Biotecnika Times 29th Oct 2019 Edition

October 29th, 2019

Vol. 03

NO 102

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October 29th, 2019 Vol. 03 NO 102

Biogen Seeks FDA Approval For Its Alzheimer’s Treatment – Could Be The Biggest Drug Ever For the past 16 years, the searches for an Alzheimer’s disease treatment has been unsuccessful.

THIS SCENARIO COULD START TO CHANGE BY NEXT YEAR WITH THE RESURRECTION OF A DRUG ONCE DEEMED FAILURE.

By Ria Roy

In March, Biogen and Eisai said they had stopped their research on the aducanumab drug after finding that the drug isn’t working after the first two trails.

But on Tuesday, Biogen said that their new analysis of larger datasets actually showed that the aducanumab was “pharmacologically and clinically active” in trial patients who have Alzheimer’s. The companies worked the year 2060. There are only 4 drugs with the FDA to take a look at the that have been approved to treat the larger datasets after the earlier failsymptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, ures. and the most recent drug approval happened in the year 2003. There The news sent Biogen’s stock skyare no drugs currently available that rocketing. The company shares could reverse Alzheimer’s disease. gained 37 percent to $305.37 in trading on Tuesday morning.

In recent years a number of Alzheimer’s disease trials have failed, includThe new analysis found that the ing the one Biogen reported in March. aducanumab was able to reduce the The setbacks in the field have seen in clinical decline in patients with earrecent years had people coming back ly Alzheimer’s disease. That is, the to theory. drug kept patients from experiencing cognitive decline as fast as they might Research studies have determined had they not been on the drug. that years – even decades – before a person might start showing After calling the trials off, the scisymptoms, amyloid-beta deposits entists went back to the dataset and in the brain that are characteristic of found the aducanumab appears to Alzheimer’s disease can actually start work, at least in one of the 2 studies to accumulate. that came with a higher dose of the medication.

Starting earlier could benefit treatments that are targeting beta-amyloid Biogen said in a release Tuesday, Bideposits in the brain, with the hope ogen strongly believes that the differthat clearing them out could actually ence between the results of the larghelp to slow down the rate of cognier dataset analysis and the outcome tive decline. This idea of targeting predicted by the futility analysis was beta-amyloid deposits in the brain to largely due to patients’ greater exclear them out is known as the “amyposure to the high dose aducanumab loid hypothesis.” drug.

But there is one major drawback to the amyloid-beta approach: In people who have Alzheimer’s, these amyloid deposits build up in certain parts of the brain, but it is still not known that whether the plaques cause Alzheimer’s, or if they are just byproducts.

Alzheimer’s affects more than five What does seem to be very well esmillion Americans, a number that is tablished is that in individuals with a expected to balloon to 14 million by genetic version of the disease, there

is a very strong relationship between al were nothing more than a random those DNA mutations and the amy- chance. loid plaques.

Brian Abrahams, RBC Capital MarThe amyloid hypothesis has been kets analyst, noted that it is hard to put to the test many times and has forget the earlier failure of ENGAGE, seen a few failures and this is why one of the 2 late-stage trials Biogen the reversal from Biogen now comes and Eisai were running alongside the as a surprise. Merck’s failed BACE EMERGE trial. inhibitor was also acting on the amyloid hypothesis in order to prevent Abrahams wrote that even though the protein from forming & keep the FDA apparently provided some endisease from progressing. Eli Lilly’s dorsement for the idea of filing, Solanezumab drug also acts on the which could maintain some probabilamyloid hypothesis, failed some key ity of provability, we believe the new clinical trials, though the company is details suggest the data may be more still testing the drug in the preclinical mixed than initially perceived and bestages of the disease. lieves that the ENGAGE failure will be a point of controversy as investors Analysts, for their part, have their debate aducanumab drug’s prospects. own doubts about the surprise reversal by Biogen. Brian Skorney, an an- Elsewhere, groups like the Alzheimalyst at Baird, said that he was skep- er’s Association said on Tuesday that tical of the new analytical results for they were encouraged by the reversal Biogen’s Alzheimer’s treatment drug. filing.

Skorney said in a research note that Alzheimer’s Association said in a we expect Biogen will have an uphill release that they have never been as climb as they look to convince regu- optimistic as they are today. lators results from the EMERGE tri-

Biogen & Eisai are planning to file the aducanumab drug with the FDA in early 2020. If FDA approved, it would be the first new Alzheimer’s treatment in nearly two decades.

New Biogen Factory Building in Luterbach Solothurn Switzerland

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CRISPR Research Institutes In the World – Top 25 Global list In a document, if we suspect a misspelled word, we can use the find function to highlight the error and correct it.

IN FACT, THERE ARE MANY MORE SOPHISTICATED TOOLS NOWADAYS TO HIGHLIGHT THE WRONG LETTER IN A WORD THAT MIGHT HAVE CREPT IN.

By Ria Roy & Rahul Mishra

Our body is also made of several sequences of letters A T G and C, which define who we become: A Banana or a Human. Funny but the Truth. Now, these sequences can have spelling mistakes, which makes some of us susceptible to something and some of us stronger than others. If this were the 19th Century, we would have just accepted it as our fate, But hey, this is the 21st Century, and the Man has Go through this exhaustive list and already returned from Moon, So why we are sure that by the end you will can’t we edit our own misspelled know where your career can reach if you embrace this new technology.

DNA’s?

Within our DNA, that function is taken on by a system called CRISPR-cas9. CRISPR is a popular way to say Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats. CRISPR consists of two components, i.e, the Cas-9 protein that can cut DNA and a guide RNA that recognizes the DNA sequence to be edited to use CRISPR Cas-9 scientists first identify the sequence of the human genome that’s causing a health problem.

Then they create a specific guide RNA to recognize that particular stretch of A’s T’s GS and C’s in the DNA. The guide RNA is attached to the DNA cutting enzyme cas9 and then this complex is introduced to the target cells. It locates the target letter sequence and cuts the DNA. At that point, scientists can then edit the existing genome by either modifying deleting or inserting new sequences.

It effectively makes CRISPR-Cas9 a cut-and-paste tool for DNA editing. In the future, scientists hope to use CRISPR cas9 to develop critical advances in patient care or even cure lifelong inherited diseases.

But hey, Didn’t we mention that the future is already here? And that means we need to find out where all we have research going on this CRISPR Research technology.

Here we go: 1. HARVARD UNIVERSITY: The CRISPR-Cas system has actually become a necessary tool for scientists that intend to pursue research in the field of genetics. It is being used to introduce new gene treatments that can fix mutations at a single nucleotide position of the vast genetic sequences. CRISPR-Cas9 system is likewise being extrapolated in recurring therapeutic approaches for the recognition of disease-causing microorganisms and disease-causing genetic mutations in individuals.

The group of clinical professionals and scientists at Harvard University’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in a CRISPR Research showed the benefits of CRISPR Cas9 gene-editing technology as a control component in a new kind of stimuli-responsive smart matter. Upon its activation by specific natural DNA stimuli, a CRISPR-Cas9 enzyme makes it possible for a selection of smart matters to launch bound cargo such as fluorescent dyes and active enzymes.

This alters their structures to release encapsulated nanoparticles as well as live cells, or control electrical circuits consequently converting organic into electrical signals.

2. BROAD INSTITUTE OF MIT acts a lot more like a shredder than AND HARVARD: the conventional scissor-like action of the CRISPR-Cas9 system. The newly Latest in CRISPR Research – Sci- discovered CRISPR Research methentists have currently transformed a od by the University of Michigan CRISPR RNA-cutting enzyme into researchers is based upon the Type an antiviral that can be programmed I CRISPR-Cas3 system. This CRISto detect as well as to eliminate RNA- PR Cas3 system can eliminate long based virus in human cells. Many of stretches of DNA in humans with prothe globe’s most usual or harmful hu- grammable exact targeting as well as man viruses are RNA-based viruses– has actually been shown to operate in Ebola, Zika, and also influenza, for human cells. example– and also most of them have no FDA-approved therapies.

4. DUKE UNIVERSITY: In another research project, a group of scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as well as Harvard University has deployed CRISPR for an entirely different purpose. The MIT scientists have used the CRISPR Cas9 technology to develop novel materials, such as gels, that can transform their properties when they encounter a particular stretch of DNA. The team of scientists showed they could make use of CRISPR Cas9 gene-editing technology to control electronic circuits & microfluidic tools including release drug delivery, proteins, or living cells from gels. Such materials could be utilized to develop diagnostic tools for diseases such as Ebola or to provide treatments for problems such as irritable bowel disease.

Scientists consisting of a group of Biomedical Engineers as well as Biotechnologists at Duke University have discovered a technique for drastically enhancing the precision of the CRISPR- Cas9 genome editing technology by up to 50-fold. This newly discovered strategy adds a short tail to the guide RNA that folds up back as well as binds onto itself, creating a lock that can only be reversed by the targeted DNA series.

