Dear reader,

Welcome to the monthly newsletter of February 2025! We are excited to reconnect with you this month, bringing forth the latest updates, opportunities, and news for our life science community.

The 17th Young Investigators' Meeting (YIM 2025) is just around the corner, to be held in Agra, Uttar Pradesh from 3-7 March 2025. YIM 2025 is supported by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India in partnership with Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence. We are looking forward to YIM 2025, Wah-Taj!

We concluded the third Regional Young Investigators’ Meeting in Chennai last month. And the applications for the final RYIM for the 2024-2025 round, the RYIM Delhi-NCR are now open, and we hope you will consider meeting us there! Chalo Rajdhani! We were also at India Science Festival 2025 in Pune, with two in-person Crafting Your Career workshops.

Beyond meetings, it is also a busy time for skill-building at IndiaBioscience, with the release of our latest iGAP Dispatches VIII, highlighting international funding opportunities open until March 2025. Additionally, we hosted a virtual workshop on building a career development plan for postdoctoral fellows in India for selected participants and an in-person, two-day meeting, Dialogue on Leadership Roles for Women in Shaping Academia, at IIT Bombay.

And as always, IndiaBiostreams has been buzzing with activity. Last month, we hosted an EMBO Press webinar on open science and publishing. Also, we released two new episodes of our SciFi vs SciFact podcast series.

We are eager to continue this journey with you and share the stories, experiences, and opportunities that lie ahead. To stay connected and informed, make sure to follow us on social media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube) and subscribe to our mailing list.

If you have an inspiring story to share, an insightful article to contribute, or a collaborative event idea, we invite you to reach out to us at hello[at]indiabioscience[dot]org. As we love to say, your active engagement contributes immensely to our shared journey.

Wishing you the best for 2025, and let’s continue to Stay Engaged and Enable Change!

The 17th Young Investigators' Meeting (YIM 2025) is just around the corner, scheduled to be held in Agra, Uttar Pradesh from 3-7 March 2025. YIM 2025 is supported by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India in partnership with Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence. The Abstract Book and PDF Database for the meeting are live.

Team members from IndiaBioscience and co-organisers and volunteers from SNIoE recently visited Agra for a pre-YIM roundup of arrangements. We are excited to host the 17th YIM and thank all our supporters for their contributions! For all YIM 2025 updates, please keep visiting the YIM 2025 webpage.

We are excited to announce the Regional Young Investigators’ Meeting (RYIM) Delhi-NCR on 19-21 March 2025 at National Brain Research Centre (NBRC), Manesar, Gurgaon, and Ashoka University, Sonipat (AU). With the theme ‘Building Networks and Collaborations in Interdisciplinary Science, this 3-day meeting will bring together a series of scientific talks, presentations and professional development discussions.

IndiaBioscience will lead a Crafting Your Career (CYC) workshop on 20 March 2025. For more information and to register, click here. The last date to apply is 1 March 2025. We hope to see you there, Chalo Rajdhani!

The Regional Young Investigators’ Meeting in Chennai was held from 22 to 24 January 2025 at Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) in Chennai. With the theme ‘Future of medicine and allied health sciences’, the 3-day meeting brought together a series of scientific talks, presentations & professional development discussions. Ankita Rathore, Associate Director at IndiaBioscience, led a Crafting Your Career (CYC) workshop on 24 January 2025.

Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and IndiaBioscience in collaboration with Power Bio organised the meeting ‘Dialogue on leadership roles for women in shaping academia' on 6-7 February 2025 at IIT Bombay.

This two-day event addressed barriers and strategies to enhance gender equity in Indian academia through discussions on recruitment, establishing research groups, navigating promotions, and leadership visibility.

IndiaBioscience was thrilled to participate in the NCBS Annual Talks 2025, particularly during the poster session held from 15–17 January 2025. We had the opportunity to interact with students and researchers, share insights about our initiatives, and discuss various ways to engage with us—be it through science communication, IndiaBioscience Outreach Grants, skill-building sessions, networking opportunities, or our digital resources. It was an excellent platform to connect with the life science community and exchange ideas.

In this EMBO Press webinar, held in partnership with EMBO, Bernd Pulverer shared the insights into the publication criteria and policies of EMBO Press journals. He highlighted strategies to foster research improvements with minimal friction while emphasising the evolving relationship between peer-reviewed journals, open science, and data repositories.

You can watch the recording here.

We're excited to bring you the latest episodes of Sci-Fi or Sci-Fact, where we break down iconic sci-fi films and uncover the real-world science behind them!

