RSTV: SCIENCE MONITOR 14.8.2021 – INSIGHTSIAS



Human-based models to study Neurodevelopmental disorders:

• Inspire Faculty Fellow, has developed human-based models to study neuron development and neurodevelopmental disorder such as autism which can help design treatment strategies for such brain disorders.
• Since decades, animal models have been used to understand brain-related disorders, and the drugs which function in animal models have failed in clinical trials.
• The dearth of human models has led to lack of knowledge of the pathophysiology of such disorders, an essential requirement for designing their treatment strategies. Therefore, recipient of INSPIRE Faculty fellowship instituted by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), filled this gap by generating human-based stem cell model to understand brain development and dysfunction at the National Brain Research Centre, Manesar, Haryana.
• Along with that establishment of a protocol from India for the first time by generating and producing induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from human peripheral blood. They have further refined the protocol of differentiation of iPSCs into the brain-specific stem cells, i.e., neural stem cells (NSCs).
• Group has contributed immensely in understanding the role of microRNA in the neural stem cell fate, which revealed how certain small non-coding RNAs called microRNA, which do not form protein but regulate expression of other genes, can enhance differentiation of neural stem cells into neurons.
• Research has contributed to expanding the knowledge of neuron development and the role of small non-coding miRNA in brain-specific stem cells fate, thereby changing the face of neuroscience and stem cells.
• Study provides the first evidence that a brain enriched miRNA-137 induces neuronal differentiation and inhibits proliferation using human neural stem cells derived from iPSCs.
• During the study, it was observed that miRNA-137 not only accelerates mitochondrial (powerhouse) biogenesis but also induces oxidative phosphorylation, generating ATP or energy currency of the cell. This resulted in increased mitochondrial content, which is actually necessary for the newly born neurons.
• Decrease in proliferation of brain-specific stem cells with age leads to compromised regenerative capacity of the brain. In her present work, she proposes that differentiation of brain-specific stem cells induced by a small non-coding miRNA may promote the design of treatments for aging-associated neurodegenerative diseases and autism.

Role of science communicators during independence movement:

• All India Seminar with the theme of `Role of Science Communicators during the Indian Independence Movement’ is to be organised to mark the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence.
• The conference will be held in New Delhi on October 20 and 21. It will be attended by science communicators from Government and non-government organisations, besides members of the media.
• There is a general perception in the country that India’s freedom struggle was mainly political and economic with some social aspects associated with it, even as there was a freedom movement going on in the arena of science too and scientists played an important role in it.
• Jagadish Chandra Bose opposed the injustice being meted out by the British colonial rulers to Indian scientists. Several of them were working in various scientific institutions.
• Like any other scientists, they also came out with research papers. But, they were all published in journals in England and the knowledge developed in India was used for the advancement of science in England and not India.
• Bose opposed this and when he started doing research after teaching for 10 years, he set up a laboratory of his own and conducted studies without receiving any funding from the British.
• The reality is that sacrifices and contributions made by many such scientists provided Indian science and technology a basis in 1947, on which we could build our current-day S&T prowess further.
• All forms of communication including comic books and animation be employed to take the stories about the Indian scientists who had contributed during the independence movement to youngsters in an interesting manner.
• Indian youth need to have scientists as icons more than film stars and other such celebrities.
• The conference is part of a year-long celebration being organised by Vigyan Prasar, VIBHA, and CSIR-NIScPR to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Indian independence as `Swatantrata ka Amrit Mahotsav’.

NABI developed ultra-sensitive sensor to detect Arsenic:

• The developed sensor is highly sensitive, selective, involves a single step, and is applicable for various water and food samples.
• The developed sensor can be easily operated by a common man by just correlating the colour change (on sensor surface) with the standard labels.
• It can be tested with three modes- spectroscopic measurements, colour intensity measurement with the help of colorimeter or mobile application, and with naked eyes.
• Developed on mixed metal (cobalt/molybdenum) based metal-organic frameworks, it can detect a wide range of arsenic- from 0.05 ppb to 1000 ppm.
• In the case of paper and colorimetric sensors, the colour of the Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) changes from purple to blue after interaction with arsenic.
• The intensity of the blue colour increases with an increase in the concentration of arsenic.
• It has been tested successfully for the fabrication of spectroscopic as well as paper-based tools for testing Arsenic in groundwater, rice extract, and plum juice.
• Identification of arsenic before consumption of water and food is imperative to protect common man from the possible health issues associated with arsenic.
• However, none of the existing methods of detection can be easily used by the common man.
• The developed testing kit is 500 times more sensitive in comparison to the improved version of the Molybdenum-blue test, which is one of the most common (and traditional) tests used for the sensing of arsenic ions.
• It is also economical and simple as compared to the other commonly used analytical techniques such as Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) and Inductively-coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS), which required expensive set-ups, lengthy and complicated methodologies, skilled operators, complex machinery, and difficult sample preparations.

CSIR-CMERI dedicated Tractor Mounted Spading Machine to the Nation:

• CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute, briefed about the Tractor operated spading machine and its application in seed bed preparation.
• First activity in any crop cultivation practice is the tilling of soil to make a desirable seed bed for germination of seeds or seedlings.
• Major part of tractor energy is utilized in seed bed operation leading to high operating cost for farmers. The Spading Machine developed at CMERI reduces the cost of tillage operation and improves its effectiveness. The design of CSIR-CMERI spading mechanism is advantageous in reducing vibration and enhancing the comfort of tractor operator.
• As compared to other tillage implements, the machine forms no compaction of subsurface soil and improves the aerobic quality and drainage of soil.
• The machine can also incorporate large organic material due to its homogeneous working and uniform turning of soil. The spading machine is powered by tractor PTO which rotates at standard speed of 540 rpm, power is transmitted to the crank through the speed reduction gear. This machine has a working width of 1800 mm and it can be operated with any tractor having power greater than 45 HP.
• Main advantage is less compaction in subsurface soil layers thereby eliminating the need for sub-soiling. This is due to the fact that soil breakup during spading is similar to manual hoeing as it imitates the manual soil cutting action.