Biotecnika Times - 15th Sept 2020 Edition - FREE Download

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2020 SEPTEMBER 15,

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September 15, 2020 Vol. 04 No 148

MIGHTY MICE STAY MUSCLEBOUND IN SPACE; DISCOVERY OF GREAT BENEFIT TO ASTRONAUTS Mighty Mice Stay Musclebound in Space Scientists reported on Monday that after a month-long stay at the International Space Station, the bulked-up mutant “mighty mice� are returning to Earth with ripped bodybuilder physiques.

The findings could provide insights into preventing bone and muscle loss in astronauts during their prolonged space trips like Mars missions, as well as in people who need wheelchairs or confined to bed on Earth.

In December, 40 young black female mice were sent to space station launching aboard a SpaceX rocket by a research team led by Dr. Se-Jin Lee of the Jackson Laboratory.

24 untreated regular mice lost considerable bone and muscle mass in space up to 18% as expected, according to the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

But the eight genetically engineered mice launched to space with double the muscle mass maintained their bulk. They had muscles comparable to that of genetically engineered “mighty mice� stayed back at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

Pacific off the California coast in January. After returning to Earth, some of the ordinary mice were injected with the “mighty mice� drug and were found to build up muscles very quickly compared to the untreated mice.

Although the results are encouraging, further work is required before it can be tested on humans to build up muscle and bone, without serious side effects. And it could take many more years.

Dr. Emily Germain-Lee of Connecticut Children’s Medical Centre, Lee’s wife, who also took part in the study, said the study pointed out other molecules and signaling pathways worth investigating. The next step of the experiments would be sending more “mighty mice� to the space station for a prolonged stay.

The mice in space were looked after by three NASA astronauts who performed injections and body scans. Jessica Meir, Christina Koch, and Andrew Morgan were those three who are also listed as co-authors.

Moreover, substantial bigger muscles were observed in eight normal mice that received “mighty mouse� treatment in space and returned to Earth. A pair of proteins that are involved in limiting muscle mass are blocked by the treatment given to the mice that stayed musclebound in space.

All the 40 mice were brought back to Earth in SpaceX capsule in good condition, parachuting into the

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GOOGLE’S NEW RESEARCH INSTITUTE TO EXPLORE HUMAN-AI INTERACTION Google AI Research Institute To Foster R&D On Human-AI Interaction A new Artificial Intelligence (AI) institute for research that will foster research and development work on interaction AI and people has been announced by Google.

The institute will focus on the interactions like written language, speech, gestures, and visuals and on how to make them more effective.

The US National Science Foundation (NSF) partnered with Google to establish the National AI Research Institute for Human-AI Interaction and Collaboration. $5 million will be provided as funding

by Google to support the institute.

On Wednesday, the tech giant said in a statement that they would also offer AI expertise, Cloud support, and research collaborations for Institute educators and researchers as they advance knowledge and progress in the field of artificial intelligence. Human-centered principles like safety, robustness, social benefit, inclusive design, high standards of scientific excellence, and privacy will be kept in mind, consistent with the Google AI Principles while developing the research, tools, and techniques from the institute. Google said that research projects would educate the next generation, broaden participation from underrepresented groups and institutions across the country, promote workforce development, and engage a diverse set of experts.

Studies show that smarter decisions can be made by operating humans and AI systems together, rather than acting alone.

Google said in a statement that they had seen increasing use of artificial intelligence to support people and their decision making in sectors like education, transportation, agriculture, and medicine, in the last few years.

The AI systems and people shape each other, and a positive and productive human-AI interaction and collaboration are critical to realize the full potential of AI for social benefit.

To advance knowledge and progress in the field, all research outcomes will be published. Over the last several years, Google has been working in this area.

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BITS PILANI DEVELOPS IOT BASED SMART MASKS TO BEAT COVID-19 IoT-Based Smart Face Mask Developed By BITS Pilani Hyderabad An IoT-based smart face mask has been developed by the Technology Business Incubator of BITS-Pilani Hyderabad for medical conditions like COVID-19 and pulmonary disorders.

A release from Technology Business Incubator of BITS-Pilani Hyderabad said that an individual could be protected from exposure to infection using this Internet of Things (IoT) face mask, and it can also monitor the health parameters remotely. COVID-19 warriors can efficiently monitor patients with the help of smart face masks and smartphones. This could help to reduce the risks of healthcare workers getting infected as it can reduce the time they spend in isolation wards to collect basic parameters.

The body’s essential factors like blood oxygen level, temperature, etc. can be processed and screened by the IoT device attached to the masks. It can also monitor the humidity levels that build up inside the mask over a period.

Vital health parameters like blood oxygen levels, fever, and migraine due to pressure and altitude differences can be remotely monitored by the cloud-based BScout Facemask app developed for IOS and Android.

Doctors can remotely monitor the patient in home isolation with the instant data the app provides.

The release added that Baiid Auto Technologies is exploring investment and ‘Make in India’ opportunities for scaling up the manufacturing of this 8smart mask with BITS’ support.

The mask helps the user to remove moisture and expel heat from the mask with the help of a feature called OBV (oxy-breathe ventilators) so that it can be worn without any discomfort for a long time and reduces the risk of infection due to continuous wearing of a mask.

Mobile applications can remotely activate and control the system through easy touch and play. The mask is made of three layers of replaceable green and eco-friendly filters with washable cotton fabric.

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ASTRAZENECA PAUSES COVID-19 VACCINE TRIAL AFTER UNEXPECTED ILLNESS IN VOLUNTEER After a volunteer developed an unexplained illness, UK based pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca voluntarily paused a randomized clinical trial of its COVID-19 vaccine in what it called a routine action, said the company on Tuesday.

In the global race for a COVID-19 vaccine, AstraZeneca, who is co-developing the vaccine with the Oxford University, is a frontrunner.

A spokesperson said on Tuesday that they have voluntarily paused vaccination to allow the review of safety data by an independent committee, as part of the standard review process of ongoing randomized, controlled global trials of the Oxford coronavirus vaccine.

Whenever a volunteer shows potentially unexpected illness, such routine action has to happen to investigate and ensure that the integrity of the trials is maintained.

Illnesses may happen by chance in large trials, but they must be investigated independently.

The spokesperson added that they are working to accelerate the review process of this particular event of illness to minimize any potential impact on the timeline of the clinical trial.

are under the last-stage Phase 3 trial, and AstraZeneca is one among them.

On August 31, the company enrolled 30,000 volunteers across dozens of sites in the US for the clinical trials of the vaccine. The vaccine named AZD1222 uses a weakened version of adenovirus, causing the common cold, genetically engineered to express the spike protein used by SARS-CoV-2 to infect cells.

The vaccine produces the spike protein inside the human body and prime the immune system to protect from the SARS-CoV-2 virus in case the person is infected later.

No information is publicly available on where the patient was or the severity or nature of the illness.

Holds during clinical trials of vaccines and drugs are common, but this is for the first time clinical trials of a COVID-19 vaccine is being paused.

Currently, candidate vaccines form 9 companies worldwide

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BHARAT BIOTECH GETS DGCI NOD TO TAKE COVAXIN TO PHASE II HUMAN CLINICAL TRIALS COVAXIN Enters Phase-II Trials As Bharat Biotech Received DCGI Nod COVAXIN vaccine, India’s indigenous Covid-19 vaccine by Bharat Biotech enters Phase II human clinical trials after receiving approval from the Drugs Controller General of India.

In order to conduct Phase II human clinical trials of Bharat Biotech’s indigenously developed Covaxin, Bharat Biotech received a nod from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), according to a report by The Indian Express.

