This is Part I: Good Cell Culture Practices workshop. Completion of Part I is a prerequisite for applying to Part II: Advanced Training in Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Culture.
This is Part I: Good Cell Culture Practices workshop. Completion of Part I is a prerequisite for applying to Part II: Advanced Training in Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Culture.
In the era of AI and digital platforms, intellectual curiosity is growing among the people of India. Nowadays, it is almost impossible to skip any reels or posts talking about the health benefits of either eating all kinds of seeds or quitting refined sugar. Creators across India are gaining traction by focusing on niche areas, whether it is educating scientific concepts to school students in a simplified way by Talk To A Scientist or the captivating Chai and Why show to make science more visible across all generations, complements a very interesting clause of Article 51(A) of the Indian Constitution that states: to develop scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry & reform.
We, The Scicomm Synapse, registered under the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, Government of India, runs solely by students and scholars from diverse age groups and different parts of India, believe that science communication is not only limited to information but also involves bringing out the stories behind the backbones of knowledge creators. The Scicomm Synapse is a creative impulse to bridge the gap between scientists and the public. Recently, we completed hosting more than 50 live sessions. Through our initiative, The Next Experiment (a live science podcast series), we encourage scientists to step beyond their lab coats and engage in meaningful, informal conversations with our audience.
The joy of the community members in organising such events is immeasurable, demonstrating a highly collaborative spirit by engaging in various activities, from reaching out to speakers to hosting a live show to marketing on social media platforms. Hence, we find our niche in spending quality time every second Sundays of the month with our favorite scientist or science communicator and listening to their STEM journey.
We have hosted a diverse panel of speakers. Our list of notable speakers include eminent scientists as L.S. Shashidhara, Vinay K. Nandicoori. Shashidhara extended learnings on the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to science and how skills acquired in one field can be profitably applied to another. He also shared that mentoring, for him, is about giving his students a free hand for experimental design while playing an advisory role. Nandicoori emphasised that good science starts with curiosity, not just techniques. He also shared that his own journey wasn’t perfectly planned and suggested to students that they shouldn’t feel pressured to have everything figured out early.
We also hosted Karishma S Kaushik, a staunch advocate for women in STEM. A key takeaway message from her was that careers in science are never linear. However, we are not only limited to eminent leaders in STEM but have also extended our platform to young startup founders like Sanyam Sharma, whose desire to do something of his own burned brighter than accepting a PhD position abroad.
The primary aim behind organising such sessions is to showcase academia as a diverse career option. Gone are the days when parents and students viewed careers as limited to “doctor” or “engineer”. More than achievements, what truly stayed with us was how different a journey one can opt for and pursue in science.
Under our flagship initiative, KalaTatva, a sci-art project, we got the opportunity to cover stories of a scientist-turned-science communicator, Ipsa Jain, who tells scientific stories through her art and illustration, and how Rafeeque Mavoor, a scientific illustrator, opened his own Sci-art services, collaborating with various institutions and researchers.
What began as a small idea to create a platform for STEM peers has now grown into a vibrant, student-led community comprising individuals from diverse career backgrounds and regions—all working voluntarily. However, sustaining such a community comes with challenges, including annual website maintenance costs, limited access to high-quality content creation tools, and the need to better recognise team contributions.
Looking ahead, we aim to apply for science communication grants to address these challenges, improve content quality, and expand outreach across India. We also aspire to bridge the urban–rural divide in science communication by engaging with rural communities and conducting workshops in regional languages. We welcome collaborators who share our vision of bringing scientists’ stories to wider audiences and strengthening science communication across the country.
Applications are invited from suitable candidates (Indian Citizens) for one position of Project Associate-I in the DBT funded project entitled,"Defining the role of WRKY transcription factors in regulating Phytophthora capcisi infection in black pepper", in the laboratory of Dr. Moumita Srivastava, Scientist -C at the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (BRIC-RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram.
Initially for a period of one year or till termination of the project whichever is earlier and extendable based on the performance evaluation.
