Tag Wise Current Affairs
Tag: Biotechnology
Scientists develop microbial fuel cell to treat textile wastewater
Tags: Biotechnology, Nanotechnology
Published on: 03 February 2019
Nemuri: Scientists identify gene that triggers sleep during sickness
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 04 February 2019
Scientist discover how fungus cripple’s immune system
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 11 February 2019
Antibiotic-resistant NDM-1 gene found in pristine Arctic: Study
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 16 February 2019
Killer T cells can fight all kinds of influenza virus: Study
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 19 February 2019
Government sends expert medical team to assess West Nile Virus in Kerala
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 15 March 2019
Murein EndopeptidiaseK: Scientists discovers new enzyme to break cell walls of bacteria
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 03 April 2019
US withdraws Zika advisory for pregnant woman travelling India
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 02 April 2019
Homo luzonensis: New early human species found in Philippines
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 12 April 2019
Scientists develop new genetic method for wildlife conservation
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 12 April 2019
CSIR launches Genome Sequencing Project to map rural youth
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 20 April 2019
Ganga Water contains antibacterial properties: Study
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 20 April 2019
IIT Researchers identify new method to detect breast, ovarian cancer
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 20 April 2019
Mosquirix: World's biggest anti-malaria vaccine campaign begins in Africa
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 23 April 2019
Anti-microbial protein isolated from milk of Echidnas
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 25 April 2019
ICMR launches MERA India alliance to eliminate malaria
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 26 April 2019
Drug-resistant diseases could kill 10 million a year by 2050: UN Report
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 30 April 2019
ICRISAT hosts multi-nation meet to tackle Fall Army Worm
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 03 May 2019
Genetic study on people of Lakshadweep Islands conducted for first time
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 07 May 2019
Meghalaya launches Aroma Mission to boost medical plant cultivation
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 29 May 2019
Remdesivir: Experimental Ebola drug also cures Nipah virus
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 06 June 2019
Indian scientists develop more potent Anthrax vaccine
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 18 June 2019
Virtual biopsy device developed to non-invasively detect skin tumours
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 18 June 2019
ILS develops antibodies against Chikungunya viral infection
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 24 June 2019
Arogyapacha: Scientists decode genome of miracle plant
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 24 June 2019
NAPRT1: Scientists find new gene linked to schizophrenia
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 05 July 2019
Next Generation Sequencing Facility inaugurated in Hyderabad
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 22 July 2019
SONALI: Jute fibre converted into low-cost bio-degradable cellulose sheets
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 24 July 2019
IISc researchers develop new protein to kill drug-resistant bacteria
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 16 August 2019
India-Specific cancer genome database being developed
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 27 August 2019
Biocatalyst to cut disacharge during leather processing
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 08 September 2019
New Virus inspired technique to deliver drugs to brain
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 13 October 2019
Protein that kills anti-biotic resistant strain of bacteria
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 14 October 2019
Using E.Coli to study cell wall development in bacteria
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 01 December 2019
Bharat biotech set to develop test vaccine for COVID-19
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 04 April 2020
Study lists 69 existing drugs that can target Coronavirus
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 05 April 2020
IISc develops particles to deliver antibodies to cells
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 23 May 2020
Inactivated PiCoVacc vaccine found effective in animal study
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 12 May 2020
Potential Oxford vaccine fails to prevent Coronavirus spread in monkeys
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 20 May 2020
Monoclonal antibodies that block coronavirus infection
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 02 June 2020
Scientists discover antibodies that can block COVID-19
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 19 June 2020
Scientists closer on developing heat tolerant wheat variety
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 05 May 2020
Covid-19 anti-bodies have less effectiveness against new variants
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 08 March 2021
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<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>How Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) works?</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In this fuel cell, carefully selected cohort of bacteria is made to act on the textile wastewater placed in it. These bacteria are isolated from very wastewater they are meant to degrade. </span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">They feed on organic material in water and break it down under anaerobic (without oxygen) conditions, releasing electrons in process. </span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The electrons are collected at anode which results in current in circuit. The bacteria forms biofilm on anode making collection of electrons easy at anode.</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During this entire process, bacteria act on wastewater and purify it and waste is segregated in the cell. For example, dye present in wastewater is broken to simpler form.</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">At present this technology has been tested in 200 litre capacity prototype, which can can generate power of around 1 watt per square-metre.</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Scientists are also incorporating nanotechnology in it, to add nanotech filter to improve process to keep thickness of biofilm within prescribed limit.</span></span></li>
</ul>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'title' => 'Nemuri: Scientists identify gene that triggers sleep during sickness',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Scientists, including one of Indian origin, have identified single gene called <strong>nemuri (a Japanese word for sleep) </strong>that makes person sleepy when they are sick. This gene links sleep to immune system and provides potential explanation for how sleep increases during sickness. It was identified in study of over 12,000 lines of fruit flies. It was found that to extent of infection, stimulated overactive nemuri expressed in small set of fly neurons improves sleep.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Key Findings of Study</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Nemuri gene fights germs with its inherent antimicrobial activity and drives prolonged, deep sleep after infection.<strong>It provides potential explanation for how sleep increases during sickness</strong></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It was found that flies with extra nemuri were better at fighting flu. When they were infected with deadly bacteria, nemuri-boosted flies survived longer than their non-boosted counterparts.</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In response to infection, nemuri gene kill microbes, most likely in peripheral parts of fruit fly body and increased sleep through its action in the brain.</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Abundance of nemuri also helped flies fight infection, thus presents clear connection between this sleep gene and immune system.</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It was also found that flies lacking nemuri gene, were completely unable to manufacture its antimicrobial benefits.</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">However, nemuri gene is not all gene required for sleep or immunity. Without it, flies are still capable of sleeping, albeit more fitfully, and its absence doesn’t impair them in resisting infection.</span></span></li>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'title' => 'Scientist discover how fungus cripple’s immune system',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"quicksand",serif">Scientists have discovered how fungal toxin gliotoxin found in common fungus <em>Aspergillus fumigatus</em> cripples immune defence system and enable potentially fatal infection to develop. This common fungus is found virtually everywhere on Earth. It is commonly found on damp walls or in spores that blow through the air, mattresses and floors etc.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"quicksand",serif">Findings of this study</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"quicksand",serif">Gliotoxin, a potent mycotoxin is responsible for pathogenicity of <em>Aspergillus fumigatus</em>. It has immunosuppressive effect i.e. it weakens activity of <em>Neutrophilic granulocytes </em>cells, which are important immune defence system.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"quicksand",serif">Neutrophilic granulocytes<em> </em>cells<em> </em>represent first line of immune defence system. When these<em> </em>cells are bought into contact with gliotoxin, it releases specific messenger substances <em>leukotrieneB4</em> into blood, which attract other immune cells. Once sufficient large number of immune cells has gathered, they can render intruder harmless.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"quicksand",serif">But in case of Aspergillus fumigatus, Gliotoxin ensures that production of messenger substance in neutrophilic granulocytes is inhibited, so that they are unable to send signal to other immune cells. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"quicksand",serif">This is caused by specific enzyme (LTA4 hydrolase) being switched off by mycotoxin. This interrupts communication between immune cells and destroys defence mechanism. As result, it is easy for spores -- in this case fungusthat enter the organism to infiltrate immune system.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"quicksand",serif">Healthy people are not affected much if spores of this fungus find their way into their body. However, it threatens lives of people with compromised immune system, such as AIDS patients or people who are immunosuppressed following organ transplantation.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'title' => 'Antibiotic-resistant NDM-1 gene found in pristine Arctic: Study',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists have discovered antibiotic resistant (AR) gene NDM-1 (New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1) in pristine high Arctic region (Kongsfjorden region of Svalbard),<strong> </strong>one of the earth’s most remote spots. It highlights further indication of globalisation of antimicrobial resistance (AR). </span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1 (NDM-1)</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is enzyme that makes bacteria resistant to broad range of beta-lactam antibiotics. It includes antibiotics of <em>carbapenem family</em>, which are used for treatment of AR bacterial infections.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Its gene is one member of large gene family that encodes beta-lactamase enzymes called carbapenemases.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Bacteria that produce carbapenemases are often referred as "superbugs" because infections caused by them are difficult to treat. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">NDM-1 was first detected in a Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate from Swedish patient of Indian origin in 2008 in New Delhi, so it is named after it. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Most common bacteria that make this enzyme are <em>gram-negative</em> such as E<em>-coli and Klebsiella pneumonia</em>. Its gene can spread from one strain of bacteria to another by horizontal gene transfer.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Findings of Study</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It was detected in five out of the eight clusters studied. It was present in highest concentrations near fresh water sources where wildlife tends to congregate.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Robust presence of blaNDM-1 comparatively localised in Kongsfjorden <strong>pose no health threat</strong>, but its detection reinforces how rapidly AR can globalise. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Additionally, levels of <strong><em>mobile genetic elements (MGEs)</em>,</strong> a mechanism by which bacteria trade AR, to mirror NDM-1 was also discovered. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">MGEs are noteworthy in this region because they are often associated with acquired resistance and are found at higher levels in human, or animal waste-impacted environments.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">AR in essence is natural phenomenon as most antibiotics are produced by soil microorganisms and over time they have evolved to become resistant to the compounds which they excrete to survive.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Reasons for spread of superbug: </span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Involvement of migratory birds is considered as prime reason. Birds might have carried resistance in their gut and transfered it to Arctic soil through faecal matter.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">However, it is also possible that it may have migrated with humans also and spread via local wildlife, or it may be combination of factors.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'id' => (int) 202,
'title' => 'Killer T cells can fight all kinds of influenza virus: Study',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists have discovered that some killer T cells (immune cells) could fight all kinds of influenza virus. These Killer T cells can provide unprecedented immunity across all flu viruses and could help in producing one-shot universal influenca vaccine.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Killer T cells </span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">They are type of white blood cell that roams body scanning for abnormalities and infections. They are essential for human immunity against host of invading bacteria and viruses. They are found in over half the world's population.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Need for universal vaccine</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">According to World Health Organization, (WHO) influenza epidemics, largely seasonal, kill hundreds of thousands of people each year.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Influenza virus are vastly diverse and keep mutating continuously and evade immune system. This makes it nearly impossible to predict and vaccinate against mutating strains of influenza virus.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">New Discovery</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">For this discovery, scientists had used <strong>mass spectrometry</strong>—a scanning technique that helps separate molecules based on their mas to identify parts of virus that are shared across all flu strains. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Human lung tissue and in mice were conducted by injnecting peptides which activated killer T cells. Peptide responsible for activating killer T cells revealed remarkably reduced levels of flu virus and inflammation in the airways.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It was found that killer T cells could effectively fight variations of influenza A, B and C, providing unprecedented immunity across all flu viruses. </span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Thus, T cells can be potentially used to develop all-encompassing flu shot that did not need to be changed annually.</span></span></p>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'title' => 'Government sends expert medical team to assess West Nile Virus in Kerala',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has sent special medical team of National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to Malappuram district of Kerala from where confirmed case of West Nile Virus (WNV) fever was reported. It also has alerted apex research organization Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for keeping close watch at central and state level.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">West Nile Virus (WNV)</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is viral infection which is typically spread by mosquitoes bites and can cause neurological disease as well as death in people. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is member of flavivirus genus and belongs to Japanese encephalitis antigenic complex of the family Flaviviridae. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It was first detected in a woman in West Nile district of Uganda in 1937. It was later identified in birds (crows and columbiformes) in Nile delta region in 1953 are its natural hosts. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is commonly found in Africa, Middle East (West Asia), Europe and North America. Its largest were recorded in Greece, Israel, Romania, Russia and USA.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Presence in India</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">In India, it is prevalent in Gujarat, Rajasthan and South Indian states</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Previous confirmed cases of WNV infections were reported from Vellore (Tamil Nadu) and Kolar (Karnataka) districts during 1977, 1978 and 1981 outbreaks.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">In 2011, during outbreak of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Kerala, presence of WNV was also confirmed in clinical specimens.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Transmission</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is transmitted to humans through infected mosquito bites. Mosquitoes become infected with it when they feed on infected birds (natural hosts), which circulate virus in their blood. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It may also be transmitted through contact with other infected animals, their blood or other tissues. Once person gets infected, the virus multiplies fast.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">No human-to-human transmission of this virus through casual contact has been reported.</span></strong></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">But, very few small proportion of human infection cases have been reported through blood transfusions, organ transplant and breast milk feeding. One case of mother to child transmission (transplacental) also has been reported.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Symptoms </span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The infection is either has no symptoms (asymptomatic) or can result in West Nile fever or severe West Nile disease. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">People infected with it suffer from fever, headache, fatigue, body aches, nausea, vomiting, occasionally with skin rash and swollen lymph glands.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">In case of severe West Nile disease: </span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is also called neuroinvasive disease, such as West Nile poliomyelitis or West Nile encephalitis or meningitis. In this case, patient suffers from headache, high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, stupor, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis. </span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Treatment of West Nile Virus</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">There is no vaccine available for humans against this virus. Moreover, there is also no definite treatment of disease. Its treatment is mainly with fluids and supportive care. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is diagnosed with blood igm levels and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Its prevention can be done by preventing mosquito bite, using repellents and wearing full sleeves. </span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Drug maker Laurus Labs has entered into strategic partnership agreement with The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. It is three-and-a-half-year pact that will fetch company volume commitments from fund for treatment of HIV/AIDS. </span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"> </p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Under this pact, Laurus Labs has also received and executed order for the Global Fund in February 2019 that involved supplies of its fixed dose combination (FDC) drug Tenofovir/Lamivudine/Dolutegravir (TLD) to high disease-burden countries in sub Saharan African region. </span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"> </p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is international financing organization that aims to attract, leverage and invest additional resources to end epidemics of HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria to support attainment of SDG established by UN.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is public-private partnership organization i.e. operates in partnership model between governments, civil society, private sector and people to accelerate end of three diseases.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is world's largest financier of AIDS, TB, and malaria prevention, treatment, and care programs. It was started in January 2002. It maintains its secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is financing mechanism rather than an implementing agency. Programs are implemented by in-country partners such as ministries of health, while Global Fund secretariat monitoring programs.</span></span></span></li>
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'title' => 'Murein EndopeptidiaseK: Scientists discovers new enzyme to break cell walls of bacteria',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Researchers from Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) have discovered new enzyme "Murein EndopeptidiaseK" which can break cell walls of bacteria. It was discovered while they were studying cell growth in bacteria. This discovery offers potential for new drug delivery route to arrest anti-bacterial resistance to existing antibiotic drugs.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Key Findings of this research</span></strong></span></span></p>
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<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It identified principal process in cell which governs synthesis machinery to build cell wall in the first place. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">With this identification, they discovered new mechanism (enzyme) through which the cell regulates growth of its cell wall which is fundamental for bacterial growth and division.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The discovered enzyme can act on protein of cell wall in Escherichia coli (E. coli) that can be potential drug target.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The main focus of this research was blocking this enzyme from functioning, resulting in new ways to target microbes and leading to new wave of antibiotic drugs that may play a crucial role in the battle against antimicrobial resistance.</span></span></span></li>
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<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB)</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is premier biotechnology research establishment under aegis of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. It is located in Hyderabad, Telagana.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Its objectives are to conduct high quality basic research and training in frontier areas of modern biology. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It also promotes centralized national facilities for new and modern techniques in the inter-disciplinary areas of biology.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It has been designated "Center of Excellence" by the Global Molecular and Cell Biology Network, UNESCO. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">India's national biosafety level – 4 containment facility for human infectious diseases is located on campus of CCMB.</span></span></span></li>
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'title' => 'US withdraws Zika advisory for pregnant woman travelling India',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">United States (US) health monitor- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has withdrawn its Zika travel advisory against pregnant women travelling to India. It also has changed India’s status from “ongoing outbreak” of Zika virus to “current or past transmission but no current outbreak”. This comes after strong rebuttal from Government of India. </span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Background</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">US-CDC had issued Zika travel advisory against pregnant women travelling to India in December 2018 after outbreak of Zika virus was reported in India especially in Rajasthan and surrounding states. It was level 2 alert (of the three level alert), which required travelers enhanced protection. The advisory had refrained pegnant women to avoid travelling to areas with risk of Zika as it can cause serious birth defects.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Between September and November 2018, India witnessed Zika virus disease outbreaks in Jaipur in Rajasthan as well as Bhopal and its neighbouring districts in Madhya Pradesh. More than 150 cases were reported. However since end November 2018, no fresh cases of Zika virus disease were reported from both the states.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Zika virus</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is mosquito-borne virus transmitted by day time active Aedes aegypti mosquitoes which also transmit three other vector-borne diseases Chikungunya, dengue and yellow fever.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It belongs to family Flaviviridae and Genus Flavivirus. It is related to dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis and West Nile viruses.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It derives its name from Zika Forest, Uganda, where it was first identified in 1947. Now it is emerging disease and has been reported by 86 countries worldwide.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Transmission:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> It is transmitted by infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. It can also spread through sexual contact and blood transfusion.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Symptoms:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> Its initial symptoms are similar to other viral infections such as dengue, and includes fever, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, skin rashes, malaise, and headache.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">However, its long term threats are more severe especially if pregnant women are infected with it. They may give birth to babies with serious birth defects or severe brain damage i.e. neurological disorders or foetal deformation known as Microcephaly in which infants are born with abnormally smaller heads.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Besides it may also reportedly cause Guillain-Barré syndrome, a condition in which body’s immune system attacks part of the nervous system.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Treatment and Prevention:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> There is no specific vaccine or treatment currently available to treat it. Protection against mosquito bites and clearing stagnant water where mosquitoes breed is best form of prevention.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Latest Outbreaks:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> In 2015 and 2016 it was first reported in Brazil and later spread to other countries in South/Latin America, Central America, North America and Caribbean.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists have discovered new species of ancient human during excavations in Callao Cave in Luzon island, Philippines. It is named Homo luzonensis and is dated to 67,000 years BC (Late Pleistocene period). This discovery claims finding to be the ‘earliest direct evidence of human presence in the Philippines’.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Excavation Findings </span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Presence of two adults and one child based on findings of seven teeth, two hand bones, three foot bones and one thigh bone was found during exactions.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The fossils suggest that this species was less than 4 ft tall. It makes shorter than earlier discovered another ancient species called Homo floresiensis, sometimes called the “hobbit”.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The curved toe bone of this species found during excavation, closely resembling anatomy of Australopithecus, which is known to have been existing in Africa about 2-3 million years ago. </span></span></span></span></li>
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<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Significance of newest discovery </span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">These newly discovered specimens display combination of primitive and derived morphological features which are different from combination of features found in other species in genus Homo (including Homo floresiensis and Homo sapiens) and warrants their attribution to a new species.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It challenges fairly straightforward idea of human evolution. The traditional narrative suggests that homo sapiens evolved from ancient species of homo erectus in Africa and dispersed from there around 50,000 years ago. With new finding, it becomes clear that homo sapiens were definitely coexisting with other human species in other parts of the globe.</span></span></span></span></p>
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'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists from Stanford University and National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru have developed new method for extracting genetic information for wildlife conservation. It can extract genetic clues quickly and cheaply from degraded and left-behind materials, such as feces, skin or saliva, and from food products suspected of containing endangered animals<strong>. </strong>It has potential to revolutionize conservation approaches and policies worldwide in quicker, easier and cost-effective way. </span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">New Genetic method</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">This new method relies on identifying multiple, short portions of DNA segments in single experiment (‘multiplex PCR’) followed by next-generation sequencing, in which multiple fragments of DNA can be decoded simultaneously, and several times, in automated process.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Test </span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It was tested on Caribbean queen conches and tigers, two extremely different species that had strong conservation needs. </span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">DNA was obtained from faeces, hair and saliva of 75 wild and captive tigers to identify individuals and close relatives and RNA from 279 queen conch samples. </span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Using this method between 60 to 100 single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs was decoded. Besides, geographic regions of these individuals belonged to was able to decode using this information. </span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Significance </span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It can be used for deriving genetic information from animal sources containing extremely low-quality DNA — including faeces and cooked meat.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It can be also used for animal monitoring and to obtain intelligence on wildlife trade.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is cost effective, as testing several hundred samples simultaneously and decoding up to 1000 SNPs per sample using it cost as low as $5.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It takes just five days to decode genetic information, whereas older methods take at least a month.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists from China have implanted <strong>Microcephalin (MCPH1) </strong>human brain genes<strong> </strong>into 11 rhesus monkeys, in study on evolution of human intelligence. MCPH1 is Protein Coding gene that scientists believe plays a role in the development of the human brain. It is believed to be playing key role in development of the human brain. Certain mutations in MCPH1, when homozygous, cause primary microcephaly (a severely diminished or smaller brain). </span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Findings of Study</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists found Monkeys’ brains like those of humans took longer to develop. These monkeys performed better in tests of short-term memory as well as reaction time compared to wild monkeys. However, monkeys did not grow bigger brains than control group.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Ethical Cocerns</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">This human brain genes inducing test in monkeys is latest in series of genetic experiments conducted in China that have fuelled medical ethics debates. This study has already drawn ethical concerns and comparisons with dystopian sci-fi movie Planet of the Apes. China was first country in the world to create monkeys altered with gene-editing tool CRISPR.</span></span></span></span></p>
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'title' => 'Display information on 7 common antibiotics: CDSO',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has asked manufacturers to inform general public on adverse reactions from some commonly-used antibiotics.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">This comes after Union Health Ministry’s pharmaceutical watchdog-National Co-ordination Centre of Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI), raised alert on adverse reactions that were being reported from <strong>7 commonly-used antibiotics</strong>. They are: <em>Cefotaxime, Ofloxacin, Quetiapine, Cefixime, Tranexamic Acid, Sulfasalazine and Sodium Valproate</em>.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">CDSCO has written to drug manufacturers mandating them to mention in leaflets inserted into drug packets or on promotional literature, information about adverse reactions of these medicines.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"><img alt="" src="http://www.mediafire.com/view/v99gk52p5l4fqol/CDSO_7_Antibiotics.png/file" /></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Pharmacovigilance Program of India (PvPI)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It was launched in 2010 by Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), New Delhi, under aegis of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. </span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Its objective is to monitor adverse drug reactions (ADRs) among Indian population. It also helps regulatory authority of India viz. CDSCO in taking decision for safe use of medicines. </span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">National Co-ordination Centre of Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (NCC-PvPI)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is Union Health Ministry’s pharmaceutical watchdog. It had launched WHO Collaborating Centre for Pharmacovigilance in Public Health Programmes and Regulatory Services in 2017.</span></span></span></span></p>
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'title' => 'CSIR launches Genome Sequencing Project to map rural youth',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has launched indigenous genetic mapping project of nearly 1,000 rural youth from length and breadth of the country. The project is aimed at educating students on “usefulness” of genomics and to determine unique genetic traits of citizens and their susceptibility (and resilience) to disease. This is the first time that such large sample of Indians will be recruited for detailed genome sequencing study. It will prove India’s capabilities at executing whole-genome sequencing</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Genome Sequencing Project</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The genome sequencing project will be done at CSIR laboratories namely Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyerabad and Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB).</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Methodology: </span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The genomes will be sequenced based on blood samples. Every person whose genomes are sequenced will be given a report. The participants will be told if they carry gene variants that make them less responsive to certain classes of medicines.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Genome</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is complete set of organism’s Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid (DNA) i.e. genetic blueprint of oraganis. Each genome contains all of information needed to build and maintain that organism. Human genome has about 3.2 billion base pairs. </span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Genome sequencing</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">: It is process of determining exact order of base pairs in segment of DNA. It helps in linking disease and unique genetic make-up of each individual. Globally, many countries have undertaken genome sequencing of a sample of their citizens to determine unique genetic traits, susceptibility (and resilience) to disease.</span></span></span></p>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'title' => 'Ganga Water contains antibacterial properties: Study',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">According to study ‘Assessment of Water Quality and Sediment to Understand Special Properties of River Ganga,’ water of Ganga river contains significantly higher proportion of organisms with antibacterial properties.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">About Study</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It was commissioned by Union Water Resources Ministry. It was conducted by Nagpur-based National Environmental Engineering and Research Institute (NEERI), a CSIR lab. </span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Its objective was to probe “unique properties” of Ganga River. It had assessed water quality for ‘radiological, microbiological and biological’ parameters in Bhagirathi, a feeder river of Ganga and along its stretch at 20 sampling stations.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">During this study, five pathogenic species of bacteria (Escherichia, Salmonella, Enterobacter, Shigella, Vibrio) were selected and isolated from Ganga, Yamuna and Narmada Rivers and their numbers were compared with <strong>bacteriophages.</strong></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Bacteriophages:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> It literally means bacteria eater. It is type of virus that destroys bacteria. It is composed of nucleic acid molecule that is surrounded by protein structure. Bacteriophage attaches itself to susceptible bacterium and destroys their host cell.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Findings of the study</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Ganga river water particularly in its upper Himalayan stretches contains significantly higher proportion of organisms with antibacterial properties as compared to other Indian rivers. These bacteriophages have great potential as antibacterial pharmaceutical. The water of this holy water contains almost 1,100 kinds of bacteriophage isolated from Mana to Haridwar, and Bijnor to Varanasi. It is approximately three times more in proportion than bacterial isolated in other rivers. This scientific perspective supports the mysterious claim that Ganga water possesses self-cleansing and healing properties has to do ‘antibacterial’ elements. </span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Previous Similar Studies</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">In 1890s, British bacteriologist Ernest Hankin had studied bacterial properties of River Ganga and had found that colonies of cholera bacteria thrived in tapped water quickly died in Ganges water. He used boiled Ganges water and filtered Ganges water in his experiment and established that while filtered water continued to show antibacterial effect and the boiled water did not. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists from IIT Roorkee had isolated super-phage from water of Ganga River and decoded its lysine gene and had cloned it to produce lysine protein having great potential as an antibacterial pharmaceutical.</span></span></span></li>
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'title' => 'IIT Researchers identify new method to detect breast, ovarian cancer',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Researchers from Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee have developed new salvia based non-invasive method to detect breast and ovarian cancer. This method uses certain proteins present in saliva which act as potential biomarker indicative of breast and ovarian cancer metastasis.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">New Method</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is based on conception that certain proteins present in saliva that could act as salivary biomarkers in diagnosis of breast and ovarian cancers. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Researchers had identified total of 646 proteins, of which 409 proteins were confidently identified across all four groups. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">In addition to 409 identified proteins, 352 proteins were common in all blood groups, while 57 were either present or absent exclusively in one group or common in any two/three blood groups.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It can be also used in patients who have undergone three cycles of chemotherapy, salivary proteins can also act as indicator of patients’ response to chemotherapy.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Background</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Breast and ovarian cancers are two of the worst forms of cancer, which are responsible for approximately one third of all cancers that occur in women and one fifth of all cancer related deaths worldwide. Their early detection has been difficult using traditional methods such as mammography, blood flow patterns by colour flow Doppler imaging and trans-vaginal ultrasound examination. This was mainly due to high diagnostic costs and radiation exposure because of heterogeneous and symptomatic nature of breast and ovarian cancers.</span></span></span></p>