The report informed that the trial will be conducted on 380 participants as recommended by the subject expert committee (SEC).

The company has been notified about this through a letter dated September 3 from Dr. S Eswara Reddy, the Joint Drugs Controller.

India’s first indigenous Covid-19 vaccine’s clinical trials were conducted in 12 institutes selected by the ICMR. In collaboration with the National Institute of Virology (NIV) and ICMR, the Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech developed the COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin successfully. After the company had submitted results generated from preclinical studies, which demonstrated the safety and immune response of the vaccine candidate, the Drug regulatory bodies of India had granted permission to initiate Phase I & II Human clinical trials.

participants, the first phase of the Covaxin trial was carried out. The principal investigator, Savita Verma has said that at their site, they have not observed any adverse events in any of the volunteers, the vaccine has shown to be safe.

In India, Serum Institute of India and Zydus Cadila have also begun conducting phase II trials for the vaccines Covishield (by Oxford-AstraZeneca) and ZyCoV-D.

Earlier, Principal investigators conducting the trials of the Covid-19 vaccine, Covaxin, developed by Bharat Biotech and ICMR said that the preliminary results of phase 1 clinical trials of the vaccine suggest that the vaccine is safe.

Across 12 sites with over 375

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GLOBAL WARMING MAY MAKE VIRUSES HARD TO KILL – SWISS RESEARCHERS WARN Researchers warn that global warming may make the viruses hard to kill, increasing the threat of some infectious diseases.

A study by Swiss scientists suggests that waterborne viruses may remain infectious for longer since they have adapted to warmer environments, and they are more resistant to disinfectants like chlorine.

Tamar Kohn, associate professor of environmental chemistry at Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, said the health risks posed by viruses would be greater in warm regions, and the microbial water quality may be worse.

High temperatures, sunlight, and other microbes can reduce the spread of disease by deactivating viruses found on surface water.

However, the viruses may evolve the way they react to the environment in response to climate change.

The Swiss researchers studied how enteroviruses, a family of viruses that can cause a variety of infections, including polio, foot-and-mouth disease, and colds, may adapt to changing environmental conditions. Enteroviruses are typically spread through feces and find their way into the environment through wastewater, poor sanitation, and sewage.

By incubating samples in flasks of lake water at 10C and 30C, with and without exposure to sunlight, the team created four different populations of human enterovirus. Then the samples were exposed to disinfectant and heat.

The warm-adapted viruses were more resistant to being deactivated by heat than the ones

incubated in cold water, found the study published in the American Chemical Society’s Environmental Science and Technology journal.

The warm-adapted viruses also remained active longer when moved to cool water and withstood exposure to chlorine better.

Prof Kohn said they are thinking about more longer duration and frequent occurrence of extreme heat waves that can cause the warming of water bodies in affected areas.

Prof Kohn said the findings suggest that an infectious state is persisted for a longer time by viruses in warmer waters, and they are more resistant to disinfection.

The results so far suggest that people can be at more risk of infection from swimming or contaminated food because of global warming. But the study on how global warming affects viruses has to be validated further to confirm the results.

Even though the 3C rise in temperature by the end of the century won’t essentially influence virus stability, a heightened disease threat could be brought with an accompanying rise in extreme weather, particularly in hotter countries.

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RUSSIA SEEKS INDIA’S HELP FOR PHASE III TRAIL & MANUFACTURE OF THEIR SPUTNIK V VACCINE India to Help Russia’s Sputnik V Vaccine’s Phase 3 Trail & Manufacture On Tuesday, the Centre confirmed that the vaccine cleared by Russian regulators for public use, Sputnik V vaccine’s Phase 3 clinical trials could be conducted in multiple Indian sites, or could be manufactured in India in partnership with domestic companies.

Member, NITI Aayog and co-chair, National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19, Dr. V K Paul said that three Indian companies have expressed interest in partnering with the Moscow-based Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology after Russia sought for help from India.

He added saying, “Approaching India through appropriate channels, the Russian government has sought help on two counts: First is to consider manufacturing the vaccine through the network of well-known and high-quality vaccine manufacturing companies. The partnership’s first part of the request is to manufacture the vaccine

by Indian companies when the scale-up takes place.

Conducting a larger Phase 3 trial in India is the second request from Russia. Phase 1 and 2 trials have been completed already, and now the Phase 3 studies, or any bridging studies to be conducted in India if need be. Finding a suitable partner and the required regulatory processes for conducting the trial is the second part of the request.

Comprehensive data on the vaccine’s safety and efficacy was submitted to Indian authorities by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology.

The vaccine candidate was shown to trigger a strong immune response, according to the results of Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials on 76 people.

Dr. Paul added, “The Government of India attaches great importance to this offer and partnership and mentioned that there has been significant movement on both tracks. Some companies are in discussion with the Russians while two-three of them have already come forward as the outreach had been extended to many companies in India. The process is being facilitated by the government. For both India and Russia, this is a win-win situation.”

He said, “All the regulatory clearances necessary for larger clinical trials will be facilitated by the Indian government. The Indian scientists have looked at the data, on the regulatory front. The Phase 3 trials or bridging study, if required, will be facilitated by the Indian government as per science and the Indian regulatory system.”

Moscow plans to conduct Phase 3 clinical trials in many countries, including the Philippines, Brazil, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, according to the official Sputnik V website, run by sovereign wealth fund Russian Direct Investment Fund.

Vaccine production is anticipated to begin this month.

It also states that at least 20 countries, had expressed interest in obtaining the Sputnik V, countries including India, Mexico, Brazil, the Philippines, Indonesia, UAE, and Saudi Arabia.

Due to the secrecy and speed with which the vaccine candidate from Gamaleya got regulatory approval, western experts have been skeptical about the Russian claim. The Lancet study states that around 40,000 volunteers from different age and risk groups will be involved in Sputnik’s Phase 3 trial.

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DETECTING & PREVENTING CORONAVIRUS USING ENGINEERED SURFACES BY IIT SCIENTISTS Engineered surfaces to detect and prevent coronavirus by IIT Guwahati Techniques to detect and inhibit COVID-19 employing bio-interface interactions between the surface spike protein and virus has been developed by scientists at IIT, Guwahati.

SARS-CoV-2 has surface spike glycoprotein enclosing the inner nucleic acid enclosed. The developed surfaces can be possibly used to detect as well as prevent coronavirus infection, as per the team of scientists.

Lalit M Pandey, associate professor, Dept of Biosciences, and Bioengineering stated that till now for testing COVID-19, RT-PCR based techniques and antibody-based assays have been utilized.

But, longer assay time, expense, complicated processes as well as false positive or adverse outcomes are a couple of drawbacks of these methods.

He added that for the rapid detection of COVID-19, bio-interface interactions between the surface and virus surface spike protein can be studied.

He further asserted that the key step of the transmission of COVID-19 is the interaction in the contacting surfaces and spike protein.

Hence, surface engineering shall assist in a fast detection approach as well as it would certainly be a really secured method of protection against the virus, for instance when used on Personal Protective Equipments.

Journals like The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, Materials Science and Engineering C, Langmuir, Applied Surface Science, and ACS

Biomaterials Science and Engineering have released this research .

Pandey stated that they have uncovered an interesting approach of surface alterations by developing different self-assembled monolayers on different surfaces, causing a wide array of surface hydrophobicity (the physical property of a molecule that is seemingly repelled from a mass of water) based on the terminal functional groups having a nano-scale smooth surface. The development of self-assembled monolayers entails a quick attachment followed by a slow reorientation step.

