Dedicated to all my Biotech Buddies

Please BEWARE of SPAM mails from GE Energy and State oil Company

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 07:33:00 +0000

Hello Friends,
I request you to be perceptible of some spam mails coming from the companies such as GE energy and State oil company .They are sending such kinda mails by taking the name of branded companies such as GE (GENERAL ELECTRIC ) , Nissan etc.Those idiots are using even the same logos.I dont know exactly what they are making out of it .But i am posting this info because i had an aversion and fed up with such things . The following is one of the mail i got .You can click this link for further details
http://www.facebook.com/spammailtakinggeneralelectricname

GE Energy, Has immediate employment opportunities. Your Resume was coiled
from Times Job.

We intend to invite experienced Individuals/Expatriates or Consultancy
firm who are capable of rendering expertise services in various fields of
Engineering,Construction and Installation, NDT , Geology, Project
Management, Welding and Fabrication, Plant/Start-Up, Maintenance,
Mechanical/Technical/Design Engineering, Information Technology,
Administrative,Commissioning and Medical Experts.

ENTITLEMENT, BENEFITS AND PACKAGES:

. A very attractive net salary paid in US $, Sterling or Euro equivalent
depending on employee home country and currency preference with annual
salary review.
. Quality single or family housing accommodation(up to 5 people) in
company community.
. Free medical/dental care in US and other surrounding company countries
for employee and family.
. Excellent educational assistance benefits with family status employment.
. Paid airfares allowing full flexibility with holiday travel.
. Personal effects shipment and excess baggage allowances.

. Full access to some of the finest and social recreational facilities in
UNITED STATE OF AMERICA, CANADA, UNITED KINGDOM and WEST AFRICA COUNTRIES.
. Life Insurance and Paid vacation.
. Employees who would not want to remain in the USA office will be granted
transfer to the CANADA, UK or other affected countries.
. Official vehicle/Maximum security in work environment and housing
community.

Note:
All job recruitments are done in the USA offices(GE Energy USA).
ALSO Applicants will be responsible for him/her visa and all other
necessary travel documents(company policy), that will enable him/her to
come over to his job community (here). We also ensure to stand in favor of
your name and plead with the consulate office of the USA High commission
to assist you making sure that visa and all the travel documents are
issued to you smoothly.

JOB STATUS:

Full-Time and Half Time .

SALARY INDICATION:

7500 USA DOLLARS (Seven thousand five hundred Dollars) and above pending
on work experience and field of specialization.

Capable and Interested Candidates are to E - mail resumes and details of
experiences to:-

John Lynch
Senior Vice President
GE Corporate Human Resources
© Corporate Headquarters GE Energy USA

gee@ge-energyus.com
http://www.ge-energyus.com/
Tel: +1 504 327 4300

Confidentiality Notice:
This message is intended for the sole use of the individual and entity to
whom it is addressed, and may contain information that is
privileged,confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law.
Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution of this email
message, including any attachment, is prohibited.

This mails are really inevitable and lure , but i suggest you to avoid those and do not send your resume or any other personal information.

