The beginning of January is the application time for all the summer Internship programs throughout the country. Every year, CCMB (Centre For Cellular And Molecular Biology) officially publishes the Notification for the Summer Internship Program at its esteemed centre.

CCMB Summer Program: Details

Eligibility Qualifications :

The Training program is open to students from all branches of science and to every indian Universities and Research Institutes.

Eligibility for M.sc : Students who are admitted in a Master Program (M.Sc) in the previous year ,i.e who will complete their 1st year of M.Sc

Eligibility for B.Tech Or BE : Students who are admitted 3 years back, i.e Students who are in 6th Semester (3rd Year Of Engg)

Eligibility for Integrated B.Tech - M.tech : Students who are admitted 4 years back, i.e in 4th year of their program.

M.Tech Students are NOT ELIGIBLE

Computer Science students with flair for Biology may also apply.

ABOUT  SUMMER TRAINING PROGRAM :
The Program is mainly intended to give students a real time exposure to research environment .
It's NOT a Conventional classroom based Training Program. Here the selected students will be assigned to a CCMB Staff Scientist who will supervise them during the Stay.

Each Student is expected to execute a small project and will need to submit a "Project Report" & an Oral Presentation of the work done.  
As the allotments are mainly based on Availability of working places in Different labs , THEREFORE students ,Who are ready to work in any lab in CCMB , if selected ,irrespective of his/her stated research interest

APPLICATION PROCEDURE :

Applications often open in January.

Only hardcopies are accepted.

The names of the selected students are often available in the CCMB home page during second week of April.

There is No FEE for the training program ; CCMB WILL NOT Provide any financial support for boarding / lodging.

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For details on CCMB 2015, refer: http://in.biotechstudents.com/ccmb-summe...programme/

Traditional medicine of Chinese hold a big share of Pharmaceutical market in the entire China. It is said that annually $ 41 billion are earned from this business by the pharmaceutical companies. Recently, Chinese and US based scientists have revealed that the material used in these medicines does have scientific importance and considered to be untapped source for all kinds of ailments. Chinese deputy health minister quoted as saying that $ 1 billion had been used last year for investigating the drugs with the help of biotechnology.

It is the reason that scientists from China and US have collaboratively agreed to improve the quality of the drugs with the use of modern technology. Hong Kong based biotech technologists hold the opinion that researches are under way and if the products are improved , the sale of Chinese traditional medicines would be boombing in the market. On the other hand, Yung H Wong the famous director of life sciences division at the Biotechnology Research Institute in Hong Kong, categorically says that biotechnology is the only science that has capacity to unravel this perplexity.

The US based researchers have also said that the traditional medicine from China are treasures for us. Besides, all the biotech research institutes have launched the research initiative for developing herbal medicines of China as per international standards.

The Hong Kong Institute of Biotechnology was one of those first institutions which took the initiative. Presently, most of the herbal medicines of China are not allowed to be sold in Europe as European Union has embarked sanctions over the local pharmaceutical companies of China. EU holds the view that the products of China does not meet with international medicine standards and can not be accepted.

It was the reason that Hong Kong government owned another science park with approximate area of 10000 square meters for new biotechnological labs.

• #1. Novo Nordisk
2013 Market Cap: $85.335 billion (7/2: 535.0 million shares * price DKK 911.50)1,10
2012 Market Cap: $62.809 billion (7/2: 418.0 million shares * price DKK 859.00)1,10
% Change: 35.9%
Position on 2012 List: #1
• #2. Amgen
2013 Market Cap: $78.695 billion (4/24: 749,976,556 shares * price $104.93)
2012 Market Cap: $55.054 billion (4/26: 777,707,877 shares * price $70.79)
% Change: 42.9%
Position on 2012 List: #2
• #3. Gilead Sciences
2013 Market Cap: $78.373 billion (4/26: 1,525,355,825 shares * price $51.38)
2012 Market Cap: $19.751 billion (4/27: 757,321,824 shares * price $26.08)
% Change: 296.8%
Position on 2012 List: #3
• #4. Celgene
2013 Market Cap: $52.557 billion (4/23: 417,122,477 shares * price $126.00)
2012 Market Cap: $34.319 billion (4/25: 440,497,817 shares * price $77.91)
% Change: 53.1%
Position on 2012 List: #7

