Research Matters

Cancer, described as the ‘emperor of all maladies’ by Siddharth Mukherjee’s book by the same name, is a disease which needs no introduction. Currently regarded as a collection of diseases, cancer is most accurately characterized by an unregulated growth of cells within the body -  be it within organs like the pancreas, lungs and brain, or fluid connective tissues like the blood. Given that cancer itself is so diverse and multifaceted, there are many therapies used to combat it, like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery and immunotherapy, to name a few.

India’s premier institutes like the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) are the most sought after institutes in the country that attract the best of the talent from across the country. But how do these national institutes compare with those in Singapore, a major hub of education in Asia? A new study by researchers from the Vidya Academy of Science and Technology, Thrissur and A.P.J.

Ramganga, one of the tributaries of the hallowed river Ganges, originates in Uttarakhand flowing through Corbett National Park and Uttar Pradesh. As a tributary to the Ganges, Ramganga also shares the divine status and hosts the annual Ganga Dussehra festival. But the increased population along its banks and celebrations involving immersing objects in the river and other factors have left a large section of this sacred river polluted.

Thrips is the common name given to insects belonging to the order Thysanoptera. These tiny insects are seen in aggregates on various plant parts. They have unique asymmetrical mouthparts which they use to feed on plant matter. Most species are herbivorous, but some predatory species have been recorded as well. Out of the 6102 species of thrips described globally 1% act as pollinators, predators and vectors for viruses.

The Indian Institute of Technology’s (IIT) are autonomous public institutions of higher education, offering undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral courses in engineering and related domains. IIT Kharagpur was the first institute to be set up, followed by in Bombay, Madras, Kanpur and Delhi. Today, there are a total of 23 IIT’s across the country and many of these premier institutions are placed high up in institutional rankings in the country.

What is common between albumin, gelatin and casein? They are all proteins! And not just that, they are proteins used for the synthesis of nanoparticles. Proteins are large biomolecules that are composed of long chains of amino acids. The chemical groups that the amino acid are composed of lead to the protein having polar (water soluble) and nonpolar (water insoluble) regions. Hence when introduced into water, proteins tend to bury their nonpolar region by folding into different 3D shapes.