramides over the skin but not be broken down to sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) to cause the skin damage. They tested this theory on a special strain of laboratory mice called the KC-Tie2 mouse. Solenepsin preparations were applied over the skin of these psoriatic mice for 28 days. It was seen that the severity of the inflammation reduced with the application. This restored the barrier function of the skin and also reduced inflammation. The findings could lead to new treatments for psoriasis, a common autoimmune skin disease. Topical steroids are now most frequently used for mild to moderate psoriasis, but they have side effects such as skin thinning and easy bruising. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9513/jnu-researchers-find-more-potential-in-arthritis-drug.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9513/jnu-researchers-find-more-potential-in-arthritis-drug.html Mon, 11 Sep 2017 11:20:00 +0530 Researchers from the School of Life Sciences and Special Centre for Molecular Medicine at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, have found that the anti-arthritis drug diflunisal can be used to kill Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium responsible for stomach-related problems ranging from chronic gastritis and ulcers to cancer. The researchers made the discovery about the new use for the arthritis drug while investigating a protein called beta-clamp in the bacterium which is a crucial target for drugs. A screening process with all drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) showed that diflusinal was able to inhibit the growth of the bacterium very well. Since diflunisal is an FDA approved drug, it could be taken in combination with the existing quadrapole therapy, which could reduce the length of treatment for H. Pylori infection. Quadrapole therapy involves the administration of antibiotics, H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors and stomach-lining protectors for four to six weeks. Diflunisal reduces pain, swelling, and joint stiffness caused by arthritis, and is categorised as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by reducing the levels of prostaglandins, chemicals that are responsible for pain, fever and inflammation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9507/researchers-create-a-device-for-measuring-blood-viscosity.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9507/researchers-create-a-device-for-measuring-blood-viscosity.html Fri, 08 Sep 2017 10:55:00 +0530 University of Connecticut researchers have developed a device that tests an important indicator of heart health that is often ignored - blood viscosity. The device only requires a finger prick of blood and gives precise readings in just a few minutes. It comprises of a small card of transparent plastic containing a microchannel where the blood droplet is placed. The blood wicks into the microchannel and flows through a small groove using its own capillary pressure. When the microchannel card is placed on a stage between a light source and a photodiode detector - a device that converts light into an electrical current - the device measures how long it takes the blood to travel through the microchannel. A few minutes after the sample is placed on the microchannel, a digital screen displays a viscosity reading that indicates whether the patient is at elevated risk for cardiac events. The team has formed a startup, Eir Medical Devices, based on their research. The researchers are in early discussions with physicians at UConn Health and Yale University to conduct clinical trials. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9501/scientists-develop-new-app-for-monitoring-heart-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9501/scientists-develop-new-app-for-monitoring-heart-health.html Thu, 07 Sep 2017 11:40:00 +0530 In a proof-of-concept clinical trial, engineers at Caltech, Huntington Medical Research Institute have demonstrated that the camera on your smartphone can noninvasively provide detailed information about your heart's health. The team developed a technique that can infer the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of the heart by measuring the amount that the carotid artery displaces the skin of the neck as blood pumps through it. LVEF represents the amount of blood in the heart that is pumped out with each beat. To measure LVEF using the technique developed at Caltech, doctors simply held iPhones against the volunteers' necks for one to two minutes. The app works because the walls of arteries are almost completely elastic, they expand and contract with each beat of the heart. That expanding and contracting can be measured and described as a waveform that encodes information about the heart. The team is now exploring what other information about the heart can be mined from the waveform captured by the app. Soon, the researchers anticipate that the technique could be used to diagnose heart valve diseases, like aortic stenosis, and coronary artery blockages. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9500/fourth-edition-of-health-2-0-india-conference-to-be-held-in-isb.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9500/fourth-edition-of-health-2-0-india-conference-to-be-held-in-isb.html Wed, 06 Sep 2017 15:55:00 +0530 The fourth edition of Health 2.0 India conference will be held at the Indian School of Business (ISB) Hyderabad campus here on November 10. The theme of the conference is ‘Highlighting Innovation and Enabling Growth in the Indian Healthcare Ecosystem’ with a focus on showcasing cutting-edge innovations that are transforming healthcare. The meet will have talks/ presentations by about 30 speakers with 20 live demos on advanced technologies from the healthcare industry. Health 2.0 is working closely with ISB’s Max Institute of Healthcare Management in curating the conference panel. "The Max Healthcare Institute and faculty at ISB are working on developing deep insights that can help improve health systems in India and the region. Early findings from these studies across a range of settings and disease conditions, highlight the critical role of digital technology in expanding healthcare access in a cost-effective manner,’’ said Sarang Deo, Executive Director, Max Institute, ISB. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9493/symposium-on-life-after-spinal-cord-injury-inaugurated-by-ashwini-choubey.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9493/symposium-on-life-after-spinal-cord-injury-inaugurated-by-ashwini-choubey.html Wed, 06 Sep 2017 12:30:00 +0530 New Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Ashwini Choubey recently inaugurated the Symposium on ‘Life after Spinal Cord Injury’ on the occasion of World Spinal Cord Injury Day at the AIIMS Trauma Centre. The Minister also released a Home Care Book for Spinal Cord Injury and also felicitated the Spinal Cord Injury patients treated at the Trauma Centre. Speaking at the function he said, “There is a dire need for setting up more well equipped Spinal Cord Injury Centres in the country. He also highlighted the need for accelerating integrated rehabilitation of such patients and applauded the AIIMS Trauma Centre for its services in the treatment and rehabilitation of Spinal Cord Injury patients.” He was optimistic that the book released by him will be immensely useful for spinal cord injury patients in their rehabilitation. The Minister also congratulated the doctors of the Trauma Centre and the Paralympic Committee of athlete of India for organizing the Symposium.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9490/scientists-create-medical-camera-to-see-through-human-body.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9490/scientists-create-medical-camera-to-see-through-human-body.html Wed, 06 Sep 2017 11:05:00 +0530 An Indian-origin scientist has led a team at the University of Edinburgh to create a medical camera that can see through the human body, and he believes it has immense potential for doctors in tracking internal examinations. The camera is designed to help doctors track medical tools, known as endoscopes, which are used to investigate a range of internal conditions. The new device is able to detect sources of light inside the body, such as the illuminated tip of the endoscope’s long flexible tube. Until now, it has not been possible to track where an endoscope is located in the body in order to guide it to the right place without using X-rays or other expensive methods. Experts have integrated thousands of single photon detectors onto a silicon chip, similar to that found in a digital camera. The technology is so sensitive that it can detect the tiny traces of light that pass through the body’s tissue from the light of the endoscope. It can also record the time taken for light to pass through the body, allowing the device to also detect the scattered light. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9484/new-diagnostic-test-developed-for-meningitis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9484/new-diagnostic-test-developed-for-meningitis.html Tue, 05 Sep 2017 11:25:00 +0530 Irish scientists have come up with a test that can identify potential cases of meningitis in a fraction of the current time. Standard tests for meningococcal disease which can lead to meningitis and blood poisoning can take up to 48 hours for results to come back. But a new diagnostic tool created by experts at Queen's University Belfast and The Belfast Trust can provide results within an hour. The test could prevent children with meningococcal disease being wrongly sent home, potentially saving dozens of lives every year. The new diagnostic test known as Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (Lamp) has been assessed in a two-year study alongside the standard National Health Service tests. Researchers said the Lamp diagnostic tool proved to be as efficient as the standard test in returning accurate diagnosis. A new study at Queen's University is being led in collaboration with the Paediatric Emergency Research UK and Ireland to assess the practicality of testing being undertaken by a clinician in a hospital environment. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9476/scientists-design-novel-compounds-against-biofilm-forming-bacteria.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9476/scientists-design-novel-compounds-against-biofilm-forming-bacteria.html Mon, 04 Sep 2017 11:25:00 +0530 Two new molecules capable of destroying bio-film forming bacteria have been developed by scientists at the Bengaluru-based Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR). The molecules performed better than conventional antibiotics in killing the bacteria during the dormant phase. Though the molecule alone was not able to disrupt biofilm, a combination of the molecule with erythromycin in equal concentration caused complete eradication of the tough-to-kill E. coli and Acinetobacter biofilm. Erythromycin by itself was also not able to disturb the biofilm. This showed that the combined strategy worked efficiently compared with individual antibiotics. A combination of existing antibiotics (erythromycin) and the macromolecules also showed efficacy in treating burn and surgical wound infections caused by multi-drug resistant pathogens, Acinetobacter and Klebsiella  in animal models. These findings show the potential implications of the combination approach for topical treatment of infections. However, detailed animal studies are required further to fully understand the prospects of the molecule. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9470/blood-test-developed-for-early-detection-of-alzheimers.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9470/blood-test-developed-for-early-detection-of-alzheimers.html Fri, 01 Sep 2017 11:20:00 +0530 Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a blood test to correctly distinguish between patients with early Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease and healthy people. More importantly, the method identifies people with a family history of Alzheimer’s who are likely to get the disease later in life. The research team made use of the fact that in Alzheimer’s, numerous genes involved in inflammation and cellular stress are activated. This process is not only going on in the brain. White blood cells also show changes in the activity of these genes, and a simple blood test could be enough to spot them. By analyzing amounts of various messenger RNAs, the intermediate molecule between a gene and its encoded protein, they were able to identify people with early Alzheimer’s among a group that also consisted of healthy people and those with Parkinson’s. One or more of the many existing drugs for Alzheimer’s that have failed in clinical trials may actually succeed in slowing or arresting Alzheimer’s if they can be delivered early enough in the disease process. Further, trials for new drugs targeting at-risk patients can be ramped up significantly if a simple, non-invasive blood test can replace costly imaging like PET scan. The new early diagnostic therefore represents a promising milestone in the war on Alzheimer’s disease.    ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9459/iit-researchers-make-implantable-pancreas-for-treating-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9459/iit-researchers-make-implantable-pancreas-for-treating-diabetes.html Thu, 31 Aug 2017 11:55:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have successfully created an implantable bioartificial pancreas model grown within a 3D silk scaffold. The “pancreas”, which encapsulates insulin-producing cells, is capable of naturally producing insulin in a sustained manner. The silk scaffold was found to be biocompatible (not toxic to living tissue) as it did not trigger any immune reaction or cause any adverse reaction when implanted. Since type 1 diabetes patients do not have insulin-producing beta cells, the researchers have turned to stem cells to produce beta cells. The team coated the scaffold containing beta cells with a semi-permeable membrane barrier. The membrane allows insulin produced to be released into the blood stream but does not allow the immune cells to cross the membrane and kill the islet cells. To ensure that the implant is not rejected by the body’s immune system, drugs that suppress the immune system were embedded in the scaffold. The researchers are planning to carry out trials in animals. If successful in animal and human trials, it can be used for treating people with type 1 diabetes. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9455/an-app-developed-for-screening-pancreatic-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9455/an-app-developed-for-screening-pancreatic-cancer.html Wed, 30 Aug 2017 11:10:00 +0530 University of Washington researchers have developed an app that could allow people to easily screen for pancreatic cancer and other diseases by snapping a smartphone selfie. BiliScreen uses a smartphone camera, computer vision algorithms and machine learning tools to detect increased bilirubin levels in a person's sclera, or the white part of the eye. The team developed a computer vision system to automatically and effectively isolate the white parts of the eye, which is a valuable tool for medical diagnostics. The app then calculates the color information from the sclera based on the wavelengths of light that are being reflected and absorbed and correlates it with bilirubin levels using machine learning algorithms. BiliScreen is designed to be an easy-to-use, non-invasive tool that could help determine whether someone ought to consult a doctor for further testing. Beyond diagnosis, BiliScreen could also potentially ease the burden on patients with pancreatic cancer who require frequent bilirubin monitoring. Next steps for the research team include testing the app on a wider range of people at risk for jaundice and underlying conditions, as well as continuing to make usability improvements. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9450/us-researchers-develop-rapid-screening-test-for-liver-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9450/us-researchers-develop-rapid-screening-test-for-liver-cancer.html Tue, 29 Aug 2017 11:00:00 +0530 A team of researchers led by University of Utah in the US has developed a rapid portable screening test for liver cancer that does not involve sending a specimen to a blood lab and cuts the wait time for results from two weeks to two minutes. This new and inexpensive test, the team is working to lower the cost to about $ 3 per test, can be administered wherever the patient is, which will be particularly valuable in developing nations with little access to hospitals. Researchers also believe the test can be easily modified to detect infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria and dengue. The test uses a small domino-sized plastic cartridge containing a paper membrane that selectively traps biomarkers (proteins specific to a certain disease) from biological fluids. A small droplet of blood, saliva, or urine, or even a teardrop, from the patient is dropped onto the membrane. This is followed by the droplet of gold nanoparticles, which tags the biomarkers trapped in the membrane. If the biomarkers are present, a red spot appears, signaling the patient has the disease and should seek more testing and possible treatment. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9444/iit-scientists-discover-biosensor-for-kidney-disorders.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9444/iit-scientists-discover-biosensor-for-kidney-disorders.html Mon, 28 Aug 2017 11:40:00 +0530 Indian Institutes of Technology at Bombay and Indore have jointly developed a biosensor that makes it possible to detect kidney disorders in less than eight minutes. The biosensor can accurately measure both the pH and urea concentration with a single drop of urine. Researchers who developed the biosensor believe that it will help make a point-of-care test to ascertain if kidneys are functioning normally. For a kidney function test, doctors need an estimate of pH and urea as most kidney disorders result in reduced pH and higher concentration of urea. The available methods urea are accurate patients have to undergo two tests. In addition, there is problem of contaminating components in urine such as calcium, chloride, ascorbic acid, sodium, and potassium. It is made by encapsulating an enzyme urease and a molecule FITC-dextran in alginate microspheres. The combo emits fluorescence in response to chemical reaction with urea and changes in pH when urine is added. The fluorescence reduces when the pH is acidic and increases when it is alkaline. The changes in fluorescence intensity are measured, which helps to calculate the values of pH and urea. It will help make a rapid and accurate point-of-care diagnostic test for kidney disorders. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9443/tmc-researchers-develop-a-biomarker-for-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9443/tmc-researchers-develop-a-biomarker-for-cancer.html Fri, 25 Aug 2017 08:30:00 +0530 Researchers at the Tata Memorial Centre in Mumbai have identified a biomarker that will help doctors decide whether patients with early-stage tongue cancer should undergo neck surgery to remove 20-30 lymph nodes. Patients negative for the biomarker can be spared of neck dissection. In the absence of a reliable biomarker capable of pointing out in which patients the disease will recur, doctors routinely remove the affected part of the tongue and the lymph nodes in all patients with early-stage tongue cancer. The biomarker, MMP10 protein, can be identified using a simple immuno histochemical analysis, a method to locate proteins in tissue sections. Only those patients who have higher level of this protein are likely to have cancer spread to the lymph nodes. So the biomarker will help doctors to decide which patients could be spared of complex surgeries to remove the lymph nodes. The research team would be further validating these findings using a higher sample size for the next trial. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9437/researchers-synthesize-dyes-to-detect-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9437/researchers-synthesize-dyes-to-detect-diseases.html Thu, 24 Aug 2017 11:20:00 +0530 University of Connecticut Health Centre researchers developed and patented voltage-sensitive dyes that cause cells, tissues, or whole organs to light up as a result of electrical impulses and allow this activity to be measured. They have also launched a startup to spread their product, which has potential in the process of drug discovery. Electrical signals or voltages are fundamental in the natural function of brain and heart tissue, and disrupted electrical signaling can be a cause or consequence of injury or disease. Not all dyes respond to voltage changes in the same way, and there is a common trade-off between their sensitivity and speed. Slower dyes can be used for drug screening with high sensitivity, but they can't measure the characteristics of rapid action potentials in some tissues, like cardiac cells. Fast dyes can be used to image action potentials, but they require expensive, customized instrumentation, and are not sensitive enough for crystal clear results on individual cells. In order to make the electrical potential visible, researchers use fluorescent voltage sensors, also known as voltage-sensitive dyes. In this study, researchers have developed new fast dyes that are also highly sensitive, eliminating the speed/sensitivity trade-off. The team members hope that one day their dyes will have a major impact for both the pharmaceutical industry and fellow university researchers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9430/international-study-offers-quicker-way-to-test-for-zika-virus.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9430/international-study-offers-quicker-way-to-test-for-zika-virus.html Wed, 23 Aug 2017 10:50:00 +0530 For the first time, researchers are using proteomics to examine proteins and peptides in saliva in order to accurately detect exposure to Zika virus. By analyzing the saliva of a pregnant mother infected with Zika and her twins, one born with microcephaly and one without, the researchers were able to pinpoint the specific protein signature for Zika that is present in saliva, creating potential to use this signature as an effective way to screen for exposure. Scientists from School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, Canada, and a team of international researchers also discovered important clues about how the virus passes from mother to baby and its role in the development of microcephaly, a birth defect in which a baby's head and brain is smaller than expected. The proteins and the peptides that come directly from the virus are more stable than RNA. Saliva proteomics can detect the virus far longer after exposure than with the traditional method. The findings open new doors for the development of antibody-based diagnostic tests for point-of-care detection. The researchers have received a provisional U.S. patent to develop a simple device that can be used to identify the Zika virus peptides in saliva outside of the laboratory.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9421/scientists-use-a-nanolaser-for-preventing-cancer-metastases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9421/scientists-use-a-nanolaser-for-preventing-cancer-metastases.html Tue, 22 Aug 2017 11:05:00 +0530 A nanolaser known as the spaser can serve as a super-bright, water-soluble, biocompatible probe capable of finding metastasized cancer cells in the blood stream and then killing these cells. The discovery was made by researchers at Georgia State University, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Science. Metastatic cancer occurs when cancer spreads to distant parts of the body, often to the bone, liver, lungs and brain, through a process called metastasis. Many types of cancers refer to this as stage IV cancer. Once cancer spreads, it can be difficult to control, and most metastatic cancer can't be cured with current treatments, according to the National Institute of Health's National Cancer Institute.  Spaser can be used as an optical probe and when released into the body (possibly through an injection or drinking a solution), it can find and go after circulating tumor cells (CTCs), stick to them and destroy these cells by breaking them apart to prevent cancer metastases. The spaser absorbs laser light, heats up, causes shock waves in the cell and destroys the cell membrane.  Spasers have high potential as therapeutic and diagnostic agents that integrate optical diagnosis and photothermal-based cell killing, using just a few laser pulses to kill cancer cells. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9415/iisc-researchers-develop-membranes-for-safe-drinking-water.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9415/iisc-researchers-develop-membranes-for-safe-drinking-water.html Mon, 21 Aug 2017 10:45:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru have developed a water-filter membrane with copper ions to make drinking water safe. The team of researchers made the commonly used polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) water-filter membrane to prevent biofouling and kill bacteria. To do this they first made the inert PVDF membrane functional by blending it with a polymer (styrene maleic anhydride or SMA). The SMA polymer coated on the membrane, which gets partially hydrolysed when in contact with water, interacts with the outer membrane of the bacteria to produce disc shaped structures. It solubilises the membrane protein but does not kill bacteria. But the interaction with the bacterial cell membrane leads to release of a particular enzyme (phosphatase and/or phospholipase). This enzyme released from the bacteria cleaves the polymer coating found on copper oxide resulting in controlled release of copper ions from the membrane into water. These membranes with controlled release of copper ion may turn out to be a potential candidate for water purification applications with enhanced antibacterial and antifouling performances. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9407/scientists-develop-chewing-gum-rapid-test-for-inflammation.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9407/scientists-develop-chewing-gum-rapid-test-for-inflammation.html Fri, 18 Aug 2017 10:20:00 +0530 A chewing gum based diagnostic test has been developed by a pharmaceutical research team at the University of Würzburg in Germany. Dental implants occasionally entail complications. Six to 15 percent of patients develop an inflammatory response in the years after receiving a dental implant. This is caused by bacteria destroying the soft tissue and the bone around the implant, in the worst case. In the presence of inflammatory conditions, specific protein-degrading enzymes are activated in the mouth. In just five minutes, these enzymes also break down a special ingredient of the chewing gum, thereby releasing a bittering agent that could not be tasted before. The research team provided the proof that this principle actually works. To launch the chewing gum into the market, the team plans to set up a company. But it will take two to three years until the gum is commercially available. Anyone can use this new diagnostic tool anywhere and anytime without any technical equipment. Chewing gum rapid tests for other medical applications are presently under development. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9401/scientists-develop-biomaterial-for-faster-blood-clotting.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9401/scientists-develop-biomaterial-for-faster-blood-clotting.html Thu, 17 Aug 2017 10:15:00 +0530 Indian scientists have developed a nature-inspired biomaterial with enhanced blood clotting efficiency to treat injuries. The new material has been developed by scientists at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata (IISERK) and Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata. Researchers have modified natural biomaterials, peptides, to develop sealants with improved strength, stability and clotting properties. Computer based analyses was employed, using various approaches, to generate sealant structures with desired properties. These structures were then synthesized and evaluated under laboratory conditions. These tests revealed that the engineered sealant was able to self-assemble, much like human body’s natural clotting mechanism, to form an interwoven structure resembling a clot but in nearly half the time. This enhanced clotting rate can play an extremely crucial role in treating injuries sustained during accidents or military combat. The natural material of the engineered sealant will ensure that it is tolerated by the body with minimal inflammatory response. It is also bio-degradable, similar to the natural clotting factor.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9387/iit-researchers-develop-iot-enabled-ultrasound-scans.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9387/iit-researchers-develop-iot-enabled-ultrasound-scans.html Wed, 16 Aug 2017 10:35:00 +0530 A team of researchers from IIT Hyderabad has been working to use the Internet of Things (IoT) to accurately diagnose kidney and liver disorders with the help of ultrasound scanning devices. What started off as a project to develop a system that will validate the data and do a preliminary scanning of the organ — whether the organ is normal or not — has now developed into technology that can identify kidney stones and cysts and also grade a “fatty liver” classification. The team aimed to have software which would view the images and classify the kidney images into “normal” and “needs treatment.” The research however, went beyond this goal and they now have a deep-learning algorithm which can differentiate between cysts and stones in the kidney images. In fact, they also have trained the software to look at the liver images and classify fatty livers into different grades through an automated recognition process. The algorithm that the researchers have developed can be integrated into any platform and is flexible from the point of view of the hardware being used. They have also included a cloud-based authentication feature that allows identification of the operator by means of iris and fingerprint scans. The researchers believe that there is a need to collaborate with hospitals and with the government and integrate this algorithm with devices. This will make it possible to extend medical support into the rural areas.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9383/researchers-develop-dna-sensor-for-quick-pathogen-detection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9383/researchers-develop-dna-sensor-for-quick-pathogen-detection.html Mon, 14 Aug 2017 12:00:00 +0530 Scientists from CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB) and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Delhi have developed an ultrasensitive DNA sensor that can detect S. pyogenes, a bacterium which causes a wide range of diseases in about 30 minutes. The DNA chip based sensor consists of a carbon electrode embedded with gold nanoparticles. By means of a bioinformatics study, the researchers were able to design probes which are specific for S. pyogenes. The working electrode surface of the device is attached with several small-sized, single-stranded DNA probe specific to the pathogen. When patients’ DNA, isolated from throat swabs, are placed on the surface, they bind to the complementary single-stranded DNA on the device and an electrochemical change is seen. This is measured using a differential pulse voltammetry. Researchers are working on construction of different biosensors for different pathogens. Early and quick diagnosis can help in preventing the diseases and seek medical treatment at the early stage of infection. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9377/researchers-transform-skin-cells-into-insulin-making-cells.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9377/researchers-transform-skin-cells-into-insulin-making-cells.html Fri, 11 Aug 2017 10:40:00 +0530 Norwegian researches are one step closer to cure diabetes by making insulin-producing cells from skin cells. Today, there is an ongoing race between scientists trying to restore insulin secretion within the human body in diabetes patients, by artificially created insulin-producing cells. Researchers at the University of Bergen have transformed skin puncture cells from diabetes patients into insulin producing cells, using stem cell techniques. The researchers' aim is to transplant these cells under the skin of people with diabetes. This study is a step towards discovering how stand-in cells can secrete insulin in the body. In the long run, the researchers´ goal is to replace insulin shots and blood sugar measurements with insulin-secreting cells capable of automatically secreting insulin in response to the blood sugar level. This can become possible by implanting a capsule with tailor made cells in each diabetes patient. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9373/iitbombay-team-designs-a-wearable-device.