India Alliance Newsletter I Issue 3 I May 2015

News & Views Issue 3, May 2015

EDITORIAL It has been a great joy bringing out the last two issues of the India Alliance newsletter and even more so for receiving encouraging and constructive comments from the readers.

A quick update on these months gone by! On the Fellowship front, we held interviews for our Senior and Intermediate Fellowships (SIF; Basic research scheme) earlier this month, results of which will be announced shortly. Applications for Margdarshi Fellowships and preliminary applications for the Senior and Intermediate Fellowships (SIF; Basic research scheme, Round 2) are closed and currently being processed. Full applications for our Clinical and Public Health Research Fellowships and Research Training Fellowships are also currently under review. April 2015 marked one year since the launch of our one-day Science Communication (SciComm101) workshop. Since its inception, more than 700 PhD students, Postdocs, Clinicians and young faculty have been trained in research ethics , scientific writing and presentation skills. Our Fellow, Dr Mukund Thattai‟s Public Engagement event „Bodystorming hits Bangalore‟ was held in Bangalore starting from April 26 to May 2 (Nature Asia report). Our Fellows continue to make waves in their fields and in the media. Intermediate fellows, Drs Bushra Ateeq and Lolitika Mandal‟s recently published works were widely reported by national newspapers. Felicitations to Dr Arun Shukla for receiving the Innovative Young Biotechnologist Award (IYBA) award from the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.

In our third issue we have announcements for our Early Career Fellowships (basic research scheme) and have also featured some of our recently awarded Fellows. Public Engagement corner includes update on the upcoming Public Lecture by Prof Shankar Balasubramanian (University of Cambridge) as part of the DNA@70 Public Lecture Series and includes the interview of Dr Karen Nelson ((President, The J Craig Venter Institute, Maryland USA) along with some interesting examples of Public Engagement. Read about our Fellows, Drs Bushra Ateeq, Vikram Mathews and Lolitika Mandal‟s recently published work in India Alliance Research Highlight section. This issue also features our Intermediate Fellow, Dr Mahak Sharma in the India Alliance Fellow Spotlight section. Our Early Career Fellow, Dr Rajiv Sarkar, takes us through his field research in the Jawadhu Hills in an insightful article titled „Hooking the Hookworms in the hills of Tamil Nadu‟. Renowned academic philosopher, Prof Thomas Metzinger shares with us in an interview, his views on the challenges in his field, about his initiative OPEN Mind and gives great advice to young researchers. In the opinion piece, „Stay weird, stay different‟, our Grants Adviser, Dr Bela Desai provide historical and modern day perspectives on women in STEM fields in India. Finally, the India Alliance Staff Corner section features our Operations Manager, Mrs Saritha Vincent, who talks about her experience at the India Alliance and much more.

As always, heartfelt appreciation for the above-mentioned people, without their contribution this issue would have never been possible. A special note of gratitude this time to Dr Bushra Ateeq for providing us with the research image for the cover and for its general use in this issue.

I hope you enjoy reading the third issue and as ever, I look forward to receiving your comments, suggestions and contributions!

Sarah Iqbal Public Engagement Officer Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance

CONTENTS

1

CALL FOR INDIA ALLIANCE FELLOWSHIP APPLICATIONS Early Career Fellowships (Basic research scheme)

2 INDIA ALLIANCE NEW INTERMEDIATE FELLOWS 3 INDIA ALLIANCE SCICOMM WORKSHOPS 4

INDIA ALLIANCE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT CORNER DNA@70 Public Lecture Series, Trick or Treat (Medicine Corner), Wellcome Image Awards

7

INDIA ALLIANCE RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Featuring recent research articles of Fellows, Drs Bushra Ateeq, Vikram Mathews & Lolitika Mandal

11

INDIA ALLIANCE FELLOW SPOTLIGHT Dr Mahak Sharma, India Alliance Intermediate Fellow

13 FEATURE ARTICLE

Hooking the Hookworm in the hills of Tamil Nadu

by Dr Rajiv Sarkar, India Alliance Early Career Fellow

17

IN CONVERSATION WITH..

Prof Thomas Metzinger, Director of the Theoretical Philosophy Group Department of Philosophy at the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany

18

VIEWPOINT Stay Weird, Stay Different: On women in STEM fields

by Dr Bela Desai, Grants Adviser, India Alliance

21

INDIA ALLIANCE STAFF CORNER Mrs Saritha Vincent, Operations Manager, India Alliance

22

EXTERNAL EVENTS

INDIA ALLIANCE FELLOWSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS Early Career Fellowships in Biomedical Research

Recommended Awardees for Early Career Fellowship (Basic) from February 2015 interview round

Deadline: June 16, 2015 This scheme provides a unique opportunity for the most promising postdoctoral researchers to carry out research in India. Applicants are expected to identify an important biomedical research question and design a project that would help answer this question. The proposal would also suggest how the proposed work would help develop the applicant's future independent research program.

Submitted proposals are expected to be globally

Dr Laasya Samhita National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore Dr Reety Arora National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore Dr Neeraj Kumar Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar , Ahmedabad Dr Md. Zahid Kamal National Centre for Cell Sciences, Pune

competitive.

Eligibility:

• Applicant need not be an Indian national to apply for these Fellowships.

• There are no age restrictions.

• Applicant need not be resident in India while applying, but should be willing to establish an independent research career in India.

• Applicant must be in the final year of PhD or have no more than four years of post-PhD research experience from the date of PhD viva to the full application submission deadline.

• Applicant can have a PhD in any discipline of science.

• A not-for-profit host institution in India that will administer the fellowship for the full duration (5 years) of the award.

• The applicant and the host institute will have to abide by the India Alliance policies on time commitment.

Please read more about the eligibility at http://wellcomedbt.org/early.html

Dr Madhu Khatri University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Panjab University, Chandigarh Dr Lakshmi Revathy Perumalsamy Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai

Preliminary applications due by 15 June, 2015 Application forms are available on the India Alliance online application System (IASys) at https://fellowships.wellcomedbt.org/Login.aspx Please visit our website http://www.wellcomedbt.org for further information on the application process. Please write to us with queries to info@wellcomedbt.org

1.

