Biotecnika Times - 8th September 2020 Edition - FREE Download

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September 08, 2020 Vol. 04 No 147

NEURALINK BRAIN IMPLANT: ELON MUSK UNVEILS PIG WITH COMPUTER CHIP IN BRAIN Elon Musk’s Neuralink In A Pig: Working Of The Neuralink Brain Implant Elon Musk demonstrates his ambitious plans to create a working brain-to-machine interface as he unveiled a pig called Gertrude with a coin-sized computer chip in her brain. People with neurological conditions could control computers or phones with their minds using this interface. To help cure conditions such as spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia, such chips could eventually be used, argues Mr. Musk. In Friday’s webcast demo, Gertrude was one of three pigs involved. On a graph tracking her neural activity, the activity showed up when she ate and sniffed straw, though she took a while to get going. When looking for food, neural activity in her snout was indicated as the processor in her brain sends wireless signals. Last year, his start-up, Neuralink, founded in 2017, applied to launch human trials. The original Neuralink device had been simplified and made smaller, said Mr. Musk, and added saying, “It could be under your hair and you wouldn’t know as it fits quite nicely in your skull.�

The sheer complexity of the human brain could be the real stumbling block for the technology, said Ari Benjamin, at the University of Pennsylvania’s Kording Lab, ahead of the webcast. He said, “Once they have the recordings, no matter how many neurons they record from, Neuralink will need to decode them. Eventually, someday it will hit the barrier that is our lack of basic understanding of how the brain works. When the neural code in which those things are communicated are not understood, it is hard to decode goals and movement plans.�

On a webcast, the billionaire entrepreneur said, “It’s kind of like a Fitbit in your skull with tiny wires.� Containing more than 3,000 electrodes, the device consists of a tiny probe and has flexible threads thinner than a human hair attached to these electrodes, which can monitor 1,000 brain neurons’ activity.

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ICMR APPROVES NATION’S FIRST FINGER-PRICK COVID-19 DIAGNOSTIC KIT India’s first finger-prick COVID-19 diagnostic kit – Approved by ICMR A simple finger-prick diagnostic test to detect COVID-19 antibodies in blood samples will be soon extensively available at nursing homes, hospitals as well as private labs. Anand Sekhri, CEO of Oscar Medicare, said that ICMR had authorized Delhi-based Oscar Medicare’s indigenous point-of-care (POC) rapid antibody test kits, which is possibly the only company to have got the funding from the Department of Biotechnology. The failure of Chinese ‘faulty’ COVID-19 testing kits and government canceling their permits lead to the focus on the ‘gold standard’ RT-.PCR (real-time polymerase chain reaction) testing, and antigen screening. Specialists say that POC antibody tests have significance for emergency testing for diagnosis, specifically in remote areas, where laboratories may not be accessible and also could be hassle-free for people who feel uncomfortable with nasal swabs. As antibody tests should not be used as the sole basis to diagnose the disease, the government has not yet permitted POC testing for COVID-19. Previously, ICMR had claimed there is a requirement to raise the outreach of testing by introducing rapid POC diagnostic tests. Oscar Medicare is among the largest producers of pregnancy kits. Additionally, it manufactures diagnostic kits for HIV, HCV, dengue, and malaria. Anand Sekhri said that they are intending to launch 2 lakh test kits in September, and have already consolidated with suppliers across the nation

The diagnostic kits have the highest levels – 98% level of sensitivity and 99% specificity to detect antibodies as well as the immune response to the virus. The test provides result in just 20 minutes, and the est is similar to that of a glucometer, which s used to detect diabetes. He added that if permitted by the government, this kit can even be used at home. The capacity of the company is to produce 5 lakh test kits daily, costing around Rs 200 per kit. The company claims that Dhiti Life Sciences, a group company, produced the raw material, ‘Corona fusion antigen’ used in its test kits, a first in the country. According to the experts from the industry, there are a few rapid POC kits out in the market and sold online. However, their integrity is under a cloud.

Currently, private laboratories are using ELISA/CLIA (chemiluminescence immunoassay) technology with kits from Roche, Abbott, Siemens Healthineers, etc. Rapid antibody blood tests depend upon disease prevalence. In reduced disease populations, outcomes of antibody tests might not be exact to make an informed decision whether or not an individual truly has antibodies to the virus or has had prior infection. There is a need to observe disease prevalence as well as the sensitivity of these kits, and afterward use them as a screening device, said Ajay Phadke, head at SRL-Dr Avinash Phadke Labs. After validation of the 104 antibody-based rapid test, ICMR claimed on August 14 that these are not recommended for clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 or for registration of human

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September 08, 2020 Vol. 04 No 147

Dr. GSK Velu, CMD of Trivitron Medical Care said that, for COVID-19 screening, point-of-care testing has limited relevance as PCR as well as lab-based antibody tests are of the gold standard, and various other tests can also supplement in remote areas. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation had canceled the licenses of Chinese companies – Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech and Zhuhai Livzon Diagnostics, and over quality problems, China’s Biomedomics and Korean firm, SD Biosensor were suspended in the month of May. The experts added that the antibodies may not be detected in the early days of an infection when the body’s immune reaction is still developing. This restricts the test’s effectiveness for diagnosing COVID-19, and this is one-factor serology examinations should not be used as the sole basis to detect the diseases.

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September 08, 2020 Vol. 04 No 147

RAMALINGASWAMI RE-ENTRY FELLOWSHIP 2020-21 – APPLICATIONS INVITED Ramalingaswami Re-Entry Fellowship 2020-21 – Applications Invited Ramalingaswami Re-Entry Fellowship 2020-21 | Grant of Rs.10 Lakhs + Rs.1 Lakh pm Remuneration. Ramalingaswami Re-Entry Fellowship 2020-21 – Applications Invited. Indian Nationals who are abroad are encouraged to check out this golden opportunity and all of its details below:

DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY GOVERNMENT OF INDIA RAMALINGASWAMI RE-ENTRY FELLOWSHIP: 2020-2021 Applications are solicited from Indian Nationals working in overseas research institutions for the “Ramalingaswami Re-entryFellowship�, a re-entry scheme of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India. The fellowship is now being managed by Regional Center for Biotechnology under its HRD Project and Management Unit (HRD-PMU). Aim of this Fellowship: The scheme has been conceptualized with the aim of attracting highly skilled researchers (Indian Nationals) working overseas in various cutting edge disciplines of Life Sciences/Biotechnology/Bio-engineering/Health Care, Agriculture/ Veterinary Sciences and all other allied areas by providing them with an attractive avenue to pursue their R&D interests in Indian institutions. Who’s eligible to apply? The applicant should possess a Ph.D./M.D. or equivalent degree

with an outstanding track record as reflected in publications and other recognitions and with at least three years of postdoctoral research experience of which last two years should be from an overseas laboratory. Those who have already returned to India within one year of the closing date of this advertisement are also eligible. Researchers up to 45 years of age as determined on the closing date of application are eligible to apply Incentives of being a Ramalingaswami Fellow: This is a senior fellowship programme and awardees are to be considered equivalent to Assistant Professor/Scientist-D level position. Fellows selected are entitled to take up teaching/research assignments and supervising Doctoral/MS students. The scheme provides a consolidated monthly remuneration of Rs. 1,00,000/- p.m.

The scheme provides a consolidated monthly remuneration of Rs. 1,00,000/- p.m. In addition, a House Rent Allowance of Rs. 18,500/- p.m. (consolidated) is given to Fellows. In case host institute provides accommodation to the fellow, no House Rent Allowance is admissible. The fellowship is taxable as per Govt. of India rules. Fellows will receive a research/contingency grant of Rs.10.00 lakhs for the 1st & 2nd year; Rs.7.50 lakhs for the 3rd & 4th year; Rs. 5.00 lakhs for 5th year for the purchase of consumables, minor equipment, international and domestic travel, engaging manpower and other contingent expenditure to be incurred for the implementation of research proposal which is a part of the fellowship and Institutional overhead @Rs. 50,000/ year. DBT encourages host institutions to provide medical

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benefits, transport allowance, leave travel allowance and other benefits as per their prevailing norms as applicable to their employees of the rank equivalent to Assistant Professor/Scientist D out of their own resources/ funds. Fellows retain an option for drawing either the fellowship or salary if they are appointed at a suitable permanent scientific position. Fellows opting for salary can continue to avail the research /contingency grant with prior approval of DBT. Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellows could take up a fellowship at any of the scientific institutes/ universities/ relevant Industries in the country. However, the application should be duly forwarded by the competent authority of the host Institute. Fellows can change their host institute only once during the tenure of the fellowship with the prior No Objection Certificate from the host institute who has forwarded the application [Director/Registrar/Vice-Chancellor/Dean/ CEO/ HR Head (in case of industry) or as the case may be] and also with prior approval from DBT. The subsequent change will be allowed if the fellow gets a permanent job in another Institute or on the case to case basis if needed.

September 08, 2020 Vol. 04 No 147 However, the Co-PI has to be a permanent employee of the host institution.

Download Application Format From Below

Tenure of fellowship: The fellow can draw fellowship for a term of five years. Fellowship is further extendable for another two years on a fresh appraisal. Only fellowship & HRA will be admissible during the extension period. No research/contingency grant will be provided during the extension period. Those who are able to secure permanent positions will not be considered for the 2nd term. How to Apply: Applications may be sent, as per proforma downloadable from RCB/DBT website (www.rcb.res.in, www.dbtindia.gov.in) duly forwarded by the competent authority, to The Executive Director, Regional Center of Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad-Gurugram Expressway, Faridabad – 121001, Haryana (NCR Delhi), India, both as one hard copy as well as Soft copy (as a single PDF file only). The applications not forwarded by the host institution will NOT be considered. Soft copy to be mandatorily mailed at Email :dbt.rlsfellowship@rcb.res.in latest by 31st October 2020.

See Notification Below

Candidate can submit his/her nomination through single host institute only. However, institutions can nominate more than one candidate. Awardees are eligible to apply for research grants to any of the funding agencies towards the accomplishment of the research proposal.