Rs. 25,000/- + 18% HRA per month.
First Class Post-Graduate MSc Degree in Life Sciences (Microbiology/ Biotechnology/Biochemistry etc).
Desirable: Hands on experience in plant tissue culture. Proficiency in Western blotting, PCR and microbial culture.
Applications which are not in the prescribed format will summarily be rejected.
Only those fulfilling the above criteria need apply. Applicants will be short listed for the online selection interview based on eligibility criteria. Selection of suitable candidates will be made based on qualifications and performance in the selection interview.
For more details click here
]]>ATREE seeks highly motivated applicants to work in a multidisciplinary project that focuses on the restoration of a peri-urban lake in Bengaluru. Efforts to restore urban and peri-urban lakes are on the rise globally, yet many fail to achieve a healthy ecological status. This lake restoration project aims to investigate why these efforts often fall short, proposing that the missing piece is the consideration of spatial scales within watersheds, encompassing social, economic, and natural science factors crucial for biodiversity and ecosystem functionality. We aim to develop a comprehensive framework for assessing restoration success by connecting three key facets of lake ecosystems: water quality and hydrology at relevant scales, multi-group biodiversity, and ecosystem multifunctionality, including the social and economic dimensions of lake health. By applying this framework, we will examine how elements such as climate, vegetation, water quality, hydrology, and stakeholder interests influence the ecological outcomes of the restoration project.4
The appointment will be one year, subject to satisfactory progress with two months of probation period. Salaries at ATREE are competitive and at par with other academic institutions in India. The positions will be based in ATREE’s office in Bangalore.
The programme aims to work towards achieving a water-secure future for society through interdisciplinary knowledge generation and dissemination, policy engagement, capacity building, and partnerships for equitable and sustainable water management and democratic water governance. To advance the knowledge we adopt an approach of integrated water resources management and acknowledge an intricate interplay between natural and human systems within complex waterscapes. Our strategy integrates diverse knowledge streams, particularly hydrology encompassing surface water-groundwater interactions, political ecology, and science, technology, and society to analyse and address water-related issues by leveraging our expertise in geospatial tools and nature-based solutions.
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Botany, Environmental Science, Ecology, Forestry, Horticulture, or a related field.
For more information click here
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Not all scientific journeys begin in active laboratories; some begin in empty rooms.
I stepped into my new role as an assistant professor at SRM Easwari Engineering College with many hopes and plans after my maternity break. I was eager to visit the laboratory and think about how I would continue my research.
But when I first walked into the department, I found a space — bare benches, unopened areas, and silence where activity should have been. I realised I wasn't entering an existing research environment; I was expected to build it from the start.
Standing there, it did not feel like I was about to continue research. It felt like I was about to create the space where research could begin. Progress, in that moment, was not about discovery — it was about planning, waiting, and slowly putting things together.
Looking back now, I understand that this is how my journey in science has unfolded — not through sudden breakthroughs, but through steady, incremental steps, building understanding and confidence, brick by brick.
My interest in biotechnology began long before I understood what research truly meant. As a school student, I was fascinated by how molecules such as DNA and proteins could orchestrate the complexity of life within a single cell. I did not always understand the answers, but those questions lingered and slowly shaped my academic path.
During my undergraduate years at Periyar Maniammai University, my curiosity began to find direction. Learning across diverse areas of biotechnology revealed the interconnectedness of the field, but more importantly, I began to feel that research could extend beyond academic learning and contribute to real-world solutions. One of my early projects explored plant-based approaches to prevent kidney stone formation. The work was modest, yet it introduced me to the realities of research — repeated attempts, unexpected outcomes, and the patience required to witness incremental progress. I realised that the fulfillment of research lies not only in results but in the quiet evolution of ideas.
My perspective widened when I worked as a junior research fellow on a nanobiotechnology project. This experience introduced me to interdisciplinary collaboration and helped me understand that uncertainty is not an obstacle in research but an essential part of discovery. It was during this period that research began to feel less like a requirement and more like a meaningful pursuit.
