India Alliance Newsletter I Issue 2 I March 2015

News & Views Issue 2, March 2015

INDIA ALLIA

EDITORIAL We hope you enjoyed reading the first issue of the India Alliance bimonthly newsletter. We are grateful to those who took time out to write to us with their useful feedback and suggestions.

The last two months have witnessed many important developments and the March issue will attempt to highlight some of these. To begin with, felicitations to our Committee member, Dr Nikhil Tandon for being awarded the prestigious Padma Shri by the Government of India. We would like to congratulate our Intermediate Fellow, Dr Arun Shukla for receiving Prof Ratna Phadke Award from the Indian Biophysical Society and for being invited to be part of the editorial board of the highly reputed peer reviewed international journal, Public Library of Science (PLOS ONE). On the research front, our Margdarshi Fellow, Professor Vaskar Saha‘s work (with his colleague Dr OB Eden) on developing a novel method for treating relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children was recognised by the Medical Schools Council, UK, as one of their most important research achievements of the last decade. Senior Fellow Dr Rashna Bhandari‘s recent research work showing therapeutic potential was featured in the Hindu last month. Closer to the office, our Grants Manager, Dr Ponnari Gottipati, left the India Alliance after serving the organisation conscientiously for almost three years. Her contribution to the growth of India Alliance has been immense and we would like to wish her the best for her future endeavours. Dr Ajay Pillai took over as the new Grants Manager on March 1, 2015.

Our second issue features announcements for our Fellowship competitions and Fellowship awardees from the November 2014 interview round. We held interviews for our Early Career Basic Research Fellowships (ECF) in February 2015.

The next round of these Fellowships will be announced shortly. Preliminary applications for our Clinical and Public Health Research Fellowships is now closed and the applications are currently under review. We have a couple of important announcements on the Public Engagement front - the first Public Engagement Award was granted to Intermediate Fellow, Dr Mukund Thattai for his project „Bodystorm hits Bangalore‟. Recognising February as the ‗Cancer Prevention month‘, India Alliance organised a panel discussion at Miranda House, New Delhi, on Feb 17 in collaboration with RTI International, Public Health Foundation of India and Miranda House, with an aim to inform and encourage students to play an active role in cancer prevention and awareness. The report of this event is included in this issue. Dr Karen Nelson (President, The J Craig Venter Institute, Maryland USA) gave the third Public Lecture in our DNA@70 series on ‗human microbiome in health and disease‘ in Pune and New Delhi which was attended by more than 600 people.

In this issue, Prof Tetsuro Matsuzawa shares with us in an interview, his beginnings as a primatologist, views on primate research and his future research plans. Our Senior Fellow, Dr G Venkatasubramanian, provides links between Schizophrenia and creativity in the background of his current research work through an insightful article, titled „Schizophrenia & Human Evolution: a Panglossian perspective‟. This issue also features our Intermediate Fellow, Dr Arun Shukla in the India Alliance Fellow Spotlight section. The opinion piece, „Let‟s talk Science Funding- the Elephant in the Lab‟, includes views of our Fellows, Drs Annapoorni Rangarajan, Kundan Sengupta, Mahak Sharma, Pushpa Kumari, and Shital Sarah Ahaley on challenges burdening science research in India with respect to funding, purposefully placed in the backdrop of the Union Budget 2015. Finally, in the India Alliance Staff Corner section, our Grants Manager (ex- SciComm Manager), Dr Ajay Pillai, talks about his scientific beginnings, India Alliance experience, musical interests and more.

Warm thanks to the above-mentioned people, without their contribution this issue would not have been possible. A special note of appreciation for Dr Arun Shukla for providing us with the cover research image for this issue. I am also thankful to Dr Shahid Jameel and Dr Madhankumar Anandhakrishnan of the India Alliance for their useful inputs and advice. Lastly, I would like to request you to write to us with your suggestions and comments on how we can make this newsletter a more useful and interesting read for you.

Sarah Iqbal Public Engagement Officer Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance

CONTENTS

1

CALL FOR INDIA ALLIANCE FELLOWSHIP APPLICATIONS Announcement for Margdarshi, Senior and Intermediate (Basic Research scheme) and Clinical Research Training Fellowships

2

INDIA ALLIANCE FELLOWSHIP : RECOMMENDED AWARDEES

3 INDIA ALLIANCE EVENTS 4

INDIA ALLIANCE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT CORNER

7

INDIA ALLIANCE FELLOW SPOTLIGHT Dr Arun Shukla, India Alliance Intermediate Fellow

9 FEATURE ARTICLE Schizophrenia & Human Evolution: A Panglossian perspective

by Dr G Venkatasubramanian , India Alliance Senior Fellow

12

IN CONVERSATION WITH..

Prof Tetsuro Matsuzawa, Director, Primate Research Institute (KUPRI), Tokyo, Japan

14

VIEWPOINT „Let‟s talk Science Funding- the Elephant in the Lab‟ India Alliance Fellows: Drs Annapoorni Rangarajan, Kundan Sengupta, Mahak Sharma, Pushpa Kumari, and Shital Sarah Ahaley

18

INDIA ALLIANCE STAFF CORNER Dr Ajay Pillai, Grants Manager

INDIA ALLIANCE FELLOWSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

FELLOWSHIP DEADLINES MARGDARSHI FELLOWSHIPS Deadline: May 14 2015

The Margdarshi Fellowship is an opportunity for visionary biomedical scientists to lead and

nucleate a cutting edge research program in India in collaboration with a host institution.

This scheme is for host institutions that are keen to improve their scientific breadth and for scientific leaders who already lead their own research group, and now wish to utilize their experience in developing new research platforms.

SENIOR AND INTERMEDIATE FELLOWSHIPS IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH Deadline: 2 April 2015

Preliminary applications are invited for the two Fellowship schemes in basic research category: Intermediate Fellowships and Senior Fellowships.