5. DEPARTMENT OF BIOSYSTEMS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING – ETH ZURICH:

Scientists have improved the famous CRISPR-Cas system method. For the very first time, researchers have made it possible to customize dozens of genes in a cell simultaneously. This 3. MICHIGAN MEDICINE – method uses a fairly quick as well as UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN: A global team of scientists at the University of Michigan has established a new CRISPR-based tool that

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easy manipulate single genes, suggesting they can be precisely deleted, replaced, or modified. Additionally, in the last few years, scientists have actually additionally been utilizing innovations based upon CRISPR-Cas to increase or decrease the activity of individual genes systematically.

analogy, CRISPR-based genetics drives enable researchers to edit a stretch of genetic information. On the other hand, a brand-new allelic drive provides letter-by-letter editing. New CRISPR-based genetics modifying drives and also wider active genes innovations are reinventing the method researchers engineer the transfer of 6. THE UNIVERSITY OF CAL- specific traits from one generation to IFORNIA – BERKELEY: another.

Scientists did some study on the CRISPR Babies born in China. 6 months ago, Chinese scientists revealed that they had modified the genetic material of 2 babies born last year. The Chinese Scientists used the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technique & changed the CCR5 gene to stop the Human Immunodeficiency Virus from attacking immune cells. A thorough study of the records in the United Kingdom. Biobank shows that having 2 duplicates of this mutation is associated with a 21% chance of mortality in the CRISPR Babies. A genetic variation that Chinese researchers attempted to develop in twin babies to help them safeguard them from HIV infection, is additionally associated with a 21% rise in death in later life, according to an evaluation by the University of California, Berkeley, researchers.

UC San Diego scientists discovered that phages cooperate to win the fight of time and numbers against CRISPR. To be a reliable immune strategy, CRISPR-containing microorganisms must promptly mount a response to the phage obstacle and it needs to do so prior to the phage eliminates the cell. According to the Scientists The Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) protein needs to locate the virus’s DNA swiftly. In case the protein fails to do so the virus will proceed and kill the cell.

9. UNIVERSITY OF EXETER:

A group of scientists at The University of Exeter consisting of Microbiologists & Biotechnologists has discovered that phage particles that infect Pseudomonas aeruginosa can team up together to escape antiviral 7. THE UNIVERSITY OF CAL- CRISPR defenses.

IFORNIA – SAN FRANCISCO: 10. INSTITUTE OF GENOMResearchers at the University of ICS AND INTEGRATIVE BIOLCalifornia, San Francisco discov- OGY (IGIB) ered a new method that makes use of a unique version of CRISPR gene India has also made quite a progress editing and enhancing to systemat- in terms of CRISPR Research. Indiically change the activity of human an scientists at IGBI have created a genes in neurons created from stem brand-new variation of the presentcells. This is the first effective merg- ly used gene-editing system- CRISer of stem cell-derived cell types and PR-Cas9. Researchers have actually CRISPR screening technologies. The shown that this version can boost acgroup at the University of Califor- curacy in CRISPR Researchediting nia, San Francisco and also the Na- and enhancing the genome while pretional Institutes of Health (NIH) and venting unintended changes or mutawellness has accomplished another tions in DNA. The researchers have CRISPR first, one which may essen- found that the protein FnCas9 has a tially change the means researchers minimal binding affinity to off-targets. research brain diseases.

This property of the FnCas9 makes it highly specific and removes the chal8. THE UNIVERSITY OF CAL- lenges dealt with conventionally used IFORNIA – SAN DIEGO: SpCas9. In the research study, a cohort of scientists found that FnCas9 Scientists have recently created a revealed greater homology-directed new variation of a gene drive that fixing and minimal off-targeting. permits the spread of certain, advantageous genetic variations. These var- 11. UNIVERSITY OF WESTiations are known as ‘alleles,’ across ERN ONTARIO: a population. The ‘allelic drive’ is used as a guide RNA that helps the Scientists have actually established CRISPR gene-editing tool to cut the a new method to deliver the CRISundesirable versions of a gene and PR-Cas9 DNA-editing tool into mialso change it with a better version. croorganisms in the laboratory, findWith the help of a data processing ing a method to successfully release

October 29th, 2019 Vol. 03 NO 102

a targeted strike on specific bacteria.

SOURI-COLUMBIA:

12. EMORY HEALTH SCIENC- (Collaborative work with University of Missouri teamed up with researchES: ers from the National Center for AdScientists have actually found that vancing Translational Sciences, Duke the “scissors” part of the CRIS- University, MU & the National InstiPR-Cas9 system in some cases gets tutes of Health). stuck. Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens researchers was The CRISPR gene-editing strategy also part of this crucial discovery on is a cutting edge strategy in treating the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing sys- inherited illness. CRISPR Researchtem. The Cas9 enzyme in the CRIS- Nevertheless, this gene-editing tool PR-Cas9 system cuts the DNA. This has yet to be used to successfully deal Cas9 protein is also capable of block- with long-lasting, chronic problems. ing the gene activity without doing University of Missouri College of any kind of cutting. Researchers have Medicine’s research team has actufound out that in the pathogenic bac- ally identified and also gotten over a teria Francisella novicida, the protein barrier in the CRISPR gene editing. controls genes that need to be shut off This strategy has the potential to lay for the microorganisms to trigger dis- the foundation for sustained therapies. The researchers are working to ease conditions. examine how to harness CRISPR to 13. UNIVERSITY OF MARY- treat Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).

LAND: The University of Maryland: CRISPR is the ‘molecular scissors’ used to cut as well as modify DNA, however, researchers are currently looking much beyond these applications. Researchers have actually explored the current state of CRISPR in plants, and also just how scientists can improve conventional breeding methods to an expanding population in the face of environmental changes, climatic conditions, pests, and parasites. Yiping Qi who is the assistant professor in Plant Science and Landscape Architecture at the University of Maryland, is now looking much beyond the typical applications of CRISPR as a gene-editing tool in his most recent study.

14. TUFTS UNIVERSITY The scientists of Tufts University have improved the new delivery mechanism system for the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing approach in the liver. The distribution mechanism utilizes the naturally degradable synthetic lipid nanoparticles. These particles are capable of carrying the molecular editing and also devices right into the cell. Then it exactly modifies the cell’s hereditary code with as much as 90% efficiency. The lipid nanoparticles are reported as the most reliable CRISPR-Cas9 delivery tools reported until now and can aid to conquer the technological obstacles to make it possible for the gene-editing in a broad range of clinical and therapeutic applications, according to the Tufts University & the Chinese Academy of Sciences researchers.

15.

UNIVERSITY OF MIS-

16. UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON: Scientists of the University of Wisconsin repurposed the CRISPR gene-editing tool to examine which genes are in fact being targeted by particular antibiotics. The system has the capability to provide information on how to improve the already existing antibiotics or CRISPR Researchhow to create new ones. The method suggested by the University of Wisconsin Scientists is known as the Mobile-CRISPRi system. This novel system enables scientists to evaluate for the antibiotic functions in a variety of pathogenic microorganisms. This was done by utilizing a form of microbial sex. Mobile-CRISPRi system was transferred from common laboratory strains into a derived bacteria. It also included a little-studied microbiome making the bacteria home on the cheese rinds. The simplicity of transfer of the Mobile CRISPRi System makes this strategy a benefit for scientists for examining any kind of microorganisms that can actually cause disease conditions or promote health.

17. INSTEM DHAN LAB: They have developed a technology where the Gene editing is attained utilizing the custom-engineered nucleases into cells, in which they develop targeted double-strand breaks at a DNA site of the rate of interest for the objective of creating the insertion/ deletion mutations (indels). CRISPR-Cas9 systems have actually been

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October 29th, 2019 Vol. 03 NO 102

demonstrated to accomplish genome modifying in human induced pluripotent stem cells. Instem Dhan Lab embraces this method to introduce the point mutations in human-caused pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)newly found cardiomyopathy genetics.

The lab differentiated human induced pluripotent stem cells into cardiomyocytes by their recognized protocols.

Human cardiomyocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells are used as a tool to understand mechanisms & screening medications.

18. PENN STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES: Researchers created an innovative technology that is developed to enhance CRISPR-Cas9 CRISPR Researchsystem gene editing in mosquitoes and other arthropods. The technology suggested by Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences researchers were successful with a high level of effectiveness while eliminating the requirement for tough microinjection of genetic material.

19. CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA: Using CRISPR gene editing, a research study group from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia & Penn Medicine have actually thwarted a lethal lung condition in an animal model in which a damaging mutation or variation causes death within hours after the birth. This study, released in Scientific research Translational Medicine, revealed that utero editing could be a promising unique approach for treating lung diseases before birth.

20. THE UNIVERSITY TEXAS AT AUSTIN:

OF

A recent study by scientists at the University of Texas has actually clarified the advantages of using Cas12a protein over the standard Cas9 protein in the CRISPR gene editing.