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'title' => 'Mosquirix: World's biggest anti-malaria vaccine campaign begins in Africa',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The world’s first biggest anti-malaria vaccine (Mosquirix) campaign has started in three African countries. Malawi was the first country to begin use this vaccine as part of routine childhood immunization programs and will be followed by Ghana and Kenya.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Anti-malaria vaccine campaign</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Under it around 360,000 children less that year old in three African countries will be vaccinated with anti-malaria drug as part of pilot project to help reduce the incidence of the deadly disease. The pilot project which will run until 2022.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Mosquirix </span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is recombinant protein-based malaria vaccine. It is scientifically known as <strong>RTS,S</strong> and trade name is Mosquirix.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It has been developed by British Pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline in partnership with PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is the <strong><em>world's first licensed malaria vaccine</em></strong> and also <strong><em>first vaccine licensed for use against human parasitic disease of any kind</em></strong>. It was approved for use by European regulators in July 2015.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It triggers immune system to defend against first stages of infectious disease shortly after malaria parasite enters bloodstream through mosquito bite.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Previous Trails:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> Mosquirix vaccine has already been tested on 15, 000 people in smaller clinical trials in 7 countries. The clinical trials had taken place in span of five years revealed that malaria cases had reduced by 40% mostly among babies of 5 to 7 month old. According to World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 40% efficacy this vaccine is not high in comparison with vaccines for other diseases, but it will add to the preventative measures, such as insecticides and bed nets already being used.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Malaria </span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is transmitted by female Anopheles mosquito. It is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa. In severe cases. It can cause seizures, coma or death. Children are particularly vulnerable to this vector borne disease and every year, around 250,000 youngsters die because of it.</span></span></span></p>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'title' => 'Anti-microbial protein isolated from milk of Echidnas',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists from Council of Scientific & Industrial Research - Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB) here have isolated anti-microbial protein found in milk of Echidnas, an egg-laying mammal. The isolation of this protein promises to serve as alternative to antibiotics used on livestock. The protein is effective against mastitis-causing bacteria in livestock.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Key Facts</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Echidnas, also known as spiny anteaters. They are unique egg-laying mammals found only in Australia and New Guinea. Their young hatch from eggs at very early stage of development and depend completely on mother’s milk. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Echidnas’ mammary glands are devoid of nipples, which forces young ones to lick milk from mother’s body surface and potentially making them vulnerable to micro-organisms.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">However, milk of echidna has protein that can puncture cell membranes of multiple bacterial species, thus destroying source of infection. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Significance:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> Discovery of this protein gives novel approach to fight infectious diseases taking clues from nature. It also assumes significance in emerging scenario of increased infectious disease burden and resistance to current treatments</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">There are ways to produce protein in large quantities using E. coli. It can use as anti-microbial to fight rise of superbugs due to indiscriminate use of antibiotics in animal husbandry industry to raise livestock. The superbugs can cause mastitis, an infection of the mammary gland, in dairy animals.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Note: <em>Echidnas and Platypus are the only egg-laying mammals. They are known as Monotremes.</em></span></strong></span></span></p>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'title' => 'ICMR launches MERA India alliance to eliminate malaria',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has launched Malaria Elimination Research Alliance (MERA) India to plan and scale up research to eliminate Malaria from India by 2030. It is conglomeration of partners working on malaria control. It was launched on the occasion of the World Malaria Day 2019 (observed on April 25).</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">MERA India alliance</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Its objective is to prioritise, plan, conduct, and scale up research in coordinated way to have tangible impact on population who are at risk of malaria.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It will facilitate trans-institutional coordination and collaboration around a collaborative research agenda.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It will not duplicate international efforts to eliminate Malaria rather complement the efforts on a national scale. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It will provide common platform to conglomeration of partner organisations working on malaria control and shared research agenda and resources.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Background</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">India has made impressive progress in malaria control in the recent years. The malaria burden in India declined by over 80% from 2.03 million cases in 2000 to 0.39 million in 2018. Deaths by malaria also declined by over 90% from 932 deaths in 2000 to 85 in 2018. National Vector Borne Diseases Control Program (NVBDCP) has developed comprehensive framework to achieve "Malaria free India by 2030". Its National Strategic Plan recognises critical role of research to support and guide malaria elimination efforts.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is India’s apex scientific body for formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It functions under Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It is headquartered in New Delhi.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It was established as Indian Research Fund Association (IRFA) in 1911, making it one of the oldest and largest medical research bodies in the world. </span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'title' => 'Centre to fund cell-based meat research project',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Union Department of Biotechnology has decided to fund Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and National Research Centre on Meat (NRCM) for <strong>research on cell-based meat</strong>.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Purpose of Funding </span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">This funding has been given to develop technology to take laboratory cell culture process to cell-based meat production which can be scalable. This funding is one of the major initiatives by any government body across the world and much needed encouragement for other agencies and industry to participate. It will go long way in putting India on map of technologically advanced countries for cellular agriculture.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Cell-based meat</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is also called <em>clean meat or cultured meat</em>. It is nutritionally equivalent to conventional animal meat and tastes, smells, looks and feels exactly the same. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Its only difference is in method of production. Cell-based meat is produced through cellular agriculture, wherein cells are sourced from animal and cultivated into meat, rather than conventional method of raising and slaughtering animals for meat.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Significance:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> This new method of producing meat shows strong promise of revolutionizing existing food system in terms of tackling much needed pressing global issues such as food security, environmental sustainability and animal welfare.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Its proponents claim that it is healthier for planet as it reduces land and water usage, as well as for consumers. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Moreover, it could potentially do away with need for modern factory-farming and issues such as animal cruelty, salmonella and e-coli infections and antibiotic-laced meat.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Background</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Cell-based meat and other cellular agriculture products represent new global food system that is better for people and planet. Government across world including in Japan, Netherlands, Israel etc. have already started clean investing and funding cell-based meat companies. Besides, regulatory authorities of countries like US are deliberating on the path to market these products. These efforts reflect potential of clean meat sector to provide future generations with sustainable nutrition.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">India and Clean Meat efforts</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">In 2018, Atal Incubation Centre at CCMB had partnered with HSI/India, one of the largest animal protection organisations in the country, to promote and develop the clean meat sector. It has been working closely with GFI, a global expert organisation that advances research and commercialisation of plant-based and clean meat sector. It provides input and support to entrepreneurs, regulators, scientists and others.</span></span></span></p>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'title' => 'Drug-resistant diseases could kill 10 million a year by 2050: UN Report',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">United Nations Ad Hoc Interagency Coordinating Group on Antimicrobial Resistance report has warned that drug-resistant diseases could cause 10 million deaths each year by 2050. It added that by 2030, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could force up to 24 million people into extreme poverty.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Report Highlights</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">At present, at least 7,00,000 people die each year due to drug-resistant diseases, including 2,30,000 people die from multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">More and more common diseases, including respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted infections are becoming untreatable.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It also noted that lifesaving medical procedures are also becoming riskier, and food systems are getting increasingly precarious.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">The world is already feeling economic and health consequences of antimicrobial resistance as crucial medicines become ineffective.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Without investment from countries in all income brackets, future generations will face disastrous impacts of uncontrolled antimicrobial resistance.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Recommendations: </span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">(i) Countries should prioritise national action plans to scale-up financing and capacity-building efforts, (ii) Countries put in place stronger regulatory systems and support awareness programs for responsible and prudent use of antimicrobials by professionals in human, animal and plant health (iv) Investing in ambitious R&D for new technologies to combat antimicrobial resistance.</span></span></span></li>
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'title' => 'ICRISAT hosts multi-nation meet to tackle Fall Army Worm',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) hosted multi-nation workshop on ‘Fall Armyworm management in Asia’ in Hyderabad, Telangana. It was aimed at understanding challenges and find solutions to tackle the rapidly growing problem of Fall Armyworm (FAW). It was attended by representatives from Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, India and some other South and South-East Asian countries.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">What is Fall Armyworm (FAW)?</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is <strong>lepidopteran pest</strong> that feeds in large numbers on stems and leaves of more than 80 plant species. It causes extensive damage to crops such as maize, rice, sorghum and sugarcane. It also attacks vegetable crops and cotton.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is scientifically known as <strong><em>Spodoptera frugiperda</em></strong>. The female moth of FAW lays eggs and caterpillars hatching from these eat parts of host crop plants, before pupating and turning into new moths.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">The adult moth of FAW migrates very fast — almost 100 km every night and nearly 500 km before laying eggs. It can, therefore, invade new areas quickly. </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Also, each female moth is capable of laying 1,500 eggs on average, thus it outbreak has catastrophic impact on crops.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It was first reported in 2016 in West Africa. It was detected mainly in maize fields. Since then it has quickly assumed epidemic proportions and spread to over 44 African countries. </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">In India, it was first reported in Karnataka and also parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Gujarat.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is international non-profit organization which conducts agricultural research for rural development in the semi-arid tropics (SAT) region. It was established in 1972 by consortium of organisations convened by the Ford and the Rockefeller foundations. It is headquatered in Hyderabad, Telangana. Its charter was signed by FAO and UNDP. It performs crop improvement research on the following crops: Pigeonpea, Chickpea, Pearl millet, Groundnut, Sorghum, Finger Millet and Small millets.</span></span></span></p>
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'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Scientists from CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) for first time have conducted genetic study on people of Lakshadweep Islands. </span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">About Study </span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Scientists had analyzed DNA samples of 557 individuals from eight major islands for mitochondrial DNA and 166 individuals for Y chromosome markers. They studied the major islands of Andorth, Agatti, Chetlat, Bitra, Kalpeni, Kadmat,Kiltan and Minicoy of Lakshadweep.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Findings of this genetic study </span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Majority of human ancestry in Lakshadweep is largely derived from South Asia with minor influences from East and West Eurasia.<strong> </strong>There is close genetic link of Lakshadweep islanders with people from Maldives, Sri Lanka and India.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">There was no evidence of early human migration through the Lakshadweep islands. There is strong founder effect for both paternal and maternal lineages which is sign that the island population had limited genetic mixing.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It defies earlier presumption that Lakshadweep Islands might have presence of genetic signatures of ancient people such as Andamanese and Australian aboriginals. However, still the genetic composition of first human settlement on Lakshadweep is not clear. </span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Lakshadweep Islands</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is archipelago of 36 islands in Laccadive Sea, scattered over approximately 78,000 square km of Arabian Sea. These islands are located 200-440 kms off the south-western coast of India. Its main islands are Kavaratti, Agatti, Minicoy, and Amini. Minicoy Island is separated from rest of Lakshadweep by Nine Degree Channel, whereas entire group of Lakshadweep islands are separated from Maldives by Eight Degree Channel. It is Union Territory and governed directly by Union Government. Its all islands form a single Indian district and smallest Union Territory of India. Kavaratti is its capital. It comes under jurisdiction of Kerala High Court. </span></span></span></span></p>
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'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Researchers from Mumbai based Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) have found a novel function for serotonin, a chemical that signals between neurons. They found that serotonin is involved in generation of new mitochondria (powerhouse of the cell) in neurons and increased cellular respiration and fuel (ATP) in the cell.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">About Serotonin</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is also known by chemical name as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). It is monoamine neurotransmitter i.e. it is chemical that sends signals between neurons. It plays important role in coping with stress at the level of organism.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Medical applications of new Functions</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Serotonin’s newly indentified function of generation of new mitochondria and cellular ATP has been studied in mice and rats. If it is found to be true in humans, it opens way for important medical applications especially in neurological disorders. It could be used to prevent neuronal loss (major cause of neurodegenerative diseases such as in Alzheimer and Parkinson) and mitochondrial abnormalities (cause or contribute to neuronal death).</span></span></span></span></p>
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'title' => 'ICMR develops cheap diagnostic test for Haemophilia A',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)’s National Institute of Immunohaematology, Mumbai, has developed cost-effective Point-of-Care (POC) diagnostic test for severe Haemophilia A and Von Willebrand Disease (VWD). It is claimed to be world’s first POC test for specific diagnosis of any common bleeding disorder.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">POC diagnostic test</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">This newly developed rapid test kit can be used for diagnosis of undiagnosed patients/menorrhagia cases/post-partum haemorrhage (PPH), gynaecological complications with bleeding history, recovery of factors in the transfused Haemophilia A patients and also for differential diagnosis of both the diseases. With help of it, diagnosis can be done within 30 minutes of blood sample collection. The working cost of these kits is less than </span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Rs. </span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">50 in comparison to existing conventional test for the diseases that costs around </span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Rs. 4,000 to 1,0000. </span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Haemophilia A and Von Willebrand Disease (VWD) are commonest among bleeding disorders. VWD is a genetic disorder caused by missing or defective Von Willebrand factor (VWF), a clotting protein. Whereas Haemophilia is hereditary bleeding disorder, in which person lacks, or has low levels of proteins called ‘clotting factors’ and the blood does not clot properly as result.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Patients with severe Haemophilia A or VWD can have life threatening spontaneous or post-traumatic bleeding like brain haemorrhage and gastrointestinal bleeding or they may have bleeding into joints or superficial bleeding from the nose or gums. </span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">As per health data, incidence of Haemophilia A is 1 per 10,000 male births and that of vWD is around 1</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">% </span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">of the general population. In India, there are around roughly 80,000-1,00,000 severe haemophilia cases. Lack of awareness, lack of diagnostic facilities, high cost of tests are some of the factors for the underdiagnosis of bleeding disorders in the country.</span></span></span></span></p>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'title' => 'DBT, DAE ink MoU for collaboration on Cancer Research',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under Union Ministry of Science and Technology and Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) have signed MOU for supporting joint collaborative research programmes in the area of Cancer. It will enable both government department to work for common goal of tackling cancer and bring a quantum change in the present scenario of cancer research. DAE is represented by its Tata Memorial Centre, which also functions as coordinating centre on behalf of The National Cancer Grid of India.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Features of MoU</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It will help to strengthen various initiatives specifically for cancer viz. strategizing and prioritizing cancer research, development of new and affordable technologies, jointly design and fund clinical trials.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It will also help to coordinate and collaborate for translational research, interventions, training of manpower and infrastructure development. </span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It will enable clinicians and researchers to work in coherence to identify and develop collaborative research programmes and public health initiatives for awareness of the public at large. </span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Under it, various activities like joint clinical fellowships, intensive workshops on clinical research methodologies and protocol development will be undertaken.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It will seek to create community of trained manpower and provide platform to utilize their acquired skills in the best possible manner.</span></span></span></span></li>
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'title' => 'Meghalaya launches Aroma Mission to boost medical plant cultivation',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Meghalaya Government has launched <strong>Aroma Mission</strong> to boost the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). As part of it, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma inaugurated a processing unit of essential oils. In this regard, memorandum of agreement (MoA) was also signed between Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) and Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA) for collaborative work on medicinal and aromatic plants. </span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Aroma Mission</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Under it farmers will be encourage to cultivate medicinal and aromatic plantations especially in vast stretches of wastelands. It will help in strengthening livelihood condition of farmers and create employment opportunities in the state. </span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">For it, state government has sanctioned Rs 18-crore. It will ensure that agriculture and allied sectors get due importance and the farmers their benefits. It will enable people in state who have used medicinal and aromatic plants for generations to cure various ailments and diseases to share their knowledge with the rest of the world.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">To begin with lemon grass and citronella plant cultivation will be taken up on 50-acre plots in every district of the state. Depending on response of farmers, State Government will decide whether to expand area of cultivation for citronella and lemon grass.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is frontier plant research laboratory of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). It is engaged in the field of science and business of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). It also steers multidisciplinary high quality research in chemical and biological sciences and extends technologies and services to farmers and entrepreneurs of MAPs.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It was established in 1959 as Central Indian Medicinal Plants Organisation (CIMPO). It is headquartered in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. It has four research centers situated in Hyderabad, Pantnagar, Bangalore and Purara (near Bageshwar, Uttarakhand). </span></span></span></span></p>
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'title' => 'Remdesivir: Experimental Ebola drug also cures Nipah virus',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Scientists have reported that Remdesivir, an experimental drug used for treatment for Ebola virus has protected monkeys against infection with Nipah virus for which there is no approved vaccine or cure.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Recent Findings</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">In recent study it was found that this drug is effective against Nipah virus, a lethal disease and emerging pandemic threat for which there is no approved vaccine or cure. In this new study trial, eight African green monkeys were given lethal doses of Nipah virus. Half of them later got intravenous Remdesivir and all four monkeys receiving this drug survived and the four that did not died within eight days.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">About Remdesivir </span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is an antiviral drug. It is also known as GS-5734. It is novel nucleotide analog prodrug, which was developed by Gilead Sciences as treatment for Ebola virus. It is found to be effective against both Ebola virus and Nipah virus. It also has shown some effectiveness against two other pandemic threats: MERS coronavirus and Lassa fever. It is also effective against Respiratory Syncytial virus, which infects children all over the world.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Significance</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">If the drug gets regulatory approval for use against Nipah virus, it will help extra treatment that could be used relatively quickly. The only current treatment for Nipah virus infection is monoclonal antibody that is still experimental and it was tested during Nipah outbreak in Kerala in 2018.</span></span></span></span></p>
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'title' => 'Indian scientists develop more potent Anthrax vaccine',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Group of Indian scientists have developed new vaccine against anthrax. It is claimed to be superior over existing anti-anthrax vaccines as it can generate immune response to anthrax toxin as well as its spores rather than the toxin alone.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Anthrax</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is a deadly human disease caused by <strong>bacterium Bacillus anthracis</strong>. This bacterium is found naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals around the world. </span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Spores of this bacterium are present in soil and can stay in latent form for years. However, under favourable environmental conditions, these spores become active and start to infect. </span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Often, animals pick up spores while grazing, following which spores germinate in their body and produce toxins.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It mainly infects animals like horses, sheep, cattle and goats. Humans, pigs and dogs are comparatively less susceptible and only get infected if exposed to copious amount of spores. <strong>It should be noted that Anthrax is not a contagious disease.</strong></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Note:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> In 2001, these spores were used as agents of bio-terrorism when letters containing anthrax spores were sent to some people in US, leading to widespread panic.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Anti-anthrax vaccine</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Anti-anthrax vaccines for are necessary as the infection can cause death within 2-3 days leaving no scope for diagnosis and treatment. </span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">The currently available anti-anthrax vaccines in market generate immune response against Bacillus protein-protective antigen (a protein that helps in transport of bacillus toxins inside the cells). </span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">In this case, immune response is triggered only when spores germinate in body and start producing bacterial proteins. Anyone vaccinated with such vaccine does not show immune response to bacillus spores and only perform once spores germinate and release toxins.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">New Vaccine</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">The new single vaccine is effective against both the toxin and its spores so as to provide complete protection. It is made of two genes: protective antigen protein and protein present in outer layer of spore. </span></span></span></span></p>
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'title' => 'Virtual biopsy device developed to non-invasively detect skin tumours',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Researchers from United States have developed ‘virtual biopsy’ device that can quickly and non-invasively determine whether skin tumour is cancerous and needs to be removed surgically. This first-of-its-kind experimental procedure is called <strong>Vibrational Optical Coherence Tomography (VOCT).</strong></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Currently, physicians perform surgical biopsies often do not know the extent of lesion and whether it it is necessary to refer patient to specialist for extensive tissue removal or plastic surgery until surgery has already begun.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Vibrational optical coherence tomography (VOCT)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Working:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It creates a 3D map of legion’s width and depth under the skin with a tiny laser diode, without using a scalpel. It also makes use of soundwaves to test lesion’s density and stiffness since cancer cells are stiffer than healthy cells.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Benefits:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> This procedure can be completed in 15 minutes with no discomfort to patient, who feels no sensation from light or nearly inaudible sound. </span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Significance:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> Using sound vibrations and pulses of near-infrared light, VOCT device can determine skin lesion's depth and potential malignancy without using a scalpel. It also has ability to analyse a skin tumour non-invasively could make biopsies much less risky and distressing to patients. Its prototype device is able to accurately distinguish between healthy skin and different types of skin lesions and carcinomas.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'title' => 'ILS develops antibodies against Chikungunya viral infection',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) has successfully developed antibodies against Chikungunya viral (CHIKV) infection. These antibodies fight against the non-structural proteins - nsP1, nsP3 and nsP4 of CHIKV. The antibodies were developed following decade-long research on CHIKV infection at the ILS laboratory headed by senior molecular virologist Dr. Soma Chattopadhyay. She has been selected for Biotech Product, Process Development and Commercialisation Award 2019 by the Department of Biotechnology.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Chikungunya viral (CHIKV) infection</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is a viral disease belonging to genus Alphavirus. Its name chikungunya originates from a verb in Kimakonde language, meaning 'to become contorted'. This refers to the 'stooped' appearance of those suffering with joint pain.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Tranmsimission:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes, most commonly, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, two species which also transmit other mosquito-borne viruses, including dengue. These vector mosquitoes are found biting throughout daylight hours, while early morning and late afternoon are peak timings of their activities</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Signs and Symptoms</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">: It causes High fever (40°C/ 104°F), Joint pain (lower back, ankle, knees, wrists or phalanges), Joint swelling, Rash, Headache, Muscle pain, Nausea, Fatigue.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Prevention and control:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> There is no cure or commercially available vaccine. However, it can be vector prevention and control combined with dengue control efforts in areas where vector of chikungunya is Ae. aegypti and Ae. Albopictus are prevalent.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Institute of Life Sciences (ILS):</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It is an autonomous institute of higher education for research aand education in life sciences. It is located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. It functions under Department of Biotechnology, Union Ministry of Science & Technology.</span></span></span></span></p>
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'title' => 'Arogyapacha: Scientists decode genome of miracle plant',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Scientists from University of Kerala have decoded genetic make-up of Arogyapacha (Trichopus zeylanicus) a highly potent medicinal plant found in Kerala. The genetic decoding project will open up a new window to the plant’s molecular secrets. It will serve as a valuable resource to expedite research on Arogyapacha. The manuscript on genome has been accepted for publication in G3: Genes, Genomes and Genetics, a scientific journal published by the Genetics Society of America.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Arogyapacha </span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is known as ‘miracle plant’. In Malayalam arogyapacha means 'health green or green that gives strength '. It is endemic to the Agastya hills in the southern Western Ghats</span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is known for its traditional use by the Kani tribal community to combat fatigue. These tribal people prepare tonic named "Jeevani " from this plant.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is quintessential wonder herb as it has anti-oxidant, aphrodisiac, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory anti-tumour, anti-ulcer, hepatoprotective and anti-diabetic properties.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It also has immune-enhancing and treating liver disease, stomach ulcers, fatigue, and sexual performance problems.</span></span></span></span></li>
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'title' => 'Research on Proton Therapy in India',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Union Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare) Ashwini Kumar Choubey in written reply in the Rajya Sabha informed about present status of Research on Proton Therapy in India. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Proton therapy is one of the advanced cancer treatment in which only the cancer cells are targeted and the rest of the body remains unharmed unlike chemotherapy or radiation therapy.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Key Facts</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">In the Government sector, research activities for research in proton therapy are mostly carried out by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Science and Technology and Department of Atomic Energy. National Cancer Institute (Jhajjar) of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi has also collaborated with National Cancer Institute of USA. Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), a grant-in-aid Institution under Department of Atomic Energy also has initiated collaboration with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR ) for research in proton therapy</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">About Proton therapy</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is also called proton beam therapy. It is type of Radiation therapy that uses protons rather than x-rays to treat cancer. Like x-ray radiation, proton therapy is type of external-beam radiation therapy. At high energy, protons can destroy cancer cells. </span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Benefits:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It enables larger doses of radiation to be used to treat cancers while significantly reducing damage to healthy tissue. It can also be combined with x-ray radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. </span></span></span></span></p>
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'title' => 'NAPRT1: Scientists find new gene linked to schizophrenia',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Indian and Australian scientists in a collaborative effort have identified new gene called NAPRT1 which is directly linked to schizophrenia. It was identified after analysing genomes of more than 3000 individuals in 18 years. India’s R. Thara from Chennai based Schizophrenia Research Foundation was involved in this research.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Findings of this research </span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It identified gene called NAPRT1 – that encodes an enzyme involved in vitamin B3 metabolism – is directly linked to schizophrenia. It also found that those with schizophrenia were more likely to have a particular genetic variation. </span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Significance:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> These findings will help to shed more light on what makes people susceptible to schizophrenia and possible treatments for the future.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">About Schizophrenia</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is chronic and severe mental disorder, characterized by profound disruptions in thinking, sense of self and affecting language, perception. According to WHO, it affects more than 21 million people worldwide.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It typically begins in late adolescence or early adulthood (between ages 16 and 30). People affected with it may seem like they have lost touch with reality.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Causes:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> Its exact causes are still not known, but it is believed that genetic as well as environmental factors such as exposure to viruses contribute to causation. Scientist also believes that life stressors may also play role in its onset and course.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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'title' => 'Next Generation Sequencing Facility inaugurated in Hyderabad',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Next Generation Sequencing (NSG) facility was recently inaugurated at Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad (capital of Telangana). It is the fourth such facility in the country.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">NSG facility at CCMB</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It can sequence 18,000 samples in 8 minutes. It includes technology for high genome sequencing and also diagnostic sequencing of clinical samples. With this, CCMB can now sequence up to 30 human genomes or 384 diagnostic samples in a day.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Applications:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It will help prenatal genetic screening and counselling, thereby generating large scale genomic data critical for diagnosis and therapy. It will also be helpful for diagnostics of patients suffering from rare genetic disorders.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">About Genome sequencing</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is process of figuring out order of DNA nucleotides, or bases, in genome—the order of adenines (A), cytosines (C), guanines (G), thymines (T) that make up an organism's DNA. Next Generation Sequencing allows parallel Genome sequencing, resulting in generation of Giga bases of data in a short amount of time.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Benefits of NGS:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It reduces cost per genome significantly, making genomic data more accessible to individual researchers. It will make genomics an attractive and integral part of any successful bioscience research project.</span></span></span></span></p>
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'title' => 'Government bans Colistin in animal food industry',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued order prohibiting manufacture, sale and distribution of colistin and its formulations for food-producing animals, poultry, aqua farming and animal feed supplements. This ban was imposed under the provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The Health Ministry order directs colistin manufacturers to affix label on container reading thus: Not to be used in food producing animals, poultry, animal feed supplements and aqua farming on the package, insert and promotional literature.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Significance</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">This ban order by Health Ministry is seen by activists across the country as the move as a “massive victory” for the movement against anti-microbial resistance (AMR). It will help to reduce overuse, misuse and arbitrary use of colistin and thus ensuring colistin does not enter food people eat, and thereby, people don’t develop resistance to the antibiotic within the country. It will limit Colistin to therapeutic usage only, thus help in reducing chances of developing resistance to it.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">About Colistin</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is valuable, last-resort antibiotic that saves lives in critical care units. It is effective against most Gram-negative bacilli. <strong>It is also known as polymyxin E. </strong>It is produced by certain strains of the bacteria <em>Paenibacillus polymyxa</em>.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Issues with it:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> In recent years, medical professionals have been alarmed by number of patients who have exhibited resistance to the drug. Late last year, researchers from Apollo Cancer Hospital, Chennai claimed that samples of raw food lifted from across Chennai had tested positive for colistin-resistant bacteria. It is widely used in animal feed as a growth supplement (mostly in poultry industry to fatten chickens). </span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Way forward:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> Bulk of colistin (nearly 95%) is imported from China, thus now it is imperative on Government to stop importing it within a short time to avoid is misuse.</span></span></span></span></p>
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(int) 36 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