Ph.D. programmes 2013 in AcSiR

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 11:05:00 +0000

Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) offers exciting opportunities to
motivated and talented students to work in the frontier and trans-disciplinary areas of Science
and Engineering. The mission of the Academy is to create highest quality personnel with cross- disciplinary knowledge, aiming to provide leaders in the field of science and technology.
Applications are invited for admission to the Ph.D. programmes of the AcSIR in Science
and Engineering for the January, 2013 Session.
Programmes Eligibility
Ph.D in Sciences :Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Technology/Medicine or B.S (of 4 year duration) or Master’s degree with a keen sense of scientific enquiry for pursuing advanced research in frontier areas of Biological, Chemical, Physical and Mathematical Sciences leading to a Ph.D degree. The candidate should be having a valid National level fellowship (JRF/SRF of various funding agencies, e.g. CSIR, UGC, DBT, DST etc.), INSPIRE or other equivalent fellowships.
Ph.D in Engineering: Candidates with a Master’s degree in Engineering/Technology/ Pharmacy with a good academic record who have secured Master’s degree admission based on GATE score or with a Master’s degree in Sciences with a good academic record and with a valid GATE score or UGC/CSIR NET/NBHM or valid CSIR-SRF or equivalent fellowship or Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Technology with exceptionally good academic record and having a valid GATE score having keen interest in research in various disciplines in Engineering.
The number of seats available depends upon the requirement of the participating CSIR
Laboratories
Only online applications will be accepted through http://acsir.res.in from September 29, 2012 to October 28, 2012.
The applicants shortlisted for Ph.D Programme are required to appear for
Written Test/Interview at the respective centres.
Applicants are advised to visit the AcSIR
website (http://acsir.res.in) for further details.
Important Dates:
Application Form will be available from September 29, 2012
Last Date for Submitting Application October 28, 2012

Intimation to shortlisted candidates (electronic) November 02, 2012
Possible dates for Interview (to be held at respective Institutes) November 26 – December 21, 2012
For applying online click this link http://csir-phd.csio.res.in/homeLink.action

Training Programme in Institute of life sciences, Hyd

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 11:15:00 +0000

ILS is dedicated to educate and train Fresher/Aspirants to achieve Excellency through its Industry Oriented curriculum. The mission of the ILS is to offer the best training programs to enable graduates/Post Graduates to storm the marketplace with the highest possible level of job knowledge and skills which guide them to accomplish worthwhile career goals and gain a sound return on investment.

Training and development team at ILS have a combined experience of over 100 Man Years , providing training and consultancy services to the National & International pharmaceutical community. With over 20+ renowned trainers, consultants, Industry leaders/experts as training partners ILS can deliver an all encompassing International training and consultancy service.

Institute of life sciences has an extensive training courses or programs offered to Pharmaceutical, Biopharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Quality Compliance, IPR (Paten, trade mark, copyright) ,Chemical Science ,Life-Science, and Biological Science Formulation and other different professional students.

. Industrial Knowledge Enhancement Program

Why this Program?

- Indian Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology and CRO Industries are growing rapidly.

- The availability of well trained professionals is becoming a challenge for industry.

- However, lack of proper experimental training during education has hampered career development of many candidates and candidates are not readily employable.

- To address this unmet need, ILS has initiated this program.

What will you achieve?

- Special Placement Assistance:

o Campus Interviews (100% Job Interview Assurance) for Industry Jobs Globally

o Preparation for PhD positions in India, US, Canada, UK, Europe, Australia with reference letters.

- Certificate of Experience from Institute of Life Sciences

- Opportunity to publish in reputed International Peer Reviewed Journals

Why ILS?

- Not-for-profit Institute

- An Associate Institute of University of Hyderabad.

- Supported by Indian Pharmacy Conglomerate DR. REDDY’S.

- 58 publications, 17 patents (3 PCT), 30+ ongoing research projects funded by CSIR, DBT, DST, DAE, NICC, NIHR and CDRI.

- Auspices of few incubated companies Cosmic Discoveries, Novitas Research Laboratories, PharmaKodynE Biosciences,, Zephase Therapeutics and Signmod Therapeutics.

- 35 PhD students and 31 project trainees currently working.

- 91% students trained previously placed in academia and industry globally.

Program Highlights:

- Highly qualified scientists from US, UK, Canada, Russia and European countries with immense global experience in industry & academia will share their knowledge, experience and skills to improve the core of employability, better performance and career growth.

- Specific Skills:

o Planning & designing of experiments and processes

o Problem solving & analysis

o Hand-on experience with cutting-edge technology in live projects

o Skills to read, write and present work relevant to the current industry needs

o Good Laboratory Practices & Intellectual Property Rights

- The goal of the program will be to impart the fundamental attributes needed for an employment in pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry globally.

Candidate Requirement: Chemistry, Life Sciences and Pharmacy graduates/post-graduates.

