As the summer sets in, we're thrilled to present an array of updates, announcements, opportunities and initiatives specially-curated to inform and empower the life science community. Let’s start with a big win: We have just completed the 17th Young Investigators' Meeting (YIM 2025) in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, from 3-7 March 2025. This flagship meeting was supported by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, in partnership with Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence. More updates on YIM 2025 as you scroll down!
Next up, the final Regional Young Investigators’ Meeting (RYIM) for 2024-2025 will be held from 19- 21 March 2025 in Delhi NCR. It promises to be an interesting meeting with talks from academia and industry, along with a Crafting Your Career (CYC) workshop from IndiaBioscience.
We also recently announced the winners of the science writing competition by IndiaBioscience, ‘Write On—2024.′ This was a much-awaited announcement, and congratulations to the winners!
At IndiaBiospeaks, we’ve had an exciting run! We wrapped up our SciFi vs SciFact podcast series with its final episode and launched a brand-new season of our most beloved podcast, RADIO PDF, with two fresh episodes!
In what is indeed bittersweet, the IndiaBioscience team will be seeing some transitions this month. Goodbyes are always hard, but we can make them lighter by promising to stay in touch!
On that note, IndiaBioscience will continue this journey with you via the shared 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 you love to say, your active engagement contributes immensely to our shared journey.
IndiaBioscience recently concluded the 17th Young Investigators’ Meeting in Agra, with support from the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India and Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence. The in-person meeting hosted 40 Young Investigators (YIs) from across India, 40 Postdoctoral Fellows (PDFs) from India and abroad, along with a range of mentors, senior scientists, industry, and academic representatives. With talks and sessions across five days, YIM 2025 brought together the best of the life sciences and stellar global science to India, all while showcasing incredible India.
We hope the meeting will inspire the YIs and PDFs as they craft their career paths, and further facilitate engagement across academia, industry, government, including private and international partnerships in the life sciences in India.
Thank you all for bringing YIM 2025 to life! For one final time, Wah-Taj!
IndiaBioscience thanks the YIM 2025 organising team
YIM 2025 was led by an incredible team of co-organisers, team members, interns and volunteers from IndiaBioscience and Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence. Thank you all, the meeting was a stellar display of teamwork and coordination!
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. We hope to see you there, Chalo Rajdhani!
We are excited to share the latest resources from our 4th IndiaBioscience Outreach Grants awardees, Reeteka Sud (NIMHANS, Bengaluru) and Pankaj Koparde (MIT World Peace University, Pune). Explore more IOG awardee resources here.
The People of Nature Podcast, is led by Pankaj Koparde in collaboration with Arjit Jere (Freelance Content Writer). The podcast amplifies unheard voices in India's conservation landscape, featuring scientists, educators, and conservationists from marginalised communities, including tribal folk, women, transgender wildlife biologists, and economically disadvantaged groups.
We're excited to bring you the last episode of Sci-Fi or Sci-Fact, where we break down iconic sci-fi films and explore the real-world science behind them!
In the sixth and final episode, "Spider-Man: Unmasking Its Science," we discuss superhuman strength, the ethics of genetic engineering, and the mind-bending possibilities of technology with Deepa Subramanyam. Put on your headphones, activate your spider-sense, and get ready to be amazed!
IndiaBioscience presents The Biomolecule Collection, a stunning series of 3D science infographics by Arushi Batra and Agastya Singh. This collection brings biomolecules to life with captivating visuals, making complex structures more accessible to educators, students, and science enthusiasts alike.
We bring to you infographics of four biomolecules: F-ATPase, the powerhouse of our cells; Recombination Activating Gene 1 and 2, a critical component of our immune system; RuBisCO, the most abundant protein on Earth driving carbon fixation; and Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), the fluorescent protein revolutionising biological research. Each infographic is complemented by printable flashcards for enhanced learning and teaching.
This resource will help you explore the science behind life's fundamental molecules. We hope you enjoy enjoy learning about these biomolecules as much as we enjoyed creating them. You can access the online flip-book here and the PDF version here.