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'title' => 'SONALI: Jute fibre converted into low-cost bio-degradable cellulose sheets',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Scientists from Bangladesh have developed method to convert Jute fibre into low-cost bio-degradable cellulose sheets named 'Sonali' (means golden in Bengali)which can be used as wrapping material and carrying bag. It was developed by state-run Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC). The commercial production of these bags is likely to start by the year-end.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><strong><span style="font-family:Quicksand,serif"><span style="font-size:12px">About Sonali</span></span></strong></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">The physical qualities of these low-cost bio-degradable cellulose sheets from jute fibre are quite similar to non bio-degradable plastic. The eco-friendly jute poly bags made up of Sonali sheets look and feel much like plastic ones. They are not harmful for human health. They can be used as greener throwaway bags mainly used in garments and food packaging work as wrapping material and carrying bag</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Challenges:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> The large scale adoption of Sonali sheets is the relatively costlier as compared to production of polythene (plastic). However, cost of production of Sonali sheets on a large scale is expected to bring down the cost. For this purpose Bangladesh Government has approved US $900000 dollars in April 2019 from its climate change fund to help in large-scale production of these eco-friendly green bags.</span></span></span></span></p>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'title' => 'New Drug to treat Pancreatic Cancer',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Issue</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A new drug has been approved by regulators that can treat Pancreatic Cancer more effectively.</span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Pancreatic cancer is particularly known for spreading to distant parts of the body, part of the reason overall five-year survival is just 9 per cent.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">This form of cancer very resistant to chemotherapy drugs mainly due to its ability to form a hard layer that prevents chemo drugs from having its effect on the cells.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Features of Drug</span></span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Radiation and the </span></span><a href="https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/tag/chemotherapy+drug" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">chemotherapy drug</span></span></a> <a href="https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/tag/gemcitabine" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">gemcitabine</span></span></a><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">, which are the standard treatment for pancreatic cancer, both work by causing damage to </span></span><a href="https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/tag/dna" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">DNA</span></span></a><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">. But pancreatic cancer has a way of repairing that damage, which limits how effective these therapies can be</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">AZD1775 prevented pancreatic cancer from protecting itself against the effects of radiation and gemcitabine, while leaving normal cells relatively unaffected.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'id' => (int) 1911,
'title' => 'IISc researchers develop new protein to kill drug-resistant bacteria',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Issue</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) have designed an <strong>Anti-Microbial Peptide (AMP) </strong>that, researchers say, can effectively and quickly kill a multidrug-resistant bacterium called</span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828"> <em>Acinetobacter baumannii.</em></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Antimicrobial resistance</span></span> <span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">(AMR or AR) is the ability of a microbe to resist the effects of medication that once could successfully treat the microbe.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Resistant microbes are more difficult to treat, requiring alternative medications or higher doses of antimicrobials. These approaches may be more expensive, </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adverse_effect" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" title="Adverse effect"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">more toxic</span></span></a> <span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">or both.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Details</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">Researchers used a bioinformatics approach to design a new short protein (peptide) called <strong>Omega76</strong> that can kill</span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828"> <strong><em>A.</em></strong><em> <strong>baumannii</strong> </em><span style="background-color:whitesmoke">by breaking down its cell membrane.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">It was also found that high doses of <strong>Omega76</strong> given for prolonged periods did not produce any toxic effects. Since it is safe and effective, it is a promising candidate for developing new antibiotics,</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">While standard drugs act by “blocking specific pathways or processes in bacterial cells, bacteria can mutate to gain resistance against such drugs.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">Anti-microbial peptides (AMPs</span></span></span></strong><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">) actually punch holes in the bacterial cell membrane. The chances of drug resistance are much lower because they act by multiple ways and cause actual physical damage.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
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'title' => 'New drug-resistant TB medicine',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Issue</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">Treating drug-resistant </span></span></span><strong><span style="background-color:whitesmoke">tuberculosis</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff"> </span></strong><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) — got a shot in the arm on August 14 when the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new drug <strong>Pretomanid.</strong></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">According to the WHO, the treatment success in MDR-TB patients is about 54%, while it is just 30% in the case of XDR-TB patients. Most drugs are ineffective in people with XDR-TB and so a combination of eight drugs for more than a year is need for XDR-TB treatment.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Drug resistant TB bacteria</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Antibiotic resistant bacteria</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> <span style="background-color:white">are</span> bacteria <span style="background-color:white">that are not controlled or killed by antibiotics. They are able to survive and even multiply in the presence of an</span> antibiotic<span style="background-color:white">. Most infection-causing</span> bacteria <span style="background-color:white">can become</span> resistant <span style="background-color:white">to at least some antibiotics.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Details</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">People with TB who do not respond to at least <strong>isoniazid</strong> and <strong>rifampicin,</strong> the first-line TB drugs are said to have <strong>MDR-TB</strong>. People who are resistant to<strong> isoniazid and rifampin </strong>plus any other injectible drugs are said to have <strong>XDR-TB</strong>.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">Pretomanid drug along with<strong> bedaquiline</strong> and<strong> linezolid</strong> is meant for treating adults with <strong>XDR-TB.</strong> These can be used only in those patients who cannot tolerate the MDR-TB treatment or do not respond to standard MDR-TB treatment regimen.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">Side effects of drugs</span></span></span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">The FDA has approved the drug based on limited clinical safety. The Safety and effectiveness of the drug has been studied and established only when used in combination with <strong>bedaquiline</strong> and <strong>linezolid.</strong></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">In trial it was reported to have caused serious adverse reactions including <strong>liver toxicity</strong> (hepatotoxicity), <strong>suppression of bone</strong> <strong>marrow activity</strong> leading to reduced production of red blood cells, as well as peripheral and optic neuropathy.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">The drug can cause lactate to accumulate in the body leading to sharp reduction in the pH of the blood (<strong>lactic acidosis</strong>)</span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'id' => (int) 1931,
'title' => 'Genetically Modified crops',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Issue</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Maharashtra Chief minister-led panel has favored using genetically modified oil seed crops in restricted places.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:black">The Chief Ministers’ Panel on Agriculture is deliberating with other state governments on whether to permit genetically modified (GM) crops in the country in’ restricted spaces’. The move may take time as some state governments have opposed the introduction of GM crops.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:black">The issue of use of GM crops is a much debated one due to fears arising from various sections including environmentalists.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">What are GM crops?</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:black">Genetically Modified or GM Crops are that type of plants in which DNA has been modified through genetic engineering for imbedding a new trait to the plant which does not occur naturally in the species. Foods produced from or using GM organisms are often referred to as GM foods.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:40px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Potential of GM crops</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul style="margin-left:40px">
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">India exports 65% edible oil and to reduce this quantity, we need to develop a variety of oilseeds. GM crops are important in this regard.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">GM organisms</span></span> <span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">are likely to include plants with increased nutrient levels, plants producing pharmaceutically important molecules and plants with improved resistance to diseases, cold, or drought, thus suitable for increasing food security.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It reduces the use of pesticide and insecticide during farming. It can feed a rapidly increasing population because it shows dramatically increased yields. It can produce more output in small area of land.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:40px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Drawbacks of GM crops</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="color:black">The production imposes high risks to the disruption of ecosystem and biodiversity because the “better” traits produced from engineering genes can result in the favoring of one organism. Hence, it can eventually disrupt the natural process of gene flow.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="color:black">It increases the cost of cultivation and more inclined towards marketization of farming that work on immoral profits.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="color:black">The transgenic crops endanger not only farmers but also the trade, and the environment as well. It is biologically altered. Hence, biotech foods may pose a human health risk.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'title' => 'India-Specific cancer genome database being developed',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Issue</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Union Health Ministry, in collaboration with the <strong>Indian Institute of Technology-Madras</strong>, is developing India-specific cancer genome database that will help identify biomarkers specific to the Indian population.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the National Cancer Registry Programme of the India Council of Medical Research (ICMR), more than 1300 Indians die every day due to cancer. Between 2012 and 2014, the mortality rate due to cancer increased by approximately 6%.</span></span></span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> <em><span style="background-color:white">Cancer</span></em><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> burden in <em>India</em> has more than doubled over the last 26 years, the highest increase among all therapy areas.This makes research in cancer very important.</span></span></span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Importance of research</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">To concentrate on its prevention, researchers are focusing on genetics so that personalised drugs can be developed. It also aims at public-private partnership to generate funds for cancer treatment.</span></span></span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">This will help in early diagnosis, and also identify drug targets for the Indian population.</span></span></span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It would reduce the cost of genomics treatment for cancer. Samples taken to Western countries for testing, costs Rs.5- Rs.7 lakh. When done in India, the cost could come down to Rs.50,000.</span></span></span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 42 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 2027,
'title' => 'Albino lizards to study human vision problems',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Issue</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#333333">A team of scientists at the University of Georgia have overcome challenges to successfully make albino anole lizards, and say that it could help us better understand vision problems in humans with albinism.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#333333">Humans with albinism often have problems with their vision, and researchers can use the lizards as a model to study how the gene impacts the development of the retina.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Details</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#333333">Reptiles like snakes, lizards, and crocodiles were considered off the gene-editing table because of the creatures' unusual reproductive systems. </span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#333333">The scientists injected the females' unfertilized eggs with Crispr tech while they were still in the ovaries and then allowing mating and breeding to happen naturally.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#333333">The genetic editing allowed lizards to be be born as albinos, which could be studied for gene’s role in vision related issues.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#333333">CRISPR-Cas9</span></span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><br />
<span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#333333">CRISPR gene editing is a method by which the </span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#333333">genomes</span></span><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#333333"> of living organisms may be edited. CRISPR-Cas genome editing techniques have many potential applications, including medicine and crop seed enhancement.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#222222">Albinism</span></span></span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Albinism</span></span><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> is a congenital disorder characterized in humans by the complete or partial absence of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes. Albinism is associated with a number of vision defects, such as photophobia, nystagmus, and amblyopia. Lack of skin pigmentation makes for more susceptibility to sunburn and skin cancers.</span></span></span></span></p>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 2080,
'title' => 'Filter based kits developed for TB diagnosis',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Issue</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To address the TB diagnostic challenges, a multi-institutional team has developed three cost-effective kits that improve the sensitivity of smear microscopy, enable transport of sputum samples at ambient temperature without using bio-safe containers, and extract DNA for diagnosing drug-resistant TB<span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="color:#282828">.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Background</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In India, each year, approx. 220,000 deaths are reported due to Tuberculosis. Between 2006 and 2014, the disease cost Indian economy USD 340 billion. This public health problem is the world's largest tuberculosis epidemic.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">India bears a disproportionately large burden of the world's tuberculosis rates, as it continues to be the biggest health problem in India.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Details</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The three kits developed are TB Detect, TB Concentration & Transport, and TB DNA Extraction.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The TB Detect kit is for diagnosis using LED fluorescence microscopy, while the TB Concentration & Transport, and the TB DNA Extraction kits together are for detection of drug-resistance.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The TB Detect kit helps increase the positivity of LED fluorescence microscopy by about 5%, while the TB DNA Extraction kit allows the detection of drug-resistant TB bacteria with a high level of sensitivity. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">TB detection kit uses a simple filter-based system to separate TB bacteria from the sputum to improve the sensitivity of LED fluorescence microscopy. In this, the sputum, which is viscous, is first liquefied using a proprietary reagent and pre-filtered. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The liquefied sputum containing the TB bacteria then comes in contact with a highly porous, plastic membrane filter made up of multiple fibrous pads kept at the base of the filter device. While the sputum gets sucked by the fibrous pad due to capillary forces, the bacteria remain on the membrane.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The membrane concentrates the bacteria in a small surface, which is about 1 cm in diameter. This leads to an increase in the detection limit by separating the bacteria from sputum.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Advantages of System</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It becomes possible to detect TB bacteria even when they are fewer in number. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It also takes less time to examine a sample under a microscope which one minute whereas it is three-five minutes when the sputum is spread on a glass slide.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The TB concentration & transport kit now makes it easy and simple to transport samples by transporting it in sealed covers at ambient temperature making containment at low temperature redundant. This is because the bacteria are killed using a disinfectant.</span></span></li>
</ul>
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(int) 44 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 2132,
'title' => 'Biocatalyst to cut disacharge during leather processing',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">A novel amylase-based biocatalyst developed by researchers at the Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR-CLRI), Chennai, helps in processing leather in an environment-friendly way and also drastically cutting the time taken to process the skin at the pre-tanning stage.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Pre-tanning process generates 60-70% of total pollution during processing. This pollution is responsible for polluting water bodies and their ecosystem. The new discovery can lead to reduction in water pollution.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">In the new proceess using bio-catalyst ,the quantum of effluent discharge is considerably cut as there is threefold reduction in water usage.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Chromium, that is used for increasing the stability of the collagen through cross-linking is less utilised. Since no chemicals are used, the chemical oxygen demand drops by about 35% while the total solid effluent load reduces by over 50%.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The reason why less chromium and water are required at the pre-tanning stage when the biocatalyst is used is primarily because of the 120-fold higher binding of the biocatalyst to the glycan sugar present predominantly in the skin.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Once the catalysts binds to the sugar, it selectively breaks down (hydrolysis) the sugar thus opening up the skin fibre without much effort.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Traditionally, enzymes take three-to-four hours to open the fibres. If lime and sulphate are used it takes 12 hours to complete the process. Using Bio-catalyst reduces the time required to 10 minutes.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><strong>Importance of Biocatalyst discovery</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The biocatalyst also penetrates deep into the skin unlike the traditionally used enzymes. Deep penetration of the biocatalyst ensures less amount of chromium to be used to increase the stability of the collagen and the quality of the finished leather also becomes superior.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">About 21% of the chromium used gets absorbed by the skin, which is far more than when other enzymes or chemical-based methods are used, leading to reduced chromium in the effluent discharge.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The biocatalyst is stable even at a high temperature of 90 degree C and pH 10 and so up to 95% of the enzyme can be recovered after a single process and reused.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><strong>Additional Information</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Biocatalysis refers to the use of living systems or their parts to speed up chemical reactions. In biocatalytic processes, natural catalysts, such as enzymes, perform chemical transformations on organic compounds.</span></span></p>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 2243,
'title' => 'Transgenic mosquitoes',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Genes from genetically-modified <em>Aedes aegypti </em>mosquito were found to have been transferred to naturally-occurring <em>A. aegypti </em>mosquito population in three areas in Brazil where transgenic mosquitoes were released as part of a pilot program to reduce population of disease causing mosquitoes.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">About 4,50,000 transgenic male mosquitoes were released each week for 27 months (June 2013 to September 2015) in three areas in Brazil.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> Genetic analysis of naturally occurring mosquitoes were done prior to the release and at six, 12, and 27-30 months after the releases to ascertain the effects of the move.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The transgenic strains can be distinguished from naturally-occurring mosquitoes by using fluroscent lights and filters. It was found that some transgenic genes were found in 10-60% of naturally-occurring mosquitoes.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Tthe naturally occurring<em> A. aegypti </em>mosquitoes carrying some genes of the transgenic mosquitoes were able to reproduce in nature and spread to neighbouring areas 4 km away.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The genetic strategy employed to control <em>A. aegypti </em>population known as RIDL (the Release of Insects carrying Dominant Lethal genes) was supposed to only reduce the population of the naturally occurring A. aegypti mosquitoes and not affect or alter their genetics.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The offspring of the mosquitos are not supposed to grow to adult mosquitoes and reproduce as per claims made by the British company Oxitec Ltd, which had developed the technology and field-tested it in several countries.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>How Transgenic mosquitoes help in reducing disease burden?</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The transgenic male mosquitoes released frequently in large numbers would compete with the naturally occurring male mosquitoes to mate with the females.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Offspring from the mating of transgenic male mosquito and naturally occurring female mosquito do not survive to the adult stage.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This is because <strong>tetracycline</strong> drug, which prevents the dominant lethal gene from producing the lethal protein during rearing in labs, is not present in sufficient quantity in nature. In the absence of tetracycline, there is overproduction of the lethal protein causing the larvae to die.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Implications of the research</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The presence of transgenic mosquito genes in the natural population will affect the disease transmission capacity or can make mosquito control efforts more difficult.</span></span></p>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'id' => (int) 2289,
'title' => 'Sensor to detect drug resistant leukaemia',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A highly sensitive carbon nanotube based sensor capable of detecting multidrug-resistant myeloid leukaemia cells even when present at very low concentration of has been fabricated by researchers.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Compared with drug-sensitive leukemic cells, multidrug-resistant leukaemia cells have better ability to bind to the antibody found on the nanotubes.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The expression of P-glycoprotein transporter present on leukaemia cell surface gets enhanced when the cell becomes multidrug-resistant.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The scientists used chemotherapy drug doxorubicin to make the leukaemia cells drug resistant and work in the research.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Using chemical vapour deposition technique, the sensor produced vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes were grown on a silicon wafer substrate.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To miniaturise the sensor and make it flexible, moisture-resistant and stable even at 180 degree C, the researchers transferred the carbon nanotubes to a flexible substrate made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To convert the carbon nanotubes into a sensor, the researchers functionalised the nanotubes. Nanotubes that are functionalised have better ability to bind to a leukaemia antibody, which in turn binds to the leukaemia cells present in the sample. As more antibodies get bound to carbon nanotubes, the sensitivity improves.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The presence of leukaemia cells bound to the antibody is determined by measuring a drop in the conductivity of the carbon nanotubes. To measure changes in conductivity, three electrodes , carbon nanotubes as a working electrode, a counter electrode made of platinum and a reference electrode are immersed in a electrolyte and a constant voltage is applied and a change in current is measured.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Leukaemia cells are insulating in nature. So the conductivity of carbon nanotubes reduces as the cells bind to the antibody. The more the concentration of cells bound to the antibody the greater is the reduction in the current flow.</span></span></p>
</li>
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(int) 47 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 2290,
'title' => 'Genes involved in bipolar disorder identified',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A study by researchers from the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), in Bengaluru, identifies two specific genes which may be related to bipolar disorder.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The experiment involves doing thousands of genotyping reactions and a large amount of sequencing of reactions for a large family with several affected members. But researchers have clarified that, not all those at risk may develop the disease.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In a family if there are multiple members with the disorder, then those genes that are shared among the ill members, and not shared by the unaffected members can help identify the responsible gene.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The group identified regions within chromosome 1 and chromosome 6 and, subsequently, found that variants of two genes (KANK4 and CAP2) were the likely candidates.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Since the human genome is over three billion base pairs long, researchers use a number of markers to identify which region of the genome is shared, and look up the gene in that region.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The researchers tell that the mutations in KANK4 and CAP2 are rare variants and occur in less than 1% of the population.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Understanding the consequences of this variation in biological processes in the brain and further analysis of these two genes in people with bipolar disorder will be beneficial and help understand the biological aspects of the disease.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Bipolar disorder</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Bipolar disorder is an illness that affects about 0.8% of the global population. Also known as manic-depressive illness, it is characterised by mood swings, irrational behaviour and phases of mania or extreme highs, and at other times, phases of depression<span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="color:#282828">.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 2453,
'title' => 'Protein that helps in precise gene editing',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers at CSIR-IGIB have discovered a protein variant from a different species of bacteria that can edit the DNA with very high precision.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the currently used tool for gene editing, CRISPR technology, Cas9 protein behaves like a molecular scissors that cuts the DNA at a specific location and inserts a foreign piece of DNA to correct the mutation that causes the disease.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The commonly used Cas9 protein from <em>Strepotococcus pyogenes</em> bacteria (SpCas9) and its engineered derivative tend to potentially bind to DNA at multiple unintended sites thereby leading to unnecessary alterations in the DNA.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The researchers found their new Cas9 protein, which binds and cuts the DNA, was able to correct sickle cell anaemia mutation in patient-derived stem cells. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The protein (FnCas9) used by the researchers to edit the DNA is derived from a bacterium — <em>Francisella novicida.</em></span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Cas9 protein is supposed to bind to the DNA only when there is a perfect match between the DNA and the protein but the currently used SpCas9 protein binds and cleaves the DNA at unintended places.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The new FnCas9 protein showed negligible binding when there exists more than one mismatch in the target DNA.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The FnCas9 protein was found to increase the HDR repair rate fourfold compared to the widely used SpCas9.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Problems associated with old cas9 protein</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If the Cas9 protein remains bound to DNA at mismatched locations for a long time, there is a possibility that it might cut the DNA at these locations.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Cas9, if bound at multiple unintended sites then the transcription machinery gets stalled and the expression of genes at these locations might be altered.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 49 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 2519,
'title' => 'New Virus inspired technique to deliver drugs to brain',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers have engineered small particles, similar to the size of viruses, to cross the protective border and reach the brain.</span></span><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The research is path-breaking because a protective layer protects circulating blood from brain. The new particle could be used to deliver drugs to the brain more effectively in the future.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The new method allowed for combination drug delivery through intravenous injection to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB).</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To make it possible, the scientists modified components from a virus that targets the brain called bacteriophage fd to deliver drugs across the BBB.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Importance</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Crossing the blood-brain-barrier has hindered the industry from effectively addressing central nervous system diseases, including brain tumours, and many neurological diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">But now since a new way has been discovered, there are more chances of having drugs that can treat these brain affecting neurodegenerative diseases.</span></span><br />
</p>
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(int) 50 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 2526,
'title' => 'Protein that kills anti-biotic resistant strain of bacteria',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Issue</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune have discovered novel protein targets that can be used by candidate drug molecules to kill antibiotic-resistant strains of <em>Staphylococcus aureus,</em> including<strong> vancomycin-</strong>resistant <em>S. Aureus.</em></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Antibiotic resistance is the ability of a microorganism to withstand the effects of an antibiotic. Antibiotic resistance evolves naturally via natural selection through random mutation, but it could also be engineered by applying an evolutionary stress on a population.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The protein targets identified are crucial for the growth and survival of the bacteria.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><em>S. aureus </em>are less likely to cause mutations in them to confer drug-resistance.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Any drug candidate that can bind to the targets will be able to inhibit the protein from functioning leading to eventual death of <em>S. aureus,</em> including the drug-resistant ones.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The researchers used a small molecule (quinone epoxide) and attached an indole residue to it to increase the ability of the molecule to cross the cell barrier of the bacteria and bind to the proteins.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The small molecule binds itself to multiple proteins, including those that are crucial for growth and survival of the bacteria. These proteins are crucial as they bind to the DNA and activate it for normal cellular functioning.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The small molecule was found to bind to a particular amino acid (cysteine) that is very important for many catalytic functions in the cell. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Inhibiting the functioning of this amino acid can have a cascading effect leading to death of the bacteria.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 51 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 2643,
'title' => 'CSIR offers free mapping of Indian genomes',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Indians interested for having their genes mapped can join the IndiGen initiative, a programme managed by the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) and the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB).</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The programme is a culmination of a six-month project by the CSIR in which 1000 Indians, had their genomes scanned in detail. They were chosen from across the land to represent the width of genetic variability.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Those who do get their genes mapped this way will get a card and access to an app, which will allow them and doctors to access clinically actionable information on their genomes.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The aim of the exercise was twofold: To test if it’s possible to rapidly and reliably scan several genomes and advise people on health risks that are manifest in their gene and, understand the variation and frequency of certain genes that are known to be linked to disease.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A genetic test, which is commercially available at several outlets in the country, usually involves analysing only a portion of the genome that’s known to contain aberrant genes linked to disease.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The outcomes of IndiGen will have applications in a number of areas including faster and efficient diagnosis of rare genetic diseases.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The IndiGenome card and app ensures privacy and data security, which is vital for personal genomics to be implemented at scale.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Genetic mapping</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Gene mapping describes the methods used to identify the locus of a gene and the distances between genes.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Importance</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Genetic mapping can offer firm evidence that a disease transmitted from parent to child is linked to one or more genes.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Mapping also provides clues about which chromosome contains the gene and precisely where the gene lies on that chromosome.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Genetic maps have been used successfully to find the gene responsible for relatively rare, single-gene inherited disorders such as cystic fibrosis and Duchenne muscular dystrophy.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Genetic maps are also useful in guiding scientists to the many genes that are believed to play a role in the development of more common disorders such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and psychiatric conditions.</span></span></p>
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(int) 52 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 2952,
'title' => 'Using E.Coli to study cell wall development in bacteria',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers have identified an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the enlargement and growth of bacteria, by studying <em>E. coli.</em></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">One of the most important features of a bacterium is its cell wall which protects it from external environmental conditions and also internal pressure and keeps it in shape. Harming the cell wall causes irreversible damage to the bacterium and eventually kills it.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The enzyme MepK helps in cutting a particular class of bonds that connect the peptidoglycan, which is a sac-like molecule that envelops the cell. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This action allows more material to be added to the cell wall, making a larger compartment for the cell to reside in.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The bacteria die when the integrity of the cell wall is destroyed. Its crucial role in maintaining the wellbeing of the bacterium makes the cell wall a target of study, especially by scientists interested in developing new drug strategies to combat the bacteria.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Earlier research showed that opening the cell wall by hydrolysing enzymes is crucial for the new material to be incorporated into it, leading to the cell’s expansion and elongation.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The cell wall is made up mostly of a single net-like molecule (peptidoglycan) which consists of many sugar polymers interconnected by short peptides. It encloses the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The peptides connecting the bag-like structure are cross-linked in several ways. The significance to this work is the link between particular amino acid residues located on adjacent peptide chains. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This is a rare component present only in bacterial cell walls and is known as mDAP for short.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The group identified an enzyme (MepK) which helps in breaking down the bond between two mDAP residues. This leads to cutting the molecular mesh and thus aiding the growth (or enlargement) of the cell.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The study has higher significance in organisms like <em>Clostridia</em> and <em>M. tuberculosis</em> because cell walls of these bacteria have very high levels of mDAP-mDAP type of cross-links. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The next course of experiments would be identifying small-molecule inhibitors for this class of enzymes and also to understand the molecular mechanisms by which the cell wall growth is initiated.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 53 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 3006,
'title' => 'Typhoid vaccine',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A typhoid vaccine (Typbar TCV) developed by the Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech has shown 81.6% efficacy in preventing typhoid fever at 12 months in a Phase-III clinical trial.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The vaccine confers protection two-three weeks after vaccination. The duration of protection is currently not known. The trial was carried out in Nepal in over 10,000 children who received the vaccine.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A single does of the vaccine was found to be effective in preventing typhoid in children aged nine months to 16 years.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Typbar TCV vaccine was recommended by WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (WHO-SAGE) in December 2017. WHO prequalified the vaccine in January 2018.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Nearly 11 million fall sick due to typhoid and about 1,17,000 deaths are reported each year. The bacteria spread through contaminated food or water.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Typbar TCV typhoid vaccine tested in Nepal is a conjugate vaccine. Conjugate vaccine is one in which the is chemically linked to a carrier protein.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Two other typhoid vaccines<strong> </strong>such as polysaccharide typhoid vaccine and live weakened typhoid vaccine are already used commercially. But the efficacy of the vaccines to protect against typhoid is lower than the conjugate vaccine that was tested in Nepal.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The conjugate vaccine can be given to babies as young as six months, while the other two vaccines cannot be given to children below two years of age.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">While typhoid bacteria can be treated with antibiotics, the microbes have developed resistance against multiple antibiotics. Multi-drug resistant typhoid bacteria (XDR) are seen in south Asia including India. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In Pakistan, a strain of typhoid has developed resistance to all but one of the antibiotics used to treat the disease.<strong> </strong>Pakistan is the first country to introduce the typhoid conjugate vaccine as part of its national immunisation programme.<strong> </strong></span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Typhoid</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Typhoid fever, also known simply as typhoid, is a bacterial infection due to a specific type of Salmonella that causes symptoms. Typhoid fever spreads through contaminated food and water.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Symptoms include high fever, headache, stomach pain, weakness, vomiting and loose stools. Treatment includes antibiotics and fluids.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 54 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 3024,