INDIA ALLIANCE

NEW INTERMEDIATE FELLOWS Meet our new Intermediate Fellows! To find out more about their background and research, click on their names.

Dr R Mahalakshmi

Dr Minhaj Sirajuddin

Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Bangalore

Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal Molecular Origin of Human VDAC-2 Structure, Function and Regulation: Investigation From Micelles to Bilayers Using Biophysical and Biochemical Approaches

Structure and function studies of sarcomere proteins implicated in cardiomyopathies

Dr Sunil Laxman

Dr Mithilesh Mishra

Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Bangalore

Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai Molecular understanding of the process of cytokinesis

Nutrient sensing and regulation of cell fate

Dr Arati Ramesh

National Center for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore Structural mechanisms of RNAmediated gene regulation in bacteria

Dr Jeet Kalia

Indian Institute of Scientific Education and Research (IISER) Pune Elucidating the role of lipids in ion channel function

Dr Nikhil Patkar

Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai Acute Myeloid Leukemia and the Dynamics of Relapse

2.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SCIENCE COMMUNICATION WORKSHOPS

SciComm Hyderabad

SciComm101

Two-day Science Communication Workshop We are pleased to announce our

12th

In March and April, 2015, five one-day Science Communication workshops (SciComm101) were conducted at Annamalai University, IIT Kanpur,

two-day

Aligarh Muslim University and AIIMS Bhopal, where

Science Communication Workshop that will be

more than 250 MPhil, PhD students, Postdoctoral

held in Hyderabad on 14-15 September, 2015.

scientists and clinicians were trained. Apart from the

Applications for this workshop will be available

participants from host institutions, attendees came

from our website shortly.

from various other academic and research establishments, such as, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth University, Rajah Muthiah Medical College & Hospital, Pondicherry University, University of Madras, Bharathiyar University, Vels University, National Institute of Research in Tuberculosis, Thiruvalluvar University, BMHRC, People's Institute of Medical Sciences Bhopal, MANIT, Bhopal MPCST, Bhopal Lady Hardinge Medical College Delhi, AIIMS Delhi, Government Dental College Indore, GMH & SSMC Rewa, MPCD & RC Jabalpur.

For more details visit "Scicomm Workshop" under "Quick Links" on our website

3.

INDIA ALLIANCE

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT CORNER DNA @ 70 PUBLIC LECTURE SERIES 17 June, 2015 New Delhi

20-21 March, 2015 18 June, 2015 Bangalore

Shankar Balasubramanian in front of a mural in his office representing quadruplex DNA, called „Living by the code‟ by artist Annie Newman. - See more at: http://goo.gl/KhtfwJ. Photo credit: University of Cambridge

Prof Shankar Balasubramanian (Herchel Smith Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Cambridge) will be giving a talk on „Decoding human genomes on a population scale‟ on June 17 and 18 at India International Center, New Delhi (6.30 PM) and IISc , Bangalore (TBA) respectively. Find out more about his research here.

The India Alliance is celebrating the discovery of DNA through a series of public lectures across India. The speakers of this lectures series so far have been Prof W Ian Lipkin (Professor at Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University), Prof Nadrian Seeman (Margaret and Herman Sokol Professor of Chemistry, New York University) and Dr Karen Nelson (President, The J Craig Venter Institute, Maryland USA).

e-interview

DR KAREN NELSON

IA: What motivated you to become a Scientist?

Karen: I always had a fascination with science and nature from the earliest stages of my life that I can remember IA: If you were not a Scientist you would be... a writer IA: What led to your interest in the field of Microbiome research?

Karen: I have always studied the microbes associated with the environment and human health. The inability to cultivate the vast majority of microbial species in nature always hindered our abilities to understand them. By being able to perform high-throughput sequencing of microbial communities without cultivating the species present (metagenomics) we opened the field of microbiology significantly, increase our ability to interpret microbial diversity, evolution, and metabolic capabilities.

IA: Where do you see this field heading in the next decade or so?

Karen: New clinical treatments, diagnostics, plant growth enhancers, microbes that can clean up the environment etc.

IA: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Karen: In the long run, grades don‟t matter so stop focusing on them.

IA: Your message for young Scientists.

Karen: Do what you love, love what you do, and find the best possible mentors.

Find out more about Dr Karen Nelson‟s research here

4.

INDIA ALLIANCE

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT CORNER

Trick or Treat?

Artists explore the informal healthcare system in India BLOT! (Basic Love Of Things) are India‟s foremost underground electronic music and mixed media live act comprised of Delhibased duo Avinash Kumar and Gaurav Malaker . BLOT! received a Wellcome Trust International Engagement Award 2015 for their project proposal - ‘Trick or Treat’. The award provides funding for innovative public or community engagement projects that explore biomedical research or health in Africa and Asia.

With this award, BLOT! will continue their exploration of informal medicine in India - looking to amplify their investigations through research, participation, and engagement with communities of users and providers of informal medicine. They will also link the worlds of public health and popular media though collaborations with doctors, artists, designers and researchers, together looking at manners in which research on healthcare access, informal medicine and frugal medical technology can be presented to the public in engaging ways.

They wrote about their experiences of exploring the Delhi streets for informal healthcare practitioners and learnings from this project in Sunday Guardian. And if you still have not seen their creative video for this project, click here.

Artwork by BLOT! and their collaborators that included a comic artist, sign painter and an illustrator for their Public Engagement project „Trick or Treat‟.

5.

INDIA ALLIANCE

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT CORNER

Wellcome Image Awards

Every year „Wellcome Images‟, part of the Wellcome Trust family, organises a biomedical image competition where the winning entries from around the world are displayed at a public exhibition in London and at major science centres across the UK. The results of the 14th Wellcome Image Awards were displayed in London on March 16, 2015. Here are some of the winning entries. To see all the winning images and learn more about these awards and images please visit WELLCOME IMAGES.

Cat tongue DAVID LINSTEAD

Mouse brain LUIS DE LA TORRE-UBIETA

Pollen grains MAURIZIO DE ANGELIS

Delivering medicine to the brain KHULOUD T AL-JAMAL, SERENE TAY AND MICHAEL CICIRKO

OVERALL Winner Pregnant pony uterus MICHAEL FRANK

Newly discovered parasitoid wasp ANDREW POLASZEK

Fruit-fly nervous system ALBERT CARDONA

6.