Intermediate Fellowships For excellent postdoctoral scientists to undertake high-quality research and establish themselves as independent researchers in India.

Senior Fellowships For newly established biomedical scientists who have an excellent track record and are successfully leading an independent research group and projects in India.

RESEARCH TRAINING FELLOWSHIP FOR CLINICIANS Deadline: 30 April 2015 India Alliance announces its 'Research Training Fellowship for Clinicians‘ meant to facilitate

their transition to a clinical researcher. This opportunity is aimed at providing clinicians with an opportunity to perform high quality basic or clinical research in a laboratory or clinical environment of their choice.

Please visit our website for further information on the eligibility and application process.

1.

RECOMMENDED AWARDEES

INDIA ALLIANCE FELLOWSHIPS India Alliance Fellowships are available across the full spectrum of biomedical research - from fundamental molecular and cellular studies through to clinical and public health research. Research projects can be based in the laboratory, the clinic or the field and may involve experimental or theoretical approaches.

The following awards were made after the November 2014 round of interviews for Senior and Intermediate (Basic Research Fellowship scheme), Clinical and Public Research Health Fellowships and the newly created Research Training Fellowships for Clinicians. Congratulations to all the awardees!

Margdarshi Fellowship was awarded to Professor Anura V Kurpad (Primary Host Institution: St. John‘s Medical College, Bangalore; Secondary Host Institution: University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore)

Basic Research Fellowships Senior Fellowship Professor Raghu Padinjat National Centre For Biological Sciences, Bangalore Intermediate Fellowships Dr Monika Vig Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune Dr Sunil Laxman Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore Dr Minhajuddin Sirajuddin Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore Dr Dimple Notani National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi Dr Abhik Saha Presidency University, Calcutta Dr Jeet Kalia Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune

Clinical and Public Health Research Fellowships Senior Fellowship

NEW Research Training Fellowship for Clinicians

Dr Anurag Agrawal Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology , Delhi

Dr Bharat Holla National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore

Intermediate Fellowship

Dr Muralidhara Nagarjuna Mazumdar Shaw Center for Translation Research, Bangalore

Dr Yogeshwar Kalkonde Society for Education, Action and Research in Community Health, Gadchiroli Dr Giridhara R Babu Public Health Foundation of India, IIPH-H, Bangalore campus Dr Nikhil Patkar Tata memorial Centre, Mumbai Dr Jeemon Panniyammakal Public Health Foundation of India, Delhi Early Career Fellowship

Dr Sivaranjani Gali M S Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bangalore Dr Maria Bukelo St John's Medical College Hospital, Bangalore Dr Sanjay Chilbule Center for Stem Cell Research, CMC Vellore Dr Rasmi Ranjan Sahoo Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar

Dr Tavpritesh Sethi All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi

Dr Amit Tuli Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh

Dr Suceena Alexander Christian Medical College, Vellore

Dr Arati Ramesh National Centre For Biological Sciences, Bangalore

Dr Shweta Khandelwal Public Health Foundation of India, Delhi

Dr Dhirendra Simanshu National Centre For Biological Sciences, Bangalore

Dr Srinivas Marmamula L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad

2.

Please visit our website for further information on our Fellowship schemes and awards

UPCOMING EVENTS

SCIENCE COMMUNICATION WORKSHOPS SciComm Hyderabad In keeping with our mandate to empower future leaders of Indian science, the India Alliance organises two-day workshops for young scientists in biomedical sciences. These workshops are a unique opportunity for PhD students, Postdoc scholars and Clinician researchers to receive training in written and oral communication skills. These workshops will also provide an opportunity to the young researchers to discuss various issues pertaining to their research career including mentorship,

20-21 March, 2015 Hyderabad 20-21 March, 2015

career planning and ethical aspects of scientific research. The workshops aim at skill as well as perspective building for the most aspiring young researchers by bringing young scientists and senior mentors together to provide a platform for discussion and learning.

Registration for March 2015 workshop is now closed, however, watch this space for more information on the second Hyderabad SciComm workshop of this year.

SciComm101 Our SciComm team recently conducted a successful workshop at Annamalai University which was attended by more than 80 students. Next SciComm101 workshops will held at IIT Kanpur, Aligarh Muslim University, AIIMS Bhopal. For more information on this one-day SciComm workshop, please visit our website.

PAST EVENTS

DNA @ 70 PUBLIC LECTURE SERIES The India Alliance is celebrating the discovery of DNA through a series of public lectures across India.

The first two lectures in this series were given by Prof

W Ian Lipkin and Prof Nadrian Seeman in

11 March, 2015 Pune

2014.

Dr Karen Nelson (President, The J Craig Venter Institute, Maryland USA) gave a talk on ‗human microbiome in health and disease‘ on March 11 and 12 in Pune and New Delhi, respectively. Watch this space for information on our next Public Lecture.

12 March, 2015 New Delhi

3.

INDIA ALLIANCE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT CORNER The India Alliance aims to bring the scientific community and the public together to share, debate and deliberate on important scientific and human health matters that have significant implications on the society at large. It recognises the importance for scientists and health researchers to engage with the public to increase the awareness of science, technology and medicine (STM) research, and themselves get fresh perspectives on their research towards a larger picture. We also recognise the important role society plays in the processes of scientific discovery and the need for nurturing this relationship.

Through this newsletter, we will be bringing to you various Indian Alliance initiatives on this front and interesting works of Public Engagement from across the world.

Medicine Corner is a project commissioned by the Wellcome Trust “to explore India's rich plurality of cultures of medicine, healing and well-being. Through diverse cultural forms including electronic music, video and live events 'incurably curious‟ Indian audiences, as at Wellcome Collection in London, will encounter an aesthetically seductive, intellectually rich mix of art, science and the extraordinary in everyday life. The Find out more about this project here

centrepiece will be a major exhibition to open in Mumbai in early 2016 that will present medicine in India

across time, regions and systems.”