The team has discovered conclusive evidence that Cas9 protein, one of the most popular enzymes that are currently utilized for the CRISPR gene editing, is less effective and exact CRISPR Researchthan one of the lesser-used CRISPR proteins, Cas12a protein. Since Cas9 protein is most likely to modify the wrong part of a plant’s or animal’s genome, interrupting healthy functions, the researchers make the situation that changing to Cas12a healthy protein would bring about much safer as well as more efficient gene editing. And amongst one of the most significant clinical

advancements in the current years are related to the discovery and also the growth of novel ways to genetically customize the living things using a much faster at the same time a budget-friendly modern technology called CRISPR gene modifying. The team has determined an easy upgrade for this innovation using Cas12a protein that would actually cause even more accurate gene editing with enhanced safety that might open up the door for gene editing safe enough for use in people.

Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and the University of Montreal in Canada and Peking Union Medical College in China had reported that the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing platform may need more CRISPR Researchtweaking and alterations before it can be used as an effective antiviral system. It was found that single DNA mutations can inhibit the viral replication when the CRISPR-Cas9 system was used by the researchers to mutate HIV-1 within the cellular DNA. It was also discussed that some of the mutations additionally brought 21. CORNELL UNIVERSITY: about an unanticipated resistance. The scientists strongly think targeting sevCRISPR-Cas3 system research eral viral DNA regions might actually study; A Cornell scientist, that is the be required for assessing the potential leader of the research study in creat- antiviral aspect of the CRISPR-Cas9 ing a new sort of gene-editing CRIS- system and for the exact same to be PR system and also his coworkers reliable. have used the novel technique for the first time in human cells which 23. TOKYO UNIVERSITY OF is a significant CRISPR Research- SCIENCE development in the field. The study Scientists at the Tokyo University of showed that the brand-new system, Sciences have created a chain of efcalled CRISPR-Cas3 can efficiently ficient strategies to increase the effiget rid of the long stretches of DNA ciency of the targeted gene disruption from a targeted site in the human ge- and new gene ‘introduction’ using the nome; an ability that is not conven- CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing system in iently attainable in even more typical the rice blast fungus Pyricularia orygene-editing CRISPR-Cas9 systems. zae.

Though robust applications of the system might be well in the future, 24. UNIVERSITY OF UTAH the brand-new CRISPR-Cas3 system has the possibility to look for as well University of Utah scientist has as to erase such ectopic viruses as discovered a novel way of using the herpes simplex, Epstein-Barr & liver CRISPR tool. CRISPR was used to disease B, which are the significant reduce chronic pain. This was sucrisk to public health. cessfully done by modulating the way genes turn on and off. The purpose of 22. MCGILL UNIVERSITY: modulating genes this way is to protect cells from inflammation and also A collaborative study between sci- from breaking down the cells and tisentists at McGill University and the sues. CRISPR doesn’t do this by ed-

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iting or replacing genes where they are typically used for. Here CRISPR stops the cell death and keeps the cells from producing molecules that could damage the tissues which in turn causes chronic pain.

25. GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY Researchers at George Washington University have successfully used the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool to limit the impact of schistosomiasis and liver fluke infection. These infections affect more than a million people in sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.

So, here we are with the 25 Global lists of institutes where CRISPR research is being conducted at full throttle. In the above List, CSIR-IGIB & InStem are the two Indian institutes that are making significant contributions in this field. While there are many other prestigious research institutes in India like IIT, IISC, NII, NCCS, IICB and many more where CRISPR research projects are being carried out.

CRISPR Cas9 though has shown some promising results lately which can turn around the table entirely for our researchers enabling them to formulate solutions aiding humanity in terms of disease treatment, food shortage and much more, it’s still in its adolescence stage. Regulatory & ethical hurdles keep appearing now & then, which has to be addressed. Yet no doubt, CRISPR is a technology which in near future will be adapted globally looking to its diverse applications.

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Scientists Develop Fully Recyclable Plastics!

Scientists at the Basque Country and Colorado State University have developed a new class of bio-renewable, biodegradable plastics.

THE RESEARCHERS CLAIM THAT THEIR PLASTICS ARE AN IMPROVEMENT ON EXISTING ONES AND WOULD PROMOTE THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY.

By Rahul Mishra

Plastics have become an important part of our everyday lives. But their growing production and use are threatening to pollute the entire planet, in particular, the oceans. It is the final destination for tonnes and tonnes of plastic, a material that may take thousands of years to disappear.

A group of researchers- Haritz Sardón, Ainara Sangroniz, and Agustin Etxeberria at the UPV/EHU’s Faculty of Chemistry, in collaboration with Eugene Y.-X. Chen, Jian-Bo Zhu, and Xiaoyan Tang at Colorado State University in the United States have designed fully recyclable packaging materials.

of chemical recycling. Once materials of this type reached the end of their useful service life, the UPV/ EHU researcher said that they could be recycled chemically, and the original monomer or new monomers could be obtained.

This work explores two chemicalFully Recyclable Plastics Devel- ly recyclable homopolymers: gamoped- The New Material

ma-butyrolactone, which displays suitable mechanical properties, but high permeability to various gases and vapors.

In contrast, trans-hexahydrophthalide displays the opposite properties: it is very rigid and has low permeability.

So the researchers opted to develop copolymers by combining both com-

According to scientists, the new material promotes the circular economy for plastic packaging materials where design and production fully comply with requirements about reuse, repair, and recycling. The research has been published recently in Nature Communications. It is seen as a step forward in solving the problem of plastic.

The lack of suitable recycling systems plus their non-degradable nature has led to the build-up of plastic in the environment.

To solve this problem, biodegradable materials have attracted considerable interest. In the right conditions, these polymers degrade to form carbon dioxide, water, biomass, etc. According to one of the scientist Haritz Sardón, lactic acid is one of the most promising biodegradable polymers. Yet its high rigidity plus its low barrier character would mean that this material made out of lactic acid is inadequate for replacing marketing materials, he explained.

The phenomenon has accounted for the recent growth in the importance

Scientists Haritz Sardón, Ainara Sangroniz, and Agustin Etxeberria. Credits: Nagore Iraola; UPV/EHU

pounds/monomers hence the resultFully Recyclable Plastics Developed.

By varying their composition, in particular, it was possible to synthesize materials with suitable mechanical properties that are better than biodegradable polymers and similar to commercial plastic materials which are currently used in packaging.

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Pune Scientists Develops World’s Fastest Cancer Detection Method!

A group of Pune-based researchers developed a ‘liquid biopsy’ technology to detect the early spread of cancer.

THEY CLAIM IT IS THE WORLD’S FASTEST TECHNOLOGY TO DETECT CANCER.

By Rahul Mishra

Scientists added that the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation had approved the ‘OncoDiscover’ technology.

Dr. Jayant Khandare, Chief Scientific Officer of Actorius Innovations and Research- A Pune based start-up, said that this new technology is expected to revolutionize the early diagnosis and management of cancer patients in India.

Where Is This Available?

Actorius has indigenously discovered the more specific, highly rapid, The newly discovered test is now and efficient cancer diagnostic tech- available in Pune at the OncoDiscovnology in detecting the early spread er Liquid Biopsy Technology lab for cancer patients in India. of cancers added Dr. Khandare.

The Pune based start-up has been funded for high-risk innovations by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), an industry support wing of the Department of Biotechnology Dr. Jayant added.

Pune Scientists Detects CancerThe Researchers A team of researchers led by Dr. Khandare and Aravindan Vasudevan worked to crack the technological issues in detecting circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from lung, breast, colorectal, head, and neck cancers.

The new technology developed by the Pune Startup has been patented internationally and ‘clinically validated’ via multiple clinical trials. One such clinical trial was undertaken by Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, a renowned oncologist and deputy director at the Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) in Mumbai.

While the United States approves a similar CTC detection test FDA costs $1,000 and is unaffordable for most Indians, OncoDiscover has developed the technology which is available at a fraction of that cost.

Pune Scientists Detects Cancer-

Dr. Jayant Khandare was awarded the Alexander von Humboldt Experienced Researcher Fellowship in 2011 for his research in macromolecular chemistry, involving work on targeting cancer cells and in inflammation using ligands and hyper-branched

polymers.

The Germany-based Humboldt Foundation gives this award, and 44 of the awardees have gone on to win the Nobel Prize

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New Organelle Discovered That Prevents Cancer – Breakthrough Research The University of Virginia- School of Medicine Scientists have discovered a new organelle inside the human cells that helps to prevent tumors by ensuring that the chromosomes are sorted correctly as cells divide.

THE UVA SCHOOL OF MEDICINE SCIENTISTS HAS CONNECTED PROBLEMS WITH THE ORGANELLE TO A SUBSET OF BREAST CANCER TUMORS THAT MAKE LOTS OF ERRORS WHEN WHILE SEGREGATING CHROMOSOMES.

By Rahul Mishra

Interestingly, they found their analysis offered a new way for doctors to sort patient cancer as they choose therapies. They hope the new finding will allow doctors to personalize treatments to best benefit patients better – sparing up to 40% of breast cancer patients. A generalized breast sophisticated. cancer treatment has proven to be inefficient.