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9373/iitbombay-team-designs-a-wearable-device.html Thu, 10 Aug 2017 11:25:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay have developed a thin, light, wearable gesture-tracking device that behaves like a second skin and is able to precisely detect mechanical movements such as bending and stretching of the joints of the hand. The device can find applications in physiotherapeutic recuperation of stroke patients, personalised point-of-care health monitoring systems, and robotics. The researchers used a polymeric film as a matrix in which carbon nanotubes are uniformly distributed. When the matrix is stretched or bent, the way the carbon nanotubes are connected changes. This produces a change in the electrical pathway across the device which is measured as change in resistance. Unlike other devices which use metallic electrodes, the one developed by the IIT–Bombay team uses the same carbon nanotubes for electrodes. Metal electrodes are more prone to failure and fatigue and are uncomfortable when used directly on skin. So the team has made the electrodes by coating a cotton thread with carbon nanotubes. Studies will be carried out on healthy individuals and those with arthritis to understand the difference in movement of joints. Later, those with early-stage arthritis will be enrolled and a longer-duration study will be conducted. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9370/researchers-use-gold-nanoparticles-against-lung-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9370/researchers-use-gold-nanoparticles-against-lung-cancer.html Wed, 09 Aug 2017 10:25:00 +0530 According to a recent study, tiny flecks of gold could be used in the fight against cancer. The study was carried out in collaboration with researchers at the University of Zaragoza's Institute of Nanoscience of Aragon in Spain, with funding coming from Cancer Research UK (CRUK), and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.  Minute fragments, known as gold nanoparticles, were encased in a chemical device by the research team. While this has not yet been tested on humans, it is hoped such a device could one day be used to reduce side effects of current chemotherapy treatments by precisely targeting diseased cells without damaging healthy tissue. Gold is a safe chemical element and has the ability to accelerate, or catalyse, chemical reactions. The scientists discovered properties of the metal that allow these catalytic abilities to be accessed in living things without any side effects. The device was shown to be effective after being implanted in the brain of a zebrafish, suggesting it can be used in living animals.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9366/penny-sized-nanochip-pad-can-regrow-organs-and-heal-injuries.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9366/penny-sized-nanochip-pad-can-regrow-organs-and-heal-injuries.html Tue, 08 Aug 2017 12:40:00 +0530 The US researchers have created a Dubbed tissue nanotransfection (TNT) technology which is capable of regrowing damaged organs and healing serious wounds with the single touch of a penny-sized pad. The technique works by placing a small pad of nanochips over a damaged area. A small electric current then fires DNA into the skin cells, converting them into the specific building block cells of any other part of the body, such as arteries, or even organs like the heart. Nanochips can reprogramme skin cells which can generate any type of cell necessary for medical treatment. The procedure is non-invasive in nature and takes less than a second. In laboratory trials it was found to restore the function of badly damaged blood vessels within days. The US researchers who created the technology say, “It could even be used as a weapon against neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.  It will be possible to reprogramme skin cells to harvest brain cells in a peripheral part of the body, such as the arm, which can then be injected into the brain.” The team at Ohio State University have successfully trialled TNT on pigs and mice, with a reported success rate of 98 per cent. In one experiment, blood flow in the severely injured leg of a mouse was restored in less than a week after the pad reprogrammed skin cells to create vascular cells.Researchers plan to start clinical trials on humans next year. Dr. Chandan Sen, who led the study said, “With this technology, we can convert skin cells into elements of any organ with just one touch. This process only takes less than a second and is non-invasive, and then you're off. The chip does not stay with you, and the reprogramming of the cell starts.” “By using our novel nanochip technology, injured or compromised organs can be replaced. We have shown that skin is a fertile land where we can grow the elements of any organ that is declining. By using our novel nanochip technology, injured or compromised organs can be replaced. We have shown that skin is a fertile land where we can grow the elements of any organ that is declining”, he added   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9363/iit-scientists-synthesize-silk-mats-for-treating-arthritis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9363/iit-scientists-synthesize-silk-mats-for-treating-arthritis.html Tue, 08 Aug 2017 11:35:00 +0530 Scientists from IIT Guwahati have synthesised mats made of silk-proteins and bioactive glass fibres that they believe can assist the growth of bone cells and repair worn-out joints in arthritis patients. The disease most commonly affects joints in the knees, hips, hands, feet, and spine and is marked by the breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bones. Left untreated, it can cause severe pain, swelling, and eventually limited range of movement. Scientists have used silk, a natural protein to fabricate electrospun mats to mimic the cartilage portion and bioactive glass to develop a composite material, similar to the natural tissue. For the mat, scientists used a kind of silk easily available in northeast India. The researchers adopted a green fabrication approach for the developing the silk composite mats — electrospinning. It is similar to knitting, except that it utilises electric high-voltage force to draw ultrafine fibres. A layer by layer approach was followed, where the bone layer was first formed, on top of which the cartilage layer was developed. The resulting composite mat resembled the architecture of the bone-cartilage interface. To assist the regenerative process, the mats would be grafted in the defected joint with cells harvested from the patient. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9359/iit-researchers-develop-a-novel-drug-delivery-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9359/iit-researchers-develop-a-novel-drug-delivery-system.html Mon, 07 Aug 2017 09:55:00 +0530 A new antibiotic drug-delivery system that improves the efficacy of drugs thereby reducing the dosage used for treating bacterial infections has been tested in a lab by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. A peptide, which has not been approved for clinical use, bound to gold nanoparticles was able to kill E. coli and Salmonella typhi more efficiently at lower dosages. Drug delivery becomes better and the bioavailability improves when the drug is conjugated or bound to gold nanoparticles. The peptide called sushi-peptide bound to nanoparticles was able to kill 50% of bacteria at much lower concentration while the free peptide’s antibacterial activity was not significant at the same concentration. Besides normal cells infected with bacteria, the peptide bound to nanoparticles will be particularly useful in the case of cancer patients suffering from bacterial infections. The nanoconjugate is not toxic to cancer cells and targets only the bacteria. The team plans to further study if the nanoconjugates can be used on antibiotic-resistant strains and also understand the fate of gold nanoparticles used for making the nanoconjugates. The researchers feel that instead of gold nanoparticle, biodegradable polymers can be used. The only condition is that the peptide should be able to interact with the bacterial membrane. A few more studies have to be carried out before the nanoconjugate can be tested on animals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9354/iiser-pune-researchers-develop-a-signaling-model-for-type-2-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9354/iiser-pune-researchers-develop-a-signaling-model-for-type-2-diabetes.html Fri, 04 Aug 2017 11:45:00 +0530 Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is believed to be irreversible although no component of the pathophysiology is irreversible. Researchers at the Indian Institute for Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune have developed a network model that the apparent irreversibility is contributed by the structure of the network of inter-organ signalling. A network model comprising all known inter-organ signals in type 2 diabetes showed bi-stability with one insulin sensitive and one insulin resistant attractor. Many large scale clinical trials have revealed that normalizing blood glucose is not effective in avoiding diabetic complications. This finding is compatible with the model. Further, the model demonstrates that it might be impossible, in principle, to prevent diabetic complications by a sole focus on normalizing glucose. The model suggests molecular targets such as adiponectin, growth hormone, melatonin and testosterone for prevention of T2DM; and dopamine, ghrelin, oestrogen and osteocalcin for prevention as well as treatment of T2DM. But since all these molecules are behaviourally regulated, it is likely that behavioural intervention may have a better promise. It is quite likely that a paradigm shift is awaiting round the corner in the field and we need to be open to this possibility.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9347/researchers-make-sunscreen-from-dna-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9347/researchers-make-sunscreen-from-dna-.html Thu, 03 Aug 2017 12:50:00 +0530 Scientists at Binghamton University in New York have developed a film from the DNA of salmon which gets better at protecting the skin from ultraviolet light the more it is exposed to the Sun. It also helps lock in moisture beneath the surface which is usually lost during tanning. The film was made from a mixture of the DNA from salmon sperm, water and ethanol to create sheets of a transparent crystalline material. They found that the more they exposed the film to UV light, the better the film got at absorbing it. The DNA coating can also store and hold water much more than uncoated skin. When applied to human skin, they are capable of slowing water evaporation and keeping the tissue hydrated for extended periods of time. The team also wants to test whether the material could also be useful as a wound covering. Because it is transparent, doctors would be able to monitor how well a wound was healing without removing the dressing. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9342/steroid-treatment-is-associated-with-high-risk-of-adverse-events-for-kidney-disease-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9342/steroid-treatment-is-associated-with-high-risk-of-adverse-events-for-kidney-disease-study.html Wed, 02 Aug 2017 15:50:00 +0530 Treatment with pills of the steroid methylprednisolone was associated with an unexpectedly large increase in the risk of serious adverse events, primarily infections among patients with IgA nephropathy and excess protein in their urine. This study was recently conducted by George Institute for Global Health. Dr. Vivekanand Jha, Executive Director of the George Institute for Global Health, India, and one of the authors associated with the study said, “Up to 30 percent of all people with IgA nephropathy will eventually develop end-stage kidney disease. Decreased kidney function, persistent proteinuria, and hypertension are the strongest risk factors.” Guidelines recommend corticosteroids in patients with IgA nephropathy and persistent proteinuria, and they are widely used in these patients, but the benefits and risks have not been clearly established. In the study, participants with IgA nephropathy and proteinuria were randomly assigned to oral methylprednisolone (n = 136) or placebo (n = 126) for 2 months, with subsequent weaning over 4 to 6 months. Recruitment was planned in several countries including China and India but after 2.1 years' median follow-up, recruitment was discontinued because of an unexpectedly high rate of serious adverse events (including infections, gastrointestinal, and bone disorders). Serious events occurred in 20 participants (14.7 percent) in the methylprednisolone group vs 4 (3.2 percent) in the placebo group, mostly due to excess serious infections (8.1 percent vs 0), including two deaths. The primary renal outcome (end-stage kidney disease, death due to kidney failure, or a 40 percent decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate [a measure of substantial loss of kidney function) occurred in 8 participants (5.9 percent) in the methylprednisolone group vs 20 (15.9 percent) in the placebo group. Vlado Perkovic of the George Institute for Global Health Sydney and a lead author of the study said, “Although the results were consistent with potential renal benefit, definitive conclusions about treatment benefit cannot be made, owing to early termination of the trial.” Prof. Hong Zhang of Peking University First Hospital, Beijing adds, “A limitation of the study was recruitment was stopped earlier than planned because of excess adverse events and so the power of the study was less than predicted, and both risks and benefits might be overestimated thus."   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9339/scientists-discover-new-treatment-for-skin-infection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9339/scientists-discover-new-treatment-for-skin-infection.html Wed, 02 Aug 2017 11:00:00 +0530 George Washington University researchers have found that topically applied nitric oxide-releasing nanoparticles (NO-np) are a viable treatment for deep fungal infections of the skin caused by dermatophytes, for which the current standard of care is treatment with systemic antifungals. While superficial infections can often be managed with topical agents, fungal infections which infiltrate the hair follicle or into deeper layers of the skin can only be effectively treated with oral or systemic antifungal therapies. Topical antifungals offer limited penetration through the skin. The researchers turned to nitric oxide, a natural, gaseous immunomodulator with broad-spectrum, multi-faceted antimicrobial activity, as the ideal agent for treatment. In an animal model, the research team found that NO-np facilitated a quicker, more impactful response to treatment over the commercially available topical terbinafine, showing 95 percent of infection clearance by the third day of treatment. These findings are in line with multiple previous reports utilizing the NO-np against fungal and bacterial surgical wound and burn infection. The next step is to scale up the technology for clinical trial use in several therapeutic areas given the diverse clinical implications of the nitric oxide producing nanoformulation, as well as the platform overall given its unique ability to encapsulate and deliver a broad range of active ingredients. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9332/uk-researchers-develop-new-liquid-biopsy-test.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9332/uk-researchers-develop-new-liquid-biopsy-test.html Tue, 01 Aug 2017 10:30:00 +0530 Researchers at the University of Leicester and Imperial College London in the UK have developed a new liquid biopsy test to monitor breast cancer progression and identify patients who require a change in treatment. Funded by Cancer Research UK and Breast Cancer Now, the test is designed to detect point mutations and copy number alterations that indicate disease progression. The test can also measure genetic changes in circulating cancer DNA for identification of patients who would benefit from Herceptin treatment or can potentially develop resistance to anti-hormone therapy. It monitors 13 different genes such as the ERBB2 gene (HER2) and the ESR1 (oestrogen receptor). While the test accurately detected all expected cancer DNA changes in the lab, it successfully identified the changes in 21 of the patients and detected no mutations in healthy subjects. The study is considered as proof of concept and the test requires further validation of clinical usefulness before commercialisation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9328/researchers-at-igib-devise-a-new-way-of-controlling-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9328/researchers-at-igib-devise-a-new-way-of-controlling-cancer.html Mon, 31 Jul 2017 12:45:00 +0530 Researchers at Delhi’s CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB) have found the mechanism by which controlling the levels of telomerase can help in reining in the growth of cancer cells and probably prevent cancer metastasis. In normal cells the telomerase is kept under tight control. But in about 85 per cent of all cancers the telomerase levels are more than normal leading to malignant transformation and aggressive metastasis in many cases. The team of researchers used proteomics based analysis to study interactions of a protein called nonmetastatic 2 or NME2 protein, that was found to control the levels of telomerase. The researchers found that NME2 binds to a DNA structure (G-quadrauplex) found in the telomerase promoter. Once bound, the NME2 facilitates a well- known suppressor of gene expression (REST complex) to bind to the telomerase promoter and control the production of telomerase. Since the amount of NME2 is low in many metastatic cancerous cells, the researchers used small molecules that were able to function like NME2 by recognising and binding to the DNA structure. Based on the initial lead from the small molecules, the researchers are planning to synthesise new molecules to optimise for drug-like characteristics for therapeutic use. The molecules will then be tested on animals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9322/us-scientists-make-modifications-in-human-embryo.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9322/us-scientists-make-modifications-in-human-embryo.html Fri, 28 Jul 2017 12:25:00 +0530 American Scientists have managed to edit and improve the DNA of human embryos in an effort to correct the gene defects that cause inherited diseases. The DNA of human embryos has been edited previously by scientists in China, but this is thought to be the first time the controversial practice has been carried out in the US. The work at Oregon Health and Science University, Portland is believed to be ground-breaking in terms of the number of embryos modified and the safety and efficiency that was demonstrated in doing so. Chinese scientists had previously reported using CRISPR to edit human embryos, but they were only successful in altering a small number of cells. This effect, where some cells have a different genetic make-up to others is referred to as “mosaicism,” an effect that experts warned would make germline engineering unsafe for humans. However, researchers have now shown that because the CRISPR errors are known, it is possible to avoid this problem. The team reduced mosaicism by ensuring that CRISPR was injected into eggs early on, while they were in the process of being fertilized with sperm. Although none of the embryos were allowed to develop beyond a few days, this breakthrough has meant scientists are now one step closer to achieving the birth of genetically modified human beings. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9320/researchers-develop-online-tool-for-cancer-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9320/researchers-develop-online-tool-for-cancer-patients.html Thu, 27 Jul 2017 15:20:00 +0530 Researchers from the University of Leicester have developed an online tool which presents a variety of measures that quantify the survival of patients with cancer from different perspectives. The ‘InterPreT Cancer Survival’ tool is a newly developed interactive tool to help scientists, health care professionals, patients and the public understand and interpret different statistics on cancer survival. The tool allows users to examine survival rates for people with melanoma and cancers of the colon, breast, lung, prostate and rectum based on the age and sex of the individual. The measures presented in InterPreT currently only reflect aggregated national level statistics in England. Patients' individual prognosis will differ in terms of other important disease characteristics, such as stage of cancer at diagnosis. The interpretation of these statistics is facilitated through the use of dynamic web-based interactive graphics and clear text descriptions, which is in contrast to existing tools which lack engagement with the user and the ability to make comparisons to obtain a deeper insight into the different measures presented. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9309/scientists-create-novel-hydrogel-for-safer-drug-delivery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9309/scientists-create-novel-hydrogel-for-safer-drug-delivery.html Wed, 26 Jul 2017 12:05:00 +0530 Drug-releasing devices that reside in the stomach for extended periods of time make it easier for patients to receive their full course of treatment. Instead of having to take a pill every day for a long period of time, a drug-delivery vehicle that slowly releases individual doses of medication could be administered once but provide medication for weeks or months. Swallowable drug delivery systems are typically made of tough plastics such as thermoplastics or thermosets, but these materials present safety concerns in that they can cause physical obstructions in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and are difficult to remove in the case of an allergic reaction. Instead, hydrogels, which are softer and potentially more biocompatible, are an appealing alternative for gastric resident systems. Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research have created a novel hydrogel material. The hydrogel is tough and triggerable, meaning it can withstand the forces of the GI environment and can be triggered to dissolve using an external stimulus. However, the challenge with classic hydrogels is that they are relatively weak. The gastric cavity experiences significant forces associated with contractions of the stomach, so the new hydrogels need to be tough enough to withstand the strain. The researchers tested the tough, triggerable hydrogels in a large animal model which demonstrated the potential of this material. The next step in their research will be additional pre-clinical studies to further test the safety and stress resistance of the hydrogels before they can be used in people.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9302/iit-researchers-turn-to-artificial-intelligence-for-identifying-cancer-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9302/iit-researchers-turn-to-artificial-intelligence-for-identifying-cancer-.html Tue, 25 Jul 2017 11:40:00 +0530 A team of experts from IIT-Kharagpur (IIT-Kgp) and Tata Medical Centre (TMC), Kolkata, has devised a computer-assisted model they say can automatically grade breast cancer aggressiveness, even in remote settings, providing fresh impetus to Artificial Intelligence-based medical technology in India. It seeks to reduce human error in identifying breast cancer of various levels of aggressiveness to assist in distinguishing normal and low and higher risk malignant tumours. The team has tapped into deep learning, a form of AI concerned with algorithms inspired by the structure and function of the brain called artificial neural networks. The application revolves around a protein (or marker) called Ki-67 which is used to calculate an index that groups cancers in the "low" or "high" aggressiveness groups. The Ki-67 globally-approved index is used to help predict outcome or prognosis and help figure out what treatment might work best. It is increasingly being used by doctors to reflect cancer behaviour. The next phase of the study is validation. The clinicians and the pathologists are going to recruit patients and the researchers will treat them depending on what the pathologists say. The results from the software will be tallied as well as from the pathologists, so the discordant rates are pretty low. Then the process will be released for clinical use. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9296/indian-scientists-discover-a-novel-approach-to-cancer-drug-discovery.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9296/indian-scientists-discover-a-novel-approach-to-cancer-drug-discovery.html Mon, 24 Jul 2017 11:25:00 +0530 Scientists at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), Jadavpur, Kolkata, have used a novel approach to drug discovery by attaching or linking a DNA sequence of interest to gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles and picking those molecules that target and bind to the DNA sequence for further study. This approach helps in rapid identification of potential DNA binding molecules for cancer therapy. The traditional approach is to synthesize compounds and study their interactions with drug targets before choosing the best drug molecules. This is both time consuming and laborious. So, a team of researchers at IACS first immobilised G-quadruplex DNA on to gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles and left the target in a solution containing azide and alkyne functional groups. Since G-quadruplexes are involved in regulation of the gene expression, there is increased interest in finding molecules that target them. The azide and alkyne fragments that are capable of binding to the adjacent sites of the G-quadruplex react with each other to produce triazole products. The researchers found that of the three triazole compounds that selectively bound to the G-quadruplex target, one (Tz 1) was found in large proportion and was the only molecule that was obtained when the nanoparticle was recycled for the fourth and fifth time. Based on the extremely high cellular activity of identified drug compound, researchers believe that this methodology using DNA nano-template allows easy synthesis of high-affinity drug molecules for the target DNA without performing any conventional drug synthesis procedures. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9289/scientists-create-first-nanoparticle-based-tissue-adhesive.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9289/scientists-create-first-nanoparticle-based-tissue-adhesive.html Fri, 21 Jul 2017 15:45:00 +0530 Researchers at the Center for Nanoparticle Research, within the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) in collaboration with medical doctors in Seoul National University Hospital, created a surgical glue that is both adherent and visible in the most common imaging techniques: fluoroscopy, ultrasound, and computed tomography (CT). It is the first nanoparticle-based tissue adhesive that features these characteristics. Its properties were successfully tested in sealing a liver puncture and in conducting operations in moving organs, like lung and limbs. IBS scientists in collaboration with researchers at Kookmin University and Seoul National University Hospital designed nanoparticles with a shell made of silica (SiO2) and a core of radiopaque tantalum oxide (TaOx). SiO2 holds the tissue together, while TaOx provides contrast enhancement on ultrasound and CT. The research team tested the TaOx/SiO2 core/shell nanoparticle (TSN) glue and found that it is clearly visualized by real-time imaging modalities and exhibits adhesive properties similar to that of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved cyanoacrylate and Lipiodol (CA-Lp), a mixture of a tissue adhesive and radiopaque oil used in the clinical practice.  This is important because it could help surgeons to recognize a moving surgical target and perform a safe and accurate operation. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9285/saliva-test-developed-for-detecting-hepatitis-e-infection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9285/saliva-test-developed-for-detecting-hepatitis-e-infection.html Thu, 20 Jul 2017 15:45:00 +0530 A saliva test developed by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health nearly matches the performance of a blood test widely used to assess recent or past hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection. Currently, the only way to test for both recent and past hepatitis E is through a blood test that checks for antibodies to HEV or blood or stool tests that check for HEV genetic material. Both sample types can be difficult to collect from patients in the field, and evaluating them requires resources that are often limited in low- to middle-income countries. To address these challenges, researchers have developed a new hepatitis E test that uses saliva rather than blood or stool. The current gold standard for diagnosing hepatitis E is a blood test that uses a common diagnostic platform known as ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), which looks for antibodies to a disease with antigens typically attached to a solid surface. The research team's new saliva test uses a different platform in which antigens are attached to fluorescent beads. These beads can circulate more easily through a liquid, potentially encountering more antibodies to a disease if they're present in saliva. Another advantage with this bead-based technology is that it allows for testing of a number of different antigen targets within the same saliva sample. So eventually one could test for multiple different infections in a single saliva sample. The current hepatitis E saliva test devised by the researchers still involves equipment that's impractical to use in the field. The team plans to create versions of this test using more portable devices that can be used more easily to assess individuals where outbreaks happen in the field. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9284/indian-population-found-to-be-a-carrier-of-hepatitis-b-says-a-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9284/indian-population-found-to-be-a-carrier-of-hepatitis-b-says-a-study.html Wed, 19 Jul 2017 19:05:00 +0530 Viral hepatitis is inflammation and damage of the liver by viruses predominantly with an affinity for attacking the liver. The most common mode of involvement is damage to the liver causing death of liver cells and inflammation. Hepatitis B virus infection is a very important cause of viral hepatitis, 3-5 percent of Indian population is carrier for hepatitis B infection with virus damaging liver (Occult hepatitis B) and picking up viral DNA in blood / liver tissue. According to the news reported by ANI, the most common route of transmission incriminated in India is from mother to child, other routes of transmission are unsafe blood products, immunological products, sexual route, unsafe needles and syringes. Most of the times the virus can remain dormant in body without any liver damage and is incidentally diagnosed during health checkups or preoperative checkup before any surgery. In some people it can cause acute liver failure, chronic hepatitis, progression to chronic liver damage (cirrhosis) or liver cancer (HCC). The virus has a tendency of suddenly returning to active multiplication from dormancy and causing severe liver damage (reactivation of hepatitis B). This is commonly seen post chemotherapy or immunosuppression following solid organ transplantation. Screening of high risk groups (HBsAg) such as pregnant women, health care professionals, sex workers or prior to proposed organ transplantation or chemotherapy administration is of paramount importance. Once a patient is diagnosed he should be ideally referred to specialized liver care team, further investigations involve testing the replication state of virus and extent of liver damage through specialized methods like liver stiffness testing or screening for liver cancer by appropriate imaging modalities and regular surveillance so that return of virus to active multiplication and worsening chronic liver damage, liver cancer development are not missed. Prevention involves universal immunization against the virus by vaccination of the high risk groups, screening pregnant ladies and managing their infection properly during pregnancy and breast feeding with appropriate oral medications, proper delivery of the baby with immediate dual vaccination (vaccine plus hepatitis B immunoglobulin) to the child, screening blood and immunological products, safe needle and syringe practices, active screening of family members of infected patients and vaccination of those who are negative. Treatment involves early identification of subset of people with liver damage and treating with oral antiviral medications or interferon, regularly checking them for adequate suppression of viral replication, worsening of liver disease or liver cancer. Liver transplantation is only cure for people with decompensated liver disease. Hepatitis C virus has same modes of transmission as hepatitis B. However, in comparison to hepatitis B asymptomatic carrier state is very less and predominantly chronic hepatitis is the mode of liver injury. No vaccine is available for hepatitis C so identifying infected patients and aggressively treating them to achieve complete viral response (SVR) is the only way to prevent progression to liver cancer and decompensation. With advent of highly potent directly acting anti-viral oral medications (DAA's) treating hepatitis C is very easy, cost effective and highly successful. This should be done as soon as hepatitis C patient is identified by referring him/her to a liver specialist. Hepatitis A and E are the commonly transmitted viruses transmitted by poor hygiene, contaminated food and drinking water, poor sanitation that may lead to fecal-oral transmission. This mainly causes acute hepatitis causing epidemics. Pediatric age group is at risk for hepatitis A infection, in some cases liver damage may be very severe (acute liver failure) leading to loss of liver function warranting liver transplantation. The other populations at high risk of hepatitis A infection include people with HIV infection, preexisting chronic liver disease due to any cause (where it can cause worsening of underlying liver disease), people undergone solid organ /bone marrow transplantation. Preventive measures include proper hygiene, sanitation and vaccination of high risk population groups. Hepatitis E virus infection also has similar way of transmission and pregnant ladies constitute the high risk group for this viral infection and are the most common cause of hepatitis / acute liver failure during pregnancy. This virus can also affect people with underlying chronic liver disease and cause sudden worsening and decompensation. In Western countries, it is increasingly recognized as a cause of chronic liver damage especially in post solid organ transplant recipients and as a result of consumption of contaminated pork, which is incriminated as an important source of transmission. Prevention is again by ensuring proper hygiene and sanitation and vaccination of higher risk groups is in the research stage.