In the next issue find out more about this initiative, its projects and BLOT!, creators of a unique video documenting the informal healthcare in India and winners of Wellcome Trust International Public Engagement Award. Click here to watch their video.

Explaining the epigenome using Beethoven‟s symphony What is a genome? How does the DNA in a cell change as we grow? What is an epigenome? How do some genes switch on and off? These are some of the questions explained in this video by using the musical arrangement of a Beethoven‘s symphony. This video, created by Nature in collaboration with Illumina, serves as a perfect example of how not-so-easy scientific concepts can be explained Click here to watch the video

simply but effectively with the help of music, multimedia and various other creative tools.

Have a unique and creative idea for Public Engagement? Share it with us.

4.

INDIA ALLIANCE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT EVENT

‘VOICES FOR CANCER’ Panel discussion at Miranda House, University of Delhi Feb 17, 2015 Cancer is a leading cause of deaths in India and its incidence is likely to rise five-fold by 2025 [World Health Organization]. With such a grim future, health communicators and the media become crucial for disseminating important cancer prevention and treatment information to the public. Many cancers are treatable if diagnosed early and thus awareness is important to reduce the burden and stigma attached to it. ‗Voices for Cancer‘ panel discussion was held at

notice health/life insurance companies' outright

Miranda House, Delhi, on February 17, 2015, with the

denial of insurance to cancer survivors. Together, Dr

aim to inform and encourage students to play an

Kanchan Kaur and Mrs Rita Bhalla stressed on how

active role in cancer prevention - to discuss how we

important it is for women in India to prioritise their

can bridge the gap between the public and their

health and regular health checkups ought to

access to key health information on cancer, how

become an important part of their daily lives. Dr

effective communication and public engagement

Suneeta Krishnan, an epidemiologist from RTI

can remove the stigma attached to it and finally,

International, encouraged young women to take

how different stakeholders and most importantly the

information on cancer to their mothers, aunts and

public (the students!) could play an important role in

friends to promote early detection. Dr Kanchan Kaur

cancer prevention. The event was organised in

described instances of how misinformation and ‗Dr

collaboration with RTI International, Public Health

Google‘ had skewed the cancer risk perceptions,

Foundation of India and Miranda House.

giving rise to people avoiding visits to doctors for

The diverse panel comprised of Mr Dinesh Sharma

medical advice and help which is eventually leading

(Science author and columnist), Dr Kanchan Kaur

to incorrect self-diagnosis and delayed treatment. Mr

(Breast Cancer specialist, Medanta), Mrs Rita Bhalla

Dinesh Sharma was of the opinion that even though

(Indian Cancer Society), young and inspirational

perceptions about cancer are changing in India,

cancer survivors, Chandan Kumar and Ritu Bhalla

cultural beliefs and myths still dominate, partly due to

who work at Cankids and an upbeat mother of a

lack of accurate and good quality health

brave cancer survivor, Mrs Priti Sayeed. A wide range

information that journalists and the public in general

of issues related to cancer risk perception and

ought to receive from health practitioners and

prevention were deliberated at this event with

researchers. A majority student audience asked

personal anecdotes from Mrs Priti Sayeed, Chandan

questions ranging from, information on cancer

Kumar and Ritu Bhalla forming the perfect backdrop

screening, family support for cancer patients, risk

for discussions.

factors to biology of cancers and how they (the

Mrs Priti Sayeed shared her experiences of being

students!) could be the change agent towards a

a mother of a cancer patient and the inspiring story

cancer-free healthier tomorrow. The panel and the

of how her daughter fought cancer by baking and

audience collectively felt the importance of

selling cupcakes and most importantly with a positive

recognising cancer as a widespread but treatable

spirit. She felt that cancer should be perceived like

disease if detected early. It emphasised the need for

any other disease and the term cancer ‗survivor‘

all the stakeholders to come together to tackle the

needs to give way to a more appropriate one. Both

challenges currently facing cancer prevention in

Chandan Kumar and Ritu Bhalla, recounted stories of

India.

discrimination and stigma they faced and brought to

5.

INDIA ALLIANCE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AWARD

MUKUND THATTAI Image credit: Black Label Movement, USA

Intermediate Fellow

We are pleased to announce that our Intermediate Fellow, Dr Mukund Thattai, NCBS Bangalore, has won the first Public Engagement award for his project, „Bodystorm Hits Bangalore‟.

Project Description

projects to be presented publicly at the end of

by Dr Mukund Thattai and his team

the week •

Develop the capacity to continue with this practice within the Bangalore science and

David Odde from the University of Minnesota

dance community

worked for several years closely with Carl Flink and the company Black Label Movement (BLM) to

In the session with the scientists, new ideas for

create Bodystorming. The basic idea is to use simple interaction rules between dancers to simulate

Bodystorming will be developed. We will explore the

biological processes. This physical and unusual

potential and limitations of this method, and its

approach to scientific problems provides a unique

ability to promote and explore the understanding of

perspective to researchers on the material they are

scientific problems. After the initial workshop, 10

examining as well as it communicates the research

selected dancers will be part of an immersive

topic in a fresh way to the public viewer. The

workshop experience with BLM crew at NCBS and

exchange of the participants' experiences

work on a few selected scientific problems. During

stimulates new ideas and research questions.

this ‗residency‘, scientists will be invited to join discussions and improvisation sessions. At the end of

The aim of Bodystorm hits Bangalore is to bring

the week there will be a ―work-in-progress‖

this approach between science and dance to

presentation at NCBS , which will be complemented

Bangalore, which is an ideal space with its vibrant

by a performance of BLM. The public performances

dance and science environment. The company

will be followed by an interactive session where

Black Label Movement (BLM) and Prof Odde will visit

spectators can exchange ideas/questions with the

NCBS for 10 days, to engage with scientists on the

involved dancers and scientists.

campus and with local dancers from the surrounding area.