Stukenberg explained that the New Organelle Prevents Cancer is more P. Todd Stukenberg of the Univer- of a gel. The cellular components sity of Virginia’s Department of Bi- can still go in and out, but it contains ochemistry and Molecular Genet- binding sites that concentrate a small ics and the UVA Cancer Center said set of the cell’s contents. that Some percentage of women get chemotherapy drugs for breast cancer While it’s been known for a decade that are not very effective. This treat- now that cells make such droplets for ment causes unwanted pain and has other processes, it was unknown that adverse side effects on the body. they make them on chromosomes during mitosis. Stukenberg & team New Organelle Prevents Cancer- believes these droplets are very comThe Disappearing Organelle mon and more important than previously realized.

The organelle Stukenberg and his team of researchers have discovered essential but transient. It forms only when required by the cells to ensure chromosomes are sorted correctly and disappears when its work is done.

That’s the primary reason scientists haven’t discovered it before.

New Organelle Prevents Cancer- Stukenberg has also developed tests How Will It Help? to measure the amount of chromosome missegregation in tumors, and In addition to helping us understand he hopes that this might allow doctors mitosis, The UVA School of Medicine to pick the proper treatment to give scientists- Stukenberg and the team’s cancer patients. discovery also sheds light on cancer and how it occurs. The organelle’s Having studying breast cancer alprimary function is to fix errors in ready, Stukenberg’s next plans to extiny microtubules that pull apart chro- amine the New Organelle Prevents mosomes during cell division. That Cancer role in colorectal cancer. ensures each cell pairs up with the correct genetic material. In cancer, The research work was published in this repair process is defective, which Nature Cell Biology. can drive cancer cells to divide more aggressively.

Another reason is its mind-bending nature- Stukenberg compares this new organelle to a droplet of liquid that condenses within other liquid.

Stukenberg says that it was his wow moment when he saw the phenomenon under the microscope.

The droplets act as mixing bowls, concentrating certain cellular ingredients to allow biochemical reactions to occur in a specific location.

You may think of the droplet like oil in water, but it’s the opposite of that.

Oil is hydrophobic – it repels water.

This new organelle, however, is more

Researcher P. Todd Stukenberg. Credits Dan Addison, University of Virginia Communications

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The More Active Your Brain, The Shorter You Live – A Harvard Research Multiple factors influence the longevity of our lives. Some of the factors include genetic makeup, which is considered to be a bit difficult to alter.

THER FACTORS, LIKE LIFESTYLE AND ENVIRONMENT, ARE A BIT EASIER TO CHANGE.

By Rahul Mishra

A new study demonstrates that excessive neural activity in the human brain is linked to a shorter lifespan.

Suppressing that extra activity could prolong life. The finding is preliminary and will require more detailed research before the results are considered for concrete health recommendations. Nonetheless, this study opens up the possibility of using either drugs or behavioral interventions, including meditation, to alter the brain’s activity.

Dr. Bruce Yanker co-author and professor of genetics and neurology at Harvard Medical School says that the mechanism that controls brain excitation is closely related to the one that controls metabolism. This has long been linked to lifespan.

The fact that less brain activity was associated with longevity at first seemed “counterintuitive” to Dr. Yanker. He assumed an active brain would be linked with better health and vitality.

Relation Of Brain Activity With Life- The Study Dr. Yanker and his colleagues examined the brain tissue of hundreds of deceased human subjects, grouped by their age of death. Interestingly, they found that the brain tissue of those who lived longer- dying at 90 or 100, suggested they had experienced less neural activity than those who died at a younger age.

Researchers used worms as their subject of study due to their short, easy-to-study lifespans.

Using brain imaging techniques, scientists saw that worms’ neural activity increased with age. When the researchers gave the worms drugs that would calm some of that neutral activity, they lived longer. When the Harvard scientists stimulated the worms’ neurons, they died faster.

Next, the scientists tried to find the

“CEO protein.” The CEO protein controls all of this neural activity. Using computer algorithms, scientists narrowed the search down to a protein called REST. According to Yanker’s lab, REST proteins could protect the brain from dementia.

This research suggests that REST could be a useful target for drugs meant to cure neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Prior studies have shown that, as Alzheimer’s progresses, patients have excessive neural activity in the hippocampus region- the part of the brain where the Relation Of Brain Activity With disease often originates.

Life- A Major Breakthrough Aside from the promising avenues

for drug research, Yanker says the work suggests habits and behaviors that affect the brain’s neural activity.

He added that yoga and meditation could potentially prolong lifespan.

Yanker says the paper is a promising step toward understanding how “a person’s thoughts, personality, and behavior affect their overall health and longevity.”

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Antibiotic Resistance Detection ‘In Less Than 45 Minutes’ With This New Diagnostic Test A diagnostic test is now being developed by researchers that would cut the time taken to show resistance to antibiotics from “up to 2 days” to “less than 45 mins”.

IN A RESEARCH PUBLISHED IN THE JOURNAL BIOSENSORS AND BIOELECTRONICS, THE UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE‘S RESEARCH TEAM DEMONSTRATED THE LOW-COST, A RAPID DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM THAT COULD SHOW ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE.

By Ria Roy

To prove this system could prescribe the correct antibiotic to a patient for an infection more quickly, the researchers examined the difference in growth profiles between staphylococcus aureus & MRSA. While the Staphylococcus aureus is a common hospital-acquired bacte- “Antibiotic-resistance is less like- ples to a lab and have to wait for a rial infection sensitive to antibiotics, ly to develop if you give a narrower positive result. spectrum antibiotic.”

MRSA strain can be harder to treat.

Hannah explained the system could Both of the strains were placed on to It is now hoped this new test could be also have a place on intensive care electrodes covered in a special hydro- used by pharmacists & other points of wards. When for the first time somegel deposit & the susceptible strain care, as well as being developed for one is ill they are quite rightly given a broad-spectrum antibiotic & also they couldn’t grow when the sensor was commercial uses. have to wait for 12 to72 hours for a seeded with an antibiotic.

Dr. Hannah suggested that all the result from the hospital laboratory.

The study’s lead author, Dr. Stuart materials used “can be mass-manuHannah, said there is a small differ- factured, which means that it is very Hannah said he hopes that the tests can be located at the bedside & that ence between what makes an organ- cheap to produce a working test. it will allow doctors to switch from a ism susceptible to an antibiotic & Hannah added, with the right com- broad-spectrum of drugs to the right what makes it resistant. mercial backing, a future device could medication quite quickly.

He added that in real terms, his team be used at a GPs’ surgery, where they was able to distinguish between the 2 can effectively take a blood sample The consultant anesthetist on the strains in less than 45 mins, which is and to do the test & have results with- project, Dr. David Alcorn from the a significant improvement on the cur- in an hour, rather than sending sam- Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley, rent gold standard of up to 2 days.

He further explained that the technology uses a low cost, commercially available sensor that can act like a mini culture dish which deals with any kind of clinical sample.

He continued, the system is modified with a special gel deposit so that it is possible to identify the difference between susceptible & resistant forms of common bacteria.

The rapid result detection means we could pinpoint bacterial versus viral infections straight away and we would be able to start working on a correct treatment more quickly for the individual’s affected, which is very important for certain infections.

said, being able to quickly diagnose infection is a great enough ability but to be able to also detect antimicrobial resistance within such a short period of time i.e, 45mins, could prove to be a wonderful tool.

He said this means diagnostic information could be provided for clinicians across intensive care units, operating theatres & emergency departments, to enable them to give the right drug and medication at the right time.

And there is also scope for this to have an enormous impact on general practice and day-to-day healthcare, he added.

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October 29th, 2019 Vol. 03 NO 102

This Superfood Maybe The Next Antimalarial Breakthrough!

According to the World Health Organization, 200 million people were affected by malaria in 2017, causing almost 50,000 deaths.

MOREOVER, WITH ANTIMALARIAL DRUG RESISTANCE ON THE PEAK AND CLIMATE CHANGE ALLOWING MALARIA TO SPREAD FURTHER THAN ONCE THOUGHT POSSIBLE, MALARIA INFECTIONS ARE AT A CRITICAL TIPPING POINT THAT COULD HAVE MORTALITY AND MORBIDITY RATES SOARING VERY SOON IF NEW DRUG INTERVENTIONS ARE NOT IDENTIFIED.

By Rahul Mishra

Researchers ascross the world are actively searching for new treatments, and now, a group of scientists from the University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Brazil has found that aҫaí berry extract can reduce parasites in the blood and prolong the survival of infected mice. They recently published this study in ACS Omega.

The Study showed that berry extracts could reduce parasites in the blood and prolong the survival of infected mice.

New Antimalarial Berry- The SuperFood Aҫaí- Euterpe oleracea Martius is native to Brazil, where some traditional healers use the berries to treat malaria symptoms. In recent years, the high antioxidant content of the grape-like fruit has boosted its popularity outside of Brazil and has caused some to consider it a “superfood.”

This antioxidant activity arises mainly from polyphenols. These compounds have been linked to health benefits such as weight loss, cardiovascular disease prevention, and decreased cancer risk.

New Antimalarial Berry- The Study Conducted The UNICAMP scientists wanted to determine if aҫaí extracts could treat malaria in mice, and if so, whether polyphenols in the berries were responsible for the therapeutic effect.