'title' => 'Molecule to combat multi-drug resistant bacteria',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee identified a potent molecule that exhibits broadspectrum bactericidal activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria, <em>Escherichia coli,</em> <em>Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae </em>and <em>Mycobacterium tuberculosis.</em></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The molecule identified by IIT Roorkee kills the bacteria by damaging the DNA and by inhibiting cell division. This also ensures that there is no further replication in bacteria that can cause drug resistance.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The molecule also shows antibacterial activity against <em>Staphylococcus aureus </em>and diarrhoea causing <em>Clostridium difficile.</em></span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The molecule belongs to the nitrofuran class of antibiotics — nitrofurantoin and furazolidone — which are routinely used for treating urinary tract infections and intestinal ailments, respectively.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The molecule kills the bacteria by damaging their DNA as well as by inhibiting cell division. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When half the concentration required to kill the bacteria was used, the researchers found the daughter cells were unable to separate on cell division, leading to the bacteria forming into long filaments.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Since the molecule targets two pathways to kill the bacteria, microbes are less prone to resistance generation or would take a longer time to develop resistance.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The molecule was found to be effective against both gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria as well as against anaerobic bacteria such as <em>C. dificile.</em></span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Bacteria are less likely to develop resistance against a pro-drug as it becomes active only after getting inside the bacteria.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The molecule was effective against persister bacteria that remain in a dormant state. Persister bacteria can survive high doses of antibiotic treatment and are responsible for causing recurring bacterial infections. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Bacteria generally can tolerate antibiotics by flushing out the drugs using the efflux pumps. But the efflux pump mechanism was unable to flush out the molecules from within the bacteria.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Generally, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by a drug helps kill the bacteria. But in this case, generation of the reactive oxygen species followed bacterial killing.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 55 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 3306,
'title' => 'Genome of Indian cobra sequenced',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A team of Indian researchers and their collaborators abroad have sequenced the genome of the highly poisonous Indian cobra.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This research may go a long way in reducing mortality and disability from snake bites. This also makes Indian cobra the first among the most venomous four Indian snakes, which are collectively called the infamous “big four”, to be genetically mapped.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Indian cobra, together with the common krait, Russell’s viper and saw scaled viper, accounts for nearly 46,000 snake bite deaths in the country every year.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Worldwide, 5.4 million snake bites occur every year, with 2.8 million of them in India. They are responsible for 4,00,000 disabilities globally, of which 1,38,000 are from India.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Through study, the researchers found that the Indian cobra genome has 19 key toxin genes, primarily expressed in the venom glands of the snake.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Targeting these toxins using synthetic human antibodies should lead to a safe and effective anti-venom for treating Indian cobra bites.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Currently, antivenom is produced by immunising horses with extracted snake venom and is based on a process developed over 100 years ago. This process is laborious and suffers from a lack of consistency leading to varying efficacy and serious side-effects.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Venom is also a great source of drug-like molecules. The Indian cobra genome is no exception and it codes for toxin molecules that can block pain, reduce blood pressure and prevent blood clotting.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The scientists say that the next step would be to use this genomic blueprint for venom toxins to make recombinant proteins, generate neutralising antibodies and test them in the clinic.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This high-quality genome will not only be a wonderful resource for understanding the evolution of the medically important snake and its venom repertoire but can also be very useful for the innovation of next generation recombinant antivenoms.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 56 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 3308,
'title' => 'Cheaper pneumococcal vaccine',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A vaccine against a leading cause of deadly childhood pneumonia, the pneumococcus bacterium, has achieved prequalification by the World Health Organization (WHO).</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The vaccine is developed though a collaboration spanning over a decade between Serum Institute of India, Pvt., Ltd. (SIIPL) and PATH and with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The vaccine is expected to provide protection for children on par with other pneumococcal conjugate vaccines at a price that is more affordable for low- and middle-income countries.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In addition to pneumonia, the pneumococcus bacterium causes other serious, life-threatening diseases like meningitis and sepsis. It is estimated to cause nearly 400,000 deaths in children under five years of age each year worldwide.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines have helped significantly reduce pneumococcal deaths and illness where introduced but are difficult for many countries to afford.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines are among the most complex vaccines to manufacture.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The current manufacturing process has been optimized to make it more efficient, reducing costs while preserving vaccine quality and making the vaccine a more affordable option for countries with the highest burdens of pneumococcal disease.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Conjugate vaccine</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Conjugate vaccines combine a weak antigen with a strong antigen as a carrier so that the immune system has a stronger response to the weak antigen.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The antigen of some pathogenic bacteria does not elicit a strong response from the immune system, so a vaccination against this weak antigen would not protect the person later in life. In this case, a conjugate vaccine is used in order to invoke an immune system response against the weak antigen.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Pneumonia</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs with a range of possible causes. It can be a serious and life-threatening disease. It normally starts with a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection.</span></span></p>
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(int) 57 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 3386,
'title' => 'Breakthrough in fight against Malaria',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Scientists at the CSIR- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) have announced development of an alternative and economic way of gene delivery within the <em>Plasmodium Falciparum</em> cells, responsible for majority of severe cases of malaria and deaths, called the ‘<strong>Lyse-Reseal’</strong> method.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates 3.4 billion people across 92 countries to be at risk of being infected with Plasmodium parasites and suffering from malaria<strong>. </strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Malaria occurs when Plasmodium parasites grow in the oxygen-carrying Red Blood Cells (RBCs) in the body. A malaria biologist has to cross a four-membrane layer to reach the genes. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Gene delivery into the target cells is a popular choice to manipulate and study gene functions with the widely used method ‘electroporation’ where pores are created in the cell membrane using electric field to send desired chemicals like DNA.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The team working with Plasmodium ‘Falciparum’ has been able to fill in RBCs by opening them up, a process also called ‘lyse’, with circular DNA of their choice. The RBCs are then resealed to close the pores and these are infected with Plasmodium ‘Falciparum’.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The parasite goes inside the RBC and passively takes up the DNA from RBC. The DNA eventually ends up in the parasite’s nucleus with its own genes. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The group has shown the technique to be as effective as ‘electroporation’ with two different Plasmodium ‘Falciparum’ strains and claim it works with 10 times lesser DNA than what is needed in ‘electroporation.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The scientific group also demonstrated that RBCs of blood group ‘O+’ provide the most efficient delivery of DNA into Plasmodium ‘Falciparum’ in vitro.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Ease of making genetic alterations in the parasite will help in better understanding the biology of malaria pathogen and, thereby, help in control of the malaria parasite better.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 58 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 3437,
'title' => 'Xenobots: The living machines',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Scientists in the United States have created the world’s first “living machines”, tiny robots built from the cells of the African clawed frog, that can move around on their own.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">They have named the millimetre-wide robots “xenobots”, after the species of aquatic frog found across sub-Saharan Africa from Nigeria and Sudan to South Africa, Xenopus laevis.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Scientists have repurposed living cells scraped from frog embryos and assembled them into entirely new life-forms.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Their primary goal is to use the cutting-edge critters to better understand how cells of all sorts communicate with one another.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The xenobots can move toward a target, and pick up a payload (like a medicine that needs to be carried to a specific place inside a patient) and heal themselves after being cut.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The new creatures were designed on a supercomputer at the university, and then assembled and tested by biologists at Tufts University. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The bot can perform functions like searching out nasty compounds or radioactive contamination, gathering microplastic in the oceans, travelling in arteries to scrape out plaque.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The latest research is a breakthrough because it designs, for the first time ever, completely biological machines from the ground up.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The use of living cells to achieve the simulated designs and behaviors is an especially promising indication of our future ability to generate bio-compatible robots, and soft robots that leverage the resiliency and intelligence of living tissues.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 59 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 3502,
'title' => 'Stem cell banking',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Stem cell banking or preservation is the extraction, processing and storage of stem cells, so that they may be used for treatment in the future, when required. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Stem cells</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Stem cells taken from umbilical cord blood are like those taken from bone marrow, capable of producing all blood cells: red cells, platelets and immune system cells. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When used, stem cells are first concentrated, and then injected into the patient. Once transfused, they produce new cells of every kind.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">They're capable of producing all types of blood cells: red cells, platelets and immune system cells. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The stem cells can treat around 70 blood related disorders and genetic disorders including thalassemia, sickle cell anaemia, leukaemia, and immune related disorders.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Harvesting stem cells</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The blood collected from the umbilical cord of the newborn is a rich source of stem cells. This blood is collected and sent to a cord blood bank, where the stem cells are separated, tested, processed, and preserved in liquid nitrogen. Technically, there is no expiry date and these stem cells can be preserved for a lifetime.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Drawbacks</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The primary disadvantage of cord blood banking is that it isn’t a cheap procedure and many families may not be able to afford it. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The odds that any given child will need their cord blood are only about 1 in 217. So it may prove to be unnecessary expenditure.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Current research suggests that cord blood can be stored for a maximum of 15 years. New technologies in this field may extend that timeframe in the future, but how that would affect current samples stored is unknown. </span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 60 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 3904,
'title' => 'India shares SARS-CoV-2 genome',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">India has finally shared two whole genome sequence data of the <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/all-about-the-china-coronavirus-covid-19/article30692734.ece" title="novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)">novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)</a><strong> </strong>with the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID).</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The two sequences were shared by the Pune-based National Institute of Virology. This news comes after <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/covid-19-india-yet-to-share-genome-sequence-data/article30984178.ece">report</a> that India has not shared any genome sequence data with the GISAID.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The whole genome sequences of two oronasopharynx (mouth, nose, throat) samples collected on January 27 and 31 from two COVID-19 patients in Kerala were deposited in GenBank.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">GISAID said it had updated the database with two SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Kerala and these sequences do not link very closely to other sequences in the tree.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">At this point, it is not clear why the sequences appear to differ from the rest in the phylogenetic tree. It could have been possibly due to sequencing errors.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Sequencing the genome of <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/covid-19-dos-and-donts-from-the-health-ministry/article30978712.ece" title="novel coronavirus">novel coronavirus</a> will help us to know where the virus came from and how the virus has spread.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">So far, 26 countries, including India, have shared 178 SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences with the GISAID. At 70, China has shared the highest number of sequences. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The other countries that have shared higher number of sequences are the U.S. (22), Australia and Japan (10 each), and Singapore and South Korea (eight each). Nepal, Vietnam and Cambodia have also shared one sequence each.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>GISAID</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The GISAID Initiative, also known as a Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data, involves public-private-partnerships between the Initiative's administrative arm Freunde of GISAID e.V., a registered <strong>non-profit association</strong>, and governments of the <a href="https://www.gisaid.org/about-us/public-private-partnerships/#c100">Federal Republic of <strong>Germany</strong></a>, the official host of the GISAID platform and EpiFlu database, <a href="https://www.gisaid.org/about-us/public-private-partnerships/"><strong>Singapore</strong></a> and the <a href="https://www.gisaid.org/about-us/public-private-partnerships/"><strong>United States of America</strong></a>, with support from <strong>private</strong> and <strong>corporate philanthropy</strong>.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It Provides a collection of influenza sequences containing associated metadata, both clinical and epidemiological. GISAID EpiFlu database is a resource that stores information about Influenza virus.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 61 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 3962,
'title' => 'Experimental coronavirus vaccine',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A healthy volunteer is the first person in the U.S. to receive a dose of an experimental coronavirus vaccine as part of a new clinical trial.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Over the next six weeks, researchers plan to enroll 45 participants in the trial, which will test the safety of the vaccine as well as its ability to induce an immune response in the volunteers.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) allowed the new vaccine to be fast-tracked into clinical trials without thorough testing in animal models, which usually stands as a strict prerequisite to human testing.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">New drugs must pass through three iterative phases of clinical trials before being deemed safe and effective for widespread use. Assuming the initial tests go well, it may be 12 to 18 months before any vaccine is ready for public use.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The trial is known as a "Phase 1 clinical trial," meaning its main purpose is to provide information about how the vaccine interacts with a healthy human body.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Phase 1 trials examine a small group of people, typically between 20 and 80 individuals, who receive different doses of an experimental treatment. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Over the course of several months, researchers monitor how each volunteer metabolizes the given treatment and what common side effects emerge in response to different doses.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The 45 volunteers in the new trial will receive varying doses of the new vaccine, called mRNA-1273, and be monitored over a 14-month period. Volunteers will receive two injections of the vaccine in the upper arm, with a 28-day gap between doses.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In addition to monitoring for side effects, the researchers will test whether the vaccine triggers an immune response by analyzing the volunteers' blood for antibodies.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If the vaccine works as designed, the immune system should generate antibodies that grab hold of a characteristic protein found on the surface of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Rather than introducing a dead or weakened virus into the body to prompt this reaction, as conventional vaccines do, the vaccine instructs cells to build the viral protein themselves using a molecule called messenger RNA (mRNA).</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 4017,
'title' => 'Closer towards developing COVID-19 vaccine',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Designing better antivirals that would prevent the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) from infecting human cells may now become possible thanks to a team of researchers producing the crystal structure of the main protease of the virus.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A team developed the crystal structure of main protease of the virus at 1.75 angstrom resolution. Based on the structure, they developed the lead compound into a potent inhibitor of the SARS-CoV-2.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Main virus protease is an enzyme that processes proteins critical to virus development. An antiviral that blocks this enzyme, as in the case of drugs used against HIV virus, effectively prevents the virus from replicating. Hence, such an inhibitor will be effective against the novel coronavirus.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Main virus protease is one of the best characterised drug targets among coronaviruses. The inhibitor against the main protease targets a specific region of the enzyme. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">And any antiviral that targets this region of the enzyme will be specific to the virus and will not be toxic to human cells.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The researchers had earlier designed broad-spectrum inhibitors of the main proteases of other coronaviruses. One of the inhibitors showed good antiviral activity against other coronaviruses. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Now, the team chose that inhibitor and modified it to increase the amount of time the drug is present in the body and to improve its solubility in plasma.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">After the modification, the half-life of the inhibitor (compound 13a) increased three-fold, and the solubility improved by a factor of about 19. And to enhance the antiviral activity, the researchers further modified the inhibitor (compound 13b).</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The inhibitor showed good potency to block the replication of the virus at half maximal effective concentration of 1.75 micromolar. In human cells infected with the novel coronavirus, a higher half maximal effective concentration of the inhibitor was required.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When the inhibitor was administered subcutaneously into mice, the inhibitor was present in the plasma for as long as four hours but was excreted via urine for up to a day.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The half-life of the compound 13b was found to be 1.8 hours. But most importantly, even after 24 hours there was some amount of the compound 13b in the lung tissue. The presence of the inhibitor in the lungs even at the end of a day is particularly signifiicant as the virus affects the lungs.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The team tested for any adverse effects when mice inhaled the inhibitor 13b. This suggesting that this way, direct administration of the compound to the lungs would be possible.</span></span></li>
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(int) 63 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 4094,
'title' => 'Identifying Coronavirus’ vulnerabilities',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During the last six weeks, a series of research papers have appeared that offer medical solutions to defeat the life-threatening coronavirus infection - COVID 19. These are apart from the attempts to produce a protective vaccine against it.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The patients suffered severe lung damage, pneumonia, and acute respiratory syndrome, which has recently been seen again in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) by the pathogen named SARS (called SARS-CoV coronary virus). </span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">SARS-CoV-19 is a roundish ball with spikes covering its entire body. These spikes, which are the business end of the virus, are made up of a glycoprotein.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The spike protein recognises a specific enzyme called ACE2 on the cell surface, kills its activity and enters the host cell, and wreaks damage.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Research has showed that the enzyme called Angiotensin Converting Enzyme or ACE2 fights against the viral attack and protects against damage and also that ACE2 is beneficial for hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Recently a study has emerged, which revealed the genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus, its entry through deactivating ACE2 of the affected individual, plus another important point, namely, treatment of the affected by using the serum of a recently recovered patient.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Another research group has confirmed that the novel coronavirus’ cell entry depends not only of ACE2 but another molecule (and enzyme) in the host cell, called TMPRSS2. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">They suggest further that the latter can be blocked by a clinically proven protease inhibitor. This is an important advance, since we may now look for such blocking molecules as drugs against the dreaded enemy the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">We thus see four different ways of overcoming the enemy. The very first is what people must do (use protective devices and methods, do not allow community spread, stay home and safe).</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The second is to attempt to use the serum from recovered patients to boost the immunity of the afflicted. The third is to look for drugs to treat the affected and the fourth is to devise successful vaccines.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Researchers across the globe are building vaccines to fight the pandemic. But clinical trials on humans will take time to check on their efficacies and side effects, which may be as long as a year or more.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 64 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 4132,
'title' => 'Bharat biotech set to develop test vaccine for COVID-19',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Bharat Biotech is getting into development and testing of a vaccine against COVID-19 called CoroFlu as part of an international collaboration of virologists and vaccine makers.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">CoroFlu is a one drop COVID-19 nasal vaccine built on a flu vaccine “backbone” that has been shown to be safe and well-tolerated in humans, in Phase I and Phase II clinical trials.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The company said that the product is part of an international collaboration of virologists at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and vaccine companies FluGen along with Bharat Biotech.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">CoroFlu will build on the backbone of FluGen's flu vaccine candidate known as M2SR. M2SR is a self-limiting version of the influenza virus that induces an immune response against the flu.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers will insert gene sequences from SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19, into M2SR so that the new vaccine will also induce immunity against the coronavirus.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Under the collaboration agreement, FluGen will transfer its existing manufacturing processes to Bharat Biotech to enable the company to scale up production and produce the vaccine for clinical trials.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Four Phase I and Phase II clinical trials involving hundreds of subjects have shown the M2SR flu vaccine to be safe and well tolerated. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This safety profile, M2SR’s ability to induce a strong immune response, and the ability of influenza viruses to carry sequences of other viruses make M2SR an attractive option for rapidly developing CoroFlu as a safe and effective SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">M2SR is a unique form of the flu virus. It lacks a gene called M2, which restricts the virus to undergoing only a single round of replication in cells.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">CoroFlu, like M2SR, will be delivered intranasally. This route of administration mimics the natural route of infection by coronavirus and influenza and activates several modes of the immune system. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Intranasal delivery is more effective at inducing multiple types of immune responses than the intramuscular shots that deliver most flu vaccines.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 4147,
'title' => 'Study lists 69 existing drugs that can target Coronavirus',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Nearly a hundred scientists from across the globe worked together to study the genes of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and have published a list of drugs that can be re-purposed to treat COVID-19. They have also mapped out the human proteins that interact with those of the virus.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The proteins of the virus must attach to the human proteins to cause the infection. The team studied 26 coronavirus genes that help in the production of these proteins. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">They studied human proteins and found 332 SARS-CoV-2 and human protein interactions. The team then listed 67 human proteins that can be targeted by 69 drugs to fight the infection. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">These drugs include the existing FDA-approved drugs, drugs under clinical trials and/or preclinical compounds.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When the virus invades the cells, it hijacks the cells’ molecular machinery to replicate itself because it cannot do this on its own. The drugs that have been identified may be able to inhibit these molecular machines so that the virus can no longer use them for its own survival.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Some of these drugs will be able to decrease viral load and disease severity for patients. However, they still need to be further tested.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The list includes unexpected candidates such as <strong>entacapone</strong> used to treat Parkinson’s disease and antiviral medication named <strong>ribavirin</strong>, which was administered to Nipah patients in Kerala during the 2018 outbreak.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Chloroquine, an antimalarial drug, and metformin, used to treat diabetes, were also found on the list.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The drugs/compounds that are being used are relatively well studied. Many of them are already approved for other diseases. One can easily look up what adverse side-effects, if any, are expected from these drugs.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Future studies are geared up to more deeply understand the exact molecular mechanisms used by the coronavirus to drive disease in humans. This could reveal additional drug targets and drugs to treat COVID-19.</span></span></p>
</li>
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(int) 66 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 4152,
'title' => 'Anti-parasitic drug kills Coronavirus in lab',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers have found that an anti-parasitic drug already available around the world can kill the novel coronavirus grown in cell cultures within 48 hours, an advance that may lead to the development and trial of a new clinical therapy for COVID-19.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to the study, published in the journal Antiviral Research, the drug, <strong>Ivermectin</strong>, stopped the virus, SARS-CoV-2, from growing in cell culture within 48 hours.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Scientists found out that a single dose could remove all viral RNA of COVID-19 within 48 hours and that even in the first 24 hours, there was already a significant reduction in it.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The scientists said Ivermectin is an approved anti-parasitic drug that has also been shown to be effective in vitro against a broad range of viruses including HIV, Dengue, Influenza and Zika virus.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Although the mechanism by which Ivermectin works on the virus is not known, the scientists said it is likely, based on its action in other viruses, that it works to stop the virus ‘dampening down’ the host cells’ ability to clear it.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The scientists further cautioned that the use of Ivermectin to combat COVID-19 would depend on the results of future pre-clinical testing and ultimately clinical trials.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Ivermectin</strong> is an anti-parasitic drug used to treat certain parasitic roundworm infections. Curing roundworm infections can reduce the risk of developing a severe or life-threatening disease on people who has a weak immune system.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This anti-parasitic drug is under the class of drugs known as <strong>antihelmintic</strong>-a group of drugs that kills parasitic worms- that works by paralyzing and killing parasites.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">But just like the other drugs, Ivermectin may show promise, but it also has its own side effects that could potentially harm rather than do good. More so, it should be verified if any of the available drugs can be used as a safe and effective treatment for COVID-19.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 67 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 4334,
'title' => 'COVID-19 vaccines ready for human trial',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On April 23, Oxford University in the UK began trials of a potential coronavirus vaccine on human volunteers.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A day before on April 22, regulators in Germany also approved the first trials in the country for a vaccine developed by global pharmaceutical giants BioNtech and Pfizer.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the UK, the government has announced financial support worth GBP 20 million to the project at Oxford, as well as GBP 22.5 million for another project at the Imperial College London.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Oxford scientists have said that the Covid-19 jab they are developing has an 80 per cent chance of success. The human volunteers have to be in good health and between ages 18-55 and have been offered up to GBP 625.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Called <strong>ChAdOx1 nCoV-19</strong>, the potential Oxford vaccine is prepared from a harmless virus found in chimpanzees, which has been genetically engineered to carry a part of the novel coronavirus.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In Germany, the Federal Institute for Vaccines said that a clinical test for a potential vaccine had been approved, and will be developed together by the US-based Pfizer and the German company BioNtech.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The German project in its first stage will have 200 participants between the ages of 18 and 55. In the second stage, those more at risk from the disease will be tested.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The vaccine, called <strong>BNT162</strong>, will also undergo trials in the US after regulatory approvals for human testing are obtained in that country.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Apart from Germany and the UK, several laboratories around the world are working on developing a coronavirus vaccine, including in China, Australia, the US, and other European countries.</span></span></p>
</li>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 4387,
'title' => 'Bacterial biofilms have memory similar to neurons',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers have used light to imprint a 'memory' on a bacterial biofilm and discovered that the microbes acted surprisingly similarly to neurons.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Bacteria aren't well known for their smarts. They grow, they adapt, and they grow some more, but we don't usually catch them remembering things.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Simple bacteria can encode memory at the level of their cellular membrane potential, which is similar to the memory process of neurons in the brain.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When neurons 'fire' in our brains, ions flood into the tiny gap between nerve cells, telling the next neuron that a message has been received, and triggering it to continue passing on that message.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The flood of ions produces a cellular membrane potential, a difference in electrical charge between the inside and outside of the cell. Pretty much all living things use this phenomenon to power mechanisms in the cellular membrane and to transmit signals between different areas of the body.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In neurons, this change in cellular membrane potential is known to be involved in the process of memory formation; now, it seems that something similar can happen in biofilms.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Bacteria that were exposed to light, persistently exhibited a different membrane potential compared to those bacteria that were not exposed, thus it was clear that these bacteria 'remembered' being exposed to light.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The team looked at a simple bacterial species called grass bacillus (<em>Bacillus subtilis</em>) and gave them a five second blast of blue light from a laser. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">They found this light causes a change in the membrane potential, with ions constantly flooding out of the cell, and then back in again. This effect stuck around for several hours after the light exposure.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Because the bacteria had been genetically engineered to fluoresce when the concentration of membrane potential reporter thioflavin-T rises, the research team was able to physically watch the biofilm as it pulsed.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The current team of researchers hopes that they may be able to use their findings for biological computation and synthetic biology, but that's a long way off yet.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 4624,
'title' => 'IISc develops particles to deliver antibodies to cells',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have found a novel vehicle to deliver antibodies to cells, breaking the cell-membrane barrier that prevents antibodies from entering the cell.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Monoclonal antibodies are those that originate from identical immune cells having a common origin. They are highly effective, non-toxic and can specifically target diseased cells, and are used in immunotherapy to treat psoriasis, cancer and autoimmune disorders. However, since antibodies are unable to cross the cell membrane, they have mainly been used against antigens present on the surface of cells.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">While earlier research has found that delivering therapeutic antibodies into a cell to target antigens present inside requires a vehicle that can cross the cell membrane and that Virus-Like Particles (VLPs) have this ability. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The IISc researchers have now developed a VLP of a plant virus called the Pepper vein banding virus (PVBV) to use as a possible vehicle to deliver antibodies into a cell.<br />
These VLPs can enter mammalian cells as well, despite being of plant origin.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The researchers genetically engineered the PVBV VLPs by adding the antibody-binding domain of a protein from Staphylococcus aureus bacteria to an exposed region of the coat protein of the VLP. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The resultant is called a chimeric VLP. This chimera, when exposed to the antibodies that need to be transported, can recognize and bind to them to form a stable complex.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The researchers also chemically combined fluorescent molecules to the surface of the VLPs, which allows them to track and therefore check if the VLPs are delivering the antibodies to the right location.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The study is a proof of concept showing the advantages of using biodegradable, non-infectious and rod-shaped plant VLPs. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Further research can be conducted on animal models to test the delivery of antibodies to specific cells, such as cancer cells. This can have immense therapeutic potential for the treatment of diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 70 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 4633,
'title' => 'Adenovirus COVID-19 vaccine found safe during trial',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A phase-1 trial using a single dose of a vaccine (Ad5-nCoV) that uses a recombinant adenovirus type-5 vector that carries the genetic material that codes for spike <strong>glycoprotein</strong> of novel coronavirus was found to be safe, well-tolerated and able to generate immune responses against the virus.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The trial was carried out on 108 participants aged 18-60 years in Wuhan, China, and had 36 participants each in the low, middle and high-dose groups. The trial did not involve randomisation of participants and did not have a control arm. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The most common adverse reaction was pain at the injection site, fever, fatigue, headache and muscle pain. Most adverse reactions reported were mild or moderate in severity. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">One participant who was given the higher dose vaccine reported severe fever, along with severe symptoms of fatigue, shortness of breath and muscle pain. However, these adverse reactions persisted for less than 48 hours. No serious adverse event was noted within 28 days post-vaccination.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As it was a first-in-human study of the adenovirus type-5 vectored COVID-19 vaccine, it was not designed to measure the vaccine efficacy.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The vaccine was found to elicit neutralising antibodies, which peaked at day 28 post-vaccination, while rapid specific T-cell responses peaked at day 14 after vaccination. The antibody response to the vaccine in the high-dose group was slightly greater than that in the middle-dose and low-dose groups.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The vaccine also stimulated a rapid T cell response in the majority of volunteers, which was greater in those given the higher- and middle-doses of the vaccine, with levels peaking at 14 days after vaccination.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The pre-existing immunity to adenovirus type-5 vector used in the vaccine, regardless of the vaccine doses, could reduce the immune responses to the virus and also lower the peak of the responses, particularly for neutralising antibodies immunity. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The high pre-existing immunity might also have a negative effect on the persistence of the vaccine-elicited immune responses.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The phase-2 trial will be a randomised, double-blinded and placebo-controlled trial. The trial has already been initiated to determine if the results can be replicated and to also assess the vaccine for safety up to six months after vaccination. </span></span></p>
</li>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 4675,