Organisers: Darius Koester, Mukund Thattai (NCBS), Aparna Banerjee (Science & Society Program

The key elements of the program are: •

NCBS), David Odde (University of Minnesota, USA),

An initial workshop about the principles of

Carl Flink (University of Minnesota and Black Label

Bodystorming (25-30 dancers selected through a

Movement)

comprehensive application process from local

David Odde & Black Label Movement

dance companies).

•

Selection of 10 dancers for an immersive engagement of a one week residency at NCBS

•

Extended engagement of the selected dancers

To apply for the India Alliance Public Engagement Competition, please download the application form here and send the completed form to public.engagement@wellcomedbt.org.

with scientists at NCBS and work on a few clear

6.

INDIA ALLIANCE FELLOW SPOTLIGHT

ARUN K. SHUKLA Intermediate Fellow, IIT Kanpur

Dr Arun Shukla is an Assistant Professor at IIT Kanpur. His research is focused on the largest family of cell surface receptors known as G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). As a young researcher, Arun already has several research laurels under his belt. Here he talks about his research and its impact, what inspired him to become a scientist, what keeps him motivated and more..

Inspiration to become a Scientist..

Growing up, my elder brother was my role model and he still is. He is an eminent physicist. When I was a kid, he used to explain the basic fundamentals of everyday physics phenomenon in such a simplified and interesting fashion that it got me fascinated about science and research. My lucky break in research however came when Prof. Rakesh Bhatnagar from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) arranged for me to do a summer research project during my M.Sc. in Prof.

Shyamal Goswami‘s laboratory in JNU. That is where I realized that research was my calling.

GPCR research and its impact..

We are trying to understand how G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) work. These receptors are the largest class of cell surface receptors in our body and they are targeted by about half of the currently prescribed medicines. GPCRs control many physiological processes in our body such as blood pressure, heart beat, pain sensation and appetite to name a few. We hope that by understanding their atomic level structures, we will be better positioned to design drugs that will be more effective against various diseases and will have lesser side effects.

Although our work primarily focuses on basic research, the potential outcomes have tremendous translational potential.

The India Alliance Fellowship..

The kind of research we do is incredibly expensive and consumable intensive. And, that perhaps applies to most research areas in life sciences, if not all. I feel very fortunate to have received the Intermediate Fellowship within a couple of months of landing in India. This meant that I don‘t have to run after many different funding agencies to accumulate the quantum of funds that I would have liked to begin with. Moreover, the flexibility to spend the funds as per needs of the project and timely release of funds are indeed a blessing. As the India Alliance fellowships are highly competitive, the prestige of being a fellow also has added advantage with respect to visibility in the science community.

7.

Arun with his lab members

Everyday discoveries and the big picture..

I come to work every day hoping that we are going to discover something new and interesting today.

Of course, as you know, discoveries do not happen every day. But I get very excited even with a small piece of data in any ongoing experiment, even if it is as simple as a sub-cloning working or a positive readout in a signaling assay. I think this enthusiasm transmits to the students and fellows in the lab and they treat every experiment as an important mission. In broader sense, the hope that perhaps our research findings in long run might help somebody, someday, somewhere is what keeps us motivated and going.

Find out more about Arun‘s research work here

Cover image by Arun Shukla Putting a STOP: Structural visualization of GPCR signaling termination This figure represents the superimposition of a GPCR-G protein complex and a GPCR-arrestin protein complex. The GPCR component is shown in green and the arrestin component is in red. The subunits of the heterotrimeric G proteins are shown in blue (Gα), yellow (Gβ) and magenta (Gγ). This superimposition reflects the overlapping nature of G protein and arrestin binding sites in the GPCRs and therefore, explains the arrestin mediated G protein signaling termination event of GPCRs.

8.

FEATURE ARTICLE

SCHIZOPHRENIA & HUMAN EVOLUTION: A PANGLOSSIAN PERSPECTIVE Dr G. Venkatasubramanian India Alliance Senior Fellow ―Dr. Pangloss is the eternal optimist who finds this world to be the best of all possible worlds, with everything existing or happening for a purpose; For example, our noses were made long (thousands of years ago) so that we can fit spectacles now‖ -Candide by Voltaire Schizophrenia refers to a neuropsychiatric

note that not everyone that carries the genetic risk or

disorder characterised by a set of complex and

exposed to such prenatal adversities develop this

heterogeneous symptoms characterized by

disorder. While these genetic factors and prenatal

delusions (having incorrigible false belief that oneself

insults add to the vulnerability of a person to develop

is being persecuted despite evidence to the

schizophrenia, it is believed that further interactions

contrary), hallucinations (hearing voices in the

involving environmental factors related to early

absence any external stimulus with the quality of

development (childhood and adolescence) along

such experiences being similar to real-time

with certain biological factors (neuroendocrine and

perception), disorganised behaviour, profound

neuroimmunological) culminate in neurotransmitter

deficits in motivation and social interactions and

abnormalities (dopamine, glutamate and gama-

impairments in cognitive functions like attention and

amino butyric acid (GABA)) and

concentration.

neurodevelopmental aberrations. Together, all these factors precipitate the peri-adolescent onset of this

The prevalence rate of schizophrenia is about 1% in population over the age of 18 years. It is among the top ten disabling disorders.

disorder.