The team extracted polyphenols from aҫaí berries and then treated malaria parasite cultures growing in a Petri dish with the extracts. They found

that a class of polyphenols called nonanthocyanin phenolics inhibited the growth of both chloroquine-resistant and -sensitive parasites. Then, the researchers orally administered aҫaí polyphenols to malaria-infected mice.

Researchers said that the treatment with the New Antimalarial Berry reduced the parasitic load in the mice’s blood by 89.4% compared with untreated mice. All of the mice given polyphenols survived for more than 15 days, whereas none of the untreated mice lived. The aҫaí extracts appeared to interfere with the parasites’ protein homeostasis or the balance between protein production and degradation.

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October 29th, 2019 Vol. 03 NO 102

CSIR-NEERI Green Crackers With 30% Less Emissions To Hit Markets Following a Supreme Court order on a ban on crackers in 2017, the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, commissioned scientists at CSIRNEERI to develop less-toxic firecrackers to provide safer alternatives.

DR. HARSH VARDHAN, THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY, HAS CLAIMED THAT LESS-POLLUTING GREEN FIRECRACKERS DEVELOPED BY EIGHT LABS LED BY THE COUNCIL OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH’S NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH INSTITUTE (CSIR-NEERI) LAB IN NAGPUR.

By Rahul Mishra

A team of 24 scientists led by Sadhana Rayulu, took nine months to develop the prototypes of the first Green Crackers By CSIR-NEERI. The green crackers will not contain The Safe Water Releaser(SWAS) and or have reduced amounts of polluting the Safe Thermite Cracker(STAR) are and harmful chemicals such as alumi- free of potassium nitrate and sulfur, thereby reducing sulfur dioxide and num, potassium nitrate, and carbon. nitrogen oxides emission by at least Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that green 30%. Safe minimal aluminum, which crackers would reduce emissions by has minimum aluminum, lowers the particulate matter emission after a minimum of 30 percent. lighting by at least 35%.

In 2019, the Supreme Court of India outlined norms and ordered the ban on Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that with 230 conventional crackers with restricted MoUs and 165 NDAs signed with use to green crackers. The Supreme firework manufacturers, adequate Court gave a two-hour window between 8 pm ad 10 pm on Diwali eve.

The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) then defined green cracker norms.

Green Crackers By CSIR-NEERIAn Eco-Friendly Initiative The Green Crackers By CSIRNEERI are low sound-and light-emitting firecrackers. The CSIR-NEERI developed green crackers aims to reduce emissions by at least 30% with no extra cost. All the packets of green crackers carry a green logo (QR coding). The green crackers also forgo the use of any of the chemicals banned by the Supreme Court like lithium, arsenic, lead, and mercury according to the specifications issues by the PESO. These crackers, called Safe Water Releaser (SWAS), Safe Thermite Cracker (STAR), and Safe Minimal Aluminium (SAFAL), either release water vapor or air to suppress the dust particles generated upon explosion.

quantities of the Green Crackers By CSIR-NEERI are expected to hit the markets before Diwali.

The Petroleum and Safety Organisation (PESO) gives a final manufacturing license after emission tests.

At the moment, few companies, including Standard Fire­works, Vinayaga Industries, Balaji Fireworks, and Coronation Fireworks, are involved in manufacturing Green Crackers By CSIR-NEERI.

Rakesh Kumar CSIR-NEERI director said that all the Green Crackers

By CSIR-NEERI had the potential to be manufactured. Additionally, few categories of the green crackers awaited the Supreme Court’s response as it had harmful chemicals such as Barium. Scientists continue to work on the green crackers, and Mr. Kumar expects more varients of the eco-friendly crackers shortly.

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Scientists ‘May Have Crossed Ethical Line’ In Growing Human Brains Scientists may have crossed an “ethical Rubicon” by growing lumps of the human brain in the laboratory, and in some cases transplanting the tissues into the animals, researchers warn.

THE CREATION OF BRAIN “ORGANOIDS” HAS BECOME ONE OF THE HOTTEST FIELDS IN MODERN NEUROSCIENCE. THE BLOBS OF TISSUES ARE MADE FROM STEM CELLS &, WHILE THEY ARE ONLY OF PEA-SIZE, SOME HAVE DEVELOPED SPONTANEOUS BRAIN WAVES, THAT ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE SEEN IN THE PREMATURE BABIES.

By Ria Roy

Many researchers believe that organoids have the potential to transform medicine. They say this is by allowing them to probe the living brain like never before. But the study is controversial because it is unclear where it sure that brain organoids do not expemay cross the line into human exper- rience suffering. The team is already seeing activity in the organoids that is imentation. reminiscent of biological activity in On Monday, scientists will tell the developing animals, Ohayon said. world’s largest annual meeting of neuroscientists that some of the sci- In one of the recent study, scientists entists working on the organoids are at Harvard University showed that the “perilously close” to crossing the eth- brain organoids develop a rich diverical line, while other scientists may sity of cells & tissues, from cerebral already have done so by creating the cortex neurons to the retinal cells. sentient lumps of the brain in the lab- Organoids grown for 8 months developed their own neuronal networks that oratory. sparkled with activity and responded There is even a possibility of the or- when the light was shone on them. In ganoid being sentient, scientists could another research study led by Fred be crossing that line, said Elan Ohay- Gage at the Salk Institute in San Dieon, director of Green Neuroscience go, scientists transplanted the human Laboratory, San Diego. He added brain organoids into the mouse brains that he doesn’t want people doing re- and it was found that they connected search studies where there is potential up to the animal’s blood supply and for something and somebody to suf- also sprouted some fresh connections. fer.

Ohayon wants the funding agencies Because of the manifest difficulties to freeze all research studies that aim in doing research studies live human to put the human brain organoids into brains and organoids are considered a the animals, along with other work landmark development. These studies where there is a reasonable chance of have been used to investigate schiz- organoids becoming sentient. He has ophrenia & autism, and why some developed computer models that he babies develop small brains when believes help identify when sentience the babies are infected with Zika vi- is likely to arise but adds there is an rus in the mother’s womb. Scientists “urgent need” for more works in this hope to use organoids to study a raft area. of brain disorders, from Alzheimer’s to Parkinson’s, & eye conditions such In Britain, scientists are already as age-related macular degeneration. banned from working on the donated embryos that are older than fourBut in the presentation to the Society teen days. This limit, which some for Neuroscience meeting in Chicago, researchers want to extend, was imOhayon and his research colleagues posed to protect the developing huAnn Lam & Paul Tsang will argue mans from suffering. that the checks must be in place to en-

Last year, a group of researchers, lawyers, ethicists, & philosophers called for an ethical debate on the brain organoids. The authors, including Hank Greely, director of the Center for Law and the Biosciences at Stanford University in California, said brain organoids were not yet sophisticated enough to raise any immediate concerns, but that it was time to start discussing the guidelines.

Greely believes that the concerns become more serious if organoids perceive and react to stimuli that

might cause the pain. He added that it becomes still more important if we really have s reason to believe the organoid has an aversive reaction to that particular stimuli, that it ‘feels pain’. he said that he strongly doubts that anyone has reached that point or comes close to it.

Gage told the Guardian that he thinks it is never too soon to raise issues about ethics in science, so that thoughtful dialogue can guide scientific research & decisions.

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International Alliance for Cancer Early Detection; Scientists Seek Clues to How Cancer ‘is Born’ British and American researchers are now teaming up to search for the earliest signs of cancer disease in a bid to detect & treat the disease before it emerges.

RESEARCHERS PLAN TO “GIVE BIRTH” TO CANCER IN THE LABORATORY TO SEE EXACTLY WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WHEN THEY ARE “BORN”.

By Ria Roy

It is just one of the study priorities of the new International Alliance for Cancer Early Detection.

The early detection of cancer will mean patients benefitting more quickly.

Cancer Research United Kingdom has teamed up with the Universities of Cambridge, Manchester, University College London, & Stanford and Oregon in the United States, to share ideas, technology, and also their expertise in this area of cancer research.

Together, the researchers are aiming to develop very less invasive tests, such as blood, breath & urine tests, for monitoring the patients, improve imaging techniques for detecting cancer at its early stage and look for the virtually undetectable signs of the cancer disease.

But researchers admit this is “like looking for a needle in a haystack” and it could take another 30 years off.

The main problem is that researchers never get to see cancer being born in a human being, said Dr. David Crosby, head of early detection research at Cancer Research United Kingdom.

Scientists from Manchester, for example, are growing human breast tissues in the laboratory with synthetic immune cells to see if these cells can spot the very earliest, subtle changes that could actually lead to cancer.

Prof Rob Bristow said it was similar to a living tissue bank outside patients.

Yet there is always the danger of this kind of over-diagnosis because not all early cell changes turn into cancers.

So the cancer scientists say they must be more precise, also looking at the genes people are born with & the environment the individuals grow up in, to work out an individual’s unique personal risk of developing different cancers. Only then will they know when to intervene.