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9275/scientists-find-a-way-for-making-diagnostic-tests-more-accurate.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9275/scientists-find-a-way-for-making-diagnostic-tests-more-accurate.html Wed, 19 Jul 2017 11:05:00 +0530 Scientists at the University of Washington have discovered a simple way to raise the accuracy of diagnostic tests for medicine and common assays for laboratory research. By adding polydopamine, a material that was first isolated from shellfish, to these tests at a key step the team could increase the sensitivity of these common bioassays by as many as 100 to 1,000 times.  Their approach is referred to as enzyme-accelerated signal enhancement, or EASE. More sensitive tests would allow scientists to identify pathogens, diseases, and specific cellular proteins even when these "biomarkers" are present at levels far below the detection threshold of today's standardized tests. Initial results show polydopamine boosted the accuracy and resolution of these tests for biomarkers of HIV, Zika virus and proteins on cancerous tumors. EASE centers on the simple addition of two biochemical components, dopamine and horseradish peroxidase, or HRP, at a key step. HRP is a common protein enzyme used to speed up the rate of reactions in biomedical research. The research team discovered that HRP can connect dopamine molecules together to form the polymer chain polydopamine. Polydopamine, in turn, accumulates on the surfaces of reaction vessels, such as small Petri dishes. Once the polydopamine is present, scientists can continue the traditional steps of their protocols, but now with a substantially increased test sensitivity. The team hopes that this simple modification will mean that scientists and medical professionals can easily incorporate EASE into their common practices and procedures.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9271/scientists-design-novel-technique-for-tackling-blood-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9271/scientists-design-novel-technique-for-tackling-blood-diseases.html Tue, 18 Jul 2017 14:50:00 +0530 A new technique to study the flow of liquids developed by scientists from Université Paris-Saclay and the University of Amsterdam offers fresh hope for tackling blood diseases like thrombosis. Previous microfluidic measurement tools have been based on particle tracking. The new technique uses polarized optical signals from luminescent nanorods to measure flow shear – i.e. the strain produced by directional pressure – at an instant, microscopic level never achieved before. This can be used in medical diagnostic devices, as well as in other channels, to replicate diverse flow systems such as blood vessels. It is perfectly suited to the study of thrombosis as the generation and breakdown of blood clots are directly influenced by shear stress that depends on the geometry of veins and capillaries. As blood flow is dynamic, with beats and swirls, the new technique can provide an instant, precise measurement. Furthermore, beyond microfluidics, the principle of rod-orientation determination developed by the team shows promise as bio-markers to monitor the complex dynamic motions of micro-biosystems such as cells, genes, and enzymes.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9261/us-researchers-identify-new-test-for-diagnosing-pancreatic-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9261/us-researchers-identify-new-test-for-diagnosing-pancreatic-cancer.html Mon, 17 Jul 2017 12:50:00 +0530 A newly identified biomarker panel could pave the way to earlier detection and better treatment for pancreatic cancer, according to a new research from the Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania. The majority of pancreatic cancer patients are not diagnosed until an advanced stage, beyond the point at which their tumors can be surgically removed. A team of scientists have identified a pair of biomarkers that physicians could soon use to discover the disease earlier. They used stem-cell technology to create a cell line from a patient with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Genetically reprogramming late-stage human cancer cells to a stem-cell state enabled them to force the reprogrammed cells to progress to an early cancerous state, revealing secreted blood biomarkers of early-stage disease along the way. The best candidate biomarker, plasma thrombospondin-2 (THBS2), was screened against 746 cancer and control plasma samples using an inexpensive, commercially available protein-detection assay. The team found that blood levels of THBS2, combined with levels of a known later-stage biomarker called CA19-9, was reliable at detecting the presence of pancreatic cancer in patients. The panel will next be validated in a set of samples from pancreatic cancer patients who provided a research blood sample prior to their diagnosis. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9255/swiss-researchers-develop-the-first-artificial-heart.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9255/swiss-researchers-develop-the-first-artificial-heart.html Fri, 14 Jul 2017 12:15:00 +0530 A small team at ETH Zurich, led by doctoral student Nicholas Cohrs, has created what they say is the first artificial heart that’s entirely soft, with its pumping mechanism achieved by causing the silicone ventricles to pump just like a real heart.  The soft artificial heart was created from silicone using a 3D-printing, lost-wax casting technique; it weighs 390 grams and has a volume of 679 cm3. This artificial heart has a right and a left ventricle, just like a real human heart, though they are not separated by a septum but by an additional chamber. This chamber is in- and deflated by pressurized air and is required to pump fluid from the blood chambers, thus replacing the muscle contraction of the human heart. The researchers have proved that the soft artificial heart fundamentally works and moves in a similar way to a human heart. However, it still has one problem: it currently lasts for about only 3,000 beats, which corresponds to a lifetime of half to three quarters of an hour. The team’s objective was not to present a heart ready for implantation, but to think about a new direction for the development of artificial hearts. The tensile strength of the material and the performance would have to be enhanced significantly. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9248/curcumin-nanoparticles-can-reduce-treatment-time-for-tb.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9248/curcumin-nanoparticles-can-reduce-treatment-time-for-tb.html Thu, 13 Jul 2017 11:25:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi have found out that when curcumin is administered in a nanoparticle formulation, it has several favourable properties in the treatment of tuberculosis (TB) in mice. Nanoparticle curcumin was found to be five times more bioavailable in mice, than regular curcumin, and was able to drastically reduce liver toxicity induced by TB drug isoniazid. Quite often, patients stop taking anti-TB drugs for a few days due to liver toxicity. Since the addition of curcumin reduces liver toxicity, there can be better treatment adherence and lesser risk of drug resistance emerging. Curcumin blocks the Kv1.3 potassium channel and prevents apoptosis, or cell death, of T cells that come up with an immune response. As a result, the protective, long-lasting memory cells called the central memory T cells get enhanced. This leads to faster clearance of the TB bacteria, resulting in stronger host immunity against the bacteria and therefore less chances of relapse of the disease after treatment. Researchers believe that curcumin nanoparticles are stable and can be administered both orally as well as intraperitoneally and, therefore, have greater potential for therapeutic use under different conditions. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9246/researchers-identify-biomarkers-that-may-help-detect-brain-injury-faster.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9246/researchers-identify-biomarkers-that-may-help-detect-brain-injury-faster.html Wed, 12 Jul 2017 18:50:00 +0530 Inflammatory biomarkers have been identified by researchers which can help detect whether the brain has suffered injury in the first hour of accident. According to media reports, the team led by Professor Antonio Belli from University of Birmingham in the UK hopes to use these biomarkers to develop a test that can be used at the site of an injury by paramedics to detect early alterations in inflammatory proteins. For the study, blood samples from 30 injured patients were taken within the first hour of injury prior to the patient arriving at the hospital. The study identified three inflammatory biomarkers known as CST5, AXIN1 and TRAIL, as novel early biomarkers of traumatic brain injury. While the patients with severe traumatic brain injury were identified by CST5 within the first hour of injury, AXIN1 and TRAIL discriminated between brain injury and uninjured patient controls in an hour.  " Traumatic Brain Injury  (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability among young adults and, according to the World Health Organisation, by 2020 TBI will become the world's leading cause of neurological disability across all age groups," said Lisa Hill, from the University of Birmingham. "Early and correct diagnosis of traumatic brain injury is one of the most challenging aspects facing clinicians," said Hill. "Being able to detect compounds in the blood which help to determine how severe a brain injury is would be of great benefit to patients and aid in their treatment," she said. Researchers said that this also has potential implications for drug development as novel compounds could be given after injury and potentially commenced at the roadside, if there was sufficient confidence in the diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury. No reliable markers exist currently that can help diagnose the severity of traumatic brain injury and identification of patients who are at risk of developing secondary injuries that impair function, damage other brain structures and promote further cell death. In addition, the researchers said that the correct diagnosis of traumatic brain injury would allow clinicians to implement strategies to reduce secondary brain injury at an early stage. The study is published in the journal Scientific Reports.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9247/scientists-say-that-the-body-cannot-fight-hiv-1-due-to-immunological-tolerance.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9247/scientists-say-that-the-body-cannot-fight-hiv-1-due-to-immunological-tolerance.html Wed, 12 Jul 2017 18:50:00 +0530 Researchers have discovered that the process that protects the body from autoimmune disease may also prevent it from creating antibodies against HIV-1. This can possibly lead to a vaccine that stimulates the production of antibodies to neutralize the HIV-1. Patients infected with HIV-1 develop broadly neutralizing antibodies, or bnAbs, that protect against a variety of HIV-1 strains by recognizing a protein on the surface of the virus called Env, which develops after several years of infection. Researchers suspected that the inability to make antibodies against HIV was due to shared features of HIV-1 bnAbs which suppressed the production of antibodies and causes diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus. It was found that patients with SLE had slower rates of HIV-1 infection, which could be due to self-reactive antibodies that recognize and neutralize HIV-1. The process known as immunological tolerance was tested in mice with genetic defects of lupus-like symptoms. "We wanted to see if people could make a protective response to HIV-1 without the normal restraint imposed by the immune system to prevent autoimmunity," Raul M. Torres, professor of immunology and microbiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, said in a press release. The study found the production of HIV-neutralizing antibodies correlated with levels of a self-reactive antibody that recognizes the chromosomal protein Histone H2A. "We think this may reflect an example of molecular mimicry where the virus has evolved to mimic or look like a self-protein," Torres said, adding that this could explain the difficulty in developing a vaccine for HIV-1. "But breaching peripheral immunological tolerance permits the production of cross-reactive antibodies able to neutralize HIV-1." The study was carried out at the University of Colorado and is published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9238/british-scientists-develop-app-for-monitoring-diabetes-non-invasively.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9238/british-scientists-develop-app-for-monitoring-diabetes-non-invasively.html Wed, 12 Jul 2017 11:40:00 +0530 British scientists have developed a new smartphone app that can help measure and monitor blood glucose levels without using a drop of blood, a finding that can transform lives of millions of people with diabetes. The app  called as Epic Health replaces the need for diabetics to prick their fingers several times a day. The app, suitable for both Type 1 and 2 diabetics, works by placing a fingertip over the camera lens of a smartphone and capturing a series of close-up images that convey information about the user's heart rate, temperature and blood pressure to respiration rate and blood oxygen saturation. Importantly, the Epic app can measure insulin resistance levels, a key way of determining whether someone is pre-diabetic. It does this by measuring the variation in the patient's pulse which is related to blood glucose concentration. The app, which has been in development for three years, will undergo clinical trials in the coming months. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9233/french-scientists-develop-test-for-bladder-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9233/french-scientists-develop-test-for-bladder-cancer.html Tue, 11 Jul 2017 16:15:00 +0530 Scientists have devised a simple test for an earlier and more accurate warning of returning bladder cancer than existing methods. Researchers from the University Hospital of Lyon tested the urine of 348 bladder cancer patients for a faulty protein called TERT, and this was able to predict when the cancer was about to return in more than 80 percent of patients. The standard method, called cytology, detected the return in only 34 percent of patients. The new test detected bladder cancers that had not spread to the muscle wall, earlier than cytology, potentially helping doctors to start treatment sooner and before symptoms appear. A further benefit is that the new test distinguished cancer from urinary tract infections. The discovery also suggests that further research is needed to understand more about the role TERT faults play in bladder cancer. Larger trials are now needed to see if this information could help more people survive by catching bladder cancer's return at its earliest stage.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9222/iisc-researchers-propose-a-more-effective-treatment-for-tuberculosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9222/iisc-researchers-propose-a-more-effective-treatment-for-tuberculosis.html Mon, 10 Jul 2017 11:10:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has found whether and how drug resistance can develop against a candidate drug called Augmentin even before the drug is approved for treating patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB). The researchers have found ways of overcoming this potential resistance mechanism, thereby making Augmentin a potentially powerful drug to treat both multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB). The team used integrated experimental technology and computer tools to understand the mechanism by which resistance against Augmentin can set in. There are certain antibiotics such as clofazimine that work by increasing the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) inside bacteria. The researchers are currently testing if using such antibiotics along with Augmentin can efficiently kill drug-resistant TB bacteria. Augmentin and clofazimine antibiotics can together elevate the production of ROS. The excessive ROS inside the bacteria can then kill all forms of drug-resistant TB bacteria.  Augmentin is currently undergoing clinical trials in patients with drug-resistant TB. It is already being used for common bacterial infections. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9213/european-scientists-develop-scanner-for-heart-disease-diagnosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9213/european-scientists-develop-scanner-for-heart-disease-diagnosis.html Fri, 07 Jul 2017 11:35:00 +0530 With worldwide cardiovascular deaths at an all-time high, European scientists have developed a new handheld scanner that can read your heart's vital signs like a supermarket barcode reader can scan items at the checkout, allowing a General Practitioner to diagnose even preclinical patients for the early onset of a disease. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) can be identified using a number of medical tools, including cardiac biomarkers, cardiac catheterization, chest x-ray, electrocardiogram (ECG), Holter monitoring, and cardiac MRI. However, because they are complicated or expensive, routine early forecasting of CVD is impossible in large populations at present. Employing Laser Doppler Vibrometry (LDV), a technique using photonics technology, the device can pick up vital information about the status of the heart using light, in a fast and inexpensive way. Using the Doppler shift of the reflected light, the scanner builds up a vibration map of the chest and heart area, which can highlight the tell tale signs of CVD, such as plaque build-up, arterial stiffness, arterial stenosis or heart dyssyncrony.  Although there are a number of vibration sensors that exist for this purpose, LDV is non-invasive and provides a much higher degree of accuracy in a fraction of the time. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9206/researchers-develop-powerful-cloning-technique.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9206/researchers-develop-powerful-cloning-technique.html Thu, 06 Jul 2017 13:05:00 +0530 Scientists at Johns Hopkins, Rutgers, the University of Trento in Italy, and Harvard Medical School report they have developed a new molecular technique called LASSO cloning, which can be used to isolate thousands of long DNA sequences at the same time, more than ever before possible. The new technology speeds up the creation of proteins, the final products of genes, and is likely to lead to far more rapid discovery of new medicines and biomarkers for scores of diseases. The study describes a new type of captured DNA strand, a tool the authors refer to as a LASSO probe, for long adapter single-stranded oligonucleotide. Collections of these LASSO probes can be used to grab desired DNA sequences, thousands at a time in a single effort. In a proof-of-concept study, LASSO probes were used to simultaneously capture more than 3,000 DNA fragments from the E. coli bacterial genome. The team successfully captured at least 75 percent of the gene targets. Importantly, these sequences are captured in a way that permits scientists to analyze what the genes' proteins do, as demonstrated by conferring antibiotic resistance to an otherwise susceptible cell. The hope is that by greatly expanding the number of proteins that can be expressed and screened in parallel, the road to interesting biology and new therapeutic biomolecules will be dramatically shortened for many researchers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9202/swiss-researchers-develop-novel-bandage-for-healing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9202/swiss-researchers-develop-novel-bandage-for-healing.html Wed, 05 Jul 2017 12:15:00 +0530 A novel bandage alerts the nursing staff as soon as a wound starts healing badly. Sensors incorporated into the base material glow with a different intensity if the wound's pH level changes. This way even chronic wounds could be monitored at home. The idea of being able to see through a wound dressing gave rise to the project Flusitex (Fluorescence sensing integrated into medical textiles), which is being funded by the Swiss initiative Nano-Tera. Researchers from Empa teamed up with ETH Zurich, Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique (CSEM) and University Hospital Zurich to develop a high-tech system that is supposed to supply the nursing staff with relevant data about the condition of a wound. When wounds heal, the body produces specific substances in a complex sequence of biochemical processes, which leads to a significant variation in a number of metabolic parameters. With this in mind, Empa teamed up with project partner CSEM to develop a portable, cheap and easy-to-use device for measuring fluorescence that is capable of monitoring several parameters at once. It should enable nursing staff to keep tabs on the pH as well as on glucose and oxygen levels while the wound heals. If these change, conclusions about other key biochemical processes involved in wound healing can be drawn. If certain substances appear in the wound fluid, customized fluorescent sensor molecules respond with a physical signal. They start glowing and some even change color in the visible or ultra-violet (UV) range. Thanks to a color scale, weaker and stronger changes in color can be detected and the quantity of the emitted substance be deduced. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9191/cambridge-scientists-grow-artificial-bile-duct.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9191/cambridge-scientists-grow-artificial-bile-duct.html Tue, 04 Jul 2017 11:00:00 +0530 Cambridge scientists have developed a new method for growing and transplanting artificial bile ducts that could in future be used to help treat liver disease in children, reducing the need for liver transplantation. The researchers grew 3D cellular structure which, once transplanted into mice, developed into normal, functioning bile ducts. Bile ducts are long, tube-like structures that carry bile, which is secreted by the liver and is essential for helping us digest food. If the ducts do not work correctly, for example in the childhood disease biliary atresia, this can lead to damaging build of bile in the liver. The researchers extracted healthy cells or cholangiocytes from bile ducts and grew these into functioning 3D duct structures known as biliary organoids. When transplanted into mice, the biliary organoids assembled into intricate tubular structures, resembling bile ducts. These artificial bile ducts will not only be useful for transplanting, but could also be used to model other diseases of the bile duct and potentially develop and test new drug treatments. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9180/iit-researchers-successfully-regenerate-damaged-nerve.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9180/iit-researchers-successfully-regenerate-damaged-nerve.html Mon, 03 Jul 2017 11:10:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have taken the first successful step in treating peripheral nerve damage which can result from traumatic injuries caused by accidents, physical conflict, bullet wounds as well as during surgical intervention. The nerve conduits synthesised by the researchers and implanted in rats with sciatic nerve injury showed excellent functional recovery one year after implantation. A team led by Prof. Utpal Bora from the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering at IIT Guwahati synthesised nerve conduits by electrospinning a mixture of silk fibroin protein and electrically conductive polymer called polyaniline. To produce tubular shaped nerve conduits, the researchers rolled the electrospun sheets multiple times over a stainless steel spindle. Nerves are like electrical wires where the conducting portion of the nerves is covered with myelin (a fatty white substance) sheath secreted by specialized cells called Schwann cells that forms an insulating layer. To fabricate a conduit that mimics this native architecture, the Schwann cells, which surround the axons, were cultured on the conduits. The Schwann cells were found to grow between the multiple layers of silk fibroin-polyaniline composite, and also on the surface and inside of the conduit. The next step is to conduct trials on pigs, which are genetically and physiologically closer to humans. There is a growing demand for nerve implants with increasing number of road accidents but there are no indigenously developed nerve conduits available in India. Scientists at IIT have taken the first step to make locally developed nerve implants available in India. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9177/scientists-successfully-erase-different-types-of-memories-in-the-same-neuron-of-aplysia.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9177/scientists-successfully-erase-different-types-of-memories-in-the-same-neuron-of-aplysia.html Fri, 30 Jun 2017 15:55:00 +0530 Findings by researchers at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) and McGill University suggest that it may be possible to develop drugs to delete memories that trigger anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) without affecting other important memories of past events. The study was published in Current Biology. During emotional or traumatic events, multiple memories can become encoded, including memories of any incidental information that is present when the event occurs. Researchers say that in the case of a traumatic experience, the incidental or neutral information can trigger anxiety attacks long after. According to a release by Columbia University Medical Center, scientists studied different types of memories stored in the same neuron of the marine snail Aplysia and found that memories can be selectively erased. During emotional or traumatic events, multiple memories can become encoded, including memories of any incidental information that is present when the event occurs. In the case of a traumatic experience, the incidental, or neutral, information can trigger anxiety attacks long after the event has occurred, say the researchers. “The example I like to give is, if you are walking in a high-crime area and you take a shortcut through a dark alley and get mugged, and then you happen to see a mailbox nearby, you might get really nervous when you want to mail something later on,” says Samuel Schacher, PhD, a professor of neuroscience in the Department of Psychiatry at CUMC and co-author of the paper. In the example, fear of dark alleys is an associative memory that provides important information—e.g., fear of dark alleys—based on a previous experience. Fear of mailboxes, however, is an incidental, non-associative memory that is not directly related to the traumatic event. “One focus of our current research is to develop strategies to eliminate problematic non-associative memories that may become stamped on the brain during a traumatic experience without harming associative memories, which can help people make informed decisions in the future—like not taking shortcuts through dark alleys in high-crime areas,” Dr. Schacher adds. Brains create long-term memories, in part, by increasing the strength of connections between neurons and maintaining those connections over time. Previous research suggested that increases in synaptic strength in creating associative and non-associative memories share common properties.  This suggests that selectively eliminating non-associative synaptic memories would be impossible, because for any one neuron, a single mechanism would be responsible for maintaining all forms of synaptic memories. The new study tested that hypothesis by stimulating two sensory neurons connected to a single motor neuron of the marine snail Aplysia; one sensory neuron was stimulated to induce an associative memory and the other to induce a non-associative memory. By measuring the strength of each connection, the researchers found that the increase in the strength of each connection produced by the different stimuli was maintained by a different form of a Protein Kinase M (PKM) molecule (PKM Apl III for associative synaptic memory and PKM Apl I for non-associative).  They found that each memory could be erased – without affecting the other — by blocking one of the PKM molecules. In addition, they found that specific synaptic memories may also be erased by blocking the function of distinct variants of other molecules that either help produce PKMs or protect them from breaking down. The researchers say that their results could be useful in understanding human memory because vertebrates have similar versions of the Aplysia PKM proteins that participate in the formation of long-term memories. In addition, the PKM-protecting protein KIBRA is expressed in humans, and mutations of this gene produce intellectual disability. “Memory erasure has the potential to alleviate PTSD and anxiety disorders by removing the non-associative memory that causes the maladaptive physiological response,” says Jiangyuan Hu, PhD, an associate research scientist in the Department of Psychiatry at CUMC and co-author of the paper. “By isolating the exact molecules that maintain non-associative memory, we may be able to develop drugs that can treat anxiety without affecting the patient’s normal memory of past events.” “Our study is a ‘proof of principle’ that presents an opportunity for developing strategies and perhaps therapies to address anxiety,” said Dr. Schacher. “For example, because memories are still likely to change immediately after recollection, a therapist may help to ‘rewrite’ a non-associative memory by administering a drug that inhibits the maintenance of non-associative memory.” Future studies in preclinical models are needed to better understand how PKMs are produced and localized at the synapse before researchers can determine which drugs may weaken non-associative memories. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9178/administration-of-intranasal-insulin-may-regulate-hunger-sensation-says-a-new-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9178/administration-of-intranasal-insulin-may-regulate-hunger-sensation-says-a-new-study.html Fri, 30 Jun 2017 15:05:00 +0530 A key role is played by insulin in the eating behavior and the subjective feeling of hunger. It was previously known that insulin acts on the regions of hypothalamus. However, scientists have found that the hormone is also active in other brain regions. Researchers at the Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of Helmholtz Zentrum München at the University of Tübingen, have further deciphered the function of insulin in the brain as well as its influence on the subjective feeling of hunger and have published their findings in Scientific Reports, a Nature research journal. To better understand the mechanism of action of insulin, the researchers administered insulin intranasally to healthy young adults. Through the application of the hormone via a nasal spray, the blood-brain barrier was bypassed and the insulin reached the brain directly. In the study, 25 lean, 10 overweight and 12 obese participants "sniffed" insulin or the placebo. Brain activity was then visualized and recorded by means of a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan. In all study participants, intranasal insulin was found to improve functional connectivity in the prefrontal regions of the default-mode network (DMN), a group of brain regions that are activated when a person is at rest and is not performing any tasks. This region is central to cognitive processes. In addition, the functional connectivity between the DMN, the hippocampus and the hypothalamus is strengthened. These changes in the brain also influence eating behavior and alter the relationship between adiposity and the hunger sensation. Actually, people with a lot of visceral adipose tissue have an increased sensation of hunger. The study participants felt less hunger after being administered intranasal insulin. In addition, the scientists observed that insulin in the brain due to increased functional connectivity between cognitive and homeostatic regions may help regulate eating behavior and facilitate weight loss. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9172/researchers-develop-a-safer-crispr-technique.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9172/researchers-develop-a-safer-crispr-technique.html Fri, 30 Jun 2017 11:10:00 +0530 Scientists from The University of Texas at Austin took an important step toward safer gene-editing cures for life-threatening disorders, from cancer to HIV to Huntington's disease, by developing a technique that can spot editing mistakes a popular tool known as CRISPR makes to an individual's genome. More than a dozen clinical trials employing CRISPR on human cells are reportedly already underway, but the approach is imperfect. The UT Austin team developed a way to rapidly test a CRISPR molecule across a person's entire genome to foresee other DNA segments it might interact with besides its target. This new method, represents a significant step toward helping doctors tailor gene therapies to individual patients, ensuring safety and effectiveness. The researchers took a do-it-yourself approach to developing the equipment and software for their technique, using existing laboratory technology to develop CHAMP, or Chip Hybridized Affinity Mapping Platform. The heart of the test is a standard next generation genome sequencing chip already widely used in research and medicine. Two other key elements -- designs for a 3-D printed mount that holds the chip under a microscope and software the team developed for analyzing the results -- are open source. As a result, other researchers can easily replicate the technique in experiments involving CRISPR. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9166/disposable-patch-for-delivering-vaccines.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9166/disposable-patch-for-delivering-vaccines.html Thu, 29 Jun 2017 11:50:00 +0530 Vaccines delivered via a disposable patch could one day eliminate the need for needle-and-syringe flu injections. The research team at Georgia Tech, and a spin-off company called Micron Biomedical, have been working on the patch vaccine for years. This bandage-strip sized patch of dissolvable needles can transform how we get vaccinated. The new technology can be self-administered and stored without refrigeration, making it significantly cheaper than traditional vaccines. A hundred tiny needles, just long enough to penetrate the skin, embedded in each patch dissolve within minutes when exposed to moisture from the body. Adhesive holds the patch close the skin while the vaccine is released, and can be peeled away after 20 minutes and discarded. The manufacturing cost for the patches is expected to be about the same as for pre-filled syringes. But the patch is expected to be cheaper because it can be sent through the mail and self-administered. In addition, it is stable for a year at 40 degrees Celsius, and does not require refrigeration. The phase 1 trial showed that people could use the patch without any help and liked it. It also showed they had an immune response to the patch, and did not have any serious side-effects from using it. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9160/researchers-identify-possible-treatment-for-gonorrhea.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9160/researchers-identify-possible-treatment-for-gonorrhea.html Wed, 28 Jun 2017 10:40:00 +0530 Researchers at the Oregon State University have identified a possible new treatment for gonorrhea, using a peptide that thwarts the infection-causing bacterium by interfering with an enzyme the microbe needs to respirate. Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease whose numbers grow by 78 million new cases worldwide each year. It is highly damaging to the reproductive and neonatal health if untreated or improperly treated. Researchers have identified a new therapy target, an enzyme known as AniA. The bacteria need the surface-exposed enzyme to respirate without oxygen, or anaerobically, which is their preferred method of respiration in the biofilms of the genitourinary tract. The team identified a peptide of multiple amino acids linked in a chain that inhibits the AniA enzyme's nitrite reductase activity. That in turn damages the bacteria's ability to grow in the oxygen-poor biofilm environment. Through a technique known as biopanning, the researchers found 29 unique peptides that bound with the targeted enzyme. One of them, C7-3, was identified as most promising for inhibiting the protein's interaction with nitrite, necessary for anaerobic respiration. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9156/pune-researchers-develop-a-new-drug-delivery-system.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9156/pune-researchers-develop-a-new-drug-delivery-system.html Tue, 27 Jun 2017 13:05:00 +0530 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune have successfully developed a novel cancer drug delivery system using graphene oxide nanoparticles. The researchers found that when a FDA-approved anticancer drug cisplatin was added, the graphene oxide sheets self-assembled into spherical nanoparticles enclosing the drug within. The nanoparticles of 90-120 nanometre size containing cisplatin were taken up by cervical cancer cells leading to programmed cell death. Two DNA-damaging anticancer drugs, proflavine and doxorubicin that bind to graphene oxide through non-covalent bond were also used. The drugs bind to the DNA strands and break the strands so cell division does not happen and programmed cell death ensues. The cisplatin nanoparticles containing either proflavine or doxorubicin were found to get into the lysosomes of a cell in a time-dependent manner. Once inside the lysosomes, the drugs were released in a slow and sustained manner and killed the cancer cells predominantly through programmed cell death. Interestingly, once cisplatin is released inside the cell, the spherical nanoparticle loses its shape and once again regains its original sheet-like structure. The researchers are planning to undertake more studies using other cancer cells and eventually use animal models. It is anticipated that the graphene oxide-based nanoplatform will be useful for next-generation cancer therapy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9145/novel-enzyme-technology-developed.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9145/novel-enzyme-technology-developed.html Fri, 23 Jun 2017 10:55:00 +0530 A research team led by the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) and The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) has developed a novel enzyme technology that prevents the formation of biofilms and can also break them down. Biofilms are slimy, glue-like membranes that are produced by microbes, like bacteria and fungi, in order to colonize surfaces. They can grow on animal and plant tissues, and even inside the human body on medical devices such as catheters, heart valves, or artificial hips. Biofilms protect microbes from the body's immune system and increase their resistance to antibiotics. They represent one of the biggest threats to patients in hospital settings. Biofilm-associated infections are responsible for thousands of deaths across North America every year. They are hard to eradicate because they secrete a matrix made of sugar molecules which form a kind of armor that acts as a physical and chemical barrier, preventing antibiotics from reaching their target sites within microbes. Scientists have discovered enzymes that cut up the sugar molecules, which glue biofilms together. The researchers found a way to use these enzymes to degrade the sugar armor, exposing the microbe to antibiotics and host defenses. Over 70 percent of hospital-acquired infections are actually associated with biofilms. According to the scientists, the potential of this novel therapy is enormous and they hope to commercialize it in the coming years. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9137/drug-pairing-for-combating-infections.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9137/drug-pairing-for-combating-infections.html Thu, 22 Jun 2017 10:35:00 +0530 Researchers at University of Utah Health have developed a rapid screening method to identify beneficial pairs of existing FDA-approved drugs to combat multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial infections. By pairing FDA-approved drugs synergistically, there is a potential to take these pairs to clinic much more quickly than new drugs, which can be expensive and time intensive to create and approve. A synergistic pairing is more powerful than just adding two drugs together. It amplifies each drug's effectiveness by at least four-fold. The research identified 14 drugs that could be paired synergistically. The most promising synergistic pairing in this study combined azidothymidine (AZT), one of the earliest drugs prescribed to treat HIV-AIDS, with floxuridine, a cancer drug with a similar chemical genetic signature as a commonly prescribed antibiotic ¾ trimethoprim. The team tested the effectiveness of the floxuridine and AZT pair by treating zebrafish infected with trimethoprim-resistant E. coli. The synergistic drug pair reduced the bacterial load by 10,000-fold compared to treating with the traditional antibiotic pair of trimethoprim and sulfamethizole. For the next step, the researchers want to collaborate with a clinician to take some of the identified drug pairs into clinical trials to examine their effectiveness at combating difficult bacterial infections in people. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9129/potential-drug-treatment-for-hepatitis-b.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9129/potential-drug-treatment-for-hepatitis-b.html Wed, 21 Jun 2017 10:50:00 +0530 A major new insight into how hepatitis B virus works could pave the way for new drug treatments for the infection which is the major cause of liver cancer worldwide. The team at the Universities of York and Leeds identified an "assembly code" in the genetic material of Hepatitis B Virus that allows it to create a protective casing in which it can produce new infectious virus particles. They found that the signal, generated by ribonucleic acid (RNA), helps viral proteins to overcome an 'engineering problem', assembling them into in a particular geometric pattern. The virus is transmitted through blood and bodily fluids. It is thought that more than two billion people have been infected worldwide, and around 350 million people remain carriers of the infection, which can, over time, result in their deaths. The virus occurs in Europe but is much more common in parts of Asia, especially China and Africa. There are more than one million infected people in the US where treatments can include expensive drugs and even liver transplantation. This research provides significant contribution towards US healthcare and for other countries. The researchers are already collaborating with a team at the National Institutes of Health in the US to identify potential drug candidates that are capable of breaking the link between RNA and proteins which should halt viral replication. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9117/nano-material-for-promoting-bone-growth.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9117/nano-material-for-promoting-bone-growth.html Tue, 20 Jun 2017 11:10:00 +0530 Northwestern University scientists have designed a bioactive nanomaterial for stimulating bone regeneration and it could become the method surgeons prefer. In the new nanomaterial, sugars are displayed in a scaffold built from self-assembling molecules known as peptide amphiphiles. Sugar molecules on the surface of the nanomaterial provide its regenerative power. The researchers studied in vivo the effect of the "sugar-coated" nanomaterial on the activity of a clinically used growth factor, called bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2). They found the amount of protein needed for a successful spinal fusion was reduced to an unprecedented level, that is 100 times less of BMP-2 was needed. This is phenomenal because the growth factor is known to cause dangerous side effects when used in the amounts required to regenerate high-quality bone, and it is expensive as well. The biodegradable nanomaterial functions as an artificial extracellular matrix, which mimics what cells in the body usually interact within their surroundings. BMP-2 activates certain types of stem cells and signals them to become bone cells. The Northwestern matrix, which consists of tiny nanoscale filaments, binds the protein by molecular design in the way that natural sugars bind it in our bodies and then slowly releases it when needed, instead of in one early burst, which can contribute to side effects. The Northwestern research team plans to seek approval from the Food and Drug Administration to launch a clinical trial studying the nanomaterial for bone regeneration in humans. With small design changes, the method could be used with other growth factors for the regeneration of all kinds of tissues. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9106/miniature-eyes-created-from-stem-cells.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9106/miniature-eyes-created-from-stem-cells.html Mon, 19 Jun 2017 11:15:00 +0530 Researchers at the Hyderabad-based LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) have successfully grown miniature eye-like organs that closely resemble the developing eyes of an early-stage embryo. The miniature eyes were produced using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. The iPS cells are produced by genetically manipulating human skin cells to produce embryonic-like stem cells that are capable of forming any cell types of the body. Small portions of the corneal tissue were separated from the miniature eyes and used for growing corneal epithelial cell sheets in the lab. Such tissue-engineered cell sheets can potentially be used for restoring vision in patients whose limbus region of the cornea is damaged in both the eyes. Stem cells present in the limbus region of a healthy eye have been used for restoring vision when only one eye is damaged. But when the damage is present in both eyes, the only way to restore vision is by using the healthy limbus taken from a related or unrelated donor. The team is currently focusing on testing the usefulness of the corneal cells grown from iPS cells in restoring vision in animal models. Trials on human subjects will be considered if the animal experiments turn out to be safe and effective in restoring vision. In parallel, the researchers are also working on producing mini-retinal tissue and actively exploring iPS cell-derived retinal tissues for treating several retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinitis pigmentosa and certain forms of congenital blindness seen in children and young adults. Also, retinal cells grown using human embryonic stem cells and iPS cells are being tested in clincal trials in a few countries to treat retinal diseases. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9097/indian-engineer-invents-wearable-alcohol-sensor-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9097/indian-engineer-invents-wearable-alcohol-sensor-.html Fri, 16 Jun 2017 14:30:00 +0530 Electrical engineers at the University of South Florida are creating a wearable sensor to help people manage their alcohol intake. Worn like a watch, this sensor picks up vapors from the skin and sends the data to a server. If the alcohol reading is high, via an app, a designated family member gets an alert to check in on the user. This easy-to-wear gadget will help address issues with social drinking and addiction. The wearable sensor detects alcohol off the skin within 15 to 20 minutes of consumption. In addition to managing alcoholism, this wearable sensor may help monitor social drinking on college campuses. It can also help keep an eye on liver transplant patients who are unable to drink or risk additional liver damage. The inventor, Shekhar Bhansali, an Alcatel Lucent professor and chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, explains that this is one step toward active intervention that only requires the user to wear the sensor. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9093/novel-compound-developed-for-fighting-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9093/novel-compound-developed-for-fighting-cancer.html Thu, 15 Jun 2017 16:00:00 +0530 A novel organic compound synthesised by a group of scientists from University of Madras, IIT Madras and Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, has shown it can inhibit the growth of cancer cells by inducing programmed cell death. More than 40 compounds were created using simple starting chemicals such as glucose and proline amino acids and their activity were tested against cancer cells. The compound that exhibited maximum activity at minimal concentration was selected and named RP-RR-210. The effect of the compound was studied on lung and pancreatic cancer cells. The compound showed prominent growth inhibition on cancer cells but only 10-20 per cent growth inhibition in normal cells. Cancer cells treated with this compound shrank in size, while no morphological changes were seen in healthy cells. The researchers identified the mechanism of cell death, which was brought about by arresting the cell cycle. The researchers propose to carry out further studies to fully understand the anti-tumour properties of the compound and carry out preclinical trials on mice models. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9088/next-gen-therapy-for-multiple-sclerosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9088/next-gen-therapy-for-multiple-sclerosis.html Thu, 15 Jun 2017 12:25:00 +0530 Researchers at the University of Maryland are using quantum dots that are tiny semiconductor particles commonly used in nanotechnology, to decipher the features needed to design specific and effective therapies for multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. In multiple sclerosis, the immune system incorrectly recognizes components of the central nervous system, causing inflammation and destruction of myelin, the fatty substance that surrounds and protects nerve fibers. When this happens, nerve fibers and cells are damaged, leading to loss of motor function and other complications. Researchers have developed a precision system using quantum dots for changing the way myelin is processed and presented to the immune system in order to drive tolerance instead of inflammation. The team hypothesized that, by using quantum dots displaying defined densities of myelin peptides, they could reveal how the number or density of peptides alters the processing and trafficking of the peptide and, in turn, promotes regulatory T cells that control the disease. The team observed that tolerance and elimination of paralysis in a pre-clinical mouse model was much better when myelin peptides were displayed on many quantum dots at a low density of 25 per dot, instead of fewer quantum dots displaying the same number of peptides but at a high density of 65 per dot. Developing specific knowledge or design guidelines such as these might enable more selective and effective therapies to treat MS and other diseases. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9078/cartilage-tissue-created-in-the-lab.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9078/cartilage-tissue-created-in-the-lab.html Wed, 14 Jun 2017 12:00:00 +0530 Biomedical engineers at the University of California, Davis, have created a lab-grown tissue similar to natural cartilage by giving it a bit of a stretch. The tissue, grown under tension but without a supporting scaffold, shows similar mechanical and biochemical properties to natural cartilage. Articular cartilage provides a smooth surface for our joints to move, but it can be damaged by trauma, disease or overuse. Once damaged, it does not regrow and is difficult to replace. Artificial cartilage that could be implanted into damaged joints would have great potential to help people regain mobility. The team of researchers grew human chondrocytes in a scaffold-free system, allowing the cells to self-assemble and stick together inside a specially designed device. Once the cells had assembled, they were put under tension, mildly stretched over several days. The new material had a similar composition and mechanical properties to natural cartilage. The artificial cartilage thus engineered is fully biological with a structure akin to real cartilage. Most importantly, it seems that a complex problem of making tissues in the laboratory that are strong and stiff enough to take the extremely high loads encountered in joints such as the knee and hip has been solved. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9067/new-technology-for-testing-multiple-blood-borne-pathogens.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9067/new-technology-for-testing-multiple-blood-borne-pathogens.html Tue, 13 Jun 2017 10:50:00 +0530 The new open array system, designed at the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research within the FDA in the US, offers simultaneous detection of multiple viruses, bacteria, and protozoan pathogens in human blood samples. Investigators determined that this system is a promising tool for flexible, fast, and accurate blood screening. Some highly virulent pathogens may have a low prevalence rate and/or be restricted seasonally or geographically. However, the impact of transfusion-transmitted infection of such agents can have fatal consequences, particularly in highly vulnerable populations such as newborns, the elderly, or immunocompromised individuals. The cost effectiveness of a multiple agent test means that more testing could be done, resulting in safer blood. To design this device, the first step required choosing regions on each of the pathogen genomes to target and short pieces of DNA to accomplish that targeting. These short pieces, called primers and probes, which achieve the PCR, were loaded into the OpenArray device. The next critical step was laboratory growth of the 30 pathogens and mixing each one of them with normal volunteers' whole blood or plasma to mimic the blood from an infected individual. Once performance of the device was adjusted to maximum ability to detect these infectious agents in the mock clinical samples, it was tested with 92 donor samples obtained from a blood donor testing center with known pathogen content, as determined by FDA-licensed tests. Ninety-five percent of virus-positive samples were correctly identified. Currently, this OpenArray Platform is for research use only and is not cleared or approved for clinical use. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9063/a-device-for-diagnosing-genetic-diseases.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9063/a-device-for-diagnosing-genetic-diseases.html Mon, 12 Jun 2017 12:45:00 +0530 Researchers at Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais at Brazil have developed a simple and intuitive open-source software tool that could help doctors analyse patients' genetic data in order to diagnose diseases caused by mutations.  The software tool called Mendel MD is reliable, simple and efficient in identifying disease-causing mutations in patients. The software needed to analyse mutated sequences caused by the changing of the structure of a gene is often costly or too complex for many doctors to use. The team of researchers developed Mendel MD specifically for easy use by physicians and free of charge. The researchers had the tool tested by researchers and students at their own university, as well as at GENE - Núcleo de Genetica Medica in Brazil and the Children's University Hospital in Dublin, Ireland. The tool is expected to be adopted in other research centres and laboratories around the world. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9062/biosensors-developed-for-detecting-dengue.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9062/biosensors-developed-for-detecting-dengue.html Mon, 12 Jun 2017 12:40:00 +0530 Brazilian scientists at the Federal University of Paraná have developed a biosensor that can quickly detect dengue and could help create a cheap tool to diagnose the painful mosquito-borne virus that infects millions each year. Scientists are looking to produce a testing kit that would cost clinics and hospitals around $30 and take about 15 minutes to analyse blood samples for a key dengue protein. The scientists coated the biosensor with a thin film of bacterial cellulose nanocrystals, which effectively detected a protein known as NS1 from blood samples. They are working to explore ways to create cost-effective biosensor components that could be used to analyse multiple blood samples. The technology could potentially be adapted to detect proteins from viruses such as Zika, which is also transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The main challenge is that simple tools such as testing blood from a finger prick, used to detect malaria, are not available for dengue, and there is no dedicated treatment for the virus which is usually found in urban and semi-urban areas.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9061/nanoparticles-for-treating-eye-infections.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9061/nanoparticles-for-treating-eye-infections.html Mon, 12 Jun 2017 12:35:00 +0530 Scientists at the Hyderabad-based CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB) have developed a novel way to treat fungal keratitis. Keratitis is the inflammation of the eye, which starts with redness and itching and might eventually lead to blindness. Keratitis can be caused by both bacteria and fungi. Fungi attach themselves to the cornea and release enzymes that break down the corneal proteins for their nutritional requirements. Treating keratitis infection is currently a challenge because it is difficult to maintain a therapeutic dose at the corneal surface for long periods as blinking and tear formation washes off the drug. To address this challenge, scientists at CCMB have developed protein-based nanoparticles that encapsulate the drug. The enzymes secreted by fungi breaks down the gelatine protein of nanoparticles that encapsulates the drug, thus releasing the drug. Scientists are planning to carry out one more animal trial on monkeys or rabbits before starting trials on humans. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9049/a-new-hope-for-blood-cancer-from-iisc.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9049/a-new-hope-for-blood-cancer-from-iisc.html Fri, 09 Jun 2017 11:15:00 +0530 A group of scientists at the Indian Institute of Science has a found a new compound that effectively kills leukemic cancer cells. The new compound has been found to be most effective in leukemic cells, while other cancer cell lines like colorectal and cervical showed less effect. It accumulates death-inducing reactive oxygen species in cancer cells leading to breaks in DNA, which ultimately causes cell death. The team is working with Mysuru University to improve its efficacy. The researchers believe that it has the potential to be developed as an anti-leukemic agent. The drug has been tested in laboratory animals. A daily dose of 5g of this new compound for two weeks reduced the size of tumor in mice. It was non-toxic and moderately increased the life span of the diseased mice. The team is working further in evaluating the role of this potent anti-cancer molecule for chemotherapy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9048/nanoparticles-to-make-leaky-vessels.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9048/nanoparticles-to-make-leaky-vessels.html Fri, 09 Jun 2017 11:05:00 +0530 Scientists at Rice University in Texas have discovered that it may be possible to selectively open gaps in blood vessels just enough to let large molecules through and then close them again. The team has used magnets to help iron-oxide nanoparticles invade endothelial cells that line the blood vessels both in the lab and in vivo. This permeability would allow large-molecule drugs to reach target tissues. Strong magnets may be able to lead nanoparticle-infused stem cells or drug-laden nanoparticles themselves to targeted areas, even in deep tissues like organs that current therapies cannot reach. For many diseases, systemic delivery through the blood stream is the only way to deliver molecules to the site. Small molecules can penetrate the blood vessel and get into the diseased cells, but large molecules like proteins or drug-loaded nanoparticles cannot pass the endothelium effectively unless it is leaky. The lab created a microfluidic flow chamber that mimicked the vascular system and lined its tubes with real endothelial cells. When a magnetic field was applied to the nanoparticle-infused cells, the gaps opened. Relaxing the force allowed most gaps to close after 12 hours. Driving this to a clinical setting would be a challenge. In order to treat the heart or liver, a pretty large device would be needed to have the required magnetic field. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9038/potential-solution-for-cancer-related-bone-pain.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9038/potential-solution-for-cancer-related-bone-pain.html Thu, 08 Jun 2017 12:30:00 +0530 Saint Louis University researchers have discovered a key molecular pathway that drives cancer-related bone pain while providing a potential solution with a drug that already is on the market. Metastatic bone pain is the single most common form of cancer pain. Cancer-induced bone pain (CIBP) is reported by 30 to 50 percent of all cancer patients and by 75 to 90 percent of late-stage patients. CIBP is driven by a combination of tumor-associated skeletal, inflammatory and neuropathic mechanisms. Innovations in the treatment of bone cancer pain primarily have focused on addressing bone loss and vulnerability to painful skeletal-related events. However, no therapies currently target the neuropathic mechanisms of CIBP. One molecule that the pain pathways are dependent upon is called S1PR1 (sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor subtype 1). By modulating this molecule, scientists were able to block and reverse pain. This finding is particularly encouraging because a drug that modulates S1PR1 already is on the market. The research team found that targeting S1PR1 mitigates bone pain and neuroinflammation, and identifies S1PR1 as a potential therapeutic target alone or as a secondary therapy to address cancer-induced bone pain. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9037/3d-heart-tissue-created-for-drug-testing.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9037/3d-heart-tissue-created-for-drug-testing.html Thu, 08 Jun 2017 12:20:00 +0530 Researchers at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology of A*STAR Singapore have engineered a three-dimensional heart tissue from human stem cells to test the safety and efficacy of new drugs on the heart. Existing screening methods based on 2D cardiac structure cannot accurately predict drug toxicity, while the currently available 3D structures for screening are difficult to fabricate in the quantities needed for commercial application. To solve this problem, the IBN research team fabricated their 3D heart tissue from cellular self-assembly of heart muscle cells grown from human induced pluripotent stem cells. They also developed a fluorescence labeling technology to monitor changes in beating rate using a real-time video recording system. The new heart tissue exhibited more cardiac-specific genes, stronger contraction and higher beating rate compared to cells in a 2D structure. Using the 3D heart tissue, scientists were able to correctly predict cardiotoxic effects based on changes in the beating rate, even when these were not detected by conventional tests. The method is simple and suitable for large-scale assessment of drug side effects. It could also be used to design personalized therapy using a patient's own cells. The researchers have filed a patent on their human heart tissue model, and hope to work with clinicians and pharmaceutical companies to bring this technology to market. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9036/novel-way-to-track-dengue-infection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9036/novel-way-to-track-dengue-infection.html Thu, 08 Jun 2017 12:15:00 +0530 A team from Duke-NUS Medical School (Duke-NUS) and Singapore General Hospital (SGH) has found a new use for an 'old' technology in the field of infectious diseases research. Using positron emission tomography (PET) paired with the glucose metabolism probe, fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) as an imaging tool for dengue infection in mouse models, the team has potentially uncovered a novel and non-invasive way to track the infection in real-time and more accurately assess the effectiveness of new treatments for dengue. FDG is a radioactive version of glucose, which when injected into a mouse and absorbed by cells, can be seen using PET. Inflammation of the small and large intestines is known to occur in dengue-infected mice, and with it cellular uptake of glucose and FDG increases. Knowing this, the team set out to use PET-FDG to visualise inflammation as a marker of dengue infection in mice. Professor Subhash Vasudevan from the Emerging Infectious Diseases Programme at Duke-NUS explained that being able to visualise dengue infection in the body potentially transforms how the effectiveness of new dengue therapeutics is assessed. The team is looking forward to collaborating with academic and industry partners who are looking to validate their new dengue therapeutics using this novel approach. The clinical study is currently recruiting dengue patients as volunteers. Ultimately, the hope is that non-invasive PET-FDG imaging can be used to transform the assessment of new dengue treatments in clinical trials so that infections may be more effectively treated in the clinic. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9021/a-wireless-pacemaker-introduced.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9021/a-wireless-pacemaker-introduced.html Tue, 06 Jun 2017 11:55:00 +0530 A wireless, battery-less pacemaker that can be implanted directly into a patient's heart has been designed by researchers from Rice University and their colleagues at the Texas Heart Institute (THI). The pacemaker harvests energy wirelessly from radio frequency radiation transmitted by an external battery pack. The frequency of the pacing signals produced by the pacemaker can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing power transmitted to the receiving antenna, which stores it until it reaches a predetermined threshold. At that point, it releases the electrical charge to the heart and begins to fill again. Pacemakers use electrical signals to prompt the heart to keep a steady beat, but they've traditionally not been implanted directly into a patient's heart. Instead, they're located away from the heart, where surgeons can periodically replace their onboard batteries with minor surgery; their electrical signals are transmitted to the heart via wires called leads. Some of the common problems with this arrangement are complications related to the leads, including bleeding and infection. This new wireless pacemaker reduces these risks by doing away with leads. The team successfully tested the device in a pig and demonstrated it could tune the animal's heart rate from 100 to 172 beats per minute. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9020/gene-editing-technology-for-parkinsons-disease.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9020/gene-editing-technology-for-parkinsons-disease.html Tue, 06 Jun 2017 11:45:00 +0530 A team of researchers at the University of Central Florida is using breakthrough gene-editing technology to develop a new screening tool for Parkinson's disease, a debilitating degenerative disorder of the nervous system. The technology allows scientists in the lab to light up and then monitor a brain protein called alpha-synuclein that has been associated with Parkinson's. The researchers believe their work is a crucial step toward identifying new drug therapies for Parkinson's disease. Alpha-synuclein is a protein that is normally found in the brain but somehow during Parkinson’s, the level becomes abnormally high. They are using CRISPR Cas9 (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) gene-editing technology. The system is becoming instrumental in studying genetically based treatments for diseases including cancer and Parkinson's. Using the CRISPR technique, the research team edited the alpha-synuclein gene and inserted a luminescent tag made from proteins that causes fireflies to light up. Every time the cell creates the alpha-synuclein protein, the tag gives off a light. More light means an increased level of alpha-synuclein, which would be considered a diseased state. With the engineered cells, researchers can screen new and existing drugs to see how they regulate alpha-synuclein level in patients. The researchers will now focus on different aspects of the alpha- synuclein protein in killing neurons during Parkinson's disease. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9018/a-promising-ovarian-cancer-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/9018/a-promising-ovarian-cancer-treatment.html Tue, 06 Jun 2017 10:50:00 +0530 A team of scientists, one of them of Indian origin, has developed a new targeted treatment for ovarian cancer that shrinks tumours without causing any side effects. Researchers believe the drug, which mimics the action of folic acid to enter cells, could hold huge promise for women with advanced ovarian cancer who have stopped responding to standard treatment. The drug kills cells by blocking a molecule called thymidylate synthase and causing irreparable DNA damage. The research has been conducted at the Institute of Cancer Research in the UK. The researchers found that since the drug targets cancer cells specifically, it did not have side-effects often seen with traditional chemotherapy such as infections, diarrhoea, nerve damage and hair loss. The team tested the drug, ONX-0801, in 15 women with ovarian cancer as part of a wider phase I clinical trial. Phase 1 trials are run in patients who have advanced cancer as a way of testing a drug's safety, and it is highly unusual to see major clinical responses at this stage. They found that the drug significantly shrunk tumours in seven of the 15 ovarian cancer patients. This observation certainly seems very exciting and promising. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8996/a-new-approach-to-drug-development.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8996/a-new-approach-to-drug-development.html Mon, 05 Jun 2017 12:10:00 +0530 A research team at the University of Redlands, California has advanced a new approach to a critical process in pharmaceutical drug development that could reduce the time and cost of bringing a drug from concept to market. The team utilized a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer for looking into individual molecules like carbons, hydrogens and oxygens to see how they fit together. A new software called Complete Reduction to Amplitude- Frequency Table or CRAFT was used towards a new approach to measure parameters related to partition coefficients. CRAFT tables can be used for further data mining of quantitative information using fingerprint chemical shifts of compounds of interest and statistical analysis of modulation of chemical quantity in a biological study (metabolomics) or process study (reaction monitoring) or quality assurance and control. This new approach is quick and easy and can be effectively used by researchers for designing their experiments. It can also be used by pharmaceutical companies for identifying promising drug candidates. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8995/gene-therapy-to-protect-from-allergies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8995/gene-therapy-to-protect-from-allergies.html Mon, 05 Jun 2017 11:30:00 +0530 A single treatment giving life-long protection from severe allergies such as asthma could be made possible by an immunology research conducted at the University of Queensland. The main challenge during allergies is that the immune cells, known as T-cells, develop a form of immune 'memory' and become very resistant to treatments. Researchers have now been able wipe the memory of these T-cells in animals with gene therapy, by de-sensitising the immune system so that it tolerates the protein. During the research, blood stem cells were taken, specific gene was inserted which regulates the allergen protein and injected into the recipient. Those engineered cells produced new blood cells that expressed the protein and targeted specific immune cells, thereby 'turning off' the allergic response. Researchers are moving further to subject these finding to pre-clinical investigation, with the next step being to replicate results using human cells in the laboratory. This research has been funded by the Asthma Foundation and the National Health and Medical Research Council. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8988/a-tissue-scanner-for-psoriasis-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8988/a-tissue-scanner-for-psoriasis-patients.html Fri, 02 Jun 2017 10:50:00 +0530 A newly developed tissue scanner by a team of researchers from the Technical University of Munich allows looking under the skin of psoriasis patients. This provides clinically relevant information, such as the structure of skin layers and blood vessels, without the need for contrast agents or radiation exposure. Psoriasis (Psoriasis vulgaris) is an inflammatory skin disease that is characterized by small to palm-sized patches of severely scaling skin. The disease is estimated to affect between ten and fifteen million people in the European Union. Currently, physicians evaluate the severity of the disease based on visual assessment of features of the skin surface, such as redness or thickness of the flaking skin. Unfortunately, these standards miss all parameters that lie below the surface of the skin, and may be subjective. In order to provide clinicians with this information, researchers have developed a new technique that gets under the skin. A weak laser pulse excites the tissue of interest, which then absorbs energy and heats up minimally. This causes momentary tissue expansion, which generates ultrasound waves. The scientists measure these ultrasound signals and use this information to reconstruct a high resolution image of what lies under the skin. The researchers plan to use the same imaging method to assess other diseases such as skin cancer or diabetes in the future. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8987/new-technique-for-easier-cervical-cancer-screening.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8987/new-technique-for-easier-cervical-cancer-screening.html Fri, 02 Jun 2017 10:45:00 +0530 Duke University researchers have developed a handheld device for cervical cancer screening that promises to do away with uncomfortable speculums and high-cost colposcopes. The "pocket colposcope" is a slender wand that can connect to many devices, including laptops or cell phones. If widely adopted, women might even use the device to self-screen, transforming screening and cure rates in low-income countries and regions of the United States, where cervical cancer is most prevalent. While the Pap smear can be performed by a non-specialist, colposcopy requires visualization of the cervix, relying on highly trained professionals and expensive equipment that is not easily accessible to underserved populations. These factors make cervical cancer more prevalent in women living in low socioeconomic communities. The researchers are now working on clinical trials to see how their design stacks up against the traditional colposcopy used with a speculum. By using both methods to visualize the cervix, the researchers will be able to make a direct comparison. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8979/icgeb-scientists-identify-key-enzyme-for-biofuel-production-in-fungal-gene.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8979/icgeb-scientists-identify-key-enzyme-for-biofuel-production-in-fungal-gene.html Thu, 01 Jun 2017 13:25:00 +0530 Scientists at New Delhi-based International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) have peered into a fungal gene to identify enzymes that break down cellulose into simple sugars. These ‘cellulolytic’ (cellulose breaking) enzymes obtained from a microbial source are in high demand in the biofuel production industry and are currently obtained from one industrial workhorse fungus.  The new fungal source Penicillium funiculosum could be a strong alternative in the industrial enzyme repertoire for biofuel production. Dr Syed Shams Yazdani and his group from ICGEB’s microbial engineering department have found that P. funiculosum effectively produces the enzyme GH7 cellobiohydrolases (CBH1) – vital for the breakdown of cellulose – just as its fungal cousin Trichoderma reesei, which is mostly used in the industrial enzyme cocktails. The scientists have published their work  in the journal Biotechnology for Biofuels [Ogunmolu, F. E. et al. Comparative insights into the saccharification potentials of a relatively unexplored but robust Penicillium funiculosum glycoside hydrolase 7 cellobiohydrolase. Biotechnology for Biofuels 10:71 (2017) DOI: 10.1186/s13068-017-0752-x]. The biological conversion of cellulosic biomass to produce environment friendly fuels and chemicals is in demand and the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to fermentable sugars is the most complex step. Enzymatic hydrolysis offers the potential for higher yield, higher selectivity, lower energy costs and milder operating conditions than chemical processes, the mechanism of enzymatic hydrolysis and the relationship between the substrate structure and function of components is not well known and limited success has been realized in maximizing sugar yields at very low cost. “Our innovation will provide detailed information for enzymes and its use for biomass hydrolysis and will provide sustainable solution to biofuel industries,” says Dr Syed Shams Yazdani, lead research scientist, also coordinator of the government-funded DBT-ICGEB Centre for Advanced Bioenergy Research (DICABeR). DBT-ICGEB Centre for Advanced Bioenergy Research (DICABeR) is an integrated centre for performing cutting-edge basic research and its translation. It is a platform for the synthetic biologists to work in diverse bioenergy areas such as microbial engineering, biochemical engineering, algal engineering and systems biology. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8977/new-plasmonic-sensor-for-early-cancer-detection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8977/new-plasmonic-sensor-for-early-cancer-detection.html Thu, 01 Jun 2017 11:10:00 +0530 A new plasmonic sensor developed by researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will serve as a reliable early detection of biomarkers for many forms of cancer and eventually other diseases. The sensor has been proven reliable to detect the presence of the cancer biomarker carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) to the magnitude of 1 nanogram per milliliter. Most humans carry at least some amounts of CEA with an average range of 3-5 nanograms per milliliter. The researchers chose to focus on CEA because its presence in higher concentrations is an early indicator of many forms of cancer, including lung and prostate cancers. The device combines two sensing methods, which hadn't until this time been able to be used together. First, it uses a 3D multi-layer nanocavity in a nanocup array, which allows for the light to be stored in the cavity comprised of two metal layers surrounding one insulator layer. Secondly, it uses plasmonic sensing, which detects sensitive nanoscale light-matter interactions with biomolecules on the device surface. In the future, however, because of the portability and inexpensive nature of this method, it can be more easily administered to any patient at routine check-ups. This would allow those with an elevated concentration of CEA to be treated even before cancer cells spread in the body. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8966/a-lightning-fast-flu-virus-detector.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8966/a-lightning-fast-flu-virus-detector.html Wed, 31 May 2017 15:50:00 +0530 Researchers have developed a new, rapid biosensor for the early detection of even tiny concentrations of the human influenza A (H1N1) virus. Such early-stage diagnosis is crucial for averting a potential pandemic outbreak, as antiviral medication must be administered in a timely fashion. Conventional tests for detecting the flu virus are often slow and expensive, and can miss early viral infections. In contrast, the new biosensor measures tiny changes in voltage in an electrically conductive polymer to quickly detect virus concentrations almost 100 times smaller than the limit of currently available kits. The work was done at the Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), in a collaboration between the Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering and the Department of Molecular Virology. To construct the biosensor, the polymer film was placed between two electrodes. When a solution containing H1N1, which carries a tiny positive charge on its exterior shell, was added, some of the viruses stuck to the polymer and increased the voltage measured by the electrodes. This electrical method allows the sensor to detect the presence of miniscule amounts of the virus. The researchers have developed a conducting polymer-based sensor that can recognize a specific virus, which makes it a good candidate for wearable monitoring and point-of-care testing. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8965/new-biomarkers-for-predicting-diabetic-retinopathy.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8965/new-biomarkers-for-predicting-diabetic-retinopathy.html Wed, 31 May 2017 15:30:00 +0530 Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the late complications of diabetes and usually it affects people who have had diabetes for considerably longer duration. Research from the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF), India has now demonstrated that young onset type 2 diabetes patients possess an increased risk of developing diabetic retinopathy at an earlier stage and at a greater frequency accompanied by the elevated levels of certain biomarkers such as monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) and cathepsin-D. Diabetes can lead to a wide variety of health complications, including heart disease, nerve damage, stroke, kidney disease, and vision loss. Diabetes is a risk factor for developing glaucoma, as well as for developing cataracts, but the most common and debilitating vision problem experienced by diabetics is diabetic retinopathy. It appears that higher levels of MCP-1 and cathepsin-D in young onset type 2 diabetes patients represent an accelerated aging phenotype -- a driving force for faster development of diabetic retinopathy. It is expected that targeting the pathways related to these biomarkers could be a future strategy for preventing the heightened risk of developing diabetic retinopathy in young-onset diabetic patients ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8962/scientists-identify-40-genes-that-shed-light-on-biology-of-intelligence.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8962/scientists-identify-40-genes-that-shed-light-on-biology-of-intelligence.html Wed, 31 May 2017 13:10:00 +0530 Researchers have made a major advance in understanding the genetic underpinnings of intelligence by uncovering 52 genes of the trait, 40 of which are new discoveries.They also found that many people with these genes are likely to have other traits, including being tall, thin and unlikely to smoke. The findings also turned up a surprising connection between intelligence and autism that could one day help shed light on the condition’s origins. The new batch of smart genes accounted for 20 percent of the discrepancies in IQ test results among tens of thousands people examined. “For the first time, we were able to detect a substantial amount of genetic effects in IQ,” Danielle Posthuma, a researcher at the Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research in Amsterdam was reported telling to the journal Nature Genetics. An international research team led by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam studied genetic data from over 78,000 individuals. The data included information on DNA genotypes and intelligence scores, which led the team to discover new genes and biological routes for intelligence. Despite high heritability estimates of 45 per cent in childhood and 80 per cent in adulthood, until now, only a few genes had been associated with. But the new study uncovered 40 new genes, most of which are mainly expressed in brain tissue. The results showed that people with the genes were more likely to have high educational achievements, and were also likely to be taller, not to smoke, and to have autism spectrum disorder. In contrast, people with the intelligence genes were less likely to have Alzheimer's disease, depressive symptoms, smoking history, schizophrenia, high body mass index, or obesity. The researchers stress that future studies will be needed to clarify the exact role of these genes in intelligence in order to gain a more complete picture of how genetic differences lead to differences in intelligence.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8960/-researchers-design-an-injectable-antibody-that-help-in-reducing-cholesterol-level.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8960/-researchers-design-an-injectable-antibody-that-help-in-reducing-cholesterol-level.html Wed, 31 May 2017 12:20:00 +0530 The researchers from Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have found a new strategy, an injectable antibody for lowering blood lipids and thereby potentially preventing coronary artery disease and other conditions caused by the build-up of fats, cholesterol, and other substances on the artery walls. In a release, it was noted that the new approach targets a protein called ANGPTL3, a regulator of enzymes that clear triglycerides and other fat molecules from the blood. Research in recent years has hinted that inherited mutations in the ANGPTL3 gene that disable its function can decrease triglyceride, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels. Researchers from Penn Medicine, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, and a group of international collaborators studied ANGPTL3 in both humans and mice. They found that blocking ANGPTL3 activity with an investigative injectable antibody, known as evinacumab, reduced triglycerides by up to 76 percent and lowered LDL cholesterol 23 percent in human study participants, and largely reversed signs of atherosclerosis in a mouse models. Researchers also included a human genetics study of approximately 188,000 people, which found that carriers of mutations that disable ANGPTL3 had nearly 40 percent fewer incidents of coronary artery disease as compared to those with fully functioning ANGPTL3. “In the clinic, I treat many patients with very high triglycerides, but our current medications aren’t lowering triglycerides enough in many cases. I’m delighted at the prospect of a new treatment that’s a lot more potent, all the more because it lowers LDL at the same time,” said study co-author Richard L. Dunbar, MD, assistant professor of Cardiovascular Medicine and member of Penn’s Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics. “It’s very reassuring to see that people with this genetic defect actually seem to be protected from heart disease. I think that really bodes well for a therapeutic that’s targeting the ANGPTL3 pathway.” The trial of research on ANGPTL3 as a potential target for atherosclerosis prevention began over a decade ago when scientists reported on two cases of familial hypolipidemia, a rare inherited condition involving abnormally low blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Most cases of familial hypolipidemia are linked to other gene mutations that cause liver and digestive problems, but in members of this American family with the condition, Musunuru found mutations in the gene for ANGPTL3, and no associated health problems. In the NEJM study from Dunbar and colleagues, the antibody had similar effects in an initial clinical trial in 83 people, lowering the blood levels of triglycerides measured after fasting by about 75 percent at the highest dose, and lowering LDL cholesterol by about 30 percent.Statins and other drugs are already widely used to lower LDL cholesterol, but there are fewer options for lowering triglycerides. “For treating high triglyceride levels there’s really nothing out there that’s quite this potent, so that’s where I expect this new approach to have its greatest therapeutic benefit,” Dunbar said. Hypertriglyceridemia, a condition in which fasting triglyceride levels are greater than 150 mg/dL, is estimated to affect at least tens of millions of American adults. It is associated with coronary artery disease and other forms of atherosclerosis, and can lead to potentially fatal inflammation of the pancreas. In principle, the strategy of targeting ANGPTL3 could have an even broader use in treating atherosclerosis in the general population. The researchers found that in a mouse model of atherosclerosis, treatment with evinacumab reduced the area of atherosclerotic lesions by 39 percent. The population study findings, including those from the JACC study, suggest that even the partial inactivation of ANGPTL3—carriers typically have one mutant copy of the gene and one working copy—may be powerfully protective against coronary artery disease, which has long been one of the leading causes of death in developed countries. In the JACC study, for example, carriers of inactivating ANGPTL3 mutations had only a 17 percent reduction in triglycerides on average. But that modest reduction was associated with a 34 percent reduction in coronary artery disease risk. Moreover, Musunuru and his colleagues found that the people in their sample with the lowest blood levels of ANGPTL3 had a 35 percent lower rate of heart attacks compared to those with the highest ANGPTL3 levels. Dunbar noted that the population study findings probably have lain to rest a lingering concern about targeting ANGPTL3, namely its effect in lowering not just LDL and triglycerides but also the so-called “good cholesterol,” known as HDL cholesterol. “If lowering HDL were a major concern, then I don’t think we would have seen the evidence of overall benefit that we did in this study,” he said. The two studies together suggest that single copies of inactivating ANGPTL3 mutations are found in roughly one of every 250 people of European descent, whereas people with mutations in both copies of the gene—as in the family studied by Musunuru and colleagues—are much rarer. According to Dunbar, the next logical step would be to take evinacumab into larger clinical trials to study its safety, effectiveness, and optimal dosing. “The effect of even a single dose lasts for several months, and it’s plausible that with multiple doses we would see an even deeper and more sustained effect,” he said. Additional Penn authors on the NEJM study include Scott Damrauer, MD, Aeron Small, and Daniel J. Rader MD, and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology study include Xiao Wang, PhD, Daniel J. Rader, MD, and Danish Saleheen, MBBS, PhD. Funding sources for the studies detailed in this press release included grants from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) (R01HL131961), (K08HL114642), (R01HL118744), (R01HL127564) and (R21HL120781) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8958/chemists-develop-a-technique-for-reducing-toxic-effects-of-cigarettes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8958/chemists-develop-a-technique-for-reducing-toxic-effects-of-cigarettes.html Wed, 31 May 2017 10:45:00 +0530 Chemists at Johannes Gutenberg University, Germany have developed a technique that reduces the toxic effects of commercially available cigarettes. Tobacco smoke contains almost 12,000 different constituents. Among these are narcotoxic substances such as nicotine, blood toxins like cyanide and carbon monoxide, not to mention the various carcinogens. The research team has discovered how to significantly lower the levels of these free oxygen radicals and thus markedly reduce the toxicity of cigarette smoke. This development could help not only to make the consumption of tobacco-based products somewhat less hazardous but it could also be extended to other areas in which reactive oxygen radicals are a problem. Nature regulates the concentration of radicals by means of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), which plays a central role in the prevention of pathological processes, including tumor and cancer growth, inflammatory diseases, and stroke. The naturally occurring enzyme utilizes metals such as copper-zinc, nickel, iron, and manganese as reactive centers that cause oxygen radicals to decompose so that the organism is protected from their aggressive reactive behavior. The team of chemists in Mainz is thus collaborating with the group headed by Professor Jürgen Brieger of the Mainz University Medical Center in order to determine whether it is possible to integrate functionalized copper hydroxide nanoparticles in cigarette filters and thus reduce levels of free radicals in smoke, hence providing smokers with greater protection against their toxic potential. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8961/new-gene-sequencing-study-has-unleashed-the-spread-of-zika-virus.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8961/new-gene-sequencing-study-has-unleashed-the-spread-of-zika-virus.html Wed, 31 May 2017 01:05:00 +0530 The research led by the Universities of Birmingham and Oxford in partnership with FioCruz Bahia, the University of Sao Paulo with the support of the Brazilian Ministry of Health, has found how Zika spread through space and time. This has provided a new understanding of the disease. By carrying out genome sequencing to understand the virus’ genetic make-up, the team was able to track the spread of the virus across Brazil. The study showed that Zika’s establishment within Brazil - and its spread from there to other regions - occurred before Zika transmission in the Americas was first discovered. By revealing this ‘hidden’ epidemic, the results will help scientists to better understand the link between the Zika epidemic and reports of birth defects and other diseases. According to a news release by the University of Oxford, the researchers travelled 2,000 km across the northeast Brazil in June last year in a minibus equipped with cutting-edge mobile DNA sequencing capabilities and tested samples from more than 1,300 patients infected with the virus. Dr. Nuno Faria, of the University of Oxford’s Department of Zoology, said: 'Despite there being probably millions of cases of the Zika virus in Brazil, there was only a handful of known virus genomes prior to our work. A better understanding of Zika virus’ genetic diversity is critical to vaccine design, and also to identify areas where surveillance is most needed'.Professor Oliver Pybus, also of the University of Oxford’s Department of Zoology said 'We generated Zika virus genomes to establish the virus’ epidemic history in the Americas. We showed that the virus was present in Brazil for a full year prior to the first confirmed cases in May 2015. 'We also found that northeast Brazil, which was the region with the most recorded cases of Zika and microcephaly, was the nexus of the epidemic in Brazil and played a key role in its spread within Brazil to major urban centres, such as Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, before spreading across the Americas. We now have a better understanding of the epidemiology of the virus.' During the genome sequencing journey that travelled across Brazil, the researchers used the portable MinION DNA sequencer from the company Oxford Nanopore Technologies, which started as an Oxford University spinout company. The portable device weighs less than 100g and is powered by the USB port of a laptop, so is ideal for cross-country fieldwork. Prof Nick Loman, of the University of Birmingham’s School of Biosciences, said: “Genome sequencing has become a powerful tool for studying emerging infectious diseases, however, genome sequencing directly from clinical samples without isolation remains challenging for viruses such as Zika. "We developed a new protocol that allows for real-time genomic sequencing – something of vital importance when managing viral outbreaks as it can provide real insight into how a virus is spreading, transmitting and evolving. What’s more, using equipment like portable nanopore sequencing we were able to carry out emergency epidemiological research more quickly, to get immediate results when working in the field, as on the road in Brazil. This new protocol will doubtless prove hugely beneficial to researchers working in remote areas around the world during times of viral outbreaks." The research project was funded by the Medical Research Council’s Zika Rapid Response Initiative, USAID, and supported by the Wellcome Trust and the Newton Fund. It highlights the importance of creating trusted cross-institutional partnerships and sharing data openly during disease focused research fieldwork. What is next? Prof Luiz Alcantara from FioCruz Bahia, Brazil hints that: 'The project is now expanding to other geographic areas in Brazil, where we are tackling not only Zika virus but also dengue and chikungunya viruses, as well as the very recent ongoing yellow fever epidemics. The threat posed from viruses transmitted by mosquitos in Brazil is severe and there is a pressing need to better understand their epidemiology in order to prevent their spread.' As part of a co-operative international effort to share valuable data and results, the report was published together with two companion papers on the genetics and evolution of the Zika virus epidemic. Zika remains a significant public health threat and the research highlights a need for continued research and surveillance of Zika and other mosquito-transmitted viruses in Brazil. Together, the papers paint a collective picture of the scale of impact of Zika, offering potential recommendations for future rapid detection and control of virus epidemics. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8947/a-new-combination-of-drugs-for-combating-hepatitis-c.