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September 08, 2020 Vol. 04 No 147

IIT KHARAGPUR SCIENTISTS DEVELOP MICRO-NEEDLE FOR PAINLESS DRUG DELIVERY Micro-Needle Drug Delivery Device Developed by IIT Kharagpur A micro-needle and a micro-pump have been developed by the researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology at Kharagpur to inject drugs to patients in a painless way. The needle is as thin as human hair. The micro-needle and the micro-pump to feed into the transdermal drug delivery systems were developed by the researchers from the electronics and electrical communication engineering department at IIT Kharagpur. Transdermal drug delivery systems have been in use for decades in many countries like the USA to deliver biologically active agents like drugs through the skin through a painless process. A controlled and pressurized micro-pump is required for the operation of microneedles to deliver drugs through the skin. Through the micro-needle array, the micro-pump pushes out the drug in the reservoir. Since the micro-needles are too small to touch the nerves in the skin and induce a painful reaction, they are really painless.

The micro-needle is 55 micrometers thick, which is similar to a human hair of 50 – 70 micrometers thick. The department of science and technology and the union ministry of electronics and information technology funded the project. The researchers have successfully tested the micro-needle drug delivery device in animals as per medical protocol. A patent has also been filed in India for the device. On Friday, IIT Kharagpur said in a statement that their study is published in Nature and IEEE journals.

The researchers developed micro-needles with high-strength glassy carbon, which can withstand the skin resistive forces. The flow rate of the drug molecules can be increased in a controlled and precise manner with the help of micro-pumps. A professor at the electronics and electrical communication engineering department, Tarun Kanti Bhattacharyya, said the researchers further integrated the micro-pump and micro-needle to achieve controlled drug delivery.

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September 08, 2020 Vol. 04 No 147

RESEARCHERS UNVEIL THE ‘GRAMMAR’ BEHIND DNA 3D STRUCTURE ‘Grammar’ for DNA 3D Structure A study recently published by Luca Nanni, a Ph.D. student in Computer Science and Engineering at Politecnico di Milano in Genome Biology, says a series of spatial rules based on particular protein sequences and their order can determine the three-dimensional structure of DNA. Colin Logie, professor at the University of Nijmegen, and Stefano Ceri at Politecnico di Milano co-led the study. Researchers identified precise rules for the disposition of CTCF proteins, which is the study’s greatest innovation. How nature and evolution produce regularity and incredibly ingenious and functional systems is shown by the beauty and simplicity of CTCF’s grammar. CTCF sequences can be engineered, and the desired DNA three-dimensional structure can be obtained with the knowledge of these rules. For example, making two disconnected genes interact should be possible with the help of CTCF’s grammar. The first author of the study, Luca Nanni, said, molding DNA structure will pave the way for the development of therapeutics for the treatment of cancer-like diseases.

on specific DNA sequences that code for CTCF protein. Regions of DNA generating barriers between the various topological domains are isolated by this protein. They identified a surprising regularity in their arrangement along the DNA sequence with the help of computer simulations and the creation of a model for classifying these proteins according to their orientation. The study showed that it is possible to reconstruct topological domains with the help of the order and orientation of these DNA sequences. A ‘grammar’ logic comprising orientation, CTCF sequences, and the distance between them is followed during the compression of the human genome to generate the DNA 3D structure.

To wrap itself, the two meters long unrolled DNA requires a complex system that maintains its correct reading and accessibility to reside in the nucleus of a cell. Topological domains, which are thought to aggregate DNA zones with similar roles and behavior, is crucial in the study of the three-dimensional structure of the genome. For example, genes with similar functions are more probable to reside in the same topological domain. The researchers focused

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September 08, 2020 Vol. 04 No 147

NEW INGESTIBLE DEVICE DEVELOPED FOR TREATING STOMACH AILMENTS Ingestible Device for Stomach Ailments: New Device Developed to Treat Stomach Illnesses An ingestible device that affixes itself to the stomach wall and treats ailments by delivering electrical pulses has been created by an international team of researchers. The problems with current devices used to treat certain stomach ailments are described by the group in their paper published in the journal Science Advances. They also describe how a wide variety of stomach and bowel problems could be treated with the device they developed.

Surgery to implant devices is involved in the current approach, and these devices send

Medical scientists have learned that the gastrointestinal tract is also involved in chemical processes that regulate critical parts of day-to-day living and a lot more than just digesting our food over the past several decades. There has also been evidence that conditions such as Parkinson’s, Hirschsprung’s, and Alzheimer’s are associated with problems in the gut. Researchers have been studying and trying to treat or cure conditions that derange the GI process because of this. However, it has been proved that treating such conditions is difficult.

conform to the shape of the wall of the stomach, they designed it with an appropriate shape overall. The final property involves a payload of tiny, sharp, hooks modeled on those of a tapeworm, which allows the device to stay in place as digestion takes place by grabbing hold of the stomach.

electrical pulses to the stomach wall, inciting them to contract. However, it is considered risky to perform surgery on the stomach. In this new effort, an ingestible capsule that emits electrical signals and latches onto the stomach wall has been developed by the researchers. The new device has three properties that allow it to adhere properly to the stomach wall and is slightly larger than medicinal capsules. First, to ensure that the device will be situated right side up when it reaches the stomach, it has a bottom weight. Next, to

In test pigs, the device has worked as planned so far. To make sure there are no unwanted side effects produced by it does in humans, the researchers plan to continue their work.

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September 08, 2020 Vol. 04 No 147

INDIA STEPPING TOWARDS BECOMING THE NEW GLOBAL EPICENTER FOR COVID-19 India emerging as new global coronavirus epicenter With setting a record for the most significant single-day rise in new COVID-19 positive cases, India is rapidly becoming the world’s new virus epicenter. According to experts, the country will soon become as the worst hit country by overcoming Brazil – and ultimately, the U.S. India reported 78,761 new positive cases of COVID-19 on 30 Aug, 2020, the highest number of cases any country has ever reported in one day. The country also reported 971 fatalities on 31 Aug, 2020, pushing the Asian country past Mexico for the 3rd highest number of fatalities around the world. According to the current graph, outbreak in India will overshadow Brazil’s in about 1 week, and in around 2 months, it will surpass the U.S. Even after 7 months of reporting its very first coronavirus case on Jan 30, 2020, India’s case growth is still increasing, unlike the U.S. and Brazil. After racing through its densely populated mega-cities, the virus has just reached the vast rural areas of the country, having around 1.3 billion population. Naman Shah, infectious disease epidemiologist, the National Institute of Epidemiology and a member of the Indian government’s COVID-19 task force, said that it’s inescapable that India’s outbreak will become the world’s largest as India is the 2nd largest country and one with a relatively poor public health system around the globe. He also added that it would not be unforeseen, no matter what the country does.

The pandemic poses a unique concern to poorer nations. The slums with huge population is a suitable conditions for the viral spread, while their financial instability means that the lockdowns necessary to contain the virus are unacceptable. Economic situations around the developing globe have been forced to reopen even with the virus still running rampant, rapidly overwhelming underfunded medical facilities. Italy, Spain, and the U.K. had the biggest outbreaks and reported the highest fatalities, and among other developing nations like Mexico, South Africa, and Peru, the U.S is the only advanced economy in the top 10 as of now. The government of India had advised the population to “live with the virus” while providing local authorities the rights to enforce constraints, more than any other significant Asian The number of people with signs of a past infection is between 40 and 200 times more than the official case count, according to the antibody studies carried out in New Delhi, and

other cities. The actual size of country’s epidemic is likely far more than 3.6 million cases (as per the reported cases). India’s COVID-19 cases has just begun, and most of the nation’s coronavirus burden thus far has hit on its megacities like Mumbai and New Delhi. However, the disease is currently beginning to move to its rural areas having almost 900 million population, and also where health-care facilities are inadequate. Shortage of testing and clinical help suggests that infections and fatalities are going unreported or unnoticed. Ramanan Laxminarayan, Director, Centre for Disease Dynamics Economics and Policy said All these things imply that there will undoubtedly be much more fatality, which may go unreported. As evidence that the country is managing the virus’ spread, even if not containing it, the government has pointed to India’s official death rate of around 1.8%. However, to a large extent fatalities are underreported, as well as distorted by the nation’s disproportionately young populace.

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The population listed below the age of 35 (65% of the population) is the group which is least in risk of dying from coronavirus infection. India’s fatality rate was similar to the global average as per an age-adjusted analysis of India’s fatality rate conducted by 3 economists at the National Bureau of Economic Research. CDDEP’s Laxminarayan said that – What they have done has delayed infections, however, that hasn’t been able to decrease the transmission, and it is never going to be feasible in a country with such the health facilities and huge population.