To date, researchers say studies on early detection have been small-scale & disconnected, lacking the power of trials in a big population of people.

Dr. Crosby said this new collaboration would “induce a sea-change in the health systems, shifting it from expensive firefighting of late-stage disease to being able to intervene at its earliest point & deliver rapid, cost-effective treatment for cancers.

Figures show that 98 percent of breast cancer patients live for 5 years or more if the diseases are diagnosed at stage 1 – the earliest stage- compared to just 26 percent at stage 4, the most advanced stage.

But, at present, only around 44 percent of breast cancer patients are diagnosed at the earliest stage.

In the UK, screening programs exist for breast, bowel & cervical cancers, when people reach a particular age.

However, there are currently no reliable screening tools for other cancers, such as pancreas, liver, lung, and prostate, which means survival rates

are often much lower.

Prof Mark Emberton, from UCL, said the growth of imaging, such as MRI, was a “silent revolution” which could replace needles, used in biopsies, in the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

“Imaging only sees the aggressive cells, it overlooks the stuff you don’t want to find and addresses over-diagnosis,” he said, but he warned it was expensive and took time, and was “not ready for prime time yet”.

More accurate hyper-polarised MRI scans and photoacoustics, where laser light is delivered to the tumor, creating sound waves that are analyzed to produce images, are the next advances being tested in imaging.

Prof Emberton said that their next goal was to see which cancers lent

themselves to this type of imaging.

Prof Rebecca Fitzgerald of the University of Cambridge is developing an advanced endoscope that can detect pre-cancerous lesions in the food pipe & colon.

She added that the early detection had not been given the attention it deserved, and some tests for cancer could be very simple & inexpensive.

Prof Fitzgerald said that she looked forward to working with international colleagues to take ideas “all the way from the bench to the bedside”.

Cancer Research UK is investing about £40m in the International Alliance for Cancer Early Detection over the next 5 years, with around $20m being contributed by Canary Center at Stanford University & the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute in Oregon.

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October 29th, 2019 Vol. 03 NO 102

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IIT-Hyderabad Researchers Develops Bio-bricks- Helps Cut Pollution Conventional brick kilns are a source of air pollution, though they are critical for supplying bricks to India’s growing construction industry.

ANOTHER SOURCE OF POLLUTION IS THE BURNING OF CROP STUBBLES BY FARMERS OR AGRICULTURAL WASTE.

By Rahul Mishra

A new type of bio-brick made from biodegradable wastes promises to address both the problems.

A group of scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT-H) and KIIT School of Architecture, Bhubaneshwar, have developed bricks from agro-waste products.

They have developed a process to use dry waste like wheat straws, paddy straws, and sugarcane bagasse to These molds are left to dry for a day manufacture bricks. or two, after which the sides of the molds are removed, and the brick is IIT-Hyderabad Researchers De- allowed to dry for fifteen to twenty velops Bio-bricks- The Idea days. It takes almost a month for the blocks to attain strength by air drying.

It involves chopping the debris to However, researchers noted that the the desired size and adding it to the bio-bricks are not as strong as burnt lime-based slurry to create a homog- clay bricks and cannot be used directly enous mixture. The mixture is poured to build load-bearing structures. Still, into molds and rammed with a wood- they can be utilized in low-cost housen block to make a compact brick. ing in combination with the wooden or metal structural framework.

Also, these bricks can bricks provide insulation against heat and sound and help in maintaining the humidity of the buildings.

IIT-Hyderabad Researchers Develops Bio-bricks- The Advantages of Bio-bricks The researchers said the bio-bricks are sustainable & eco-friendly. The team used 900 grams of sugarcane bagasse to make a single bio-brick.

Burning this amount of the waste bagasse instead of repurposing it, would have released 639 grams of carbon dioxide. Not only can an enormous amount of carbon dioxide be prevented from getting released in the environment, but lime used in each bio-brick also absorbs 322.2 grams of carbon from the air, which makes it a carbon-negative & environment-friendly.

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October 29th, 2019 Vol. 03 NO 102

World’s First Ebola Vaccine Gets Approval from European Medicines Agency The European Medicines Agency has approved the world’s first Ebola vaccine after it was administered to thousands of people in Africa.

THE EUROPEAN MEDICINES AGENCY DESCRIBED LICENSING THE VACCINE AS AN ESSENTIAL STEP TOWARD RELIEVING THE BURDEN OF THIS DEADLY DISEASE.

By Rahul Mishra

The European Medicines Agency described licensing the vaccine as an essential step toward relieving the burden of this deadly disease. The Ebola vaccine was initially developed in Canada and is now marketed by Merck as Ervebo. More than 270,000 people in Africa have received it as officials try to stop Congo’s ongoing outbreak.

Since the Ebola outbreak was declared on August 2018, approximately 200,000 people have received doses of a vaccine made by Merck, which will continue to be used in the region.

the deadly Ebola virus. According to official data, more than 3,030 people have been affected by the Ebola virus in this outbreak, one of the worst in history, and more than 1,990 have died.

The European Medicines Agency First Ebola Vaccine Approvedsaid its human medicines committee The Much Needed Vaccine has recommended granting a conditional marketing authorization in A panel of the European drug regthe European Union for the vaccine, ulator on Friday recommended apErvebo, for individuals aged 18 years proving Merck & Co’s vaccine for and older.

A second vaccine made by Johnson & Johnson, which is not yet licensed, will soon be used in parts of Congo where Ebola is not actively spreading. The United Nations health agency, in a statement, said the second vaccine that is made by Johnson & Johnson, will be used from October 2019 in areas where Ebola is not actively spreading.

First Ebola Vaccine ApprovedDelay In Action

The question of whether the Johnson & Johnson experimental vaccine should be used was a matter of dispute between Congo’s former health minister and global health officials.

Meanwhile, The World Health Organization is convening a meeting to consider whether the epidemic in Congo should still be designated a global emergency.

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Machine Learning’s Next Frontier: Epigenetic Drug Discovery The powerful ability of Machine learning to detect the patterns in complex data is revolutionizing how we drive, how we diagnose the diseases and now it plays a role in how we discover new drugs.

RESEARCHERS AT SANFORD BURNHAM PREBYS MEDICAL DISCOVERY INSTITUTE HAVE DEVELOPED A MACHINE-LEARNING ALGORITHM THAT COULD GLEAN INFORMATION FROM MICROSCOPE IMAGES I.E, BY ALLOWING FOR HIGH-THROUGHPUT EPIGENETIC DRUG SCREENS THAT COULD UNLOCK NEW TREATMENTS FOR CANCER, MENTAL ILLNESS, HEART DISEASE AND MORE.

By Ria Roy

The research study was published in eLife.

Alexey Terskikh, Ph.D., who is an associate professor in Sanford Burnham Prebys’ Development, Aging and Regeneration Program and also the senior author of the study, said in order to identify the rare few drug candidates that induce the desired epigenetic effects, scientists need methods to screen hundreds of thousands of potential compounds. He added, their study describes a powerful image-based approach that could enable high-throughput epigenetic drug discovery. Epigenetics refers to the chemical tags on DNA that allow cellular machinery greater or less access to genes — thus altering the gene expression. Nearly all the changes in a cell, including reaction to a drug & environmental stress, are reflected by its epigenetic state. Several drugs that target epigenetic alterations are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of cancer, and scientists are still working to find any additional epigenetic-based therapies. Drug discovery has been slowed because of the lack of high-throughput screening methods: Researchers currently visualize the epigenetic changes using special dyes and using the traditional microscopy methods.

In this study, the researchers trained a machine-learning algorithm using a set of more than 220 drugs that are known to work epigenetically. The resulting method, Microscopic Imaging of Epigenetic Landscapes (MIEL), was successfully able to detect active drugs among them and then classified the compounds by their molecular function, spot epigenetic chang-

es across multiple cell lines & drug concentrations, and help identify how unknown compounds work. The researchers used the approach to identify the epigenetic compounds that may be able to help treat glioblastoma, a deadly brain cancer.

Chen Farhy, Ph.D., who is a postdoctoral researcher in the Terskikh lab and also the first author of the study, said their method is ready for immediate use by pharmaceutical

firms looking to develop epigenetic drug screens. Farhy added the industry and academic researchers working on mechanistic studies may also benefit from this new method, as the algorithm can detect and also categorize the epigenetic changes induced by experimental treatments, genetic manipulations or other approaches.

Terskikh and his research team are already using the machine learning algorithm to study all the epigenetic

changes in aging cells, with the aim of developing compounds that can promote healthy aging — the single greatest risk factor for the diseases.

This study is conducted in collaboration with Sanford Burnham Prebys professor Peter Adams, Terskikh is also eager to broaden this technology from 2D images to 3D videos, which will expand the power of the approach.

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Researchers Discover the ‘KARAPPO’ GeneIllustrates How Plants Reproduce Through Cloning A cross-institutional research group has revealed the mechanism by which liverwort (Marchantia polymorpha) asexually reproduces via the development of clonal progenies (gemmae).