A defining turning point came during my Master’s studies, when I received a Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship to work at Cape Breton University. It was my first time travelling alone — not just outside my state, but outside the country.
In the beginning, everything was unfamiliar — the environment, the expectations, and even communicating in English in a research setting. I remember feeling unsure of myself, but the support and guidance from my mentors helped me gradually find my footing. They gave me both direction and freedom — encouraging me to explore, make mistakes, and learn through the process.
After a few weeks, something began to change. I started working more independently, designing experiments, and understanding my results with greater clarity. One of the projects I worked on led to promising antimicrobial activity, and eventually to my first patent (US), a milestone that made me realise that even with initial uncertainty, consistent effort and the right mentorship can lead to meaningful contributions. It was during this phase that I truly began to believe in myself as a researcher
Around this time, I was awarded an International Research Scholarship to pursue a PhD at the University of Technology Sydney. However, due to family circumstances, I was unable to take up the opportunity. While it was a difficult decision, it shaped my path in unexpected ways, leading me to pursue my doctoral research at the National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli. My PhD years were demanding but transformative. They taught me to sit with unanswered questions, refine ideas repeatedly, and persist through failure without losing curiosity. Working within a structured environment where mentorship and infrastructure supported research helped me gradually recognise my identity as a researcher.
I continued my research journey at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras through two postdoctoral phases — first under an institute-supported women’s postdoctoral fellowship, and later as a National Postdoctoral Fellow. This period shaped both my scientific thinking and personal resilience, as I navigated research alongside pregnancy. I still remember being in the laboratory just days before my delivery, not out of obligation, but because it had become a space that gave me energy and purpose.
The support of mentors, colleagues, and a collaborative research environment helped me grow in confidence and independence. During this time, my work was recognised in a national poster competition, where it was shortlisted among the top 17% — a small but meaningful affirmation of my progress. At the time, I saw these as advantages of a well-established system — it was only later, when I began building a laboratory from scratch, that I truly understood their value. The structure, mentorship, and support I experienced during this phase became the very foundations I sought to recreate in my own research space.
Expecting research to continue within similarly structured environments, I transitioned into Indian academia and joined a young biotechnology department. This phase quietly reshaped my understanding of research. Instead of stepping into an established laboratory, I found myself helping create one. I still remember walking into an empty space and beginning with basic questions — where equipment would be placed, how workflows would function, and how safety practices would be implemented. Even simple steps, such as arranging essential instruments or waiting for approvals and resources, required time and patience. Research, in this context, began long before experiments.
There were moments when progress felt slow and difficult to measure. Ideas often had to wait for infrastructure, and the pace of development did not always match the urgency of curiosity. I occasionally wondered whether I was conducting research or building the space required for research to exist. Over time, I realised that both roles were equally meaningful.
Mentoring students encountering laboratory work for the first time gave this phase a deeper purpose. I remember guiding students through their first experiments — from hesitation in handling basic equipment to the excitement of seeing results for the first time. Watching their confidence grow reminded me of my own early journey. Building a research culture felt like nurturing curiosity — both require patience, encouragement, and acceptance of slow progress.
During a period when uncertainty felt particularly heavy, I was selected to participate in the Women in Space and Allied Science Leadership Programme supported by the Department of Science and Technology and the British Council. The experience became more than a leadership workshop.
Over those days, I met women across different career stages — from students to senior leaders — each navigating their own challenges while continuing to move forward. Listening to their journeys made me realise that I was not alone in feeling uncertain or overwhelmed. Many of them were balancing research, leadership, and family responsibilities, yet they had found ways to persist and grow.
Their stories shifted my perspective. Instead of seeing my challenges as limitations, I began to see them as part of a shared journey. Their resilience and confidence made me question my own doubts — if they could move forward despite their struggles, why couldn’t I?
Meeting peers navigating similar struggles reminded me that feeling stuck is not a personal failure but a shared phase of growth. Their stories rekindled my confidence and reinforced the belief that I still had the ability and responsibility to contribute meaningfully to science.
