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How stem cells retain their “stem” ness: The science of staying uncommitted
Aditi Jain
Since their initial discovery several decades ago, stem cells have faced intensive study due to their potential medical applications and fascinating biology. A question that has long interested scientists is how do stem cells continue to remain in an undifferentiated or 'uncommitted' state, unlike every other cell type in the body? Now, a new study from researchers at the National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) sheds light on this unique problem.
Posted on Apr 24, 2019 in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology & Research
From students with love: new bacteria named after an Indian microbiologist
Lekha Bandopadhyay
Researchers have identified a new genus of bacteria that lives in the guts of the common redworm and is capable of degrading a potent neurotoxin that has been responsible for several food-poisoning outbreaks. The researchers have named the new isolate Pradoshia eiseniae, as a tribute to their mentor, the late Indian microbiologist Pradosh Roy.
Posted on Apr 22, 2019 in Microbiology & Research
Probing the cell’s postal network
Shreya Ghosh
The cell is a factory where every component needs to be in its proper place at the proper time for continued function and survival. A new study by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, explores how cells manage this remarkable feat of ensuring that the right molecules find their way to the right locations within the cell.
Posted on Apr 10, 2019 in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology & Research
The right time to vaccinate against measles
Navodita Jain
In India, children are vaccinated against measles starting at ~9 months of age. This time is chosen to correspond with the loss of maternal immunity conferred through the placenta or breastfeeding, which protects the infants till then. Now, a new study suggests that maternal immunity may disappear much earlier than predicted, potentially leaving infants vulnerable to an infection.
Posted on Apr 08, 2019 in Health & Medicine & Research
On sperm counts and bulging waistlines
Rujuta Vaidya
Obesity is an emerging health challenge in India, estimated to affect over 135 million individuals at present. Now, a new study from researchers at the National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health (NIRRH-ICMR) investigates the unexplored link between obesity and male fertility.
Posted on Apr 01, 2019 in Health & Medicine, Molecular Biology & Research
The case of a good suicide bomber
Preethi Ravi
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite well known for its ability to alter its hosts behaviour by targeting neurological pathways.Researchers from the University of Delhi have come up with a novel way to counter infection by this intracellular parasite, using a drug that triggers the infected cell's suicide mechanism, thus killing the parasite residing inside it.
Posted on Mar 25, 2019 in Microbiology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology & Research
FiRE: Finding a needle in the haystack.
Sindhuri Upadrasta
Many biologically relevant cells occur in such low frequencies that their detection and analysis in tissues with millions of other cell types poses a problem for researchers. A new study from researchers at IIT Delhi describes a new algorithmic approach which helps detect rare cells much faster than the techniques that are currently in use.
Posted on Mar 22, 2019 in Bioinformatics & Computational Biology & Research