'title' => 'Genetic connection between dementia and severe COVID',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A new study has found a link between the severity of Covid-19 and a gene linked to dementia. Having a faulty gene linked to dementia doubles the risk of developing severe COVID-19.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The gene is called APOE, and exists in different forms, one of which is termed e4e4. Researchers analysed data from the UK Biobank, which collects health and genetic data on 500,000 people.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers found high risk of severe Covid-19 infection among European ancestry participants who carry two faulty copies of this gene. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">One in 36 people of European ancestry have two faulty copies of this gene, and this is known to increase risks of Alzheimer’s disease up to 14-fold and also increases risks of heart disease.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The team found that carrying these gene mutations doubles the risks of Covid-19, even in people who had not developed these diseases. The same team has previously found that people with dementia are three times more likely to get severe Covid-19.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It said part of the increased risk may have been due to exposure to the high prevalence of the virus in care homes. However, the new study suggests that a genetic component may also be at play. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The team found that people with the APOE e4e4 genotype were at double the risk of developing severe Covid-19, compared to those with the common e3e3 form of the APOE gene.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In this analysis, 2.36% (9,022) of 3.82 lakh participants with European ancestries had the APOE e4e4 faulty gene, but 5.13% (37) of 721 who tested positive for Covid-19 had this gene variant, suggesting the risk is doubled compared to e3e3.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Researchers might now be able to pinpoint how this faulty gene causes vulnerability to COVID-19. This could lead to new ideas for treatments.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 72 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 4493,
'title' => 'CRISPR-based Coronavirus test',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A research company has gotten FDA approval to begin using its CRISPR-based COVID-19 test, which promises to be faster and easy to perform without access to a full lab. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Current coronavirus testing is based on PCR (polymerase chain reaction), the same technology used in DNA tests. This involves repeatedly heating the sample to amplify the genetic material so technicians can detect viral RNA.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">CRISPR/Cas9 has gained fame as a powerful tool for genetic engineering, but that’s slightly different than the system devised.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">CRISPR is the sequence that guides Cas9 to the specific genetic code where you want to make a cut (known as cleaving), but scientists can also pair CRISPR with other members of the Cas family. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This system uses a related enzyme called Cas13 that doesn’t just cleave the specified sequence, when CRISPR activates Cas13, it cleaves any RNA it touches in a process called collateral cleaving. Some of that genetic material will be in the reporter molecule, and that’s how you detect disease.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In a sample positive for coronavirus, the CRISPR sequence will detect the virus’ genetic material and activate Cas13. This leaves plenty of sliced up reporter molecules in the sample, but a negative test would have all intact reporters.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">This marks the first time a CRISPR-based tool has gotten any regulatory approval for use in humans. </span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 4513,
'title' => 'Inactivated PiCoVacc vaccine found effective in animal study',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Inactivated novel coronavirus vaccine (PiCoVacc) tested on mice, rats and rhesus macaques was found to be safe and to provide partial to complete protection in rhesus macaques depending on the dosage tested.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The vaccine is currently undergoing human clinical trials. In April, the company commenced phase-1 trial on 144 healthy adults aged 18-59 years.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">For the animal trial, four different doses of the vaccine mixed with an adjuvant were administered on days zero and seven. The control group was administered a sham vaccine.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers note that the vaccine was able to quickly induce RBD-specific immunoglobulin G (Ig G) in vaccinated mice. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">About half of spike protein-induced antibody response came from RBD-specific IgG, suggesting RBD is the dominant immunogen. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Incidentally, RBD-specific IgG was found to be the dominant immunogen in the blood of recovered COVID-19 patients. Similar results were seen in Wistar rats too.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Four monkeys were administered either a medium or high dose of the vaccine on day zero, seven and 14. S-specific IgG and neutralising antibodies were produced during the second week after vaccination in monkeys that received medium and high dose.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On day 21 after the first dose of the vaccine, the monkeys were exposed to coronavirus given through intratracheal route. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">While the controls had a huge viral load from the day of challenge and even developed severe pneumonia, the vaccinated animals were largely protected. Viral loads decreased significantly in all vaccinated macaques.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Compared with the controls, the vaccinated monkeys did not develop fever or weight loss. Blood parameters too remained normal and histopathological evaluations of various organs, including lung, heart, spleen, liver, kidney and brain did not show any pathology.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 74 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 4557,
'title' => 'Scientists develop tool to sequence circular DNA',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A new tool invented by biologists to sequence circular DNA will provide scientists with richer, more accurate data that could help advance research on viruses, agriculture and perhaps even cancer.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">CIDER-Seq combines PCR-free virus enrichment with Single Molecule Real Time sequencing and a new sequence de-concatenation algorithm. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The tool called <strong>CIDER</strong>-<strong>Seq</strong>, which uses DNA sequencing technology called <strong>PacBio</strong>—was made available online by the researchers for other scientists to use, along with step-by-step lab and computer protocols for analyzing the DNA sequences.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Circular DNA is common in the genomes of bacteria and viruses. Recently, scientists discovered circular DNA within the nuclei of human and plant cells, called extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA).</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This little-understood type of circular DNA is also commonly found in cancer cells, and might even be linked with their ability to multiply rapidly.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers have begun to investigate the role eccDNA plays in cancer, but progress has been hampered by a lack of effective methods for studying and sequencing it.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The new tool may be particularly helpful to agricultural scientists, because many viruses that infect crops have circular DNA.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 75 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 4593,
'title' => 'Potential Oxford vaccine fails to prevent Coronavirus spread in monkeys',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A high-profile potential vaccine for COVID-19 being tested by researchers at Oxford University failed to protect vaccinated monkeys from being infected by the virus. However, the test animals appeared to be protected from pneumonia.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The vaccine candidate, <strong>ChAdOx1 nCoV-19</strong>, being tested is a weakened form a common cold virus (adenovirus) that affects chimpanzees but has been neutered to prevent replication in humans.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Reports of the candidate vaccine’s performance in monkeys (rhesus macaque) had prompted researchers to test the vaccine’s potency in humans. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">However, detailed results of the trials in monkeys available suggest that, based on these results, the vaccine may not be the panacea to protecting people from being infected and passing on the infection to others.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">All the animals were monitored for seven days to check if they developed Covid-19. The researchers found that though the vaccinated animals developed virus-specific neutralising antibodies, they all had SARS-CoV-19 in their respiratory tracts.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Moreover, the levels of virus shed by all the monkeys were similar, which indicates even vaccinated animals can spread the infection to others.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The researchers acknowledge the presence of virus in the upper respiratory tract. Despite this marked difference in virus replication in the lungs, reduction in viral shedding from the nose was not observed.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">They explain it as being possibly due to the unusually high amount of the virus that the monkeys were exposed to. Unusual, in that human beings were unlikely to be ordinarily exposed to those quantities of the virus.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Virus specific neutralising antibodies were detected in those macaques vaccinated and no such antibodies were seen in those that didn't get the vaccine.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">If similar results were obtained in humans, the vaccine would likely provide partial protection against disease in the vaccine recipient but would be unlikely to reduce transmission in the wider community.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 76 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 4723,
'title' => 'Monoclonal antibodies that block coronavirus infection',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers have identified one of the antibodies that were found to recognise the infection due to the novel coronavirus, SARS- CoV-2. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The antibody binds to a domain that is conserved in both SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 and has the ability to neutralise both viruses.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The research adds that this antibody can help develop antigen detection tests and serological assays. This antibody, either alone or in combination, offers the potential to prevent and/or treat COVID-19, and possibly also other future emerging diseases in humans caused by viruses from the <em>Sarbecovirus</em> subgenus.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers set out to make antibodies against SARS, MERS and HCoV-OC43 with the aim to get antibodies that would recognise all three coronaviruses. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Parts of the proteins of these viruses are highly conserved (which means they are very similar) and they hoped to get antibodies that recognised these conserved parts. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers found such antibodies which were published some time ago. The newly identified antibody was found among previously identified ones that did not recognise all three viruses and were put in the freezer.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The antibodies that are made in humans or in the mice can be isolated by several tricks. The classic one is to fuse the B-cells with leukemic cells to make them immortal.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The fused B-cells called hybridomas are grown individually and tested whether they make an antibody that would recognise the target. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Because they come from single B-cells hybridomas, they make only one specific antibody which is called a monoclonal antibody. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When a monoclonal-like antibody is given to patients it does its work immediately, that is, much faster that the body could make its own antibodies.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The research team is currently testing the antibody in animal models and also collaborating with a pharmaceutical company to develop the antibody further.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 77 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 4824,
'title' => 'GM seeds',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Last week, Shetkari Sanghatana — the farmers’ union, has announced fresh plans in its agitation for use of genetically modified seeds.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The protest involves mass sowing of GM seeds for maize, soyabean, mustard brinjal and herbicide tolerant (Ht) cotton, although these are not approved. Farmers had carried out a similar movement last year.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Conventional plant breeding involves crossing species of the same genus to provide the offspring with the desired traits of both parents. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Genetic engineering aims to transcend the genus barrier by introducing an alien gene in the seeds to get the desired effects. The alien gene could be from a plant, an animal or even a soil bacterium.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Bt cotton, the only GM crop that is allowed in India, has two alien genes from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) that allows the crop to develop a protein toxic to the common pest pink bollworm. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Ht Bt, on the other, cotton is derived with the insertion of an additional gene, from another soil bacterium, which allows the plant to resist the common herbicide glyphosate.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In Bt brinjal, a gene allows the plant to resist attacks of fruit and shoot borer. In DMH-11 mustard, genetic modification allows cross-pollination in a crop that self-pollinates in nature. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In India, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the apex body that allows for commercial release of GM crops.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Use of the unapproved GM variant can attract a jail term of 5 years and fine of Rs 1 lakh under the Environmental Protection Act , 1989.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the case of cotton, farmers cite the high cost of weeding, which goes down considerably if they grow Ht Bt cotton and use glyphosate against weeds. Brinjal growers in Haryana have rooted for Bt brinjal as it reduces the cost of production by cutting down on the use of pesticides.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Environmentalists argue that the long-lasting effect of GM crops is yet to be studied and thus they should not be released commercially. Genetic modification, they say, brings about changes that can be harmful to humans in the long run.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 78 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 4833,
'title' => 'Scientists grow human embryo using stem cells',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">British scientists have grown a human “embryo” in a lab using just stem cells. This<strong> </strong>will let them study the first stages of life to reveal causes of birth defects and infertility.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The lab created “baby blueprint” closely resembles a three-week old human embryo but it lacks cells needed to form a brain.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It can never be successfully implanted so allows researchers to avoid rules on such experiments. It is illegal to let donated embryos develop beyond 14 days.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The layout of humans, known as the body plan, happens through a process known as gastrulation, where three distinct layers of cells are formed in the embryo that will later give rise to the body's three main systems: nervous, musculoskeletal and digestive.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The advance is the first time scientists have been able to directly study human development at around three weeks, referred to as the “black box” period because they have been unable to study it before.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Many birth defects happen during this period, and a better understanding of gastrulation could aid our understanding of issues such as infertility, miscarriage and genetic disorders.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To create the three-dimensional models, known as gastruloids, the team collected tight bundles of human cells and treated them with chemicals that acted as signals to activate certain genes.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The scientists stressed that gastruloids never develop into fully formed embryos because they have no brain cells and lack any of the tissues for implantation in the womb.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Nevertheless they were able to observe around 72 hours of the models' development and identify clear signs of the events that lead to the formation of muscles, bone and cartilage.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 79 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 4885,
'title' => 'Scientists discover antibodies that can block COVID-19',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A team of scientists has discovered five antibodies that can block COVID-19 infection and protect against the key mutations that have emerged in the virus during the pandemic.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Scientists have screened thousands of B cells - the cells that produce antibodies to target pathogens - from the blood samples of recovered COVID-19 patients.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The scientists managed to isolate the first two antibodies for testing within a month of receiving the blood samples. Two months later, it identified another three effective antibodies.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This was done using a technique that screens B cells simultaneously with live virus, allowing antibodies with effective virus neutralising properties to be quickly identified.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Results showed that the five antibodies ?demonstrate neutralisation? against COVID-19. They are all potent in blocking infection and effective against key mutations that have emerged in the virus during the pandemic.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">With the research phase completed, the study is now transiting into the preclinical phase, where the team is preparing the lead antibody for production.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This will allow clinical trials to be conducted, and manufacturing to be scaled up when human trials are successful.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">If the clinical trial goes well, the antibodies could stop the virus from spreading to the lungs if administered before the illness becomes too severe.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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'metatitle' => 'Scientists discover antibodies that can block COVID-19',
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'metadescription' => 'A team of scientists has discovered five antibodies that can block COVID-19 infection and protect against the key mutations that have emerged in the virus',
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(int) 80 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 4925,
'title' => 'Oxford vaccine boosts immunity in pigs',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A study in pigs has found that two doses of Oxford vaccine (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) given as prime-boost produce greater antibody responses than a single dose.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This has important implications for COVID-19 vaccine development as virus-specific T cells are thought to play an important role in SARS-CoV-2 infection.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The researchers found that even a single dose was sufficient in inducing antigen-specific antibody and T cells responses in pigs, the booster dose elevated the antibody responses, with a significant increase in neutralizing antibody levels. There was no significant increase in antibody responses in mice after the booster dose.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A single dose of the vaccine-induced a humoral and cellular immune response in rhesus macaques. While the vaccinated rhesus macaques did not develop pneumonia, the vaccination was unable to prevent infection when exposed to the virus. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">They found that the vaccinated animals that were infected when exposed to the virus had “significantly reduced” viral load in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and respiratory tract tissue compared with control animals.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">While a single dose of the vaccine-induced antigen-specific antibody and T cells responses in both mice and pigs, the booster dose enhanced the antibody responses significantly in just one mouse strain. But in the case of pigs, the booster dose significantly enhanced the antibody responses.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The animals that received the booster dose exhibited significantly greater levels of neutralizing antibodies two weeks after the second dose compared with animals that received only one dose.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">T cell responses were higher in pigs that received two doses of the vaccine compared with animals that received only one dose, thus demonstrating that the prime-boost regimen trended toward a higher response.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Phase-3 will assess the efficacy of the vaccine in a large number of people over 18 years of age. The researchers will assess how well the vaccine helps prevent people from becoming infected and unwell with COVID-19.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 81 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 4964,
'title' => 'MMR vaccine',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A new paper suggests that live attenuated vaccines such as MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) may prevent severe lung inflammation and sepsis associated with Covid-19 infection.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A live attenuated vaccine is derived from a disease-causing pathogen, which has been weakened in the laboratory so that it does not cause severe illness when a person is vaccinated with it.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The new research paper refers to growing evidence that live attenuated vaccines can activate certain immune cells to train leukocytes (the white blood cells of the immune system) to mount a more effective defence against unrelated infections.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The researchers used a live attenuated fungal strain and demonstrated, in the lab, that vaccination with it trained innate protection against sepsis (blood poisoning) caused by a combination of disease-causing fungi and bacteria.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The protection is produced by cells called MDSCs. They stressed that this live attenuated MMR vaccine concept is not suggested to be directed against Covid-19, but instead an immune preventive measure against the severe inflammatory symptoms of Covid-19.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The use of childhood live attenuated vaccines such as MMR given to adults to induce bystander cells that can dampen or reduce severe complications associated with Covd-19 infection is a low risk – high reward preventive measure during a critical period of the pandemic. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">These bystander cells are long-lived but not life-long. Anyone who had an MMR vaccination as a child, while likely to still have immune antibodies directed against measles, mumps, or rubella, will not likely still have the immune cells directed against sepsis.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Scientists suggested that adults working in high-risk settings, who are not immune-compromised, pregnant, or allergic to vaccinations, get an MMR vaccine.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 82 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 4973,
'title' => 'Covaxin',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">India’s top drug regulator, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, has allowed Bharat Biotech India (BBIL) to conduct human clinical trials for ‘Covaxin’, making it the first indigenously developed Covid-19 vaccine candidate to receive this approval.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This brings India a step closer to finalising a domestically developed Covid-19 vaccine for its population, a positive sign at a time when the country’s cases continue to surge.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Covaxin is a vaccine candidate to be developed by BBIL against the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research’s National Institute of Virology (NIV).</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">NIV isolated a strain of the virus from an asymptomatic Covid-19 patient and transferred it to BBIL early in May. The firm then used it to work on developing an “inactivated” vaccine–a vaccine that uses a dead virus.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Once the vaccine is injected into a human, it has no potential to infect or replicate, since it is a killed virus. It just serves to the immune system as a dead virus and mounts an antibody response towards the virus.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">BBIL’s Covaxin then underwent pre-clinical testing, when the vaccine is tested on animals like guinea pigs and mice to see if it is safe, before the firm approached CDSCO for approvals to move on to the next stage of testing–human trials.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The first phase, usually conducted on a small group of individuals, tries to find what dosage of the vaccine is safe for use, whether it is effective in building their immunity to the virus and whether there are any side effects. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The second phase is conducted on a larger group comprising hundreds of persons fitting the description of those for whom the vaccine is intended using characteristics like age and sex. This phase tests how effective the vaccine is on the population group being studied.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Other Indian firms engaged in the development of Covid-19 vaccines include Zydus Cadila, Serum Institute of India and, since earlier this month, Panacea Biotec.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Other potential vaccines</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">AstraZeneca, whose vaccine candidate “ChAdOx1-S” with the University of Oxford is already at phase III trials, is the frontrunner. Serum Institute has an agreement to manufacture this vaccine.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Moderna, which is also close to beginning phase III trials for its LNP-encapsulated mRNA vaccine candidate with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is close behind.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Globally, Zydus Cadila’s DNA plasmid and measles vector vaccines as well as Serum’s codon deoptimised live attenuated vaccine, which it is developing with Codagenix, are still in the pre-clinical stage.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 83 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 4784,
'title' => 'Synthetic red blood cells',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">An international team of bioengineers has developed artificial red cells by combining biological material with lab-grown polymers.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> One of the few cells that lack a nucleus, the red cell has a relative simplicity that makes it an attractive target for engineers to build upon.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This microscopic body can squeeze through the vascular system with its usual hemoglobin and it can be modified to deliver tumour-killing medications, carry biosensors, and even be studded with tiny magnets for the ultimate in remote guidance.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Our dependence on huge amounts of clean, freshly donated products to replace blood lost through trauma puts a high demand on finding a suitable substitute.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">There are several synthetic RBCs already in development. Many rely on scavenging key materials such as hemoglobin from human or animal donors and repackaging them into benign particles that are unlikely to trigger an immune response.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The artificial body had to be an appropriate size, shape, and flexibility to make it through the body's narrowest vessels; remain intact long enough to be useful; and still carry a suitable amount of oxygen.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The team figured they'd make their tiny units modular, allowing them to swap in and out various features that helped the cells carry drugs or hone in on a destination.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To achieve their goal, they started by coating donated blood cells in a layer of silica, which was then painted with polymers of different charges.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Once the silica and cell guts were scraped away, the remaining polymer membrane could itself be covered in a skin made from red blood cells.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The result is an empty biconcave shell that can be packed with whatever biochemical machinery that is required.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">A battery of tests using lab equipment and animals showed the bionic blood cells lived up to expectations. There's still a long way to go before any therapies based on artificial blood cells are used.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 84 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 5112,
'title' => 'Aptameter based assay for coronavirus detection',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers from the Faridabad-based Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) have developed an Aptamer-linked immobilised sorbent assay (ALISA) based detection assay for novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) using DNA aptamers.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">DNA aptamers are small, single-strand structured DNA molecules that bind to a specific target with high affinity and specificity. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The aptamer binds to the full-length spike protein of the virus, which plays a crucial role in binding to the receptors found on human cells, and gains entry into the cells.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The assay was tested using 250 nasopharyngeal swab samples, and the assay has 90% sensitivity and 99% specificity.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">After extensive screening and optimisation, researchers developed two aptamers, and the performance of both aptamers is comparable in terms of sensitivity and specificity.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In one, the aptamer has 75 DNA nucleotide bases, while the other has only 44 DNA nucleotide bases.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The nucleotide bases in the aptamer bind to the spike protein (antigen) and help in the detection of positive samples. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Since the aptamers are synthetic molecules, it will be easy to scale-up production and there will be very little variation from one batch to another.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 5124,
'title' => 'Nasal covid-19 vaccine',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Several research groups and firms in the United States, Canada and India, are working on nasal coronavirus vaccines that will deliver medicine through inhalation.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> Instead of a jab into the upper arm, these types of vaccines will be delivered to the respiratory tract, either via a nasal spray or aerosol delivery.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Since coronavirus is a respiratory infection and invades the airway, have said administering a vaccine at the entry points would train the mucosa to identify Covid-19 and block it from getting through. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Scientists have identified two specific types of cells in the nose as the likely initial infection points for SARS-CoV2.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Mucous membranes are squishy tissues that line the surfaces of internal organs like lungs and respiratory tract and catch pathogens that try to get into the body.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">While an intramuscular vaccination mainly induces an antibody response, a nasal vaccination is beneficial as it triggers mucosal, as well as systemic immunity.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Moreover, intranasal vaccination may also offer protection at other mucosal sites such as the lungs, intestines and genital tract.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">T cells and B cells are the major cellular components of the body’s immune response. In normal circumstances, upon vaccination, B cells would provide antibodies called IgG to search for pathogens. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Other cells called T cells, either helps B cells produce antibodies or seek out and destroy infected cells.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In case of intranasal vaccination, the B cells that reside around mucosal tissues can make another type of antibody called IgA, that plays a large role in heeling gut and airway pathogens. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Nearby T cells can then memorise the features of specific pathogens and patrol the places they first encountered them.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 86 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 5172,
'title' => 'Itolizumab drug',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A repurposed drug, Itolizumab, is one of the newest treatments for Covid-19 approved in India. The Drug Controller General of India recently approved it as a novel biologic therapy for restricted emergency use.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The decision has also sparked controversy because of the small size of the clinical trials, and because exemption has been granted from phase-III trials.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Itolizumab is an existing drug used for psoriasis, a chronic skin disease involving unregulated growth of some skin cells that develop into red patches mostly on knees and elbows, but also on some other parts of the body. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The drug, developed by Bengaluru-based Biocon, was approved in 2013. It is considered safe and effective for the treatment of psoriasis.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The SARS-CoV-2 virus has been observed to induce an overreaction of the immune system, generating a large number of cytokines that can cause severe damage to the lungs and other organs, and, in the worst scenario, multi-organ failure, and even death.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The approval from the DCGI is based on the results from the conclusion of a randomised, controlled clinical trial at hospitals in Mumbai and New Delhi. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The study focused on the safety and efficacy of Itolizumab in preventing cardio-renal complications in Covid-19 patients who also have acute respiratory distress. The drug has been found to reduce these complications in such patients.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The drug controls the hyper-activation of the immune system in response to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and prevents morbidity and mortality related to the cytokine storm. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The clinical trial showed that the drug is best administered in the pulmonary phase of the Covid-19 infection when the cytokine build-up is starting and the patient is experiencing shortness of breath and exhibiting abnormal chest images. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It prevents progression to the hyper-inflammation phase (cytokine storm) and other complications like coagulation and organ failure.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The most critical part is to know when to use the drug and it must be reserved for moderate to severe COVID cases with cytokine storm where oxygen requirements are rapidly going up.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Inflammations commonly found in Covid patients were suppressed, and these correlated well with clinical improvement in symptoms. Overall, the drug was found well-tolerated.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 87 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 5232,
'title' => 'How Coronavirus tricks immune system with camouflage',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has been found to have the some advantage entering cells. A new study in Nature Communications describes how the coronavirus is able to achieve stealth.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In lay terms, messenger RNA can be described as a deliverer of genetic code to worksites that produce proteins.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The virus produces an enzyme called nsp16, which it then uses to modify its messenger RNA cap. In lay terms, messenger RNA can be described as a deliverer of genetic code to worksites that produce proteins.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The modifications by the virus serve as a camouflage. Because of the modifications, which fool the cell, the resulting viral messenger RNA is now considered as part of the cell’s own code and not foreign.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers found this when they resolved the structure of nsp16. Deciphering the 3D structure of nsp16 paves the way for the rational design of antiviral drugs for Covid-19 and other emerging coronavirus infections. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The new small molecules in the drugs would inhibit nsp16 from making the modifications. The immune system would then recognise the virus as foreign, and target it.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The study discovered the 3D structure of a key enzyme of the Covid-19 virus required for its replication and found a pocket in it that can be targeted to inhibit that enzyme. This is a fundamental advance in our understanding of the virus.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 88 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 5262,
'title' => 'Covid-19 vaccine pricing',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">With four vaccine candidates in final stage human trials and firms eyeing to launch them by year-end, the topic has now veered towards the pricing of the shots and which countries would access them first.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Covid-19 vaccine candidates by the University of Oxford-AstraZeneca, Moderna Inc, Pfizer Inc-BioNTech, and Chinese firm Sinovac are all undergoing Phase III trials at present.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">While Pfizer, Moderna, and Merck & Co have said they plan to sell their vaccines at a profit, some drugmakers, including Johnson & Johnson have announced plans to price their vaccines on a not-for-profit basis.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">However, even before regulatory approval, several rich countries have entered into pre-purchase agreements with vaccine manufacturers, a development that has come to be known as “vaccine nationalism”. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Oxford University’s AZD1222 vaccine, based on a chimpanzee adenovirus called ChAdOx1, is already undergoing combined Phase II/III trials in the UK, Brazil and South Africa and may soon be tested in India as well.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The UK government has already struck a deal for 100 million doses of the Oxford vaccine. The firm has also signed a $127 million deal with the Brazilian government to produce an initial 30 million doses. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Moderna Inc has started Phase III trials of its mRNA-1273 vaccine involving 30,000 human volunteers. The vaccine uses messenger RNA, a synthetic form of genetic material from the virus designed to nudge the body’s immune system into attack mode.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The US government is supporting Moderna’s vaccine with nearly half a billion dollars and the firm has signed an agreement with drugmaker Catalent Inc to make an initial 100 million doses. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It has also signed an agreement with Spain’s Laboratorios Farmaceuticos Rovi SA, Swiss contract drugmaker Lonza Group AG and the Israel government.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Moderna is planning to price the vaccine at $50-60 (Rs 3,700-Rs 4,500) for the entire course. This would mean that per dose would be priced at $25-30 (Rs 1,800-Rs 2,300).</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">American drugmaker Pfizer Inc, which has partnered with German biotech firm BioNTech to develop a vaccine candidate called BNT162b2, progressed to phase II/III trials. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The UK government has secured 30 million doses of the BioNtech/Pfizer vaccine. Deals have been signed with the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Italy as well.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The GAVI vaccine alliance, of which India is a part and has pledged $15 million, said it would seek to negotiate tiered pricing for richer and poorer countries.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 89 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 5281,
'title' => 'Vulnerable protein of Coronavirus identified',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A new study in Nature has found that pharmacological inhibition of a protein called PLpro blocks virus replication and also strengthens our immune response.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 enters a human cell, it hijacks the cell mechanism. One of its proteins, called <strong>PLpro</strong>, is produced by the human cell itself after the virus hijacks the cell mechanism.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When SARS-CoV-2 infects us, the infected body cells release messenger substances known as type 1 interferons. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">These attract our killer cells, which kill the infected cells. SARS-CoV-2 fights back by letting the human cell produce PLpro. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the case of an infection, the SARS-CoV-2 virus must overcome various defence mechanisms of the human body, including its non-specific or innate immune defence. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This protein suppresses the development of type 1 interferons, which would have attracted our killer cells.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Researchers have now been able to monitor these processes in cell culture. If they blocked PLpro, virus production was inhibited, and the innate immune response of the human cells was also strengthened.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 90 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 4445,
