Columns

• Farming in the age of superbugs: Are enteric pathogens becoming resistant to disinfection?

  

  Mittali Tyagi, a PhD student at Manav Rachna International Institute of Research & Studies in Faridabad, Haryana, is an environment enthusiast who works towards the promotion of sustainability. Her passion for nature has turned into a strong commitment to addressing environmental challenges and spurring change in the way we interact with the planet. As part of her PhD studies on pathogen-plant interactions, she came across fascinating research on enteric pathogen survival on plants and their implications for food safety—an observation that prompted her to author this article.
  

  Posted on Jun 20, 2025 in Agriculture, Microbiology, Environmental Sciences & Research

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• Sterile hybrids in nature: Biological limits or evolutionary assets?

  

  They don’t pass on their genes, yet they pass on profound evolutionary insights. Sterile hybrids—from mules to lab-bred bees—are changing how we think about life, legacy, and the limits of nature.
  

  Posted on Jun 16, 2025 in Biotechnology, Science & Research

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• EMT: A normal process gone rogue

  

  Sabyasachi Parija, a fourth-year undergraduate student at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Berhampur, is exploring the fascinating world of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a critical process in cancer biology. In this opinion article, Sabyasachi reflects on the molecular intricacies of EMT and its role in cancer progression, sharing his thoughts on why understanding this process could be key to unlocking new strategies in cancer treatment and research.
  

  Posted on Jun 02, 2025 in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Science, Personal Experience & Research

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• A CARE-driven approach to Indian genomics

  

  The Genome India Project—an effort to sequence 10,000 genomes from 83 population groups across the country, represents a turning point in India's transition to precision health. This historic initiative heralds the dawn of a health genomics revolution, but also raises pressing concerns about long-standing disparities in global genomics research, where South Asian populations are grossly underrepresented. As India enters this new frontier, issues of data privacy, informed consent, and community sovereignty are paramount. To fully realise the potential of genomic medicine for all, India needs to establish an inclusive, ethically grounded framework aligned with international benchmarks and culturally responsive governance that prioritises both scientific advancement and social justice.

  Posted on May 02, 2025 in Health & Medicine, Genetics, Science, Research & Interdisciplinarity

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• Sowing the seeds of innovation — The precision agriculture initiative

  

  India's agritech sector shows significant promise, with initiatives like the BeST (Bengaluru Science and Technology) cluster's agritech program leading the way. As new technologies and sustainable practices emerge, the landscape offers vast potential for improving farm productivity, resource efficiency, and farmer incomes.

  Posted on Aug 23, 2024 in Agriculture, Other, Science, Policy, Research & Interdisciplinarity

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• One Health Bengaluru: A united approach to tackle health and environmental concerns

  

  One Health Bengaluru Initiative, led by the Bengaluru Science and Technology Cluster (BeST), aims to minimise the spread of infectious diseases and benefit the environment by collaborating across several organisations. This multi-sectoral approach will help policymakers make informed decisions to control the spread of diseases and tackle environmental challenges. This article explores how the One Health approach paves the way for a healthier future.

  Posted on Jun 28, 2024 in Science, Policy, Research & Entrepreneurship

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• Life (sciences) in context – II: On living ‘becomings’

  

  Are we living ‘beings’? Or are we living ‘becomings’—constantly changing due to life processes occurring across levels of time and space? In the second (and final) part of this article series, Vasudev Menon, an Assistant Professor of Biology and Performing Arts (Theatre) at the Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts, explains the worldview held by a school of philosophers that is central to understand the diversity and dynamicity of our biosphere.

  Posted on Jun 24, 2024 in Science History, Research & Education

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