Course Duration : 90 Working days,

Course Fee: 50,000 Rs

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT FOR ANY FURTHER CLARIFICATIONS

INSTITUTE OF LIFE SCIENCES

(An Associate Institute Of Hyderabad Supported by Dr.Reddy’s)

University of Hyderabad Campus, Gachibowli
Ph: 040-66571525 Ext 653
Mobile :8688796444
Fax:040-66571581
email: ilsa@ilsresearch.org

Vacancy for SRF post in ANGRAU

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 06:39:00 +0000

Opening Vacancy For Senior Research Fellow In Acharya N.G.Ranga Agricultural University
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh

Prof. EA Siddiq
Senior Scientist
NASI Platinum Jubilee Fellowship
Institute of Biotechnology
Rajendranagar
Hyderabad-30

Application are invited for filling up following:
Post : Senior Research Fellow

No. of Post : 1 (One)

Qualification : M. Sc. in Genetics/Plant Breeding/Biotechnology/Plant sciences

Desirable : Minimum one year experience in molecular marker analysis, QTL mapping and rice cultivation.

Pay Scale : Rs 14,000/- p.m. + 30% HRA

How To Apply: Interested candidates should bring the following documents with them at the time of interview:

Original certificates and its attested copies of educational qualifications age & caste.

Relevant publications.

Experience certificate in original, if any.

Latest passport size photo

Date Of Interview: 25-09-2012 at 9.30 AM

Details will be available at: http://www.angrau.net/FlashNews2012/NotificationNASI.pdf

3 days work shop on "Bioinformatics : sequence Analysis"

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 08:58:00 +0000

BIRLA INSTITUTE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
Announces
Three-Day Workshop
on
"Bioinformatics: Sequence Analysis"
21 - 23 September 2012

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Bioinformatics has initiated a new revolution in life science research
by providing computational solutions to biological problems. Availability
of huge amount of biological data has tremendously enhanced the
speed of biological research and dramatically reduced the cost of research.
The Inherent traits of an organism are hidden and assembled in the
form of a genome. Analyzing this hidden information is a challenge
in front of researcher. Bioinformatics provides the platform to study
various aspects of biological sequences using information
technology. This workshop focuses on the tools and techniques that
are being used to decipher and analyze biological sequences.
The workshop will feature morning lectures, demonstrations with
evening hands-on session in Bioinformatics lab.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

The participants of the course may be students, research
scholars, faculty and industry personnel with background in Life
Sciences and/or Information Technology. The workshop is selfcontained
and does not assume any special knowledge of the subject.

TEACHING FACULTY

Besides BISR faculty, eminent guest speakers from renowned
Bioinformatics Centres of India will deliver lectures and conduct
demonstration on various aspects on Bioinformatics.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates may apply by sending filled application form
along with the DD of Rs 2000/- latest by September 5,2012 to the
Convener. The confirmation of participation will be informed through
emails only. List of selected participants will be displayed on the website.

TOPICS COVERED

Bioinformatics: Overview
Molecular Databases
Sequence Alignment
Dynamic Programming
BLAST & FASTA
Multiple Sequence Alignment
Phylogenetics
Primer Designing
Gene Discovery
Statistical Modeling Basics

LABORATORY

Information Retrieval Techniques, Molecular Databases, Sequence Alignment by Dynamic Programming approach, Similarity Searching using BLAST and FASTA methods, Online sequence analysis, Gene Identification methods, Primer designing, Phylogenetic analysis.

VENUE

Mini Conference Hall,
Birla Auditorium,
Birla Institute of Scientific Research,
Statue Circle, Jaipur 302001

REGISTRATION FEES

Fee: Rs 2000/- The fee includes course documentation as well as
mid-session refreshments and lunch.

NUMBER OF SEATS

Seats are limited to 40 only. This limitation, a unique feature of all BISR
seminars, will ensure that participants derive the maximum benefit
from the course by enabling them to receive the personal attention
of the seminar leaders. Criteria for selection is first-come first-serve.