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STUDY FINDS BLOCKING CELLULAR COMMUNICATION STOPS SARS-COV-2 Blocking SARS-CoV-2 Signaling Pathways: Goethe University Researchers Blocking cellular communication stops SARS-CoV-2 in infected cells Phosphate groups play an important biochemical role in the transmission of signals within the cell which, for instance, trigger metabolic processes or stimulate cell growth. In order to control activity, the phosphate groups are often attached to proteins or removed. A change in the protein triggers the next one in this process and the signal is transmitted in a signaling cascade. The place where genes are switched on or off, the cell nucleus, is usually the target.country does. The full picture of all the communication pathways in a human cell that is infected with SARS-CoV-2 and the changes triggered by the infection have been documented for the first time by biochemists and virologists from Goethe University. In order to do so, they considered the phosphoproteome and analyzed all proteins carrying a phosphate group. It was seen in the results that SARS-CoV-2 evidently uses above all those signaling pathways of the host cell where a growth signal is transmitted into the cell from outside and that the virus is no longer able to replicate if these signaling pathways are interrupted. At Goethe University, from the Institute of Biochemistry II, Dr. Christian Münch explains, “Precisely at the point where the signal from outside the cell docks onto a signal receiver, the growth factor receptor, the signaling pathways of the growth factors

signaling pathways slightly further down the cascade. Five of these substances were tested on our cells, and it was seen that all five led to a complete stop of replication of SARS-CoV-2. At University Hospital Frankfurt, from the Institute of Medical Virology, Professor Jindrich Cinatl says, “On cultivated cells in the laboratory, we conducted our experiments, which means, without further tests, the results cannot be transferred to humans. Nonetheless, we know from trials with other infectious viruses that signaling pathways in viruses’ human host cells are often altered and that for virus replication, this is crucial. Simultaneously, in terms of development, previously approved drugs have a gigantic lead, and starting clinical studies would be possible soon on the basis of just a few more experiments and our results.” In order to treat COVID-19, by means of specific inhibitors, the researchers have patented

The number of people with signs of a past infection is between 40 and 200 times more than the official case count, according to the antibody studies carried out in New Delhi, and other cities. The actual size of country’s epidemic is likely far more than 3.6 million cases (as per the reported cases). India’s COVID-19 cases has just begun, and most of the nation’s coronavirus burden thus far has hit on its megacities like Mumbai and New Delhi. However, the disease is currently beginning to move to its rural areas having almost 900 million population, and also where health-care facilities are inadequate. Shortage of testing and clinical help suggests that infections and fatalities are going unreported or unnoticed. Ramanan Laxminarayan, Director, Centre for Disease Dynamics Economics and Policy said their method of interrupting signaling pathways via INNOVECTIS. INNOVECTIS has operated successfully

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September 08, 2020 Vol. 04 No 147

NEW PORTABLE, POINT-OF-CARE COVID-19 TEST THAT GIVES RESULTS IN 30 MINUTES Portable Point-of-care COVID19 Test By University of Illinois Researchers University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign researchers have developed a COVID-19 test instrument which could enable point-of-care diagnosis without needing to send samples to a lab, in a new study. They demonstrated a prototype of a rapid COVID-19 molecular test and a portable, simple-to-use instrument for reading the results in 30 minutes with a smartphone. A professor of bioengineering and the dean of the Grainger College of Engineering at Illinois, Rashid Bashir said, “We could test for COVID-19 at large gatherings, auditoriums, public events, and potentially even at home for self-testing if such a device and test were available. Then, for coordination, the results could be sent back to the appropriate public health.� Along with mechanical science and engineering professor Bill King and electrical and computer engineering professor Brian Cunningham, Bashir co-led the study.

To analyze the viral transport media, the Illinois team used a simpler process called LAMP, which bypasses the RNA extraction and purification steps, as reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Typical tests for the virus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, involves taking a sample from a patient with a long nasopharyngeal swab, and sending it to a lab after putting that swab into a substance called viral transport media. A multistep process of extracting, isolating, and multiplying the telltale RNA inside the virus is carried out with the samples in the lab. Cunningham said that specialized equipment, several temperature fluctuation cycles, and trained personnel are required for this RNA multiplication process, called RT-PCR.

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The first author of the study, a graduate student Anurup Ganguli said, “LAMP only needs one temperature—65 C, thus it is much easier to control. Additionally, when there are contaminants in the test sample, the LAMP works more robustly than PCR. We can detect the genetic sequence that specifically identifies SARS-CoV-2 by just briefly heating the sample, and break open the virus.” Making use of synthetic nasal fluid spiked with the virus and then with clinical samples, the researchers compared the LAMP assay with PCR. They documented the sensitivity and specificity of the LAMP test, and they found the results were in agreement with PCR results. Later, onto a small 3-D-printed microfluidic cartridge that has two input slots for syringes, the researchers incorporated the LAMP assay. Out of the two input slots, one was for the LAMP chemicals, and one for the sample-containing viral transport media. These react within the cartridge once the two are injected.

September 08, 2020 Vol. 04 No 147 For commercial applications of microfluidic cartridges, production scale-up is typically the biggest obstacle and using this new approach, we can overcome that obstacle. Modern additive manufacturing can be ramped up very quickly compared with legacy manufacturing technologies as it is elastic and scalable.”

the researchers are exploring whether the assay would work with saliva samples, and are also collecting more patient data. Bashir said that they are considering the next steps for regulatory approvals.

To manufacture the microfluidic cartridges, the team is working with a Chicago-based technology company King co-founded, Fast Radius Inc. The cartridge can be inserted into a hand-held portable instrument with a smartphone cradle for reading the results, and a heating chamber, which heats the cartridge to 65 degrees Celsius for the duration of the reaction. A positive result will emit fluorescent light in approximately 30 minutes.

Cunningham said, “The phone’s rear-facing camera records a movie of the green fluorescent light being generated while the reader illuminates the liquid compartments with light from blue LEDs.” King said, “To make these cartridges, we use modern, high-speed additive manufacturing, and the entire thing can be quickly scaled up to hundreds of thousands of tests.

The researchers found their results matched those of the standard PCR lab procedure as they demonstrated the portable device with additional clinical samples. In order to eliminate the need for nasopharyngeal swabs,

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BIOENGINEERED SOIL MICROBES COULD HELP IN PREVENTING DESERTIFICATION – NEW STUDY Bioengineered Soil Microbes Could Help In Preventing Desertification According to a new study, it may be possible to make arid ecosystems more resilient to climate change and overgrazing by tweaking the genes of microbes in the soil. The research consists of theoretical work using computer models currently and is in the early stages. However, the model suggests that there could be profound effects through even relatively small changes to key organisms. According to Ricard Solé, a biophysicist at Pompeu Fabra University in Spain, roughly around 40% of Earth’s land area is covered by drylands, the water-scarce regions, and these drylands are home to about 40% of the human population. Productive ecosystems that are adapted to low levels of moisture are present in many drylands. But such ecosystems can collapse and turn into much less hospitable deserts when they are subjected to overgrazing or a warming climate. After ecosystems pass a “tipping point”, these collapses often happen suddenly. To see whether these tipping points could be shifted through genetic changes to microorganisms, Solé and his colleagues are working on their study. Solé explained stating an instance that it could be possible to take photosynthetic bacteria that already live in dryland soils and splice in genes that allow them to capture more phosphorus or store more water. Through this, plants will be able to grow and create shade, which would then support the growth of more bacteria if these

engineered bacteria could enrich the soil.

would be started by next year, plan the researchers.

Between species, such relationships that are mutually beneficial are described by Solé as “cooperative loops.” The creation of new cooperative loops was simulated by him and his colleagues in one set of models and how they affected the rest of the virtual ecosystem was observed by the team. They simulated microbes with increased ability to spread and disperse to new areas, in another set of models. The journal Royal Society Open Science published the study’s findings.

Solé noted that often, people fear that “Jurassic Park”-type scenarios could be caused by engineered organisms. In order to ensure the engineered microbes wouldn’t cause any unintended harm, extensive testing would be needed. However, extreme measures may be justified by the urgent state of the environmental crisis, in Solé’s view.

Simulated ecosystems were allowed to function under drier conditions in both types of modifications. Solé said that humanity can have more time to address underlying problems such as climate change as in theory, engineered microbes might allow dryland ecosystems to survive for several more decades. Laboratory experiments with real organisms

Solé said, “We need to gain some time as we are destroying everything and doing everything wrong already.”

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PROMEGA LAUNCHES SPECTRUM COMPACT CE BENCHTOP DNA ANALYSIS INSTRUMENT WITH HITACHI HIGH-TECH Promega Launches Spectrum Compact CE Benchtop DNA Analysis Instrument with Hitachi High-Tech Personal capillary electrophoresis system performs Sanger sequencing and fragment analysis Madison, WI USA. (September 1, 2020) Promega today launched its benchtop capillary electrophoresis (CE) instrument, the Spectrum Compact CE System, developed in collaboration with Hitachi High-Tech. The personal CE system is an integrated DNA analysis instrument that enables life scientists in laboratories of all sizes to perform Sanger sequencing and fragment analysis at the bench. instability analysis, mixed sample analysis, forensic STR analysis, and cell line authentication. It processes up to 32 samples in a single run and can be controlled by either the integrated touchscreen or by additional software that allows access from any registered computer on the same network. Guided software brings capillary electrophoresis capabilities to the hands of any scientist in the laboratory regardless of skill level. The Spectrum Compact System features:

CE

Flexible run scheduling Easy-to-use interface Convenient benchtop size Separate plug-and-play consumables On-site installation and operational training The instrument supports applications such as microsatellite

“The Spectrum Compact CE is personal and that’s one of the huge advantages that scientists will see with this instrument,” says Promega Head of Research Doug Storts. “An individual can walk into the laboratory and with minimal training, be able to change all the consumables, select which chemistries they want to use for both DNA sequencing as well as for fragment analysis, and perform the experiment. Literally everybody has access. It democratizes the use of the instrument in the laboratory.”

Promega is also offering extensive support to laboratories integrating a Spectrum Compact CE System into their workflow, including on-site instrument and software installation and operational training. Technical Services Scientists are prepared to assist with data analysis and summary reports, and Field Support and Validation Services Scientists are available to assist with maintenance and validation requirements. “I am very enthusiastic about the launch of this new CE system because it is an affordable benchtop instrument and is very simple to operate. Our engineers, R/D team & technical-commercial teams from Promega Corporation have worked together for the launch of this instrument for several years and they continued efforts in this pandemic,” said Dr. Rajnish Bharti, General Manager – Promega Biotech India Pvt. Ltd. “The Spectrum Compact CE instrument will be available in the India market in the remaining half of 2020.”

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Hitachi High-Tech and Promega announced plans in 2017 to design a high-performing, high-value, compact capillary electrophoresis instrument. The Spectrum Compact CE System leverages Hitachi High- Technologies’ expertise as the world’s chief developer of capillary electrophoresis and Promega’s skill as the industry’s leading manufacturer of reagents and STR kits. About Promega Corporation Promega Corporation is a leader in providing innovative solutions and technical support to the life sciences industry. Our product portfolio of over 4,000 products supports a range of life science work across areas such as cell biology; DNA, RNA, and protein analysis; drug development; human identification and molecular diagnostics.