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8947/a-new-combination-of-drugs-for-combating-hepatitis-c.html Tue, 30 May 2017 10:55:00 +0530 Drugs that prevent entry of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) into the host cells are equally effective as other drugs, finds a new study from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. These drugs, called entry inhibitors, when combined with drugs that prevent the multiplication of the virus inside the host cell, or direct-acting antivirals, can be a potent combination for treating the infection. The Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects the liver and spreads mainly through infected needles. Estimates suggest up to 1% of the Indian population may be infected with HCV. A large number of afflicted people develop chronic infection, and sometimes even liver cancer. A study published in early 2017 by Japanese researchers reported that a combination of three direct-acting antivirals was most powerful in treating the infection in the lab and ranked various drug combinations according to their potency. Such studies help find candidates for clinical trials. The IISc team mathematically analysed previously published data for entry inhibitors showing how infected cells are affected when exposed to different doses of drugs for a certain time. They showed that they could rank the different entry inhibitor drugs on a scale, similar to that used for HIV drugs, instantly showing which drug was more potent. Considering this finding, the Japanese group who performed the original drug-combination study added entry inhibitors to their cocktail of drugs. They reported that a three-drug combination that included an entry inhibitor was equally powerful as the previous best three-drug combination. Direct acting antivirals in combination with entry inhibitors may further strengthen the armoury against HCV by both inhibition of the virus and reducing the risk of drug resistance. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8946/a-new-genetic-test-for-anal-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8946/a-new-genetic-test-for-anal-cancer.html Tue, 30 May 2017 10:50:00 +0530 A new genetic test could be an accurate and inexpensive way to find and treat those at highest risk of anal cancer. The early research by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) found that the test could lead to a reduction in painful procedures and minimise the over-treatment of people at low risk. Anal cancer is mostly caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) - the same virus that causes cervical cancer. Diagnosis presents many challenges. Full biopsies are painful, and taking a small sample of cells ('cytology') is problematic because lesions can be hidden and clinicians give varying interpretations of results. High-resolution anoscopy, where the anal canal is examined with a high resolution magnifying instrument, is often used as the primary screening tool for high-risk populations but is uncomfortable for the patient, expensive, complex and generates subjective results. Once developed, the test would involve taking a small sample of cells from the anal canal via a swab and then sending the sample off to a laboratory for epigenetic analysis. While a test could be developed within five years, the researchers caution that the results first need to be confirmed in a much larger study across the UK, and repeated using swab samples rather than the biopsies which were used in the current study. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8936/researchers-design-antibody-for-reducing-cholesterol-level.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8936/researchers-design-antibody-for-reducing-cholesterol-level.html Mon, 29 May 2017 13:20:00 +0530 In a news release made by Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, researchers have found a new strategy, an injectable antibody for lowering blood lipids and thereby potentially preventing coronary artery disease and other conditions caused by the build-up of fats, cholesterol, and other substances on the artery walls. The new approach targets a protein called ANGPTL3, a regulator of enzymes that clear triglycerides and other fat molecules from the blood. Research in recent years has hinted that inherited mutations in the ANGPTL3 gene that disable its function can decrease triglyceride, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels. Researchers from Penn Medicine, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, and a group of international collaborators studied ANGPTL3 in both humans and mice. They found that blocking ANGPTL3 activity with an investigative injectable antibody, known as evinacumab, reduced triglycerides by up to 76 percent and lowered LDL cholesterol 23 percent in human study participants, and largely reversed signs of atherosclerosis in a mouse models. Researchers also included a human genetics study of approximately 188,000 people, which found that carriers of mutations that disable ANGPTL3 had nearly 40 percent fewer incidents of coronary artery disease as compared to those with fully functioning ANGPTL3.  The next logical step would be to take evinacumab into larger clinical trials to study its safety, effectiveness, and optimal dosing. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8937/new-gene-sequencing-study-unleashes-the-spread-of-zika-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8937/new-gene-sequencing-study-unleashes-the-spread-of-zika-.html Mon, 29 May 2017 13:20:00 +0530 The research led by the Universities of Birmingham and Oxford in partnership with FioCruz Bahia, the University of Sao Paulo with the support of the Brazilian Ministry of Health, has found how Zika spread through space and time. This has provided a new understanding of the disease. By carrying out genome sequencing to understand the virus’ genetic make-up, the team was able to track the spread of the virus across Brazil. The study showed that Zika’s establishment within Brazil - and its spread from there to other regions - occurred before Zika transmission in the Americas was first discovered. By revealing this ‘hidden’ epidemic, the results will help scientists to better understand the link between the Zika epidemic and reports of birth defects and other diseases. According to a news release by the University of Oxford, the researchers travelled 2,000 km across the northeast Brazil in June last year in a minibus equipped with cutting-edge mobile DNA sequencing capabilities and tested samples from more than 1,300 patients infected with the virus. During the genome sequencing journey that travelled across Brazil, the researchers used the portable MinION DNA sequencer from the company Oxford Nanopore Technologies, which started as an Oxford University spinout company. The portable device weighs less than 100g and is powered by the USB port of a laptop, so is ideal for cross-country fieldwork. The project is now expanding to other geographic areas in Brazil, where not only Zika virus but also dengue and chikungunya viruses are bing tackled, as well as the very recent ongoing yellow fever epidemics. The threat posed from viruses transmitted by mosquitos in Brazil is severe and there is a pressing need to better understand their epidemiology in order to prevent their spread. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8935/first-three-cases-of-zika-virus-confirmed-in-india-by-who.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8935/first-three-cases-of-zika-virus-confirmed-in-india-by-who.html Mon, 29 May 2017 12:20:00 +0530 India has reported cases of the Zika virus, the World Health Organisation said, adding that efforts should be made to strengthen surveillance. The WHO said that on May 15 India's health ministry reported three confirmed cases from the western state of Gujarat. Cases were detected during testing in February and November last year, while one was detected in January this year, according to the statement, which was released on Friday but did not gain public attention until Saturday. A federal health ministry official said states were following standard protocols and there was "nothing to worry" about. The ministry had in March cited one confirmed case of Zika - from January of this year in Gujarat - while answering a question in India's parliament. According to the statement given by WHO on its website, "These findings suggest low level transmission of Zika virus and new cases may occur in the future," the WHO said in the statement on its website. Zika virus is known to be circulating in South-East Asia Region and these findings do not change the global risk assessment." The disease is spread by daytime-active Aedes mosquitoes and an infection during pregnancy can cause birth defects in newborns known as micrcephaly--a condition in which babies' head is abnormally small. It is characterised by brain damage and may cause other defects like blindness, deafness, and even seizures. When the virus infects a pregnant woman, it can cause a variety of birth defects including microcephaly, where the baby's head is abnormally small.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8932/researchers-develop-faster-and-cheaper-cardiac-imaging-test.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8932/researchers-develop-faster-and-cheaper-cardiac-imaging-test.html Mon, 29 May 2017 11:40:00 +0530 Researchers in the UK and Peru have developed a faster and cheaper cardiac imaging test that can be used in developing countries. The scan is three times faster, less than one-fifth of the cost, and changed clinical management in 33% of patients. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is the gold standard for diagnosing many cardiovascular diseases. It is used to measure the structure and function of the heart, and to assess scarring on the heart muscle after a heart attack to predict if another will occur. Researchers have developed an ultrafast CMR protocol for wider uptake in Peru. CMR had an impact on the clinical management of 33% of patients. CMR revealed a new, unsuspected diagnosis in 20% of patients, leading to a complete change in management. In 30% of patients no further cardiac testing was needed (coronary angiography, computed tomography, cardiac biopsy). Researchers will follow-up the patients for two years to evaluate the impact of diagnosis by ultrafast CMR on long-term morbidity and mortality. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8933/swiss-scientists-create-artificial-viruses-to-combat-cancer-cells.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8933/swiss-scientists-create-artificial-viruses-to-combat-cancer-cells.html Mon, 29 May 2017 11:40:00 +0530 Swiss scientists from the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland, and the University of Basel have created artificial viruses that can be used to target cancer. These designer viruses alert the immune system and cause it to send killer cells to help fight the tumor. Stimulating the immune system to specifically and wholeheartedly combat cancer cells, however, has remained a distant goal. Researchers have now succeeded in manufacturing innovative designer viruses that could do exactly that. The researchers built artificial viruses based on lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), which can infect both rodents and humans. Although they were not harmful for mice, they did release the alarm signals typical of viral infections. The virologists also integrated certain proteins into the virus that are otherwise found only in cancer cells. Infection with the designer virus enabled the immune system to recognize these cancer proteins as dangerous. This very promising designer virus has already been patented through Unitec, a structure that offers advice as well as industrial and financial contacts to UNIGE, the University Hospital and the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Geneva researchers. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8931/3d-bioprinted-cartilage-developed.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8931/3d-bioprinted-cartilage-developed.html Mon, 29 May 2017 11:35:00 +0530 A team of researchers from the Department of Textile Technology at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has been successful in 3D bioprinting of cartilage using a bioink. The bioink has high concentration of bone-marrow derived cartilage stem cells, silk proteins and a few factors. The chemical composition of the bioink supports cell growth and long-term survival of the cells. The silk protein has different amino acids that closely resemble the amino acids present in human tissues. Just like cells are surrounded by proteins inside the body, the cells in the engineered cartilage are also surrounded by bioink that has a similar composition. As a next step, the research team would implant this 3D bioprinted cartilage into the knee joints of animals to see if it remains stable in the knee joint and is able to integrate with the surrounding cartilage tissue. This study also opens up platforms to use 3D bioprinted cartilage on in vitro model system for assessing drug delivery and pharmaceutical studies. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8929/new-technology-developed-by-synaptive-medical-and-csu.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8929/new-technology-developed-by-synaptive-medical-and-csu.html Fri, 26 May 2017 16:55:00 +0530 Synaptive Medical has collaborated with Colorado State University’s (CSU’s) Flint Animal Cancer Centre to develop a new intraoperative imaging and sensing technology for detection and treatment of brain tumours. CSU neurology and neurosurgery associate professor Dr Rebecca Packer utilised Synaptive’s Raman spectroscopy research system to assess the clinical biomarkers with potential for use in surgical resection of tumours. With a focus on new brain tumour therapies, Dr Packer’s research aims to create precise and less invasive neurosurgical techniques and therapies to treat the tumours. The research also includes improvement of intraoperative imaging for accurate detection and resection of tumours during surgery. Synaptive will work on interconnection and optimisation of the flow of imaging and non-imaging data as well as its integration into current surgical technologies. CSU research will initially include confirmation of the specific spectral fingerprint of different types of brain tumours and matching the fingerprint with the microscopic appearance of the tumour and surrounding normal tissue. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8923/fish-skin-to-treat-severe-burns.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8923/fish-skin-to-treat-severe-burns.html Fri, 26 May 2017 12:10:00 +0530 Researchers in Brazil are experimenting with a new treatment for severe burns using the skin of tilapia fish, an unorthodox procedure they say can ease the pain of victims and cut medical costs. Frozen pig skin and even human tissue have long been placed on burns to keep them moist and allow the transfer of collagen, a protein that promotes healing. Brazil's public hospitals, however, lack human and pig skin supplies and the artificial alternatives easily available in Western countries. Instead, gauze bandage, which needs regular changing often painfully is the norm. Tilapia is abundant in Brazil's rivers and fish farms, which are expanding rapidly as demand grows for the mildly flavored freshwater fish. Scientists at the Federal University of Ceara in northern Brazil have found that tilapia skin has moisture, collagen and disease resistance at levels comparable to human skin, and can aid in healing. In China, researchers have tested tilapia skin on rodents to study its healing properties, but scientists in Brazil say their trials are the first on humans. The researchers hope the treatment will prove commercially viable and encourage businesses to process tilapia skin for medical use. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8921/a-new-brain-mapping-tool-developed.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8921/a-new-brain-mapping-tool-developed.html Fri, 26 May 2017 10:45:00 +0530 Researchers at the University of California, San Diego have developed a new device to map the brain during surgery and distinguish between healthy and diseased tissues. The device provides higher resolution neural readings than existing tools used in the clinic and could enable doctors to perform safer, more precise brain surgeries. The device is an improved version of a clinical tool called an electrode grid, which is a plastic or silicone-based grid of electrodes that is placed directly on the surface of the brain during surgery to monitor the activity of large groups of neurons. Neurosurgeons use electrode grids to identify which areas of the brain are diseased in order to avoid damaging or removing healthy, functional tissue during operations. Despite their wide use, electrode grids have remained bulky and have not experienced any major advances over the last 20 years. The new electrode grid is about a thousand times thinner than clinical electrode grids. This allows it to conform better to the intricately curved surface of the brain and obtain better readings. The team's next steps are to make higher density electrode grids for improved resolution and biocompatibility tests to see how long they can stay in the body before they experience biofouling. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8914/next-gen-heart-valve-created.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8914/next-gen-heart-valve-created.html Thu, 25 May 2017 15:05:00 +0530 A team of researchers at Harvard’s Wyss Institute and the University of Zurich has created a next-generation heart valve that accurately functions upon implantation and regenerates into long-lasting heart-like tissue. The human heart beats approximately 35 million times every year, effectively pumping blood into the circulation via four different heart valves. Unfortunately, in over four million people each year, these delicate tissues malfunction due to a variety of reasons. To address this issue, clinicians use either artificial prostheses or fixed animal and cadaver-sourced tissues to replace defective valves. While these prostheses can restore the function of the heart for a while, they are associated with adverse comorbidity and wear down and need to be replaced during invasive and expensive surgeries. Taking these limitations into consideration, the researchers at Harvard University created a nanofiber fabrication technique to rapidly manufacture heart valves with regenerative and growth potential. They fabricated a valve-shaped nanofiber network that mimics the mechanical and chemical properties of the native valve extracellular matrix (ECM). They used a combination of synthetic polymers and ECM proteins to fabricate biocompatible JetValves that are hemodynamically competent upon implantation and support cell migration and re-population in vitro. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8908/waist-size-could-predict-risk-of-developing-cancer-who-study.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8908/waist-size-could-predict-risk-of-developing-cancer-who-study.html Thu, 25 May 2017 12:00:00 +0530 Scientists at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is an arm of the World Health Organisation, have shown that waist measurement is as good at predicting cancer risk as body mass index (BMI), which is a ratio of weight to height. An expanding waistline could be a warning sign that a man or woman is running an increased risk of certain cancers, according to international experts. According to Dr Heinz Freisling of IARC, the lead author of a study in the British Journal of Cancer, “the increased risk of certain cancers, as well as type 2 diabetes, kicks in at a waist measurement of 102cm (40in) for men and 88cm (35in) for women.” “Our findings show that both BMI and where body fat is carried on the body can be good indicators of obesity-related cancer risk. Specifically, fat carried around the waist may be important for certain cancers, but requires further investigation. To better reflect the underlying biology at play, we think it’s important to study more than just BMI when looking at cancer risk. And our research adds further understanding to how people’s body shape could increase their risk.”, he added He advises people to know their BMI and also to measure their waistlines. “You only need to put a tape measure around your belly button. This is easy to do and can give a person an indication of whether their risk for specific cancers is increased or not – for instance pancreas or liver cancer which are known to be related to increased body fatness or obesity.” Being overweight or obese is the single biggest preventable cause of cancer after smoking and is linked to 13 types of cancer including bowel, breast, and pancreas. The study looked at BMI, waist measurement, and waist to hip ratio to find out how good these were at predicting increased risk of obesity-related cancers. It showed that adding about 11cm to the waistline increased the risk of obesity-related cancers by 13%. For bowel cancer, adding around 8cm to the hips was linked to an increased risk of 15%. The study combined data from about 43,000 participants who had been followed for an average of 12 years and more than 1,600 people were diagnosed with an obesity-related cancer.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8904/new-study-for-targeting-ovarian-tumors.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8904/new-study-for-targeting-ovarian-tumors.html Thu, 25 May 2017 11:05:00 +0530 Delivering chemotherapy drugs directly to the abdomen through a catheter offers better results than other methods, but this regimen suffers from significant complications, and many patients are unable to complete it. MIT researchers who are working on an implantable device that could make intraperitoneal chemotherapy more bearable have published a new study that offers insight into how to improve chemotherapy strategies for ovarian cancer, and how to determine which patients would be most likely to benefit from their device. The findings suggest that the outcome of initial surgery plays a key role in the effectiveness of subsequent intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Cisplatin, one of the most commonly used drugs, effectively treats very tiny tumor cell clusters when it is delivered continuously or as a single large dose. But the researchers found that for larger tumor cell clusters, continuous delivery of cisplatin, at higher doses than are tolerable with the current periodic chemotherapy method, was more effective. The device they are developing would make delivery of such higher, continuous doses possible. Their device is made of a drug-loaded polymer that could be inserted at the beginning of treatment and remain in place for the full treatment course, then removed with minimally invasive surgery. The researchers have tested proof-of-concept devices in mice and are now developing a version that could be tested in humans, though more animal studies are needed before human trials can begin. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8905/improved-diagnosis-for-male-infertility.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8905/improved-diagnosis-for-male-infertility.html Thu, 25 May 2017 11:05:00 +0530 Scientists at the University of Sheffield have developed a new technique to examine human sperm without killing them and helping to improve the diagnosis of fertility problems. The Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy technique, uses powerful magnets and works like radar by firing pulses of energy at the sperm sample inside a purpose built scanner and then listening to the echoed signal by the molecules in response. This could help to distinguish between populations of good or poor sperm. Unlike other more destructive examination methods, the low energy pulses do not damage sperm, meaning they could potentially go on to be used in IVF treatment. This is similar to a technique that doctors use to capture images of cells and tissues inside the body. The novel approach was pioneered by physicists from the University of Sheffield's Academic Unit of Radiology working together with fertility experts from the University's Academic Unit of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine in the interdisciplinary spermNMR project. This new development can open up an opportunity to develop a novel biomarker to help with diagnosis or to design specific therapies for men with poor sperm in order to give them a boost. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8893/eye-drops-to-treat-age-related-blindness.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8893/eye-drops-to-treat-age-related-blindness.html Wed, 24 May 2017 12:40:00 +0530 Scientists at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom have developed a revolutionary new eye drop to treat an age-related eye disorder, spelling the end for painful injections used to combat one of the leading causes of blindness. The eye disorder known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a painless condition that causes people to gradually lose their central vision, usually in both eyes. AMD, one of the leading causes of blindness in the UK, is currently treated by repeated injections into the eye on a monthly basis over at least three years. Scientists have invented a method of delivering the injected drug as an eye drop instead. The drop uses a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) to deliver the drug to the relevant part of the eye within minutes. The CPP-plus drug complex also has potential application to other chronic ocular diseases that require drug delivery to the posterior chamber of the eye. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8892/new-therapy-developed-for-atherosclerosis.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8892/new-therapy-developed-for-atherosclerosis.html Wed, 24 May 2017 12:35:00 +0530 Researchers at Ben-Gurion University (BGU) and the Sheba Medical Center in Israel have developed a new therapy to treat atherosclerosis and prevent heart failure with a new biomedical polymer that reduces arterial plaque and inflammation in the cardiovascular system. This innovative E-selectin-targeting nano-polymer has several advantages. First, it targets only damaged tissue and does not harm healthy tissue. At present, there are several available treatment options for atherosclerosis, but no other therapy reverses arterial damage and improves the heart muscle. Lastly, the polymer has no side effects, unlike statins, which are currently the leading medication used for treating atherosclerosis. Patented and in preclinical stage, the new polymer has been tested on mice with positive results. The myocardial function of the treated mice was greatly improved, there was less inflammation and a significant decrease in the thickness of the arteries. The researchers are now seeking a pharmaceutical company to bring the polymer therapy through the next stages of drug development and ultimately to market.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8891/spit-found-to-hold-a-clue-for-future-brain-health.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8891/spit-found-to-hold-a-clue-for-future-brain-health.html Wed, 24 May 2017 12:15:00 +0530 Researchers say that a simple saliva test has shown promise in identifying early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. The new technique probes molecules found inside people’s spit. Experts hope that this could aid in early detection of the disease. The research was carried by the researcher doctor Stewart Graham, of the Beaumont Research Institute in the U.S. “We used metabolomics, a newer technique to study molecules involved in metabolism”, reported Mirror, UK. “Our goal was to find unique patterns of molecules in the saliva of our study participants that could be used to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease in the earliest stages, when treatment is considered most effective. Presently, therapies for Alzheimer’s are initiated only after a patient is diagnosed and treatments offer modest benefits.” The pattern or fingerprint of metabolites in the biological sample can be used to learn about the health of the organism. The study participants included 29 adults in three groups: mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease and a control group. After specimens were collected, the researchers positively identified and accurately quantified 57 metabolites. The researchers found some of the observed variances in the biomarkers were “significant.” From their data, they were able to make predictions as to those at most risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Around 800,000 people in the UK currently have dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Society. One in three people over 65 is expected to develop the condition. The numbers are increasing because people are living longer. Alzheimer’s currently has no cure, few reliable diagnostic tests, and is predicted to reach epidemic proportions worldwide by 2050. Thus, scientists are scrambling to develop methods that can quickly and accurately diagnose the neurodegenerative disorder. The researchers are now seeking additional funding to conduct a larger, three-year study with more participants to validate the pilot study which was published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. The results of this new study were published recently in the Journal of Alzheimer's disease in an article entitled "Diagnostic Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease as Identified in Saliva using 1H NMR-Based Metabolomics." ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8880/a-better-cheaper-healthcare-with-dry-blood-samples.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8880/a-better-cheaper-healthcare-with-dry-blood-samples.html Tue, 23 May 2017 12:55:00 +0530 A drop of blood on filter paper, allowed to dry and stored for future diagnostic purposes is considerably easier than the present-day, resource-consuming method using frozen blood samples in plastic tubes. In a new study, researchers at Uppsala University, Sweden have successfully measured 92 different proteins in millimetre-sized circles punched out of dried samples. They have shown that this method has great potential to save resources, to the benefit of early diagnostics and treatment. Dried samples could be used for health services' routine checks. These could be performed in the fast-growing laboratory service sector, enabling people to have their state of health investigated without engaging medical and health services. The samples could also be used to set up very large-scale biobanks. Costs in the healthcare sector would plunge, more samples could be analysed and a high proportion of all blood samples taken could be saved. One of the major limitations of dried samples, on the other hand, has been the small quantity of blood taken, which rules out many traditional analytical methods. Proximity Extension Assay (PEA), based on research at Uppsala University, has been developed into a commercial product, Proseek Multiplex, by the Uppsala Company Olink. To date, the company has used the method to analyse a quarter of a million wet plasma samples. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8865/researchers-create-a-t-shirt-that-monitors-breathing-rate.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8865/researchers-create-a-t-shirt-that-monitors-breathing-rate.html Mon, 22 May 2017 13:20:00 +0530 Researchers at Université Laval's Faculty of Science and Engineering and its Center for Optics, Photonics, and Lasers have created a smart T-shirt that monitors the wearer's respiratory rate in real time. Unlike other methods of measuring respiratory rate, the smart T shirt works without any wires, electrodes, or sensors attached to the user's body. The key to the smart T shirt is an antenna sewn in at chest level that's made of a hollow optical fiber coated with a thin layer of silver on its inner surface. The fiber's exterior surface is covered in a polymer that protects it against the environment. The antenna does double duty, sensing and transmitting the signals created by respiratory movements. The data can be sent to the user's smartphone or a nearby computer. As the wearer breathes in, the smart fiber senses the increase in both thorax circumference and the volume of air in the lungs. This innovation, paves the way for manufacturing clothing that could be used to diagnose respiratory illnesses or monitor people suffering from asthma, sleep apnea, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8864/graphene-based-sensor-for-improving-asthma.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8864/graphene-based-sensor-for-improving-asthma.html Mon, 22 May 2017 13:15:00 +0530 Rutgers University-New Brunswick scientists have created a graphene-based sensor that could lead to earlier detection of looming asthma attacks and improve the management of asthma and other respiratory diseases, preventing hospitalizations and deaths. Asthma, which causes inflammation of the airway and obstructs air flow, affects about 300 million people worldwide. About 17.7 million adults and 6.3 million children in the United States were diagnosed with asthma in 2014. Today's non-invasive methods for diagnosing and monitoring asthma are limited in characterizing the nature and degree of airway inflammation, and require costly, bulky equipment that patients cannot easily keep with them. Measuring biomarkers in exhaled breath condensate - tiny liquid droplets discharged during breathing - can contribute to understanding asthma at the molecular level and lead to targeted treatment and better disease management. The miniaturized electrochemical sensor accurately measures nitrite in exhaled breath condensate using reduced graphene oxide. Nitrite level in breath condensate is a promising biomarker for inflammation in the respiratory tract. The next step is to develop a portable, wearable system, which could be commercially available within five years. The researchers also envision expanding the number of inflammation biomarkers a device could detect and measure. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8863/indian-researchers-use-a-novel-route-to-kill-tb-bacteria.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8863/indian-researchers-use-a-novel-route-to-kill-tb-bacteria.html Mon, 22 May 2017 12:10:00 +0530 A team of Indian researchers has been able to achieve 100-fold reduction in TB bacterial load in lungs of mice after 60 days of treatment using bergenin which is a phytochemical isolated from tender leaves of sakhua or shala tree (Shorea robusta).  The Bergenin compound modulates the immune system to kill the bacteria found inside the macrophages (a type of white blood cells). The results were published in the journal Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. Gobardhan Das from the Special Centre for Molecular Medicine at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), a corresponding author of the paper said, “Our studies show that the bergenin compound can be used to clear the bacteria, and when used in combination with other TB drugs can produce good results. Since the compound does not target the bacteria directly but modulates the immune system to kill the bacteria, it can be used in patients with drug-resistant TB too.” “These findings strongly suggest that the immune response enhanced by the compound is able to increase the capacity to clear the TB bacteria,” he added The researchers undertook several studies to understand the mode of action of the compound. The compound was unable to directly kill TB bacteria when treated with the compound. However, in the case of in vitro studies, the compound was able to kill the bacteria found inside infected cells. In mice infected with TB and treated with the compound, there was significant reduction in the bacterial load in the lungs. Dhiraj K. Singh from ICGEB and a co-author of the paper said, “We found the bergenin compound was selectively enhancing the frequency of interferon-gamma and interleukin-17-producing T cells in the TB infected animals.” Ved P. Dwivedi from ICGEB and the first author of the paper said, “Previous studies have shown that T helper 1 (Th1) cells play a key role in protecting the host against TB bacteria, while Th2 cells oppose the protection offered by Th1 cells. There is a dynamic balance between the Th1 and Th2. While TB bacteria prevents Th1 response and facilitates Th2 response, the bergenin compound promotes the expression of Th1 and Th17 responses.” Dr. Anand Ranganathan from the Special Centre for Molecular Medicine at JNU and one of the authors of the paper said, “Our study, in a limited way, tries to correct the misinformation regarding Ayurveda. The stage is now set to test many more Ayurvedic and plant-derived natural products for their potency against pathogenic diseases.”   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8851/a-new-way-of-growing-stem-cells-is-discovered.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8851/a-new-way-of-growing-stem-cells-is-discovered.html Wed, 17 May 2017 18:55:00 +0530 Research led by The University of Western Australia has discovered a new, simple and less expensive way of growing human stem cells. Using hydrogel, a gel with a gradient that can be used to mimic the stiffness of human body tissues, the researchers were able to generate positive outcomes for the growth of stem cells. Dr Yu Suk Choi from UWA’s School of Human Sciences at The University of Western Australia led the international collaboration which also included researchers from the University of California, San Diego (USA) and Max Planck Institute for Medical Research (Germany). “Stem cells work by using the ‘stiffness’ of surrounding tissue as a gauge to identify the way they need to behave in a particular environment in the human body,” Dr Choi said. “By using hydrogel to mimic the stiffness of tissue, we found we could ‘trick’ the stem cells into behaving in particular ways to help them grow and encourage the cells to behave in positive, regenerative ways. “Hydrogel is simple and inexpensive to produce and could have a wide range of applications in biology labs that don’t always have the infrastructure available to use other methods to mimic the stiffness of tissue to aid stem cell growth.” Dr Choi said the research may have important uses in combating serious illnesses affecting the human population. “Many degenerative diseases result in changes to tissue stiffness which alters the behavior of cells,” he said. “But by controlling tissue stiffness we can revert cell behavior back to normal, and change their behavior at the disease site into more regenerative behavior. This will help us to treat diseases such as cancer that are currently very difficult to treat.” The next step for the researchers will be to use hydrogel with patient originated cells to further understand the effect of tissue stiffness on cell behavior. The research is published in the PNAS journal. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8843/belgian-scientists-turn-polluted-air-into-hydrogen-fuel.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8843/belgian-scientists-turn-polluted-air-into-hydrogen-fuel.html Tue, 16 May 2017 16:55:00 +0530 Scientists from the University of Antwerp and KU Leuven (University of Leuven) in Belgium are developing a device that cleans up the air and generates power at the same time. It relies on a process called 'heterogeneous photocatalysis,' which has been used previously to siphon hydrogen from water and nullify gas-based pollutants. However, it's rarely been used to do both at once, but the team now appears to have managed it thanks to what's called a "photoelectrochemical cell," which makes use of solar cells to produce hydrogen in a similar way to electrolysis water-splitting. “We use a small device with two rooms separated by a membrane,” explains Professor Sammy Verbruggen (UAntwerp/KU Leuven). “Air is purified on one side, while on the other side hydrogen gas is produced from a part of the degradation products. This hydrogen gas can be stored and used later as fuel, as is already being done in some hydrogen buses, for example." In this way, the researchers respond to two major social needs: clean air and alternative energy production. The heart of the solution lies at the membrane level, where the researchers use specific nanomaterials. “These catalysts are capable of producing hydrogen gas and breaking down air pollution,” explains Professor Verbruggen. “In the past, these cells were mostly used to extract hydrogen from water. We have now discovered that this is also possible, and even more efficient, with polluted air.” It seems to be a complex process, but it is not: the device must only be exposed to light. The researchers’ goal is to be able to use sunlight, as the processes underlying the technology are similar to those found in solar panels. The difference here is that electricity is not generated directly, but rather that air is purified while the generated power is stored as hydrogen gas. “We are currently working on a scale of only a few square centimetres. At a later stage, we would like to scale up our technology to make the process industrially applicable. We are also working on improving our materials so we can use sunlight more efficiently to trigger the reactions. " Source: KU Leuven ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8844/bacteria-can-form-living-materials-with-liquid-crystals-says-a-new-research.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8844/bacteria-can-form-living-materials-with-liquid-crystals-says-a-new-research.html Tue, 16 May 2017 16:55:00 +0530 A team of researchers is trying to better understand how liquid crystals, combined with bacteria, form living materials and how the two interact to organize and move. "One of the ideas we came up with was materials that live," said Igor S. Aronson, holder of the Huck Chair and Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry and Mathematics. Living matter, active matter may be self-healing and shape-changing and will convert energy to mechanical motion." The living material Aronson is exploring using predictive computational models and experiments is composed of a bacterium — Bacillus subtilis — that can move quickly using its long flagella and a nematic liquid crystal — disodium cromoglycate. Liquid crystals as materials sit somewhere between a liquid and a solid. In this case, the molecules in disodium cromoglycate line up in long parallel rows, but are not fixed in place. Capable of moving, they remain oriented in only one direction unless disturbed. According to Aronson, this type of liquid crystal closely resembles a straight-plowed field with the ridges the molecules and the furrows the areas in between. Previously the researchers found that these tiny bacteria in a liquid crystal material can push cargo — tiny particles — through the channels in a liquid crystal and move at four times their body length when in small concentrations, but conservatively, at 20 times their body length when in large numbers. "An emergent property of the combination of a liquid crystal and bacteria is that at about a 0.1 percent-by-volume bacterial concentration we start to see a collective response from the bacteria," said Aronson. This type of living material is not simply a combination of two components, but the two parts create something with unusual optical, physical or electrical properties. However, there is no direct connection between the bacteria and the liquid. The researchers' computer models showed collective behavior in their system similar to that seen in actual liquid crystal/bacteria combinations. The predictive computational models for this liquid-crystal bacteria system show a change from straight parallel channels when only a small bacteria population exists, to a more complex, organized, active configuration when bacteria populations are higher. While the patterns are always changing, they tend to form pointer defects — arrow shapes — that serve as traps and concentrate bacteria in an area, and triangle defects that direct bacteria away from the area. Increased bacterial concentration increases the velocity of the bacteria and configurations in areas with higher bacteria population change more rapidly than in areas with fewer bacteria. Aronson and his team looked at actual liquid-crystal living materials in a slightly different way than in the past. They wanted the liquid-crystal thin film to be independent, not touching any surface, so they used a device that created the film — in a way similar to that used to create large soap bubbles — and suspended it away from surface contact. This approach showed patterns of defects in the material's structure. Experiments with thin films of liquid crystals and bacteria produced the same results as the computational models, according to the researchers. Another effect the researchers found was that when oxygen was removed from the system, the action of the living material stopped. Bacillus subtilis is usually found in places with oxygen, but can survive in environments devoid of oxygen. The bacteria in the living material did not die, they simply stopped moving until oxygen was once again present. The researchers reported that their "findings suggest novel approaches for trapping and transport of bacteria and synthetic swimmers in anisotropic liquids and extend a scope of tools to control and manipulate microscopic objects in active matter." Because some biological substances like mucus and cell membranes are sometimes liquid crystals, this research may produce knowledge of how these biological substances interact with bacteria and might provide insight on diseases due to bacterial penetration in mucus. Also working on this project were Mikhail M. Genkin, doctoral student in engineering science and applied mathematics, Northwestern University; Andrey Sokolov, materials scientist, Argonne National Laboratory; and Oleg D. Lavrentovich, Trustees Research Professor, Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University. The U.S. Department of Energy supported this work. Source: Penn State News ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8830/new-ph-sensor-to-provide-insights-into-tumor-metabolism.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8830/new-ph-sensor-to-provide-insights-into-tumor-metabolism.html Fri, 12 May 2017 15:00:00 +0530 A team from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has developed a pH sensor that renders pH values visible through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a non-invasive, radiation-free manner. Tumors, inflammation and circulatory disorders locally disturb the body's acid-base balance. These changes in pH value could be used to verify the success of cancer treatments. In order to make pH values visible, a molecule called zymonic acid is injected into the body and then a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) investigation is made of the object tissue. The data is used to calculate frequency spectra that in turn provide information about the chemical properties of the molecular surroundings of the nuclei. Ultimately, the pH value at any examined location in the tissue can be represented based on pH-dependent molecular changes in the zymonic acid. Additional pre-clinical studies are planned in order to ascertain the advantages of this new imaging biomarker compared to conventional methods and to further improve the spatial resolution of pH imaging. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8829/worlds-first-ct-images-of-biological-tissues-produced.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8829/worlds-first-ct-images-of-biological-tissues-produced.html Fri, 12 May 2017 14:40:00 +0530 An international team of scientists at the University of Lincoln, UK has produced the world's first computerized tomography (CT) images of biological tissue using protons - a momentous step towards improving the quality and feasibility of Proton Therapy for cancer sufferers around the world. Detailed three-dimensional images of a patient's anatomy can now be created using protons rather than x-rays, and this will make Proton Therapy a more viable option for millions of cancer patients. Proton Therapy is a new form of radiotherapy which is rapidly growing in importance as a means to treat difficult tumors and provide treatment for children and young people who have cancer. In the UK, two NHS Proton Therapy Centers are set to open within the next two years, in London and Manchester. Currently, in Proton Therapy, there is a significant degree of uncertainty in the range and accuracy of protons during treatment. If planned using x-ray CT images, there could be a discrepancy of 3-5% in terms of where the proton beam hits and releases its energy, destroying cells. With proton CT images, this uncertainty is reduced to less than 1%. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8823/replacing-inhalers-with-a-new-drug.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8823/replacing-inhalers-with-a-new-drug.html Thu, 11 May 2017 16:10:00 +0530 A common treatment for asthma requires use of an inhaler that is used to deliver steroids and other drugs in an aerosol form. Scientists are developing a drug that would replace steroids as the therapeutic agent, reducing side effects and making treatment as simple as swallowing a pill. Researchers from Columbia University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UVM) are redesigning a drug compound first created to calm anxiety without dangerous side effects. The asthma project is halfway into a four-year grant, and the researchers have confirmed that their compounds reduce airway inflammation, while limiting blood-brain barrier exposure. This means the compounds can target GABAA receptors in the lung responsible for asthma symptoms without affecting similar receptors in the brain. More than a dozen collaborators from other institutions are teaming with UWM faculty on drug discovery initiatives aimed at cancer, chronic pain and infection. To manage risk, drug companies are relying more and more on academic researchers to conduct the early stages of drug discovery. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8821/potential-way-to-design-new-antibiotics.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8821/potential-way-to-design-new-antibiotics.html Thu, 11 May 2017 16:05:00 +0530 Two Swiss research teams from the University of Bern and the ETH Zurich have developed a new method to shed light onto a mostly unknown process of bacterial protein production. Their results could be used for the design of new antibiotics. Ribosomes are the factories of the cell and, as such, are responsible for the fabrication of proteins. Widespread stalling is fatal for the cell, and that is why it is efficiently targeted by antibiotics. Ribosome stalling is a promising starting point for this kind of research, as the functional role of the ribosomal exit tunnel to polypeptide synthesis and protein folding is only beginning to be understood in molecular terms. The research groups examined the stalling process induced by erythromycin and other macrolide antibiotics which inhibit the protein synthesis of bacteria. The research is not only interesting for the pharmaceutical implications, but also because it highlights the potential of interdisciplinary approaches to complex molecular biology problems. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8822/scientists-convert-skin-to-blood-vessels.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8822/scientists-convert-skin-to-blood-vessels.html Thu, 11 May 2017 16:05:00 +0530 A molecular switch has been identified that converts skin cells into cells found in blood vessels, raising hopes of aiding heart disease sufferers. This technique boosts levels of an enzyme that keeps cells young and could also potentially help cells avoid ageing as they are grown in the lab. Although this technique has been used before, this is the first time it has been understood by scientists. Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago discovered that progenitor cells could be converted into blood vessel endothelial cells or erythrocytes depending on the level of a gene transcription factor. When human progenitor cells were embedded into a gel implanted into mice, the cells formed functional human blood vessels. Mice that were suffering from heart damage formed functional human blood vessels in their hearts – even interlinking with existing murine vessels to improve heart function. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8820/experimental-technology-for-monitoring-drug-levels-in-the-body.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8820/experimental-technology-for-monitoring-drug-levels-in-the-body.html Thu, 11 May 2017 16:00:00 +0530 A team of Stanford electrical engineers have developed a drug delivery tool that could make it easier for people to get the correct dose of lifesaving drugs. The new technology has three basic components: a real-time biosensor to continuously monitor drug levels in the bloodstream, a control system to calculate the right dose and a programmable pump that delivers just enough medicine to maintain a desired dose. The sensor contains molecules called aptamers that are specially designed to bind a drug of interest. When the drug is present in the bloodstream, the aptamer changes shape, which an electric sensor detects. The more drug, the more aptamers change shape. The team plans to miniaturize the system so that it can be implanted or worn by the patient. At present the technology is an external apparatus, like a smart IV drip. The biosensor is a device about the size of a microscope slide. The current setup might be suitable for a chemotherapy drug, but not for continual use. The group is also adapting this system with different aptamers so that it can sense and regulate the levels of other biomolecules in the body. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8819/a-new-detector-for-flu.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8819/a-new-detector-for-flu.html Thu, 11 May 2017 15:55:00 +0530 Scientists at the University of Washington have developed a fast and easy-to-use point-of-care diagnostic test that could one day help doctors and hospitals head off the rapid spread of the flu. Existing rapid diagnostic tests can help with diagnoses, but these tests require multiple processing steps that still need to be performed with lab equipment in specialized facilities. The researchers incorporated multiple steps of influenza detection -- viral lysis, target protein capture, labeling, rinsing and an enzyme-driven color change -- into one device. A user has to swab the inside of a patient's nose, then insert the swab into the device and twirl it for 10 seconds to release the virus. The device takes care of the rest. After about 35 minutes, it produces a visual readout that can be seen with the naked eye or captured with a smartphone camera. The researchers trained staff at a children's hospital to use the device, and they tested it on 25 patients during a flu outbreak. The device detected influenza A, one of the primary causes of moderate to severe flu epidemics, with 70 percent accuracy. The materials and reagents for one of these single-use devices cost less than $6. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8818/insulin-independence-for-diabetes-achieved.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8818/insulin-independence-for-diabetes-achieved.html Thu, 11 May 2017 14:20:00 +0530 Scientists from the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) at the University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine have produced the first clinical results demonstrating that pancreatic islet cells transplanted within a tissue-engineered platform can successfully engraft and achieve insulin independence in type 1 diabetes. The insulin-producing cells have traditionally been implanted within the liver, but this transplant site poses some limitations for emerging applications, leading researchers to investigate other options. DRI scientists have focused on the omentum, an apron-like tissue covering abdominal organs, which is easily accessed with minimally invasive surgery and has the same blood supply and physiological drainage characteristics as the pancreas. In type 1 diabetes, the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas have been mistakenly destroyed by the immune system, requiring patients to manage their blood sugar levels through a daily regimen of insulin therapy. Islet transplantation has allowed many patients to live without the need for insulin injections after receiving a transplant of donor cells. Some patients who have received islet transplants at the DRI have been insulin independent for more than a decade. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8804/new-chlamydia-drug-targets-discovered-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8804/new-chlamydia-drug-targets-discovered-.html Wed, 10 May 2017 12:25:00 +0530 Scientists at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and their collaborators at the University of British Columbia have created an innovative technique for studying how chlamydia interacts with the human immune system. Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the UK, with more than 200,000 cases each year in England alone. It is estimated that 131 million people globally are infected with chlamydia each year. Often called the ‘silent disease’, as it rarely produces symptoms early on, chlamydia causes genital infections which can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility if left untreated. In the study, scientists used CRISPR/Cas9 to genetically edit the human induced pluripotent stem cells, and then see the effects of the genetic manipulation on the resulting macrophages’ ability to fight infection. The team discovered two macrophage genes in particular that were key to limiting chlamydia infection- IRF5 and IL-10RA. When these genes were switched off, the macrophages were more susceptible to chlamydia infection. The results suggest these genes could be drug targets for new chlamydia treatments. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8803/new-technique-for-reducing-blood-sugar-levels.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8803/new-technique-for-reducing-blood-sugar-levels.html Wed, 10 May 2017 12:20:00 +0530 Researchers from North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have developed a new technique that uses modified insulin and red blood cells to create a glucose-responsive "smart" insulin delivery system. The researchers modified insulin by chemically binding it to a glucose derivative called glucosamine. The glucosamine could then bind to glucose transporters on the surface of a red blood cell, effectively attaching the insulin to the blood cell. The end result is a red blood cell studded with insulin molecules. Once in the bloodstream, the blood cells carrying insulin interact with their environment. If glucose levels are high, glucose molecules effectively displace the glucosamine in the blood cells' glucose transporters. And when the glucosamine is set free from the blood cell, so is the insulin. The insulin can then bind to insulin receptors in the liver, muscles and fatty tissues, triggering a process that reduces glucose levels in the blood. It is a fully biocompatible smart system that responds, when needed, to normalize glucose levels in the blood. The team will further evaluate the long-term biocompatibility of the modified insulin system in an animal model before determining whether to move to clinical trials. The vision, if realized, would be one of the most exciting advances in diabetes care. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8802/metabolic-markers-to-diagnose-typhoid-fever.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8802/metabolic-markers-to-diagnose-typhoid-fever.html Wed, 10 May 2017 12:15:00 +0530 Researchers at the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Vietnam have identified a metabolite 'signature' that can accurately distinguish typhoid from other fever-inducing tropical diseases using patient blood samples. The researchers used an approach called 'metabolomics', which involves measuring many small metabolites in a biological sample, to try and identify patterns that are unique to different diseases. The researchers collected blood samples from multiple patients from Bangladesh, who fell into three groups: patients who had Salmonella Typhi in their blood, those who were suspected of having typhoid from their symptoms, and a third group who were suspected of having a different tropical disease characterised by fever (a 'fever-control' group). Using mass spectrometry, the team analysed the metabolites in each patient blood sample to generate a metabolic 'signature' for two patient groups: those whose blood tested positive for typhoid, and fever controls. They then used this as a model to predict the identity of individual samples in a third group: patients suspected of having typhoid from their symptoms. They found that the model had excellent predictive power for distinguishing between culture-positive typhoid patients and patients with other types of tropical disease. This approach could be potentially expanded into other tropical diseases, eventually allowing for more accurate diagnosis and more effective treatment, and hopefully reducing the use of unnecessary antimicrobials. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8797/a-unique-enzyme-for-gluten-sensitive-patients.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8797/a-unique-enzyme-for-gluten-sensitive-patients.html Tue, 09 May 2017 12:50:00 +0530 Researchers at the University of Örebro, Sweden have found that taking an enzyme tablet while consuming foods containing gluten prevents a significant amount of it from entering the small intestine. This could enable gluten-sensitive patients to ingest small quantities of gluten without experiencing symptoms, such as bloating, diarrhea and abdominal pain. The enzyme known as aspergillus niger-derived prolyl endoprotease (AN-PEP) is currently available in the U.S. as a supplement developed by a Dutch multinational firm that provided the enzyme for the study. Previous studies had shown that AN-PEP could break down gluten when it was intragastrically infused in a liquid meal through a feeding tube. This is the first study involving a normal meal. The study found that AN-PEP, in both high and low doses, broke down gluten in both the stomach and the first part of the small intestine, or duodenum. In the stomach, gluten levels in both the high- and low-dose groups were 85 percent lower than in the placebo group. Once the food reached the duodenum, gluten levels were reduced by 81 percent in the high dose group and 87 percent in the low dose group versus placebo. The research team did not test the enzyme on celiac disease patients, because even small amounts of gluten can cause long-term harm in these individuals. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8798/researchers-shed-new-light-on-influenza-detection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8798/researchers-shed-new-light-on-influenza-detection.html Tue, 09 May 2017 12:50:00 +0530 Researchers at the University of Notre Dame have discovered a way to make influenza visible to the naked eye. By engineering dye molecules to target a specific enzyme of the virus, the team was able to develop a test kit that emitted fluorescent light when illuminated with a hand-held lamp or blue laser pointer. Scientists used test samples that mimicked that of an infected patient, and spiked the samples with the enzyme, called neuraminidase, which had been purified from flu virus. The samples emit red fluorescent light as a positive indication of the influenza virus. Blue fluorescent light signals a negative result. The same process also allowed scientists to determine which of two approved antiviral drugs (Relenza and Tamiflu) would be a better treatment option for the individual patient. While still a prototype, researchers believe that with optimization the diagnostic could be developed to be used in point of care clinics or the home environment for a rapid, easy to interpret test for the presence of influenza. The study, which received funding from the National Science Foundation and Notre Dame's research initiative, Advanced Diagnostics and Therapeutics, focused specifically on fluorescence detection of the virus and efficacy of the two inhibitors. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8796/a-molecular-slingshot-created-for-shooting-drugs.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8796/a-molecular-slingshot-created-for-shooting-drugs.html Tue, 09 May 2017 12:45:00 +0530 An international team of researchers from the University of Rome Tor Vergata and the University of Montreal has reported the design and synthesis of a nanoscale molecular slingshot made of DNA that is 20,000 times smaller than a human hair. This molecular slingshot could shoot and deliver drugs at precise locations in the human body once triggered by specific disease markers. The molecular slingshot is only a few nanometres long and is composed of a synthetic DNA strand that can load a drug and then effectively act as the rubber band of the slingshot. The two ends of this DNA "rubber band" contain two anchoring moieties that can specifically stick to a target antibody, a Y-shaped protein expressed by the body in response to different pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. When the anchoring moieties of the slingshot recognize and bind to the arms of the target antibody the DNA "rubber band" is stretched and the loaded drug is released. The group of researchers is now eager to adapt the slingshot for the delivery of clinically relevant drugs, and to demonstrate its clinical efficiency. The next step in the project is to target a specific disease and drug for which the therapeutic slingshot can be adapted for testing on cells in vitro, prior to testing in mice. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8792/water-based-gel-for-healing-burn-injuries.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8792/water-based-gel-for-healing-burn-injuries.html Tue, 09 May 2017 11:40:00 +0530 Indian researchers have developed an ointment derived from wood that can speed up healing of burn injuries, check infection and preclude the need for repeated dressings. The starting point of the unique water-based gel is lignin, the major component of wood (15-30 per cent) and one of the most abundant renewable feedstock. The work has been done in collaboration with scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, University of North Bengal and Rush University Medical Center, Chicago. This hydrogel has multiple uses. It is a dressing material, an anti-infective ointment, a drug carrier and also has anti-inflammatory properties. The biocompatible hydrogel was developed from renewable lignin after surface modification with a hydrophilic polyoxazoline chain by chemical grafting approach which showed versatile benefits to speed up the wound healing process. Repeated dressings and application of fresh ointment over the burnt region is not required with this innovated ointment. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8777/optical-spectroscopy-for-assessing-kidney-function.