A wide variety of techniques namely Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), functional MRI (fMRI), Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) and Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) have been applied to

Research observations through studies from our

understand the brain abnormalities in schizophrenia.

group as well as others conducted elsewhere

Certain established findings are that the brain of a

support the view that the cause for this disorder is

schizophrenia patient is reduced in overall volume

determined by genes as well as environment.

with increase in the size of the ventricles (parts of the

Increasingly, it is becoming established that adverse

brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid). However,

events such as, obstetric complications, maternal

certain parts like hippocampus, superior temporal

infections and similar others, during the prenatal

gyrus and prefrontal cortex seem to be more

development might have a major impact on the

affected than others.

etiology of this disorder. However, it is important to

9.

FEATURE ARTICLE

SCHIZOPHRENIA & HUMAN EVOLUTION: A PANGLOSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Numerous cutting-edge research studies have substantially increased our understanding about the etiology and pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Given the complex and heterogeneous status of schizophrenia, these research findings are yet to be transformed into clinical applications towards diagnosing schizophrenia.

Albert Einstein’s son (R) suffered from Schizophrenia, Isaac Newton (L) developed symptoms of this disorder late in his age

Thus, despite application of several cutting edge research techniques, pathognomonic biological signature for schizophrenia is yet to be ascertained –

Similarly, it has been observed that schizophrenia

the strikingly heterogeneous presentation of this

patients are less likely to have cancer or certain

disorder has been the critical impediment in this area –

autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. All these

in fact, it is possible that ―schizophrenia‖ might

factors support the possibility that the evolutionary

encompass several different disorders rather than a

biological factors that underpin the development of

unitary disorder.

exceptional skills or those that influence various medical diseases interact with the risk for developing

Intriguingly, several researchers believe that at least some proportion of schizophrenia might be an offshoot of human evolution.

schizophrenia. For example, there could be potential persistent antagonistic co-evolutionary processes between genes with conflict of interests. This has been termed as ―Red Queen Effect‖ - which is somewhat similar to Red Queen's race of Lewis Carroll symbolizing

One of the compelling reasons behind this view is

the metaphor of an evolutionary race (in this instance

that despite adverse fertility and fecundity, this disorder

between schizophrenia genes versus cancer genes).

is still persistent over the past thousands of years. Given

Thus, the potential evolutionary underpinnings are

the strong genetic basis of this disorder, one would

inordinately complex.

expect this to have become extinct long time ago – this puzzling observation is also called as the ‗central paradox of schizophrenia‘. Research studies including that of ours suggest that this disorder might be related to various evolutionarily significant factors like acquisition of complex language, creativity / exceptional skills, protection from certain disease conditions such as, cancer and autoimmune disorders.

Red Queen's race of Lewis Carroll symbolizing the metaphor of an evolutionary race (in this instance between schizophrenia genes versus cancer genes)

Certain anecdotal observations like, Albert Einstein‘s son having suffered from schizophrenia, Isaac Newton

Such complex interactions are extended further

developing symptoms of this disorder late in his age, Nobel laureate John Nash having schizophrenia, along

with new dimensions in the context of our recent

with population based studies showing increased

observations in this disorder through research studies

prevalence of exceptional skills in relatives of

supported by India Alliance. For instance, various lines

schizophrenia patients support the creativity-insanity

of evidence argue for a critical role of hippocampus,

link; such a link with adaptive evolutionary factors

the part the brain that stores memories, and its

might have facilitated the persistence of this disorder.

interactions with other brain regions to underlie the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.

Gene-environment interactions in schizophrenia

10.

FEATURE ARTICLE

SCHIZOPHRENIA & HUMAN EVOLUTION: A PANGLOSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Interestingly, the influence of hippocampus

impact on neurodevelopment leading to

becomes especially significant given the ‗stress-

decreased hippocampal volume. Hence, these

diathesis‘ paradigm as an important explanatory

observations pertinent to influence of rs1800795

model for schizophrenia. This ‗stress-diathesis‘

promoter polymorphism on the volume of

paradigm invokes the impact of various

hippocampus were antithetical in controls and

immunobiological parameters (for example –

schizophrenic patients. Such an antithetical

interleukin-6 and various other cytokines) as the

influence which is diametrically opposite in patients

model explains a disorder as a combination of

and controls might support the ―differential

predisposed vulnerability and stress from life

susceptibility‖ model – i.e. – genetic variations

experiences.

which increase vulnerability to psychopathology under adverse environmental conditions, can act

In a recent study done elsewhere that examined

in advantageous ways on psychological

healthy subjects, a genetic modification (rs1800795

functioning when the environment is supportive.

promoter polymorphism) showed a strong main

Such postulates might explain the persistence of

effect of genotype with the volume of the right

gene pool predisposing an individual towards

hippocampus head; homozygous carriers (GG

developing ―evolutionarily disadvantageous‖

polymorphism) of this modification had significantly

disorders like schizophrenia.

larger hippocampal gray matter volumes compared to heterozygous subjects. Our study observation in healthy control group replicates this finding in Indian setting. On the contrary, in schizophrenia patients, the direction of association was reverse – i.e. – the homozygous subjects had overall smaller hippocampal volume. Interestingly, there is some support that this polymorphism might have functional impact on gene expression only in the presence of adverse environmental/social conditions. Thus, it is possible that under the influence of environmental factors, the GG polymorphism might have resulted in deleterious

While observations like these emphasise the importance of evolutionarily-informed approaches in medicine and especially more so in psychiatry, we need rigorous research studies to replicate and establish unequivocal evidence support for such theories. Till then, they may largely be considered as Panglossian perspectives!!

Dr. G. Venkatasubramanian, (MD, PhD) is an additional Professor of Psychiatry and Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance Senior Fellow at the Schizophrenia Clinic & Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, NIMHANS. He is investigating the structural and functional connectivity of hippocampus in Schizophrenia using diffusion tensor imaging & functional magnetic resonance imaging studies.

Read about Venkat‟s research here

11.

(Jensen Walker / Aurora Select)

IN CONVERSATION WITH..

