Latest news with #CSIR-CentreforCellularandMolecularBiology
Time of India
25-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
CSIR-NIIST's national conclave held
T'puram: As part of its golden jubilee celebrations, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram , organized a national conclave on 'Emerging Trends in Bio-manufacturing and Healthcare – 2025' on Friday. The event brought together scientists, industry experts, researchers and students to explore advancements in bio-manufacturing, sustainable healthcare, and bio-economy. Vinay K Nandicoori, director, CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, inaugurated the conclave. In his address, he stressed need for science-based solutions to address healthcare challenges in India and called for defining genetic health standards tailored for Indian population to enable personalised therapies. TNN
The Hindu
24-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Bacterial cell walls could hold clues to better human health, say CCMB scientists
Bacteria are enclosed by protective cell walls, made from a unique substance called peptidoglycan. This material is absent in other life forms, including humans, which is why many antibiotics target it. A team of scientists led by Manjula Reddy at CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, has found that bacteria sometimes make mistakes while building this wall. Instead of using the correct amino acid L-alanine, they occasionally use a structurally similar one called glycine. This weakens the wall and makes bacteria more vulnerable to antibiotics. These findings have been published in the PNAS journal. Also Read | CCMB team uses E. coli to study bacterial cell wall development The bacterial cell wall is made of sugars and short chains of amino acids. Dr. Reddy's team discovered that bacteria have a special enzyme called PgeF (Peptidoglycan Editing Factor) to maintain the composition of the cell using a combination of genetics and high-resolution mass-spectrometry, according to the study's first author, Shambhavi Garde. Interestingly, a similar enzyme exists in humans. Called LACC1, it has been linked to several autoinflammatory diseases — conditions where the immune system is hyperactived, said Though LACC1's role isn't fully understood, this study suggests it might be involved in how the body responds to bacterial infections. 'By studying such vulnerabilities in cell wall synthesis, new ways of blocking bacterial growth can be designed,' the scientists said in a press release.
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Scientists identify correction mechanism in bacteria that helps maintain protective wall
Hyderabad: Scientists at the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad identified a crucial correction mechanism in bacteria that helps maintain the strength of their protective outer wall. The study, led by Dr Manjula Reddy and published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), provides new insight into how bacteria survive and how they might be better targeted by antibiotics. This could hold clues to better human health. Bacteria have a tough outer wall made of a substance called peptidoglycan, which is essential for their protection and survival. This material is not found in humans, making it an ideal target for many antibiotics. The research team found that while building this wall, bacteria can sometimes make mistakes by using the wrong amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, which weakens the wall and leaves the bacteria more vulnerable. To prevent this, bacteria use a special enzyme called PgeF (Peptidoglycan Editing Factor) that spots and removes the incorrect amino acids. "Using genetics and high-resolution mass spectrometry, we showed that PgeF works like a quality control tool to ensure the wall is built properly," said Dr Shambhavi Garde. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indonesia: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad The study also found that a similar enzyme exists in humans, called LACC1. Problems in this human enzyme are linked to autoinflammatory disorders — conditions where the body's immune system goes into overdrive. This raises the possibility that understanding how LACC1 works could help develop treatments for these diseases and improve how our immune system responds to bacterial infections. Reddy noted that this discovery opens up new directions in both antibiotic development and research into immune-related conditions.