In Episode 4, "Jurassic Park – A Scientific Safari," we embark on a dino-mite adventure with Ramanarayanan Krishnamurthy, exploring the ethical dilemmas and scientific feasibility of resurrecting dinosaurs. Can we really bring back prehistoric creatures? Listen to the episode here.

Meanwhile, Episode 5, "Contagion – The Pandemic Paradox," takes a chilling dive into the world of viral outbreaks. Anurag Agrawal unpacks the film’s scientific accuracy and discusses the critical role of science and public health in managing real-world pandemics. Listen to the episode here.

Get ready to dive into the fascinating world of biomolecules with 3D Science Infographics!

• Stunning 3D visuals detailing the structure of proteins and biomolecules.

• Perfect as teaching aids for educators and students alike.

Bonus Feature: Expanded versions of the infographics will include explanatory flashcards that you can print for personal learning or classroom use!

Stay tuned for our first spotlight.

In our science communication vertical, we published several columns and news articles last month.

Scroll down to get a glimpse of these articles below!

We are thrilled and deeply grateful for the incredible response to the second edition of IndiaBioscience’s science writing competition, 'Write On—2024'! Your enthusiasm and participation have made this initiative a resounding success.

Stay tuned as we prepare to announce the prize winners soon! Keep an eye on our website for updates, and thank you for being part of this exciting journey to celebrate science communication.

IndiaBioscience was at India Science Festival 2025 in Fergusson College, Pune. On 11 and 12 January, Karishma S Kaushik conducted Crafting Your Career (CYC) workshops for Masters students and PhD researchers across STEM fields. We had an overwhelming turnout of participants, and some wonderful feedback!

We were also at the panel discussion, ‘The New Age Professor: Entrepreneurs, Science Communicators and Influencers!', which was moderated by Karishma S Kaushik.

We bring to you the new series of articles under the Journey of a Young Investigator (JOYI) 2025. This collection celebrates the stories of young investigators who will attend YIM 2025 in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.

We hope that these stories will serve as inspiration for other young investigators in India as well as for those hoping to launch their scientific careers in India in the near future. Read the articles below!

Shankramma K is an Assistant Professor at the JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Mysuru. In this first article of the Journey Of a Young Investigator (JOYI) 2025 series, she shares her journey of overcoming adversity, pursuing higher education against all odds, and using her expertise in nanotechnology to make a meaningful impact on rural communities through science and innovation.

Sandeep Ameta is an Assistant Professor of Biology in the Trivedi School of Biosciences, Ashoka University. In this Journey Of a Young Investigator (JOYI) 2025 series article, he shares the story of what led him to this unconventional research track, and recalls the many challenges and triumphs that ultimately led to the founding of his ​‘Origin of Life’ research group in India.

Pratibha Gaur is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biotechnology & Microbiology at SRM University. In this article of the Journey of a Young Investigator (JOYI) 2025 series, she shares her transformative journey of working at prestigious international institutions, engaging in cultural dialogue and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Traffic congestion in Bengaluru is every man’s woe. To address this issue, the Bengaluru Science and Technology Cluster (BeST) promotes solutions centred around sustainable commuting alternatives. This approach not only tackles the traffic problem but also emphasises improving public health, offering a holistic strategy to make the city more liveable.

The RYIM Bengaluru, held from 28 – 30 November 2024, was the second Regional Young Investigators’ Meeting for the year 2024 – 2025, organised by four institutions in Bengaluru. The theme of the meeting was ​‘Accelerating Indian science through private investments.’ In this article, the organisers highlight their experience of organising a regional YIM in Bengaluru.

Researchers from the Rajiv Gandhi Center for Biotechnology, Kerala, have recently uncovered one of the potential genetic links between cerebellum development and neurodevelopmental disorders like autism. They found that a transcription factor called Tlx3 (T cell leukaemia Homeobox 3) plays a crucial role in cerebellum development in mice, highlighting its significance in autism development.

Researchers from the Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, discovered a new prion called [SNG2] in fission yeast. This is the first known instance of a prion affecting gene silencing. This discovery highlights the unexpected roles of prions in inheritance and cellular behaviour.

Researchers from the Central University of Jammu have uncovered a potential genetic link between the biological clock and hypertension in the Indian sub-population. They found that the biological clock plays a significant role in regulating hypertension, highlighting its importance as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in the ageing population.

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, have built organs on chips to simulate cancer metastasis. They examined how cancer cells respond under conditions of ageing and diabetes, finding that stress enhanced metastatic potential.

Researchers from CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology have combined Optical Genome Mapping (OGM) with the telomere-to-telomere (T2T) reference genome, offering a complete, gap-free view of the genome. This innovative approach resolves structural variations in repetitive regions, revolutionising genetic diagnostics and research.