He added that to engineer the surface with intermediate wettability, the mixed self-assembled monolayers have been prepared.

For all systems, the rule of increase in the adsorbed quantity of protein with a raise in surface hydrophobicity doesn’t apply, because the protein adsorption is based on the hydrophobicity of both proteins and surfaces and is a difficult procedure.

According to the study, depending on surface properties a protein adapts to various conformations.

Pandey claimed that the features of protein can be adjusted by engineered surfaces for various applications consisting of biosensors, medicine delivery, and implants.

The engineered sensor surface could be used in methods based on Quartz Crystal Microbalance, which are known for fast, real-time, and label-free detection with sensitivity, according to the latest special report.

He stated that the surfaces based approaches permit the reuse of the same surface over multiple and rapid virus detection from swab samples.

However, destabilizing the viral envelope protein by surface-protein interactions, disintegrating, and ultimately, killing the pathogen is the main use of the engineered surfaces.

He stated that the surface treatments of PPEs....

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JNCASR SCIENTISTS DEVELOPS NOVEL DIAGNOSTIC THERAPY FOR LUNG CANCER Novel diagnostic therapy for Lung Cancer by JNCASR scientists One of the most common causes of cancer-related death globally is due to Lung cancer. It is really is difficult to detect during the initial stages, making it challenging to treat lung cancer. A diagnostic treatment for lung cancer paving way for personalized drugs has been discovered by scientists.

A drug candidate – theranostics (diagnostic therapy) for lung cancer was developed by scientists from JNCASR – DST. The study was jointly supported by SwarnaJayanti Fellowship Grant, BRICS Multilateral R&D Projects grant, and DST. The outcome of the research is released in the journal Theranostics.

In the advancement of theranostics for cancer, imaging of oncogene specific non-canonical DNA secondary structures (G-quadruplex-GQ structures) and the selective recognition have a great assurance, and additionally, due to its structural dynamics and diversity, it has been very challenging.

A small molecule for selective recognition of BCL-2 GQ was developed by Professor T. Govindaraju, together with his team from JNCASR. By turn on fluorescence recognition of BCL-2 GQ through its anti-lung cancer activity and tissue imaging potential, and unique hybrid binding mode, the JNCASR group described the theranostic task of TGP18 molecule. In in-vivo capitalization on genome instability and the gains of oxidative stress to kill lung cancer cells were led by their strategy of specific topology recognition with hybrid mode.

And also, at the lower edge of the far-red to NIR spectroscopic window, the TGP18 molecule having a turn on emissions band, which showed to be a viable probe for the imaging of tumor cells.

Jointly, theranostic agent TGP18 with excellent biocompatibility showed in vivo inhibition as well as tissue imaging, suggesting the outstanding clinical translational possibility.

A broad range of cellular processes, comprising the expression of many oncogenes is controlled by G-quadruplexes (GQs) – non-canonical DNA secondary structures.

GQs are considered as a promising chemotherapeutic target, as stabilization in cancer cells of GQs leads to replication stress and DNA damage accumulation. There are no concerted reports on small molecule theranostics, in spite of the considerable attempts to merge therapeutic and diagnostic properties. Likewise, there are no molecules discovered for the topology selective recognition

of myriad of G-quadruplexes, specifically oncogenic G-quadruplexes.

The selective recognition coming from the distinctive loop structure of G-quadruplexes that modifies the total binding affinity and probe interaction was revealed by this research, and by inducing death in cancer cells, TGP18 binding to anti-apoptotic BCL-2 GQ induces anticancer activity and ablates the pro-survival role. In in-vivo xenograft and in-vitro 3D spheroid culture models of lung and breast cancer, the intervention of G-quadruplexes mediated lethality by TGP18 translated into anti-cancer activity. The function of TGP18 in G-quadruplexes-targeted cancer theranostics is defined by the in vivo therapeutic efficacy, supplemented with tissue imaging potential and tumor 3D spheroid.

Compared to anticancer medicine gemcitabine at an increased dose of 100 mg/kg, a notably reduced dose of TGP18 (0.5 mg/kg)

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exhibited anti-lung tumor activity, as per the outcomes of the study.

As observed by its far-red imaging of the tumor tissue, the TGP18 was found to reach the target tumor site.

Theranostic drugs specifically for cancer with huge significance in the personalized drug can be developed by this method.

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NEW INSIGHT INTO MAMMALIAN STEM CELL EVOLUTION Mammalian stem cell evolution: New Discoveries In mammals, the genes controlling pluripotent stem cells are remarkably comparable across 48 species. The research study was carried out by scientists of Kyoto University, they also demonstrated that distinctions among these gene-regulating networks might describe how particular attributes of mammalian pluripotent stem cells have actually evolved. The results of the study are published in the journal Genome Biology and Evolution.

The properties of the pluripotent stem cells are regulated by a network of regulatory genes and molecules, however, understandings on how this network has evolved throughout mammals are very little.

134 gene sets belonging to the pluripotency gene regulatory networks of 48 mammalian species were compared by Ken-Ichiro Kamei, Kyoto University’s Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS), along with Miho Murayama and Yoshinori Endo of the Wildlife Research Center.

The researchers discovered that this network has been extremely conserved throughout the species, suggesting that during evolution, genetic sequences have actually remained reasonably the same. The reason why human gene sequences can reprogram various mammal cells to change into pluripotent stem cells is described by this high level of preservation. But, there may be a lot more effective combinations of reprogramming factors for every species as it is noticeable that the that the regulating networks vary

throughout mammals. A huge boost to conservation and research can be brought by improving methods for deriving induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from mammalian cells, including those from endangered species.

Kamei said that they have actually been trying to produce iPS cells from different mammalian species, such as the bottlenose dolphin and the endangered GrÊvy’s zebra.

Inoue-Murayama said that this might mean that mammalian pluripotent stem cells have branched out more than we assumed.

Different adaptions may likewise be related to the variations between genetics regulatory networks in mammalian pluripotent stem cells.

The naked mole-rat has actually been positively chosen for a pluripotency regulatory gene that could be associate in providing its amazing cancer resistance and longevity.

The development of extremely sensitive hairs that aid them to navigate underground could be associated with this gene.

The scientists likewise observed proof of positive option for certain pluripotency gene regulative network genes associated with the adaptation of large animals, such as the African elephant, flying fox, and minke whale, to their environments. These same genes are surprisingly associated with mammalian cancer. The scientists suggest that the adaptive alterations these genes underwent in these animals in some way also altered several of their roles, as these huge animals are known for being fairly immune to cancer, therefore giving this group a level of cancer resistance.

The development of extremely sensitive hairs that aid them to navigate underground could be associated with this gene.

The scientists likewise observed

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proof of positive option for certain pluripotency gene regulative network genes associated with the adaptation of large animals, such as the African elephant, flying fox, and minke whale, to their environments. These same genes are surprisingly associated with mammalian cancer. The scientists suggest that the adaptive alterations these genes underwent in these animals in some way also altered several of their roles, as these huge animals are known for being fairly immune to cancer, therefore giving this group a level of cancer resistance.

This research is one of the first to compare the pluripotency gene-regulating networks throughout major taxa, stated the scientists. This study could be applicable to evolutional biology researches as well as for helping and improving the production of iPS from new species.

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IISER SCIENTISTS DESCRIBES THE ‘DANCE’ OF SARS-COV-2 SPIKE PROTEIN – AIDING IN VACCINE DEVELOPMENT ‘Dance’ of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein can help in developing vaccines The multiple dynamic structures of the coronavirus spike proteins – the molecular machine which permits the access of coronavirus into our cells, has been deciphered by the researchers of at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata, this study can aid as a ‘recipe’ for the manufacturers of the coronavirus vaccine.

