A study by a consortium of eleven institutes, led by scientists from the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru, compares the immunogenicity of Covishield™ and Covaxin® - two primary COVID-19 vaccines widely used in India. The findings of the study offer valuable insights into the quality and quantity of immune responses induced by these vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, with significant implications for shaping future vaccination strategies.

A new study, a first of its kind in the Indian subcontinent, has revealed how the diet composition of threatened vulture species varies across different landscapes. Using a novel metabarcoding technique, a team of scientists from National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS-TIFR), Bombay Natural History Society, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Karnataka Vulture Conservation Trust, and Hume Centre for Ecology and Wildlife Biology, have been able to examine faecal samples from vultures, to identify the DNA of diet species whose carcasses the vultures likely consumed.

https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/opinion/sunday-read/the-sunday-re...

The

“Why so few women in science?” - is the question that united Prof Gita Chadha, Obaid Siddiqi Chair at NCBS, with the workshop attendees who were teachers of engineering, design and education. The half day workshop, titled "Nature and Culture of Science: Feminist Perspectives" on February 2nd, 2024.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/ally-or-oppressor-explori...

Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) has a longstanding tradition of honouring staff and students annually for their exemplary service and work during the Foundation Day celebrations, which is held on 30th October in TIFR, Mumbai. On this occasion, staff members who have served for 25 years at TIFR institutions are honoured. This time, three members of the NCBS family- Prof. R. Sowdhamini, Senior Professor, Mr. Prashanthmurthy, Administrative Officer-Hospitality Services and Mr. Ravindra Munshi, Engineer-Quality Control, were honored for their services.

Novak Djokovic

Bengaluru, 15 January 2024: Scientists from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS- TIFR), Bengaluru, in collaboration with researchers from Indian Foundation for Butterflies Trust, Bengaluru, have identified a new butterfly species, the Conjoined Silverline (Cigaritis conjucta), from the Western Ghats (a biodiversity hotspot) in Karnataka. Prof. Krushnamegh Kunte, along with PhD scholars Ujwala Pawar and Viraj Nawge from NCBS, contributed to this discovery, recently documented in the journal Zootaxa.

Prof. Vatsala Thirumalai was honoured with the Distinguished Alumni Award 2023 by Alagappa College of Technology (AC TECH), Anna University, Chennai. She is one among the only two women alumni to receive this award.