We’re excited to launch a new season of RADIO PDF, where postdoctoral researchers from India and abroad share their experiences, challenges, and career trajectories.
In the first episode, Maitreya Sil, a postdoctoral fellow at the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, India, discusses his perspectives on pursuing research opportunities within the country.
The second episode, features Tandrila Das from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, USA. She reflects on her unique career path and the importance of passion in research.
In the third episode, Chandreyee Datta from the National Institute of Technology, Durgapur, India, shares her journey of resilience and perseverance in the face of academic challenges.
Tune in to these insightful conversations here and explore the realities of postdoctoral research!
IndiaBioscience, with support from HiMedia, invited young minds to blend science with creativity in Create-it!, the 2024 science-art competition. The competition showcased brilliant interpretations of scientific concepts through art.
We’re excited to release the e-compendium—a digital collection featuring winning, popular choice, commendable, and spotlight entries. This showcase not only celebrates artistic talent but also highlights the science behind each piece.
We are thrilled and 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.
We have now announced the prize winners! Thank you for being part of this exciting journey to celebrate science communication. Congratulations to all the winners!
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!
Kanti Kiran is Associate Professor of Plant Biotechnology at Gujarat Biotechnology University, Gandhinagar. In her article for the Journey of Young Investigator (JOYI) 2025 series, she reflects on her accidental entry into science research, the importance of second chances and learning to adapt in the face of unexpected challenges.
Neeru Singh is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Institute of Advanced Research, Gandhinagar. She writes about her experience of establishing her own research lab and juggling academic, research, administrative, and family responsibilities in this Journey of Young Investigator (JOYI) 2025 article.
Sharon D’souza is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Biotechnology, SVKM’s Mithibai College, Mumbai. In this Journey of Young Investigator (JOYI) 2025 article, she writes about her interest in plant metabolomics, how she switched fields for her PhD, and shares some tips for running a lab with resourcefulness.
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.
In healthcare, effective drug delivery remains a key challenge. Traditional pills and injections offer relief but often cause side effects and have limited efficacy. Active matter therapeutics transform treatment by delivering medicines precisely to affected areas, reducing side effects and enhancing drug delivery.
A collaborative research by scientists from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore, and the Institute of Functional Genomics, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, France, has recently solved the structures of the complex brain receptor — metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGlu5). They describe the binding mode of small molecules known to increase receptor activity, paving the way for new avenues in drug design.
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.
In February 2025, IndiaBioscience successfully conducted a virtual CYC workshop for the life science students and researchers at Kasturba Medical College-MAHE.
The CYC 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!
IndiaBioscience’s International Grants Awareness Programme (iGAP) is aimed at creating awareness and providing information on international funding opportunities. Through iGAP, we wish to inform you that the call for the current cycle of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) Young Investigator Programme (YIP) is open until 1 April 2025.
The EMBO YIP is a great opportunity for young investigators to join an international network of researchers and take their research across borders. Find more information about the Young Investigator Programme here.
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 our latest 'Voices from the community' article below.
Stephy Jose, a postdoctoral researcher at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Hyderabad, studied hydrodynamics and fluctuations in models of active particle motion during her PhD. In this article, she shares her journey of securing the prestigious Humboldt Research Fellowship and navigating the challenges of transitioning from PhD to postdoc.
Azim Premji Foundation support for the Education vertical
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 9th and 10th 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.
#EducatorsMonday
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 February 2025 was: If you were to use the case-study method to teach biology, on which concept would you first build the case? Please share if you have already used this method.
The IndiaBioscience team will be seeing some transitions this month.
To start off, we welcome Moumita Mazumdar, the new Program Manager-Science Communication. IndiaBioscience has worked with Moumita for several years, and we look forward to her continued contributions as an official team member!
In what is bittersweet, Ankita Rathore, Arushi Batra and Karishma Kaushik will be moving on to new and exciting opportunities in the life science ecosystem in India. Thank you for your exceptional work at IndiaBioscience; best wishes in your onward professional endeavors!
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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!