For over 40 years these tools and technologies have grown in their application and are used today by scientists and technicians in labs for academic and government research, forensics, pharmaceuticals, clinical diagnostics, and agricultural and environmental testing. Promega is headquartered in Madison, WI, the USA with branches in 16 countries and over 50 global distributors. For more information, visit www.promega.com.

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September 08, 2020 Vol. 04 No 147

DBT-INSTEM SCIENTISTS PAVES WAYS FOR DEVELOPING NEW BIOMARKERS FOR DISEASES New ways for developing biomarkers for diseases – by DBT-InSTEM scientists The capability to evaluate proteomic changes in the blood dynamically has vital ramifications to the exploration as well as tracking of biomarkers for a variety of infectious metabolic, and myeloid diseases. The biomarkers can vary from the detection of viral/bacterial peptides to validate whether a certain biochemical pathway has been involved by a given medication as a part of treatment effectiveness surveillance. But, till now it has been cumbersome to identify newly synthesized proteins from the whole blood-derived from typical blood collection approaches. The faculty from the Centre for Neurodevelopmental Synaptopathies collaboratively with the researchers from New York University and Mass Spectrometry Facility at the Bangalore Life Science Cluster have actually developed an approach to incubate, label, and then find detect newly synthesized proteins in freshly collected blood via mass spectrometry. The team was able to determine proteins from erythrocytes, lymphocytes, and also platelets in samples – Evaluating the evidence of concept in mice as well as rat blood. The proteomic work performed in this study has embraced cutting edge peptide identification algorithms to improve peptide detection.

biomarkers for a variety of diseases. The outcomes of the study have been released in the journal of American Chemical Society’s Journal of Proteome Research entitled ‘Optimization of protocols for the discovery of de novo protein synthesis in whole blood samples through azide-alkyne cycloaddition.’ About inStem inStem – Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine is dedicated to the research of stem cells as well as regenerative biology. Research at inStem addresses complicated issues in areas of cell-differentiation and also tissue regeneration using human pluripotent cells, and examines scientific indications of diseases that can possibly be treated by stem cells.

This study provides proof of principle evidence for what might be rapidly deployable approach to label newly synthesized proteins in the freshly collected blood samples to detect dynamic protein shifts as well as develop novel

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September 08, 2020 Vol. 04 No 147

COMBATING DENGUE, ZIKA, CHIKUNGUNYA USING GENETICALLY MODIFIED MOSQUITOES Using mosquito to prevent mosquito-borne diseases For years, scientists have scratched their heads over how to battle dangerous mosquito-borne diseases like dengue. InnovaFeed – a French company, specialized in the production of insects to feed livestock is developing the very first industrial-level production of mosquitoes in partnership with the Australian research World Mosquito Program. These developed mosquitoes can then be modified and sent out right into wild populaces to reduce the mosquito population. Companies and researchers are competing to develop efficient methods for managing the blood-sucking insects’ population, as infection rates of diseases caused by mosquitoes are increasing. In the past two decades, dengue cases have multiplied by 8 times – from 500,000 cases in 2000 to 4,2 million in 2019. Most of the time, dengue causes fever, nausea, and muscle and joint pains, however, it can end up being lethal if it attacks important body organs or provokes internal blood loss. As there have been major outbreaks over the last few years at its overseas regions in the Indian Ocean, Pacific as well as South America, France is facing real troubles due to dengue and zika virus. Aude Guo, co-founder of Innova said that the idea is to help cities with several million populations. The Australian study team had to scale up previous projects due to the rise in infection rates of

dengue, zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever. World Mosquito Program came up with a project 10 years back to eliminate the transmission of viruses such as dengue to people, by genetically modifying female mosquitoes by inoculating them with a bacterium – Wolbachia. The modified mosquitoes were released in Australia, French overseas territory of New Caledonia, Indonesia, and Brazil. An impact research study was executed on 300,000 people in Indonesia, the outcomes of the study showed that the places where modified insects were introduced had a 77% decrease in the rate of dengue infection. The UK based Oxitec company also got approval to release its lab-modified mosquitoes in Florida. A spokesperson for the company said that Oxitec’s modified mosquitoes are designed to

suppress local wild populations of disease-spreading mosquitoes, and are safe and non-biting male mosquitoes. A self-limiting gene is present in the modified mosquitoes, which suggests that when the modified male mosquito mate with wild females, their offspring acquire a copy of this gene, which prevents females mosquitoes from surviving to adulthood. The firm said that a reduction in the wild pest population was observed. The company will release around 750 million genetically modified mosquitoes will be released in Florida to battle the natural mosquitoes. Researchers caution that in the future global warming might cause major episodes of dengue, chikungunya, or zika, as mosquitoes have longer breeding periods and can survive in warm temperature levels.

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September 08, 2020 Vol. 04 No 147

TECHNOLOGY FOR FINGERPRINTING DRUGS AND OTHER CHEMICALS DOWNSIZED BY SCIENTISTS Scientists downsize device used for Raman spectroscopy New infectious diseases are emerging day by day; finding new medicines and vaccines are the best way to combat those pathogens. However, before drugs can be used as possible treatments, they have to be fastidiously evaluated for many things, including composition, safety as well as purity, etc. Hence, there is a rising need for innovations that can characterize chemical substances in real-time and rapidly. Scientists from Texas A&M University have currently developed a new technology that can substantially downsize the device utilized for Raman spectroscopy. This known method utilizes light to identify the compounds’ molecular compsition. Dr. Pao-Tai Lin, assistant professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, said that based upon the level of spectroscopic resolution needed, the Raman benchtop setups could be approximately a meter long. A system that can potentially replace these bulky benchtops with a small photonic chip that can easily fit within the tip of a finger is developed by this team. He added that their innovative photonic gadget likewise has the ability of high-throughput, real-time chemical characterization as well as despite its size – compared to conventional benchtop Raman spectroscopy systems, it is at least ten times extra sensitive. The outcome of the study is published in the journal Analytical Chemistry.

The Raman spectroscopy is based on the scattering of light by molecules. By absorbing the energy from the incident beam, the molecules dance, rotate, and vibrate when hit by light of a specific frequency. Molecules release a lower-energy light when they lose their excess power. Within a sample, the fingerprints of the molecule are present in the scattered light, known as the Raman spectra. Lenses and gratings – assortment of optical instruments for manipulating light are present for Raman spectroscopy in the typical benchtops. A lot of space is taken by these “free-space” optical components, they are also a barrier for numerous applications where chemical sensing is needed within small spaces or locations that are difficult to reach. Additionally, for real-time chemical characterization the benchtops can be prohibitive.

Lin and his team turned to tube-like channels, called waveguides, that can transport light with extremely little loss of energy – as an option to conventional lab-based benchtop systems. Aluminum nitride was chosed by the scientists given that it generates a reduced Raman background signal and also is less likely to disrupt the Raman signal coming from a test sample. The scientists used a technique utilized by industry for drawing circuit patterns on silicon wafers to develop the optical waveguide. Initially, they spun a NR9 – light-sensitive material onto a surface made from silica using UV light, then, they bombarded and coated aluminum nitride along the pattern developed by the NR9 utilizing ionized gas particles, and lastly, using acetone they washed the assembly, leaving behind an aluminum waveguide. A laser beam was transported via

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September 08, 2020 Vol. 04 No 147

the aluminum nitride waveguide as well as a test sample containing a combination of organic particles was illuminated for evaluating the optical waveguide as a Raman sensor. The scientists discovered while analyzing the scattered light that they might discern each type of molecule within the sample based on sensitivity of at least ten times greater than typical Raman benchtops as well as the Raman spectra. According to Lin, many optical waveguides could be loaded onto a single photonic chip as their optical waveguides have really fine width, and this architecture is real-time chemical sensing required for the development of drugs and very conducive to high-throughput. Lin added that their optical waveguide design offers a unique system for checking the chemical composition of compounds continuously, promptly, and reliably. Likewise, these waveguides can be conveniently manufactured at an industrial scale by leveraging the currently existing strategies to make semiconductor devices. They believe that this technology has a direct advantage for not simply pharmaceutical sectors however even for other sectors, like petroleum, where our sensors can be placed along underground pipes to monitor the hydrocarbons’ compositions. The study was contributed by Dr. Gerard CotÊ, Dr. Kristen Maitland, Cyril Soliman, Paul Gordon, Dandan Tu, and from the Department of Biomedical Engineering, and Megan Makela from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

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September 08, 2020 Vol. 04 No 147

REJUVENATING OLD ORGANS COULD INCREASE DONOR POOL New ways for developing biomarkers for diseases – by DBT-InSTEM scientists The capability to evaluate proteomic changes in the blood dynamically has vital ramifications to the exploration as well as tracking of biomarkers for a variety of infectious metabolic, and myeloid diseases. The biomarkers can vary from the detection of viral/bacterial peptides to validate whether a certain biochemical pathway has been involved by a given medication as a part of treatment effectiveness surveillance. But, till now it has been cumbersome to identify newly synthesized proteins from the whole blood-derived from typical blood collection approaches. The faculty from the Centre for Neurodevelopmental Synaptopathies collaboratively with the researchers from New York University and Mass Spectrometry Facility at the Bangalore Life Science Cluster have actually developed an approach to incubate, label, and then find detect newly synthesized proteins in freshly collected blood via mass spectrometry. The team was able to determine proteins from erythrocytes, lymphocytes, and also platelets in samples – Evaluating the evidence of concept in mice as well as rat blood. The proteomic work performed in this study has embraced cutting edge peptide identification algorithms to improve peptide detection. This study provides proof of principle evidence for what might be rapidly deployable approach to label newly synthesized proteins in the freshly collected blood samples to detect dynamic protein shifts as well as develop novel

biomarkers for a variety of diseases. The outcomes of the study have been released in the journal of American Chemical Society’s Journal of Proteome Research entitled ‘Optimization of protocols for the discovery of de novo protein synthesis in whole blood samples through azide-alkyne cycloaddition.’ About inStem inStem – Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine is dedicated to the research of stem cells as well as regenerative biology. Research at inStem addresses complicated issues in areas of cell-differentiation and also tissue regeneration using human pluripotent cells, and examines scientific indications of diseases that can possibly be treated by stem cells.

