Students can now apply for M.Tech (Marine Biotechnology) conducted by National Centre for Aquatic Animal Health, CUSAT
Kochi: Applications have been invited for the M.Tech (Marine Biotechnology) course conducted by the National Centre for Aquatic Animal Health Department, Marine Science Campus of Cochin University.
Admissions to the course will be made through the joint Entrance Examination conducted by the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. In order to request an application form and prospectus, a Demand Draft for Rs.260 drawn in favour of the Jawaharlal Nehru University, payable at New Delhi, must be mailed along with a self-addressed envelope of size 30 cm x 25 cm to the Section Officer (Admissions), Room No. 28, Administrative Block, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi – 110067.
The completed application form must reach the University before March 21. Students can also apply online at www.jnu.ac.in or www.jnuonline.in from February 6 to March 21 until 5 p.m. The application forms will be available by post until Mar 5. For those who apply online, the last date for submission of the confirmation page is March 28.
For more information on M.Tech courses in Marine Biotechnology, please visit www.ncaah.org.
For detailed information,
email to isbsingh@gmail.com or
call 0484 – 2981120 or 94476...
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
Immortal worms defy aging
The discovery, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, may shed light on the possibilities of alleviating ageing and age-related characteristics in human cells.
Planarian worms have amazed scientists with their apparently limitless ability to regenerate. Researchers have been studying their ability to replace aged or damaged tissues and cells in a bid to understand the mechanisms underlying their longevity.
Dr Aziz Aboobaker from the University's School of Biology, said: "We've been studying two types of planarian worms; those that reproduce sexually, like us, and those that reproduce asexually, simply dividing in two. Both appear to regenerate indefinitely by growing new muscles, skin, guts and even entire brains over and over again.
"Usually when stem cells divide — to heal wounds, or during reproduction or for growth — they start to show signs of ageing....
Gene found to have jumped from gut bacteria to beetle
Gene transfer between species is known as horizontal gene transfer (HGT) and up until recently has been considered a very rare event in plants and animals. In just the past few years, however, some microscopic organisms have been found to transfer genes to plants and even bacteria. Also, recently some parasites have been found to transfer their genes to humans. Now, a diverse research team has found evidence that bacteria found in the gut of the coffee berry borer beetle has transferred its genes to its host, though how exactly it might have done so is still a mystery.
In examining the beetle’s genes, the researchers found one in particular that really stood out, HhMAN1, both because it’s not one normally found in insects, and because its known to create a protein called mannanase that is able to break down one of the main ingredients in coffee beans. Interestingly, the team...
IIT-M Flyer for MS/PhD Admissions
Admissions - May 2012http://www.biotech.iitm.ac.in/admissions Screening ProcedureCandidates have to fill an online application form, also indicating their preferred specializations/streams for MS/PhD. The four streams are: (A) Biological Sciences (B) Bioengineering (C) Chemical Sciences and (D) Computational Biology. A maximum of two streams can be chosen by the candidate.
Shortlisted candidates will appear for a screening test in May 2012. Candidates will have to answer a test paper in each of their preferred streams. Candidates will be short-listed for the interview based on performance in the screening test(s).
Interview dates will be posted in the first week of March. Final decision on selection will be made based on overall performance.
Click here to download a flyer detailing the reearch areas.
Research AreasThe department focusses on a wide array of research...
Monday, 27 February 2012
India-born biologist bags world's 1st major int'l award
India-born biologist Kamal Bawa has bagged the world's first international award for outstanding scientific work that promotes sustainable development globally.
Dr Bawa, distinguished Professor of Biology at the University of Massachusetts in Boston, will receive the Gunnerus Sustainability Award from the Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters (DKNVS) at a function in Trondheim, Norway on 17th April, an official announcement said. "We are very pleased to have selected such a worthy winner of the first Gunnerus award," said Professor Kristian Fossheim, president of DKNVS. The Gunnerus award is the first major international prize for outstanding scientific work that promotes sustainable development globally, and will be awarded every two years starting in 2012. Dr Bawa is most noted for his pioneering work...
India's biotech sector to grow 20% in foreseeable future
BANGALORE: India's biotech sector is expected to grow at a robust 20 per cent per annum in the near future, given the growing demand for biopharmaceuticals, biosimilars and vaccines, says a veteran in the field.
Biofuels would also offer a huge growth opportunity in biotech, the Chairman and Managing Director of Biocon, the country's largest biotech company by revenue, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said.
"We are entering the era of bioeconomy, where biotechnology can provide powerful solutions to some of the grave challenges that we face today: food scarcity, energy deficit, environmental damage, unmet medical needs and industrial pollution," she said.
Mazumdar-Shaw said the size of the country's biotech sector had reached USD 3.5 billion in 2010 and is poised for robust growth in all segments of biotechnology.
"India is already a world leader in vaccine production, Bt Cotton and bio-pharmaceuticals, especially bio-similars," she said. "India is also a large producer of industrial enzymes for green technologies & bioremediation. We also have critical mass in tissue culture-based cultivation."
However, Mazumdar-Shaw also referred to regulatory delays, import-export delays and restrictions, lack of venture funding and the listing norms that are unfavourable to innovation-led biotech companies.
"The inherent risk associated with gestational time lines involved in developing biotech products is a huge deterrent for investors. Example, Bt Brinjal", she pointed out.
Asked about her vision for Bangalore-headquartered Biocon, Mazumdar-Shaw, who has been named among TIME magazine's 100 most influential people in the world, said: "I am committed to pursuing our strategy...
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