THEY DISCOVERED THE GENE ‘KARAPPO,’ WHICH IS CRITICAL FOR INITIATING GEMMA DEVELOPMENT IN LIVERWORT.

By Rahul Mishra

This research is expected to contribute fundamental knowledge towards technological developments to boost agricultural efficiency.

The collaborative research team consisted of scientists from institutions, including Koyoto University, Kobe University, the National University of Singapore (NUS), and the National Institute for Basic Biology.

Members from Kobe University’s Graduate School of Science included Professor Kimitsuke Ishizaki, Yukiko Yasui and Takuma Hiwatashi.

Vegetative reproduction is a form of asexual reproduction in which individual plants are developed directly from the tissues of the parent plant.

Liverwort reproduces with the help of vegetative propagation by forming clones of itself (collectively called gemmae) in a gemma cup.

Researchers discover KARAPPO gene- The Idea These cups from on the thallus, or body, of the plant. Inside the gemma cup, epidermal cells undergo cell elongation followed by two cycles of asymmetrical cell division to form a gemma cell and a basal cell. This gemma cell continues to divide before finally shaping a new plant.

It is thought that bryophytes that include liverworts, mosses, and hornworts evolved from land plants’ algal ancestors more than 430 million years ago. Liverwort was one of the earliest diverging plants to develop characteristics. This allowed them to live on lands. The whole-genome sequence information for liverwort has been available since 2017. The plants carry a minimum set of genetic information. This makes them useful for studying the effects of genetic modification and for helping researchers understand more about the evolution of mechanisms in land plants.

Researchers discover KARAPPO’ gene- The Research Methodology: The team of scientists focused on two mutant liverworts named karappo-1 and karappo-2. Karappo means empty in the Japanese language. The mutants were given these names for the reason that no initial gemma developed in the cups on these plants.

Next-generation DNA sequencing of the mutants allowed the researchers to identify the gene responsible for gemmae development- which they named ‘KARAPPO.’ Subsequent analysis of the amino

acid sequences of KARAPPO genes showed that the KARAPPO gene encodes the RopGEF. ROP is a type of small GTP-binding protein found in plants. It acts like a ‘switch.’ It signals a range of cellular processes.

ROP activation depends on guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), which catalyze the release of GDP to facilitate the subsequent binding of GTP in ROP. The RopGEF encoded

by KARAPPO was found to trigger cell elongation and asymmetrical cell divisions in the initial stage of gemma development. This showed that the KARAPPO gene is essential in triggering the processes for vegetative

reproduction in liverwort Researchers discover KARAPPO’ gene- Conclusion by The Researchers The study results have illuminated fundamental knowledge regarding vegetative reproduction mechanisms.

The findings highlight the importance of the ROP-driven asymmetric division of differentiated cells in land plants.

Further research into these mechanisms could result in revolutionary technological developments in agriculture and biotechnology.

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Synthego Launches Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Genome Engineering Synthego, the leading genome engineering company, announced the launch of genome engineering for induced pluripotent stem cells.

THIS EXPANDS SYNTHEGO’S AUTOMATED CELL EDITING TO ACHIEVE UNPARALLELED EDITING EFFICIENCY OF IPS CELLS AT AN INDUSTRIAL SCALE.

By Rahul Mishra

The leading genome company simultaneously announced the National Institute on Aging (NIA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) had awarded Synthego a contract to create mutations in a variety of genetic backgrounds to study Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD).

Synthego also announced the joining of Dr. Bill Skarnes, a pioneer in stem cell research, to the company’s advisory board.

Synthego Launches iPSC Engineering- What are iPSCs? Induced Pluripotent Stem cells are reprogrammed human adult cells reverted to a stem cell state. iPSCs can provide one of the most reliable and accurate models for disease due to the ability to create patient-specific variations. Though it has traditionally been challenging to handle and modify genetically. A fundamental challenge in research and clinical development is the lack of high-quality, physiolog-

ically relevant biological models for translational medicine.

By resolving these challenges, researchers gain access to developing models for millions of disorders ranging from inherited conditions such as Cystic Fibrosis (CF) to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, and even organ-specific ocular diseases.

Synthego’s proprietary cell editing platform removes the difficulty of editing, cloning, and maintaining high pluripotency in clinically-relevant iPS cells, with editing rates as high as 90% before cloning and 100% in clones. The new offering of iPS cells

includes modification by removal of gene function (knockout), single nucleotide variation, protein tagging, and other knocking, enabling scientists to generate edits at a massive scale to accelerate research and disease modeling.

Synthego Launches iPSC Engineering- Other Announcements By Syntheg Synthego also announced it had been selected as one of NIH’s partners for a multi-million dollar effort to understand neurodegenerative diseases better. Synthego’s genome-edited iPS cells will introduce mutations relating to ADRD. These edited cells will then

be characterized functionally by NIA researchers to understand these insidious diseases better and identify new ways to treat them.

Paul Dabrowski, CEO, and co-founder of Synthego, said that they are honored to selected by NIH. Additionally, he highlighted that getting Dr. Bill Skarnes, as the team advisor, is a testament to Synthego’s mission to make genome engineering more accessible to scientists as well as millions of people in need of a new generation of medicines.

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SCHOLARSHIPS

October 29th, 2019 Vol. 03 NO 102

National University of Singapore Scholarship 2020 The official notification for the NGS Scholarship by the National University of Singapore has been announced. The application portal has been open from 01st September 2019. All Indian nationals are eligible to apply.

FOR MORE DETAILS ON THE ELIGIBILITY, THE SCHOLARSHIP AND APPLICATION PROCEDURE CHECK DETAILS BELOW:

By Diluxi Arya

NGS Scholarship (NGSS) The NGS Scholarship is awarded to talented students with an aptitude for innovative, high calibre PhD research.

Terms: • Monthly stipend, up to 4 years of the PhD studies, OR up to date of graduation, whichever is earlier, of 1. S$3,500 for Singapore Citizens, plus Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions at a rate pegged to the prevailing employer’s contribution rate set by CPF 2. S$3,200 for Singapore Permanent Residents 3. S$3,000 for International students • Full tuition fee subsidy for 4 years.

• Other allowances include 1. computer allowance 2. book allowance 3. conference allowance.

• Student must commit to PhD from the outset, cannot exit with MSc. Eligibility: • Opens worldwide.

• Graduates with a passion for cross-disciplinary research in science, engineering, computing, and related aspects of medicine.

• Graduates with at least 2nd Upper Honours, or equivalent qualifications.

• GRE is • compulsory for all applicants, Please note it cannot be substituted by GATE. • compulsory for NUS and NTU Masters students and graduates.

• only waived for NUS, NTU and SUTD Bachelor degree holders and final-year undergraduates.

• TOEFL / IELTS (either can be

used) is only compulsory for applicants whose 1. native tongue OR 1. medium of undergraduate instruction is not in English Conditions: • Students are not eligible for the President’s Graduate Fellowship (PGF).

• Award is renewable, subject to satisfactory academic performance of CAP ≥ 3.8 at the end of every semester.

• Applicants doing a Masters programme at the point of application • before matriculating in NGS for PhD at NGS. • must have officially completed the Masters programme, and • must have been conferred the Masters degree • Applicants who have submitted their Masters thesis only, but who 1. have not officially graduated from the Masters programme, and 2. have not been conferred the Masters degree must therefore defer their admission (from matriculation to registration) into NGS, until the Masters degree has been officially awarded.

3. required to serve any bond after graduation from existing (be it Bachelor / Master’s) programme, and who intend to

commence their NGS’ PhD immediately after official graduation and/or applicants 4. serving any bond at the point of application to NGS’ PhD should declare such information in the Questionnaire section of the application form.

Successful applicants should automatically, in their own initiative, apply for deferment of serving of the bond. The official memo documenting the approval of deferment of bond service should be submitted to NGS at least one month before matriculation into NGS’ PhD. Supervisors: NGS members in NUS and Duke-NUS in integrated research programmes.

Application Procedure: Please follow the application instructions HERE in its entirety.

Important • Only online applications via https://inetapps.nus.edu.sg/ GDA2/Home.aspx are accepted.

• You must also complete a critical Google Questionnaire.

• Your application is only considered COMPLETE after you 1. submit your PDF dossier 2. submit your hardcopy package 3. complete and submit your Google Questionnaire BEFORE the application deadline.

• Please refer to the application instructions HERE for comprehensive details.

For NGS Scholarship – specific enquiries, please contact Ms Anuradha Chandra <ngsack@nus.edu.sg>.

Important Dates: • Only COMPLETE (with all required documents) application(s) received BEFORE the application deadline will be processed.

• Completed / Incomplete application received AFTER the application deadline will be automatically considered for the next Intake.

1. opens on 1st September 2019 2. closes on 15th December 2019

SCHOLARSHIPS

October 29th, 2019 Vol. 03 NO 102

21

ICGEB Life Sciences Fellowships for PhD – Arturo Falaschi 2020 The notification for the Life Sciences Arturo Falaschi PhD Fellowships 2020 has been announced.