Alongside these professional transitions, another deeply personal journey unfolded. As my research laboratory slowly began to take shape, my daughter was growing alongside it. I found myself nurturing both in parallel — one through experiments, planning, and persistence, and the other through care, attention, and presence.
There were days when progress in the lab felt slow, waiting for things to fall into place, and days when motherhood demanded more than I had anticipated. In both, I learned to accept that growth is not always immediate or visible. It unfolds quietly, through consistency and care.
Experiencing these two forms of growth simultaneously reshaped my understanding of patience. It taught me that both science and life begin with fragile starts, move through uncertainty, and eventually find strength through sustained effort.
Biotechnology research is not an easy path. For early-career researchers navigating similar paths, particularly within evolving institutions, the absence of ideal conditions does not limit the possibility of meaningful science. What matters is the willingness to build steadily — creating spaces, supporting people, and continuing even when progress feels slow.
I have come to understand that building science is not always about breakthroughs, but about patience — putting things together step by step, and trusting that these efforts will eventually take shape.
BRIC-inStem invites applications (online) from eligible candidates for the contractual Project Associate position in the laboratory of Dr. Diya Binoy Joseph. They are looking for dedicated professionals with a background in cellular and molecular biology with basic computational and statistical skills. Individuals with experience with mouse handling and mammalian cell culture would be prioritized although this is not a pre-requisite for the position. Candidates with strong basic knowledge of cellular and molecular biology with a desire to learn on the job will also be considered for the position.
Individuals would perform basic molecular biology, cell biology and histological analysis. Work will include mammalian cell culture, animal handling, immunostaining, image analysis and computational analysis. Project Associates will be expected to contribute to ongoing projects in the lab, test/optimize new techniques and keep records of data and lab materials.
Contractual appointment for 11 Eleven months, renewable based on requirement and review of progress and requirement of the Grant.
Master’s Degree in Natural Sciences or Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Technology or Medicine or from a recognized University or equivalent
Mode of Applications: Only online applications will be accepted. Applications received through any other mode shall stand rejected automatically.
How to apply: Interested candidates may log into the BRIC-inStem website – Careers – Open positions (https://www.instem.res.in/jobp... )
Applicants should submit the following information as a single PDF file:
Application Fee: Nil
For more details click here
]]>Candidates are invited to appear before the selection committee for filling up the purely temporary position of one Senior Research Fellow (SRF) in the “the Short-Term Research Fellowship” programme, under the supervision of Dr. Ashverya Laxmi, Scientist, BRIC-NIPGR. Emoluments will be at par with similar fellowships by DBT/DST and BRIC-NIPGR fellowship norms.
The above position is completely on temporary basis and co-terminus with the scheme. The initial appointment will be for one year or till the tenability of the project whichever is earlier and the same can be curtailed/extended on the basis of assessment of the candidate's performance and discretion of the Competent Authority. BRICNIPGR reserves the right to select the candidate against the above post depending upon the qualification and experience of the candidate. Reservation of posts shall be as per Govt. of India norms. The appointment may be terminated at any time by giving one month notice by either side. The applicants will have no claim implicit or explicit for consideration against any regular position of BRIC-NIPGR.
₹42000/- plus HRA per month.
Candidates having a Master’s degree in any branch of Biological/Life Sciences with 60% (or Equivalent) marks or an equivalent degree in any branch of Biological/Life Sciences with two years postmaster’s degree experience in research and fulfils the eligibility criteria mentioned in the DST-OM No. DST/PCPM/Z-06/2022 dated June 26, 2023, are eligible to apply.
Desirable: Candidates with prior experience working with Arabidopsis and molecular biology techniques such as cloning, Gibson Assembly, ChIP-qPCR, qRT-PCR, genetic crossing, and confocal microscopy will be given preference. Publication in a peer-reviewed journal will be highly desirable.