'title' => 'Scientists closer on developing heat tolerant wheat variety',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers working on molecular-level responses in crops have taken a step closer to their goal of producing heat-tolerant wheat.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Plants have Rubisco activase, or Rca for short, that tells the plant's energy-producing enzyme (Rubisco) to kick on when the sun is shining and signals it to stop when the leaf is deprived of light to conserve energy.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Swapping just one molecular building block out of 380 that make up an Rca in wheat enables it to activate Rubisco faster in hotter temperatures, suggesting an opportunity to help protect crops from rising temperatures.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Scientists took a wheat Rca (2β) that was already pretty good at activating Rubisco in lower temperatures and swapped out just one of its amino acids with one found in another wheat Rca (1β) that works pretty well in higher temperatures but is rubbish at activating Rubisco and the result is a new form of 2β Rca that is the best of both worlds.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers are engineering crops to be more productive by improving photosynthesis, the natural process all plants use to convert sunlight into energy and yields.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Naturally occurring wheat Rca 1β has an isoleucine amino acid, works up to 39 degrees Celcius, but isn't great at activating Rubisco.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">whereas the naturally occurring 2β has a methionine amino acid, works up to about 30 degrees Celcius, and is good at activating Rubisco. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Here the team has created a new version of 2β with an isoleucine amino acid that works up to 35 degrees Celcius and is quite good at activating Rubisco.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">They have shown how this one amino acid swap can make Rca active at higher temperatures without really affecting its efficiency to activate Rubisco, which could help crops kickstart photosynthesis under temperature stress to churn out higher yields.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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'id' => (int) 4435,
'title' => 'Broad spectrum anti-viral prevents Coronavirus',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers have found that a <strong>ribonucleoside</strong> <strong>analogue</strong> (beta-D-N4-hydroxycytidine or NHC) that has previously shown to be effective against influenza and Ebola is also potent against coronaviruses, including the novel coronavirus that is currently causing the pandemic.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Broad-spectrum antivirals for emerging zoonotic infections become particularly important when specific interventions do not yet exist.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The drug was found to be effective in both cell lines and primary human airway epithelial cultures against SARS, MERS and SARS-CoV-2. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It was also effective against three closely-related bat coronaviruses that were capable of replicating in human cells without undergoing any adaptation, suggesting potential direct transmission from bats to humans.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The NHC drug is highly active against all three coronaviruses — 2002 SARS, MERS and the novel coronavirus. While it was not toxic to human cells, there was a dose-dependent reduction in SARS, MERS and novel coronavirus infectious virus production in human airway epithelial cell cultures.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The researchers found that the antiviral activity of NHC arises from increased mutation rate in viral genomic RNA. In the case of MERS, treatment with 1 microMolar of NHC resulted in three-fold increase in error rate and 138-fold decrease in virus titer. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The prodrug was tested <em>in vitro </em>using the 2002 SARS coronavirus. Lung haemorrhage was significantly reduced and there was a dose-dependent reduction in lung titer of SARS coronavirus. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">They found the prodrug given as a prophylactic was “robustly antiviral” and was able to prevent SARS coronavirus replication and disease.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The data support the continued development of NHC prodrug as a potent broad-spectrum antiviral that could be useful in treating contemporary, newly emerged and emerging CoV infections of the future.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'id' => (int) 4436,
'title' => 'Remdesivir and Coronavirus',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In all the debate over the efficacy of remdesivir in treating COVID-19 patients, what has been clear is the way the drug acts against the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV2.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Research last month concluded that remdesivir indeed works in a way that prevents Coronavirus from replicating.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Remdesivir is designed to obstruct the stage of replication, when the virus creates copies of itself, followed endlessly by the copies creating copies of themselves.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Once the virus enters the human cell, it releases its genetic material, which is then copied using the body’s existing mechanism. At every stage of infection, various human proteins, virus proteins, and their interactions come into play. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">At the replication stage, the key viral protein at play is an enzyme called RdRp (an enzyme is a kind of protein that speeds up chemical reactions within a cell).</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In scientific literature, such an enzyme is called a polymerase (the p is RdRp stands for polymerase) or a replicase. In any case, this is the enzyme that is targeted by remdesivir.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In order to replicate, the copy machine processes raw material from the virus RNA, broken down by another enzyme with that specific function. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When a patient is given remdesivir, the inhibitor, it mimics some of this material, and gets incorporated in the replication site. With remdesivir replacing the material it needs, the virus fails to replicate further.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">These coronavirus polymerases are sloppy and they get fooled, so the inhibitor gets incorporated many times and the virus can no longer replicate.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Previously, the same team had found similar results for remdesivir action against the coronavirus that causes MERS. The drug itself was designed to act against the Ebola virus, which is not a coronavirus.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers have imaged the high-resolution structure of the SARS-CoV-2 replicase complex, with remdesivir bound to it.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The structure shows where the virus’s RNA template enters the copy machine, where remdesivir is incorporated, and where the process of replication is terminated.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 5490,
'title' => 'Pfizer vaccine',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">US Pharma giant Pfizer and German biotechnology company BioNTech’s, which are testing four vaccine candidates for Covid-19 as part of Project Lightspeed, released the phase-1 data for one of these, being tested in the US.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The study said that across all populations, the candidate was well-tolerated and demonstrated a strong immune response, and that they are on track to seek regulatory review in October 2020.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The project with four vaccine candidates is based on BionTech’s proprietary mRNA-based technology platforms. It began in mid-January after the genetic sequence of SARS-CoV-2 was made public.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Two of these four candidates — BNT162b1 or BNT162b2 — have gone into human trials so far. Both are in Phase 1/2 human trials in the United States and Germany.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The researchers announced that after extensive review of preclinical and clinical data and in consultation with the US FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, they have chosen to advance their BNT162b2 vaccine candidate into the Phase 2/3 study, where 30,000 participants will be taking part.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong> BNT162b2</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It is a single nucleoside-modified messenger RNA (modRNA) vaccine candidate. It is made of a short segment of genetic material — the messenger RNA — which provides instructions for a human cell to make a harmless version of a target protein, in this case the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, in order to activate an immune response against the protein.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During a clinical trial, three aspects are assessed: reactogenicity (ability to produce common, adverse reactions), immunogenicity (ability to provoke an immune response), and safety.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">BNT162b2 was associated with less systemic reactogenicity, particularly in older adults. This effectively means that BNT162b2 generates an even lower adverse reaction among the vulnerable population, making it the safer candidate of the two.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 5392,
'title' => 'Doubts over Russian vaccine',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Russia became the first country to grant regulatory approval to a Covid-19 vaccine, dubbed <strong>Sputnik V</strong>, for civilian use.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The vaccine, developed by Moscow’s Gamaleya Institute in collaboration with the country’s defence ministry, has led to scepticism regarding its safety and effectiveness since it is being approved for civilian use even before clinical trials are completed.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Last week, the World Health Organisation cautioned Russia against rushing through with its vaccine as officials expressed doubts over the shots being produced in China and Russia during testifying before a panel of US lawmakers.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Russia’s vaccine is based on the DNA of a SARS-CoV-2 type adenovirus, a common cold virus. The vaccine uses the weakened virus to deliver small parts of a pathogen and stimulate an immune response. Officials maintained that the coronavirus particles in the vaccine cannot harm the body as they cannot multiply.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">So far, Russia has only made public the results of phase-I of the clinical trials, which they claimed were successful and produced the desired immune response. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Defence Ministry had claimed that none of the volunteers had reported any complaints and experienced no side-effects.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Phase I human trials started on June 17 among 76 volunteers, with most being recruited from the military. Half were injected with a vaccine in liquid form and the other half with a vaccine that came as soluble powder.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The superfast speed at which the Russian vaccine has been produced, eclipsing front runners like Oxford-AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Pfizer, has led to experts flagging that the government has cut corners and may put citizens at risk.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">What has raised the issue from experts is the fact that human trials for the vaccine, which takes several years in normal circumstances, have been completed in less than two months.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Russia, however, has claimed that this was made possible due to the fact that its Covid-19 vaccine candidate closely resembled a vaccine for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) disease, caused by another coronavirus, that had already been tested extensively.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 95 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 5949,
'title' => 'Anti-body cocktail may protect against Covid-19',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The experimental antibody cocktail which US President Donald Trump received when he tested positive for Covid-19 offers benefits against the novel coronavirus infection, according to a new study.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">While earlier studies had shown that the cocktail of two antibodies targeting the coronavirus spike protein could be used to neutralise the pathogen, scientists noted that further research in multiple animal models is needed to test the effectiveness of the formulation.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the current study, the researchers tested REGN-COV2 in rhesus macaques, which manifest mild Covid-19 symptoms, and in golden hamsters, which show symptoms that are much more severe, including rapid weight loss.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">They found that when the cocktail was administered three days before challenging the macaques with the virus, the treatment almost completely blocked establishment of infection.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When the macaques were treated with the drug one day after infection, they said there was faster viral clearance than in controls who had not been treated with the cocktail. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the hamster model, the study noted that the animals treated with the drug two days before infection exhibited a “dramatic protection from weight loss,” and decreased viral load in the lungs.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The scientists also reported benefits for hamsters treated one day after infection, as compared to controls. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">In conclusion, the research provide evidence that REGN-COV2 based therapy may offer clinical benefit in both prevention and treatment settings of Covid-19 disease, where it is currently being evaluated.</span></span></p>
</li>
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(int) 96 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 6223,
'title' => 'Flu vaccine derived from tobacco plants',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A new flu vaccine grown in plants has been put to the test in two large-scale clinical trials.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The vaccine contained virus-like particles which resembled circulating flu strains, extracted from native Australian tobacco relatives.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The two trials results suggest that the plant-derived vaccine is not only safe, but comparable to current commercial flu vaccines.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Most influenza vaccines are currently made using virus particles grown in and harvested from chicken eggs or lab-grown cells, which can take months together.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Plants, which can be engineered to produce select proteins and cultivated at scale, could be an alternative, helping to boost our capacity to produce seasonal flu vaccines.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The technique might also help to overcome complications encountered in the way current flu vaccines are manufactured that sometimes makes vaccines less effective. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The researchers used an Australian relative of the tobacco plant, <em>Nicotiana benthamiana</em>, engineered to produce just the outer shell of influenza viruses. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">These virus-like particles are then extracted and purified under strict conditions to make a flu vaccine. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Although this high benchmark was not reached in the trial, the vaccine did protect about a third of people from flu strains circulating in the 2017-2018 Northern Hemisphere winter that were a match for the viral particles in this vaccine.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">This is the first time a plant vaccine has been tested in a human clinical trial. It is a milestone for this technology and sows the seeds for other plant-based vaccines and therapeutics.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 97 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 6237,
'title' => 'Pfizer vaccine',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">US drug-maker Pfizer’s preliminary data from late-stage human trials of the Covid-19 vaccine has been found more than 90% effective. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The findings are critical as the vaccine is headed for a review by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) later this month.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The phase 3 trial of the vaccine candidate, <strong>BNT162b2</strong>, began on July 27 and has so far enrolled 43,538 participants, 38,955 of whom had received a second dose as of November 8.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This vaccine was developed using mRNA technology which makes use of the messenger RNA molecules that tell cells what proteins to build. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The mRNA, in this case, is coded to tell the cells to recreate the spike protein of the novel coronavirus. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Once the mRNA is injected into the body, the cells will use its instructions, creating copies of the spike protein, which is in return expected to prompt the immune cells to create antibodies to fight it.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Unlike several other vaccine candidates, mRNA vaccines are synthetically developed and they don’t need the virus to be cultivated and replicated, just the code for the most crucial part that the body’s immune system is to target. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">After getting the code for the virus, it is possible to develop the vaccine within weeks for pre-clinical testing, compared with months taken for more traditional platforms.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The vaccine was more than 90% effective in preventing Covid-19 among participants who had received a second dose as opposed to those participants who had only received a placebo.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 98 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 6419,
'title' => 'RT-LAMP',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers have discovered new technology for detecting novel coronavirus which is known as RT-LAMP.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Since there is no vaccine or cure for the novel coronavirus infection till today, there is a strong need for rapid, specific, and sensitive SARS-CoV-2 detection technology to control and contain the virus.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The current method for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis is the real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test which detects the presence of viral nucleic acids in nasopharyngeal swab samples. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">But it has certain shortcomings. The test requires complex and costly equipment. It requires extensive training for potential users.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The turnaround time is about 10 hours, so that the result will be available only by the next day. In remote places, the turnaround time further increases depending on the distance the samples need to travel. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">COVID-19 serology tests are also in use to detect antigens that are associated with the virus infection. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">These tests are easy to use with rapid results, as well as have minimal expenses. However, serology immunoassay lacks the necessary accuracy to be a reliable diagnostic test due to its low sensitivity and high false negative/positive rates.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">RT-LAMP (Reverse Transcriptase loop-mediated isothermal amplification) technology is a one-step nucleic acid amplification method to multiply specific sequences of RNA of the coronavirus. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Here, the RNA is first made into cDNA (copy DNA) by the usual reverse transcription. Then, the DNA is amplified by the LAMP technique. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Although the LAMP technique has been used in western countries for the past five years or more, the technique is new to the Indian IVD industry.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Advantages of RT-LAMP</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The RT-PCR test needs different temperatures in one cycle. The temperature of the solution has to be changed from 92 degrees C to 56 degrees C and again to 72 degrees C every two minutes, and this cycle has to be repeated. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The new RT-LAMP technology is done at 65 degrees C, where the DNA amplification is done at a constant temperature (isothermal), so that expensive thermal cycler is not required.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The quantity of DNA amplified in the LAMP technology is hundred thousand times more than that is taking place in PCR. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The assay is so fast that results can be obtained within 30 minutes and positive samples are amplified as early as 10 minutes.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Another advantage of LAMP is that the reagents are to be stored at 4 degree C (ordinary fridge), whereas the PCR-based reagents are to be stored and transported at –20 degrees C, which needs deep freezers that escalate the cost.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The LAMP technology does not need complex preparation as in the case of RT-PCR. LAMP is cost effective and does not need complex expensive equipment. Assays can be performed with minimum skill and minimum infrastructure.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 99 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 6709,
'title' => 'Pneumosil vaccine',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) has unveiled India’s first indigenously developed pneumococcal vaccine.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">SII’s pneumococcal vaccine was developed through a collaboration spanning over a decade with the health organisation PATH and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The vaccine targets the pneumococcal bacterium, which causes pneumonia and other serious life-threatening diseases such as meningitis and sepsis, and is estimated to cause nearly four lakh deaths in children under five years of age each year worldwide.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In view of its widespread fatality, the World Health Organization in 2018 recommended the inclusion of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) in routine childhood immunisation programmes in all countries.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The unique feature of PCV is its composition which is specially tailored to the serotype of the bacterium, <strong>S penumoniae</strong>, in India and other regions of the world.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Pneumosil has been extensively evaluated in five randomised controlled clinical trials and has demonstrated comparable safety and immunogenicity against licensed pneumococcal vaccines across diverse populations of India and Africa.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Pneumococcal disease</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Pneumococcal disease is a name for any infection caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumococcus. They can affect the lungs and other parts of the body.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Antibiotics can treat pneumococcal disease. However, many types of pneumococcal bacteria have become resistant to some of the antibiotics used to treat these infections.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 100 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 7187,
'title' => 'Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorised Johnson & Johnson’s single-shot Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The announcement arrived at a critical moment, as the steep decline in coronavirus cases in the US seemed to have plateaued.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">J&J has pledged to provide the US with 100 million doses by the end of June. There are already 600 million doses from the two-shot vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The J&J vaccine, known as <strong>JNJ</strong>-<strong>78436735</strong> or <strong>Ad26.COV2.S</strong>., has been developed by Janssen Pharmaceutica, a Belgium-based division of the company, in collaboration with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The vaccine is based on the SARS-CoV-2 virus’s genetic instructions for building the spike protein that it uses to enter human cells. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">But unlike the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, which store the instructions in single-stranded RNA, the J&J vaccine uses double-stranded DNA.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Unlike the Pfizer, Moderna, Oxford-AstraZeneca and even the Bharat Biotech (Covaxin) vaccine, the J&J vaccine is given as a single dose.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">J&J began work on its coronavirus vaccine in January 2020, and received $456 million in assistance from the US government in March.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 101 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 7188,
'title' => 'Vaccine makers adapting to virus variants',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The coronavirus is rapidly mutating and we are able to observe its new versions in UK, South Africa and even India.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> First-generation COVID-19 vaccines appear to be working against today’s variants, but makers already are taking steps to update their formula to tackle variants.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">COVID-19 vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna are made with new technology that’s easy to update. The mRNA vaccines use a piece of genetic code for the spike protein that coats the coronavirus, so that immune system can learn to recognize and fight the real thing.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If a variant with a mutated spike protein develops that the original vaccine can’t recognize, companies would swap out that piece of genetic code for a better match.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Updating other COVID-19 vaccines could be more complex. The AstraZeneca vaccine uses a harmless version of a cold virus to carry that spike protein gene into the body. An update would require growing cold viruses with the updated spike gene.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Studies of updated COVID-19 vaccines won’t have to be as large or long as for the first generation of shots. Instead, a few hundred volunteers could receive experimental doses of a revamped vaccine.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Influenza viruses mutate much faster than coronaviruses, so flu shots are adjusted every year and must protect against multiple strains.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Mutations</strong></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">A mutation is a change that occurs in our DNA sequence, either due to mistakes when the DNA is copied or as the result of environmental factors such as UV light and cigarette smoke.</span></span></p>
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(int) 102 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 7235,
'title' => 'Covid-19 anti-bodies have less effectiveness against new variants',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A new research has found out that the new variants of Covid-19 virus (UK, South Africa and Brazil) may not be identified by anti-bodies designed to track the original variant.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The research emphasised the need for more anti-bodies in order to neutralise the new variants of the virus.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The research indicates that Covid-19 drugs and vaccines developed till now may become less effective as the new variants become prominent.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The SARS-CoV-2 virus uses the spike protein to attach onto and get inside human cells. The spike is thus a main target for drug and vaccine developers.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The new virus variants contain multiple mutations in their spike genes. This can reduce the effectiveness of drugs and vaccines that target the spike proteins.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Research</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers tested the virus variants against antibodies in the blood of people who had recovered from infection or were vaccinated with the vaccine. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The study indicated that the UK variant could be tackled with same levels of antibodies as the original virus, but the other two mutants required from 3.5 to 10 times the original.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Observation</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The amount of anti-body produced by a person in response to natural vaccination or infection varies. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Some people produce high levels of anti-bodies that will help them counter the mutated variants of the virus. However, older individuals and those with immune-suppressants cannot produce such high levels.</span></span></p>
</li>
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'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A new research has found out that the new variants of Covid-19 virus (UK, South Africa and Brazil) may not be identified by anti-bodies designed to track the original variant.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The research emphasised the need for more anti-bodies in order to neutralise the new variants of the virus.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The research indicates that Covid-19 drugs and vaccines developed till now may become less effective as the new variants become prominent.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The SARS-CoV-2 virus uses the spike protein to attach onto and get inside human cells. The spike is thus a main target for drug and vaccine developers.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The new virus variants contain multiple mutations in their spike genes. This can reduce the effectiveness of drugs and vaccines that target the spike proteins.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Research</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers tested the virus variants against antibodies in the blood of people who had recovered from infection or were vaccinated with the vaccine. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
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</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Observation</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The amount of anti-body produced by a person in response to natural vaccination or infection varies. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
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</li>
</ul>
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[[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'cacategories' } ] $breadcrumb = [ (int) 0 => [ 'name' => 'Home', 'link' => 'https://currentaffairs.studyiq.com/' ], (int) 1 => [ 'name' => 'Biotechnology', 'link' => 'https://currentaffairs.studyiq.com/tags/biotechnology' ] ] $currentaffairs = [ (int) 0 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 47, 'title' => 'Scientists develop microbial fuel cell to treat textile wastewater', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Scientists have developed microbial fuel cell (MFC) to treat textile wastewater and generate power during degradation process. It uses simple principle to degrade wastewater. This energy-efficient technology can be also used with any other industrial wastewater.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>How Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) works?</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In this fuel cell, carefully selected cohort of bacteria is made to act on the textile wastewater placed in it. These bacteria are isolated from very wastewater they are meant to degrade. </span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">They feed on organic material in water and break it down under anaerobic (without oxygen) conditions, releasing electrons in process. </span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The electrons are collected at anode which results in current in circuit. The bacteria forms biofilm on anode making collection of electrons easy at anode.</span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During this entire process, bacteria act on wastewater and purify it and waste is segregated in the cell. For example, dye present in wastewater is broken to simpler form.</span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">At present this technology has been tested in 200 litre capacity prototype, which can can generate power of around 1 watt per square-metre.</span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Scientists are also incorporating nanotechnology in it, to add nanotech filter to improve process to keep thickness of biofilm within prescribed limit.</span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'microbial-fuel-cell-to-treat-textile-wastewater', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/edf9/fwqy46c1ew91btc6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/edf9/fwqy46c1ew91btc6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Scientist develop microbial fuel cell to treat textile wastewater', 'metakeyword' => 'Scientist develop microbial fuel cell to treat textile wastewater', 'metadescription' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, Scientists develop microbial fuel cell to treat textile wastewater', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/4xom8zbmcip1h39/4.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 1 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 53, 'title' => 'Nemuri: Scientists identify gene that triggers sleep during sickness', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Scientists, including one of Indian origin, have identified single gene called <strong>nemuri (a Japanese word for sleep) </strong>that makes person sleepy when they are sick. This gene links sleep to immune system and provides potential explanation for how sleep increases during sickness. It was identified in study of over 12,000 lines of fruit flies. It was found that to extent of infection, stimulated overactive nemuri expressed in small set of fly neurons improves sleep.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Key Findings of Study</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Nemuri gene fights germs with its inherent antimicrobial activity and drives prolonged, deep sleep after infection.<strong>It provides potential explanation for how sleep increases during sickness</strong></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It was found that flies with extra nemuri were better at fighting flu. When they were infected with deadly bacteria, nemuri-boosted flies survived longer than their non-boosted counterparts.</span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In response to infection, nemuri gene kill microbes, most likely in peripheral parts of fruit fly body and increased sleep through its action in the brain.</span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Abundance of nemuri also helped flies fight infection, thus presents clear connection between this sleep gene and immune system.</span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It was also found that flies lacking nemuri gene, were completely unable to manufacture its antimicrobial benefits.</span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">However, nemuri gene is not all gene required for sleep or immunity. Without it, flies are still capable of sleeping, albeit more fitfully, and its absence doesn’t impair them in resisting infection.</span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'scientists-identify-gene-sleep-during-sickness', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/6421/a6d1528pub7lmdm6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/6421/a6d1528pub7lmdm6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Scientists identify gene that triggers sleep during sickness', 'metakeyword' => 'Scientists identify gene that triggers sleep during sickness, Scientists identify, sleep during sickness', 'metadescription' => 'Scientists, including one of Indian origin, have identified single gene called nemuri (a Japanese word for sleep) that makes person sleepy when they are sick.', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/bm413d3ss0waa1a/current_affair_8.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 2 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 120, 'title' => 'Scientist discover how fungus cripple’s immune system', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"quicksand",serif">Scientists have discovered how fungal toxin gliotoxin found in common fungus <em>Aspergillus fumigatus</em> cripples immune defence system and enable potentially fatal infection to develop. This common fungus is found virtually everywhere on Earth. It is commonly found on damp walls or in spores that blow through the air, mattresses and floors etc.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"quicksand",serif">Findings of this study</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"quicksand",serif">Gliotoxin, a potent mycotoxin is responsible for pathogenicity of <em>Aspergillus fumigatus</em>. It has immunosuppressive effect i.e. it weakens activity of <em>Neutrophilic granulocytes </em>cells, which are important immune defence system.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"quicksand",serif">Neutrophilic granulocytes<em> </em>cells<em> </em>represent first line of immune defence system. When these<em> </em>cells are bought into contact with gliotoxin, it releases specific messenger substances <em>leukotrieneB4</em> into blood, which attract other immune cells. Once sufficient large number of immune cells has gathered, they can render intruder harmless.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"quicksand",serif">But in case of Aspergillus fumigatus, Gliotoxin ensures that production of messenger substance in neutrophilic granulocytes is inhibited, so that they are unable to send signal to other immune cells. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"quicksand",serif">This is caused by specific enzyme (LTA4 hydrolase) being switched off by mycotoxin. This interrupts communication between immune cells and destroys defence mechanism. As result, it is easy for spores -- in this case fungusthat enter the organism to infiltrate immune system.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"quicksand",serif">Healthy people are not affected much if spores of this fungus find their way into their body. However, it threatens lives of people with compromised immune system, such as AIDS patients or people who are immunosuppressed following organ transplantation.</span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'how-fungus-cripples-immune-system', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/9750/dqyj6wby3f7qaj56g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/9750/dqyj6wby3f7qaj56g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'How fungus cripple’s immune system', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, Scientist discover how fungus cripple’s immune system', 'metadescription' => 'Scientist discover how fungus cripple’s immune system', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/nnra7qu9g4ce1tn/11feb_Scientist_discover.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 3 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 172, 'title' => 'Antibiotic-resistant NDM-1 gene found in pristine Arctic: Study', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists have discovered antibiotic resistant (AR) gene NDM-1 (New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1) in pristine high Arctic region (Kongsfjorden region of Svalbard),<strong> </strong>one of the earth’s most remote spots. It highlights further indication of globalisation of antimicrobial resistance (AR). </span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1 (NDM-1)</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is enzyme that makes bacteria resistant to broad range of beta-lactam antibiotics. It includes antibiotics of <em>carbapenem family</em>, which are used for treatment of AR bacterial infections.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Its gene is one member of large gene family that encodes beta-lactamase enzymes called carbapenemases.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Bacteria that produce carbapenemases are often referred as "superbugs" because infections caused by them are difficult to treat. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">NDM-1 was first detected in a Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate from Swedish patient of Indian origin in 2008 in New Delhi, so it is named after it. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Most common bacteria that make this enzyme are <em>gram-negative</em> such as E<em>-coli and Klebsiella pneumonia</em>. Its gene can spread from one strain of bacteria to another by horizontal gene transfer.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Findings of Study</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It was detected in five out of the eight clusters studied. It was present in highest concentrations near fresh water sources where wildlife tends to congregate.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Robust presence of blaNDM-1 comparatively localised in Kongsfjorden <strong>pose no health threat</strong>, but its detection reinforces how rapidly AR can globalise. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Additionally, levels of <strong><em>mobile genetic elements (MGEs)</em>,</strong> a mechanism by which bacteria trade AR, to mirror NDM-1 was also discovered. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">MGEs are noteworthy in this region because they are often associated with acquired resistance and are found at higher levels in human, or animal waste-impacted environments.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">AR in essence is natural phenomenon as most antibiotics are produced by soil microorganisms and over time they have evolved to become resistant to the compounds which they excrete to survive.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Reasons for spread of superbug: </span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Involvement of migratory birds is considered as prime reason. Birds might have carried resistance in their gut and transfered it to Arctic soil through faecal matter.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">However, it is also possible that it may have migrated with humans also and spread via local wildlife, or it may be combination of factors.</span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'ndm-1-gene-discovered-in-arctic', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/63e8/l8vzekgs9xgpk9i6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/63e8/l8vzekgs9xgpk9i6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Antibiotic-resistant NDM-1 gene found in pristine Arctic: Study', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, Antibiotic resistant (AR) gene, NDM-1, New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1, high Arctic region, Kongsfjorden region of Svalbard, ', 'metadescription' => 'Scientists have discovered antibiotic resistant (AR) gene NDM-1 (New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1) in pristine high Arctic region (Kongsfjorden region of Svalbard)', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/5n1994x9cpaab4n/16feb_Antibiotic-resistant_NDM-1.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 4 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 202, 'title' => 'Killer T cells can fight all kinds of influenza virus: Study', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists have discovered that some killer T cells (immune cells) could fight all kinds of influenza virus. These Killer T cells can provide unprecedented immunity across all flu viruses and could help in producing one-shot universal influenca vaccine.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Killer T cells </span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">They are type of white blood cell that roams body scanning for abnormalities and infections. They are essential for human immunity against host of invading bacteria and viruses. They are found in over half the world's population.