INDIA ALLIANCE

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

First study to report the genetic profile of Prostate Cancer patients in India Dr Bushra Ateeq

Intermediate Fellow, IIT Kanpur We provided the first comprehensive report

molecular switch is OFF, but due to various factors the

demonstrating the prevalence of various genetic

genes get modified turning ON the switch, which results

alterations among prostate cancer (PCa) patients in

in driving the development of tumors. Prostate cancer is

the country, with the goal in mind that this data will aid

very heterogenous in nature. Sometimes, more than

clinicians to diagnose, decide and select the most

one cellular pathway or genetic alteration may be

effective and precise therapy for the affected.

involved in a patient. And because of the

Traditionally pathology test under the microscope

heterogenous nature of the disease, patients with

remains the best way to predict how tumor will behave,

similar diagnoses may exhibit different outcomes.

however, the technological advancements in

Therefore, approach to treat the patient should be

biomedical research (such as genetic tests) could

individually tailored. Like they say, one size does not fit

improve cancer diagnosis and treatment. For example,

all. The clinicians could categorize the cancer

Oncotype Dx test for breast cancer could help in

according to the genetic alterations and administer

predicting the aggressiveness of the disease based on

drugs specific to the pathway in the cell that is involved

stage of the disease, estrogen receptor, progesterone

or activated due to those particular genetic changes.

receptor and HER2 status etc. Likewise, similar genetic

For example, the patients displaying rearrangements in

tests are much needed for prostate cancer diagnosis as

the RAF gene (shown to be ~5.5 % in our study) may

well, where each cancer patient could undergo a

respond to FDA-approved RAF inhibitory drugs. In

panel of tests, for diagnosis of cancer; which would

addition, our report also highlights similarity in the gene

help figure out what is the best treatment option for

alterations between patients of the Indian and

them. At least, that is the hope from “personalized

Caucasian races. On the other hand, Indian cohorts

medicine�.

differed from Japanese and Chinese patients with regards to some of the alterations suggesting racial

Our current study provides an initial genetic categorization of prostate cancer in the patient population that could aid in clinical decision-making for the pursuit of surgical, targeted therapy, hormonal and/or chemo and radiation. In about 50-60% of the prostate cancer cases, the genes are distorted or rearranged in a fashion that they act like a switch for

disparity and differences at the molecular level in prostate cancer.

Molecular profiling of ETS and non-ETS aberrations in prostate cancer patients from northern India.

Ateeq B, Kunju LP, Carskadon SL, Pandey SK, Singh G, Pradeep I, Tandon V, Singhai A, Goel A, Amit S, Agarwal A, Dinda AK, Seth A, Tsodikov A, Chinnaiyan AM, Palanisamy N Prostate

NDTV report http://goo.gl/aL10p8

tumor growth. Initially, under normal conditions the

7.

INDIA ALLIANCE

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

I. Acute Myeloid Leukaemia: Challenges and real world data from India Dr Vikram Mathews

Senior Fellow, Christian Medical College, Vellore

It is well recognized that there are significant

proceed with standard therapy and the clinical

financial challenges in treating acute myeloid

outcome of those receiving standard of care and to

leukaemia (AML). From the available data, the cost

analyze the potential challenges in each of these

of treating AML in a developed country varies from

areas.

USD 80,000 to >150,000/patient. These figures have to be put in context with the fact that 70% of the

In a two-year prospective study at our centre

countries in the world which contribute to >75% of the

there were 380 newly diagnosed AML (excluded

world‟s population have a gross national income

AML-M3) patients. The median age of newly

(GNI)/capita of less than USD 10,000 and in many of

diagnosed patients was 40 years (range: 1-79; 12.3%

these countries the cost of medical care is met by self

were ≤ 15 years, 16.3% were ≥ 60 years old) and there

payment.

were 244 (64.2%) males. The median duration of symptoms prior to first presentation at our hospital was

While India has access to highly skilled medical

4 weeks (range: 1-52). The median distance from

professionals and institutes that can provide state of

home to hospital was 580 kms (range: 6-3200). 109

the art medical care comparable to the best in the

(29%) opted for standard of care and were admitted

world, these are often limited to major cities and are

for induction chemotherapy. Of the 271 that did not

inaccessible to the poor. India is ranked 135 among

take treatment the major reason was lack of financial

countries of the world in terms of the human

resources in 219 (81%). There were 27 (24.7%)

development index (HDI) which assesses long term

inductions deaths and of these 12 (44.5%) were due

progress in health and social well-being of a country.

to multidrug resistant gram negative bacilli and in 12

Only 1.2% of the country‟s GDP goes towards health

(44.5%) there was evidence of a fungal infection. The

and an estimated 55% of the population in India is

overall survival at one year was 70.4% ± 10.7%, 55.6% ±

poor by the multidimensional poverty index (MPI). It is

6.8% and 42.4% ± 15.6% in patients ≤ 15 years, >15 to

estimated that 80% of medical expenses is met by out

<60 years and in ≥ 60 years age groups respectively.

of pocket expenses resulting in approximately 39

In conclusion the biggest constraint is the cost of

million people falling below the poverty line every

treatment and the absence of a health security net

year. It is widely recognized that there is significant

to treat all patients with this diagnosis.

under diagnosis and under reporting of AML in India and that a substantial proportion of patients do not receive standard of care therapy. However, these issues have never been systematically evaluated. The objective of this descriptive study was to document

Acute myeloid leukaemia: Challenges and real world data from India. Chepsy Philip, Biju George, Abhijeet Ganapule, Anu Korula, Punit Jain, Ansu Abu Alex, Kavitha M. Lakshmi, Usha Sitaram, Fouzia N. Abubacker, Aby Abraham, Auro Viswabandya, Vivi M. Srivastava, Alok Srivastava, Poonkuzhali Balasubramanian, Vikram Mathews. British Journal of Haematology

the number of newly diagnosed AML patients over a fixed period of time, the proportion that did not

8.

