Similar to a mosaic floor where different patterned tiles come together to make a composite and holistic image, our brains too consist of billions of unique neurons that finally connect together and generate coordinated brain activity. Unlike the mosaic floor, however, which is static, our brains are dynamic and activity in the brain changes based on environmental cues.  So, what makes up the mosaic of our brain? Or, in other words, how are individual neurons different from each other?

Scientists have just discovered that a small region of a cellular protein that helps long-term memories form also drives the neurodegeneration seen in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). This small part of the Ataxin-2 protein thus works for good and for bad.

     On 14 May 2018, Professor L S Shashidhara of IISER Pune was elected an EMBO Associate Member, joining the league of 61 other outstanding life scientists that were elected to its membership this year. Prof. Shashidhara is also a member of the Management Board at NCBS, Bangalore.

     Over thousands of people took the Ice Bucket Challenge, a sensation in the summer of 2014. Nominated participants were filmed dumping buckets of ice-cold water on their heads and they in turn, challenged their friends to do the same. Challenged participants had 24 hours to comply or refuse and thus forfeit a charitable financial donation.

The NCBS study, to be conducted in collaboration with the InStem and the NIMHANS, will also focus on mental illnesses, especially bipolar disorders, among youth

         The year 2017 came to a close with the Basser Center for BRCA naming Prof.

The National Academy of Sciences announced the election of 84 new members and 21 foreign associates, recognizing their notable and enduring achievements in original research on May 1, 2018.

The scientists say the results can have far-reaching consequences, not just for pesticide use in the country, but also for different kinds of industrial coating applications.