Walk-in Interview Details:
Eligible candidates may appear for walk-in-interview at BRIC-National Institute of Plant Genome Research (BRIC-NIPGR), Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi-110067 on June 15, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. onwards along with the duly filled in application form in the prescribed format. The duly filled application form along with the educational certificate must be submitted at the time of registration at BRIC-NIPGR from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on June 15, 2026. Any candidate reporting after 11:00 a.m. will not be entertained for a walk-in interview.
The candidate must ascertain their eligibility before applying, as ineligible candidates will not be interviewed. All the candidates are requested to appear for the interview with complete bio-data, publications in copy, and original degree/experience certificates and transcripts. Canvassing in any form or bringing influence, political or otherwise, will lead to disqualification of the candidate(s).
Note: Incomplete application or those not submitted in the prescribed format will be rejected. No TA/DA will be paid for attending the walk-in-interview.
For more informations click here
]]>Applications are invited for the post of Project Research Associate at the Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad.
Principal Investigator: Dr. Saikat Bhattacharjee, Associate Professor, RCB
Initially for a period of one (01) year, extendable up to the duration of the project (i.e. 30.07.2027). The PI reserves the right to terminate the candidate’s appointment with 1 months’ notice if satisfactory progress is not demonstrated.
Rs. 58,000/- + 24% HRA per month.
PhD in Life Sciences/Plant Biology/Plant-Pathogen Interactions/Biochemistry/Biotechnology. Hands-on experience in advanced molecular biology techniques such as DNA & RNA isolation, protein purification, routine PCRs and cloning. Experience in protein purification from plant and bacterial samples, in vitro and in vivo protein-protein interaction assays.
Desirable: Prior hands-on experience on proteomics especially related to plant-pathogen interactions.
Interested candidates should apply online by 18th June, 2026, 5:00 PM. Apply Online
The shortlisted candidates will be informed via email to appear in the online interview to be held at 10:30 AM on 24th June, 2026.
For any query, you may contact PI by email: saikat@rcb.res.in
Please upload the following documents with your application:
For more information, click here
]]>Applications are invited for the post of Junior Research Fellow at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
The Project will continue till March 2031. The above-mentioned position is completely temporary and is co-terminus with the project. Appointed person will be expected to stay in the lab for the entire period of the project.
@37000/- per month plus HRA (as per ANRF rules and guidelines for JRF)
Master degree in Biological / Life Sciences with at least 60% (or equivalent marks) or equivalent degree in any branch of biological/ Life sciences having qualified CSIR/UGC NET can apply. Final year /semester students of M Sc having qualified CSIR/UGC NET may also apply, subject to the submission of M Sc final mark sheet / passing certificate at the time of interview, if shortlisted.
Desirable: Research experience in the area of plant virus interactions / protein-protein interactions/plant molecular biology.
The competent authority may select a candidate in the lower position against the above post depending upon the qualifications and experience of the candidate and reserves the right to relax any of the qualification(s) in case the candidate is found otherwise well qualified by the Selection Committee.
Applications (soft copy only) are invited from suitable candidates to apply by sending a cover letter detailing experience, with CV, reprints and names with complete address (including e-mail) of three references on or before June 20, 2026 by e-mail to :-
virologylabslsjnu[at]gmail[dot]com.
For more information click here
]]>Applications are invited for a temporary position of Post Doctoral Fellow at IIT Gandhinagar.
The above research topic is interdisciplinary, covering the broad spectrum of Chemical Engineering, material science and biotechnology. This work requires the selected candidate to synthesise advanced nanomaterials, prepare sensing electrodes, functionalise aptamers/antibodies on electrodes, and electrochemically detect biomolecules. The candidate will frequently use various analytical instruments (SEM, XRD, FTIR, etc.) to validate and characterise electrode materials, as well as various electrochemical analysers for detection. Finally, the candidate will demonstrate the performance of the biosensor for cancer biomarkers. In addition to performing research responsibilities, the candidate will also work on developing the laboratory.
1 year (can be renewed depending on the extension criteria)
BTech/BE/ PhD degree in biotechnology, biosensing technology, nanotechnology, chemical engineering, electrochemical analysis and allied topics from a reputed institute with an excellent scientific publication record in the area of biosensing. The candidates who have submitted their thesis and are available to join immediately are also eligible to apply.