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Need for universal vaccine</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">According to World Health Organization, (WHO) influenza epidemics, largely seasonal, kill hundreds of thousands of people each year.</span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Influenza virus are vastly diverse and keep mutating continuously and evade immune system. This makes it nearly impossible to predict and vaccinate against mutating strains of influenza virus.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">New Discovery</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">For this discovery, scientists had used <strong>mass spectrometry</strong>—a scanning technique that helps separate molecules based on their mas to identify parts of virus that are shared across all flu strains. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Human lung tissue and in mice were conducted by injnecting peptides which activated killer T cells. Peptide responsible for activating killer T cells revealed remarkably reduced levels of flu virus and inflammation in the airways.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It was found that killer T cells could effectively fight variations of influenza A, B and C, providing unprecedented immunity across all flu viruses. </span></span></span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Thus, T cells can be potentially used to develop all-encompassing flu shot that did not need to be changed annually.</span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'killer-t-cells-fight-all-kinds-influenza-virus', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/125a/wfmocjaunaxz7xe6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/125a/wfmocjaunaxz7xe6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Killer T cells can fight all kinds of influenza virus: Study', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, Killer T cells,fight, all kinds of influenza virus, one-shot, universal influenza vaccine ', 'metadescription' => 'Scientists have discovered that some killer T cells (immune cells) could fight all kinds of influenza virus. These Killer T cells can provide unprecedented immunity across all flu viruses and could help in producing one-shot universal influenca vaccine.', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/2wa7ptbf5l76k8s/19feb_Killer_T_cells_can_fight.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 5 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 489, 'title' => 'Government sends expert medical team to assess West Nile Virus in Kerala', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has sent special medical team of National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to Malappuram district of Kerala from where confirmed case of West Nile Virus (WNV) fever was reported. It also has alerted apex research organization Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for keeping close watch at central and state level.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">West Nile Virus (WNV)</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is viral infection which is typically spread by mosquitoes bites and can cause neurological disease as well as death in people. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is member of flavivirus genus and belongs to Japanese encephalitis antigenic complex of the family Flaviviridae. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It was first detected in a woman in West Nile district of Uganda in 1937. It was later identified in birds (crows and columbiformes) in Nile delta region in 1953 are its natural hosts. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is commonly found in Africa, Middle East (West Asia), Europe and North America. Its largest were recorded in Greece, Israel, Romania, Russia and USA.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Presence in India</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">In India, it is prevalent in Gujarat, Rajasthan and South Indian states</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Previous confirmed cases of WNV infections were reported from Vellore (Tamil Nadu) and Kolar (Karnataka) districts during 1977, 1978 and 1981 outbreaks.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">In 2011, during outbreak of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Kerala, presence of WNV was also confirmed in clinical specimens.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Transmission</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is transmitted to humans through infected mosquito bites. Mosquitoes become infected with it when they feed on infected birds (natural hosts), which circulate virus in their blood. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It may also be transmitted through contact with other infected animals, their blood or other tissues. Once person gets infected, the virus multiplies fast.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">No human-to-human transmission of this virus through casual contact has been reported.</span></strong></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">But, very few small proportion of human infection cases have been reported through blood transfusions, organ transplant and breast milk feeding. One case of mother to child transmission (transplacental) also has been reported.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Symptoms </span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The infection is either has no symptoms (asymptomatic) or can result in West Nile fever or severe West Nile disease. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">People infected with it suffer from fever, headache, fatigue, body aches, nausea, vomiting, occasionally with skin rash and swollen lymph glands.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">In case of severe West Nile disease: </span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is also called neuroinvasive disease, such as West Nile poliomyelitis or West Nile encephalitis or meningitis. In this case, patient suffers from headache, high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, stupor, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis. </span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Treatment of West Nile Virus</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">There is no vaccine available for humans against this virus. Moreover, there is also no definite treatment of disease. Its treatment is mainly with fluids and supportive care. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is diagnosed with blood igm levels and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Its prevention can be done by preventing mosquito bite, using repellents and wearing full sleeves. </span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'west-nile-virus-kerala', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/e207/d2n4gcm8wckv62p6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/e207/d2n4gcm8wckv62p6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Govt sends medical team to assess West Nile Virus case in Kerala', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, Health Ministry, special medical team,Malappuram, Kerala, West Nile Virus, fever ', 'metadescription' => 'Health Ministry sends special medical team to Malappuram district of Kerala from where confirmed case of West Nile Virus (WNV) fever was reported.', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/ahh29t4a69d7ufy/15_Mar_Government_sends_expert_medical.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 6 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 558, 'title' => 'Laurus Labs inks pact with Global Fund', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Drug maker Laurus Labs has entered into strategic partnership agreement with The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. It is three-and-a-half-year pact that will fetch company volume commitments from fund for treatment of HIV/AIDS. </span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"> </p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Under this pact, Laurus Labs has also received and executed order for the Global Fund in February 2019 that involved supplies of its fixed dose combination (FDC) drug Tenofovir/Lamivudine/Dolutegravir (TLD) to high disease-burden countries in sub Saharan African region. </span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"> </p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is international financing organization that aims to attract, leverage and invest additional resources to end epidemics of HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria to support attainment of SDG established by UN.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is public-private partnership organization i.e. operates in partnership model between governments, civil society, private sector and people to accelerate end of three diseases.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is world's largest financier of AIDS, TB, and malaria prevention, treatment, and care programs. It was started in January 2002. It maintains its secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is financing mechanism rather than an implementing agency. Programs are implemented by in-country partners such as ministries of health, while Global Fund secretariat monitoring programs.</span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'laurus-labs-inks-pact-with-global-fund', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/edb7/v88kxkgdinab1ud6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/edb7/v88kxkgdinab1ud6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Laurus Labs inks pact with Global Fund | Daily Current Affairs', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, Laurus Labs,strategic partnership agreement, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.', 'metadescription' => 'Drug maker Laurus Labs has entered into strategic partnership agreement with The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/iydal0r9otts1tq/Laurus_Labs_inks_pact.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 7 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 673, 'title' => 'Murein EndopeptidiaseK: Scientists discovers new enzyme to break cell walls of bacteria', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Researchers from Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) have discovered new enzyme "Murein EndopeptidiaseK" which can break cell walls of bacteria. It was discovered while they were studying cell growth in bacteria. This discovery offers potential for new drug delivery route to arrest anti-bacterial resistance to existing antibiotic drugs.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Key Findings of this research</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It identified principal process in cell which governs synthesis machinery to build cell wall in the first place. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">With this identification, they discovered new mechanism (enzyme) through which the cell regulates growth of its cell wall which is fundamental for bacterial growth and division.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The discovered enzyme can act on protein of cell wall in Escherichia coli (E. coli) that can be potential drug target.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The main focus of this research was blocking this enzyme from functioning, resulting in new ways to target microbes and leading to new wave of antibiotic drugs that may play a crucial role in the battle against antimicrobial resistance.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB)</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is premier biotechnology research establishment under aegis of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. It is located in Hyderabad, Telagana.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Its objectives are to conduct high quality basic research and training in frontier areas of modern biology. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It also promotes centralized national facilities for new and modern techniques in the inter-disciplinary areas of biology.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It has been designated "Center of Excellence" by the Global Molecular and Cell Biology Network, UNESCO. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">India's national biosafety level – 4 containment facility for human infectious diseases is located on campus of CCMB.</span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'new-enzyme-to-break-cell-walls-of-bacteria-discovered', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/bace/1z9nwfn1a1ma1id6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/bace/1z9nwfn1a1ma1id6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => ' Scientists discovers new enzyme to break cell walls of bacteria', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, Murein EndopeptidiaseK, Scientists, discovers, new enzyme, break, cell walls, bacteria', 'metadescription' => 'Murein EndopeptidiaseK: Scientists discovers new enzyme to break cell walls of bacteria, Researchers from Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/kvp036fa40jamzh/Murein_EndopeptidiaseK.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 8 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 655, 'title' => 'US withdraws Zika advisory for pregnant woman travelling India', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">United States (US) health monitor- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has withdrawn its Zika travel advisory against pregnant women travelling to India. It also has changed India’s status from “ongoing outbreak” of Zika virus to “current or past transmission but no current outbreak”. This comes after strong rebuttal from Government of India. </span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Background</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">US-CDC had issued Zika travel advisory against pregnant women travelling to India in December 2018 after outbreak of Zika virus was reported in India especially in Rajasthan and surrounding states. It was level 2 alert (of the three level alert), which required travelers enhanced protection. The advisory had refrained pegnant women to avoid travelling to areas with risk of Zika as it can cause serious birth defects.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Between September and November 2018, India witnessed Zika virus disease outbreaks in Jaipur in Rajasthan as well as Bhopal and its neighbouring districts in Madhya Pradesh. More than 150 cases were reported. However since end November 2018, no fresh cases of Zika virus disease were reported from both the states.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Zika virus</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is mosquito-borne virus transmitted by day time active Aedes aegypti mosquitoes which also transmit three other vector-borne diseases Chikungunya, dengue and yellow fever.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It belongs to family Flaviviridae and Genus Flavivirus. It is related to dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis and West Nile viruses.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It derives its name from Zika Forest, Uganda, where it was first identified in 1947. Now it is emerging disease and has been reported by 86 countries worldwide.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Transmission:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> It is transmitted by infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. It can also spread through sexual contact and blood transfusion.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Symptoms:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> Its initial symptoms are similar to other viral infections such as dengue, and includes fever, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, skin rashes, malaise, and headache.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">However, its long term threats are more severe especially if pregnant women are infected with it. They may give birth to babies with serious birth defects or severe brain damage i.e. neurological disorders or foetal deformation known as Microcephaly in which infants are born with abnormally smaller heads.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Besides it may also reportedly cause Guillain-Barré syndrome, a condition in which body’s immune system attacks part of the nervous system.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Treatment and Prevention:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> There is no specific vaccine or treatment currently available to treat it. Protection against mosquito bites and clearing stagnant water where mosquitoes breed is best form of prevention.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Latest Outbreaks:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> In 2015 and 2016 it was first reported in Brazil and later spread to other countries in South/Latin America, Central America, North America and Caribbean.</span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'us-withdraws-zika-advisory-for-pregnant-woman-travelling-india', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/dc1e/l6nfor63qtybdig6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/dc1e/l6nfor63qtybdig6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'US withdraws Zika advisory for pregnant woman travelling India', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, India-US, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, withdraws, Zika travel advisory, against pregnant women, travelling to India', 'metadescription' => 'India-US, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has withdrawn its Zika travel advisory against pregnant women travelling to India', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/ejes9r3l6bfbpww/US_withdraws_Zika_advisory.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 9 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 739, 'title' => 'Homo luzonensis: New early human species found in Philippines', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists have discovered new species of ancient human during excavations in Callao Cave in Luzon island, Philippines. It is named Homo luzonensis and is dated to 67,000 years BC (Late Pleistocene period). This discovery claims finding to be the ‘earliest direct evidence of human presence in the Philippines’.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Excavation Findings </span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Presence of two adults and one child based on findings of seven teeth, two hand bones, three foot bones and one thigh bone was found during exactions.</span></span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The fossils suggest that this species was less than 4 ft tall. It makes shorter than earlier discovered another ancient species called Homo floresiensis, sometimes called the “hobbit”.</span></span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The curved toe bone of this species found during excavation, closely resembling anatomy of Australopithecus, which is known to have been existing in Africa about 2-3 million years ago. </span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Significance of newest discovery </span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">These newly discovered specimens display combination of primitive and derived morphological features which are different from combination of features found in other species in genus Homo (including Homo floresiensis and Homo sapiens) and warrants their attribution to a new species.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It challenges fairly straightforward idea of human evolution. The traditional narrative suggests that homo sapiens evolved from ancient species of homo erectus in Africa and dispersed from there around 50,000 years ago. With new finding, it becomes clear that homo sapiens were definitely coexisting with other human species in other parts of the globe.</span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'homo-luzonensis-new-early-human-species-found-philippines', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/ae89/c0449ibtnrjnfgr6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/ae89/c0449ibtnrjnfgr6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Homo luzonensis: New early human species found in Philippines', 'metakeyword' => ' new species, ancient human, named Homo, luzonensis, discovered, excavations, Callao Cave, Luzon island, Philippines, 67,000 years BC', 'metadescription' => 'Scientists have discovered new species of ancient human during excavations in Callao Cave in Luzon island, Philippines. It is named Homo luzonensis and is dated to 67,000 years BC', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => '', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 10 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 738, 'title' => 'Scientists develop new genetic method for wildlife conservation', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists from Stanford University and National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru have developed new method for extracting genetic information for wildlife conservation. It can extract genetic clues quickly and cheaply from degraded and left-behind materials, such as feces, skin or saliva, and from food products suspected of containing endangered animals<strong>. </strong>It has potential to revolutionize conservation approaches and policies worldwide in quicker, easier and cost-effective way. </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">New Genetic method</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">This new method relies on identifying multiple, short portions of DNA segments in single experiment (‘multiplex PCR’) followed by next-generation sequencing, in which multiple fragments of DNA can be decoded simultaneously, and several times, in automated process.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Test </span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It was tested on Caribbean queen conches and tigers, two extremely different species that had strong conservation needs. </span></span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">DNA was obtained from faeces, hair and saliva of 75 wild and captive tigers to identify individuals and close relatives and RNA from 279 queen conch samples. </span></span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Using this method between 60 to 100 single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs was decoded. Besides, geographic regions of these individuals belonged to was able to decode using this information. </span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Significance </span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It can be used for deriving genetic information from animal sources containing extremely low-quality DNA — including faeces and cooked meat.</span></span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It can be also used for animal monitoring and to obtain intelligence on wildlife trade.</span></span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is cost effective, as testing several hundred samples simultaneously and decoding up to 1000 SNPs per sample using it cost as low as $5.</span></span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It takes just five days to decode genetic information, whereas older methods take at least a month.</span></span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'scientists-develop-new-genetic-method-wildlife-conservation', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/e72f/19r6ie8fniy7v416g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/e72f/19r6ie8fniy7v416g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Scientists develop new genetic method for wildlife conservation', 'metakeyword' => 'Scientists, Stanford University,National Centre for Biological Sciences, develop, new method, extracting genetic information, wildlife conservation', 'metadescription' => 'Scientists from Stanford University and National Centre for Biological Sciences have developed new method for extracting genetic information for wildlife conservation', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/pqqb3p95kpjkh41/Scientists_develop_new_genetic.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 11 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 750, 'title' => 'Scientists insert human brain genes into monkeys', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists from China have implanted <strong>Microcephalin (MCPH1) </strong>human brain genes<strong> </strong>into 11 rhesus monkeys, in study on evolution of human intelligence. MCPH1 is Protein Coding gene that scientists believe plays a role in the development of the human brain. It is believed to be playing key role in development of the human brain. Certain mutations in MCPH1, when homozygous, cause primary microcephaly (a severely diminished or smaller brain). </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Findings of Study</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists found Monkeys’ brains like those of humans took longer to develop. These monkeys performed better in tests of short-term memory as well as reaction time compared to wild monkeys. However, monkeys did not grow bigger brains than control group.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Ethical Cocerns</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">This human brain genes inducing test in monkeys is latest in series of genetic experiments conducted in China that have fuelled medical ethics debates. This study has already drawn ethical concerns and comparisons with dystopian sci-fi movie Planet of the Apes. China was first country in the world to create monkeys altered with gene-editing tool CRISPR.</span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'scientists-insert-human-brain-genes-into-monkeys', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/1085/7wajlsi03o10bj66g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/1085/7wajlsi03o10bj66g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Scientists insert human brain genes into monkeys', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, Scientists, China, implanted, Microcephalin, MCPH1, human brain genes, 11 rhesus monkeys, study, evolution of human intelligence', 'metadescription' => 'Scientists from China have implanted Microcephalin (MCPH1) human brain genes into 11 rhesus monkeys, in study on evolution of human intelligence', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/e7qdvdbbv302lpv/Scientists_insert_human.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 12 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 749, 'title' => 'Display information on 7 common antibiotics: CDSO', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has asked manufacturers to inform general public on adverse reactions from some commonly-used antibiotics.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">This comes after Union Health Ministry’s pharmaceutical watchdog-National Co-ordination Centre of Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI), raised alert on adverse reactions that were being reported from <strong>7 commonly-used antibiotics</strong>. They are: <em>Cefotaxime, Ofloxacin, Quetiapine, Cefixime, Tranexamic Acid, Sulfasalazine and Sodium Valproate</em>.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">CDSCO has written to drug manufacturers mandating them to mention in leaflets inserted into drug packets or on promotional literature, information about adverse reactions of these medicines.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"><img alt="" src="http://www.mediafire.com/view/v99gk52p5l4fqol/CDSO_7_Antibiotics.png/file" /></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Pharmacovigilance Program of India (PvPI)</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It was launched in 2010 by Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), New Delhi, under aegis of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Its objective is to monitor adverse drug reactions (ADRs) among Indian population. It also helps regulatory authority of India viz. CDSCO in taking decision for safe use of medicines. </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">National Co-ordination Centre of Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (NCC-PvPI)</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is Union Health Ministry’s pharmaceutical watchdog. It had launched WHO Collaborating Centre for Pharmacovigilance in Public Health Programmes and Regulatory Services in 2017.</span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'display-information-7-common-antibiotics-cdso', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/7f2a/0jp3tcmhc9f7o3f6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/7f2a/0jp3tcmhc9f7o3f6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Display information on 7 common antibiotics: CDSO', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs,CDSCO, manufacturers, inform,general public, adverse reactions, commonly-used antibiotics, Pharmacovigilance Program of India, PvPI, National Co-ordination Centre', 'metadescription' => 'Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has asked manufacturers to inform general public on adverse reactions from some commonly-used antibiotics', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/teg2149qgt51icc/Display_information_on_7_common_antibiotics.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 13 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 806, 'title' => 'CSIR launches Genome Sequencing Project to map rural youth', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has launched indigenous genetic mapping project of nearly 1,000 rural youth from length and breadth of the country. The project is aimed at educating students on “usefulness” of genomics and to determine unique genetic traits of citizens and their susceptibility (and resilience) to disease. This is the first time that such large sample of Indians will be recruited for detailed genome sequencing study. It will prove India’s capabilities at executing whole-genome sequencing</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Genome Sequencing Project</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The genome sequencing project will be done at CSIR laboratories namely Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyerabad and Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB).</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Methodology: </span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The genomes will be sequenced based on blood samples. Every person whose genomes are sequenced will be given a report. The participants will be told if they carry gene variants that make them less responsive to certain classes of medicines.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Genome</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is complete set of organism’s Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid (DNA) i.e. genetic blueprint of oraganis. Each genome contains all of information needed to build and maintain that organism. Human genome has about 3.2 billion base pairs. </span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Genome sequencing</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">: It is process of determining exact order of base pairs in segment of DNA. It helps in linking disease and unique genetic make-up of each individual. Globally, many countries have undertaken genome sequencing of a sample of their citizens to determine unique genetic traits, susceptibility (and resilience) to disease.</span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'csir-genome-sequencing-project-map-rural-youth', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/ff13/1e9rtafapeuhvu66g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/ff13/1e9rtafapeuhvu66g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'CSIR launches Genome Sequencing Project', 'metakeyword' => 'Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, CSIR, launches, indigenous, genetic mapping project, 1,000 rural youth', 'metadescription' => 'Council of Scientific and Industrial Research launched indigenous genetic mapping project of rural youth ', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => '', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 14 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 797, 'title' => 'Ganga Water contains antibacterial properties: Study', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">According to study ‘Assessment of Water Quality and Sediment to Understand Special Properties of River Ganga,’ water of Ganga river contains significantly higher proportion of organisms with antibacterial properties.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">About Study</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It was commissioned by Union Water Resources Ministry. It was conducted by Nagpur-based National Environmental Engineering and Research Institute (NEERI), a CSIR lab. </span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Its objective was to probe “unique properties” of Ganga River. It had assessed water quality for ‘radiological, microbiological and biological’ parameters in Bhagirathi, a feeder river of Ganga and along its stretch at 20 sampling stations.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">During this study, five pathogenic species of bacteria (Escherichia, Salmonella, Enterobacter, Shigella, Vibrio) were selected and isolated from Ganga, Yamuna and Narmada Rivers and their numbers were compared with <strong>bacteriophages.</strong></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Bacteriophages:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> It literally means bacteria eater. It is type of virus that destroys bacteria. It is composed of nucleic acid molecule that is surrounded by protein structure. Bacteriophage attaches itself to susceptible bacterium and destroys their host cell.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Findings of the study</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Ganga river water particularly in its upper Himalayan stretches contains significantly higher proportion of organisms with antibacterial properties as compared to other Indian rivers. These bacteriophages have great potential as antibacterial pharmaceutical. The water of this holy water contains almost 1,100 kinds of bacteriophage isolated from Mana to Haridwar, and Bijnor to Varanasi. It is approximately three times more in proportion than bacterial isolated in other rivers. This scientific perspective supports the mysterious claim that Ganga water possesses self-cleansing and healing properties has to do ‘antibacterial’ elements. </span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Previous Similar Studies</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">In 1890s, British bacteriologist Ernest Hankin had studied bacterial properties of River Ganga and had found that colonies of cholera bacteria thrived in tapped water quickly died in Ganges water. He used boiled Ganges water and filtered Ganges water in his experiment and established that while filtered water continued to show antibacterial effect and the boiled water did not. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists from IIT Roorkee had isolated super-phage from water of Ganga River and decoded its lysine gene and had cloned it to produce lysine protein having great potential as an antibacterial pharmaceutical.</span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'ganga-water-contains-antibacterial-properties-study', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/ba12/d98xdgmh77j2v3y6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/ba12/d98xdgmh77j2v3y6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Ganga Water contains antibacterial properties: Study', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, Assessment of Water Quality and Sediment to Understand Special Properties of River Ganga,, Ganga water, contains. higher proportion, organisms,antibacterial properties.', 'metadescription' => 'According to study water of Ganga river contains significantly higher proportion of organisms with antibacterial properties.', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => '', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 15 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 792, 'title' => 'IIT Researchers identify new method to detect breast, ovarian cancer', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Researchers from Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee have developed new salvia based non-invasive method to detect breast and ovarian cancer. This method uses certain proteins present in saliva which act as potential biomarker indicative of breast and ovarian cancer metastasis.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">New Method</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is based on conception that certain proteins present in saliva that could act as salivary biomarkers in diagnosis of breast and ovarian cancers. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Researchers had identified total of 646 proteins, of which 409 proteins were confidently identified across all four groups. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">In addition to 409 identified proteins, 352 proteins were common in all blood groups, while 57 were either present or absent exclusively in one group or common in any two/three blood groups.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It can be also used in patients who have undergone three cycles of chemotherapy, salivary proteins can also act as indicator of patients’ response to chemotherapy.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Background</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Breast and ovarian cancers are two of the worst forms of cancer, which are responsible for approximately one third of all cancers that occur in women and one fifth of all cancer related deaths worldwide. Their early detection has been difficult using traditional methods such as mammography, blood flow patterns by colour flow Doppler imaging and trans-vaginal ultrasound examination. This was mainly due to high diagnostic costs and radiation exposure because of heterogeneous and symptomatic nature of breast and ovarian cancers.</span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'new-method-to-detect-breast-ovarian-cancer', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/f520/osuybnpyf3gf5gm6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/f520/osuybnpyf3gf5gm6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Researchers identify new method to detect breast, ovarian cancer', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, new method, salvia based, non-invasive method, detect, breast, ovarian cancer', 'metadescription' => 'Researchers from Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee have developed new salvia based non-invasive method to detect breast and ovarian cancer', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => '', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 16 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 822, 'title' => 'Mosquirix: World's biggest anti-malaria vaccine campaign begins in Africa', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The world’s first biggest anti-malaria vaccine (Mosquirix) campaign has started in three African countries. Malawi was the first country to begin use this vaccine as part of routine childhood immunization programs and will be followed by Ghana and Kenya.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Anti-malaria vaccine campaign</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Under it around 360,000 children less that year old in three African countries will be vaccinated with anti-malaria drug as part of pilot project to help reduce the incidence of the deadly disease. The pilot project which will run until 2022.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Mosquirix </span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is recombinant protein-based malaria vaccine. It is scientifically known as <strong>RTS,S</strong> and trade name is Mosquirix.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It has been developed by British Pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline in partnership with PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is the <strong><em>world's first licensed malaria vaccine</em></strong> and also <strong><em>first vaccine licensed for use against human parasitic disease of any kind</em></strong>. It was approved for use by European regulators in July 2015.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It triggers immune system to defend against first stages of infectious disease shortly after malaria parasite enters bloodstream through mosquito bite.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Previous Trails:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> Mosquirix vaccine has already been tested on 15, 000 people in smaller clinical trials in 7 countries. The clinical trials had taken place in span of five years revealed that malaria cases had reduced by 40% mostly among babies of 5 to 7 month old. According to World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 40% efficacy this vaccine is not high in comparison with vaccines for other diseases, but it will add to the preventative measures, such as insecticides and bed nets already being used.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Malaria </span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is transmitted by female Anopheles mosquito. It is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa. In severe cases. It can cause seizures, coma or death. Children are particularly vulnerable to this vector borne disease and every year, around 250,000 youngsters die because of it.</span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'mosquirix-worlds-biggest-anti-malaria-vaccine-campaign-africa', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/cf65/kl1beasbfspvae16g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/cf65/kl1beasbfspvae16g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'World's biggest anti-malaria vaccine campaign begins in Africa', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, world’s biggest, first, anti-malaria vaccine campaign, Mosquirix, started, Africa in three African countries.', 'metadescription' => 'The world’s first biggest anti-malaria vaccine (Mosquirix) campaign has started in three African countries.', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/cu26rwmsjses8vw/Mosquirix.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 17 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 841, 'title' => 'Anti-microbial protein isolated from milk of Echidnas', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists from Council of Scientific & Industrial Research - Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB) here have isolated anti-microbial protein found in milk of Echidnas, an egg-laying mammal. The isolation of this protein promises to serve as alternative to antibiotics used on livestock. The protein is effective against mastitis-causing bacteria in livestock.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Key Facts</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Echidnas, also known as spiny anteaters. They are unique egg-laying mammals found only in Australia and New Guinea. Their young hatch from eggs at very early stage of development and depend completely on mother’s milk. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Echidnas’ mammary glands are devoid of nipples, which forces young ones to lick milk from mother’s body surface and potentially making them vulnerable to micro-organisms.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">However, milk of echidna has protein that can puncture cell membranes of multiple bacterial species, thus destroying source of infection. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Significance:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> Discovery of this protein gives novel approach to fight infectious diseases taking clues from nature. It also assumes significance in emerging scenario of increased infectious disease burden and resistance to current treatments</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">There are ways to produce protein in large quantities using E. coli. It can use as anti-microbial to fight rise of superbugs due to indiscriminate use of antibiotics in animal husbandry industry to raise livestock. The superbugs can cause mastitis, an infection of the mammary gland, in dairy animals.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Note: <em>Echidnas and Platypus are the only egg-laying mammals. They are known as Monotremes.</em></span></strong></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'anti-microbial-protein-isolated-milk-echidnas', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/2237/dztyy6k2hlnx9yh6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/2237/dztyy6k2hlnx9yh6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Anti-microbial protein isolated from milk of Echidnas', 'metakeyword' => 'CSIR-CCMB, isolated, anti-microbial protein, milk, Echidnas, egg-laying mamma', 'metadescription' => 'CSIR-CCMB, isolated, anti-microbial protein, milk, Echidnas, egg-laying mamma', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/pb0c9s2pb70sh79/Anti-microbial_protein.