INDIA ALLIANCE

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

II. Insights into mechanisms of resistance in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a sub-type

at the differential pattern of gene expression

of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) which is very

between these two groups and found 1744 genes

effectively treated with arsenic trioxide (ATO),

were 2-fold and above differentially expressed

usually in combination with other drugs. It is of

between the two groups. The most prominent

special relevance to us in India since single agent

differentially regulated pathways were cell

ATO based regimens is a cost effective approach

adhesion (n=92), cell survival (n=50), immune

to treat this otherwise rapidly fatal leukemia. Of

regulation (n=74) and stem cell regulation (n=51).

some concern are the reports of resistance to

Consistent with this data, immunophenotyping

ATO, especially in patients who have been

revealed significantly increased CD34 expression

previously treated with this agent. To evaluate this

in RAPL cases and there was in-vitro evidence of

we compared multiple clinical and laboratory

significant microenvironment mediated innate

parameters of patients with APL at diagnosis and

resistance (EM-DR) to ATO. In RAPL additional

those that relapse after prior treatment with ATO

factors such as expansion of the leukemia

and asked the question what are the changes in

initiating compartment along with EM-DR may

the malignant cells at relapse. There is limited

contribute significantly to relapse following

data on the clinical, cellular and molecular

treatment with ATO based regimens. The latter is

changes in relapsed acute promyelocytic

of special interest to us since we believe it can be

leukemia (RAPL) in comparison with newly

targeted for therapy in future. Hence combining

diagnosed cases (NAPL). We undertook a

agents that can overcome EM-DR along with ATO

prospective study to compare NAPL and RAPL

could improve the clinical outcomes of patients

patients treated with ATO based regimens. 98

with relapsed APL.

NAPL and 28 RAPL were enrolled in this study.

RAPL patients had a significantly lower white cell count and higher platelet count at diagnosis.

Intra-cranial bleeds, which is relatively common in this condition, was significantly lower in RAPL cases. The ability of malignant promyelocytes to concentrate ATO intracellularly and their in-vitro

Comparison of newly diagnosed and relapsed patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia treated with arsenic trioxide: insight into mechanisms of resistance. Chendamarai E, Ganesan S, Alex AA, Kamath V, Nair SC, Nellickal AJ, Janet NB, Srivastava V, Lakshmi KM, Viswabandya A, Abraham A, Aiyaz M, Mullapudi N, Mugasimangalam R, Padua RA, Chomienne C, Chandy M, Srivastava A, George B, Balasubramanian P, Mathews V.

One

sensitivity to ATO was not significantly different between the two groups. We attempted to look

9.

PLoS

INDIA ALLIANCE

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

The adult fruit-fly harbors a simpler version of the vertebrate bone marrow Dr Lolitika Mandal

Intermediate Fellow, IISER, Mohali

My research group uses fruit flies as model to unravel the genes active during blood cell formation or

normal to aberrant hematopoiesis, or questions related to development, stem cell biology and immunity.

hematopoiesis. Blood cells are formed from a class of stem cells called pluripotent heamatopoietic stem cells that are housed in specialized microenvironment/niche within the bone marrow. My group is actively involved in deciphering signals that are required to set up and maintain the niche.

Active Hematopoietic Hubs in Drosophila Adults Generate Hemocytes and Contribute to Immune Response Saikat Ghosh, Arashdeep Singh, Sudip Mandal, Lolitika Mandal. Development Cell In Media: The Indian Express: Scientists discover human marrow version in fruit fly. http://google.com/newsstand/s/CBIwm8HyiiI

The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has a simpler genetic system that helps us understand how comparable systems work in higher organisms such as vertebrates. The last decade of work on Drosophila hematopoiesis has contributed significantly to our understanding of the blood cell biology. However, all our information regarding fly hematopoiesis takes into account the immature stages of development.

Using this model system our group has recently characterized the different cell types present in adult fruit fly, their origin and their functionality and in the process has also demonstrated that the hematopoietic events that include origin, maturation, expansion and homing of precursors are highly conserved between the flies and vertebrates. Moreover, the sites of hematopoietic activity which we named as “hematopoietic hub” houses different lineage biased precursors just like the bone marrow of vertebrates. Strikingly, the extracellular matrix or “the cementing material” between the cells is also identical in both fly and vertebrate. These significant conservations project Drosophila adult hematopoietic hub as a simple version of vertebrate bone marrow.

Given the fact that the vertebrate bone marrow is not easily accessible, this discovery has an immense potential. Using this simpler yet genetically testable

These active hematopoietic sites share several characteristics of the vertebrate bone marrow and can be thus used to address questions related to normal and aberrant hematopoiesis, stem cells, immunity, wound healing and aging.

model, researchers can now pose queries ranging from

10.

INDIA ALLIANCE FELLOW SPOTLIGHT

MAHAK SHARMA Intermediate Fellow, IISER Mohali

Dr Mahak Sharma is an Assistant Professor and Wellcome Trust/DBT Intermediate Fellow in the Department of Biological Sciences at the Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (IISER), Mohali, India. Her group studies the molecular mechanisms regulating membrane trafficking towards late endosomes and lysosomes, and how intracellular pathogens modulate these trafficking pathways for their own survival. In this interview she talks about her research, the person who inspires her and what keeps her going everyday..

What are you working on and what impact do you hope it will have?

Lysosomes are membrane-bound compartments that are present in all eukaryotes and their main function is to degrade nutrients and recycle their contents. Lysosomes also help in clearance of

target lysosomal machinery. These findings will facilitate discovery of new small molecule drugs that can work against the mechanisms that bacteria use for infection and colonization in our body.