The percentage/grade points with respect to the academic qualifications should be a minimum of 60% or equivalent grade from Graduation onward and 55% or equivalent grade in class 10th and 12th.
Desirable:
For more details click here
]]>Applications are invited for the post of Research Associate I under the supervision of Dr. Anshika Srivastava PI, Associate Professor Department of Medical Genetics, SGPGIMS. The title of the proposal is “Decoding the pathogenic role of ACTN2 and FLNC splice variants and developing preclinical model for dilated cardiomyopathy” funded by ANRF Govt. of India.
Srivastava lab is aimed at understanding the genetic basis and molecular mechanisms of developmental disorders. To understand the molecular mechanisms, we use the capabilities of cutting-edge technologies as genome engineering, ATAC sequencing and epigenetic profiling tools. We use cardiomyocytes as model system. The requirement for this project is generation of cardiomyocytes from patient fibroblasts and performing the molecular biology and biochemical assays on the generated models.
Design, validate, document, and troubleshoot laboratory experiments.
Responsible for analyzing and interpreting data using appropriate statistical methods.
Three years
Rs. 58000 + 20% HRA = Rs 69,600 per month (Fixed)
Ph.D. in the research area of stem cell biology, biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology or having 3 years of research experience after postgraduation (MSc.) and at least one research paper in Science Citation Indexed (SCI) journal.
Preference will be given to candidates having considerable research experience in molecular biology and cell biology and prior experience in stem cell culture and differentiation of lineages from hPSCs Good command in report writing and data analysis.
Interested applicants are requested to apply with their CV, which should include the names and contact information of scientific references pertinent to the position, by June 30, 2026. Applications with academic certificates and other necessary documents should be emailed to srivastavalabpgi@gmail.com. Shortlisted applicants will be informed for an interview (hybrid mode: online and offline). The above post is entirely temporary and can be terminated with one-month notice. Accommodation at the institute campus will not be provided. TA/DA will not be payable.
Any machinery with the best of the designed parts will be damaged due to wear and tear over time. Gears catch, joints stiffen and engines stall unless they are lubricated with oil or grease. It is easy to forget that life, too, needed lubrication to get started.
In the early history of life, long before genes and proteins took centre stage, lipids may have quietly shaped the very possibility of living systems. Certain oily molecules, when placed in water, naturally arrange themselves into bubbles and sheets, forming compartments that can trap other substances inside. These self-organising structures are simple but effective. They offer one of the earliest known solutions to the problem of containment. Life needs a way to keep its chemistry separate from the world outside. Without that, even the most favourable beginnings would simply dissolve away.
As life evolved, lipids remained central to its workings. But the kinds of lipids that living things use are not all the same. One of the deepest differences among organisms lies in how their cell boundaries are built. Archaea, bacteria and eukaryotes all use lipids, which have a water loving hydrophilic head and a water repelling hydrophobic tail, to form a protective layer around themselves. However, archaeal membranes use chains which are often branched and cyclisedwhile bacteria and eukaryotes use straight chain fatty acids. These differences may seem trivial but they come from distinct biosynthetic pathways what cannot be easily switched.
These differences go all the way down to the enzymes involved and the raw materials they use. We believe the last universal common ancestor of all life had a kind of mixed membrane, containing both types of lipids, and over time, different groups specialised in one or the other. Interestingly, even though the cells of animals and plants are more closely related to those of archaea, they use the same kind of lipids as bacteria. This is likely because the ancestors of complex cells once absorbed a bacterial partner that provided not just energy but also an extra recipe for building its membranes.