We recently released our next set of iGAP Dispatches, with information on open international grant calls till March 2025. We hope you find them useful! Check our curated resources here.

Last month, in January 2025, IndiaBioscience successfully conducted two CYC workshops for the life science community. The first workshop, held on 15 January 2025 in Kolkata, was led by Ankita Rathore and Arushi Batra from IndiaBioscience, in collaboration with the Indian Association for Cancer Research (IACR). The second workshop took place on 24 January 2025 at IIT Madras, as part of the RYIM Chennai meeting, and was facilitated by Ankita Rathore.

These workshops are designed to help participants navigate the complexities of building a dynamic and contemporary career in the life sciences in India. Through a blend of activities, exercises, reflections, and discussions, CYC workshops provide valuable insights and tools for career development.

Have you explored our offerings for in-person and virtual CYC workshops? Whether you're a student, researcher, or professional, these workshops are a great way to gain clarity and confidence in your career journey. Find out more here and book a workshop with us!

In partnership with Sarada Bulchand from Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, IndiaBioscience organised a specially-curated workshop, Designing your Career Blueprint: Crafting your Individual Development Plan, for postdocs in India. We conducted an online session for the shortlisted applicants on 7 February 2025 and a small group coaching will be held on 21 and 27 February 2025.

We look forward to continuing to support the career trajectories of the postdoc community in the life sciences in India!

We are happy to announce that the call for EMBO Courses & Workshops is now open!

The deadline to apply for funds to organise conferences, practical, and theoretical courses taking place in India in 2026 is 1 March 2025, 12:00 noon CET. All EMBO-funded courses and conferences are open to the research community in India.

In addition, all event organisers have a dedicated budget to fund: Travel grants and registration fee waivers for researchers based in India, Childcare grants, Accessibility grants, and Hybrid meeting registration fee waivers.

Have you been awarded an international grant? Have you mentored a colleague for their international grant application? We invite stories/anecdotes from Indian life science researchers who have recently or previously been awarded international grants. Your stories could inspire other researchers seeking international funding opportunities. If you are interested in sharing your story or mentorship inputs, please let us know through this form.

Scroll down to read a 'Voice from the community' article.

In this tenth article as part of community voices for our international Grants Awareness Program (iGAP), Chandrika Konwar shares her experience, some to-dos, and tips for a successful Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research (FNDR) Fellowship application. Chandrika is a Fulbright Nehru Doctoral Research Fellow at California Institute of Technology.

We are happy to share that the Education vertical at IndiaBioscience is being supported by the Azim Premji Foundation, via monthly articles and interviews on topics relevant to educators.

The Lodha Genius Programme (LGP) at Ashoka University, Sonipat, introduced 9^th and 10^th graders to the microscopic world through foldscope-based hands-on learning. Students explored antimicrobial resistance, cellular diversity, and scientific problem-solving, gaining independence, patience, and teamwork skills while cultivating curiosity and a love for exploration.

Anupama Raj, Assistant Professor at the School of Continuing Education, Azim Premji University, Bengaluru, shares her insights about education policies and designing assessments. In this ​’10 Women, 10 Questions’ interview, she highlights the necessity of rightful assessment techniques to be employed in our education system.

On the last Monday of every month, we post a question for educators on all our social media handles. We invite you to post your answers, see responses by others, and enjoy the threads of conversation.

Our question for January 2025 was: Which model organisms (both plants and animals) do you use in your practical biology classes?

You can post your response on X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

In a recent career column, Karishma S Kaushik from IndiaBioscience wrote for Nature India on best practices when moving on from a job. In a rapidly evolving career landscape, knowing how to transition professionally is key for scientists exploring diverse opportunities. Read more here.

Pratidhvani is a podcast platform led by GV Pavan Kumar, a physicist at IISER Pune. In a recent episode, Karishma S Kaushik discussed her career journey, and shed light on how a small and dynamic team of professionals advance the vision of IndiaBioscience. You can watch the entire episode here.

In the previous month, we had the opportunity to work with several community members on programs, initiatives, and partnerships. We thank you all for your inputs, suggestions and work. Keep the engagement coming in!

Are you following our dedicated thread (#ScienceJobsTuesdays) for jobs, grants and events on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn? And are you subscribed to our monthly Jobs and Internships monthly newsletter? You can subscribe to it here. Let us help you in your search!

We are always looking for ways to engage with you! If you are an institute, university, company, private enterprise, incubation park or a science collective, get in touch with us with your ideas!

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