What inspired you to become a scientist?

bacteria that infect our cells, such as Salmonella and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. More recently, the role

The greatest inspiration in my life to choose science

of lysosomes has been found to be very important in

as a career has been my mother. My mother, who is

removal of protein aggregates from cells that

a doctor by profession, is probably the most

ultimately lead to disorders associated with aging

inquisitive, excited and curious person that I know of,

including Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x;s and Parkinsonâ&#x20AC;&#x;s diseases.

and my continued discussions with her have

However, the mechanisms by which these diverse

eventually led to my deep-rooted interests in

cargoes are delivered to lysosomes are not

biological sciences and experimental research.

completely understood. The research being done in

When I was a kid, she would demonstrate to both me

my lab aims to answer these questions in order to

and my sister several textbook concepts using the

gain further understanding of how cargo delivery to

natural surroundings as her laboratory. She is the best

lysosome is regulated and what are the underlying

teacher that I can truly find anywhere. Even today,

proteins that help in this process. We hope that by

she gives me fantastic inputs on how to give my

identification of novel players and of mechanisms by

scientific lectures to diverse audiences and that has

which cargo selection to lysosomes occurs, we will

always helped in receiving good feedback for my

be able to understand how function of this organelle

lectures from my peers, undergraduate and school

is regulated in health and disease. It is interesting to

students. Also my PhD advisor, Dr Steve Caplan, has

note that several intracellular pathogenic bacteria

been an excellent role model for me both as a

target lysosomal proteins and disrupt or alter their

scientist and as a person. I continue to learn from him

function for their own growth and survival inside our

how to run and manage my lab but to also give time

cells. We are also working on to understand the

to my hobbies and life outside the lab.

complex mechanisms by which bacterial proteins

11.

Mahak with her research group

How has Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance funding helped you and your research?

The Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance Intermediate

views” or “The Scientist” gets me fascinated. My day starts with a good cup of coffee (not the sugar syrup supplied by the Nescafe machine at the reception) and my daily dose of science stories on Nature news

Fellowship has played a crucial role in setting up my

and views which is my web homepage or a new issue

research program at IISER Mohali. My laboratory

of “The Scientist”. I feel that the ability to self-renew

heavily relies upon confocal microscopy experiments,

oneself with ideas, enthusiasm and passion for

mammalian cell culture techniques and other routine

science is must to continue in this profession.

biochemical and molecular biology approaches. The

Otherwise, it is easy to lose yourself in a sea of

availability of funds from this fellowship is helping my

responsibilities as a mentor and as a lab manager and

laboratory to ask several important and novel

the huge challenges that are associated with these

questions and consequently, we are able to delve

aspects of an academic position in science.

deeper into the mechanisms that regulate cargo delivery to lysosomes, a topic that greatly interests me. One of the most important things that I was able

A

B

to accomplish with this significant amount of funding (that would not have been possible through any other grants/fellowships) is procurement of a confocal microscope which is the most routinely used equipment in the lab and which allows us to obtain crucial data to test our hypotheses. I should also acknowledge that being awarded this prestigious fellowship has been extremely beneficial in attracting talented students and postdoctoral applicants for my laboratory which has further helped my research.

What keeps you going everyday?

Salmonella, the causative agent of typhoid is an intracellular pathogen that infects and builds its home inside the host cell by acquiring membrane from the endo-lysosomal pathway.

(A) Salmonella typhimurium (rod-shaped, seen in green) forms characteristic membrane-bound filaments known as Salmonella-induced filaments (Sifs) that are detected by lysosomal protein LAMP1 (seen in red). HOPS complex subunits play a crucial role in Sif formation and reduction of any of the HOPS subunits (by siRNA) impairs Sif formation (B, see lack of filament compartment in red)

I am an avid reader, and any new exciting findings that I read on websites such as “Nature news and

12.

FEATURE ARTICLE

Hooking the Hookworm in the hills Of Tamil Nadu Deworming a high prevalence group in India: experiences and challenges in a community-based cluster randomised trial Dr Rajiv Sarkar

Hookworms are one of the most common intestinal

population (school-age children, women of

worm infections worldwide, mostly affecting deprived

childbearing age and adults in certain occupations)

communities. They are transmitted by eggs in soil

using antihelminthic drugs. However, following

contaminated with the faeces of an infected person.

deworming, people often get re-infected with

Walking barefoot on contaminated soil is the

approximately 60% re-infected one year after

commonest way of acquiring infection.

treatment. Hence, there is a need to evaluate alternate treatment strategies that can maintain the

An estimated 71 million people are infected with

worm load at levels low enough to interrupt

hookworm in India, accounting for 12% of the global

transmission. We are now testing a modified mass

disease burden. Hookworm infestation is a leading

deworming regimen using multiple rounds of

cause of anaemia and malnutrition in developing

treatment with albendazole (a commonly used

countries. Worm infections are believed to also cause

antihelminthic drug) in 45 tribal villages in southern

long term effects including a delayed cognitive

India.

development which could have major impact on the economic productivity in low and middle income countries. Since these are not problems of the wealthier world, little attention has been devoted to ways of controlling these infections and soiltransmitted helminth infections are classified as neglected tropical diseases by the World Health Organisation.

The current global strategy for control of hookworms is periodic deworming of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;at riskâ&#x20AC;?

Microscopic image of hookworm egg and an adult hookworm

13.

INDIA ALLIANCE FEATURE ARTICLE

HOOKING THE HOOKWORM IN THE HILLS OF TAMIL NADU

The study area Our study site is a hilly tribal area straddling Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts of Tamil Nadu.

It has about 250 villages, with a population of approximately 80,000; each village is of 15 to 100 houses, scattered over a larger area than seen in villages in the plains. The community is predominantly agrarian and the area has poor road access; many villages can only be reached by foot. There is lack of safe water and no toilets; hence, open air defecation is a common practice.

It is likely that this practice, along with limited footwear usage and lack of access to healthcare services, has resulted in high rates of hookworm

The study area

infestation.

accredited social health activists (ASHA) to sensitise the local health authorities.

Selecting the study villages

The game plan

Before deciding on where the study was going

The study villages span a very large

to be done two steps were needed: permission to

geographical area (approximately 70 km between

enter the village had to be obtained from the

the two farthest villages), on a hilly terrain with

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ooranâ&#x20AC;? (traditional headman) of the village; and

poorly maintained roads. Hence, travel between

village meetings had to be held to explain the

two villages takes time. For logistical convenience,

interventions and procedures that would be

we divided the study area into smaller zones; each

followed. This was done with the help of the field

zone consisted of five villages. Recruitment started

team so that they could get to know and relate well

from the farthest zone, moving on to the next

with the villagers. In addition, because this was a

congruous zone and then the next, until all the

public health intervention trial in a vulnerable and

zones were covered.

marginalised population, permission had to be obtained from the state and district health

We started with extensive protocol and ethics

authorities. This was an interesting process; on our

training of the study personnel; all the study forms

multiple visits to Chennai, we learned that the

were pre-tested and modified so that they were

governmental authorities are very concerned about

easily understandable in the local language. A

these populations, but lack of access meant that

door-to-door survey was conducted to enumerate

several services could not be delivered to this

the population and include them in a master

remote population. We also organised meetings

database which was used to identify

with the local primary health centre staff, including

eligible participants and get their consent to

village health nurses and

participate in the deworming campaigns.

