DBT given dedicated efforts in promotingbiotechnology in India : Shri - Kapil Sibal

NEWS ITEM

The 21st Foundation day and award distributionceremony of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT)was celebrated on 12th March, 2007 at the NationalCentre for Plant Genome Research (NCPGR), JNU,New Delhi. Presided over by Shri Kapil Sibal, Hon’bleMinister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences,the function was attended by representatives of foreignmissions in India, former Secretaries of DBT and othersenior officers of various scientific departments.Dr. M.K. Bhan, Secretary, DBT, took the opportunity toaddress the gathering and assure them that theDepartment would continue to make efforts for thecountry to be recognized as a global leader in the fieldof biotechnology.

The Hon’ble Minister presented the BiologyScholarships for the year 2006 to 56 students whotopped in the CBSE and other Board Examinationsfor year 2005-06 and pursuing Biology as a mainsubject at graduate level. Thereafter, National Bio-scientist Award for Career Development, Young andSenior Women Bioscience Awards, Innovative YoungBiotechnologists Award, and DistinguishedBiotechnologist Awards were also presented to theawardees.The occasion was also used for thecommercial launch of the Filarial Antibody Spot/Immunoblot Assay System for Rapid Detection of

Filariasis developed by the Centre for Biotechnology,Anna University (Tamil Nadu). Shri Kapil Sibal in hisaddress appreciated efforts of DBT and its staffmembers for their untiring and dedicated efforts inpromoting biotechnology in India through variousschemes and programs. He also stressed the needfor expanding the physical and technical resources ofDBT in the near future for facing new challenges.

SCIENTIFIC NEWS

Breakdown in DNA copying process can causecancer

Research led by a scientist at the University ofYork has thrown new light on the way breakdowns inthe DNA copying process inside cells can contributeto cancer and other diseases. Professor McGlynn,who was one of 16 Chairs established at York to markthe University’s 50th Anniversary, says: “Our workdemonstrates that when organisms try to copy theirgenetic material, the copying machines stall veryfrequently which is the first step in formation ofmutations that, in man, can cause cancers and geneticdisease. They have analysed what causes most ofthese breakdowns and how, under normalcircumstances, cells repair these broken copyingmachines. Just as importantly, Their work reveals thatefficient repair of these breakdowns is very importantto avoid corruption of the genetic code.

- P. Suresh Kumar

Meis 1 regulates heart’s ability to regenerate afterinjuries

Researchers at UT Southwestern MedicalCenter have identified a specific gene that regulates

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the heart’s ability to regenerate after injuries. Dr.Hesham Sadek, assistant professor of internalmedicine in the division of cardiology, and seniorauthor of the study said that they found that the activityof the Meis1 gene increases significantly in heart cellssoon after birth, right around the time heart musclecells stop dividing. In their observation they foundthat if the Meis1 gene is deleted from the heart, heartcells continue to divide through adulthood. Theresearch team demonstrated that deletion of Meis1extended the proliferation period in the hearts of

inhibitors, CML and other leukemias remainproblematic because some cancer stem cells avoiddestruction and eventually regenerate themselves, astem cell process known as self-renewal that can resultin a return and spread (metastasis) of the disease. It

newborn mice, and also re-activated the regenerativeprocess in the adult mouse heart without harmful effecton cardiac functions. This new finding demonstratesthat Meis1 is a key factor in the regeneration process,and the understanding of the gene’s function may leadto new therapeutic options for adult heart regeneration.The findings also provide a possible alternative tocurrent adult heart regeneration research, whichfocuses on the use of stem cells to replace damagedheart cells. Meis1 is a transcription factor, which actslike a software program that has the ability to controlthe function of other genes. Dr. Sadek said. As such,Meis1 could possibly be used as an on/off switch formaking adult heart cells divide.