The easy and basic principle behind most of the coronavirus vaccine under development is: Subjecting the body to the spike protein to trick the immune system into thinking that it has been attacked by a virus or other pathogenic microbes and thus triggering an immune reaction.

Consequently, the 3-Dimensional framework of the spike protein is the first to be completely examined as well as characterized, and researchers are still attempting to discover about the coronavirus’ spike proteins.

Breakthrough Research By IISER The ‘free energy’ that is essential in understanding recognizing exactly how the molecule will certainly react with its environments governs the stability of every biomolecular structure.

This free energy profile for various coronavirus spike protein structures has been explained by IISER’s researchers.

The spike proteins are composed of 3 intertwined chains of amino acids said Susmita Roy, assistant professor, IISER, Kolkata.

Susmita Roy explains a bizarre dynamics within the spike protein caused by the interactions between these amino acid chains as the ‘dance of spike protein’ causes the continual shift from up positions to down positions, folding the top ends of each chain into a ‘down’ or unfolding into an ‘up’ position.

The states in which spike protein is likely to assist the coronavirus in attaching to host cells was determined by the researchers. The outcomes of the research are released in The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters.

Roy stated that the chains more exposed when they upwards, which aids them discover and bind to the receptors of the host.

are are to cell

These states induce the human body’s immune response, and hence studying about it can help develop vaccines that induce

response, as per the researchers.

The ‘free energy’ linked with the distinct structures was identified using the existing data on the structure of the spike proteins.

Additionally, they identified which structures bring about a greater affinity towards the ACE2 receptors, the enzyme used by the spike protein to acquire entry into the host cells.

Roy stated that they have actually identified all the possible structural ensembles in spike proteins, and also when either one or two chains are in up position – the ACE2 receptors bind extremely well How this will be useful?

The study team claimed that the interaction-level information of the spike protein can give deep perspicacity into establishing reliable therapeutic targets along with design vaccines.

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Roy claimed that they can ascertain that for altering the spike proteins this research is like a recipe.

The vaccine developers can adjust the amino acid chains to get the most suitable arrangement of the spike protein as the atomic degree mechanism of the spike proteins is known.

This is not the very first time a group has tried to uncover the molecular-level structure of the spike proteins, however, the previous research utilized Cryogenic electron microscopy which fell short to capture the altering characteristics of the molecular-level structure of the spike protein.

However, a detailed map of the structures’ alterations in response to interactions within the spike protein was determined by the IISER’s computational study team.

Additionally, the research highlights several differences between the spike proteins of the SARS virus that previously caused the pandemic in the year 2003 and the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

Roy stated that the characteristics of the spike proteins differ, even though the structures are extremely comparable.

Comparing the characteristics of the spike protein in SARS and MERS viruses, the up-down activity is much more prevalent in the SARS-CoV-2, which may be why SARS-CoV-2 transmit rapidly.

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BENGALURU REPORTS FIRST CASE COVID-19 REINFECTION, KARNATAKA GOVT ORDERS CLINICAL STUDY Covid-19 Reinfection In Bengaluru – First Case of Reinfection In Karnataka Following concerns raised by experts in a high-level meeting with the Medical Education Minister, the Karnataka government ordered a clinical study on reinfection cases on Monday, after a case of reinfection was reported in the state capital. A 27-year-old woman in Bengaluru tested positive for coronavirus for the second time, a month after making a full recovery.

Officials have been directed to conduct a clinical study and submit a report by the end of this week, said Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar, after a meeting held at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. He also mentioned that in the past few months, cases of reinfection have been reported in several other countries. He said, “Precautions must be taken and the recovered patients should be careful and not assume that there is no possibility of a relapse.”

Additionally, the officials were asked by the Minister to look into reinfection cases reported in other states and they found that the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) had said on Monday that between August 18 and September 6, four cases of Covid-19 reinfection were reported, and the reinfection was recorded nearly four months after they tested positive for the first time. Simultaneously, the also asked the officials to review the precautions taken by the patients and the measures taken in the State to treat Covid patients who have recovered.

Meanwhile, at Fortis Hospital, where the first Covid-19 relapse case was reported in Bengaluru, the team of experts at the Department of Infectious Diseases clarified that there were no comorbidities in the patient. In the first week of July, the patient had developed mild symptoms of fever and cough and tested positive for COVID-19 and was then admitted to the hospital. The patient recovered well and was discharged on 24 July after the report from a repeat test was conducted on her tested negative.

Consultant, Infectious Diseases, Dr. Pratik Patil said, “However, she developed mild symptoms again nearly after a month and has tested positive again, in the last week of August. This is the first reported case of COVID-19 reinfection in Bengaluru.”

antibody is tested positive after 2-3 weeks of infection, in case of infection. But in the case of this patient, she did not develop immunity after infection as the antibody has been tested negative. There could also be another possibility that the IgG antibodies disappeared in nearly one month leaving her susceptible to reinfection.

Dr. Patil added, “In the case of reinfections, the virus is allowed to enter the body and cause the disease again as the antibodies may not be produced by every individual, or if they do develop, they may not last long enough.”

He added explaining that usually, the Covid Immunoglobulin G

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GROWTH OF POLLEN TUBE IN PLANTS – NEW DISCOVERIES New discoveries on pollen tube growth in plants by ENS Lyon researchers Researchers discover a new insight on how the proper development of pollen tubes in flowering plants is ensured by an enzyme, the outcomes of the study is released in the open-access journal eLife on September 1, 2020.

An unforeseen function of KATANIN in moderating the mechanical properties of the papilla cell wall in Arabidopsis thaliana, and thereby avoiding disordered pollen tube development and enabling the tube to locate its right path to the underlying tissues of the female plants are revealed by this research. The outcomes suggest that KATANIN has most likely played a significant function in the success of blooming plants on earth much more extensively.

When gametes (male and female germ cells) fuse – the seeds are formed. Female gametes are located in the ovules, which are embedded in the pistil, and the male gametes are located in the pollen grain. Pollen grains require to meet the surface of the pistil, composed of a layer of elongated cells called papillae, for effective seed production to occur. The pollen grain is rehydrated while a pollen grain arrives on a papilla, and then it develops a tube to move the male gametes towards the ovules.

Initially, exerting physical pressure on the cell surface, the pollen tubes grow within the papilla cell wall. Then they grow in the intercellular space of underlying cells, after crossing the papilla layer.

Later, the pollen tube is lead to the ovules where it reaches

the female gametes by compounds produced by the pistil. Yet it remains undiscovered how the tube orientates itself when it arises at the papilla surface from the pollen.

Lucie Riglet, the lead author, was a Ph.D. student, said that it is surprising that the pollen tube grows to the base of the papilla in the direction of the ovules, whatever the position of the flower and hence the pistil on the stem. They wanted to check out the mechanisms that enable this correct orientation of plant pollen tubes on the papilla cells.

Thierry Gaude, Group Leader at the Laboratory of Plant Reproduction and Development, ENS Lyon, and the senior author of the study, said that KATANIN has likely played a significant function in the success of flowering plants by promoting fertilization, by forcing the pollen tubes to take the best direction from their early places in the papilla. It is possible that KATANIN plays a role in regulating mechanical properties in other processes, as it is found in most organisms, including humans beings – however, this is a great topic that remains to be studied.

By regulating the orientation of cortical microtubules, which subsequently intercede the deposition of cellulose microfibrils, a very important function is played by the mechanical forces in plant cell shape. To reveal that the enzyme KATANIN, which cuts microtubules, likewise acts upon cellulose microfibril orientation and also provides mechanical .