• #5. Biogen Idec
2013 Market Cap: $47.157 billion (4/18: 237,374,815 shares * price $198.66)
2012 Market Cap: $31.582 billion (5/1: 239,562,899 shares * price $131.83)
% Change: 49.3%
Position on 2012 List: #4
• #6. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries
2013 Market Cap: $33.768 billion (3/31: About 851 million shares * price $39.68 on 3/28)4,9
2012 Market Cap: $39.292 billion (3/31: About 872 million shares * price $45.06 on 3/30)4,9
% Change: -14.1%
Position on 2012 List: #5
• #7. Merck KGaA
2013 Market Cap: $33.364 billion (3/31: 217,388,939 shares * price €117.70 on 3/29)4
2012 Market Cap: $22.319 billion (3/31: 217,388,939 shares * price €78.72 on 3/30)4
% Change: 49.5%
Position on 2012 List: #8
• #8. CSL
2013 Market Cap: $27.440 billion (6/30: A$30.042 billion) (dd)1,8
2012 Market Cap: $18.359 billion (6/30: A$20.099 billion) (dd)1,8
% Change: 49.5%
Position on 2012 List: #9
• #9. Regeneron
2013 Market Cap: $20.269 billion (4/17: 95,122,401 shares * price $213.08)7
2012 Market Cap: $11.894 billion (4/11: 97,966,145 shares * price $121.41)7
% Change: 70.4%
Position on 2012 List: #12
• #10. Alexion
2013 Market Cap: $17.893 billion (4/23: 195,146,634 shares * price $91.69)
2012 Market Cap: $17.152 billion (4/20: 186,924,017 shares * price $91.76)
% Change: 4.3%
Position on 2012 List: #10
• #11. Shire
2013 Market Cap: $17.252 billion (4/29: 562,826,237 shares * price £20.17)
2012 Market Cap: $17.205 billion (4/27: 562,532,330 shares * price £20.13 on 4/26)
% Change: 0.3%
Position on 2012 List: Not on list
• #12. Vertex Pharmaceuticals
2013 Market Cap: $17.495 billion (4/26: 221,400,864 shares * price $79.02)
2012 Market Cap: $8.151 billion (4/27: 211,061,148 shares * price $38.62)
% Change: 114.6%
Position on 2012 List: #11
• #13. UCB
2013 Market Cap: $11.650 billion (3/31: 179.3 million shares * price €49.80 on 3/29)1,6
2012 Market Cap: $7.449 billion (3/31: 176.4 million shares * price €32.35 on 3/30)1,6
% Change: 56.4%
Position on 2012 List: #14
• #14. BioMarin Pharmaceutical
2013 Market Cap: $9.097 billion (4/19: 139,010,175 shares * price $65.44)
2012 Market Cap: $3.788 billion (4/13: 115,700,983 shares * price $32.74)
% Change: 140.2%
Position on 2012 List: #16
• #15. Elan
2013 Market Cap: $7.041 billion (3/31: about 596.7 million shares * price $11.80 on 3/28)4,5
2012 Market Cap: $8.868 billion (3/31: about 590.8 million shares * price $15.01 on 3/30)4,5
% Change: -20.6%
Position on 2012 List: #15
• #16. Actelion
2013 Market Cap: $6.885 billion (3/31: 126.7 million shares * price CHF 51.55)1,3
2012 Market Cap: $4.548 billion (3/31: 130.7 million shares * price CHF 33.00)1,3
% Change: 51.4%
Position on 2012 List: #20
• #17. Onyx Pharmaceuticals
2013 Market Cap: $6.580 billion (5/3: 72,738,263 shares * price $90.46)
2012 Market Cap: $3.010 billion (4/27: 64,369,185 shares * price $46.76)
% Change: 118.6%
Position on 2012 List: #19



• #18. Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories
2013 Market Cap: $5.014 billion (3/31: 169,836,475 shares * price Rs. 1766.50 on 3/29)1,2
2012 Market Cap: $5.001 billion (3/31: 169,560,346 shares * price Rs. 1764.75 on 3/30)1,2
% Change: 0.3%
Position on 2012 List: #17
• #19. Seattle Genetics
2013 Market Cap: $4.390 billion (5/2: 121,265,608 shares * price $36.20)
2012 Market Cap: $2.316 billion (5/2: 117,051,559 shares * price $19.79)
% Change: 89.6%
Position on 2012 List: #25
• #20. Alkermes
2013 Market Cap: $4.011 billion (5/8: 134,380,999 shares * price $29.85)
2012 Market Cap: $2.356 billion (5/11: 130,241,192 shares * price $18.09)
% Change: 70.2%
Position on 2012 List: Not ranked
• #21. Ariad Pharmaceuticals
2013 Market Cap: $3.300 billion (4/30: 184,690,546 shares * price $17.87)
2012 Market Cap: $2.701 billion (4/30: 165,728,859 shares * price $16.30)
% Change: 22.2%
Position on 2012 List: #24


• #22. Cubist Pharmaceuticals
2013 Market Cap: $3.059 billion (4/22: 65,206,393 shares * price $46.91)
2012 Market Cap: $2.668 billion (4/19: 63,337,315 shares * price $42.13)
% Change: 14.7%
Position on 2012 List: Not ranked
• #23. United Therapeutics
2013 Market Cap: $2.966 billion (4/18: 49,707,574 shares * price $59.67)
2012 Market Cap: $2.260 billion (4/20: 53,685,360 shares * price $42.09)
% Change: 31.2%
Position on 2012 List: Not ranked
• #24. Ipsen Group
2013 Market Cap: $2.889 billion (3/1: 84,100,253 shares * price €26.24)1
2012 Market Cap: $2.230 billion (3/1: 84,226,573 shares * price €20.26)1
% Change: 29.6%
Position on 2012 List: Not ranked
• #25. Isis Pharmaceuticals
2013 Market Cap: $2.324 billion (5/2: 103,780,421 shares * price $22.39)
2012 Market Cap: $803.473 million (5/3: 100,183,683 shares * price $8.02)
% Change: 189.2%
Position on 2012 List: Not ranked

How does the Regulation of Ubiquitin/ubiquitin-like Pathways Determine Cellular Responses to Reactive Oxygen Species?
Reference Code: CB108

Details:
Name of the supervisors
Professor B Morgan, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences (ICAMB)
Dr J Quinn, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences (ICAMB)

Sponsor
This studentship is sponsored by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) as part of the Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP).