The Hindu
15-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
AIC-CCMB planning trials for Chikungunya vaccine with indigenously developed mRNA technology
CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) is planning to go ahead with the next stage larger-scale trials of the indigenously developed mRNA vaccine technology for tackling Chikungunya. 'Chikungunya is a serious, major debilitating disease in India and it does not yet have a vaccine. We have already demonstrated the ability to make use of mRNA technology to develop vaccines with a 'Proof of Concept' (PoC) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our lab data trials show our Chikungunya vaccine works,' disclosed AIC-CCMB chief executive officer N. Madhusudhana Rao. Results of lab experiments The lab experiments conducted on animals showed that the vaccine candidate can produce antibodies against Chikungunya proteins. The next phase will be to infect the animals and check if the virus load has decreased upon injecting the developed vaccine, he explained. The CEO said the institute had also completed initial trials into a potential mRNA vaccine to prevent tuberculosis (TB). But, to go into the next stage of animal trials and more elaborate testing, adequate funding is required, for which different options are being explored. How vaccines work? Vaccines work by preparing and training the immune system to identify disease-causing microorganisms and eliminate them quickly when the system encounters them. In mRNA technology, the host cell's immune system is trained to evade the real infection by introducing mRNA of an important protein of the microorganism of concern into the host, said Mr. Rao. Interestingly, though AIC had developed the PoC for mRNA technology in less than a year and had announced the same two years ago, it did not elicit much response from either the Indian industry or foreign collaborators. 'There were a few firms which evinced interest in making use of our mRNA technology for vaccine research. But they never came back with concrete proposals. It is an accepted fact that firms spend millions to take licenses from abroad rather than spend a few lakhs on local technology,' said Mr. Rao, a former senior scientist of the CSIR-CCMB. Comirnaty (by Pfizer) or Spikevax (by Moderna) are based on mRNA technology for COVID and found to be extremely effective. The mRNA technology is considered chemically safe with no long-term challenges. The one developed in AIC-CCMB too is based on the existing mRNA vaccine model. It is as safe as the one approved by the US Food & Drug Administration Agency and had undergone a third party quality check, affirmed the CEO. mRNA works much better on viruses and vaccines can be developed for other diseases faster. 'It is unfortunate that there are few takers for our technology, though many are trying the same through different platforms. But we want to go ahead with our trials for the potential Chikungunya and TB vaccine candidates now with different partners,' added Mr. Rao.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Stable forests key to south India's unique biodiversity
HYDERABAD: A mix of stable tropical forests and ancient climate changes led to peninsular India's unique biodiversity over millions of years, according to a study by researchers at the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology in Hyderabad. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now By examining 33 groups of animals and plants, scientists discovered that some species slowly evolved thanks to long-term ecosystem stability, while others were shaped by drastic changes in climate and landscape between 11 and 3 million years ago. Peninsular India extends from the Aravalli mountains southwards, including the Satpuras and Vindhyas, the Eastern Ghats, the Deccan Plateau and global biodiversity hotspot of Western Ghats. It harbours highly diverse groups of animal and plant species, many of which do not occur anywhere else in the world. The study published in Ecology Letters uncovered how species evolved and disappeared across South Asia and the wider Asian region. By analysing the 33 well-studied groups of animals and plants using mathematical models, the team traced patterns of species formation (speciation) and loss (extinction) across the region. "Each of the groups comprises closely related endemic species and a common ancestor that existed at some point in time. Through millions of years, their descendants spread across the landscape and diversified into multiple species, many of which exist today," said CCMB scientist Dr Jahnavi Joshi. The researchers found a high disparity in how species are formed or lost across groups of animals and plants. They found evolutionarily related groups, such as different kinds of lizards, exhibited similar rates of forming and losing species. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now They also found that half of animal and plant groups accumulated diversity gradually over millions of years. "The stability of the tropical forest ecosystems in Peninsular India has allowed for such steady diversification. As a result, this area has served as a refuge for species from severe climate changes," said Joshi. Pragyadeep Roy, first author of the study, added: "The stability of this ecosystem is surprising given the turbulent geo-climatic past of the landmass. Peninsular India was once part of the Gondwanaland supercontinent with land masses such as Africa and Australia. It broke away 100 million years ago, drifted northward, and collided with Asia, forming the Himalayas. Despite drastic geo-climatic shifts from this movement, the biodiversity changed steadily. This highlights the resilience of its forest habitats." "Global temperatures have been very dynamic across millions of years, and our analysis suggests earth's temperature strongly influences how species are formed in many groups," explained Roy. The study found that some groups experienced abrupt changes in the rates of forming new species within the time range of 11 to 3 million years ago. "This period was marked by high aridification and monsoon seasonality in Peninsular India with a major expansion of grasses, leading to shrinkage of evergreen forests to the Western Ghats and mountaintops of the Eastern Ghats. These events inflicted changes in the ranges and habitats of organisms, disrupting their earlier evolutionary trends," the study said.