INTERESTED CANDIDATES CAN CHECK OUT ALL OF THE DETAILS ON THE SCHEME, THE OVERVIEW, APPLICATION DETAILS, FINANCIAL STABILITY, TIMELINES AND ALL OF THE IMPORTANT LINKS ARE GIVEN BELOW:

By Diluxi Arya

Arturo Falaschi PhD Fellowships ICGEB provides competitive Pre-doctoral Fellowships in Life Sciences to highly encouraged scientists wanting to pursue PhD research studies within a world-class scientific atmosphere. Fellowships include participation in a competitive research programme, accessibility to advanced facilities, participation in ICGEB Meetings, Seminars and Journal Clubs and a competitive stipend, and full coverage of tuition fees and health insurance.

To Apply: Applicants must contact the ICGEB Group Leader/PI of the choice with a motivation letter, to ascertain the availability of lab space and also to specify the research project proposal which will form an essential component of the application.

Eligibility: Applicants should be nationals of an ICGEB Member State.

Nationals of both India and South Africa, ICGEB Host Countries, Aren’t eligible to apply for ICGEB Fellowships within their home nation.

Degree requirements: • Applicants for ICGEB Trieste must hold a BSc (Honours) degree; applicants for ICGEB Cape Town and New Delhi must hold an MSc degree.

• Candidates need a fantastic working knowledge of the English language, supported by a proficiency certificate (TOEFL, Cambridge Certificate( or equal ). Not mandatory when scholastic education was undertaken in English.

• Candidates for Trieste, Italy has to be under age 32 years at the time of application (i.e. date of birth following 31/03/1988).

There’s no age limitation for applications such as ICGEB New

Delhi and Cape Town.

Fiscal support: Duration: 3 years PhD course together with the possibility of 1-year expansion.

Monthly stipend: Trieste (Italy): Euro 1,300, New Delhi (India): US$ 1,020, Cape Town (South Africa): ZAR 12,500.

Travel: the fellowship includes provision for travel expenses from the student’s home country to the ICGEB laboratory at the beginning of the fellowship along with a return travel provision upon completion of the fellowship.

Medical health insurance coverage is provided for the duration of the fellowship.

The university tuition fee is covered for the entire PhD registration period.

Visa/permit of stay application and renewal costs are reimbursed.

Support for participation in Meetings and Courses Is Usually provided by the Group Leader / PI. ICGEB makes no financial provision, nor can it provide administrative support for family members of participants in the programme.

Submission: Please complete this application online. Additionally, please upload one pdf document comprising all requested attachments (see

application form below).

Selection: All submitted applications will be transmitted to the respective ICGEB Liaison Officer in the country of which you are national for endorsement. The endorsement is a basic necessity for the Fellowship to be awarded. The ICGEB Fellowships Selection Committee will evaluate endorsed and complete applications received by the closing date. The principal criteria for selection include scientific excellence of this project, the qualities of the candidate’s CV and potential benefit for your home country. The candidates will be notified of this outcome by email when possible following the final date for

applications.

Accommodation ICGEB Trieste: A Housing Service is conducted via the Welcome Office — Friuli Venezia Giulia.

• ICGEB New Delhi: A Guest House is run on campus, on a twin-share basis, for a nominal rate.

• ICGEB Cape Town: Accommodation service is given to fellows. Arrangements have consented prior arrival.

Closing Date for Applications: 31 March

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VOICE OF BIOTECNIKA

October 29th, 2019 Vol. 03 NO 102

A Genetic Error Led Humans To Develop Larger Brains Episode 54

By Dr. Violet Senapati

Often people associate big heads with big intelligence, and the world of comic books is not an exception. You might have heard of Supreme Intelligence, best known as the Supremor, which is a fictional character by Marvel Comics which has a big head. But are you aware of the fact that it is actually a genetic error that led humans to develop larger brains? Hello all, today we will be discussing the genetic error that led humans to evolve with though these possibilities are captilarge brains. vating but difficult to test. In the past few years, scientists have started to Paleontologists, while studying the answer the “how” of human brain exfossil skulls and endocasts, showed pansion happened on a cellular level. one of the most dramatic transitions Newly-discovered genes, along with in human evolution, well known with DNA retrieved from extinct humans the term Brain Boom. Around 8 mil- advocates for the supersize human lion years ago Humans, chimps, and brains. These genes are still found to bonobos split from their last common be in people living today, which helps ancestor. For the next few million to unravel the understanding of how years, the brains of early hominins our species evolved. Gregory Wray, did not grow much bigger than those an evolutionary biologist at Duke of apes and their cousins. However University, threw light on the role of around 3 million years ago, the homi- mutations in brain expansion. nin brain demonstrated a massive expansion. By the time, Homo sapiens Humans are different from other priemerged about 200,000 years ago, the mates. The skull remains make it evsize of the human brain had increased ident that one of the major difference from about 350 grams to more than is the size of our brains, due to rapid 1,300 grams. evolution around two to three million years ago in our ancestors, AustraloThe human brain has a total of 86 pithecine. During this time period, the billion neurons where 69 billion is in human brain became almost threethe cerebellum, present at the back of fold of its current size. the brain that performs bodily functions and movement; 16 billion are Prof. Vanderhaeghen, working on present in the cerebral cortex, the seat the GENDEVOCORTEX project at of our sophisticated mental talents, the Flanders Institute for Biotechnollike thoughts, self-awareness, lan- ogy in Belgium, went on to search guage, analysis and 1 billion found in the genes that are responsible for the the brain stem and its extensions into growth of human brains. It was bethe core of the brain. Chimps have 6 lieved that brain expansion began in billion while Orangutans and goril- our human ancestors when genes got las have 9 billion cortical neurons. evolved that switched on in the fetus Therefore of all the great apes, hu- when a lot of key brain development mans have the largest brains. In fact, occurs. Therefore Prof. Vanderhaeghit was found that humans appear to en searched for genes present in huhave the most cortical neurons of any man fetal tissue but missing from our species present on Earth. closest living relatives, apes. It was found that 35 hominids were present To support this fact there are many only in apes and humans – genes that theories, to name a few, the use of were active in fetal brain tissue. They tools by our ancestors, the challenges then became intrigued by three spein adapting to the harsh climate. Al- cific genes – all similar to NOTCH

genes.

A group of a researcher named Haussler and his colleagues has reported, the human genome has three nearly identical copies of NOTCH2N, named as NOTCH2NL A, B, and C. It was found that the duplicate gene copies actually arose from an original copy of NOTCH2. This gene was found in the common ancestor of humans, chimpanzees, and gorillas which appeared about 10 million years ago.

Initially, the partial duplicate gene was completely non-functional. But, in the human lineage, the useless extra gene copy got “gene-corrected” wherein it used the original NOTCH2 as a template, providing the Homo with an additional working copy that was absent in other primates. This new Notch gene further got duplicated twice more within the last few million years, as evident by the fossil evidence showing that the human brain has continued to evolve and expand.

This created new proteins that likely helped our ancestors’ cerebral cortex to increase in size. The cerebral cortex is a part of the brain responsible for our language, imagination, and problem-solving abilities. Researches had found the NOTCH 2NL genes in DNA are also present in the extinct cousins of Homo sapiens’ – which are the Neanderthals and Denisovans.

More so they worked on NOTCH2NL because of the importance of its ancestral gene, NOTCH2, which plays an important role in signaling processes that control the production of neurons from cortical stem cells

or regeneration of more stem cells.

NOTCH2NL genes slow down the differentiation of cortical stem cells into neurons, which results in the production of more neurons during development. The genes are found only in humans, which is highly expressed in neural stem cells of the human cerebral cortex. This gene is located in the genome area, implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. Further, it was found that artificially expressing NOTCH2NL in mouse embryos increased the progenitor stem cells in the mouse cortex.

Further, a group of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania searched for genes that govern the protein of muscles, myosin. The researchers discovered a gene called MYH16, which went unrecognized due to a small mutation that had rendered it inactive so it could not produce some jaw muscles for chewing and biting.

This myosin gene is still intact today in other primates, like chimpanzees and macaques, which have very strong jaw muscles. Analysis of the DNA samples reveals the presence of the gene-inactivating mutation in all modern humans, this mutation is believed to occur 2.1 million to 2.7 million years ago, which is also the time period just before the appearance of major evolutionary changes in hominid fossils. Some hominids having protruding jaws and small brains soon evolved into the first species of the genus Homo, which had significantly smaller jaws, larger brains,

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VOICE OF BIOTECNIKA

October 29th, 2019 Vol. 03 NO 102

and modern human body size. After a point some two million years ago, Homo erectus inhabited lands far beyond Africa. Thus the mutation possibly initiated an evolutionary cascade suggestive of the decline of the strong

jaw muscles which allowed the skull to form a new shape and structure, giving the brain more room to grow.

Though these genes increased our neurons it comes with its cost. The

NOTCH2NL genes are very similar that even our cells get confused, due to which, the stretch of DNA where these genes are present is very unstable, that gets duplicated and deleted sometimes. These genetic upheavals

23

can also cause developmental disorders.

So isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it amazing to know that accidents of evolution actually made us human? Do share your views on this.

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