Horse taming does not generally come to mind in connection with molecular biophysics, where one studyies the shape, structure and dynamics of proteins and DNA. However, scientists from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) in India and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), USA, have found two enzymes that interact with each other in a manner somewhat like a trainer taming a wild mustang.

Plants are sessile and they are constantly in a struggle with their environment. Most plants have developed elaborate mechanisms to counter a variety of environmental stresses, be it pathogens, or unfavorable soil and climatic conditions. However, when plants were converted into crops, most of their energy was diverted towards making more grains. This selection pressure forced crop plants to give up their natural ability to manage environmental stresses. This is the single biggest reason for crop failure due to environmental stresses.

Granny Knows best

No food, yet larvae reach within and develop

NCBS-TIFR aims to garner funds to bolster lifesciences research

Noted biotechnology entrepreneur and philanthropist, Dr Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, has provided Rs 5 crores as Endowment funding support, to the Bangalore Life Science Cluster, for advancing modern biological research.

With NCBS-TIFR turning 25, an Endowment Fund is being launched with a goal of reaching Rs 25 crores to mark the success of the past 25 years. Dr. Shaw’s announcement comes as a generous and much-needed boost to seed this Fund directed towards the growth of scientific capabilities at the extended NCBS-TIFR campus.

Professors welcome ordinary folks into the knowledge universe

NCBS announces its 7th annual science journalism workshop, which will be held on campus from August 6 to August 19th, 2017.

The workshop’s main objective is to impart the basic skills necessary for communicating science to the lay person via the written word.

After much deliberation and anxiety, the family finally sought psychiatric help for their son.  And the results were in a way, a relief.  The doctors’ verdict was that their child, their teenage son, was suffering from bipolar disorder. His wild mood swings between hyper-enthusiastic activity and deep depression were treatable.

Dans les champs de l'observation le hasard ne favorise que les esprits préparés.

In the fields of observation, chance favors only the prepared mind.

-       Louis Pasteur