ON-SPOT REGISTRATION

On-spot registration will available only in condition of availability of
seat with late fees and prior information.

ACCOMMODATION:

Accommodation will be provided on written request to the
convener and the participant will bear the cost of accommodation.
In the letter of request kindly mention the details of your arrival and departure.
The charges for accommodation mentioned below are tentative and are
subject to availability.

Category	Charges(Per Day)	Remarks
Dormitory	Rs 75 - 150	Separate for boys & girls student
Category A	Rs 500 - 1000	Shared Room
Category B	Rs 1100 - 2000	Shared Room
Category C	Rs 2100 - above	Shared Deluxe Room

MODE OF PAYMENTS

Demand Draft of Rs 2000/- in favor of "Birla Institute of Scientific
Research", payable at"Jaipur".

CONTACT

Convener
Dr. P S Solanki
Birla Institute of Scientific Research
Statue circle, Jaipur – 302001, Rajasthan (INDIA)
Email: workshop.bisr@gmail.com
Tel: 0141-2385094 ext 324 (0) ,Fax: 0141-2385121
Website: www.bisr.res.in

For further information kindly contact workshop.bisr@gmail.com

For Application form ,brochure , notification click here

GATE 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 15:13:00 +0000

Official Notification for GATE 2013

Apply online from 01-09-2012.

BIOTECHNOLOGY (BT) and LIFE SCIENCES (XL) Online Exam from This Time

No application fee for female applicants.

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is an all India examination that primarily tests the comprehensive understanding of various undergraduate subjects in Engineering and Technology. GATE is conducted jointly by the Indian Institute of Science and seven IITs (IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras and IIT Roorkee) on behalf of the National Coordination Board – GATE, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Government of India. The GATE score of a candidate reflects the relative performance level of a candidate. The score is used for admissions to various post-graduate programmes (eg. M.E., M.Tech, direct Ph.D.) in Indian higher education institutes with financial assistance provided by MHRD and other Government agencies. The score may also be used by Public sector units for employment screening purposes.

Dates of Examination
Online: 20th January 2013 (Sunday)
Offline: 10th February 2013 (Sunday)

What’s New in GATE 2013?

15 subject papers will be conducted by an ONLINE computer based test: AE, AG, AR, BT, CE, CH, CY, GG, MA, MN, MT, PH, TF, XE, and XL.
Female candidates are exempted from paying the application fee.
All candidate related information and grievance redressal will be available in a single GATE Online Applicant Interface.
Soft copies of photograph and signature must be uploaded during online application (This is in addition to sending recent photograph of applicant with signed application).
A new formula will be used for calculating the GATE score.
Biometric information (Photograph and fingerprint) may be captured on the day of the examination for randomly selected candidates.

Important Points for GATE 2013.

Application Process: For GATE 2013, candidates need to register and fill the application ONLINE only by accessing the zonal GATE websites of IISc and seven IITs. The application process is complete only when a print out of the filled ONLINE application with the candidate’s signature and a good quality photo affixed in the appropriate place is received by the respective GATE office along with necessary documents, if any, on or before 8 October 2012. Please note that application forms are NOT available for sale anywhere.
Downloadable Admit Card: Admit cards are NOT sent by mail anymore. Admit cards can only be downloaded from the zonal GATE websites from 5th December 2012 onwards. Bring the admit card to the test center along with at least one original (not photocopied / scanned copy) and valid (not expired) photo identification.
Use of black ink ball point pen for Offline exams: Candidates should use only black ink ball point pen for darkening of the bubbles in the OMR sheet. Since bubbles darkened by the black ink ball point pen cannot be erased, candidates should darken the bubbles in the OMR sheet very carefully (be sure before darkening).
Numerical answer type questions in ONLINE papers: In the ONLINE papers, the question paper will consist of questions of multiple choice type and questions of numerical answer type. For multiple choice type questions, each question will have four choices for the answer. For numerical answer type questions, each question will have a number as the answer. Each online paper will have 15 or more marks worth of questions requiring numerical answers where possible.
Pre-final year students: Pre-final year students are NOT eligible to write GATE 2013. For details, refer to eligibility for GATE examination.