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September 15, 2020 Vol. 04 No 148

ARTIFICIAL PANCREAS EFFECTIVELY CONTROLS TYPE 1 DIABETES IN CHILDREN An artificial pancreas Effectively controls diabetes (Type 1) in children as young as 6 years old.

A clinical trial carried in the United States cleared an artificial pancreas system. It got certified from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The trials were carried out at four pediatrics diabetes centers in the states. The system effectively and automatically manages blood glucose levels in children with type 1 diabetes. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health, funded the study.

This artificial pancreas (closed-loop control) is an all-in-one diabetes management system. It uses a continous glucose monitor(CGM) to track blood glucose levels, and when needed the system automatically delivers Insulin using an Insulin pump. This system replaces dependence on fingerstick for tests or on CGM for Insulin supply by multiple injections or a pump controller.

A total of 101 children between the age of 6-13 were enrolled for the study. The children were assigned to one of the two subgroups.

One group used the artificial pancreas system, and the other control group used the standard CGM and a separate insulin pump.

Check-ins were reported along with data collection every alternate week for a duration of 4 months.

Participants for the study were directed to go about living their regular lives. This helped the researchers to understand better how the system works in the daily routines of the children.

The study reflected a total of approximately 11% improvement in the overall time-in-range goal.

The study reported that youth using artificial pancreas reported a 7% improvement in regulating blood glucose range during the daytime. This range increases in the night time to 26% improvement compared to the control group. Regulation during the night is particularly important in patients with type 1 diabetes as unattended Hypoglycemia can lead to a seizure, coma, or even death.

R. Paul Wadwa, M.D., University of Colorado, Aurora (CU), mentions about the artificial pancreas technology. He says that the improvement in blood glucose control by the system was impressive in the study. He specially mentions the improvement in the overnight hours would let the caregivers and parents sleep better at night, knowing that the kids are safer. This would also mean that the children

and their families would have to stop a few times lesser of everything they do in order to take care of their diabetes. Most importantly, kids can focus on being kids, he mentions.

Sixteen minor adverse occurrences took place in the group with an artificial pancreas. Most of these events were due to issues in the insulin pump equipment. No severe case of Hypoglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis was reported during the study.

There is a Control-IQ system in artificial pancreas technology.

There is an insulin pump in the system. It is programmed and designed with algorithms with advanced controls. With a mathematical model’s help based on a person’s glucose monitoring information, the system automatically adjusts the insulin dose. This technology is based on a system originally developed at the University of Virginia (UVA), Charlottesville, funded by NIDDK.

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September 15, 2020 Vol. 04 No 148

The four-month-long study was part of a trial series conducted in the International Diabetes Closed-Loop (iDCL) study. This study, funded by NIDDK by the Special Statutory Funding Program, is one of the four major research attempts to test and refine advanced artificial pancreas systems for type 1 Diabetes.

The forthcoming results from relative studies would further examine factors including safety, efficacy, user-friendly, and pricing of the system.

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September 15, 2020 Vol. 04 No 148

PLASMA THERAPY FOR COVID-19 DOES NOT SHOW BENEFICIAL RESULTS : ICMR STUDY ICMR study: Plasma therapy not useful to combat COVID-19 The globe’s largest randomized control trial to evaluate plasma treatment for COVID-19 has revealed that it is not useful either in decreasing fatality or detaining the progression of the infection.

In 39 hospitals across 14 states and Union Territories, the trial, called PLACID, was carried out under the aegis of ICMR. 464 moderately ill people with breathing difficulties and oxygen saturation degree of less than 93% were included in the trial. Out of 464, 235 were offered convalescent plasma with antibodies versus SARS CoV2 received from donors who had recouped from the infection, while 229 received just basic treatment.

2 doses of 200 ml plasma 24-hour apart were administered to the intervention team. After 28 days both the intervention and control group were studied.

The results of the study are on a preprint server of health research.

The study revealed that 34 patients or 13.6% who obtained plasma treatment died while 31 people or 14.6% that did not get it, died due to the infection. Additionally, 17 people in each group proceeded to have a severe infection.

Dr. Aparna Mukherjee, an ICMR scientist said that CP was not related to a decrease in fatality or development to extreme COVID-19.

The results of the study conclude that enormous significance as several state governments have proactively promoted the treatment as well as have set up

plasma banks after the national COVID-19 clinical management protocol permitted it as an investigational treatment.

As the families of the sick scramble to arrange plasma in the hope of saving their loved ones, there is a thriving underground market for plasma in many parts of the country as kin of the unwell scramble to organize plasma in the hope of conserving their loved ones, a truth recognized in the research.

Physicians including Dr. Anupam Singh from Ghaziabad who have been using the treatment on COVID-19 positive people said that the results are unsatisfactory.

In regards to the reduction of some signs and symptoms, there was some small advantage. In the intervention arm, the percentage of patients with resolution of shortness of breath and fatigue on day 7 was greater, whereas high temperature and cough resolution were not different in both teams.

But, between the trial participants in two arms, there was no difference in total and post-enrollment duration of respiratory support, the proportion of patients requiring vasopressor support, and the proportion of patients requiring invasive ventilation.

The research study stated that even though the use of CP seemed to enhance the resolution of shortness of breath and fatigue, reduce FiO2 requirement in the first week, and led to the greater unfavorable conversion of viral RNA, this did not equate into a decrease in 28-day death or development to the extreme condition in moderate COVID-19 people.

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September 15, 2020 Vol. 04 No 148

STRUCTURE OF MRNA INITIATION COMPLEX SOLVED

BY SCIENTISTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA New insight into cancer and other diseases: From the structure of mRNA initiation complex The structure of the complex formed when mRNA is being scanned to identify the beginning point for translating RNA into a protein has been solved by the scientists at the University of California, Davis, and the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge.

This study offers a novel insight into this fundamental process.

The result of the study is released in the journal Science.

Christopher Fraser, co-author, and professor of molecular and cellular biology, UC Davis said that this structure transforms what we understand about translation initiation in human cells as well as there has been an incredible excitement from individuals in the field.

Cells utilize different subsets of genes to make the proteins they need to execute their roles, even though almost all the cells in our body carry the entire genome.

This needs specific control over the processes by which the DNA is initially transcribed to synthesize mRNA, which is later translated to synthesize proteins.

The process of translation starts when a ribosome affixes to a piece of mRNA and scans it till it locates a start codon, 3 letters of RNA that state “begin translating at this point”. There are over various proteins called initiation factors associated with this procedure. In different cancers, a lot of these initiation factors have been discovered to be dysregulated.

To trap in the act of scanning, an mRNA that lacked a start codon

was used by the group. 3000 of these complexes can be fitted across the width of a human hair, while it is huge for a biological machine. To get a structure of the complex including the trapped mRNA, the group used cryoelectron microscopy, which permits recording 3D videos of biological molecules down to the scale of single atoms.

The team proposed a model, based upon this structure, of how the mRNA slots into a network in the tiny ribosomal subunit, and also a system for how the mRNA could be pulled through the ribosome for scanning, like a strip of video through an old-style projector.

spectrometry analysis which provided additional confirmation of the model.

Fraser stated, for making such work feasible on campus, the UC College of Biological Sciences’ cryo-electron microscopy center was begun.

The research was supported by UKRI MRC, NIH, Federation of European Biochemical Societies, Louis-Jeantet Foundation, and Wellcome.

