News

• 3D-printing with silk to treat knee injuries

  

  Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) and West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata, have 3D printed knee meniscus with a new silk-based bio-ink that can be customised to the kneecap dimensions of the patient. This innovative approach paves the way to treating knee injuries in a patient-specific manner and minimising repetitions of invasive surgical procedures.

  Posted on Apr 19, 2024 in Health & Medicine, Biotechnology, Cell Biology & Research

  ---

• A new SARS-Coronavirus protein inhibitor is a promising pan-coronavirus drug candidate

  

  To combat the COVID-19 pandemic and potential future outbreaks, a collaborative study from Shiv Nadar Institute of Eminence (SNIoE), Noida, and other research institutes discovered a chemical compound called STL522228. This promising compound inhibits a crucial protein in the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) coronavirus, shedding light on the pressing need for effective antiviral treatments.

  Posted on Dec 01, 2023 in Biotechnology, Cell Biology, Bioinformatics & Research

  ---

• Inside the battle with tuberculosis: NCoR1’s impact on the immune system

  

  In a recent collaborative study, researchers from the Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneswar, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, and Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, uncovered the role of a host protein, nuclear receptor corepressor (NCoR1), in modulating tuberculosis.

  Posted on Nov 17, 2023 in Biotechnology, Cell Biology & Research

  ---

• A candid approach for probing a not-so-candid fungus

  

  Candida infections, caused by pathogenic fungi, pose a significant threat, especially to vulnerable individuals. Researchers from Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, have developed a gelatin-based platform that closely mimics human skin, aiding in the study of Candida biofilm formation and potentially speeding up drug development to combat these infections.

  Posted on Oct 06, 2023 in Health & Medicine, Biotechnology, Microbiology & Research

  ---

• Near-tumor injection of a new nano-drug exposes an “eat me” signal

  

  A research group working on packaging antitumour drugs from Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, and Amity University, Haryana, has successfully trained immune cells to attack tumour cells. They have developed a hydrogel-based anticancer drug delivery system that reduces toxicity and targets tumours directly. This innovation shows promise for more effective cancer treatment pending further research and clinical trials.

  Posted on Aug 18, 2023 in Health & Medicine, Biotechnology, Pharmacology & Research

  ---

• Picolinic acid: A potential therapeutic against pandemic viruses

  

  Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, have demonstrated Picolinic acid's (PA) potential against pandemic viruses, specifically SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A, through broad-spectrum antiviral activity and immune response enhancement. The study emphasises PA's promising therapeutic role and its unique mechanism targeting viral entry and immune modulation.
  

  Posted on Aug 11, 2023 in Health & Medicine, Biotechnology & Research

  ---

• Mutations: the navigators in the evolutionary journey

  

  A team of scientists from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru, has discovered that mutations not only provide genetic variation but also actively influence evolution, aiding organisms in adapting to new environments. Their study on E. coli revealed that altering mutation biases can lead to a greater number of beneficial mutations, providing new insights into evolution.

  Posted on Jul 07, 2023 in Evolutionary Biology, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology & Research

  ---