Duration of the award
Four years (MRes Biosciences followed by a three-year PhD).

Project description
Oxidative stress-induced cell damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is associated with cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, certain neurodegenerative diseases and shortened lifespan. However, ROS are also used by the immune system to defend against disease-causing organisms and play important roles as signalling molecules. Thus, to understand how cells function in ageing and disease it is important to explore the mechanisms by which cells sense and respond to ROS. Recently we and others, using yeast as a model, discovered that conserved antioxidants, previously thought to mainly act in restoring redox homeostasis, play key roles in sensing and signalling the presence of ROS [1,2]. Furthermore, ubiquitin (Ub)/ubiquitin-like (Ubl) modifications of proteins regulate many fundamental biological processes and, excitingly, we recently demonstrated that the specific sensitivity of a conserved ubiquitin pathway enzyme, Cdc34, to oxidation coordinates cell cycle delay to prevent oxidative stress-induced damage [3].

Thus, the project aim is to build on these exciting data, using yeast as a model eukaryote, to determine the regulation and roles of conserved Ub/Ubl protein modifications in responses to ROS. Broadly applicable experience will be obtained of genetics, biochemical, cell biology, microscopy, molecular biology techniques, and also techniques to investigate protein modification.

[1] Day AM et al. (2012) Inactivation of a peroxiredoxin by hydrogen peroxide is critical for thioredoxin-mediated repair of oxidized proteins and cell survival. Mol. Cell 45, 398-408.

[2] Veal EA et al. (2007) Hydrogen peroxide sensing and signaling. Mol. Cell 26, 1-14.

[3] Doris KS et al. (2012) Oxidative stress responses involves oxidation of a conserved ubiquitin pathway enzyme. Mol. Cell. Biol. 32, 4472-4481.

Value of the award and eligibility

Depending on how you meet the BBSRC’s eligibility criteria, you may be entitled to a full or a partial award. A full award covers tuition fees at the UK/EU rate and an annual stipend of £13,726 (2013/14). A partial award covers fees at the UK/EU rate only.

Person specification
Candidates should have or expect to achieve a first-class or upper-second-class Honours degree in a relevant science subject.

How to apply
You must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application form selecting 'Master of Research/Doctor of Philosophy (Medical Sciences) – Cell and Molecular Biosciences’ as the programme of study. Please insert the studentship/partnership reference number CB108. Only mandatory fields need to be completed (no personal statement required) but you must attach a copy of your CV and a covering letter, quoting the title of the studentship and reference number CB108.

Closing date for applications
The post will remain open until a suitable applicant is appointed. Early application is advised.

Qualifications

Competitive applicants with outstanding academic performance shall be academic staff from a leading university, scientists and researchers from a renowned institute and company. Research excellence and potential for future productivity are essential. Additional criteria include leadership and communication skills.

In Science or Engineering: Applicants shall apply for National Recruitment Program of Global Youth Experts (the National Youth 1000-Talent Program) through TU. Successful candidates will be deemed as the appointee.
In Other Academic Fields: Applicants will be selected according to their qualifications, academic performance, innovation capability, and leadership.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include establishing a vigorous research program, teaching undergraduate and graduate students, and providing professional/institutional services.

Compensation and Benefits

TU offers an attractive remuneration package. Salary will be commensurate with candidates’ qualifications, academic performance and experience. In addition, TU start-up package provides research grant, lab/office space and research–team support.

In Science or Engineering:
• An annual pre-tax salary ranging from 400K to 600K RMB will be offered to appointee.
• An annual pre-tax salary ranging from 350K to 400K RMB will be offered to the candidates who are shortlisted for interview but not selected in the National Youth 1000-Talent Program.
In Other Academic Fields: Salary is offered by referring to that of candidates in Science or Engineering.

Application Procedure

Please submit electronically a complete application package consisting of the following documents to oplan@tju.edu.cn via the Apply button below. The application deadline is 15th March 2014.
1. Application form
2. Detailed curriculum vitae
3. Publications listing and five full-text representative publications
As for the detailed application procedure and application form, please download from http://hr.tju.edu.cn/zpxx/js/.
Introduction about Schools

Tianjin University - School of Life Sciences
The School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, sets an ambitious goal to rank top among international peers. With this international faculty recruitment, we invite talents from the world to build a competitive team. We expect scientists with excellence in modern biology and medicine for research and teaching. Appointments will be made at the Instructor, Associate or Full Professor level.

Oriented by basic research serving main requirements of the national public health, the Department of Virology and Immunology mainly focuses on basic research of virology and immunology against various outbreaks and emerging infectious diseases, the theoretic base on clinical treatment and prevention, development of therapeutic drugs and vaccines.

Main research focuses including:
1. Fundamental research in virology and molecular mechanism of acute or chronic viral infectious diseases;
2. Understanding of mechanism of immune response to viral infection and the regulation for virus replication caused by antiviral host molecular;
3. Cross-disciplines study of virology and immunology, to provide new strategies and foundation for novel vaccine development.
The Department of Structural Biology expects candidates who have a strong experience in structural biology, with a focus on infectious diseases and drug development. The candidate's prior work should have a high impact in his/her field. A particular emphasis of the position lies on “important virus pathogens, virus-host interaction, and drug development.”