The team anticipated that the start codon would need to be sufficiently far from the front end of the mRNA for most mRNAs so that it can be located in the scanning procedure. Sokabe and Fraser biochemically verified this. Mark Skehel, LMB carried out mass

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September 15, 2020 Vol. 04 No 148

METHANE EATING BACTERIA DEGRADES AMMONIUM TOO : DISCOVERY BY RADBOUD UNIVERSITY SCIENTISTS Methane-eating bacteria degrades ammonium Microbiologists at Radboud University and the Max Planck Institute, Bremen found that methane-eating bacteria can degrade ammonium along with methane. Methane-eaters are necessary for reducing greenhouses gas discharges from volcanoes and various other fields yet have not earlier been associated with nitrogen discharge. The results of the study will be released in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) this week.

Unique methane-degrading bacteria was discovered in a mud pot of the Solfatara volcano, Italy by microbiologists from Radboud University in 2007. Outcomes of that study were released in the journal Nature. That bacteria could survive under extreme conditions, such as the temperature of 55°C and pH ranging between 1-3. Additionally, this bacteria thrives only in the existence of rare elements. Presently, the properties of these ‘extremophiles’ are being studied.

is safe for the bacteria. This allows the bacteria to survive in an increased concentration of ammonium.

Huub Op den Camp, professor of Microbiology of Acidic Volcanic Ecosystems at Radboud University said that the important cycles they have discovered are far more complex than they expected. Methane-eating microorganisms are not generally associated with nitrogen emission. Currently, it seems that this bacterium is additionally involved in this, along with the bacteria that generally oxidize ammonium in the soil.

In addition to methane, it was found that this bacteria has the ability to degrade ammonium also. This is a life-saving characteristic as these organisms are typically faced with high, toxic concentrations of this nitrogen substance in their living atmospheres, such as in volcanos, garbage dumping sites, or rice fields.

The degradation of ammonium forms toxic hydroxylamine. According to the PNAS article, the using mHAO enzyme, these bacteria can degrade this compound to nitric oxide, which can be again converted into nitrite or laughing gas that

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September 15, 2020 Vol. 04 No 148

INDIA IN TALKS TO JOIN COVAX GLOBAL VACCINE ALLOCATION SCHEME, SAYS WHO OFFICIAL India In Talks To Join COVAX Global Vaccine Allocation Plan: WHO According to a statement from a senior WHO adviser, the World Health Organization is in talks with India about joining the ‘COVAX’ global vaccine allocation plan.

Bruce Aylward told a briefing in Geneva that, “like all countries in the world, India is also certainly eligible to be part of the COVAX facility and discussions are ongoing in that regard. Given India’s extensive experience, particularly, with vaccines, we would welcome Indian participation.”

COVAX, a mechanism set up by the WHO was launched to ensure more equitable access to any future COVID-19 vaccines and is aimed at helping buy and distribute vaccination shots against the novel coronavirus fairly around the world. However, some countries, including the United States, have secured their own supplies through bilateral deals and have said they will not join Covax.

The World Health Organization (WHO), the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI), and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) are leading the COVAX facility.

As COVID-19 cases are now reported in almost all GAVI-eligible countries, the GAVI Vaccine Alliance is enabling countries to purchase diagnostic tests, perform vital surveillance and training, and protect health care workers, by providing immediate funding to health systems.

vaccine when they are available, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) had announced that it will be leading the procurement and supply of vaccines. For routine immunization and outbreak response on behalf of nearly 100 countries, the United Nations Children’s Fund procures more than 2 billion doses of various vaccines annually and it is the world’s largest single vaccine buyer.

The vaccine procurement and distribution effort, COVAX involves over 170 economies and has the potential to become the world’s fastest ever operation of its kind and the largest collaboration collectively representing 70 percent of the global population.

To make sure that all countries have equitable, fast, and safe access to initial doses of then

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September 15, 2020 Vol. 04 No 148

NOVEL POTENTIAL DRUG TARGETS GENERATED

BY DBT-FUNDED BIOINFORMATICS FACILITY AT ACBR Bioinformatics Facility At ACBR Generates Novel Potentials Drug Targets At Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research (ACBR), New Delhi, funded by the Department Of Biotechnology, the bioinformatics center has used bioinformatics and computational drug design effectively for identifying drug targets, for guiding the design of novel potential drug molecules, and for assisting bench experiments, in addition to the analysis of a large amount of data available in the public domain to derive novel pathways through network analysis.

Many potential novel drug targets, particularly epigenetic drugs and combinatorial therapy combining classical cell division regulators Development of Diagnostic kits and many promising leads have for sexually transmitted disebeen provided by the work done ases at affordable prices. at the center. For an in-depth Delivering lectures at health understanding of drug resistance conferences and symposia to in Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the increase community awareBioinformatics Facility (BIF) has ness about diseases. been utilized under the infectious Setting of future research priodisease area. Additionally, for rities through finding newer genome mining for novel epigeways to combat diseases, idennetic regulatory tool-kit of the tifying targets, studying genetic human genome, the BIF has been links with human diseases, etc. utilized. This has yielded both novel cis-elements and also novel In the year 2003, the Bioinformafunctions for known epigenetic tics Facility was created at ACBR. modifiers.

The facility is now being funded Patent Granted: A new Fluore- and supported by the Department scent Beacon probe-based of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt. of diagnostic Tool/Kit for molecular India, since 2006. detection of Translocation t(9;22)/ BCR – ABL1 in Leukemic patients and Method of Societal impact: In clinical practice and health-related policymaking, responsible and transparent dissemination of research findings and implementation.

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September 15, 2020 Vol. 04 No 148

A DBT-SUPPORTED FACILITY FOR VIRAL IMMUNOGENICITY TESTING, NIBEC INAUGURATED NIBEC DBT-supported Facility For Viral Immunogenicity Testing National Immunogenicity & Biologics Evaluation Center, a facility supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) was inaugurated in Pune.

For assessing the clinical immunogenicity of viral vaccines, a facility, the National Immunogenicity & Biologics Evaluation Center (NIBEC) has begun operations after it was inaugurated through an e-inauguration. The Minister of State; Government of Maharashtra, Dr. Vishwajeet Kadam presided the e-inauguration ceremony, and the facility was inaugurated virtually by Dr. Renu Swarup, Secretary, DBT, Government of India. The facility is established jointly by BIRAC-DBT, the Government of India through the National Biopharma Mission, and Bharati Vidyapeeth University through the Interactive Research School for Health Affairs (IRSHA), its constituent unit.

NIBEC has laboratories of different biosafety levels, it has 10 BSL-1, 4 BSL-2, and 1 BSL-3+ laboratory. It carries out key immunogenicity evaluation tests developed, standardized, and validated for SARS-CoV-2 viruses, chikungunya, and dengue viruses, like the Microneutralisation assay, Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT), IgM, and IgG ELISA. The facility set-up in about 10,000 sq ft.

The laboratory has already begun to closely associate with institutes engaged in vaccine developments nationally and internationally, and with leading vaccine manufacturing companies in India.

DBT, Dr. R13 enu Swarup inaugurating the facility said that considering the clinical immunogenicity testing of vaccine candidates particularly with the vaccine for COVID-19 under development in the country, she has very high expectations from NIBEC. She added saying that the development of indigenous vaccines in the country will be accelerated by having domestic capabilities maintaining international standards in this space.

Acknowledging and thanking the support of BIRAC and DBT, the Minister of State; Govt of Maharashtra, Dr. Vishwajeet Kadam, speaking on the subject said that it is heart-warming to have support from the Government in the establishment of such a facility at IRSHA.