14.

INDIA ALLIANCE FEATURE ARTICLE

HOOKING THE HOOKWORM IN THE HILLS OF TAMIL NADU

At the laboratory the samples are cross-checked

Since the study started, we have devised a study management system that tries to rapidly identify

against the sample transfer form, sorted and

and solve problems. We conduct weekly field

processed.

meetings to discuss timelines and impediments,

Challenges: anticipated and unanticipated

where we actively seek feedback from the field team to ensure smooth day-to-day functioning. The

Any large-scale intervention is fraught with

villagers are also updated through regular follow-up

challenges and this study was no exception. An 8-

visits.

year old child developed severe allergic reaction immediately after consuming the deworming tablet.

We had a vehicle available for such emergencies, hence, we were able to rush him to the local primary healthcare centre a small distance away; he recovered completely within a few hours. In another instance, a person who complained of severe stomach ache a few days after consuming the deworming tablet had to be rushed to the Christian Medical College (CMC) hospital casualty in Vellore; he was later diagnosed with appendicitis.

While these and other difficulties, such as the

A village meeting

difficult terrain or the short working window to reach participants, were anticipated at planning, there

A typical day at work

were unanticipated challenges too. In one village,

As an agrarian community, the villagers leave

many were embarrassed to handle stool sample

before seven in the morning to work in the fields and

containers or carry them back home despite the

return quite late in the evenings, usually by sunset.

covers that were provided. In consultation with the

The study personnel reach the village early and by 11

participants, we identified common “drop zones”

am, the field team returns with completed forms and

where the samples were left for collection by the

faecal (stool) samples for testing. At the field office, a

field team. Rumours about voodoo or black magic

sample transfer form is prepared; the faecal samples

being performed on the stool samples were dealt

are packed into ice boxes and transported to the

with by inviting some participants for a visit of the

laboratory in Vellore, 60 km away. At the laboratory

laboratory. Other challenges include the

the samples are cross-checked against the sample

community practice of not allowing “outsiders”

transfer form, sorted and processed. The study

(non-tribal people) during village festivals or if there

personnel reach the village early and by 11 am, the

is a death in the village, emigration to neighbouring

field team returns with completed forms and faecal

states for short-term employment (usually for 2-3

(stool) samples for testing. At the field office, a

weeks), and low sample collection on rainy days

sample transfer form is prepared; the faecal samples

(because of open air defecation).

are packed into ice boxes and transported to the laboratory in Vellore, 60 km away.

15.

INDIA ALLIANCE FEATURE ARTICLE

HOOKING THE HOOKWORM IN THE HILLS OF TAMIL NADU

The active phase of recruitment and the mass deworming is now complete; the data collection is expected to be completed by November 2015.

Meeting the challenges of co-ordinating such a largescale study, and the community insights gained through close interactions with the field team and the participants have been an invaluable learning experience for me; a fond memory that I will cherish for a very long time.

Dr Rajiv Sarkar is a Field data collection

Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance Early Career Fellow

Lessons learnt

based at Christian Medical

Over the years, the Community Health Department

College, Vellore. His current

(CHD) of CMC, Vellore has built a rapport with the

research focuses on the

local communities through its community outreach

epidemiology and control of

programs. In continuance with this effort, we

hookworm infection in an

extended our hands to the villagers, even for

endemic southern Indian tribal

problems unrelated to the study. During an outbreak

community.

of malaria in one of the study villages, health camps were organized by the CHD to treat the affected. This, along with the active and ongoing community engagement through regular village visits and meetings have gone a long way in ensuring high levels of participation and support by the villagers.

16.

IN CONVERSATION WITH..

Prof Thomas Metzinger Professor Thomas Metzinger is a German philosopher and Director of the Theoretical Philosophy Group in the Department of Philosophy at the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany. His research areas of interest include analytical philosophy of the mind, philosophy of cognitive science, philosophical problems of neuroscience and applied ethics. He was one of the distinguished speakers for our „Evolution of Human Mind‟ Public Lecture series in 2013.

Would you also call yourself a scientist?

If you were not an academic philosopher, you would be...

Actually I am not a scientist, but a professor of philosophy! However, one of my projects over the last three decades has been to open analytical philosophy of mind to interdisciplinary cooperation with neuroscientists, artificial intelligence-researchers and cognitive scientists. As a private person, I am also a long-term meditator. One reason I came to India early on was to attend the talks of Jiddu Krishnamurti in Madras. So, if I had not been an academic

We also wanted to try and generate first-class, peerreviewed content without a publisher and a journal and give it away for free to the whole world. Now we even have the best of both worlds: The MIT Press will print the whole collection as a book and publish it later this year. I call it the “Have your cake and eat it too”-publication model.

What is the best advise you have ever received?

Probably that everything that creates a sense of effort is wrong.

philosopher, I might possibly have gone more into this direction.

Your message for young students and researchers.​

What according to you are the challenges in your field?

Be professional. Try to make a serious contribution

To break down what is called “the problem of

your very own interests and research goals as long as

consciousness” into a catalogue of detailed,

you can, don‟t be infected by trends or traditions.

operationalizable research questions that can be

Make no compromises, but always stay self-critical

tackled by multiple disciplines of multiple levels of

and cultivate intellectual honesty. Do not lie to

description at the same time - this has been dubbed

yourself, and do not participate in overheated

the “method of interdisciplinary constraint

academic competition just for the sake of

satisfaction”. It think the core issue, however, is what it

competition itself; intellectual superiority is not the

means that conscious experience often is

same as insight. Combine your academic

“subjective”, i.e., tied to an individual first-person

endeavours with a personal practice of exploring the

perspective. What is that? I have tried to make some

deep structure of your own mind from the inside as

contributions towards a theory of self-consciousness,

well - and never forget for a single day that the

for example in my MIT Press book “Being No One”.

greatest challenge your generation and mankind as

What is OPEN MIND? It is an experiment, and in many ways: Jennifer Windt and myself tried to let very young philosophers write commentaries on established senior scientists, who are famous luminaries in their own field. The basic ideas behind the project are explained here: http://open-mind.net/about.

that advances the knowledge of mankind. Stick to

a whole have to face is climate change.