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September 08, 2020 Vol. 04 No 147

STUDY REPORTS DENGUE VIRUS TESTS MAY SOMETIMES RETURN ‘POSITIVE’ FOR CORONAVIRUS Can Dengue Be Mistaken for COVID-19? New Study Finds Researchers report that tests specific to check for dengue sometimes led to a positive SARS-CoV-2 test and this, according to two independent research studies — one from Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (CSIR-IICB) in Kolkata and another from a group in Israel. In places where dengue is endemic and known to seasonally spike, this could lead to misdiagnoses, and skew public health responses, warn the scientists. This also calls for a deeper investigation to see if there are crucial similarities in the structure of the viruses causing Dengue and Covid-19. Through a test where antibodies that are produced by the body during a dengue infection are used to probe for the presence of the virus, 55 people who had been confirmed to have a SARS-CoV-2 infection, were tested for dengue using a serology test, or a blood-based test, in the study from Israel, published in the peer-reviewed Clinical Infectious Diseases. As antibodies and antigens are highly specific to each other, the principle of the testing is that a test is returned as ‘positive’ when an antibody binds to a specific place on the virus, called an antigen, like a key that goes into a lock. Around 12 (21%) returned positive among the 55 test samples. It is not expected for one virus to show affinity to the other because the viruses that cause dengue and coronaviruses belong to entirely different families. Additionally, the report adds that another lot of 95 samples

obtained from patients diagnosed with dengue before the advent of COVID-19, or before September 2019, targeting the spike (S) protein was positive. According to a senior scientist at the IICB, Subhajit Biswas, in the study by CSIR-IICB, false-positive results in SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM rapid strip tests were produced by testing antibody-positive serum samples from 2017 (pre-dating the COVID-19 outbreak). This study appears in Medrxiv, a preprint repository of scientific publications that are open to public evaluation, and is yet to be peer-reviewed and has not been published in a journal. He said that there ought to be confirmatory testing with other tests in order to ensure it is not dengue as there is a risk that dengue may be identified as COVID-19 in places with recurrent epidemics of dengue. Dr. Biswas said, “As the inherent error of the test itself is 4%, 22% testing positive is a significant

number. Thus, to know if the dengue virus is able to stimulate the body’s immune system to produce antibodies that could then bind to the coronavirus, we need to study further.” Rapid RT-PCR (real-time polymerase chain reaction) tests are the current confirmatory tests for COVID-19 and to confirm the presence of the virus, the test returns a result after checking for multiple genes. But many of the commercially deployed antigen tests are strip based-antibody tests that are also prone to error, particularly false negatives, though it returns results for the presence of the virus quickly. This is the reason why ICMR guidelines recommend repeat tests. An antibody test used to look for antibodies against the dengue virus protein is the widely employed dengue test. He added, “Along with many parts of Southeast Asia, Brazil and India are highly endemic for dengue.

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September 08, 2020 Vol. 04 No 147

INDIA REPORTS TWO CONFIRMED CASES OF COVID-19 REINFECTION IN TELANGANA COVID-19 Reinfection in Telangana: Two Reinfection Cases Confirmed At a time when lab-confirmed reinfection in Hong Kong (with a gap of four and a half months between the two infections) has raised concerns that immunity to the novel coronavirus can be short-lived, two cases of Covid-19 reinfection was reported, with a gap of around two months between the infections among medical professionals in Telangana. At a time when lab-confirmed reinfection in Hong Kong (with a gap of four and a half months between the two infections) has raised concerns that immunity to the novel coronavirus can be short-lived, two cases of Covid-19 reinfection was reported, with a gap of around two months between the infections among medical professionals in Telangana. Confirming the reinfections, the Health Minister Eatala Rajender said, “We are learning about the virus daily as it is new. There are chances for people to get infected again if they are not developing antibodies in enough amounts and there is no guarantee that coronavirus will not come again in those who were infected before. For battling the pandemic, the main drug is courage.” According to the health minister’s office, even as both patients have been put in home isolation, in order to assess the causes of the reinfections, the details of both cases had been shared with the Indian Council of Medical Research. Earlier, in Delhi, a policeman on duty had also tested positive a second time in July.

Before Telangana confirmed the reinfections, Balram Bhargava, the ICMR Director-General said at a press briefing that the Hong Kong case could depend on various factors, and it was a “stray example”. He said that the cause for reinfection can depend on several factors, it could be related to how is a patient’s immunity, was it compromised, how was the patient’s immune status, or it can also depend upon the virus, whether the virus has mutated or turned virulent. He stated the example of measles and said that it’s a rare occurrence for the same person to get measles a second time as once it infects someone, that person has lifelong immunity. However, other experts remain concerned about the reinfections. A part of ICMR’s research task force on epidemiology and surveillance, Giridhar Babu of the Public Health Foundation of India said that it is very difficult to establish

the evidence of reinfection of the Covid-19. He added saying that it is too early to infer if different strains are infecting Indians based upon the available evidence. He also explained that distinguishing reinfection from chronic post-viral symptoms of Covid-19 and other viral infections is also difficult. K. Sujatha Rao, former Union health secretary said that it is crucial for Covid patients to not take the pandemic lightly after recovering from the infection. Even after a Covid-19 patient recovers, the discomfort in the lungs and other effects can continue to exist. Although we are seeing cases even in India after South Korea and Hong Kong, we still need more evidence to understand the reinfection cases.

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September 08, 2020 Vol. 04 No 147

GOVT DEFENCE FOOD RESEARCH LAB – DRDO FELLOWSHIP RECRUITMENT DRDO-DFRL Latest Jobs 2020 – Life Science / Food Tech / Microbiology Apply DRDO-DFRL Latest Jobs 2020 – Life Science / Food Tech / Microbiology Apply. MSc/MTech Life Science/ Microbiology / Food Technology/ Food Science/ Food Science & Nutrition candidates are eligible for the online interview. Interested and eligible candidates can check out all of the details on the same below: DEFENCE FOOD RESEARCH LABORATORY, SIDDARTA NAGAR MYSORE-570011 ONLINE INTERVIEW FOR THE AWARD OF JUNIOR RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP (JRF), DRDO-DFRL Post I Name of the Post: Junior Research Fellow (JRF) No. of Posts: 01 DRDO Fellowship/ Project: DRDO Fellowship Area/s of Research: Microbiology Post II Name of the Post: Junior Research Fellow (JRF) No. of Posts: 05 DRDO Fellowship/ DRDO Fellowship

Project:

Area/s of Research: Food Science & Technology / Food Technology / Food Qualified Science / Food Science & Nutrition / Life Science Age Limit: 28 years as on the date of interview. (Age is relax-able by 5 years for SC/ST as well as 3 years for OBC as per Govt. policies). How to Apply:

Guidelines: 1. The period of Jr. Research Fellowship is originally for two years and will be elevated for one year as SRF, subject to satisfactory performance to be assessed by the Committee. 2. Qualification for the above post will be determined as on the date of ONLINE Interview. 3. The application form can be downloaded from www.drdo.gov.in. General Instructions: 1. Candidates that are not meeting the below-mentioned qualification need not apply. 2. Applicants operating in Govt / Public Sector Undertakings/Autonomous Bodies must bring‘ No objection certificate ‘. 3. Candidates require to produce their original documents along with Xerox copies of the documents for proof of Caste. Age. Education Qualification/NET/GATE and NOC( wherever applicable)

along with Passport size Photographs. failing which the applications will not be taken into consideration. Copies of all the documents to be submitted in addition to the application. 4. Application form appended in this advertisement may be typed as well as submitted along with copies of testimonials. 5. The antecedent of chosen candidates will be verified at the time of joining. 6. Admission shall not be claimed by any kind of applicant as a matter of right. The admission will be entirely at the discretion of the Selection Committee of the Lab which may decline to admit any type of candidate without assigning any type of reason thereof. The number of seats for JRF may increase or reduce without prior notice. 7. The shortlisted candidates will be informed by e-mail/ Mobile concerning the date as well

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as the time of an on-line interview. The applicant who is willing to attend an online interview might send out their consent letter together with the filled applications. 8. Candidates will certainly need to mention the position and also subject for which he/she appears/applied. 9. It may be kept in mind that the offer of fellowship does not confer on fellows any kind of right of absorption in DRDO. 10. Applicants shortlisted for interview shall be needed to appear for interview in on-line only. Personal interview in physical mode will not be conducted. 11. Candidates who may attend the interview through on-line will certainly get the URL link of DFRL, Mysore provided by the DFRL against his/her name on the designated dated & time. 12. Candidates shall make certain the Internet Connectivity, WebCam & necessary software are at their level to attend the on-line interview. DFRL, Mysore will not be responsible for any kind of connectivity failing or communication faults in the online interview. 13. Applicants should confirm they are attending the online interview along with the application by sending out a confirmation letter and mail to head.hrd@dfrl.drdo.in 14. For any query please contact head.hrd@dfrl.drdo.in. 15. Considering that docments verification process can not be followed in the online interviews, all shortlisting, selection etc. would certainly be provisional subject to verification of all appropriate

September 08, 2020 Vol. 04 No 147

16. The cut of date for receipt of duly filled application through mail/ post is 30.09.2020. DFRL, Mysore shall not be responsible for non-receipt of applications/ incomplete applications. The email address for sending applications via email is head.hrd@dfrl.drdo.in. See Notification & Download Application Format Below

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September 08, 2020 Vol. 04 No 147