Please refer to http://www.tju.edu.cn/smxy/english/ for more details.
Tianjin University - School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology
The School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology at Tianjin University is well equipped with advanced research facilities, and conduct high-level research projects in the areas of medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutical analysis, natural medicinal products, pharmaceutics and molecular biochemistry.

The school is organized into six departments: medicinal chemistry, natural products & traditional Chinese medicine, molecular & cellular pharmacology, pharmaceutical analysis, pharmaceutical formulation, and computer-aided drug design & bioinformatics.

A Bachelor's Degree of Science is offered in pharmaceutical sciences, as well as Master's Degrees of Science in medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutical analysis, pharmacognosy, pharmaceutical formulation, microbiological & biochemical pharmaceutics, pharmacology, and pharmaceutical regulation & administration. There are several PhD programs in applied chemistry and in pharmaceutical regulatory sciences. Postdoctoral fellowships are available in all those areas.
Please refer to http://www.tju.edu.cn/pharm/ for more details.

Brief Introduction of Tianjin:
Tianjin, where TU is located in, is a metropolis in northern China. It is governed as one of the four direct- administrated municipalities of the People's Republic of China. Tianjin borders Beijing Municipality and Hebei Province, bounded to the east by the Bohai Gulf and portion of the Yellow Sea.

Tianjin remains one of the best cities in public security in China. According to the comprehensive evaluation results of Chinese domestic regional social development level surveyed by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the public security composite index of Tianjin has ranked in the first group among provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions of China.

In the future, Tianjin will be an international port and sustainable city with a prosperous economy, civilized society, high-level education and scientific development, complete infrastructure and beautiful environment, functioning as the economic center of the North of China in accordance to national strategic deployment.

MicroRNA as Biomarkers and Diagnostics Conference

Organisers: Cambridge Healthtech Institute

Dates: March 17th-18th 2014

Location: Omni Parker House, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Website: http://www.healthtech.com/microRNA/
The website gives all the necessary information on conference agenda, dates, registration, fees, hotel, exhibitions and other important facts.

Purpose of the conference
Researchers will gather on St. Patrick’s Day in Boston Massachusetts for the 10th Annual MicroRNA as Biomarkers and Diagnostics Conference organised by Cambridge Healthtech Institute. The conference will focus on recent research showing the potential of microRNAs as “non-invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of disease, monitoring of treatment, and patient stratification, with exosome-derived microRNAs of particular interest”. The conference “will cover the latest developments in the use of microRNA in the early detection of disease for more effective treatment, monitoring tumour growth and disease progression, issues associated with microRNA measurement, and the potential for personalized medicine based on microRNA profile.” Delegates will have the opportunity to hear, among others, the following invited speakers:

Invited speakers

Robert J. Lee, Ph.D., Professor, Pharmaceutics, OSU College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University (Keynote speaker)
Pavan Kumar, Senior Scientist, Biomarkers and Personalized Medicine, Eisai
Omar Laterza, Director, Clinical Development Laboratory, Merck
Rounak Nassirpour, Principal Scientist, Drug Safety R&D, Pfizer
James G. Falls, Manager, Discovery and Molecular Toxicology, GlaxoSmithKline

Topics
• microRNA Biomarkers in Drug Development
• microRNA Biomarkers as Cancer Diagnostics
• microRNA as Disease Biomarkers

Courses (separate registration required)

Pre-conference course: Long Non-Coding RNAs as Biomarkers , March 17, 2014
Dinner course: Exosomal microRNAs as Non-Invasive Biomarkers, March 17, 2014

Important dates

Advance Registration Deadline by February 7, 2014
Registrations after and on-site after February 7, 2014
Poster abstracts due by February 14, 2014

Sponsorship
Sponsors of the conference can avail of the following advantages:
• Podium Presentations
• Invitation-Only VIP Dinner/Hospitality Suite
• Focus Groups
• User Group Meeting/Custom Event
• Exhibit
• Additional branding and promotional opportunities

Why you should study Bachelors in Biotechnology?
Biotechnology deals with all living organisms scientifically. Its engineering principles are applied with regard to improving the value of society. The areas are covered by this science are brewing, wastewater management and cheese production with the help of drug designing and gene therapy.

It examines plants, microorganisms, and all living organisms in the context of the understanding, discovering , developing . and improving activities or products. This discipline of science combines aspects of many areas like microbiology, molecular genetics, physics, engineering, chemistry, mathematics, and immunology.

Specialisations/ Majors
1. Bioprocess Technology
2. Nanotechnology
3. Nanotechnology and Innovation Management
4. Plant Biotechnology
5. Plant Biotechnology and Innovation Management
6. Bioprocess Technology and Innovation Management
7. Chemical Biotechnology
8. Chemical Biotechnology and Innovation Management
9. Microbial Biotechnology
10. Microbial Biotechnology and Innovation Management
11. Molecular Biotechnology
12. Bioinformatics
13. Bioinformatics and Innovation Management
14. Molecular Biotechnology and Innovation Management
15. Drug Design & Development & Innovation Management
16. Drug Design and Development

Dual degree chances?