Please visit Open MIND website to access collection of original papers, commentaries and replies covering a cross-section of ongoing, cutting-edge research in philosophy and cognitive science. It is a free online resource http://open-mind.net/about

17.

VIEWPOINT

Stay Weird, Stay Different on women in STEM fields Dr Bela Desai

A historical perspective

circumstances to do what they loved. Most of them endured prolonged

Nine hundred years ago, Bhaskaracharya wrote a treatise on geometrical progressions, solving of

times of separation

indeterminate equations and other advanced

from their young

mathematical problems. This treatise was addressed

children and/or

to and named after his daughter – Lilāvati. Ancient

husbands. Others

India clearly did not object to women taking an

had to resort to

interest in mathematics. Historically, women have

bringing the kids with

had a hard time in the STEM (Science, Technology,

them to the lab if

Engineering and Mathematics) fields in India. Even as

they had to finish

late as the 1930s, a Nobel Laureate in a premier

their time-bound

research institute in India, believed that women are

experiments.

not competent to do research and therefore did not admit women to the institute of which he was the director. It required a Gandhian named Kamala Sohonie to stage a non-violent protest in his office to

Current Scenario

make the Nobel Laureate change his mind. The story

We have come a long way from the time

ends well with Kamala Sohonie going on to do her

where admission to a lab depended on how long

PhD at Cambridge University and finally becoming

you could fast! In India now, women constitute

director of the Institute of Science, Mumbai.

43% of the students at the Masters level in the

In “Lilavati‟s Daughters”, a delightful book

science and technology fields. However, in

chronicling the first-hand experiences of women

certain institutions of learning, like the IITs, the

scientists in India, there are many inspiring stories of

male to female ratio is 10:1. Women make up 37%

women who went through excruciating

of PhD‟s in science overall but the percentage of

18.

VIEWPOINT

STAY WEIRD, STAY DIFFERENT on women in STEM fields

women holding faculty positions in science research

studying at the Indian Institutes of Technology.

institutions is less than 15%. There could be several

The work of Indian women scientists has been

reasons for this. For women, the child bearing age

recognized both nationally and worldwide. Sandhya

coincides with the age which requires the greatest

Koushika is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI)

dedication to the lab and job to establish oneself. In

fellow and Shubha Tole recently got the Infosys

academics and other areas, women have to deal

award. Not only do women scientists of India do path

with something blithely referred to as the “two body

breaking research, they also are vital to the

problem”. Many times, if an institute hires someone

development and functioning of science and

for a faculty position they often do not employ the

technology in our country. In addition to heading

spouse due to institutional guidelines against

premier research institutes, they have also taken a

nepotism. This is changing, albeit slowly, and now

major lead in establishing new institutions. Chandrima

many institutes do hire spouses. Thus, it is against

Shaha is the current head of the National Institute of

cultural conditioning, against great odds and while

Immunology. Vijayalakshmi Ravindranath was the

running against the biological clock that women

founding director of the National Brain Research

have to establish themselves. This results in a large

Center and currently she heads the Centre for

number of women dropping out of the workforce in

Neuroscience, Indian Institute of Science (IISc),

their 30‟s in what is called “the leaky pipeline”. The

Bangalore. As a matter of fact, the founding CEO of

effects of this missing population are stark. The Shanti

The Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance was also a

Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology,

woman!

arguably India‟s most prestigious science award is

In fact, in today‟s time, it is impossible to imagine

given to scientists aged 45 or less, for carrying out

research institutions without the cadre of women

outstanding research work in India. Since the

scientists. In the absence of women, what would the

inception of the Bhatnagar Prize in 1958, there have

face of the success of India‟s Mars mission would

been only 15 women in a total of 503 awardees. A

have been? Definitely not the elegant Kanjeevaram

more damning effect is that the leaky pipeline leads

clad, mogra wearing ladies of Mangalayan we got

to a dearth of women in higher decision-making

to see in recent times.

committees and in a position to influence policy.

Women form 20-31% of the faculty in the life sciences

Stay weird, Stay different

as a whole in various national institutes in India.

However, the proportion of women biologists in senior positions at various institutes and central university departments varies between 7.7 to 25.3 % .

Why should anyone care if there are fewer women in STEM fields?

Change can be pushed for in the sweeping strokes of a law or the formation of a committee. But in the end, Darwin is always right. Real change, evolutionary or otherwise, requires a smaller effort across a larger population – a change in the mindset of the people, a gentle breaking down of stereotypes.

Because it is the child who believes that girls are

Women in STEM fields on average earn 33% more than women in non-STEM fields. But more importantly,

not good at Maths (or Science) who will grow up to

it isa terrible waste of resources if a person with a

become the stalwart questioning the professional

STEM degree is not able to put it to use. To give an

commitment of child bearing women.

example, it is estimated that it costs the public exchequer INR 2.25 lakh per annum per student

19.

VIEWPOINT

STAY WEIRD, STAY DIFFERENT on women in STEM fields

References 1) “Lilavati's Daughters: The Women Scientists of India”, 2007.

Edited by Godbole, R and Ramaswamy, Ram. India Academy of Sciences.

2) Sujata Venkatesh “Forms of Social Asymmetry and Cultural Bias: Of Gender and Science in India and the World” Transcience (2015) Vol 6, Issue 1 3) Sharmil Ganesan Ram. “IIT's a guy thing”. The Times of India. Dec 29, 2013 . http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/IITs-a-guything/articleshow/28079599.cms 4) Evaluating and Enhancing Women‟s Participation in Scientific and Technological Research: The Indian Initiatives.

Report of the National Task Force for Women in Science.

Government of India. Department of Science and Technology. http://www.ias.ac.in/womeninscience/taskforce_report.pdf 5) Singh, Inderpal. Principal Scientist, CSIR-HRDG. Personal Communication.