CSIR SCIENTIST JOBS WITH RS. 1.23 LAKH PM SALARY – LIFE SCIENCE/BIOTECH APPLY ONLINE CSIR-NEERI Biotech Scientist Jobs With Rs. 1.23 Lakh pm Salary CSIR-NEERI Biotech Scientist Jobs With Rs. 1.23 Lakh pm Salary. PhD Life Science/ Biotechnology & Microbiology candidates are encouraged to apply online for scientist vacancies at CSIR-NEERI. Check out all of the details on the same below: NEERI Vacancy Details CSIR – NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH INSTITUTE [Council of Scientific & Industrial Research] NEHRU MARG, NAGPUR – 440 020. Website: https://www.neeri.res.inTel.: 0712-2249885-88, 2249969-72, Fax: 0712-2249989/2249900 NEERI ADVERTISEMENT No. NEERI-1/2020, Dated 3rd August 2020 ONLINE APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR 7 [SEVEN] SCIENTIFIC POSITIONS AT LATERAL LEVEL Last Date for Receipt of Online Applications: 29.09.2020 (up to 5.00 pm) “GOVERNMENT STRIVES TO HAVE A WORKFORCE WHICH REFLECTS GENDER BALANCE AND WOMEN CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY” Online applications are accordingly welcomed from Indian Nationals for the following 7 [Seven] scientific positions at Lateral Level (Senior Scientist/Principal Scientist & Senior Principal Scientist posts are lateral entry posts, in which reservation is not applicable):-. Post Code: SS-04 : No. of Posts: 1 Post [UR-01] ** Age Limitation and Experience: For Senior Scientist –

Age Limitation: 37 years. Experience: 2 years. For Principal Scientist – Age Limit: 45 years. Experience: 3 years. How to Apply for NEERI Vacancy: a. Eligible applicants are required to apply On-line only, with our web site. https://www.neeri.res.in (Link: Recruitment). [under Regular( Permanent)] b. If the candidate does not have a valid e-mail ID, he/she should create a brand-new valid e-mail ID before applying online. c. Click “Apply Now”, the applicant will be redirected to the registration page. The candidate will fill up his personal details like Name, Date of Birth, Mobile No., email ID, category etc. as well as send the online registration form. After successful submission, the candidate will certainly receive e-mail from recruitment@neeri.res.in relating to login credentials.

d. Applicant will login with login credential that he/she had received as well as Applicant need to fill the basic information like educational qualification, experience details etc. The applicant needs to have valid documents like Aadhar Card Number/Passport Number (for NRI’s). Candidate needs to post a recent photograph as well as signature having a size less than 50 KB each as well as additionally single PDF document having all the obligatory documents like Marksheet(s), date of Birth proof, experience, etc. Size of single PDF ought to be less than 15MB. Then Candidate will certainly receive Application Id. Application Id will certainly be utilized in SBI COLLECT for application fee payment. e. The applicant needs to utilize Application Id that he received in SBI COLLECT link for application fee payment. Payment reference number/transaction number will be generated after successful payment

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The non-refundable Application Fee for on-line application is 500/(Rupees Five Hundred Only), for General/OBC candidates. The fee is to be deposited directly to State Bank Collect with a link offered in the application form (maintained by SBI, NEERI Branch, Nagpur). The candidates belonging to categories of SC/ST/PWD/ Regular Employees of CSIR/Abroad candidates/All women are exempted from payment of application fee. In case of candidate desirous of applying for more than one post, application for each post must be submitted separately in addition to the separate application fee of 500/-. f. The applicant has to once again login to fill up payment detail. g. After filling payment details, applicants need to click on the Submit button. (Note:- After clicking the Submit button, the candidate will not be able to make any type of changes in the Application Form). After the form is successfully sent, PDF will be generated. The candidate will certainly have the ability to download PDF from the portal after successful submission of final application. h. The hard copy of the computer-generated application (Print-out) duly signed (by the candidate) together with 2 coloured current passport size photos as well as accompanied by self-attested copies of the certifications, mark-sheets, testimonials in support of age, educational qualifications (consisting of conversion formula from CGPA to percentage), experience certificate, reprints of publications, together with the application. Fee Transfer Receipt (If applicable) ought to be taken out by the candidate. The candidate will submit the hard copy of the application when he/she asked to do so.

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i. Online Application will be available on our web site https://www.neeri.res.in. (Link: Recruitment). [under Regular( Permanent)] upto 29.09.2020 upto 5.00 pm.

[must be available at the time of screening of the applications], without which the applicants will not be taken into consideration for screening/allowed to appear for the test if any/interview.

j. Candidates making an application for more than one post should apply online separately for each post as well as hard copies of all such application forms indicating clearly Post Code Number and Advertisement Number on the top of the envelop need to be sent through Registered/Speed Post (whenever asked to submit hard copies).

n. Incomplete applications (i.e. applications without photographs, without a signature, without the required attested copies of certifications, testimonials, etc., without application fee or incomplete in any manner) will certainly not be entertained and also will certainly be summarily rejected.

k. In case of universities/institutes awarding CGPA/SGPA/OGPA grades etc., candidates are requested to convert the same into a percentage, based upon the formula as per their university/institute [A copy of such formula should be available with the application] I. Application once made will not be allowed to be withdrawn and fees once paid will certainly not be refunded on any kind of count neither can it be held in reserve for any other recruitment or selection process. m. Applications from employees of Government Departments, Public Sector Undertakings, Autonomous Bodies and also Government Funded Research Agencies will be taken into consideration only if forwarded through proper channel, with a clear certification that there is no vigilance case pending/being contemplated against him/her and that the applicant, if selected, will be relieved within one month of the receipt of the appointment order. Nevertheless, the advance copy of the application may be sent prior to the closing date but Applications routed with proper channel needs to reach CSIR-NEERI at the earliest

5. Following documents must be attached together with application form sent by. post (whenever asked to send hard copy(ies) of application): a. State Bank Collect Transaction Number, date and also Application Number as well as postcode, wherever applicable. b. Two colour photographs with the application, as required, as well as signed across in. complete. c. Self-attested photocopy of date of birth certification proof. d. Self-attested photocopies of certificates in support of educational qualification( s). [degrees awarded] together with copies of all the mark sheets. e. Self-attested photocopy of Caste/Community/Class/ Disability Certificate/. Ex-servicemen, etc., wherever applicable. f. Self-attested xeroxes of experience certificates/testimonials, if any type of. g. If certification( s) is/are issued other than Hindi or English language, a translated copy. of such certification in Hindi or English, duly attested by Gazetted Officer will be. required. The complete version of this advertisement is also available on the web site of NEERI: www.neeri.res.in.

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September 08, 2020 Vol. 04 No 147

SENIOR SCIENTIST: Pay Matrix : Level 12 (Rs. 78,800/- Rs. 2,09,200/-) PRINCIPAL

SCIENTIST:

Pay

Matrix : Level 13 (Rs.1,23, 100/Rs. 2, 15,900/-) Essential Qualification & Experience: PhD (Science) Area: Life Sciences/Microbiology/Biotechnology. Desirable Qualification(s)/Experience: Experience in Industrial biotechnologies/product development and patents in waste to fuels, bio-waste conversion. Job Requirements/Nature Job: Scale-up process.

of

of

Biotechnological

Pilot plants and also field demonstration in waste to fuels and conversion. Patent filing. See Notification Below

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September 08, 2020 Vol. 04 No 147

IITB-MONASH RESEARCH PHD PROGRAM ADMISSION 2020 PhD Program Admission 2020 at IITB-Monash Research Academy PhD Program Admission 2020 at IITB-Monash Research Academy. IITB-Monash Research Academy Admissions 2020 for PhD Candidates. Interested and eligible candidates can check out all of the details on the same below: For PhD Candidates: EOI Applications are open. The last date for submission is 25 September 2020. Application Requirements: Research Themes Research Projects PhD Program Outline Scholarships Facilities Student Profiles Contact Us Fees Structure and Scholarship Application Requirements: Exceptional students whose planned area of study aligns with the research priorities of this IITB-Monash Research Academy are encouraged to apply for the Joint PhD program. The minimum entry requirements for PhD admission are: First class or equivalent Master’s degree in a range of disciplines First class Bachelor’s degree along with a valid GATE score Satisfying requirements of academic qualifications and English Language proficiency of Monash University. For Admission criteria For English language proficiency

NOTE: Candidates with no valid GATE score or research fellowship can be considered for admission if they have at least two years of professional experience. Competition for places is high and a competitive selection procedure is applied to all candidates. Please contact us directly in the Event That You Want to discuss your proposed area of PhD research or apply to the program Step 1: EOI The first step of the admissions process is the Expression of Interest (EOI) stage. In this stage, candidates fill in an EOI form Online. Please click on the Expression of Interest (EOI) Form to enable us to adequately evaluate your background, academic record and research interests. If your EOI form is found to be suitable, you will receive an email indicating you are able to proceed to Step 2 of the application stage.

If your EOI Form is found to be suitable, you will need to download and complete the full application form, Form A. Candidates who are successful in this EOI stage will be invited to go Step-2 once the EOI stage is completed. Contained in this invitation email will be a unique Form A Number (FAN). This email will be sent only after the EOI stage is completed Step 2: Form A If your EOI form is found to be suitable, you will be notified via email and you will receive a unique FAN number. You need the FAN number to upload your Form-A online. At this stage, you will need to upload your transcripts, publications, certificates, etc and make project selections too. For logging in to the Form A site, use your unique Form A Number (FAN). Do not give this FAN to anyone else. It is for your use only. Moreover, you can use your FAN only once.

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At the site, you will need to upload your Form A as well as copies of all of your academic transcripts, publications GATE score sheet, and other supporting documentation. Remember again that you will only have one opportunity to use your FAN to log in to the site to upload all of your documentation related to the applications process.

