Sexless reproduction for humans soon ?

An Indian-origin research geneticist who pioneered a celebratory work on eccentric creatures capable of reproducing without sexual contact has claimed that humans too are on the course for sexless reproduction in future.

Aarathi Prasad from Imperial College London suggests that humans could well be looking at a future where babies are born without any sperm donors, let alone contact between the sexes.
Merely a generation ago, test-tube babies were the stuff of science fiction but now they have been accepted as a reality.
Her book Like A Virgin explores a fundamentally serious theme we human beings are in control of our own destiny and there is nothing sacred or special about life itself.
This is so because we live in a world where science means we can manipulate everything — even the process of reproduction, the Daily Mail reported.
The central tenet of Aarathi’s story is that virgin births are now almost within the grasp of science.
An artificial womb — a plastic container specially designed to hold fluids and bacteria found in natural wombs, has already been pioneered in Australia.
According to Aarathi, it will one day be technically possible for a man to develop a child in one of these “wombs” without the co-operation of any female partner.
Aarathi points out that science has already developed artificial sperm.
And that such sperm has produced offspring. How far behind can be the synthetic egg? Her book also comes up with all kinds of interesting case histories which appear to suggest that a virgin birth might not be beyond the bounds of science as new techniques develop.

WALK-IN-INTERVIEWS in CRRI for technical assistant posts

CENTRAL RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

 Information about following will be available in http://crri.nic.in/walk_in_TH_aug12.pdf
Name of the Scheme :
No. of the  position
 Rate of   Remuneration
 Requisite qualification
Maximum  age as on 01.07.2012
Duration
Date & Time of   Interview
  Place of    posting


Terms & Conditions:
1. The above position is purely temporary and is co-terminus with the scheme/project. The services of appointed candidates will stand terminated automatically after expiry
of the scheme/project or completion of period indicated in the selection offer, whichever is  earlier and the candidate will not have any right for absorption in
CRRI/ICAR. The above age limits are relaxable for SC, ST and OBC candidates as per Govt. of India norms.
2. Eligible candidates desirous to be considered for the above-mentioned position are advised to bring one copy of their bio-data  along with Xerox copy of all the
certificates and mark sheets affixing recent photograph thereon together with original copies of educational certificate/mark sheet (matriculation onwards) and appear for
a walk-in-interview comprising of a written-cum-personal interview on prescribed date, time and place.
3. Director, CRRI reserves the right to increase/decrease the number of position and also to cancel the recruitment process for the position mentioned above.
Director's decision will be final and binding in all aspects.
4. No T A and DA for appearing in the interview are admissible.
5. Canvassing in any form will render the candidate disqualified for the position.

 

JRF post in CRIDA

F.No.DBT (SKY)/Recruit/2012 Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), invites applications for the post of Junior Research Fellow Qualifications : First Class M.Sc (Agriculture) with specialization in biotechnology/ biochemistry/ Plant physiology/Environmental science focussing crop biotechnology/transgenics or First Class M.Sc. degree in biotechnology/ biochemistry/ Plant physiology/ Environmental science. Valid GATE/NET qualification/score is a must for Postgraduates in Science.  Desirable: Working knowledge of advanced techniques used in molecular characterization of transgenics and segregation analysis. Working knowledge in computer skills and report writing No. of Post: 1 Age:35 years  Salary : Rs. 12000/- How to apply  Walk-in-Interview is scheduled for 29th August, 2012 at 10.30 AM at Director, Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Santoshnagar Colony, Saidabad Post, Hyderabad - 500 059. Candidates should bring their duly filled application as per the format enclosed along with attested photocopy as well as original of the relevant documents and NET/GATE qualification if any.

Lab Assistant Post in University of Hyderabad -

No. of Post : One. Salary : Rs 8,000/- pm Qualifications: Intermediate with preferably Science background. Minimum three years experience of working in biology lab. Knowledge of computer based software operation such as Excel and Word for accounting and familiarity with purchase procedure is desirable. The application without experience certificates would be rejected. Send your Application to The Prof. R.P. Sharma, Dept. of Plant Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad- 500 046 on or before August 16th, 2012. For more information visit to http://www.uohyd.ac.in/images/recruitment/labassitant2012.pdf Last Apply Date: 16 Aug 2012 Salary : Rs 8,000/- pm Address: Prof. R.P. Sharma, Dept. of Plant Sciences, School of Life Sciences,  University of Hyderabad,  Hyderabad- 500 046

Research Associate post in ANGRAU - Hyderabad

Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University, conducts walk-in-interview for the post of Research Associate .  Project Title : Development of micronutrient enriched maize through molecular Breeding-Phase II. Qualifications : Ph. D. in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology or its equivalence M.Sc. (Ag.) / M.Sc. Biotechnology with three years of relevant experience  Funding Source : Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi  Age Limit : 35 Years  Pay : Rs. 22000/- Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University, conducts walk-in-interview for the post of Research Associate How to apply  Walk-In-Interview will be held on 21 .08.2012 on 10.00 A.M. at Institute of Biotechnology, ANGRAU, Rajendranagar. Interested candidates are requested to appear for interview along with C.V., original certificates, experience certificates, testimonials and proof of additional credentials.

A BREAKTHROUGH

GENE THERAPY MAY REGROW BONES

                          computer-driven bioplotter to fabricate 3D gene therapy scaffolds

Scientists claim-ed to have developed a new method which can mimic real bone tissue and regenerate bones using gene therapy.