6) Bal, Vineeta (2004). Women scientists in India: Nowhere near the glass ceiling. Economic and Political Weekly, 39 (2), pp. 3647–3653 7) Office of Science and Technology Policy. “Women in STEM”. https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ostp/wom en 8) Manish Pritam Gohain “IIT undergraduate annual fee hiked to Rs 90,000. The Times of India, January 8, 2013 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/II T-undergraduate-annual-fee-hiked-to-Rs90000/articleshow/17933272.cms 9) The cartoon is taken from https://xkcd.com/385/ and is used under the Creative Commons 2.5 license.

More girls should be told that being clever will not make them less of a marriage material. Being different or being weird should be encouraged. Girls should be given more opportunities to interact with women

scientists

successfully

and

navigated

researchers the

who

torturous

have

road

to

establishment. There has to be a ready availability of mentors who would give the right advice and guide new minds. Young researchers should know that no matter what the situation they always have a choice.

The tough times don‟t last and like others who have traveled the same road before them, they too will

Dr Bela Desai did her

make it through.

PhD from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai on motor proteins and a post-doc from The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla (USA) where she worked on molecules that tranduce mechanical force to cellular signalling. She has been a Grants Adviser at the Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance since 2014.

In the long run, it takes a special kind of weird to not give in to the pressure, to fit in and to keep fighting against the odds every day. Even though he was preaching to an entirely different parish, it is worthwhile to end with the words of the screen writer Graham Moore (“The Imitation Game”) who said in his Oscar acceptance speech - “Stay weird, stay different and then when it‟s your turn, and you are standing on this stage, please pass the same message along.”

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

20.

INDIA ALLIANCE STAFF CORNER

SARITHA VINCENT, Operations Manager Mrs Saritha Vincent is one of the oldest (not in age!) member of the India Alliance family, which she joined in 2009 as the PA to the CEO. She has been responsible for various administrative and operational duties at the organisation and has seen the Alliance grow. In this interview, she takes us through her early experiences at the Alliance, what she sees as her role today in the organisation and more..

When did you join the India Alliance?

I joined as Personal Assistant to the CEO on 15 April, 2009. This was when I used to work from Prof Anuradha Lohia‟s personal office till we found India Alliance office in Hyderabad. My first task was to look for office space in Hyderabad and to scout for venue and travel arrangements for India Alliance‟s first Finance and Advisory Committee meeting held in April 2009. Simultaneously, I helped find accommodation in Hyderabad for the new Grants Team, who were undergoing training at the Wellcome Trust in London at that time. The saga of interview arrangements began after the Grants team returned from London in June 2009 and since then there has been no time to look back. Soon after my appointment, based on my performance I was promoted as Meetings Coordinator and then Operations Manager.

What is your background?

I hail from a small village near Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. Since my father was working for Western Coalfields Ltd., we moved to a small town near Nagpur in Maharashtra. I grew up in Maharashtra till I completed my schooling and moved to Hyderabad for further studies. After completing my graduation in commerce I took my first job in August, 1998 at the Adarsh Co-operative Urban Bank Ltd., in Hyderabad. I became Saritha Vincent from Saritha Reddy in January, 2002. In February 2004, I joined HDFC Bank Ltd. However, in 2006, I moved to Gurgaon as my husband had set up a Hyderabadi Special Restaurant which I helped him run for a while. Following this, in July 2007, I joined Development Credit Bank Ltd. in Hyderabad as a Credit Coordinator in personal loans department. Due to the recession as a result of the financial crisis in the year 2008, DCB had to close the Personal Loans department which led to my exit from the firm and fortunate entry into the India Alliance. In April, 2009 I joined the India Alliance as the Personal Assistant to the CEO. Though this job was different from the roles I had before at the different banks, I believed that I had joined another funding agency. Simultaneously, I did my MBA in Operations Management.

How has your India Alliance journey been so far? What have you learnt?

I recently completed 6 years at the India Alliance on 15 April, 2015. I feel proud to be working at this organization, as I get to work and meet renowned scientists who are responsible for bringing talent back to India through our fellowships.

I have learnt various important skills here at the organization. For example, as a PA to the CEO I learnt to communicate effectively. As a Meetings Coordinator I learnt to organize logistics for selection committee meetings, symposiums, science communication workshops in different cities in India.

As an Operations Manager I have learnt to take care of day-to-day operations in the office, IT administration, recruitment, manage people and make existing things work.

My superiors have always believed in me and helped me when I have found myself in a confused state of mind where I was not able to make sound decisions. I attempt to actively listen while accepting resistance and constructive criticism. I have learnt that only respect that one should acquire is self-respect. The fact that you‟ve done a good job and gave your best effort is enough.

People will recognize your efforts and contributions, while in turn give you the respect and recognition that is due.

When not busy on the job, what do you enjoy doing?

When not busy on the job, I make a short trip with my family or friends which energizes me and encourages me to work with a lot more zeal and enthusiasm. I also like to sing and take part in carol singing in the church. I am fond of cooking different cuisines. I do something positive for those that are less fortunate, by donating or volunteering at the church. I also believe smiling makes you more approachable, and appear more trustworthy. It will also have a positive effect on your overall attitude and wellbeing and will make you a more effective leader. So keep smiling!

21.

EXTERNAL EVENTS

17th International Congress on Infectious Diseases, Hyderabad, India 2-5 March 2016 The 17th ICID will encompass all of the fields of infectious diseases with particular attention being paid to the major challenges of the region including AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, pneumonia and enteric infections including typhoid fever and diarrhea. In addition, major areas of neglected tropical diseases will be discussed and there will be a particular focus on disease prevention and vaccination.

One of the things that distinguishes ISID meetings is the unique blend of state-of-the-art scientific presentations that encompass both basic science and clinical practice, delivered by a truly international faculty who uniquely have the hands on experience and knowledge of the conditions that they discuss. The ISID meetings are also notable for their representation from an extraordinarily wide range of countries, and the opportunity for close exchange and communication between the most senior and more junior colleagues. http://www.isid.org/icid/index.shtml

Cover and issue image Immunohistochemical staining for SPINK1 (gene, over-expressed in prostate cancer) in prostate cancer tissue

By Dr Bushra Ateeq

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