Bachelors of Biotechnology/ Engineering
Honours
University offers modified program of honours in year 4 on the basis of grade points taken by the students.
Opportunity of progess?
Graduates will be having the opportunity to flourish in the following program:
• Master of Business
What are the entry requisites for Australian students?
QTAC Code(s)
731101 - B Biotechnology
OP/Rank 2013*
10/80
OP or Rank for entry in this program might change for 2014 admissions.

Other Prerequisites
Queensland Year 12 or same standard English, Mathematics B plus one of Chemistry or Physics.
How to apply
Applications can be submitted directly to Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre.

Fees
Prospective annual fee for 2014: AUD$ 8676
Besides, fee may vary according the chosen subjects by the candidates.

What degree Focuses?

It covers the broader spectrum of science and after successfully having this course you would be capable of developing your interests in the field of biotechnology.

We offer in-depth study in the following area:
1. Bioinformatics
2. Industrial biotechnology
3. Medical biotechnology
4. Molecular biology
5. Forensic biotechnology
6. Agricultural biotechnology

For whom is this course?

This course is for every science graduate provide that he holds good exposure along with grades in the following areas of science like, zoology, , biochemistry, botany microbiology, agriculture, chemistry or veterinary sciences.Besides, it is of deem necessary to have basic knowledge of biotechnology.

Our university offers you a number of other opportunities while learning the biotechnology. The prime focus during the course of study , you would be having research exposure under senior’s guideline. There are also chances of individual researches of any of the projects you propose in future.

What benefit will you have?

You will be having plenty of benefits while studying the biotechnology in Australia. This university always offers research projects for competent students. Besides, if you are foreigner and intending to study in the university, you will be provided accomodation in the hostel of the university. If your visa policy allows you for part time work, university will grant you the permission for part time jobs.

What are programs?

1. Graduate Diploma of Science in (Biotechnology)
2. Master of Science (Biotechnology)(Leadership Stream)
What is professional growth ?
Biotechnology is the only field which is speedily growing across the globe. It has bright career and professional chances.

Main bio technologists professional area are listed below :
Careers
1. Quality assurance officers
2. Medical laboratory scientists
3. Scientific officers
4. Occupational health and safety officers
5. Research and development scientists
6. Food technologists
Industries
1. Agribusinesses
2. Biotechnology businesses
3. Wine industry and breweries
4. Forensic science laboratories
5. Veterinary science

The failure of drugs directed against the αvβ3-integrin in phase III clinical trials against aggressive brain cancer may be a result of not targeting the timing or cell type specificity of application of the antagonists precisely enough. That is the conclusion from new research published in Circulation Research and led by the laboratory of Prof. Stephen Robinson in the University of East Anglia (UEA). The group used knockout mice in which endothelial αvβ3-integrin was specifically targeted.

In order to grow and metastasise, solid tumours rely on angiogenesis, which means recruitment of their own blood supply from the existing vasculature that surrounds them. They achieve this by release of growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). A series of steps in the angiogenic process culminates in degradation of the endothelial cell basement membrane and the extracellular matrix (ECM), with proliferation of endothelial cells and their migration towards the tumour. These last parts of the process depend on integrins such as αvβ3-integrin, which is expressed in endothelial cells that have been stimulated by angiogenic growth factors and synergises with VEGF to promote angiogenesis. As such, αvβ3-integrin has been an attractive target for anti-angiogenic therapeutic drug strategies. However, the effectiveness of this integrin as a cancer drug target has been called into question by the failure of the αvβ3-integrin peptide antagonist Cilengitide to increase overall survival when administered along with standard chemotherapy in patients with aggressive brain cancer.

The study from UEA focused on knockout specifically of endothelial αvβ3-integrin, unlike previous studies which have adopted a global knockout approach. In these mice, the researchers found that the depletion of the endothelial αvβ3-integrin inhibited tumour growth and angiogenesis in a preventative manner but not in tumours that were already established. Similarly to the results obtained in the disappointing clinical trials, the protective effects were transient. The researchers hypothesised that other molecular changes that occurred from long-term αvβ3-integrin depletion, such as reduction in focal adhesion kinase (FAK) expression may provide an escape route from the inhibition of angiogenesis achieved initially by αvβ3-integrin-inhibition.

The researchers conclude that our current understanding of the best way to target anti- αvβ3-integrin reagents is too limited to allow this integrin to be abandoned as a potential tumour therapeutic target. This is especially in view of the fact that, unlike many other FDA-approved anti-angiogenic drugs, αvβ3-integrin antagonists are well-tolerated. Further studies are needed to establish better ways of using these antagonists in terms of timing of delivery to achieve prevention rather than using in an interventional regime and in terms of exploiting nanotechnology to allow endothelial targeting. The future may not be so bleak for anti- αvβ3-integrin reagents as possible cancer drugs.

Sources

Steri, V. Ellison, T.S., Gontarczyk, A.M., Weilbaecher, K., Schneider, J.G., Edwards, D., Fruttiger, M., Hodivala-Dilke, K.M. and Robinson, S.D. Acute Depletion of Endothelial beta3-Integrin Transiently Inhibits Tumour Growth and Angiogenesis in Mice. Circulation Research, January 2014. Epub Oct. 2013, PMID: 24103390

University of East Anglia. "Scientists make advance in cancer research." ScienceDaily, 3 Jan. 2014. [Accessed 6 Jan. 2014].

Durham is one of the oldest colleges of Canada where natural and social sciences are efficiently taught. It has a different department that deals with biotechnology and research.