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Step 4: Interview and Successful Candidates After the interviews, successful candidates will be notified by email. In case you have any doubts, please read the Applications Process FAQ before sending your doubts to students@iitbmonash.org. We will not respond to queries that have already been adequately answered in the FAQ document. Download Form A Upload completed Form A with academic transcripts

So it will be most optimal if you collect all documentation relating to your application before visiting the site. Research Clusters: The Academy has created some clusters to better describe submitted research projects. This will aid in a more streamlined student recruitment process and other benefits for categorising the research that is undertaken at The Academy. 1. Material Science/Engineering (including Nano, Metallurgy) 2. Energy, Green Chem, Chemistry, Catalysis, Reaction Eng 3. Math, CFD, Modelling, Manufacturing 4. CSE, IT, Optimisation, Data, Sensors, Systems, Signal Processing, Control 5. Earth Sciences and Civil Engineering (Geo, Water, Climate) 6. Bio, Stem Cells, Bio Chem, Pharma, Food 7. Semi-Conductors, Optics, Photonics, Networks, Telecomm, Power Eng 8. Design, HSS, Management Step 3: Interview

Short-listing

for

If your Form-A is found to be suitable, you will be notified via email and you will receive an interview invitation. The Interview short-list will be announced only after the Form-A stage is complete.

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September 08, 2020 Vol. 04 No 147

GOVT CIAB FELLOWSHIPS R&D 2020 – APPLICATIONS INVITED Govt CIAB Fellowships R&D 2020 – Applications Invited Govt CIAB Fellowships R&D 2020 – Applications Invited. Center of Innovative and Applied Bioprocessing (CIAB) Mohali is recruiting for govt job vacancies. MSc/MTech/BTech/PhD candidates from various backgrounds are encouraged to attend the walk-in as per the details below: CIAB Vacancy Details CENTER OF INNOVATIVE AND APPLIED BIOPROCESSING (A National Institute under Dept. of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India) वेबसाइट/Website: www.ciab.res.in; Tel: 0172-5221400 Advertisement No: CIAB/53/2020-Rectt. Last date of receiving applications: 15th September 2020 Application Procedure for CIAB Vacancy: The interested candidates may send their filled-in application form (available on institute’s web site) in addition to self-attested photocopies of relevant education, experience, caste (if suitable) certificates by e-mail only to: ciabrecruitment532020@gmail.com latest by 15th September 2020. Only shortlisted applicants will be called for an interview with video-conferencing mode. The procedure of Engagement for CIAB Vacancy: The applications received will certainly be screened by a committee for shortlisting the candidates for interview The eligible applicants would certainly be interviewed by a duly constituted committee with video-conferencing mode

The committee would certainly recommend the applicants, if found suitable, for consideration of the competent authority for engagement on totally on Fellowship/Stipendiary basis. Provisions of registration for PhD exist at Universities/Institutes having MoU with CIAB based on scholar’s tangible performance, promise, academic suitability, etc. General Conditions for CIAB Vacancy: 1. Incomplete applications and applications which aren’t in an appropriate format may be rejected. 2. The above-mentioned search opportunities are available only to Indian Nationals. 3. Candidates applying for more than one position should submit separate applications for each position. Important Instructions for CIAB Vacancy:

The applications should be submitted in the format which may be downloaded in the CIAB site: www.ciab.res.in. Completed applications together with photocopies of all of the applicable educational, experience and caste (is applicable) certificates should be sent by e-mail only to: c i a b r e c r u i t ment532020@gmail.com latest by 15th September 2020. Please note that no hard copy of the application is needed at this stage All of the positions are based at Mohali, Punjab but a few functions could be delegated to be performed in outstations also. The number of positions may vary. Relaxation of age for various categories (like woman candidates) will be according to

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IITB-MONASH RESEARCH PHD PROGRAM ADMISSION 2020

of DST and other Government of India agencies. If in almost any area no acceptable candidate is located, no selection would be made in that case. Candidates found eligible after scrutiny of applications shall have to appear before a Selection Committee through video-conferencing mode. Kindly note that if there are a substantial amount of candidates, the Chief Executive Officer, CIAB reserves the right to devise such standards as deemed fit to shortlist the candidates for your interview. The decision of the CEO, CIAB to conduct a written exam shall be binding and final all in this regard. (A) JUNIOR RESEARCH FELLOWS (WITH OWN FELLOWSHIP) 1. Junior Research Fellow – One position Age limit for CIAB Vacancy: 28 Years Fellowship for CIAB Vacancy: As per the fellowship awarding agency. Qualifications for CIAB Vacancy: (i) M.Sc (Life Sciences / Biotechnology / Microbial Biotechnology / Biochemistry / Microbiology) from a recognized University / Institute OR M.E./M.Tech in Biotechnology from a recognized University / Institute and (ii) having their own fellowship granted by CSIR/UGC/DBT/DST/ICAR/ICMR or other funding agencies. 2. Junior Research Fellow (Chemical / Nano / Material Science) – Two Positions Age limit for CIAB Vacancy: 28 Years Fellowship for CIAB Vacancy: As per the fellowship awarding agency.

Qualifications for CIAB Vacancy: (i) Master’s Degree in Biological Science or Master’s Degree in Engineering from a recognized University / Institute and (ii) having their own fellowship granted by CSIR/UGC/DBT/DST/ICAR/ICMR or other funding agencies. 3. Junior Research Fellow (Chemical Engineering/Biotechnology) – Three Positions Age limit for CIAB Vacancy: 28 Years Fellowship for CIAB Vacancy: As per the fellowship awarding agency. Qualifications for CIAB Vacancy: (i) M.Sc (Biotechnology, Food Technology/ Microbial Technology/Life Sciences/Biology/Botany/Zoology/Biotechnology/Food Sciences) from a recognized University/Institute OR B.E./B.Tech/M.E./M.Tech (Biochemical Engineering/ Biotechnology/ Bioengineering/ Bioprocess Engineering/ Food Technology) from a recognized University / Institute and (ii) having their own fellowship granted by CSIR/UGC/DBT/DST/ICAR/ICMR or other funding agencies. Note: Those appearing in the last year of Master’s exam as well as have been conferred fellowship from any one of the above-mentioned agencies, might additionally be taken into consideration. Nonetheless, if chosen, they will certainly be required to provide proof of degree completion (provisional/original) as well as Fellowship Award Certification before joining. (B) FELLOWSHIPS FUNDED BY CIAB FOR INTERNAL R&D PROJECTS/ACTIVITIES

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1. Research Associate-I (Biotechnology/Synthetic Biology) – One position Age limit for CIAB Vacancy: 35 Years Tenure for CIAB Vacancy: One Year, extendable (post-evaluation) for subsequent years subject to satisfactory progress, institutional needs as well as financial provisions. Fellowship for CIAB Vacancy: Rs. 47,000/- each month + (HRA as admissible or Hostel facility, if available). Qualifications for CIAB Vacancy: 1. Ph.D# in Biotechnology/Microbial Biotechnology/Molecular Biology from a recognized University/Institute having at least one research paper (preferably as the First Author) in Science Citation Indexed (SCI) journal. OR 2. M.E./M. Tech in Biotechnology from a recognized University/Institute with three years’ research experience and having at least one research paper (preferably as the First Author) in Science Citation Indexed (SCI) journal. 2. Research Associate-I (Chemical Engineering) – One position Age limit for CIAB Vacancy: 35 Years Tenure for CIAB Vacancy: One Year, extendable (post-evaluation) for subsequent years subject to satisfactory progress, institutional needs as well as financial provisions. Fellowship for CIAB Vacancy: Rs. 47,000/- each month + (HRA as admissible or Hostel facility, if available). Qualifications for CIAB Vacancy: 1. Ph.D# in Biochemical Engg.,/Biotechnology/ Food Technology from a recognized University/Institute having at least one research paper in Science Citation Indexed (SCI) journal.

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IITB-MONASH RESEARCH PHD PROGRAM ADMISSION 2020

OR M.E./M.Tech. in Biochemical Engg.,/Biotechnology/ Food Technology with three years’ experience in industry/research/teaching and having at least one research paper in Science Citation Indexed (SCI) journal. Desired Experience: Biomass Valorisation/Agro-Bioprocessing / Process Engineering. # The candidates who have sent PhD thesis will likewise be eligible for the position of Research Associate, but they would certainly be treated as SRF and also will be paid emoluments as applicable to SRF (Rs. 35,000/- + HRA) till successful completion of PhD thesis viva. (C) FELLOWSHIPS UNDER EXTERNALLY FUNDED PROJECTS AT CIAB, MOHALI 1. Junior Research Fellow – One position Project Title: “BRICS technology platform for integrated bioprocessing of agricultural residues for ecosustainable production of biofuels and by-products”

(ii) NET / GATE / any other relevant equivalent nature of test qualified.

Project Title: “Development of water soluble curcuminoids powder for use as a health additive”

4. Junior Research Fellow – One position

Funded By: Punjab State Biotech Corporation, Mohali. Principal Investigator: Dr Bhuwan Bhushan Mishra, Scientist-C Duration of the project: Six months Age limit for CIAB Vacancy: 28 Years Fellowship for CIAB Vacancy: Rs. 31,000/- + HRA as per DST norms. Qualifications for CIAB Vacancy: (i) M.Sc. in Food Science from a recognized University / Institute OR M. Tech. in Food Technology and (ii) NET / GATE / any other relevant equivalent nature of test qualified. 3. Junior Research Fellow – One position

Funded By: Department of Science and Technology (Govt. of India) Principal Investigator: Dr Sudesh Kumar, Scientist-F, CIAB

Funded By: Punjab State Biotech Corporation, Mohali.