Via video conference, Secretary,

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September 15, 2020 Vol. 04 No 148

GOVT OF CANADA 70 BANTING POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS & 140 AWARDS 2020 Banting Canada Fellowships 2020 – Govt of Canada Banting Fellowships Banting Canada Fellowships 2020 – Govt of Canada Banting Fellowships.

70 Postdoctoral Fellowships available and about 140 Awards are available for eligible candidates, as per the details given below: The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program provides funding to the very best postdoctoral applicants, both nationally and internationally, who will positively contribute to the country’s economic, social and research-based growth.

The objective of the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program is to: attract and retain top-tier postdoctoral talent, both nationally and internationally develop potential

their

leadership

position them for success as research leaders of tomorrow

Areas of research Health research Natural sciences and/or engineering Social sciences and/or humanities

Eligibility Citizenship : Canadian citizens Permanent Canada

residents

of

Foreign citizens

Number of Fellowships Available : 70 fellowships are awarded annually a total of up to 140 awards are active at any time.

Fellowships are distributed equal- Eligibility ly among: Applicant eligibility the Canadian Institutes of Citizenship and location of host Health Research (CIHR) institution the Natural Sciences and Engi- Canadian citizens, permanent neering Research Council residents of Canada and foreign (NSERC) citizens are eligible to apply, provithe Social Sciences and Huma- ded they meet the following connities Research Council ditions: (SSHRC) Applicants who are not Canadian citizens or permaThe Banting Postdoctoral nent residents of Canada may Fellowships program is unique in only hold their Banting its emphasis on the synergy Postdoctoral Fellowship at a between the following: Canadian institution. applicant – individual merit Applicants who are Canadian and potential to launch a citizens or permanent resisuccessful research-intensive dents of Canada and who career obtained their PhD, PhDhost institution – a commitment to the research program and alignment with the institution’s strategic priorities

An applicant to the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program must complete their application in full

-equivalent or health professional degree from a foreign university may only hold their Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship at a Canadian institution.

Applicants who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada and who

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obtained their PhD, PhD-equivalent or health professional degree from a Canadian university may hold their Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship at either a Canadian institution or an institution outside of Canada.

For a list of eligible health professions, please see CIHR’s webpage.

Eligibility window for degree completion Applicants to the 2020-21 Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program must fulfill or have fulfilled all degree requirements for a PhD, PhD-equivalent or health professional degree: between September 15, 2017 and September 30, 2021 (inclusively), and before the start date of their award.

Applicants who have not fulfilled all requirements for their degree at the time of application must submit proof no later than October 15, 2021.

For applicants who have completed more than one PhD, PhD-equivalent or health professional degree, the eligibility window applies to the most recent of these degrees.

Allowable extensions to eligibility window The window of eligibility can be extended by a cumulative maximum of three years if the applicant had their career interrupted for extenuating circumstances, such as parental leave, illness, health-related family responsibilities, mandatory military service, disruptions due to war, civil conflicts and/or natural disasters in the country of residence, socio-economic reasons, etc. “Career interruption� refers to a period of time when the applicant was not working (full-time or part-time) and when their research

Additionally, for health professionals who have engaged in post-degree non-research-related clinical training (e.g., residency), the eligibility window can be extended by the duration of this training.

For other professions that require post-degree, non-research-related training to be certified by a professional body, please consult the Vanier-Banting Secretariat to confirm whether an extension to the eligibility window is allowable.

Interruptions used to extend the eligibility window for degree completion must have occurred after the fulfilment of your degree requirements and before the application submission deadline.

Justification must be provided in the Special circumstances attachment. “Fulfilled all requirements of the degree� refers to the date that the applicant completed all the steps required for obtaining their degree. Although these requirements may vary by institution and degree type, they normally include thesis defence corrections and thesis deposition. Note that convocation is not considered a degree requirement.

Host institution eligibility Institutions eligible to host a Banting Fellow include Canadian and foreign universities, affiliated research hospitals, colleges and not-for-profit organizations with a strong research mandate and capacity.

Canadian governments (federal, provincial, municipal) and all for-profit organizations are not eligible to participate as host institutions.

Questions regarding institutional eligibility should be directed to the Vanier-Banting Secretariat well in advance of the submission deadline.

September 15, 2020 Vol. 04 No 148 Other eligibility restrictions Applicants who currently hold or have held agency-specific (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) awards at the postdoctoral level are eligible to apply to the 2020-21 Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program only if the term of that funding officially ends on or before September 30, 2021 and prior to the start of the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship. Early termination of the agency-specific postdoctoral award for the purpose of application to the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program is not permitted.

Applicants can apply for both the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program and other agency-specific postdoctoral fellowships programs (whether to the same or a different federal granting agency) at the same time, provided that the research proposed in each application falls within the mandate of the federal granting agency to which the application is submitted. For more information, please refer to Identify area of research. *Applicants who are successful in both competitions will have to choose which award to accept.

Applicants must not hold a tenure-track or tenured faculty position, nor can they be on leave from such a positionFootnote1.

Only in rare circumstances will a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship be awarded to an applicant who is staying at the same institution or within the same research environment where they completed their PhD, PhD-equivalent or health professional degree.

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If an applicant chooses to apply in collaboration with the same institution (or its affiliated hospitals, research centres and other laboratories) or within the same research environment from which they obtained their PhD, PhD-equivalent or health professional degree, a solid justification must be provided in the Special circumstances attachment.

Examples of valid justifications are scientific reasons (e.g., availability of specialized equipment/infrastructure or expertise), family reasons (e.g., family obligations), health reasons (e.g., proximity to health care facilities) and/or reasons related to community or cultural responsibilities.

September 15, 2020 Vol. 04 No 148

Timeline:

Applicants can submit only one application per competition year to the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program.

Without exception, Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships are tenable only at the institution that supported the original application for the program; must be taken up no earlier than April 1st and no later than October 1st following the year of application; are for two years; cannot be held concurrently with another Tri-Agency training award; and can only be held once in a lifetime.

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September 15, 2020 Vol. 04 No 148

KISHORE VAIGYANIK PROTSAHAN YOJANA (KVPY) PROGRAM 2020 KVPY Program 2020 – Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana KVPY Program 2020 – Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana. Interested and eligible applicants can check out all of the details on the same below: The KVPY Fellowships are given to Indian Nationals to Study in India (Students intending to pursue/pursing under graduate program under Distance Education scheme/correspondence course of any university are not eligible to apply).

Stream SA: Students enrolled in XI Standard (Science Subjects) during the academic year 2020-21 and having secured a minimum of 75% (65% for SC/ST/PWD) marks in aggregate in MATHEMATICS and SCIENCE subjects in the X Standard Board examination immediately in the preceding academic year are eligible to appear for the Aptitude test.

The fellowship of the students selected under this stream will be activated only if they join an undergraduate course in Basic S c i e n c e s (B.Sc./B.S./B.Stat./B.Math./Int. M.Sc./Int. M.S.) in the academic year 2022-23 after having secured a minimum of 60% (50% for SC/ST/PWD) marks in aggregate in Science subjects in the XII standard/(+2) Board Examination. During the interim period of one year, they will be invited for the National Science (Vijyoshi) Camp and their travel expenses and local hospitality will be met by KVPY. Stream SX: Students enrolled in XII Standard/ (+2) (Science subjects) during the academic year 2020–21 and aspiring to join undergraduate program in Basic Sciences

namely Physics/Chemistry/Mathematics & Biology leading to B.Sc./B.S./B.Stat./B.Math./Int. M.Sc./Int. M.S. for the session 2021–22 provided they have secured a minimum of 75% (65% for SC/ST/PWD) marks in aggregate in MATHEMATICS and SCIENCE subjects (Physics/Chemistry/ Biology) in the X Standard Board Examination during the academic year 2018-19 are eligible to appear for the Aptitude test.