Here goes the admission requirements :
1. Official transcript demonstrating proof of successful completion of a post-secondary degree program
2. Course-by-course evaluation to demonstrate the required pre-admission courses indicated (for international students)
3. BSc from any famous university with a grade of 60 or a C in two chemistry courses and one biochemistry course where at least one of these courses has a lab component
4. Additional information may be requested such as demonstration of lab practical experience
5. English skills assessment (could be required)

Career Growth

As a graduate, you can get employment in any of the following organizations:
a) Government institute
b) Quality control laboratory
c) Manufacturing
d) Research laboratory
e) Administration in a pharmaceutical, agricultural, food or environmental company

The following Positions can be offered :
1) Production technologist
2) Instrumentation technologist
3) Pharmaceutical sales manager
4) Quality assurance technologist
5) University laboratory research assistant
6) Clinical study technologist
7) Microbiology technologist
8) Food technologist
9) Immunologist technologist
10) Pharmaceutical technologist

Hello,

I am working on a (currently) theoretical project whose goal is to get rid of water pollution and infection through modifying microorganisms to "eat"/"absorb" the type of pollution detected, for example, sulfur.I am working on a (currently) theoretical project whose goal is to get rid of water pollution and infection through modifying microorganisms to "eat"/"absorb" the type of pollution detected, for example, sulfur.

My question is, can i genetically modify a microorganism in order to make it resilient and resistant to a certain matter and also to consume this same matter, for example a sulfur-consuming bacteria.

If such thing can be done (now or in the not-too-far future), can it be done automatically or does it have to be manual?
e.g. a scanner detects that a lake has a "patch" infected by X, it then modifies a bacteria to be X resistant and X consuming, without the need of a human being telling it what genes need to be inserted.


Thanks for your time and have a happy new year!

It is new era where babies can be designed with the help of In vitro fertilization. It has helped for many difficulties with having children. However, it raises a number of ethical issues, one of which is the ability to select for particular traits or diseases using a technique called pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).

pre-implantation genetic diagnosis was firstly done in 1989 to test embryos fertilized in vitro for inherited diseases such as cystic fibrosis, Huntingdon’s disease, and Fragile-X syndrome or for diseases causes by abnormal chromosome structure, such as Down’s Syndrome. After testing the unaffected embryos are implanted into the mother’s uterus. Earlier, the testing option for couples at risk of passing an inherited condition to their children was by sampling foetal cells from the placenta or amniotic fluid. If a foetus was observed to be affected, parents would then have to choose whether to continue with the pregnancy, or have an abortion.

Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD)

At the time of in vitro fertilization, eggs are removed from ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a Petri-plate. The fertilized eggs undergo normal cell division (Mitotic) until they have eight cells. At this phase, one or two of these cells are removed. DNA from the cells is extracted and tested for the presence of genetic disorders. The removal of cells for testing does not affect the development of the embryo, as these cells are restored as the embryo’s cells continue to divide and grow.

The genetics of the cells can be tested by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). PCR is used to look for single gene abnormalities, whereas fluorescence in situ hybridization is used to look for abnormal chromosomes.

Embryos that are not at risk of disease are then transferred into the woman’s uterus where they can be implanted and developed.

Disease caused genetic disorder are abnormality in an individual's DNA. These abnormalities can range from a small mutation in a single gene to the addition or deletion of an entire chromosome or set of chromosomes.

Determination of genetic disorder at embryonic level

Diagnosis can be done by prenatal testing of cells from an embryo, means that genetic disorders can now be detected before birth. At embryonic level genetic disorder can be detected with the help of amniotic fluid. Analysis of amniotic fluid, drawn out of the mother's abdomen is an amniocentesis procedure, which can reveal many aspects of the baby's genetic health. This is because the fluid also contains fetal cells, which can be examined for genetic defects.

In case of designer babies it is very important to diagnose the genetic status and in these process techniques of in vitro fertilization followed by Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) are performed. One it is found normal then decision can be taken whether to implant the embryo or not.

Diagnosis can be done on the basis of person’s physical characteristics and family history, or on the results of a screening test.

Genetic testing is one of several tools that doctors use to diagnose genetic conditions. The approaches to making a genetic diagnosis include:

1- Physical examination: Distinctive facial features by organ measurements and imaging studies including x-rays, computerized tomography scans, or magnetic resonance imaging to see structures inside the body.

2- Personal and family medical history: Information about an individual’s health can provide clues to a genetic diagnosis. A personal medical history includes past health issues, hospitalizations and surgeries, allergies, medications, and the results of any medical or genetic testing that has already been done. As genetic conditions often run in families, information about the health of family members can be a critical tool for diagnosis of genetic disorders.

3- Laboratory tests, including genetic testing: chromosomal, molecular and biochemical testing are used to diagnose genetic disorders. There are laboratory tests that measure the levels of certain substances in blood and urine can also be done for diagnosis.

Testing of genetic imbalance is available for many genetic diseases. However, some diseases do not have a genetic test and in that condition either the genetic cause of the disorder is unknown or a test has not yet been discovered.