Duration of the project: Up to 01-05-2022

Principal Investigator: Dr Sudhir Pratap Singh, Scientist-C

Age limit for CIAB Vacancy: 28 Years

Duration of the project: Six months

Fellowship for CIAB Vacancy: Rs. 31,000/- + (HRA as admissible) per month for initial 2 years

Age limit for CIAB Vacancy: 28 Years

(i) M.Sc. in Life Sciences (Biology/Biotechnology/Biochemistry/Microbiology) or Food Science & Technology from a recognized University / Institute OR B.E. / B. Tech. / M.E. / M. Tech. (Biotechnology / any other biological subject /Food Science & Technology) from a recognized university/institute

Vol. 04 No 147

2. Junior Research Fellow – One position

Project Title: “Production of D-allulose, a functional ingredient, for development of low-calorie food products”

Qualifications for CIAB Vacancy:

September 08, 2020

Project Title: “Extraction of starch from potato processing waste and transformation into resistant starch molecules”. Funded By: Punjab State Biotech Corporation, Mohali. Principal Investigator: Dr Sudhir Pratap Singh, Scientist-C Duration of the project: Six months Age limit for CIAB Vacancy: 28 Years Fellowship for CIAB Vacancy: Rs. 31,000/- + HRA as per DST norms. Qualifications for CIAB Vacancy: (i) M.Sc (Life Sciences / Biotechnology / Microbial Biotechnology / Biochemistry / Microbiology) from a recognized University / Institute OR M. E./M.Tech in Biotechnology from a recognized University / Institute and (ii) NET / GATE / any other relevant equivalent nature of test qualified. Download Application Format (PDF)

Fellowship for CIAB Vacancy: Rs. 31,000/- + HRA as per DST norms. Qualifications for CIAB Vacancy: (i) M.Sc (Life Sciences / Biotechnology / Microbial Biotechnology / Biochemistry / Microbiology) from a recognized University / Institute OR M. E./M.Tech in Biotechnology from a recognized University / Institute and

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ICMR-NIMR LIFE SCIENCES RESEARCH JOBS WITH RS. 56,000 PM PAY ICMR-NIMR Life Sciences Research Jobs With Rs. 56,000 pm Pay ICMR-NIMR Life Sciences Research Jobs With Rs. 56,000 pm Pay. ICMR-NIMR msc biotechnology/molecular biology/microbiology/ life science research job vacancies. ICMR-NIMR New Delhi job openings for msc/phd life sciences candidates, check details on the same below: NIMR Job Details ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GOI Tel: +91-11-25307103, 25307104, 25361092, 25361093 Website: www.nimr.org.in

Post I

ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research will certainly conduct walk-in-Interview on the mentioned purely short-term project posts, tenable at ICMR-NIMR for the period against each. The term may be extended further based on the requirement. Applicants having required qualifications, experience and age criteria might attend Walk in- Interview at ICMR-NIMR, Sector-8, Dwarka, New Delhi -110077 on the dates as indicated in the schedule together with the filled out prescribed application form and supporting documents date of birth, qualifications and experience.

Name of the Post: Junior Research Fellow

The advertisement and the prescribed format is available on web site https://nimr.org.in/category/vacancy/, https://nimr.icmr.org.in/index.php/notifications/vacancies and https://main.icmr.nic.in/.

No. of Posts: 01

Name of the PI: Dr Abhinav Sinha, Scientist “E” Duration: up to 01 year

No. of Posts: 03

Age Limit: 40 years.

Name of the Project: “Pan-India Characterization of the plasmodium field isolates available in the malaria parasite repository for drug resistance genes and other molecular markers”

Post III

Name of the PI: Dr Vineeta Singh, Scientist, E Duration: up to 02 years Age Limit: Up to 30 years. Post II Name of the Post: Project Scientist–C (Non-Medical) Name of the Project: “Establishing a pan-India landscape of human Plasmodium infections from dried blood spots collected under National Family Health Survey-5(NFHS-5)”

Name of the Assistant-12

Post:

Project

No. of Posts: 08 Name of the Project: “Establishing a pan-India landscape of human Plasmodium infections from dried blood spots collected under National Family Health Survey-5(NFHS-5)” Name of the PI: Dr Abhinav Sinha, Scientist “E” Duration: up to 01 year Age Limit: 30 years. Post IV Name of the Post: Project Scientist-B (Non Medical) No. of Posts: 01 Name of the Project: JC Bose

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IITB-MONASH RESEARCH PHD PROGRAM ADMISSION 2020

under Dr. Amit Sharma, Director, ICMR-NIMR (for two years) Age Limit: 35 years. Procedure for Recruitment: 1. Interested and eligible candidates can appear for walk-in-interview/personal discussions on the dates mentioned against each post along with the duly filled in the prescribed application form (attached). Kindly note, a separate application is to be submitted for each post in each/different project. 2. It may be mentioned here that incomplete applications, application not submitted in prescribed format and application without supportive documents asked for shall be summarily rejected. 3. Qualification and experience should be in relevant discipline/field and from a reputed institution/organization recognized by the relevant authority. 4. Experience shall count from the date of completion of minimum educational qualification. 5. Submission of incorrect or false information during the process of walk-in-interview/or personal discussion shall disqualify the candidature at any stage. 6. The Director reserves the right to increase/decrease the number of vacancies as per requirement. 7. Candidate should write the Name of Post on the top of the application. Candidates applying for more than one post should apply SEPARATELY for each post. 8. No benefit of provident fund, Leave Travel Concession, Medical Claim etc. will be considered, since the posts are purely temporary basis. 9. Age relaxation is admissible to SC/ST/OBC/EXM/Departmental candidates including projects as per Govt. of India/ICMR Norms.

September 08, 2020 Vol. 04 No 147

10. Age limit and experience will be considered as on the date of walk-in-interview/personal discussion.

type of Permanent Employment under ICMR-NIMR or continuation of his/her services in any other project.

11. No TA/DA will be paid for attending the walk-in-interview/personal discussion.

18. The Director has the right to accept/reject any application without assigning any reason thereof and no correspondence/recommendation will be entertained in this matter.

12. Mere fulfilling the essential qualification/experience does not guarantee selection. 13. Candidates employed in Govt. Service /Semi Govt./ Autonomous Bodies of State/Central Govt. should submit a “No Objection Certificate” from their employer at the time of walk-in- written test and / personal discussion failing which he/she will not be allowed to appear in written/personal discussion. 14. If the eligible candidates are more than 30, then the written test will be held followed by personal discussion otherwise the direct personal discussion will be held from the time of the written test as indicated onwards. The written test will be consisting of objective and multiple type questions on the syllabus as per the essential qualification. 15. Community/ Caste certificate: Candidates applying under OBC category, shall submit attested copy of OBC Non – Creamy Layer Certificate in the specified format, issued within one year from the date of walk-in- written test and/or personal discussion by the appropriate authority. Only Non-Creamy Layer OBC certificates will be accepted and other certificates will not be accepted. 16. All posts are contractual for the duration offered. The appointment may be renewed after every specific period of time subject to satisfactory performance and project requirement. 17. The above posts are filled-up on a purely temporary basis and contractual basis & the candidate will have no right to claim for any

19. Canvassing and bringing outside influence in any form for shortlisting and employment will be treated as disqualification and the candidate will be debarred from the selection process. 20. Candidates possessing the essential qualification and experience may appear for walk-in interview/or personal discussion at Director, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria 21. Research, Sector-8, Dwarka, New Delhi-110077 on the dates as indicated in schedule for walk-ininterview/or personal discussion (as applicable) given below:

22. Those appearing for walk-in – Interview/personal discussion, in case of selection, he/she must bring all original certificates (1) Educational qualification (2) Proof of Date of birth (3) Experience certificates/testimonials (4) One-self attested recent passport size photograph

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IITB-MONASH RESEARCH PHD PROGRAM ADMISSION 2020

(5) ID Proof (Ex. Aadhar/PAN/Voter ID/Driving License etc.) (6) One set of self-attested photocopies of all documents. (7) SC/ST/OBC Certificates, if applicable. (8) Candidates should produce all certifications/testimonials in original for verification at the time of joining the post. 23. Candidates who will report after the scheduled date/time will not be allowed to appear in interview / or personal discussion. 24. Any Addendum/Corrigendum in respect of above vacancy notice shall be issued on websites www.nimr.org.in only and no separate notification shall be issued in the press. Applicants are requested to regularly visit the website (www.nimr.org.in) to keep themselves updated. Information on ICMR-NIMR can be viewed on the website https://nimr.org.in/category/vacancy/, https://nimr.icmr.org.in/index.php/notifications/vacancies and https://main.icmr.nic.in/. Note: The following Preventive measures are strict to be adhered by the applicants appearing for walk-in-interview on the scheduled date and time to contain the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID19) inside the premises and during recruitment procedure:. (a) Wearing of face cover is obligatory. (b) Spitting in public & workplace will be punishable with fine, as might be prescribed in. accordance with its laws, guidelines or regulations by the State/UT local authority. (c) Social distancing will be followed by all persons in public places and in transport. (d) Provision for thermal screening, hand wash and sanitizer will be made at all entry and exit points and common areas.

(e) Use of ArogyaSetu App is obligatory. (f) Large physical gathering at one place must be avoided. (g) As much as possible candidates need to avoid making use of other’s phones, desk, offices or other work tools and equipment. Clean and disinfect them prior to and after use. (h) Loitering and crowding in corridors must be avoided and people must maintain distance. For Post I Salary for NIMR Job: Rs. 31,000/plus HRA as applicable. Essential Qualification for NIMR Job: Post Graduate Degree in life science or Postgraduate degree in professional relevant with biotechnology courses with CSIR/UGC NET qualification.

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Desirable Qualifications for NIMR Job: Qualified National Eligibility Tests or National level examinations conducted by Government of India. One year or more of hands-on demonstrable experience in molecular biology (DNA/RNA isolation, PCR primer designing). For Post IV Salary for NIMR Job: Rs. 56,000/plus HRA as applicable Essential Qualification for NIMR Job: 1st class Master Degree in Biotechnology. Desirable Qualifications for NIMR Job: Preference will certainly be given to the candidates. Click here to Download Application Form See Notification Below

For Post II Salary for NIMR Job: Rs.51,000/HRA at 24 percent Essential Qualification for NIMR Job: 1st Class Master Degree in Life Sciences from a recognized university with 4 years experience. Or 2nd Class M. Sc +PhD degree in appropriate subjects from a recognized university with. 4 years of experience in the relevant field. Desirable Qualifications for NIMR Job: Demonstrable research experience in a relevant field (DNA/RNA isolation, molecular diagnostics. Realtime PCR.TaqMan probe-based diagnosis. For Post III Salary for NIMR Job: Rs.31,000/per month Essential Qualification for NIMR Job: Graduate in Life science/relevant subjects. from a recognized University + three years’ work experience from a recognized. institute OR Master’s degree in the pertinent subject (Life Science).

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