4th May, 2021, Hyderabad: On 24th April, 2021, the Nehru Zoological Park (NZP) at Hyderabad reported eight Asiatic lions in the zoo with mild respiratory distress. Based on the guidelines of the Central Zoo Authority, their nasal and oral discharge samples were collected and sent to the Laboratory for Conservation of Endangered Species at CSIR-Centre… Continue reading Identification of Coronavirus in 8 Asiatic lions in Nehru Zoological Park; lions under recovery

4th June, 2021: Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi and the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad have collaboratively sequenced genomes of coronavirus variants in Varanasi and adjoining areas. Their study reports at least seven major strains of coronavirus circulating in these regions. The Multidisciplinary Research Unit headed at BHU collected samples from Varanasi… Continue reading Delta variant of coronavirus predominates in Varanasi

In the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is still unclear why some people experience more severe symptoms and adverse outcomes than others. An earlier research done on European population suggested variations in a specific DNA segment strongly associated with severe COVID-19 infection and hospitalization. This DNA segment is present in 50% of South Asians as compared… Continue reading Europeans and South Asians have different genetic correlations with COVID-19 outcomes

Y chromosome is known to be the male determining chromosome. It is a smaller chromosome in comparison to the X, its partner. It was not known to have any function except sex determination. The DNA sequences on Y chromosomes are by and large present in multiple copies and very few of them code for proteins.… Continue reading Y chromosome regulates genes on other chromosomes involved in male reproduction

Hyderabad, 20th October, 2021: Rapid growth of ancient DNA research and its impact on archaeology and other fields has prompted the need for developing universally acceptable ethical standards to govern such research. These discussions have led the scientific community to consider best practices for sampling of human remains and carrying out scientific analysis in a… Continue reading Globally applicable ethical guidelines for ancient DNA research

Hyderabad, 23rd October, 2021: CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, with Proteomics Society of India (PSI) co-organized OMICS-2021, an international meeting themed on omics redefining modern biology. The meeting was organized on the occasion of PSI’s 13th annual meeting from 21-23 Oct, 2021. The meeting discusses tools in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, lipidomics, metabolomics… Continue reading OMICS-2021 deliberates on omics technologies in modern biology

Hyderabad, 23rd Dec, 2021: Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA) is a common genetic disorder among Indians affecting the red blood cells. It is transmitted by parents who carry a defective beta globin gene without suffering themselves. Close to 0.4% of the population suffers from the disease while 10% people are carriers who lead to birth of… Continue reading Hydroxyurea gets DCGI approval for Sickle Cell Anemia treatment

15th Jan, 2022: The mortality rate due to cardiovascular diseases is very high in India, compared to western countries. In severe cardiomyopathy, one of the cardiovascular diseases, heart failures are common. Cardiomyopathy changes the integral structure of the heart muscle, and as a result, the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently. This increases the… Continue reading Novel genetic risk factors for heart failure among Indians