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.
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 in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Science, Personal Experience & Research
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 in Health & Medicine, Genetics, Science, Research & Interdisciplinarity
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 in Agriculture, Other, Science, Policy, Research & Interdisciplinarity
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.
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.
What is the living world made up of? In a series of two articles, Vasudev Menon, an Assistant Professor of Biology and Performing Arts (Theatre) at the Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts, Pune, contrasts the way two philosophical views answer this question. He opines that understanding these views would help students place what they study in the ‘life sciences’ in context. This article is the first part of the two-part series.