Important Dates

GATE Online Applicant Interface (website) Opens	Saturday	1 September 2012 (00:00 Hrs)
Last date for Submission of Online Application (website closure)	Sunday	30 September 2012 (23:00 Hrs)
Last date for the receipt of printed version of ONLINE Application at the respective zonal GATE Office	Monday	8 October 2012
Last date for request of change of city	Tuesday	20 November 2012
Availability of admit card on Online Application Interface	Wednesday	5 December, 2012
GATE 2013 Online Examination for Papers: AR, CE, GG, MA, MT, PH and TF	Sunday	20 January 2013 (09:00 Hrs to 12:00 Hrs)
GATE 2013 Online Examination for Papers: AE, AG, BT, CH, CY, MN, XE and XL	Sunday	20 January 2013 (14:00 Hrs to 17:00 Hrs)
GATE 2013 Offline Examination for Papers: CS, ME and PI	Sunday	10 February 2013 (09:00 Hrs to 12:00 Hrs)
GATE 2013 Offline Examination for Papers: EC, EE and IN	Sunday	10 February 2013 (14:00 Hrs to 17:00 Hrs)
Announcement of results on Online Applicant Interface	Friday	15 March 2013 (10:00 Hrs)

Eligibility
The following categories of candidates are eligible to appear in GATE:

Bachelor’s degree holders in Engineering/ Technology/ Architecture (4 years after 10+2/ Post-B.Sc./ Post-Diploma) and those who are in the final year of such programs.
Master’s degree holders in any branch of Science/ Mathematics/ Statistics/ Computer Applications or equivalent and those who are in the final year of such programs.
Candidates in the second or higher year of Four-year integrated Master’s degree programs (Post-B.Sc.) in Engineering /Technology.
Candidates in the fourth or higher year of Five-year integrated Master’s degree programs or Dual Degree programs in Engineering/Technology.
Candidates with qualifications obtained through examinations conducted by professional societies recognized by uPSC/AiCTE (e.g. AMiE by iE(i), AMiCE(i) by the institute of CivilEngineers (india)-iCE(i)) as equivalent to B.E./B.Tech. Those who have completed section A or equivalent of such professional courses are also eligible.
Application Deadlines
commencement of online application:1stSeptember 2012 (Saturday)
last date for Submission of online application (website closure):
30th September 2012 (Sunday)
Receipt of application with supporting documents at GATE offices:
8th October 2012 (Monday)

Application Fee
- 1200 for General/OBC male applicants and
- 600 for SC/ST/PD male applicants.
- There is no application fee for female applicants.
- The application fee is not refundable.
How to Apply
Application must be done Online. Further details and Online application form can be obtained by accessing any of the websites given below :
- iisc Bangalore : gate.iisc.ernet.in
- iit Bombay : www.gate.iitb.ac.in
- iit delhi : gate.iitd.ac.in
- iit Guwahati : www.iitg.ernet.in/gate
- iit Kanpur : gate.iitk.ac.in
- iit Kharagpur : gate.iitkgp.ac.in
- iit madras : gate.iitm.ac.in
- iit roorkee : www.iitr.ernet.in/gate

Conspiracy Theories And Believing The Impossible

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 03:32:00 +0000

This is an article which i have found very interesting.
Citation: Michael J. Wood, Karen M. Douglas, and Robbie M. Sutton, 'Dead and Alive: Beliefs in Contradictory Conspiracy Theories', Social Psychological and Personality Science, 1948550611434786, first published on January 25, 2012 doi: 10.1177/1948550611434786
Main Source: www.science20.com.
Distrust and paranoia did not start with claims about genetically modified foods or vaccines. Concern about the motivations of government, secret societies and corporations has a long history. The belief in a conspiracy of elites fuels suspicion about all authorities and the claims they make.