Cloning of a gene for expression purpose (in bacterial, yeast, mammalian or other systems) involves many steps. Depending up on the information available on the gene of interest, various methods can be used to isolate and amplify it.
Steps for the cloning of a gene

1. Getting the Gene of interest:
Firstly you must get the DNA and that you quantity in sufficient quantities to clone, you need to use following method depending upon the availability of starting materials.

a) DNA as starting material: (From genomic DNA or piece of DNA),
If you had a very small quantity of the DNA and knew enough of the sequence to make primers you can use PCR to amplify it.

b) RNA as starting material: (eg mRNA)
You would need to use reverse transcriptase to 'reverse transcribe' it into DNA fallowed by PCR amplification to get the product.

c) Protein as starting material:
If you know the sequence of protein then you need software to reverse translate it to get the gene sequence. You can bias it depending upon the expression system.

2. Vector selection for expression of gene:
Most of the time gene is cloned for expression purposes and depending of the requirement/application you can select vector. A vector is circular DNA (Modified Plasmid) that replicates in a bacterium or yeast system so it has origin of replication for that system.
So, you can see, a gene inserted into a plasmid will be replicated many of times in single bacteria. And it is possible to grow millions of bacteria in a 1 litre flask. So this is a good way to make lots of copies of a gene of interest.
These vectors are now a day’s commercially available which will have restriction sites for cloning and upstream regulatory sequence which will help for better expression of gene.

3. Cloning of DNA:
Next you will use restriction enzymes to cut out the DNA/gene you want from the amplified product. You use the same restriction enzymes to cut the vector also, so that the ends will be compatible. This means that if you will use a "sticky ends" restriction enzymes (Available in market), then the DNA sequences of the trailing bits will be compatible and will want to stick to each other. This makes it much easier to do the cloning.
Once restriction digestion is done you can purify the specific DNA from Agarose gel using Gel electrophoresis. These fragment (Vector + Gene/DNA) can be ligated using a Ligase enzyme (Available commercially)
Once the ligation is done, it can be transformed to Bacteria strains (E coli) where is will be amplified while growing on Agar plate. Here you will get many colonies of E coli which will contain clones of DNA in vector. These clones can be further grown in culture media and DNA can be isolated from here.

Sometime you will get false clone which can be further eliminated by screening using PCR or restriction digestion. Once you get the positive clone they can be used for expression in bacterial or homologous systems.

Gene Therapy is advisable for genetic diseases which cannot be cured. Here stem cells are very important and most potent cells which can be used for gene therapy and after that they can be transplanted in to human. For gene therapy, DNA can be efficiently introduced with homologous recombination as for gene therapy we need to correct the specific gene defect without addition of harmful extraneous DNA sequences. Such correction is possible with homologous recombination between input DNA sequences and identical homologous sequences in the genome for target gene. To select the target cells, there are techniques for developing virtually pure populations of hematopoietic stem cells from heterogeneous population and it should permit the use of the highly efficient nuclear microinjection methods for transfer of DNA. It is important that the therapeutic DNA introduced into target cells must remain functional and the cells containing the therapeutic DNA must be long-lived and stable. Problems with integrating therapeutic DNA into the genome and the rapidly dividing nature of many cells prevent gene therapy from achieving any long-term benefits. Techniques combined with new highly sensitive methods for detecting cells with the specified genetic modification of non-expressed genes would make homologous recombination-mediated gene therapy feasible for hematopoietic stem cells. Now stem cell based gene therapy has been introduced for many genetic diseases like Leukemia and recently for skin diseases.

Sometime obtaining the stem cells from same individual is difficult and to come up with this problem in future it was suggested to derive the stem cells from placental cord at the time of baby birth. In recent development, obtaining stem cells from placental cord and cryo-preservation of them for future use has been introduced. This can be used once someone will be identified with genetic disorder. It is expected that the development in recent studied of stem cell based gene therapy will be revolutionary in future of health science.

I was wondering which country has the most lax laws on human genetic intervention, or where so called designer babies are legal, that would actually have the technology to accomplish said task. (Obviously third world countries without any modern scientific technology would be unlikely to have any regulations regarding said technology but would be useless unless you've got the millions to setup your own genetics corporation).

Essentially I'm wanting to have a kid in a few years and my family has some very positive and some very negative genetic factors, and I realized people like myself who want their own biological children without the risk of genetic defects would pay a lot of money to do so. Also same sex couples being able to have their own genetic offspring would be a huge market as well.

Researchers in Duke University have uncovered a genetic polymorphism in a serotonin receptor gene that helps explain the link between risk and outcomes of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and reaction to mental stress. There is substantial evidence to suggest that there is a link between emotional stress responses, elevation of the stress hormone cortisol and morbidity and mortality for CVD. Illnesses such as depression are linked to incidence of heart disease.

The current study, published this week in PLoS ONE established that a polymorphism in the 5HTR2C gene for a serotonin receptor is significantly associated with the study end-point of all-cause mortality or myocardial infarction (MI) among Caucasian participants. Serotonin (5-HT) is a neurotransmitter which is intimately involved in regulation of mood, sleep and appetite. There are multiple serotonin receptors. The 5HTR2C, which is the subject of this study, mediates serotonin-induced activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and hence release of cortisol. Illnesses such as depression, especially when associated with anxiety, tend to feature hyperactivity of the HPA axis.