- Anmol Kumar

Enzyme accelerates malignant stem cell cloningin chronic myeloid leukemia

An international team, headed by researchersat the University of California, San Diego School ofMedicine, has identified a key enzyme in thereprogramming process that promotes malignant stemcell cloning and the growth of chronic myeloid leukemia(CML), a cancer of the blood and marrow that expertssay is increasing in prevalence. Despite theemergence of new therapies, such as tyrosine kinase

expressed during embryogenesis to help blood celldevelopment, ADAR1 subsequently turns off and istriggered by viral infections where it protects normalhematopoietic stem cells from attack. In leukemia stemcells, however, overexpression of ADAR1 enhancesthe missplicing of RNA, which leads to greater self-renewal and therapeutic resistance of malignant stemcells. The findings build upon previous studies byJamieson and others that elucidate the effects of RNAmissplicing and instability. “People normally think aboutDNA instability in cancer, but in this case, it’s how theRNA is edited by enzymes that really matters in termsof cancer stem cell generation and resistance toconventional therapy. The described RNA editingprocess, which occurs in the context of human andother primate specific sequences, also underscoresthe importance of addressing inflammation as anessential driver of cancer relapse and therapeuticresistance. It also presents a new target for futuretherapies. CML is a cancer initiated by a mutant genecalled BCR-ABL in blood forming stem cells that leadsto an expansion of white blood cells and theirprecursors. It is typically slow-growing and often notdiagnosed until its later stages when there can be asudden, dramatic increase in malignant cells, knownas blast crisis. Median age of diagnosis is 66 years;incidence of the disease increases with age. Despitetremendous advances in BCR-ABL tyrosine kinaseinhibitor therapies, the majority of patients relapse iftherapy is discontinued, in part as a result of dormantcancer stem cell resistance. This work suggests anovel mechanism for overcoming cancer stem cell

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resistance to therapy that may prevent relapse andprogression. The estimated prevalence of CML in theUnited States is 70,000 persons with the disease,projected to steadily increase to approximately181,000 by 2050. CML is initiated by the mutant BCR-ABL gene, but scientists have not yet identified thecause of the mutation.

the slowest silent mutation rates (ones which do notaffect gene function) of any known genome. Comparedto humans the rate is 2000 times slower – the amountof genomic change in a single human generationwould take 50,000 years for the tulip tree. The rate iseven slower for magnolia trees, taking 130,000 yearsfor the same amount of mitochondrial genomicchange. Ancestral gene clusters and tRNA genes havebeen preserved and L. tulipifera still contains manygenes lost during the subsequent 200 million years ofevolution of flowering plants. In fact one tRNA gene isno longer present in any other sequenced angiosperm.Prof Jeffrey Palmer who led this study explained thatby using the tulip tree as a guide we are able toestimate that the ancestral angiosperm mitochondrialgenome contained 41 protein genes, 14 tRNA genes,seven tRNA genes sequestered from chloroplasts, andmore than 700 sites of protein editing. Based on this,it appears that the genome has been more-or-lessfrozen in time for millions and millions of years.

- Prudvi

EDUCATIONPh.D., position in immunology @ University ofOslo : The applicants must hold a master degree inbiology or a degree in medicine with a good knowledgeof molecular biology, cell biology and immunology ismandatory with Previous experience with relevantresearch. Applicants with a medical background willhave an advantage. Aquaintance with Norwegianlanguage is not required, but successful applicantswith good Norwegian skills are eligible for a 4-yearprogram period requiring teaching of medical students(25%). Excellent command of written and oral Englishis required with Good collaboration skills. Salaryranging from pay grade: 50 – 55 from NOK 416 600 –451 900 Stimulating and attractive work environment.Membership in the Norwegian Public Service PensionFund with Attractive welfare benefits. The applicationshould attached with Application letter (including asummary of the applicant’s scientific work and interestsand describing how she/he fits the description of theperson we seek), CV (education since high school(place, grade), positions held and details of academicwork), list of publications, published abstracts,presentations, copies of educational certificates andtranscripts of records, names and contact details of2-3 referees (name, relation to candidate, e-mail andtelephone number) Please also refer to the regulationspertaining to the conditions of employment for researchfellowship positions (English translation): http://w w w . u i o . n o / a d m h b / r e g l h b / p e r s o n a l /

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The tulip tree reveals mitochondrial genome ofancestral flowering plant

The extraordinary level of conservation of thetulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) mitochondrialgenome has redefined our interpretation of evolutionof the angiosperms (flowering plants). This beautiful‘molecular fossil’ has a remarkably slow mutation ratemeaning that its mitochondrial genome has remainedlargely unchanged since the dinosaurs were roamingthe earth.