PROF TETSURO MATSUZAWA Professor Tetsuro Matsuzawa of Kyoto University (Japan) has been Director of the Primate Research Institute (KUPRI) since 2006 and was one of the distinguished speakers for our Public Lecture series in 2013. He is known for his research on the chimpanzee mind both in the laboratory and in the wild. In this interview he shares how he developed interest to work with chimpanzees and about his major research contributions.

Why did you become interested in chimpanzees?

Many disciplines try to understand various aspects of the world. However, the world is perceived through our sensory organs. My question concerned

My major at undergraduate level was philosophy.

the constraints of the human way of thinking: how do

I wanted to know about various aspects of the world:

we perceive the world? I decided to leave philosophy

biology, chemistry, history, language, and so on. I

and became instead an experimental psychologist,

could not focus on a single discipline. I thought that

analyzing human binocular perception. Then, I

philosophy would somehow contain all these subjects.

recognized that it was not in fact the eyes but the two

However, students of philosophy were obliged to learn

hemispheres of brain that really saw this world, so I

German, French, Latin, and Greek in the first two years

shifted to neuroscience, examining brain activity in rats

of their studies because all the important books were

in graduate school. This career helped me to get a

written in those languages. I became bored with

position, in 1976, as assistant professor at KUPRI at the

looking at black patterns printed on white pages. I

age of 26. I now wanted to know how nonhuman

preferred climbing mountains, where I could directly

primates see the world — a unique window into the

contact nature. For four years, I spent about 120 days

evolutionary basis of the human mind. A year later,

a year climbing mountains and became a member of

KUPRI launched its own ape-language-like project. The

the Academic Alpine Club of Kyoto (AACK) team. In

first chimpanzee, Ai, arrived in November 1977. From

1973, we first climbed the West peak of

then on, every single day was unique and memorable

Kangchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the

for me. I was amazed by each new finding and

world. During my mountaineering days, I gradually

experience through my daily interactions with Ai. In

came to recognize what the question that really

that sense, it was she who guided me to various

interested me was.

questions about the chimpanzee mind.

12.

IN CONVERSATION WITH..

PROF TETSURO MATSUZAWA

What is your most important finding in recent years and can you explain its significance?

What would you like to do in future?

I have learned a lot from chimpanzees. I feel that it

We published an article on chimpanzee memory in December 2007 in Current Biology, reporting that the working memory of young chimpanzees is better than that of human adults. The task was to memorize Arabic numerals and their positions, briefly presented on a computer monitor. Visit YouTube and search for

is now my turn to work for them. Over the years, I have come to realise that the laboratory study of nonhuman animals should be accompanied by considerations of animal welfare, while field studies should go hand in hand with wildlife conservation. We are facing problems both in Japan and in Africa. There are 348 chimpanzees

‗chimpanzee memory‘ — you will find many of our

in Japan at present. Among them, 72 are ex-biomedical

video clips and see that the chimpanzees‘

research subjects. At the end of 2006, a collaborative

performance is truly astonishing!

effort completely put a stop to the use of chimpanzees for invasive biomedical research in Japan. While this is

This is the clearest evidence that chimpanzees can

good news, it also means that we must now find a way

outperform humans in a cognitive task. Many people

to continue caring for these chimpanzees. To solve the

still hold a kind of naïve belief that humans are superior to nonhuman animals in all intellectual

problem, we created the first chimpanzee sanctuary in Japan. We also founded the Wildlife Research Center of Kyoto University in 2008 to look after the endangered

domains. This is not true. Each species has

species, including the sanctuary chimpanzees, in

developed its own unique way of adapting to the

collaboration with zoos and aquariums. In Africa, the size

environment. It is time to say farewell to the human–

of the Bossou chimpanzee community has dropped to 13

animal dichotomy. Humans are a species within the

individuals following a flu-like epidemic in 2003. We have

animal kingdom. The study of the chimpanzee mind

already started the ‗Green corridor‘ project — a scheme

might provide a good bridge connecting humans to

of planting trees in the savanna that separates the

the rest of the organisms with whom we share this

Bossou community from the neighboring communities of

planet.

Mont Nimba, a World Natural Heritage site. Mont Nimba itself is facing a serious threat from iron ore mining.

Throughout Africa, chimpanzee lives are being threatened by deforestation, poaching and bushmeat trade, and contagious disease: all direct results of human activity. It is not easy to find the ultimate solution for a harmonious coexistence between humans and other organisms. I want to keep things simple— to make my own efforts based on my place in the world.

Step by step, every single day can make a change.

Prof Tetsuro’s work on chimpanzee memory. Click on the image to watch the video

Find out more about Prof Matsuzawa’s work here and in case you missed his engaging India Alliance Public Lecture, here is the link,

13.

VIEWPOINT

LET’S TALK SCIENCE FUNDING: THE ELEPHANT IN THE LAB Science research in India has been hit by

hashtag, #RIPresearch, the reality of Indian

various issues ranging from abysmal funding,

science? These pressing questions must be

poor infrastructure to inferior quality of higher

addressed before it is too late. Science and

science education and resultant brain drain.

human health research needs to become a

Recent protests by PhD students and Post-docs

public as well as a political priority if India wants

for a stipend hike is a perfect case in point that

to make holistic progress. Dr Jeremy Farrar

there is lack of seriousness and willingness when

(Director, Wellcome Trust) has put it very aptly,

it comes to funding scientists and science

― science doesn‘t exist in the vacuum, without

research in general in India. How can our

the society that supports it‖.

scientists perform at par with their colleagues in

In the backdrop of Union Budget 2015, some

other countries when every year the GDP

of our Fellows here highlight the challenges

contribution towards science research, if not

currently burdening Indian science with respect

dwindling, has not risen significantly? How do

to funding and policies and what they think

we nurture scientific talent in India in such a

needs to be done to encourage and facilitate

scenario? Is the recent Twitter trending

scientific growth in India.

