Columns

• Mapping chaos to order: A scientist’s lessons from disordered proteins

  

  In this Journey of a Young Investigator (JOYI) 2026 article, Ambuja Navalkar, DST-INSPIRE Faculty at the National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune, reflects on her journey from a curiosity-driven child to an independent researcher studying protein disorder and cancer. She shares lessons on interdisciplinary science, mentorship, and navigating uncertainty in academia.

  Posted on Jul 20, 2026 in Other, Science, Networking, Personal Experience & Young Investigators

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• From chaos to order: How the RNA world built the first cell

  

  How did life emerge from a lifeless planet? This article explores the scientific quest to understand abiogenesis, from the formation of organic molecules on early Earth to the RNA World hypothesis and the emergence of protocells. It examines how simple chemistry may have evolved into the first self-replicating living systems.
  

  Posted on Jul 16, 2026 in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology & Research

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• Swimming against the tide: The unlikely academic success of a first-generation science graduate

  

  From a small village in Madhya Pradesh to leading a research group at IISER Pune and an EMBO GIN awardee, Krishanpal Karmodiya's journey reflects resilience, curiosity, and perseverance. His lab investigates how the malaria parasite Plasmodium rapidly adapts to changing environments and drug pressures, offering new insights into disease biology and control.
  

  Posted on Jul 06, 2026 in Health & Medicine & Microbiology

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• The gendered language of pain

  

  Women’s pain is shaped by biology, cultural beliefs, and healthcare systems that have been historically dismissive. A personal discussion of how women feel pain differently, face longer diagnostic delays, and receive poorer care—and why believing women in pain is itself a clinical imperative.
  

  Posted on Jul 03, 2026 in Leadership & Women in Science

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• Dengue and Aedes aegypti – A match made in heaven!

  

  Dengue is more than just a seasonal disease, it is the result of a long evolutionary partnership between viruses, mosquitoes, and humans. This article explores how Aedes aegypti became such an efficient carrier of dengue, the biology behind viral transmission, and why urbanisation continues to fuel its spread across the world.
  

  Posted on Jul 02, 2026 in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology & Research

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• Rethinking ecology through a sociological lens

  

  This article redefines survival beyond biological persistence, examining it through ecological and sociological lenses. Drawing on case studies from India, the authors highlight how power, inequality, and environmental injustice shape survival. It argues for a just, regenerative, and inclusive understanding of survival that prioritises dignity, equity, and long-term ecological sustainability.
  

  Posted on Jun 29, 2026 in Ecology

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• From pigs to patients: Is India’s law ready for animal organs?

  

  From India’s first controversial pig-to-human transplant in 1997 to today’s gene-edited breakthroughs, xenotransplantation is rapidly evolving. Yet, India’s regulatory framework remains fragmented. In this article, Rahul Pallipurath explores scientific advances, ethical concerns, and legal gaps, asking whether India is prepared for the arrival of animal-to-human organ transplants.
  

  Posted on Jun 26, 2026 in Other

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