The study focused on the rs6318 Ser23 C allele of the 5HTR2C gene. This allele had been previously associated in men with larger increases in plasma cortisol and higher subjective rating of negative emotions when remembering occasions that had made them happy or sad compared to carriers of the Cys23G allele. The allele was also linked to stronger adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) responses, a measure of HPA activity, to an agonist of 5HTR2C. This allele has also been associated with, for example, higher central obesity, poorer glucose metabolism and higher levels of serum lipids, all of which can contribute to increased risk levels of CVD. The study population was 6126 Caucasian participants consecutively recruited through the cardiac catheterization laboratory at Duke University Hospital (Durham, NC) as part of the CATHGEN biorepository. The study showed that the rs6318 Ser23 C allele is associated with increased risk for CVD mortality and morbidity. The allele was not however, associated with traditional cardiac risk factors such as body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking history, number of diseased coronary arteries, or left ventricular ejection.

The researchers are working on a hypothesis that the link between 5HTR2C via cortisol to increased CVD mortality and morbidity may lie with a recently demonstrated connection between cortisol to unstable atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary arteries. Cortisol has been associated with increased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9) which degrades collagen contributes to development of vulnerable plaques. Redford B. Williams Jr., M.D., the lead author of the study, is satisfied that their findings lead the way to helping to “ begin to develop and test early interventions for those heart patients who are at high risk of dying or having a heart attack."

Sources

Brummett BH, Babyak MA, Jiang R, Shah SH, Becker RC, et al. (2013) A Functional Polymorphism in the5HTR2C Gene Associated with Stress Responses Also Predicts Incident Cardiovascular Events. PLoS ONE 8(12): e82781. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0082781

Duke Medicine. "Stress reaction gene linked to death, heart attacks." ScienceDaily, 19 Dec. 2013. [Accessed 20 Dec. 2013]

I had a question regarding H1 B visa sponsors for international biotechnologists. I did my masters in biotechnology at Andhra University, AP, INDIA and now I am on H4 residing in Maryland, US. I am willing to file my H1 B in April 2014. Do University of Maryland sponsors H1B for international biotechnologists? Or there anyone or any other companies who sponsors H1 visa for international biotech people?

Please reply if u know any information regarding H1 B sponsoring so that it will be great help to me...

Thank You!!!

Pranavi Chennupati

It is now well-accepted that cigarette smoking is associated with risk of developing different cancers as well as other diseases including diabetes. Reduced fertility has also been linked to smoking. Greater understanding of one of the possible mechanisms behind this association has been revealed in a study published this month in the journal Human Molecular Genetics. The study from Uppsala University in Sweden involved a genome-wide DNA methylation study in order to compare the epigenetic changes in DNA caused by smoking compared to consumption of snuff (smokeless tobacco). The study interestingly found that smoking induced methylation changes that were not observed as a result of smokeless tobacco, suggesting that the changes are due to products related to burning of tobacco rather than the basic components of the tobacco itself.

Specifically, the study found that there were 95 sites that were differentially methylated in smokers and that a subset of differentially methylated loci was additionally differentially expressed. By contrast, in the smokeless tobacco group, no sites encoding biological functions or molecular processes were differentially methylated. Among the loci that were differentially methylated in the smokers were CPOX, CDKN1A, and PTK2, which are involved in response to arsenic-containing substances. This is consistent with cigarette smoke containing arsenic. In addition, there were loci associated with disease conditions that were observed to be differentially methylated in smokers. These included the diabetes-associated “insulin receptor binding”, and “negative regulation of glucose import”, the immune response-associated interleukin-6-mediated signaling pathway”, “regulation of T-helper 2 cell differentiation”, and “positive regulation of interleukin-13 production” and the male fertility-associated “sertoli cell fate commitment”. Since repressed immune response, reduced fertility and diabetes have all been associated with cigarette smoking, this study suggests that epigenetic changes mediated by chemicals in burnt tobacco may contribute to these problems. This kind of information may help inform development of more targeted drug therapies.

Sources

BESINGI, W. and JOHANSSON, Å., 2013. Smoke related DNA methylation changes in the etiology of human disease. Human Molecular Genetics, 2013

Uppsala Universitet. "Smoking changes our genes." ScienceDaily, 17 Dec. 2013. Web. 19 Dec. 2013.

ENOVEO is a biotechnology based organisation operating in environmental research and product development, located in Patia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. It has its office in US, Brazil and France. We have a series of research projects and biotech product development projects.

We are currently looking for students pursuing Masters, B.tech, M.tech into life science, Biotechnology and Environment, to be a part of our Internship programme, by which the students can pursue their dissertation work.

Placement assistance: We are seeking internship applicant to create skilled life science professionals, after which they shall be accommodated with our partnering companies nation wide.
Accommodation: We can arrange for accommodation for students in Bhubaneswar, with paying Guest or working hostel facilities.

Dissertation Areas:
Infection biology
Enzymatic screening and characterization
Environmental biotech: Metagenome DNA isolation and analysis, Biocontrol
Insitu pond water treatment: Bio engineering process
New product development: Eco product development
Contaminated soil assessment and treatment
Microbial Fuel cells

Fees: Depends on the project topic. The relative fees structure are
3 months: Rs 12,000 : Jan to March 2014
6 months: Rs 20,000: Jan to June 2014
Please feel free to contact us for any further communication:
Er. Ashutosh Padhi: +91 876 333 39 54
Dr. Regalin Rout: +91 943 731 31 12