Create an Environment for Scientific Research

and applied research. As has been widely stated, we need to devote at least 2 % of GDP and not stagnate at the current 0.8% of GDP for science research. Experimental research needs

Dr Kundan Sengupta, Intermediate Fellow Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune

sophisticated equipment and reagents, which are very expensive when sold in India. Funding is not only needed for enhancing research but also for creating an environment conducive for

Every February, the entire nation waits with

industries, which produce indigenous reagents. I,

trepidation on the year‘s budget and the possible

therefore, wish for at least a doubling of funding

respite it may bring from inflation. A massive defense

for science research and not minor annual

budget as an insurance for keeping the borders safe

increases. I further hope for a budget that focuses

but not enough science budget to keep one‘s

on investing in popularising science and research

intellect secured is a short-sighted approach.

and connecting with the common man to

Although, pay offs from expenditure in science and

address how science despite its esoteric ways

technology are usually not immediately tangible,

continually strives to better human lives world

India will be left far behind if we do not invest

over.

significantly and wisely in both basic

14.

Catalyze ‘Braingain’

No Compromise in Science

Dr Pushpa Kumari, Early Career Fellow, Regional Center for Biotechnology, Gurgaon

Dr Mahak Sharma, Intermediate Fellow Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali

After two consecutive years of austerity, the

As a scientist and a teacher working at the newly-

scientific community in India is expecting a push in

founded Indian Institute of Science Education and

federal

Research (IISER), I constantly find myself in the

spending for science and technology. The average

spotlight, where I am motivating young

science budget for many R&D intensive

undergraduate and PhD students to find the beauty

countries like South Korea, Israel and Japan is about

in the scientific pursuits of discovery and innovation. I

4% of their GDP. Other countries at the forefront of

use examples from the past, where these dreams

science like USA and Germany also spend almost 2%

have led to great discoveries that have ultimately

of their GDP on research. This truly reflects in the

saved millions of lives. However, there is no denying

scientific discoveries and technical innovations

that in today‘s world of technological excellence, to

coming out from these countries. Our neighbour,

implement these dreams, one needs a substantial

China, is investing more in its science budget to

amount of regular funding from either government or

match other technologically advanced countries

private sources. On too many occasions, I feel as an

and has tripled its investment in the last 15 years to

impostor in front of these impressionable minds,

reach 2% of its GDP. In contrast, Indian national

considering realities such as expenditure on research

spending on science and technology is still under 1%

and development (R&D) in India remains at about

of its GDP. In 2014-15, Indian research saw just a 4%

0.9% of GDP, hunger strikes and protests by research

increase in its budget despite an 8% increase in

scholars in the country demanding a hike in their

inflation for the same fiscal year. With increase in

scholarship stipends etc.

economic growth, we would expect increase in budget for science to at least match the inflation if not exceed it, to keep pace with rising costs. In addition to opening new research institutes, funds are required to translate the research done in the

It is time for a change, time for science to rise. My expectation as a young scientist from our government is that I would not have to compromise on experiments and discourage students from trying new ideas because of lack of funds available. Funds

laboratories to reach the common man. With countries like USA and Europe still tight on their R&D budget, India should take advantage of the situation to catalyze brain-gain by luring the Indian community staying abroad. To become leaders in the scientific field, the government would need to initiate schemes such that we will not just ―Make in India‖ but also ―Innovate in India‖.

approved for projects by funding agencies should be released in a quick and timely manner every year, without delay. There should be flexibility under the various budget heads of the grants that allow the scientists to decide on how to spend the funds (including foreign travel for collaborations/conferences), with a justification for the same.

“I dream to just have the luxury of worrying about solving my biological puzzle.” Dr Mahak Sharma

15.

Science Funding and Mechanisms: what a Scientist needs

‘Jugaad’, (not necessarily) the key word for Quality Research

Dr Annapoorni Rangarajan, Senior Fellow Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore

Dr Shital Sarah Ahaley, Early Career Fellow Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune We, as Indians, take pride in our ability for

Last two years have seen grants sanctioned on

‗Jugaad‘. The technical definition of Jugaad is:

paper but not funded in cash. There have been long

‗making existing things work or creating new things

delays in the release of grant extension, timely grant

with meagre resources‘. How often is this true in the

reviews and so on. These are perhaps few of the

lab too? Many a times graduate students resort to

many common grievances of scientists across India

simple lab fixes which are not for the sake of

with respect to science funding mechanisms apart

innovation but to get away with cheaper options

from of course abysmal funding allocation for

due to lack of funding. A decent funding is required

research. Let me point out a few challenges that we,

for high throughput research. With low funding,

the scientists in India, are currently facing and offer

scientists have to resort to ‗Jugaad‘, which in turn

some solutions.

delays the work. Even if the funding is sanctioned,

The quantum of money should be at par with the

the delay in access to it also prevents scientists to

spending. The Indian scientist receives funds for

keep deadlines.

research in Indian rupees and spends in dollars, euros

You give a kid a candy, he will ask for a chocolate;

and pounds. But most of their sanctioned grants are

you give a chocolate, he will ask for a pie. There is

not 60 times more than the equivalent figure in the

always an insatiable demand for more! Our wish for

US? The quantum that reaches the young Indian

the R&D Budget will always be more money, but

scientist after all the cuts, first by scientific committee

what is more important is the distribution of

and followed by finance, is ultimately inadequate to

resources to competitive research and timely

do quality research. If this means increase in budget,

dispersal of money. In addition, sanctioning small

then the change should be made right there.

grants for a year or two is also, in my opinion, an

Today‟s science is technologically driven. The

inefficient use of time and energy and it would be

government provides the funds, and the institutions

fruitful to have grants with more funding sanctioned

purchase equipment. However, the research labs are

for four to five years, with annual reviews. This will

unable to maintain the equipment and as a result

ensure that long term research aims are achieved

they becomes a burden on the Department and the

and there is money and time to solve important

Institution. Therefore, these machines exist on record,

complex biological questions.

but are seldom functional due to lack of an effective mechanism for their maintenance. The people who ultimately suffer from this are the scientists who require these for their day-to-day experiments.