Researchers from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) have developed a method of repairing bone using synthetic bone graft substitute material, which combined with gene therapy, can mimic real bone tissue and can regenerate bone in patients who have lost large areas of bone from either disease or trauma.
The researchers have developed an innovative scaffold material made from collagen and nano-sized particles of hydroxyapatite which acts as a platform to attract the body’s own cells and repair bone in the damaged area using gene therapy.
The cells are tricked into overproducing bone producing proteins known as BMPs, encouraging regrowth of healthy bone tissue. The method has potential to be applied to regenerate tissues in other parts of the body.
“Previously, synthetic bone grafts had proven successful in promoting new bone growth by infusing the scaffold material with bone producing proteins,” Professor Fergal O’ Brien, Principal Investigator on the project said in a statement.
“These proteins are already clinically approved for bone repair in humans but concerns exist that the high doses of protein required in clinical treatments may potentially have negative side effects for the patient such as increasing the risk of cancer,” O’Brien added.

Telugu girl gets US Prez award

As per The news in Deccan Chronicle dated 25-07-12

Telugu scientist Sridevi Vedula Sarma, an assistant professor at the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Computational Medicine at the John Hopkins University, has been awarded the prestigious Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers in the US. This is the highest honour given by the US government to science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their research careers.

US President Barack Obama named four Indian-American scientists among 96 researchers as recipients of the awards. The three other Indian recipients are Pawan Sinha, Parag A. Pathak and Biju Parekkadan.

“Discoveries in science and technology not only strengthen our economy, they inspire us as a people,” Mr Obama said. Ms Sarma, who is a second-generation immigrant from Andhra Pradesh, obtained her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Cornell University in the US and went on to receive her Ph.D from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2006. She was also a post-doctoral fellow at the MIT. She develops software that help doctors treat Parkinson’s disease. Ms Sarma was trained in electrical engineering, but she was drawn towards neuro-medical sciences. She conducted a case study of her aunt who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

JRF Post in University of Hyderabad

                                                                University of Hyderabad
                                  (A Central University established in 1974 by an act of the parliament)
Department of Biotechnology
School of Life Sciences
HYDERABAD 500 046
INDIA
Tel: +91-40-23134505
Fax: +91-40-23010120
UH/BT/JSSP/DBT-BT/PR13616/BRB/10/774/2010 Dt: 17-8-11

NOTIFICATION

Applications are invited for the following JRF position in DBT sponsored project entitled: “Unraveling the conserved stress responsive mechanism using Synechocystis sp PCC 6803 as a model”.
 Candidates interested are requested to send their Biodata with contact information to the Principle investigator  (above address) on or before 6-09-2011.
Work involves Targeted mutagenesis and application of DNA micro arrays to unravel the functions
of Hypothetical genes.
Suitable candidates will be called for interview to appear before
selection committee intimating the date and venue.
No TA/DA will be paid for attending the
interview.
Project Position :JRF
Qualification and experience: M.Sc(Plantsciences/Microbiology/Biotechnology/Biochemistry/Lifesciences),M.Tech
(Biotechnology/Life sciences)
Preference will be given to UGC/CSIR-NET or Gate qualified candidates
Pay per Month:12000+HRA
Duration:Till the project ends (DBT)
 Principal Investigator: Dr.J S S Prakash

GM mosquitoes may be released in Hyderabad

Genetically Modified (GM) mosquitoes could soon be unleashed in the country to control the population of their own dengue and chikungunya virus transmitting species. British company, Oxitec, which developed the technology, partnered with a company in the country to test and evaluate GM mosquitoes. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), dengue is a fast emerging pandemic-prone viral disease in many parts of the world. According to the ministry of health and family welfare, there were 1,209 dengue cases and six deaths in the state last year while this year there have been 96 cases and one death. About 70 cases of chikungunya have been confirmed this year.

Dengue and chikungunya are primarily transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti, also called the yellow fever mosquito. Oxitec’s procedure is primarily population control, but after allowing the vectors to reproduce. Mosquitoes are genetically modified so that they need a diet supplement, tetracycline, during larval development. These GM vectors are released in the open after which they mate with the female mosquitoes. And since they want the supplement, their offspring die in the early stages. The males are also short-lived.

Luke Alphey, chief scientist, Oxitec and a visiting professor in zoology, University of Oxford, said in an email, “Remember that our sterile males do produce sperm; these transmit the lethal gene to the offspring which then die.” But since only the male is GM, the question of the female re-mating and reproducing normal offspring arises. To this, he answered, “In general females mate only once.”

” He thinks this is why non-sperm producing males wouldn’t work. The company said it has released GM mosquitoes in Brazil and the Cayman Islands and reported “suppression of target wild populations of Aedes Aegypti in both Brazil and Cayman by 80 per cent or more”. The process would need about four releases of GM mosquitoes every week in some target areas which will be around 20-100 males per week per resident in a particular area.

For more information click this link   http://oneinsevenpeople.wordpress.com/2011/11/08/gm-mosquitoes-buzz-off/

Nanobodies - the new concept in antibody engineering

Hi friends , i found this review article very interesting and like to provide some other additional information and Pictures about the topic .I am providing the link for the  review article which was  published in African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 8 (12), pp. 2645-2652, 17 June, 2009.

Pdf  link of the article
click here   www.ajol.info/index.php/ajb/article/viewFile/60807/49020

Picture 2 Camelid (Lama) and Picture 4: cartilagenous Fishes (wobbegong).

•ABLYNX in Belgium which is a biopharmaceutical company is engaged in discovery and development of Nanobodies in therapeutic programs including major disease areas such as thrombosis ,inflammation, oncology and Alzheimer’s disease.

•Ablynx’s vWF Nanobody programme was granted orphan drug designation by both the U.S. FDA and the European Commission for the treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).

•Nanobodies  with specificity to other targets of biological relevance will be another future challenge.