What is more of a puzzle is that the attraction of conspiracy theories is so strong that it leads people to endorse entirely contradictory beliefs, like how the government should make special regulations for genetically modified foods, though the government is supposedly dependent on lobbyist money and can't be trusted.

People who endorse conspiracy theories see authorities as fundamentally deceptive, they may just see it about different groups. Regardless, the conviction that the "official story" is untrue, be it about 9/11 or the Kennedy assassination or food, can lead people to believe several alternative theories-despite contradictions among them.

"Any conspiracy theory that stands in opposition to the official narrative will gain some degree of endorsement from someone who holds a conpiracist worldview," according to Michael Wood, Karen Douglas and Robbie Sutton of the University of Kent, who co-authored an article on the willing contradictions of conspiracy believers.

To see if conspiracy views were strong enough to lead to inconsistencies, the researchers asked 137 college students about the death of Princess Diana. The more people thought there "was an official campaign by the intelligence service to assassinate Diana," the more they also believed that "Diana faked her own death to retreat into isolation."

How could they believe both? She was a British woman, not an Austrian physicist's cat. She can't be simultaneously dead and alive.

The researchers wanted to know if the contradictory beliefs were due to suspicion of authorities, so they asked 102 college students about the death of Osama bin Laden (OBL). People who believed that "when the raid took place, OBL was already dead," were significantly more likely to also believethat "OBL is still alive."

Since bin Laden is no more Schrödinger's cat than Diana was, he must be alive or dead. The researchers found that the belief that the "actions of the Obama administration indicate that they are hiding some important or damaging piece of information about the raid" was responsible for the connection between the two conspiracy theories. Conspiracy belief is so potent that it will lead to belief in completely inconsistent ideas.

"For conspiracy theorists, those in power are seen as deceptive-even malevolent-and so any official explanation is at a disadvantage, and any alternative explanation is more credible from the start," said the authors.

It is no surprise that fear, mistrust, and even paranoia can lead to muddled thinking; when distrust is engaged, careful reasoning can coast on by.

"Believing Osama is still alive," they write, 'is no obstacle to believing that he has been dead for years."

Or that scientists are out to save us regarding global warming and out to kill us about food

JRF post in ICGEB, New Delhi

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 04:08:00 +0000

JRF for antimalarial drug Discovery Project on “Discovering Antimalarials
from Marine Organisms (phase III): Bulk Recollection of Promising Marine
Organisms-Isolation, Purification, Characterization and Chemical Synthesis
of Marine derived Antimalarials”
This multi institutional DBT project will use state of the art activity guided HPLC
purification of antiplasmodial molecules derived from extracts of marine organisms.
Screening of extracts and purified molecules will be done in microtiter plate format by
ex vivo culture of Plasmodium falciparum strains in human red blood cells and inhibition
of growth of malaria parasite will be monitored by SYBR Green based Fluorescence
screen. Selectivity Indices will be determined by comparing IC50 (Mammalian cell)/IC50
(P.falciparum). Only those with good credentials in chromatography, Spectroscopy,
Molecular Biology, Cell biology, diligent habits of experiment documentation and
aptitude for drug discovery need apply within six weeks to:
Dr Dinkar Sahal,
Malaria Research Laboratory,
International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology,
New Delhi 110 067.
dinkar@icgeb.res.in
Notification date :13th August 2012

Technical Assistant post in University of Hyderabad

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 04:51:00 +0000

Applications are invited from the eligible candidates (Indian Nationals only) on a plain paper for the following temporary post in the research project entitled “Understanding Genome Organization and Gene Expression in Response to different Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) Isomers in HCH Degrading Bacteria and the HCH Dumpsite” sponsored by Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi.

Technical Assisstant

No. of posts: 1

Salary p.m (Rs.): 12000/- (fixed)

Tenure: 3 years

Requirement for the post (Qualification, age limit, NET exam, experience etc., as per guidelines): Graduate/Post graduate in any branch of Life Sciences + 5 years experience in relevant field

Applicants should note that the appointments to be made are purely temporary and there is no right for claiming for any regular appointment in the University.