16.

A solution to this problem can be to make

lose these ‗brains‘ again.

"central instrumentation facility" associated

Make in India. Research needs of every lab

with a few top (say 10) national Institutes, run

should be met within India, which is

by contract-based technicians (no

unfortunately not the case at the moment.

permanent staff please!) with attractive

Incentives should be given to companies to

salary as an incentive. This would require

make reagents and research equipment in

increased funding but at the same time will

India, and possibly even distribute and sell it

create more skilled employment

world over.

opportunities.

Young scientists to be part of decision

Influx of talented young scientists has given

making. If youth is the future, then why are

rise to a new phenomenon of ‗brain rain‘ in

they not part of the science funding and

India in the last few years; if this young

policy discussions, why have only select few

community is not nurtured, it will undergo

been given supreme control of the decision-

fruitless combustion. There is a need to

making?

create programmes where we can train

-----

students post their PhDs to become good scientists and allocate funds and institute fellowship schemes for the same. Let us not

Cosmologist and one of the most regarded scientists, Prof Stephen Hawking has very rightly claimed that, ―scientists have become the bearers of the torch of discovery in our quest for knowledge.‖ Let us ensure that Indian science and its torch bearers do not flounder and are part of that quest. And to ensure this we need to make the right decisions for the Indian science at the right time- which is now.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the authors. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of the India Alliance.

17.

INDIA ALLIANCE STAFF CORNER

AJAY PILLAI, Grants Manager Dr Ajay Pillai joined the India Alliance team in 2010 as a Grants Adviser. Soon after joining, he was made to wear the hat of the Science Communication Manager. Ever since then he has spearheaded the SciComm and outreach activities of the organisation along with grant-related duties. He recently hung his SciComm boots and took up the role of the Grants Manager at the India Alliance. In this interview he talks about his scientific beginnings, hidden percussion talents, the person he derives his inspiration from and more.

What is your background?

I hail from Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala. My curiosity in science developed in my school days when I started helping my dad in Pharmaceutical design and manufacturing of soaps, nail polish, thinner, incense sticks, phenyls, lotions and washing powder. I never knew that this exercise would instill an interest to do research until I pursued my undergraduation and postgraduation in Pharmaceutical sciences which was quiet a natural choice.

I pursued my Masters from Gujarat University and worked as a Production officer overseeing the production and quality assurance of small volume parental at CORE group in Ahmedabad. I decided to pursue my PhD in Medicinal Chemistry from Bhavnagar University which is when I also worked for Cadila Pharma on their Medicinal chemistry projects. After my PhD I worked for an year at GVK Bio in their medicinal chemistry department in Hyderabad before accepting

What do you enjoy most about working at the India Alliance?

Well, it is the transparency in our processes which keeps me here. We ensure that, the funds reach the most deserving candidates than desiring candidates.

We are a small group of people trained abroad from different research and cultural settings. The potential we carry is immense and running 6 rounds of fellowships every year does take enormous amount of team work and I am proud that, I am able to chip in. Science communication workshops has picked up in last few years and full credit goes to IA team and mentors.

When I take over Grants and start leading a pool of brilliant and committed people, I realise, this is a great opportunity for mutual learning. My effort would be to identify and respect individual strengths and compliment accordingly.

What are your hobbies/interests?

I am a trained percussionist (Tabla and Mridangam)

a position as an Assistant Professor at MS Ramaiah Institute of Pharmaceutical sciences in Department of

and learnt classical music during my younger days.

Chemistry.

Music is my hobby and I listen to different kinds of

Medicinal chemistry involves synthesis of drugs and

music.

understanding their biological activity. My education in Pharmaceutical sciences also taught me the basics of

Who inspires you (living or dead)?

pharmacology which fascinated me early on, and

Dr Vasudevan Sudarsanam is my favorite person. I

perhaps what motivated me to enter into the field of

met him during my PhD days and got many

biology and undertake multiple projects in Malaria drug

opportunities to discuss and learn from his 30 or so years

discovery and target validation during my Post-doctoral

of industrial research experience. His scientific talks

fellowship at NIH. While there, I also contributed

always inspired me to explore new things in science. Dr

towards initiating collaborations with biologists from

Sudarsanam is a great chemist who hails from Mumbai,

industry.

and contributed immensely to the growth of many small, medium and large scale Pharma firms to distill their thoughts in drug discovery.

18.

EXTERNAL EVENTS

Co-sponsored by the India Alliance

Click on the image for more information

Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance is a public charitable trust registered in India

Descriptions of the images in this issue Drosophila Hematopoietic Organ: the Lymph Gland. The differentiating hemocytes populating the peripheral regions (Green and Blue) arise from the pluripotent stem like precursors (red), which forms the inner core of the gland.

Lolitika Mandal, Intermediate Fellow The immuno-fluorescence image shows tumors (Green) due to loss of tumor suppressor Lgl on wing imaginal disc of Drosophila larva. Note that the domain which has acquired Vestigial (Red) to become the future adult wing is tumor free.

Anjali Bajpai, Early Career Fellow The Dengue virus genome needs to replicate efficiently to sustain a viable infection cycle. The released genomic RNA is bound and copied by the RNA dependent RNA polymerase to generate the new viral RNA. Rahul Roy, Intermediate Fellow

Wellcome images

Scanning electron micropgrap h of red blood

Decline into mental illness – artwork Composite artwork in two halves illustrating the decline into mental illness and the shattering of normal perception.

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Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance is a public charitable trust registered in India