Lipids, though, do much more than form membranes. Over time, they evolved into an astonishing variety of roles. Some became reservoirs of stored energy. Others took on signalling duties, helping cells talk to each other or respond to their environment. In animals, lipids became part of thermoregulation, sensory adaptation and waterproofing. In toothed whales, they took on a particularly striking function called sound shaping. These whales use echolocation to navigate and hunt, and they rely on a region of specialised cranial fat to focus and transmit their clicks. This acoustic fat is made from unusual lipids, waxy and branched, layered precisely to conduct sound. Understanding how these lipids work, or how they evolved, remains difficult. These molecules sit in tissues that are hard to access, and their functions depend on subtle physical interactions with each other that are only just beginning to be mapped.
Other animals show different innovations. Reptiles and birds, for example, have thick skin that protects them from water loss. This skin contains special lipids that form a kind of barrier. These adaptations allowed their ancestors to move away from water and into drier habitats. Some of these molecules were once thought to be unique to mammals, but are now known to appear in crocodilians and other reptiles as well. Still, these molecules do not fossilize, so piecing together their history means working backwards from what we find in modern species.
Plants, meanwhile, adapted differently. Instead of embedding fats within layers of skin, they developed a waxy surface coating made from very long-chain molecules, often even longer than those found in animals. While animal skin lipids typically have chains of around sixteen to twenty-four carbon atoms, plant surface lipids can extend beyond thirty, creating a dense, water-resistant layer that protects them from drying out.
Some algae and simple land plants make compounds that resemble the ones animals use in brain signalling, even though plants do not have the same kinds of receptors as animals do in their brains. In plants, these compounds appear when cells are under stress, and they have been linked to processes like injury response and growth regulation. The fact that they appear in very different groups of organisms suggests that in addition to them being present in a common ancestor, similar evolutionary needs in later species also led to similar solutions.
Still, despite the complexity, some patterns are clear. Across all life, lipids have been shaped by the pressures of the environment. Whether for surviving heat, resisting dryness, storing energy, communicating with other cells or navigating the deep sea, lipids have taken on new roles again and again. They are not just parts of the cell wall. They are flexible, adaptable molecules that keep changing with the needs of the organism.
What began as a simple oily film in the waters of early Earth has become one of the most versatile tools in biology. They may be harder to study than genes or proteins, but they carry a long and varied history written in the language of chemistry and shaped by the needs of survival. From archaea in hot springs to birds in dry forests and whales in the deep sea, lipids continue to evolve alongside life itself. It is perhaps not wrong to say that evolution is smooth, like a well-oiled machine.
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The world's pharmacy is currently under attack, but it is a silent, microscopic one. As a result of being both a global leader in providing affordable generic drugs, and as a country at the forefront of an increasing wave of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), India is at the centre of this growing problem. At the core of the AMR crisis is a structural conflict, which the scientific community does not discuss enough: the "stewardship paradox".
As it stands now, when pharmaceutical innovations succeed globally, they are based upon their ability to penetrate markets and create high sales volumes. However, for antibiotics, "success," from a public health perspective, requires the exact opposite: they must be used sparingly, strictly conserved, and to the lowest extent possible to delay the onset of resistance. As such, there exists a market failure within the patent system that rewards the behaviour that causes the rapid obsolescence of the drug. As an independent researcher and patent agent, I have witnessed how the ROI generated by the patent system is inconsistent with the R&D required for the stewardship of the drug. In order to generate the next generation of life-saving drugs, we need to separate the cost of R&D from the volume of sales.
The "stewardship paradox" in action
For at least thirty years, the typical response to the "drought" in the development of new antibiotics has included offering stronger intellectual property rights and/or longer patents to potential developers of antibiotics. The rationale behind this approach has always been that, by increasing the level of economic reward from developing a new antibiotic (i.e., greater profits), there would be more financial incentive for researchers to develop new antibiotics. Unfortunately, it has been more than thirty years since a new generation of antibiotics has entered clinical use.
The reason for this lack of success with the approach of strengthening the intellectual property rights for antibiotic developers lies in what is referred to as the "stewardship paradox". Unlike most therapeutic classes (e.g., oncology; chronic lifestyle disease), where the primary objective of a patent applicant/holder is to treat as many patients as possible with their patented compound, the primary objective of an antibiotic developer is to delay resistance by limiting use. Therefore, when a new "last-resort" antibiotic enters clinical practice, it simultaneously marks the beginning of its path toward eventual obsolescence.
