The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill 2023 in India aims to enhance research funding in universities and colleges, yet concerns persist regarding its autonomy and operational effectiveness. In this article from our current conversation series, Joel P. Joseph discusses the 'what' and 'how' of the NRF bill.

In the intriguing world of Science Gallery Bengaluru’s exhibition, CARBON, an ongoing experiment by researchers from the Simons Centre for the Study of Living Machines at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru, broadly relates to the question of the origins of life from non-living sub-components. Jīvāṇu, as this exhibit is named, is a replicative study based on a previous study by Indian researchers to determine whether simple chemicals can form the building blocks of life, thereby giving rise to a precursor of living cells.

The evolving purpose of research publications has shifted from information sharing to being used as research assessment tools. In today’s world, there are challenges in reproducing research findings, which calls for robust research documentation and data sharing. This article highlights the importance of open lab environments and institute-level strategies to enhance research reproducibility.

"Genome Jaunts: Seeing animals through the lens of genomics" emerged from a collaboration between an animal enthusiast teenager, a genomics scientist, and a young researcher. This unique science book connects animal behaviour to genetics, guided by the teenager's questions, leading to a refreshing non-anthropocentric perspective, ultimately published by World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF)-India to inspire young minds in exploring science and promoting wildlife conservation.

Artificial Intelligence is revolutionising various aspects of life sciences, from drug discovery and disease diagnosis to education, showing great promise in improving healthcare and enhancing learning. But, caution is needed in its application, considering challenges like lack of generalisation across patient populations and the risk of over-reliance, as human collaboration and thoughtful use remain essential for its successful integration..