Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (DBT-inStem)’s Post

Zebrafish as a model organism for #biomedicalresearch compliments some limitations of the #mammalian experimental models. This meeting is an opportunity to learn how this model can advance your research. Join us at BRIC ILS and "meet the experts". DBT ILS Bioincubator

Drosophila Research Lab IISER Mohali is organizing one day workshop for college teachers from Chandigarh/Mohali. Only 15 seats available, no registration fee. Apply through the google form before 22nd April 2024; https://lnkd.in/gtuqSE64 Great opportunity to learn basic features of Drosophila genetics. Why Drosophila is a great model in biological research and how what all have we learned from Drosophila research! Also a wonderful chance to interact with the experts working in with Drosophila as a model system.Lolitika Mandal

I'm delighted to announce that I've successfully finished another course offered by IIT Guwahati through the Swayam NPTEL portal. This course has equipped me with valuable insights into molecular biology. #nptel #iitGuwahati #molecularbiology

🌟 Welcome our new team member, Dr. Kunal Dixit! 🔬 Kunal has recently joined Maria Marco's Lab at the University of California, Davis as a #postdoctoral researcher. Originally from India, Kunal completed a Ph.D. at Symbiosis International (Deemed University) and the National Centre for Cell Science in Pune, India. 📑 Kunal's doctoral research focused on investigating patients with Non-celiac gluten sensitivity and #irritablebowelsyndrome for site specific microbiome signatures and study the effect of gluten free diet on microbiome of Non-celiac gluten sensitive patients using multi-omics approach. 🐽 In PIG-PARADIGM , Kunal's research will revolve around analyzing #gutmicrobiota of piglets and screening for #bacteriocins produced by Lactobacillus species pre- and post-weaning.

A new type of microscopic organism was just discovered in human body Newly discovered organism called obelisks are made up of tiny rings of genetic material. obelisks can create their own protein that are entirely new to science . The team named their proteins "oblins."scientists are still figuring out what these proteins do and how obelisks interact with other organisms. obelisks require a microbial host cell for replication . The researchers identified one potential host for obelisks , a bacterium that is mostly found in our mouth . This bacterium is known as straptococcus sanguinis , and it's commonly found in dental plaque. The discovery raises intriguing questions about the role obelisks in human health , whether they might be harmful , beneficial , or merely passive inhabitants of our microbial ecosystem.If they have a symbiotic relationship with their host's obelisks might contribute to the stability and diversity of the gut microbiom , possibly offering new avenues for therapeutic interventions.

A neat, and important, bit of biological research history... "One of the first mitogens to be identified was platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and it is typical of many others discovered since. The path to its isolation began with the observation that fibroblasts in a culture dish proliferate when provided with serum but not when provided with plasma. Plasma is prepared by removing the cells from blood without allowing clotting to occur; serum is prepared by allowing blood to clot and taking the cell-free liquid that remains. When blood clots, platelets incorporated in the clot are triggered to release the contents of their secretory vesicles (Figure 17-40). The superior ability of serum to support cell proliferation suggested that platelets contain one or more mitogens. This hypothesis was confirmed by showing that extracts of platelets could serve instead of serum to stimulate fibroblast proliferation. The crucial factor in the extracts was shown to be a protein, which was subsequently purified and named PDGF. In the body, PDGF liberated from blood clots probably has a major role in stimulating cell division during wound healing." https://lnkd.in/e-EkeVmM

Scientists identify mechanism that preserves centromeres during cell division. A ten-year puzzle about the mechanism preserving the centromere—the structure that guarantees proper DNA division during cell division—has been answered by scientists. According to the study, which was published in Science, a protein called PLK1 starts a process that makes sure important proteins are coordinated at the appropriate time and location during cell division, resulting in each new cell having a centromere in the proper spot. The centromere is the component of DNA where the cell division machinery links to separate identical copies of the cell's genetic material into newly created cells. The study clarifies one of the most basic functions of life, which is to maintain proper separation of the cell's DNA, which is bundled into chromosomes, over successive rounds of cell division. Sources: Pragya Parashara et al. (2024). PLK1-mediated phosphorylation cascade activates Mis18 complex to ensure centromere inheritance, Science. DOI: 10.1126/science.ado8270 https://lnkd.in/gjP2JwMt

🎉 The most widely read research highlight on the EMSL website in 2023 was a study led by the University of Missouri-Columbia and the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL) that used forward genetic screening to identify how targeted genes affect an organism. The study demonstrated how a model plant transfers its energy to a key pathway in metabolism. The connections made in this study may unveil new genetic targets for engineering crops to increase yield or better survive under stressful environmental conditions. Research team: Gary Stacey, University of Missouri-Columbia  Ljiljana Pasa-Tolic, Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL) More on this research: https://bit.ly/3GLK9Qi

I’m excited to share a highlight from my senior project! I had the chance to research about several topics for my seminar project, and focused on a very interesting topic: The effect of high sucrose diet on ovarian function. Looking forward to continue my scientific journey and explore more topics in biochemistry and health! #biochemistry #research #ovarianhealth #womeninstem #health #science

📢 Publication Alert: Phospholipid Dynamics in Intracellular Parasites Revealed! We are pleased to share our recent study published in the 𝘑𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘓𝘪𝘱𝘪𝘥 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩, which sheds light on the intricate world of 𝘛𝘰𝘹𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘮𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘪, particularly focusing on the synthesis and inter-regulation of phospholipids. Under the esteemed supervision of Prof. Dr. Nishith Gupta, our team, led by the talented international scholars Dimitrios Alexandros, Rosalba Cruz-Miron and research coordinator Dr. Ratnesh Kumar Srivastav uncovered fascinating insights into how these parasites thrive and survive. We discovered that a base-exchange-type PtdSer synthase (PSS) in the parasite's endoplasmic reticulum plays a pivotal role in producing phosphatidylserine (PtdSer), crucial for locomotion and invasion. Our findings reveal the intricate pathways through which these parasites synthesize and utilize phospholipids for their growth and reproduction. Moreover, depletion of PSS impairs critical functions such as gliding motility, cell division, and egress, ultimately disrupting the lytic cycle of the parasites. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gMQt6-K5 This study not only advances our understanding of parasite biology but also opens doors to developing targeted treatments that exploit their vulnerabilities while sparing host cells. Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance, Research & Innovation, BITS Pilani, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Ruben D. Arroyo Olarte, Jos Brouwers, Geethanjali Jarugumalli, Vaibhav Jain, Manasvita Penujuri, Ayesha Kutay #Publication #iPEARL #BITSPilani #Parasitology #Research #Phospholipid