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8777/optical-spectroscopy-for-assessing-kidney-function.html Mon, 08 May 2017 14:25:00 +0530 A new technique developed by researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Lab promises to improve accuracy and lower costs of real-time assessment of kidney function. It explores the use of multimodal auto fluorescence and light scattering to evaluate functional changes in the kidneys after ischemic injury. Conditions including accumulated arterial plaque or blood clots restrict the flow of oxygen and glucose to organs, and prolonged periods of such ischemia can compromise function. While other current work in this area uses expensive multiphoton and laser-based techniques, the researchers reduced expenses by switching to camera-based imaging. Currently, there is no real-time tool to measure the degree of ischemic injury incurred in tissue or to predict the return of its function. The inability to decisively determine tissue functional status runs two great risks: that dysfunctional tissue may be transplanted, increasing the morbidity and mortality of the patient; and that much-needed functional kidney tissue may be discarded. Analysis of the light-scattering and autofluorescence images suggests that variations in tissue microstructure, fluorophore emission, and blood absorption spectral characteristics, combined with vascular response, contribute to the behavior of the recorded signals. These are used to obtain tissue functional information and enable the ability to predict post-transplant kidney function. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8776/bacterial-drug-resistance-can-be-reversed.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8776/bacterial-drug-resistance-can-be-reversed.html Mon, 08 May 2017 14:20:00 +0530 Indian researchers have unravelled the mechanism by which hydrogen sulphide (H2S) gas produced by bacteria protects them from antibiotics and plays a key role in helping bacteria develop drug resistance. And by blocking or disabling the enzyme that triggers the biosynthesis of hydrogen sulphide in bacteria, the researchers from Bengaluru’s Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, have been able to reverse antibiotic resistance in E. coli bacteria. E. coli bacteria were isolated from patients suffering from urinary tract infection. Antibiotics kill by increasing the levels of reactive oxygen species or oxidative stress inside bacterial cells. So any mechanism that detoxifies or counters reactive oxygen species generated by antibiotics will reduce the efficacy of antibiotics. The researchers first ascertained that regardless of the mode of action of antibiotics, the drugs uniformly induce reactive oxygen species formation inside E. coli bacteria. Then to test if increased levels of hydrogen sulphide gas inside bacteria counter reactive oxygen species produced upon treatment with antibiotics, a small molecule that produces hydrogen sulphide in a controlled manner inside the bacteria was used. Bacteria that are genetically resistant to antibiotics actually become sensitive to antibiotics when hydrogen sulphide synthesis was inhibited. This discovery can be used to effectively treat many difficult-to-cure bacterial infections in the future. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8772/smart-contact-lens-sensor-developed-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8772/smart-contact-lens-sensor-developed-.html Fri, 05 May 2017 16:00:00 +0530 A recent study, affiliated with Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), South Korea has proposed the possibility of in situ human health monitoring simply by wearing a contact lens with built-in wireless smart sensors. This study has been jointly conducted at UNIST in collaboration with Kyungpook National University (KNU). In the study, the research team unveiled a smart contact lens sensor that could help monitor biomarkers for intraocular pressure (IOP), diabetes mellitus, and other health conditions. The research team expects that this research breakthrough could lead to the development of biosensors capable of detecting and treating various human diseases, and used as a component of next-generation smart contact lens-related electronic devices. Since blood sugar can be measured with tears, many attempts have been made to monitor diabetes with contact lenses. Despite numerous studies in the last several decades, the biggest drawback with conventional smart contact lenses was thought to be poor wearability. The electrodes used in existing smart contact lenses are opaque, and therefore obscure the view when wearing it. Moreover, because they lens-shaped firm plastic material, many people complain of comfort issues with contact lens wear which made wearing them impossible. Using this sensor, patients with diabetes and glaucoma may one day be able to self-monitor blood glucose levels and eye pressure. Through the embedded wireless antenna in the contact lens sensor, patients can also transmit their health information, which allows real-time monitoring of their health conditions, as well. In addition, because the system uses wireless antenna to read sensor information, no separate power source, like battery is required for the smart contact lens sensors. The contact lens sensor characteristics are not changed when the lens is deformed. Even when the sensor exposed to various materials in human tears the characteristics were maintained, and flexibility and stretchability were also excellent. Furthermore, since the electronic sensor is inserted into the soft contact lens, the feeling of wearing it is also excellent. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8771/first-synthetic-retina-for-the-visually-impaired-created-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8771/first-synthetic-retina-for-the-visually-impaired-created-.html Fri, 05 May 2017 15:55:00 +0530 A synthetic, soft tissue retina developed by an Oxford University student could offer fresh hope to visually impaired people. Until now, all artificial retinal research has used only rigid, hard materials. The new research, by Vanessa Restrepo-Schild, a 24 year old Dphil student and researcher at the Oxford University, Department of Chemistry, is the first to successfully use biological, synthetic tissues, developed in a laboratory environment. The study could revolutionise the bionic implant industry and the development of new, less invasive technologies that more closely resemble human body tissues, helping to treat degenerative eye conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa. Vanessa Restrepo-Schild led the team in the development of a new synthetic, double layered retina which closely mimics the natural human retinal process. The retina replica consists of soft water droplets (hydrogels) and biological cell membrane proteins. Designed like a camera, the cells act as pixels, detecting and reacting to light to create a grey scale image. The synthetic material can generate electrical signals, which stimulate the neurons at the back of the eye just like the original retina. Although at present the synthetic retina has only been tested in laboratory conditions, Restrepo-Schild is keen to build on her initial work and explore potential uses with living tissues. This next step is vital in demonstrating how the material performs as a bionic implant. Restrepo-Schild has filed a patent for the technology and the next phase of the work will see the Oxford team expand the replica's function to include recognising different colours. Working with a much larger replica, the team will test the material's ability to recognise different colours and potentially even shapes and symbols. Looking further ahead the research will expand to include animal testing and then a series of clinical trials in humans. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8770/new-microscopic-technique-to-detect-metastatic-melanomas-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8770/new-microscopic-technique-to-detect-metastatic-melanomas-.html Fri, 05 May 2017 15:50:00 +0530 Researchers at the University of Missouri Columbia have devised a new tool to detect and analyze single melanoma cells that are more representative of the skin cancers developed by most patients. The team that included Gary Baker, an assistant professor of chemistry in the MU College of Arts and Science and Gerardo Gutierrez-Juarez, a professor and investigator at the University of Guanajuato in Mexico, decided to supplement an emerging technique called photoacoustic (PA) spectroscopy, a specialized optical technique that is used to probe tissues and cells non-invasively. Current systems use the formation of sound waves followed by the absorption of light which means that the tissues must adequately absorb the laser light. This is why, up until now, researchers have focused only on strong-light-absorb cells melanoma cells. The team modified a microscope that was able to merge light sources at a range conducive to observing the details of single melanoma cells. Using the modified system, human melanoma and breast cancers as well as mouse melanoma cells were diagnosed with greater ease and efficiency. The team also noted that as the cancer cells divided, they grew paler in color but the system was able to detect the newer, smaller cells as well. This method could help medical doctors and pathologists to detect cancers as they spread, becoming one of the tools in the fight against this fatal disease. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8765/frog-substance-shown-to-kill-human-flu-viruses.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8765/frog-substance-shown-to-kill-human-flu-viruses.html Fri, 05 May 2017 12:00:00 +0530 According to a recent research led by Joshy Jacob of Emory University with a team at the Rajiv Gandhi Center for Biotechnology in Poojapura have confirmed that a compound in the skin secretions of the South Indian Frog may be able to kill the flu. This study says that skin slime from the South Indian frog Hydrophylax bahuvistara contains a compound that kills bacteria and viruses. But researchers plan on testing more of the frog-derived peptides to try to find others that work against other types of influenza virus. Joshy Jacob of Emory University, who led the study said, “In tests on mice, a synthesised version of the molecule was successful at killing a variety of influenza viruses, namely the H1 pandemic strains that make the rounds each year. While the influenza A (H3N2) virus continues to cause new illnesses in North Dakota, influenza B viruses have caused the majority of recent cases in the state, making up a larger proportion of flu illness this season than is typically reported, according to the state’s most recent weekly influenza update.” He also said that the peptide was not effective against seasonal flu viruses that mutate rapidly. Jacob and his colleagues named the antiviral peptide they identified urumin, after a whip-like sword called “urumi” used in southern India centuries agoFrog mucus is loaded with molecules that kill bacteria and viruses, and researchers are beginning to investigate it as a potential source for new anti-microbial drugs. Scientists believe that the peptide will be particularly useful once current flu strains starts to become resistant to current anti-viral drugs. But the Emory team wanted to see if the peptides could also take down human-infecting viruses.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8756/new-blood-test-to-predict-benefits-of-prostate-cancer-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8756/new-blood-test-to-predict-benefits-of-prostate-cancer-treatment.html Thu, 04 May 2017 15:45:00 +0530 A new blood test could predict which men with advanced prostate cancer will respond to new targeted treatments for the disease. Researchers were able to detect tumour DNA in men's blood and pick out cancers with multiple copies of the androgen receptor gene, which many prostate cancers rely on to grow. Men with multiple copies of the gene responded much less well than otherwise to the targeted therapies abiraterone and enzalutamide - now standard treatment for advanced prostate cancer. The test will have to be assessed further in clinical trials, but the researchers say it costs less than £50 and could be used in clinical practice to personalise treatment. A team at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, along with colleagues in Europe, analysed blood samples from 265 men with advanced prostate cancer who were being treated with abiraterone or enzalutamide, either before or after docetaxel chemotherapy. Abiraterone and enzalutamide are excellent treatments for advanced prostate cancer and some men can take these drugs for years without seeing a return of their cancer. But in other men, these drugs do not work well and the disease rapidly returns. Researchers have developed a robust test that can be used in the clinic to pick out which men with advanced prostate cancer are likely to respond to abiraterone and enzalutamide, and which men might need alternative treatments. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8752/simple-blood-tests-for-improving-hypertension-treatment.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8752/simple-blood-tests-for-improving-hypertension-treatment.html Wed, 03 May 2017 16:19:39 +0530 Using two simple blood tests, Western University researchers were able to drastically improve treatment for resistant hypertension across three sites in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa. By testing patients' levels of plasma renin, a protein secreted by the kidneys, in combination with levels of aldosterone, a hormone that causes salt and water retention, physicians were able to identify the physiological changes causing the hypertension. This led to personalized and more accurate therapy. Patients with low levels of both renin and aldosterone are more likely to have salt and water retention due to mutations affecting the kidney tubules; they respond specifically to a medication called amiloride. Such mutations account for approximately 6 per cent of hypertension in North America, but were more common among the African patients studied. Researchers hope that this study will help inform guidelines for treatment of resistant hypertension, not just in Africa but for those of African decent living in other parts of the world, and for all patients with resistant hypertension. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8751/stereotactic-radiation-highly-effective-for-kidney-cancer.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8751/stereotactic-radiation-highly-effective-for-kidney-cancer.html Wed, 03 May 2017 16:17:33 +0530 New research at UT Southwestern Medical Center’s Kidney Cancer Program of the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center showed that treating metastatic kidney cancer with an advanced, focused form of radiation called stereotactic ablative radiation therapy achieves more than 90 percent control of metastases. The standard of care for metastatic renal cell carcinoma is systemic therapy, such as targeted drugs or immunotherapy, which often has significant side effects like fatigue, high blood pressure, and rash. The new study shows that some of these patients can be treated with stereotactic radiation therapy with the goal of being cured, or to delay systemic therapy, allowing patients to enjoy a better quality of life without the side effects of the drugs. This study, which represents, possibly, the largest experience reported in the medical literature, may also help medical oncologists, since stereotactic radiation could be used for patients who have limited sites of progression while receiving systemic therapy. The research was conducted in the Kidney Cancer Program, one of two programs in the country to be recognized with an $11 million SPORE (Specialized Program of Research Excellence) from the National Cancer Institute. As part of the SPORE, researchers are improving the ways in which radiation is given by evaluating combinations with drugs and identifying those tumors that are most likely to respond. In particular, investigators are evaluating combinations with immunotherapy, iSABR – immunotherapy and Stereotatic Ablative Radiation Therapy. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8738/a-new-drug-for-diabetes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8738/a-new-drug-for-diabetes.html Tue, 02 May 2017 16:26:54 +0530 Indian scientists have found that a plant-derived substance called chalcone can be used to make an effective anti-diabetic drug. Chalcone, which is ubiquitously found in many plants, improves insulin sensitivity and reduces blood glucose levels in the same way as commercially available anti-diabetic drugs. Patients with type-2 diabetes are unable to utilise sugar properly. After a meal, their blood glucose levels remain elevated for prolonged periods of time. Gradually their muscles become insensitive to insulin, the hormone that converts unspent blood glucose into glycogen which is stored in the liver. Since the amount of glycogen also reduces with time, patients develop cholesterol disorders. Scientists from the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow, have reported that treating muscle cells with a particular type of chalcone can improve glucose uptake. This makes it particularly useful for diabetic patients. Since their muscles are insensitive to insulin resulting in poor glucose uptake, chalcone can help manage diabetes by improving glucose uptake. Of several chalcones tested, aryloxypropanolamine had anti-diabetic properties. In addition to its efficacy, animal studies confirmed that chalcone is non-toxic and safe. It is stable under human stomach-like conditions, invigorating its potential as a good drug. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8737/success-in-3-d-bioprinting-of-cartilage-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8737/success-in-3-d-bioprinting-of-cartilage-.html Tue, 02 May 2017 16:20:59 +0530 A team of researchers at Sahlgrenska Academy has managed to generate cartilage tissue by printing stem cells using a 3D-bioprinter. The fact that the stem cells survived being printed in this manner is a success in itself. In addition, the research team was able to influence the cells to multiply and differentiate to form chondrocytes or cartilage cells in the printed structure. The research project is being conducted in collaboration with a team of researchers at the Chalmers University of Technology who are experts in the 3D printing of biological materials. Orthopedic researchers from Kungsbacka are also involved in the research collaboration. The team used cartilage cells harvested from patients who underwent knee surgery, and these cells were then manipulated in a laboratory, causing them to rejuvenate and revert into "pluripotent" stem cells, i.e. stem cells that have the potential to develop into many different types of cells. The stem cells were then expanded and encapsulated in a composition of nanofibrillated cellulose and printed into a structure using a 3D bioprinter. Following printing, the stem cells were treated with growth factors that caused them to differentiate correctly, so that they formed cartilage tissue. The cartilage formed by the stem cells in the 3D bioprinted structure is extremely similar to human cartilage. Experienced surgeons who examined the artificial cartilage saw no difference when they compared the bioprinted tissue to real cartilage, and have stated that the material has properties similar to their patients' natural cartilage. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8733/a-new-test-kit-for-early-cancer-detection-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8733/a-new-test-kit-for-early-cancer-detection-.html Tue, 02 May 2017 15:47:56 +0530 Scientists around the world are striving for effective detection of cancer in the early stages, and a Chinese scientist may have found a quick way of knowing whether malignant tumors exist in a patient's body, with just one drop of blood. Luo Yongzhang and his team in Tsinghua University's School of Life Sciences in Beijing have successfully invented a reagent test kit of Hsp90α for clinical use, which can diagnose multiple kinds of cancer by analyzing a drop of human blood. It is extremely difficult to be aware of cancer in its early stages, as patients don't show obvious symptoms and thus it can only be found in its later stages, which is already too late, so to detect cancer early remains a global challenge for scientists. Scientists had found a kind of heat shock proteins (HSP), named Hsp90α in 1989, which existed in human bodies and could be used as a cancer biomarker detection kit. Scientists around the globe have been working on it since then, and more than 10,000 journals have been published on accredited magazines, yet no one has actually turned their research results into medical products. However, Luo and his team seemed to have cracked the code, after working on the problem since 2009. The team has produced an artificial Hsp90α protein that gains structural stability by regrouping proteins. This means they are able to "create" the protein, in any quantity, and at any time they wish to. The kit has since been used in clinical trials involving 2,347 patients at eight hospitals in China. It was the first clinical trial in the world to test if the protein could be a useful tumor biomarker for lung cancer, and it succeeded. Now, the kit has been certified to enter the Chinese and European markets, 24 years after Hsp90α was discovered. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8732/a-promising-technology-for-killing-microbes.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8732/a-promising-technology-for-killing-microbes.html Tue, 02 May 2017 15:43:09 +0530 A team of researchers from Rutgers University has invented an inexpensive, effective way to kill bacteria and sanitize surfaces with devices made of paper. They found out that by applying high voltage to stacked sheets of metallized paper, they were able to generate plasma, which is a combination of heat, ultraviolet radiation and ozone that kill microbes. In the future, paper-based sanitizers may be suitable for clothing that sterilizes itself, devices that sanitize laboratory equipment and smart bandages to heal wounds, among other uses. The motivation for this study was to create personal protective equipment that might contain the spread of infectious diseases, such as the devastating 2014 outbreak of Ebola in West Africa. The researchers' invention consists of paper with thin layers of aluminum and hexagon/honeycomb patterns that serve as electrodes to produce the plasma, or ionized gas. The fibrous and porous nature of the paper allows gas to permeate it, fueling the plasma and facilitating cooling. In experiments, the paper-based sanitizers killed more than 99 percent of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (a yeast species) and more than 99.9 percent of E. coli bacteria cells. Preliminary results showed that these sanitizers could kill spores from bacteria, which are hard to kill using conventional sterilization methods. The scientists will explore the design and fabrication of paper-based sensors for wearable devices capable of measuring brain waves and sweat to determine human alertness and stress. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8731/a-glow-stick-for-detecting-cancer-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8731/a-glow-stick-for-detecting-cancer-.html Tue, 02 May 2017 15:24:56 +0530 Chemiluminescence, or chemical light, is the principle behind the glow sticks or light sticks used as quick tools to grab when the electricity goes out. But they can also be used to diagnose diseases by identifying concentrations of biological samples. A new mechanism developed by Tel Aviv University researchers produces a 3,000-times-brighter, water-resistant chemiluminescent probe with particular application to medical and cancer diagnosis. The research found that tweaking the electronic structure of current probes improves their inherent fluorescence. This could lead to the invention of a new single-component system with multiple applications including the detection and measurement of cellular activity that points to certain pathologies, such as cancer. The research, conducted in collaboration with Dr. Christoph Bauer of Geneva University, repairs an energy-loss "glitch" in current chemiluminescent probes. Most systems use a mixture of one emitter molecule that detects the species of interest, and another two additional ingredients a fluorophore and a soap-like substance called a surfactant that amplify the signal to detectable levels. But energy is lost in the transfer process from the emitter molecule to the fluorophore, and surfactants are not biocompatible. By adding two key atoms, a much brighter probe has been created than those currently on the market. In addition, this particular molecule is suitable for direct use in cells. Based on this molecule, the researchers developed sensors to detect several biologically relevant chemicals. They also used the chemiluminescent molecule to measure the activity of several enzymes and to image cells by microscopy. The research was funded in part by the Israel Science Foundation, the Binational Science Foundation, the German Israeli Foundation, and the Israeli National Nanotechnology Initiative. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8712/diabetes-app-to-forecast-blood-sugar-levels.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8712/diabetes-app-to-forecast-blood-sugar-levels.html Fri, 28 Apr 2017 15:12:12 +0530 Columbia University researchers have developed a personalized algorithm that predicts the impact of particular foods on an individual's blood sugar levels. The algorithm has been integrated into an app, Glucoracle, that will allow individuals with type 2 diabetes to keep a tighter rein on their glucose levels--the key to preventing or controlling the major complications of a disease that affects 8 percent of Americans. Medications are often prescribed to help patients with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels, but exercise and diet also play an important role. The algorithm uses a technique called data assimilation, in which a mathematical model of a person's response to glucose is regularly updated with observational data i.e. blood sugar measurements and nutritional information to improve the model's predictions. Glucoracle allows the user to upload fingerstick blood measurements and a photo of a particular meal to the app, along with a rough estimate of the nutritional content of the meal. This estimate provides the user with an immediate prediction of post-meal blood sugar levels. The estimate and forecast are then adjusted for accuracy. The app begins generating predictions after it has been used for a week, allowing the data assimilator has learned how the user responds to different foods. Encouraged by these early results, the research team is preparing for a larger clinical trial. The researchers estimate that the app could be ready for widespread use within two years. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8711/new-eye-test-for-detecting-early-signs-of-glaucoma.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8711/new-eye-test-for-detecting-early-signs-of-glaucoma.html Fri, 28 Apr 2017 15:08:12 +0530 In clinical trials, the pioneering diagnostic developed by researchers at University College London (UCL) and the Western Eye Hospital allowed doctors to see individual nerve cell death in the back of the eye. Glaucoma affects 60 million people in the world, with 1 in 10 suffering total sight loss in both eyes. Early detection means doctors can start treatments before sight loss begins. The test also has potential for early diagnosis of other degenerative neurological conditions, including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis. Loss of sight in patients with glaucoma is caused by the death of cells in the retina at the back of the eye. This cell death is called apoptosis. As with other neurodegenerative conditions, more and more nerve cells are lost as the disease progresses. The technique developed is called DARC, which stands for detection of apoptosing retinal cells. It uses a specially developed fluorescent marker which attaches to cell proteins when injected into patients. Sick cells appear as white fluorescent spots during eye examination. UCL Business, the commercialisation company of UCL, holds the patents for the technology. Initial clinical trials were carried out on a small number of glaucoma patients and compared with tests on healthy people. The initial clinical trials established the safety of the test for patients. Further studies will now be carried out to into DARC and how it can be used not only to diagnose and treat glaucoma patients but also for other neurodegenerative conditions. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8678/nanodiamond-enhanced-mri-offers-wide-range-of-diagnostic-applications.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8678/nanodiamond-enhanced-mri-offers-wide-range-of-diagnostic-applications.html Thu, 27 Apr 2017 14:57:45 +0530 Nanodiamonds - synthetic industrial diamonds only a few nanometers in size - have recently attracted considerable attention because of the potential they offer for the targeted delivery of vaccines and cancer drugs and for other uses. A team of investigators based at the Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital has devised a means of tracking nanodiamonds noninvasively with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), opening up a host of new applications. Previously, the use of nanodiamond imaging in living systems was limited to regions accessible using optical fluorescence techniques. However, most potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications of nanoparticles, including tracking of complex disease processes like cancer, call for the use of MRI - the gold standard for noninvasive, high-contrast, three-dimensional clinical imaging. In the present study, the researchers show that they could achieve nanodiamond-enhanced MRI by taking advantage of a phenomenon known as the Overhauser effect to boost the inherently weak magnetic resonance signal of diamond through a process called hyperpolarization, in which nuclei are aligned inside a diamond so they create a signal detectable by an MRI scanner. The researchers continue to explore the potential of the technique and are now planning a detailed study of the approach in an animal model, while also investigating the behavior of different nanodiamond-drug complexes and imaging them with the new capability. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8673/indian-scientists-getting-closer-to-new-hiv-vaccine.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/8673/indian-scientists-getting-closer-to-new-hiv-vaccine.html Thu, 27 Apr 2017 13:05:48 +0530 Indian scientists have recently identified a new antibody against HIV subtype-C from Indian patients. This finding will help design vaccines against HIV in the future. When given along with retroviral drugs, such a vaccine will be able to reduce viral load in patients. This will also help in passive immunotherapy - killing low amounts of virus in patients who may have been accidently infected with the virus. The antibody identified by Indian scientists has been named C11 since it is specific to subtype-C of HIV virus. Research was based on blood samples collected from a set of patients visiting All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi and YR Gaitonde Centre for AIDS Research and Education, Chennai, for treatment. These samples were used to make a library of all virus-specific DNA sequences in the patient body. It was found that smaller fragments of antibodies could bind to HIV proteins more effectively than full antibodies because they could reach to smaller and deeper areas in the cells for binding. These proteins can also be used for targeted drug delivery to HIV infected cells in the future. This is the first study that identifies an antibody against the virus subtype-C. According to one of the researchers, “In the future, this can be used to design a vaccine that elicits a good antibody response. We have successfully generated human anti-HIV cross neutralizing antibody fragments with distinct specificities from Indian infected donors that can serve as potential reagents for blocking HIV infection and designing effective vaccines in the future.” Funded by the Indo-South Africa project of the Department of Science and Technology, AIIMS scientists have collaborated with those at Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute in Faridabad, Y R Gaitonde Centre for AIDS Research and Education in Chennai, National Brain Research Centre in Manesar, and International AIDS Vaccine initiative for the same.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/97/mango-leaves-used-for-developing-fluorescent-quantum-dots.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/58/97/mango-leaves-used-for-developing-fluorescent-quantum-dots.html Wed, 19 Apr 2017 11:30:00 +0530 Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay have been able to produce cheap probes for bioimaging and for intracellular temperature sensing by developing fluorescent graphene quantum dots or nanocrystals of semiconductor material from mango leaves. These quantum dots synthesised from mango leaves are biocompatible, have excellent photostability and show no cellular toxicity. The mango leaves were cut into tiny pieces and frozen using liquid nitrogen. The frozen leaves were crushed into powder and dipped in alcohol. The extract was centrifuged, the supernatant was evaporated and then heated in a microwave for five minutes to get a fine powder. The quantum dots, 2-8 nanometre in size, were found to emit red luminescence when excited by UV light. These graphene quantum dots can be used as a nanothermometre. Besides measuring intracellular temperature increase, they can also be used for measuring temperature increase in cancer cells. ]]>