Evolutionary studies make used of mitochondrial(powerhouse) genomes to identify maternal lineages,for example the human mitochondrial eve. Amongplants, the lack of genomic data from lineages whichsplit away from the main evolutionary branch early onhas prevented researchers from reconstructingpatterns of genome evolution. L. tulipifera is native toNorth America. It belongs to a more unusual group ofdicotyledons (plants with two seed leaves) known asmagnoliids, which are thought to have diverged earlyin the evolution of flowing plants. By sequencing themitochondrial genome of L. tulipifera, researchers fromIndiana University and University of Arkansasdiscovered that its mitochondrial genome has one of

tilsettingvitenskapelig/ansettel... The application withattachments is to be delivered in our electronicrecruiting system EasyCruit. Foreign applicants areadvised to attach an explanation of their University’sgrading system. Please remember that all documentsshould be in English or a Scandinavian language.

OPPORTUNITIESSRF vacancy at IARI, Regional Station, Kullu invitedfor Walk-in-interview on 08.05.13 for the posts of SRF,JRFand Field worker to be held on following datesand time at the office of IARI, Regional Station, Katrain,Kullu, HP-175 129 (visit: www.iari.res.in) .Projectentitled ‘Central sector scheme for implementation ofPPV & FRA legislation’ under Dr. Chander ParkashEssential Qualification : M.Sc. (Agriculture/ Horticulture/ Genetics / Plant Breeding/ Botany/Biotechnology)with Age limit 28 Years Work experience in vegetableimprovement / production/ seed production areDesirable. The Duration of the project up to 31stMarch, 2014 or till termination

Max-Planck Society & DST recruiting JRF at IISERMohal seeking Applications are invited from Indiannationals to work as Junior Research Fellow (JRF) ina research project funded jointly by the Max-PlanckSociety, Germany and Department of Science andTechnology, India. the Title of the project is Study ofRNA splicing using fission yeast Schizosachharo-myces pombe. The applicant must work on role ofubiquitin-related modifiers in regulation of RNAsplicing. Duration of the project is 2 years (extendableto 3 years). all Emoluments given As per DST rulesEssential Qualifications are M.Sc. in any branch ofLife Sciences. The applicants should have priorexperience working with yeast or RNA splicing orubiquitin-like proteins. The complete applicationshould send to E-mail: skmishra@iisermohali.ac.in onor befor 1st , May 10, 2013

DST-INSPIRE Faculty Scheme at Delhi Institute ofPharmaceutical Sciences & Research invitesapplications from eligibl candidates for pre-selectionunder the DST-INSPIRE Faculty Scheme (Institutionmode) . This Scheme has been designed by theDepartment of Science and Technology, Governmentof India (DST) to provide contractual research positions

to young achievers for independen research and toemerge as future S T leaders. The applicant shouldhave below the age of 32 (35 year for SC/STcandidates) Holding a Ph.D. degree may beconsidered for a contractual appointment in DIPSARas DST-INSPIRE Faculty Fellow in areas supportedby DST unde this scheme. The amount, duration andconditions of fellowship shall be as per the DSTguidelines at http:/ Nrww.inspire-dst.gov.in/facultyscheme.html, which should be carefully read by thecandidate before applying.A hard copy of theapplication, together with self-attested photocopies ofall marks sheets and certificates etc should reachDirector, Delhi institute of Pharmaceutical Sciencesand research, New Delhi-110017 till 30/4/2013. Theenvelope should be marked Application underINSPIRE Faculty Scheme’. Names of the pre-selectedcandidates will be forwarded to DST for final decision.The appointment will be strictly as per the terms andconditions of the DST-INSPIRE Faculty Programme.The last date of sending application is 30.04.13

SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS /CONFERENCESFirst International and Third National

Conference on Biotechnology, Bioinformatics andBioengineering is an essential annual event ofSociety for Applied Biotechnology for industryleaders, policy makers, scientists, researchers andother professionals working in the area ofbiotechnology, bioinformatics and bioengineering.This conference informs scientific community ofadvances, barriers, opportunities, dealing withchallenges and action options through directexchange of information which may influencescience and business endeavors on aninternational and national scale. Researchers areinvited to submit abstract(s) for oral and posterpresentation. Abstracts are invited for oral andposter presentation in the technical sessions ofthe conference. Submission of Abstract - 25 May2013, Notification of Final Acceptance - 28 May 2013,early-bird registration - 31 May 2013

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