No TA/DA will be paid for attending the interview or at the time of joining the post.

The application should be submitted in the enclosed format which must be accompanied by attested copies of certificates in support of all information furnished in the application.

Last date for receipt of filled in application: 28-08-2012.

Applications should be sent to the below mentioned address.

Prof. S. Dayananda,

Dept. of Animal Sciences,

School of Life Sciences,

University of Hyderabad,

Hyderabad- 500046.

University of Hyderabad

How many of you know about BIOCARe DBT for Women

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 05:50:00 +0000

THE Department of Biotechnology Government of India Announces The Call For Proposals Under “ Biotechnology Career Advancement and Re-Orientation Programme For Women Scientists’

Conducted by: Department of Biotechnology

Programme: Biotechnology Career Advancement and Re-orientation Programme for Women Scientists

Eligibility:

M.D/M. Tech /Ph. D/Equivalent degree in any branch of Life Sciences
Women Scientists who are employed or unemployed or are coming back after a break.
Women Scientists for whom it is the first grant. (Women Scientist who have already availed any grant as PI from Government Funding Agency under WOS (A&B) of DST are not eligible to apply).
Women Scientists upto 55 years of age
The scheme is open to women applicants from all areas in Life Science or biology (including agriculture, veterinary science and medicine)

Budget/Stipend: There would be a provision for stipend fellowship amount as lumpsum in the following 3 slabs for the unemployed candidate in the budgets provision. The slabs would be decided based on post Ph.D experience

Grade – I Rs.35, 000/- (Ph.D+ nil experience)
Grade – II Rs.40,000/-(Ph.D + more than 5 years research/industrial experience)
Grade– III Rs.45,000/-(Ph.D+ more than 10 years research/industrial experience)

Selection process:

The candidate will have to provide proof of year of experience.
If a selected candidate is availing a Post-Doctoral or Contractual fellowship she will have to resign from the same before accepting the project under Bio-CARe programme.

Benefits:

For employed candidate an additional amount of Rs. 5,000/- over her salary would be provided as an incentive
The total budget for R&D project will range from 25 lakhs to 50 lakhs. All research related expenses to be booked under Equipment, Consumables, Manpower, Contingency, Travel etc as in other ongoing R&D Schemes. Application Procedure will be starting from the month of April every year and has a dead line in may.
For more details http://dbtindia.nic.in.

To facilitate the participation of Women Scientists in Biotechnology Research, DBT announces the launch of Bio-CARe Scheme for Career Development of employed/unemployed women scientists who have not received any extra-mural grants in the past. In order to maximize their reach, the schemes are open to applicants (aged 55 years or less on the date of application) from all areas of Life Sciences / biology (including Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Medicine and Bio-Engineering).

Scheme I – Research Grant Opportunity (RGO):

The programme aims at giving project grants to women scientists (employed & unemployed) for whom it would be a first grant. The purpose is to build capacities for women scientists employed fulltime in Universities and small research laboratories or unemployed women scientist after a career break so as to help them undertake independent R&D projects. Under this scheme the women scientists who are unemployed will be provided monthly emoluments ranging from Rs. 35,000/- to 45,000/- p.m. The employed women scientists in addition to salary will get an amount of Rs.5,000/- p.m as an incentive.

Scheme II -Career Re-orientation Fellowship (CRF):

This scheme would be mainly for women scientists who are trained in a particular area, but leave their permanent jobs / or are unemployed and would now like to change their career path to take on newer areas. Specialized skills would be essential and this would require training in the relevant field such as IP management, Bioinformatics, Policy research and analysis, Translational research, Regulation etc. This training could be for a period ranging from 3 months -12 months. Under this scheme the women scientists who are unemployed will be provided a stipend of Rs.25,000/- p.m. and employed scientists will get an amount of Rs.5,000/- p.m as an incentive in addition to their salary.