The fellowship of the students selected under this stream will be activated only if they join an undergraduate course in Basic S c i e n c e s (B.Sc./B.S./B.Stat./B.Math./Int. M.Sc./Int. M.S.) in the academic year 2020-21 after having secured a minimum of 60% (50% for SC/ST/PWD) marks in aggregate in MATHEMATICS and SCIENCE subjects (Physics/Chemistry/Biology) in the XII standard Board Examination during the academic year 2020-21.

Students in their 2nd year of study in Cambridge International Examination Board and aspiring to join a UG program (viz.

B.Sc./B.S./B.Stat./B.Math./Int. M.Sc./Int. M.S.)in Basic Sciences namely Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology in the Academic year 2020-21 are eligible to apply provided they have secured a minimum of 75% (65% for SC/ST/PWD) marks in aggregate in MATHEMATICS and SCIENCE subjects (Physics/Chemistry/Biology) in the X Standard Board Examination. They must secure 60% (50% for SC/ST/PWD) marks in aggregate in MATHEMATICS and SCIENCE subjects (Physics/Chemistry/Biology) in the XII standard Board Examination before taking up the fellowship if awarded.

Stream SB: Students enrolled in the 1st year of the undergraduate program in Basic Sciences namely Physics/Chemistry/Mathematics & Biology leading to B.Sc./B.S./B.Stat./B.Math./Int. M.Sc./Int. M.S. during

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the academic year 2020–21 and having secured a minimum of 60% (50% for SC/ST/PWD) marks in aggregate in MATHEMATICS and SCIENCE subjects (Physics/Chemistry/Biology) in the XII Standard Board Examination are eligible to appear for the Aptitude test. In the 1st year final examination of B.Sc./B.S./B.Math./B.Stat./Int. M.Sc./Int. M.S. they must secure 60% (50% for SC/ST/PWD) marks before taking up the fellowship if awarded.

Empowerment initiative in the KVPY Fellowship Program: 1. A certain number of additional fellowships exclusively for the students belonging to SC/ST community under the various streams as stated above will be operated.

2. A certain number of fellowships under various streams as stated above will be operated exclusively for students under the category of Persons With Disability (Physically and Visually Challenged).

Students enrolled in an undergraduate course in Basic Sciences, that is B.Sc./B.S./B.Stat./B.Math./Int. M.Sc./Int. M.S. in Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Statistics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Cell Biology, Ecology, Molecular Biology, Botany, Zoology, Physiology, Biotechnology, Neurosciences, Bioinformatics, Marine Biology, Geology, Human Biology, Genetics, Biomedical Sciences, Applied Physics, Geophysics, Materials Science or Environmental Science are eligible for KVPY fellowship.

Renewal/Continuation of fellowship: The Fellow continues to study Basic Science courses in school/junior college/university and maintains a minimum level of academic performance of first-class or 60% (50% for SC/ST/PWD) marks in aggregate or equivalent grade points and the students has to necessarily pass all the subjects prescribed for that particular academic year (two semesters in case of semester system) and should have obtained the above-specified percentage of marks. In the course work, in each academic year, the marks/grades will have to be certified by the Dean or Head of the Institution. The fellowship will be discontinued if the above marks/grade is not obtained. However, if the fellow passes all the subjects and obtains greater than 60% ((50% for SC/ST/PWD) marks in the subsequent years, the fellowship can be renewed only from that year onwards, again with the condition that the fellow should obtain 60% (50% for SC/ST/PWD) marks in aggregate every year.

This is effective from 2012 awardees onwards. The Student is eligible to receive the KVPY fellowship up to Pre-PhD level or 5 years whichever is earlier.

In addition to the above, participation and satisfactory performance in the Summer Camp in the first year and Summer project every year thereafter is required for renewal of the fellowship.

KVPY Fellows who opt out of the basic science (B.Sc./B.S./B.Stat./B.Math./Int. M.Sc./M.S.) stream at any stage will forfeit the Fellowship and Contingency Grant forthwith.

The fellowship for the students selected under the stream SA/SX/SB will be started after the XII Standard/ (+2) / I year UG, only if they pursue an undergraduate

September 15, 2020 Vol. 04 No 148 course in Basic Sciences, that is, B.Sc./B.S./B.Stat./B.Math./Int. M.Sc./M.S. in Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Statistics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Cell Biology, Ecology, Molecular Biology, Botany, Zoology, Physiology, Biotechnology, Neurosciences, Bioinformatics, Marine Biology, Geology, Human Biology, Genetics, Biomedical Sciences, Applied Physics, Materials Science, Environmental Science or Geophysics.

Summer program Participation and satisfactory performance in the summer programme/Project each year from the second year (B.Sc./B.S./B.Math./B.Stat /Integrated M.Sc./Integrated M.S.) onwards in an academic Institution of National or International repute or a DSIR approved research labs (in case of private lab or institutions) is mandatory for renewal of the Fellowship. The report on the summer programme /project together with the assessment report from the mentor will have to be forwarded along with the course performance certificate etc. for renewal purpose from the second year of B.Sc./B.S./B.Math./B.Stat /Integrated M.Sc./Integrated M.S. program.

Other Privileges Each KVPY Fellow will be issued an Identity Card so as to have access to National Laboratories/ Universities who have agreed to extend special privileges like a library, laboratory facilities, etc. to KVPY Fellows on the production of the ID card.

Our Goal We hope that the award of the Fellowship to a student acts as an encouragement and motivation to take up research in a subject in B.S. (Basic Sciences) of their liking that induces the student to choose a research career.

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September 15, 2020 Vol. 04 No 148

How to Apply: Aptitude Test: Candidates meeting the eligibility criteria for various streams, will be called for aptitude test conducted both in Hindi and English at different centres across the country on Sunday, the 31st January 2021.

Admit Card Students may download the admit card for the aptitude test from the website from the second week of January 2021 Application for KVPY-2019 must be done online only.

There are three steps to complete your application successfully.

Step 1. Registration Step 2. Filling personal and academic details, choosing test centres and uploading photo, signature and other certificates, as applicable.

Step 3. Payment of application fees. Please note that you must pay the application fee only at the KVPY application portal. This can be done by using a Credit Card, ATM-Debit Card or Net Banking.

No other means of payment will be accepted. Once the payment is successful and application is submitted, no refund of application fee will be done The application fees for KVPY-2020 are as follows:For General/OBC Category: Rs. 1250, For SC/ST/PWD: Rs. 625 (Bank Charges extra)It is strongly recommended that the candidates carefully read the instructions given on the KVPY website before filling the online application. The steps are described in detail here KVPY Aptitude Test 2020 will be held online in the following cities across India:

Mock Computer Based Test of KVPY Aptitude Test – (Will be updated soon Important Dates: Opening of online application portal: 6th September 2020 The date for closing of online application: 5th October 2020 Download

Admit

card:

Email to applications.kvpy@iisc.ac.in THE PHONE NUMBERS ARE AVAILABLE BETWEEN 10:00 AM AND 05:00 PM. * Saturday and Sunday are Holidays.

The

second week of January 2021 Exam Date: 31st January 2021 Support Helpdesk Details: IF YOU REQUIRE ANY INFORMATION RELATED TO Application Form, CALL ON 080 – 22932975/76, 08023601008 & 080 – 22933536

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September 15, 2020 Vol. 04 No 148

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