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 18 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 850, 'title' => 'ICMR launches MERA India alliance to eliminate malaria', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has launched Malaria Elimination Research Alliance (MERA) India to plan and scale up research to eliminate Malaria from India by 2030. It is conglomeration of partners working on malaria control. It was launched on the occasion of the World Malaria Day 2019 (observed on April 25).</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">MERA India alliance</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Its objective is to prioritise, plan, conduct, and scale up research in coordinated way to have tangible impact on population who are at risk of malaria.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It will facilitate trans-institutional coordination and collaboration around a collaborative research agenda.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It will not duplicate international efforts to eliminate Malaria rather complement the efforts on a national scale. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It will provide common platform to conglomeration of partner organisations working on malaria control and shared research agenda and resources.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Background</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">India has made impressive progress in malaria control in the recent years. The malaria burden in India declined by over 80% from 2.03 million cases in 2000 to 0.39 million in 2018. Deaths by malaria also declined by over 90% from 932 deaths in 2000 to 85 in 2018. National Vector Borne Diseases Control Program (NVBDCP) has developed comprehensive framework to achieve "Malaria free India by 2030". Its National Strategic Plan recognises critical role of research to support and guide malaria elimination efforts.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is India’s apex scientific body for formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It functions under Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It is headquartered in New Delhi.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It was established as Indian Research Fund Association (IRFA) in 1911, making it one of the oldest and largest medical research bodies in the world. </span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'icmr-mera-india-alliance-eliminate-malaria', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/c421/x54i5ec6qcrs5g56g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/c421/x54i5ec6qcrs5g56g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'ICMR launches MERA India alliance to eliminate malaria', 'metakeyword' => 'ICMR, launches, Malaria Elimination Research Alliance, MERA India, eliminate Malaria,India, 2030', 'metadescription' => 'CMR) has launched Malaria Elimination Research Alliance (MERA) India to plan and scale up research to eliminate Malaria from India by 2030', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/bepg3xszykhxzb4/ICMR_launches_MERA.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 19 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 846, 'title' => 'Centre to fund cell-based meat research project', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Union Department of Biotechnology has decided to fund Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and National Research Centre on Meat (NRCM) for <strong>research on cell-based meat</strong>.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Purpose of Funding </span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">This funding has been given to develop technology to take laboratory cell culture process to cell-based meat production which can be scalable. This funding is one of the major initiatives by any government body across the world and much needed encouragement for other agencies and industry to participate. It will go long way in putting India on map of technologically advanced countries for cellular agriculture.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Cell-based meat</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is also called <em>clean meat or cultured meat</em>. It is nutritionally equivalent to conventional animal meat and tastes, smells, looks and feels exactly the same. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Its only difference is in method of production. Cell-based meat is produced through cellular agriculture, wherein cells are sourced from animal and cultivated into meat, rather than conventional method of raising and slaughtering animals for meat.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Significance:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> This new method of producing meat shows strong promise of revolutionizing existing food system in terms of tackling much needed pressing global issues such as food security, environmental sustainability and animal welfare.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Its proponents claim that it is healthier for planet as it reduces land and water usage, as well as for consumers. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Moreover, it could potentially do away with need for modern factory-farming and issues such as animal cruelty, salmonella and e-coli infections and antibiotic-laced meat.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Background</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Cell-based meat and other cellular agriculture products represent new global food system that is better for people and planet. Government across world including in Japan, Netherlands, Israel etc. have already started clean investing and funding cell-based meat companies. Besides, regulatory authorities of countries like US are deliberating on the path to market these products. These efforts reflect potential of clean meat sector to provide future generations with sustainable nutrition.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">India and Clean Meat efforts</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">In 2018, Atal Incubation Centre at CCMB had partnered with HSI/India, one of the largest animal protection organisations in the country, to promote and develop the clean meat sector. It has been working closely with GFI, a global expert organisation that advances research and commercialisation of plant-based and clean meat sector. It provides input and support to entrepreneurs, regulators, scientists and others.</span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'centre-to-fund-cell-based-meat-research-project', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/3705/37eueudrgoovtuc6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/3705/37eueudrgoovtuc6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Centre to fund cell-based meat research project', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, Department of Biotechnology, fund, research project, cell-based meat', 'metadescription' => ' Department of Biotechnology, fund, research project, cell-based meat', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/sosz54ll9bct7a7/Centre_to_fund.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 20 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 953, 'title' => 'Drug-resistant diseases could kill 10 million a year by 2050: UN Report', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">United Nations Ad Hoc Interagency Coordinating Group on Antimicrobial Resistance report has warned that drug-resistant diseases could cause 10 million deaths each year by 2050. It added that by 2030, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could force up to 24 million people into extreme poverty.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Report Highlights</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">At present, at least 7,00,000 people die each year due to drug-resistant diseases, including 2,30,000 people die from multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">More and more common diseases, including respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted infections are becoming untreatable.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It also noted that lifesaving medical procedures are also becoming riskier, and food systems are getting increasingly precarious.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">The world is already feeling economic and health consequences of antimicrobial resistance as crucial medicines become ineffective.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Without investment from countries in all income brackets, future generations will face disastrous impacts of uncontrolled antimicrobial resistance.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Recommendations: </span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">(i) Countries should prioritise national action plans to scale-up financing and capacity-building efforts, (ii) Countries put in place stronger regulatory systems and support awareness programs for responsible and prudent use of antimicrobials by professionals in human, animal and plant health (iv) Investing in ambitious R&D for new technologies to combat antimicrobial resistance.</span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'drug-resistant-diseases-un-report', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/00c3/fz08yklol9y9hca6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/00c3/fz08yklol9y9hca6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Drug-resistant diseases will kill 10 mn a year by 2050: UN Report', 'metakeyword' => 'United Nations Ad Hoc Interagency Coordinating Group on Antimicrobial Resistance, Report, drug-resistant diseases, cause 10 million deaths , each year, 2050', 'metadescription' => 'United Nations Ad Hoc Interagency Coordinating Group on Antimicrobial Resistance repot has warned that drug-resistant diseases could cause 10 million deaths each year by 2050', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/hvvvjfds8b37tlw/Drug-resistant_diseases.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 21 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 997, 'title' => 'ICRISAT hosts multi-nation meet to tackle Fall Army Worm', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) hosted multi-nation workshop on ‘Fall Armyworm management in Asia’ in Hyderabad, Telangana. It was aimed at understanding challenges and find solutions to tackle the rapidly growing problem of Fall Armyworm (FAW). It was attended by representatives from Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, India and some other South and South-East Asian countries.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">What is Fall Armyworm (FAW)?</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is <strong>lepidopteran pest</strong> that feeds in large numbers on stems and leaves of more than 80 plant species. It causes extensive damage to crops such as maize, rice, sorghum and sugarcane. It also attacks vegetable crops and cotton.</span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is scientifically known as <strong><em>Spodoptera frugiperda</em></strong>. The female moth of FAW lays eggs and caterpillars hatching from these eat parts of host crop plants, before pupating and turning into new moths.</span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">The adult moth of FAW migrates very fast — almost 100 km every night and nearly 500 km before laying eggs. It can, therefore, invade new areas quickly. </span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Also, each female moth is capable of laying 1,500 eggs on average, thus it outbreak has catastrophic impact on crops.</span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It was first reported in 2016 in West Africa. It was detected mainly in maize fields. Since then it has quickly assumed epidemic proportions and spread to over 44 African countries. </span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">In India, it was first reported in Karnataka and also parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Gujarat.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is international non-profit organization which conducts agricultural research for rural development in the semi-arid tropics (SAT) region. It was established in 1972 by consortium of organisations convened by the Ford and the Rockefeller foundations. It is headquatered in Hyderabad, Telangana. Its charter was signed by FAO and UNDP. It performs crop improvement research on the following crops: Pigeonpea, Chickpea, Pearl millet, Groundnut, Sorghum, Finger Millet and Small millets.</span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'icrisat-multi-nation-meet-fall-army-worm', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/fd1b/rqz26y755zh1rwb6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/fd1b/rqz26y755zh1rwb6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'ICRISAT hosts multi-nation meet to tackle Fall Army Worm', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, ICRISAT, multi-nation workshop, all Armyworm management in Asia, Hyderabad, Telangana', 'metadescription' => 'International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) hosted multi-nation workshop on ‘Fall Armyworm management in Asia’ in Hyderabad, Telangana', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/pvm7ctxvn9btwxh/ICRISAT_hosts.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 22 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1037, 'title' => 'Genetic study on people of Lakshadweep Islands conducted for first time', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Scientists from CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) for first time have conducted genetic study on people of Lakshadweep Islands. </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">About Study </span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Scientists had analyzed DNA samples of 557 individuals from eight major islands for mitochondrial DNA and 166 individuals for Y chromosome markers. They studied the major islands of Andorth, Agatti, Chetlat, Bitra, Kalpeni, Kadmat,Kiltan and Minicoy of Lakshadweep.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Findings of this genetic study </span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Majority of human ancestry in Lakshadweep is largely derived from South Asia with minor influences from East and West Eurasia.<strong> </strong>There is close genetic link of Lakshadweep islanders with people from Maldives, Sri Lanka and India.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">There was no evidence of early human migration through the Lakshadweep islands. There is strong founder effect for both paternal and maternal lineages which is sign that the island population had limited genetic mixing.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It defies earlier presumption that Lakshadweep Islands might have presence of genetic signatures of ancient people such as Andamanese and Australian aboriginals. However, still the genetic composition of first human settlement on Lakshadweep is not clear. </span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Lakshadweep Islands</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is archipelago of 36 islands in Laccadive Sea, scattered over approximately 78,000 square km of Arabian Sea. These islands are located 200-440 kms off the south-western coast of India. Its main islands are Kavaratti, Agatti, Minicoy, and Amini. Minicoy Island is separated from rest of Lakshadweep by Nine Degree Channel, whereas entire group of Lakshadweep islands are separated from Maldives by Eight Degree Channel. It is Union Territory and governed directly by Union Government. Its all islands form a single Indian district and smallest Union Territory of India. Kavaratti is its capital. It comes under jurisdiction of Kerala High Court. </span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'genetic-study-people-of-lakshadweep-islands', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/6794/9439qzjo53x7ncz6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/6794/9439qzjo53x7ncz6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Genetic study on people of Lakshadweep Islands conducted', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, Scientists, CSIR-Centre, Cellular and Molecular Biology, CCMB, first time, genetic study, People, Lakshadweep Islands', 'metadescription' => 'Scientists from CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) for first time have conducted genetic study on people of Lakshadweep Islands.', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/968hr7278h27g39/Genetic_study.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 23 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1044, 'title' => 'New Function of stress buster serotonin discovered', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Researchers from Mumbai based Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) have found a novel function for serotonin, a chemical that signals between neurons. They found that serotonin is involved in generation of new mitochondria (powerhouse of the cell) in neurons and increased cellular respiration and fuel (ATP) in the cell.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">About Serotonin</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is also known by chemical name as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). It is monoamine neurotransmitter i.e. it is chemical that sends signals between neurons. It plays important role in coping with stress at the level of organism.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Medical applications of new Functions</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Serotonin’s newly indentified function of generation of new mitochondria and cellular ATP has been studied in mice and rats. If it is found to be true in humans, it opens way for important medical applications especially in neurological disorders. It could be used to prevent neuronal loss (major cause of neurodegenerative diseases such as in Alzheimer and Parkinson) and mitochondrial abnormalities (cause or contribute to neuronal death).</span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'new-function-serotonin-discovered', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/0f2e/2kl6bbll8msqkk56g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/0f2e/2kl6bbll8msqkk56g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'New Function of stress buster serotonin discovered', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, Researchers, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, TIFR, new novel function, serotonin, chemical ,signals between neurons', 'metadescription' => 'Researchers from Mumbai based Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) have found a novel function for serotonin, a chemical that signals between neurons.', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/oobv5opvfjx5xeb/New_Function.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 24 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1098, 'title' => 'ICMR develops cheap diagnostic test for Haemophilia A', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)’s National Institute of Immunohaematology, Mumbai, has developed cost-effective Point-of-Care (POC) diagnostic test for severe Haemophilia A and Von Willebrand Disease (VWD). It is claimed to be world’s first POC test for specific diagnosis of any common bleeding disorder.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">POC diagnostic test</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">This newly developed rapid test kit can be used for diagnosis of undiagnosed patients/menorrhagia cases/post-partum haemorrhage (PPH), gynaecological complications with bleeding history, recovery of factors in the transfused Haemophilia A patients and also for differential diagnosis of both the diseases. With help of it, diagnosis can be done within 30 minutes of blood sample collection. The working cost of these kits is less than </span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Rs. </span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">50 in comparison to existing conventional test for the diseases that costs around </span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Rs. 4,000 to 1,0000. </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Haemophilia A and Von Willebrand Disease (VWD) are commonest among bleeding disorders. VWD is a genetic disorder caused by missing or defective Von Willebrand factor (VWF), a clotting protein. Whereas Haemophilia is hereditary bleeding disorder, in which person lacks, or has low levels of proteins called ‘clotting factors’ and the blood does not clot properly as result.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Patients with severe Haemophilia A or VWD can have life threatening spontaneous or post-traumatic bleeding like brain haemorrhage and gastrointestinal bleeding or they may have bleeding into joints or superficial bleeding from the nose or gums. </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">As per health data, incidence of Haemophilia A is 1 per 10,000 male births and that of vWD is around 1</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">% </span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">of the general population. In India, there are around roughly 80,000-1,00,000 severe haemophilia cases. Lack of awareness, lack of diagnostic facilities, high cost of tests are some of the factors for the underdiagnosis of bleeding disorders in the country.</span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'icmr-cheap-diagnostic-test-haemophilia', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/0dad/bahregtus0w3csv6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/0dad/bahregtus0w3csv6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'ICMR develops cheap diagnostic test for Haemophilia A', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, ICMR, National Institute of Immunohaematology, Mumbai, developed, world's first, cost-effective Point-of-Care. diagnostic test, severe Haemophilia , Von Willebrand Disease (VWD)', 'metadescription' => 'ICMR, developed, world's first, cost-effective Point-of-Care. diagnostic test, severe Haemophilia , Von Willebrand Disease (VWD)', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/jxukw8w2nn2xz3o/ICMR_develops.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 25 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1187, 'title' => 'DBT, DAE ink MoU for collaboration on Cancer Research', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under Union Ministry of Science and Technology and Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) have signed MOU for supporting joint collaborative research programmes in the area of Cancer. It will enable both government department to work for common goal of tackling cancer and bring a quantum change in the present scenario of cancer research. DAE is represented by its Tata Memorial Centre, which also functions as coordinating centre on behalf of The National Cancer Grid of India.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Features of MoU</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It will help to strengthen various initiatives specifically for cancer viz. strategizing and prioritizing cancer research, development of new and affordable technologies, jointly design and fund clinical trials.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It will also help to coordinate and collaborate for translational research, interventions, training of manpower and infrastructure development. </span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It will enable clinicians and researchers to work in coherence to identify and develop collaborative research programmes and public health initiatives for awareness of the public at large. </span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Under it, various activities like joint clinical fellowships, intensive workshops on clinical research methodologies and protocol development will be undertaken.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It will seek to create community of trained manpower and provide platform to utilize their acquired skills in the best possible manner.</span></span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'dbt-dae-mou-collaboration-cancer-research', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/0f93/o4ntc90gb47qh866g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/0f93/o4ntc90gb47qh866g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'DBT, DAE ink MoU for collaboration on Cancer Research', 'metakeyword' => 'Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Biotechnology, ign, MOU, supporting, joint collaborative research programmes, Cancer', 'metadescription' => 'Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Biotechnology, ign, MOU, supporting, joint collaborative research programmes, Cancer', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/vz2d518qutmynmv/DBT%2C_DAE.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 26 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1238, 'title' => 'Meghalaya launches Aroma Mission to boost medical plant cultivation', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Meghalaya Government has launched <strong>Aroma Mission</strong> to boost the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). As part of it, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma inaugurated a processing unit of essential oils. In this regard, memorandum of agreement (MoA) was also signed between Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) and Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA) for collaborative work on medicinal and aromatic plants. </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Aroma Mission</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Under it farmers will be encourage to cultivate medicinal and aromatic plantations especially in vast stretches of wastelands. It will help in strengthening livelihood condition of farmers and create employment opportunities in the state. </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">For it, state government has sanctioned Rs 18-crore. It will ensure that agriculture and allied sectors get due importance and the farmers their benefits. It will enable people in state who have used medicinal and aromatic plants for generations to cure various ailments and diseases to share their knowledge with the rest of the world.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">To begin with lemon grass and citronella plant cultivation will be taken up on 50-acre plots in every district of the state. Depending on response of farmers, State Government will decide whether to expand area of cultivation for citronella and lemon grass.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP)</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is frontier plant research laboratory of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). It is engaged in the field of science and business of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). It also steers multidisciplinary high quality research in chemical and biological sciences and extends technologies and services to farmers and entrepreneurs of MAPs.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It was established in 1959 as Central Indian Medicinal Plants Organisation (CIMPO). It is headquartered in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. It has four research centers situated in Hyderabad, Pantnagar, Bangalore and Purara (near Bageshwar, Uttarakhand). </span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'meghalaya-aroma-mission', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/191a/i88kq2xxcb612uq6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/191a/i88kq2xxcb612uq6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Meghalaya launches Aroma Mission to boost medical plant', 'metakeyword' => 'Meghalaya launches Aroma Mission to boost medical plant cultivation', 'metadescription' => 'Meghalaya launches Aroma Mission to boost medical plant cultivation', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/ovo522k6on644kt/Meghalaya_launches_Aroma_Mission_to_boost_medical_plant_cultivation.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 27 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1367, 'title' => 'Remdesivir: Experimental Ebola drug also cures Nipah virus', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Scientists have reported that Remdesivir, an experimental drug used for treatment for Ebola virus has protected monkeys against infection with Nipah virus for which there is no approved vaccine or cure.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Recent Findings</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">In recent study it was found that this drug is effective against Nipah virus, a lethal disease and emerging pandemic threat for which there is no approved vaccine or cure. In this new study trial, eight African green monkeys were given lethal doses of Nipah virus. Half of them later got intravenous Remdesivir and all four monkeys receiving this drug survived and the four that did not died within eight days.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">About Remdesivir </span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is an antiviral drug. It is also known as GS-5734. It is novel nucleotide analog prodrug, which was developed by Gilead Sciences as treatment for Ebola virus. It is found to be effective against both Ebola virus and Nipah virus. It also has shown some effectiveness against two other pandemic threats: MERS coronavirus and Lassa fever. It is also effective against Respiratory Syncytial virus, which infects children all over the world.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Significance</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">If the drug gets regulatory approval for use against Nipah virus, it will help extra treatment that could be used relatively quickly. The only current treatment for Nipah virus infection is monoclonal antibody that is still experimental and it was tested during Nipah outbreak in Kerala in 2018.</span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'remdesivir-experimental-ebola-drug-cures-nipah-virus', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/b09e/l12gb5ivuuuw3uu6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/b09e/l12gb5ivuuuw3uu6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Remdesivir: Experimental Ebola drug also cures Nipah virus', 'metakeyword' => 'Remdesivir, experimental drug, treatment for Ebola virus, protects, monkeys, against infection, Nipah virus,', 'metadescription' => 'Remdesivir, experimental drug, treatment for Ebola virus, protects, monkeys, against infection, Nipah virus,', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/e046pabsa71k0ei/Remdesivir.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 28 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1474, 'title' => 'Indian scientists develop more potent Anthrax vaccine', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Group of Indian scientists have developed new vaccine against anthrax. It is claimed to be superior over existing anti-anthrax vaccines as it can generate immune response to anthrax toxin as well as its spores rather than the toxin alone.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Anthrax</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is a deadly human disease caused by <strong>bacterium Bacillus anthracis</strong>. This bacterium is found naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals around the world. </span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Spores of this bacterium are present in soil and can stay in latent form for years. However, under favourable environmental conditions, these spores become active and start to infect. </span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Often, animals pick up spores while grazing, following which spores germinate in their body and produce toxins.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It mainly infects animals like horses, sheep, cattle and goats. Humans, pigs and dogs are comparatively less susceptible and only get infected if exposed to copious amount of spores. <strong>It should be noted that Anthrax is not a contagious disease.</strong></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Note:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> In 2001, these spores were used as agents of bio-terrorism when letters containing anthrax spores were sent to some people in US, leading to widespread panic.</span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Anti-anthrax vaccine</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Anti-anthrax vaccines for are necessary as the infection can cause death within 2-3 days leaving no scope for diagnosis and treatment. </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">The currently available anti-anthrax vaccines in market generate immune response against Bacillus protein-protective antigen (a protein that helps in transport of bacillus toxins inside the cells). </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">In this case, immune response is triggered only when spores germinate in body and start producing bacterial proteins. Anyone vaccinated with such vaccine does not show immune response to bacillus spores and only perform once spores germinate and release toxins.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">New Vaccine</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">The new single vaccine is effective against both the toxin and its spores so as to provide complete protection. It is made of two genes: protective antigen protein and protein present in outer layer of spore. </span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'scientists-develop-more-potent-anthrax-vaccine', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/e63e/9gcptcspzjzpz0a6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/e63e/9gcptcspzjzpz0a6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Indian scientists develop more potent Anthrax vaccine', 'metakeyword' => 'Group of Indian scientists have developed new vaccine against anthrax. It is claimed to be superior over existing anti-anthrax vaccines', 'metadescription' => 'Group of Indian scientists have developed new vaccine against anthrax. It is claimed to be superior over existing anti-anthrax vaccines', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/ufr9435jg9ls3u9/Indian_scientists.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 29 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1477, 'title' => 'Virtual biopsy device developed to non-invasively detect skin tumours', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Researchers from United States have developed ‘virtual biopsy’ device that can quickly and non-invasively determine whether skin tumour is cancerous and needs to be removed surgically. This first-of-its-kind experimental procedure is called <strong>Vibrational Optical Coherence Tomography (VOCT).</strong></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Currently, physicians perform surgical biopsies often do not know the extent of lesion and whether it it is necessary to refer patient to specialist for extensive tissue removal or plastic surgery until surgery has already begun.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Vibrational optical coherence tomography (VOCT)</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Working:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It creates a 3D map of legion’s width and depth under the skin with a tiny laser diode, without using a scalpel. It also makes use of soundwaves to test lesion’s density and stiffness since cancer cells are stiffer than healthy cells.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Benefits:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> This procedure can be completed in 15 minutes with no discomfort to patient, who feels no sensation from light or nearly inaudible sound. </span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Significance:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> Using sound vibrations and pulses of near-infrared light, VOCT device can determine skin lesion's depth and potential malignancy without using a scalpel. It also has ability to analyse a skin tumour non-invasively could make biopsies much less risky and distressing to patients. Its prototype device is able to accurately distinguish between healthy skin and different types of skin lesions and carcinomas.</span></span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'virtual-biopsy-device-developed-detect-skin-tumours', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/9f5c/vihlj8249ig7bx46g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/9f5c/vihlj8249ig7bx46g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Virtual biopsy device developed to detect skin tumours', 'metakeyword' => 'Researchers from United States have developed ‘virtual biopsy’ device that can quickly and non-invasively determine whether skin tumour is cancerous and needs to be removed surgically.', 'metadescription' => 'Researchers from United States have developed ‘virtual biopsy’ device that can quickly and non-invasively determine whether skin tumour is cancerous', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/yt2omcpmlx0tc1f/Virtual_biopsy.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 30 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1515, 'title' => 'ILS develops antibodies against Chikungunya viral infection', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) has successfully developed antibodies against Chikungunya viral (CHIKV) infection. These antibodies fight against the non-structural proteins - nsP1, nsP3 and nsP4 of CHIKV. The antibodies were developed following decade-long research on CHIKV infection at the ILS laboratory headed by senior molecular virologist Dr. Soma Chattopadhyay. She has been selected for Biotech Product, Process Development and Commercialisation Award 2019 by the Department of Biotechnology.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Chikungunya viral (CHIKV) infection</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is a viral disease belonging to genus Alphavirus. Its name chikungunya originates from a verb in Kimakonde language, meaning 'to become contorted'. This refers to the 'stooped' appearance of those suffering with joint pain.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Tranmsimission:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes, most commonly, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, two species which also transmit other mosquito-borne viruses, including dengue. These vector mosquitoes are found biting throughout daylight hours, while early morning and late afternoon are peak timings of their activities</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Signs and Symptoms</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">: It causes High fever (40°C/ 104°F), Joint pain (lower back, ankle, knees, wrists or phalanges), Joint swelling, Rash, Headache, Muscle pain, Nausea, Fatigue.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Prevention and control:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> There is no cure or commercially available vaccine. However, it can be vector prevention and control combined with dengue control efforts in areas where vector of chikungunya is Ae. aegypti and Ae. Albopictus are prevalent.</span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Institute of Life Sciences (ILS):</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It is an autonomous institute of higher education for research aand education in life sciences. It is located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. It functions under Department of Biotechnology, Union Ministry of Science & Technology.</span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'antibodies-chikungunya-viral-infection', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/e5d9/ay2p4nhk4e21k4b6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/e5d9/ay2p4nhk4e21k4b6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'ILS develops antibodies against Chikungunya viral infection', 'metakeyword' => 'Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) has successfully developed antibodies against Chikungunya viral (CHIKV) infection. These antibodies fight against the non-structural proteins - nsP1, nsP3 and nsP4 of CHIKV', 'metadescription' => 'Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) has successfully developed antibodies against Chikungunya viral (CHIKV) infection. These antibodies fight against the non-structural proteins - nsP1, nsP3 and nsP4 of CHIKV', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/tab11ra2e59k4v2/ILS_develops_antibodies_against.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 31 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1518, 'title' => 'Arogyapacha: Scientists decode genome of miracle plant', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Scientists from University of Kerala have decoded genetic make-up of Arogyapacha (Trichopus zeylanicus) a highly potent medicinal plant found in Kerala. The genetic decoding project will open up a new window to the plant’s molecular secrets. It will serve as a valuable resource to expedite research on Arogyapacha. The manuscript on genome has been accepted for publication in G3: Genes, Genomes and Genetics, a scientific journal published by the Genetics Society of America.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Arogyapacha </span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is known as ‘miracle plant’. In Malayalam arogyapacha means 'health green or green that gives strength '. It is endemic to the Agastya hills in the southern Western Ghats</span></span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is known for its traditional use by the Kani tribal community to combat fatigue. These tribal people prepare tonic named "Jeevani " from this plant.</span></span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is quintessential wonder herb as it has anti-oxidant, aphrodisiac, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory anti-tumour, anti-ulcer, hepatoprotective and anti-diabetic properties.</span></span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It also has immune-enhancing and treating liver disease, stomach ulcers, fatigue, and sexual performance problems.</span></span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'arogyapacha-genome-miracle-plant', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/bf0d/rvlnx2sla3mzcda6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/bf0d/rvlnx2sla3mzcda6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Arogyapacha: Scientists decode genome of miracle plant', 'metakeyword' => 'Scientists from University of Kerala have decoded genetic make-up of Arogyapacha (Trichopus zeylanicus), a highly potent medicinal plant endemic to the Agastya hills in the southern Western Ghats', 'metadescription' => 'Scientists from University of Kerala have decoded genetic make-up of Arogyapacha (Trichopus zeylanicus), a highly potent medicinal plant endemic to the Agastya hills in the southern Western Ghats', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/6w071uier444v89/Arogyapacha_Scientists_decode_genome_of_miracle_plant.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 32 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1536, 'title' => 'Research on Proton Therapy in India', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Union Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare) Ashwini Kumar Choubey in written reply in the Rajya Sabha informed about present status of Research on Proton Therapy in India. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Proton therapy is one of the advanced cancer treatment in which only the cancer cells are targeted and the rest of the body remains unharmed unlike chemotherapy or radiation therapy.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Key Facts</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">In the Government sector, research activities for research in proton therapy are mostly carried out by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Science and Technology and Department of Atomic Energy. National Cancer Institute (Jhajjar) of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi has also collaborated with National Cancer Institute of USA. Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), a grant-in-aid Institution under Department of Atomic Energy also has initiated collaboration with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR ) for research in proton therapy</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">About Proton therapy</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is also called proton beam therapy. It is type of Radiation therapy that uses protons rather than x-rays to treat cancer. Like x-ray radiation, proton therapy is type of external-beam radiation therapy. At high energy, protons can destroy cancer cells. </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Benefits:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It enables larger doses of radiation to be used to treat cancers while significantly reducing damage to healthy tissue. It can also be combined with x-ray radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. </span></span></span&