Author: Biotech Express

Gregg Semenza, a professor of genetic medicine and director of the vascular program at Johns Hopkins’ Institute for Cell Engineering in Baltimore, shared the 2019 Nobel prize in physiology or medicine for “discoveries of how cells sense and adapt to oxygen availability.” Since pseudonymous sleuth Claire Francis and others began using PubPeer to point out potential duplicated or manipulated images in Semenza’s work in 2019, the researcher has retracted 12 papers. One of the papers, “PHGDH Expression Is Required for Mitochondrial Redox Homeostasis, Breast Cancer Stem Cell Maintenance, and Lung Metastasis,” was originally published in 2016 and has been cited…

Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) has launched a pediatric dose of India’s first indigenous Hepatitis A vaccine, Havisure (0.5 ml), marking a milestone in the company’s mission to provide accessible and effective vaccines. The new pediatric dose of Havisure represents a major step forward in combating Hepatitis A, a highly contagious liver infection that predominantly affects children and can lead to severe health complications. Dr. K. Anand Kumar, Managing Director of Indian Immunologicals Limited, expressed, “We are delighted to introduce the pediatric dose of Havisure, the first indigenously developed Hepatitis A vaccine in India. IIL is the single largest contributor to…

“It’s expensive to send food up to astronauts, so ideally, we want them to grow some of their own food,” said Dr. Robert Jinkerson, an associate professor of chemical and environmental engineering at the Bourns College of Engineering at UC Riverside. As NASA plans missions to the moon and Mars, scientists like Jinkerson are researching how to grow plants and fungal-based food using artificial photosynthesis. “Our work is focused on how do we actually grow plants without light and try to reduce and minimize the amount of light,” he said. Instead of sunlight, Jinkerson has managed to grow tomatoes using…

In a significant move aimed at streamlining and bolstering the science and technology landscape in India, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the continuation of three existing umbrella schemes under a unified central sector scheme named ‘Vigyan Dhara’. This comprehensive initiative, led by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), is set to run through the 15th Finance Commission period from 2021-22 to 2025-26, with an allocated budget of Rs. 10,579.84 crore. The scheme has three broad components: • Science and Technology (S&T) Institutional and Human Capacity Building, • Research and Development and • Innovation, Technology…

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today approved the proposal ‘BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy for Fostering High Performance Biomanufacturing’ of the Department of Biotechnology. The salient features of BioE3 policy include innovation-driven support to R&D and entrepreneurship across thematic sectors. This will accelerate technology development and commercialization by establishing Biomanufacturing & Bio-AI hubs and Biofoundry. Along with prioritizing regenerative bioeconomy models of green growth, this policy will facilitate expansion of India’s skilled workforce and provide a surge in job creation. Overall, this Policy will further strengthen Government’s initiatives such as ‘Net…

Introduction The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar was instituted by the government of India in 2023 to recognize the contributions of outstanding researchers in the fields of science, technology and innovation. The institution of this award was announced in January 2024 after scrapping more than 300 awards given by different institutions. The award consists of a medal and a citation; no cash prize is awarded. The objective of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) is to recognise the notable and inspiring contribution made by the scientists, technologists and innovators individually or in teams in various fields of science, technology and technology- led innovation.…

Prerna Mehta1* 1Department of Biotechnology, GD Rungta College of Science & Technology Bhilai-490024, Chhattisgarh, India Corresponding author: prernamehta326@gmail.com Abstract Gene remedy, a groundbreaking subject in biomedical research, holds first-rate potential to convert remedy procedures for a large number of sicknesses. This bankruptcy offers a complete exploration of gene therapy’s modern abilities and its profound implications for healthcare. Beginning with a ancient context, it traces the evolution of gene therapy and delves into the latest breakthroughs in gene enhancing technology, with a particular emphasis on CRISPR-Cas9 and viral vectors, facilitating specific genetic changes. The chapter illuminates successful applications of gene…

In November 2013, Elisabeth Bik reported five papers containing what she thought was “pretty obvious” plagiarized text in Karger’s Digestive Diseases to the journal’s editor in chief. Eleven years later, one of the bunch, “Inflammatory Bowel Disease as a Risk Factor for Colorectal Cancer,” has been retracted. The decision took “a ridiculously long time,” Bik said. “Perhaps they forgot to act, perhaps they lost my email, perhaps they thought it was too much trouble to check, or perhaps they were not sure what to do back in 2013, when I contacted them.” The recently retracted paper, by Milan Lukáš, a…

Former CSIR Director General Girish Sahni, known for developing clot busters for treatment of cardiovascular diseases, died on Monday, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research said. He was 68. Sahni, who specialised in protein engineering, molecular biology, and biotechnology, contributed significantly in the area of protein cardiovascular drugs especially ‘clot busters’ and their mode of action in the human body. The team led by Sahni was responsible for producing technology for India’s first indigenous clot blusters, natural streptokinase and recombinant streptokinase. He also developed clot-specific streptokinase, a drug whose licensing rights were sold to Nostrum Pharmaceuticals in New Jersey,…

The New Zealand government said on Tuesday that it would introduce new legislation to make it easier for companies and researchers to develop and commercialize products using gene technologies such as gene editing. Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins said in a statement that rules and time-consuming processes have made research outside the lab almost impossible. “These changes will bring New Zealand up to global best practice and ensure we can capitalise on the benefits,” she said. Current, regulations mean that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) cannot be released out of containment without going through a complex and vigorous process…