A fundamental contradiction arises when public health officials want to restrict the availability of drugs to ensure they remain effective, and pharmaceutical companies want to make money from their products. The commercial success of a drug, particularly a costly one like an antibiotic, depends on high volume sales. Companies cannot recoup their R&D investments if their products are locked away in "glass cases" as emergency supplies only. Thus, companies must aggressively promote their products to maximise volume sales. However, in countries where patients pay directly for health care (e.g., India) this typically translates into aggressive marketing to physicians and pharmacists. This leads to exactly the type of overprescribing that generates drug resistance.
The way forward: A delinkage model
The solution lies in moving towards a “delinkage model”. Delinking refers to the separation of the financial returns from a drug from the volume of the drug's sales. Instead of relying on large-scale sales, innovators receive "pull incentives", e.g., market entry rewards or milestone payments.
One widely discussed approach is the "subscription model" (also known as the "Netflix model" for antibiotics), where governments pay a fixed annual fee to a company for access to an effective antibiotic regardless of whether the antibiotic is used. The subscription model allows companies to generate revenue from their products and provide governments with the means to retain effective drugs "in inventory" for stewardship purposes.
Adopting a delinkage model would not only be scientifically necessary for India but also strategically important as the country transitions from a manufacturing-based to an innovation-driven bioeconomy. Domestic startups require predictable returns on investment that do not depend on contributing to the AMR crisis. By integrating delinkage into national science policy, India can lead in creating a system that balances innovation with sustainability.
Reframing innovation for a world resistant to disease:
The tension between 20th-century patent law and 21st-century evolutionary forces of microorganisms is no longer simply a theoretical debate – it is a pressing public health crisis. For India to continue to protect its role as the "pharmacy of the world", we need to look beyond the limited focus on volume-based ROI. Protecting and strengthening IP rights in the absence of stewardship-compatible financial incentives will only add to the flames of the fire we are desperately trying to put out.
Addressing this challenge requires a multi-faceted approach: adopting delinkage models, increasing funding for early-stage antimicrobial R&D, and developing national policies that treat antibiotics as a global public good rather than a commercial commodity.
Young researchers and policymakers will play a critical role in shaping this future. The goal must be to create an ecosystem where the value of a drug is measured by the lives it saves over time, rather than the volume of units sold in a quarter. In doing so, India has the opportunity to lead a global model of sustainable innovation—one where science stays ahead of resistance.
BioWISE (Bio – Women in STEM Empowered) is a flagship initiative of the BeST – Bengaluru Science and Technology Cluster (an initiative of the Office of PSA, GoI), in collaboration with the Biocon Foundation India (CSR arm of Biocon Biologics) and the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) as the academic and knowledge partner.
The programme brings together academia, industry, and government stakeholders to bridge the gap between academic learning and workforce readiness for women in STEM.
BioWISE aims to strengthen women’s participation in STEM fields by creating meaningful access to research, mentorship, networking, and professional growth opportunities, particularly for students from Tier 2 and Tier 3 institutions across Karnataka.
BioWISE Undergraduate Internship & Scholarship Programme (UG Cohort)
Applications are invited from women undergraduate students in Lifesciences disciplines across Karnataka for a 3-month internship and scholarship programme designed to provide:
Eligibility Criteria – UG Cohort
UG Application Link: (https://forms.gle/smsE6kFhoq3Q...)
BioWISE Postgraduate Internship & Scholarship Programme (PG Cohort)
Applications are invited from women postgraduate students in Lifesciences disciplines across Karnataka for a 6-month internship and scholarship programme designed to provide:
Eligibility Criteria – PG Cohort
• Students and immediate relatives affiliated with our promoting partners (BIOCON, BeST, or NCBS) are not eligible to apply.
PG Application Link: (https://forms.gle/iwQcKeUBB1n8...)