Did you know about Anti HIV protein?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 05:37:00 +0000

Researchers have synthesized a protein that jams the "grappling hook" that HIV uses to attach to target cells. The synthetic protein prevents a spring-loaded component of the grappling hook from snapping shut and drawing the virus to its target—one of the key steps in HIV infection. If HIV cannot fuse with the membrane on its target cell, infection cannot occur.

The researchers believe that the new protein may be useful in treating patients with drug-resistant HIV or those patients who experience side effects when taking antiviral medications. Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) investigator Peter S. Kim and his colleagues at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research at MIT reported on the new anti-HIV protein in a research article published online on January 12, 2001, by the journalScience .

Development of the HIV-inhibiting protein, called 5-Helix, is based on earlier studies that showed that HIV uses a spring-loaded mechanism to attach to T cells, its primary targets in the immune system. In attaching to T cells, HIV first uses a protein called gp120 to recognize the CD4 receptor on the surface of a T cell. Once gp120 recognizes CD4, an HIV attachment protein called gp41 launches a harpoon-like component into the T cell’s membrane. Next, gp41’s spring mechanism snaps shut—forming what is known as the "trimer of hairpins," (named for its triple helical, u-shaped protein structure)—and draws the virus to the T cell like a grappling hook. The virus can then fuse its membrane with the T cell’s membrane.

In previous studies, a research team led by Kim and a second that included HHMI investigators Stephen C Harrison and Don Wiley at Harvard independently solved the structure of gp41. Kim's group focused on deep pockets in the molecule that looked to be excellent targets for inhibitory molecules. Last year, Kim's team identified D-peptide inhibitors of HIV infection that bound solely to the pocket, laying the groundwork for the potential development of "orally bioavailable inhibitors of HIV entry," said Kim. In addition, Harrison and HHMI investigator Stuart L. Schreiber created a library of compounds that fit into the pocket, when attached to a longer peptide, to block the action of gp41.

Other research on gp41 inhibitors has also shown that synthetic peptides could be created to bind to the grappling hook end of gp41 nearest the target cell—called the N-terminal end. In fact, such peptides have proven to be potent inhibitors of HIV, and one is currently in clinical trials.

Kim and his colleagues wanted to test the idea that protein inhibitors that bind to the C-terminal end of gp41—the end nearest the virus—could also be potent inhibitors of HIV infection by stopping the closing of the trimer-of-hairpins. To test this hypothesis, they synthesized 5-Helix, a small protein designed to bind to the C-terminal region, and looked at whether it could jam gp41 in cell culture.

"We really didn't know whether binding to the C-terminal region would actually stop the virus," said Kim. "So, we were pleasantly surprised to find that not only did it inhibit the virus, but it did so quite effectively. What’s more, we were very pleased to find that 5-Helix was capable of inhibiting a wide range of HIV isolates."

Analyzing the structure of the C-terminal region of gp41 in many versions of HIV, Kim and his colleagues found that, although there is variability in the region, the "face" of the C-terminal helix that actually interacts with 5-Helix is highly conserved among the different viral strains.

According to Kim, the 5-Helix molecule is stable, and is therefore likely to be resistant to degradation by the body’s enzymes. This is one reason why Kim believes that 5-Helix may be a good candidate for becoming an injectable anti-HIV therapy. Also, he said, the molecule can be altered—for instance, making it larger to reduce its elimination in the kidneys—without diminishing its ability to jam gp41. And carbohydrate molecules could also be added to the molecule to help shield it from the immune system, he added.

Kim foresees 5-Helix or its molecular cousins proving to be effective as "salvage therapies" to treat HIV patients who are suffering side effects from other drugs, or in whom HIV has mutated to become drug resistant. The durability of 5-Helix and its effectiveness bode well for rapid progress toward a therapy, he said.

"I think we are only a few steps away from testing in monkeys—for which good models of HIV infection exist—to determine whether 5-Helix or a derivative can reduce the viral load in the bloodstream," Kim said.

Other clinically important viruses also use similar trimer-of-hairpins proteins in infection, and a similar approach to inhibiting attachment might also work against them. "Work from our lab and from Don Wiley's lab has shown that the influenza and Ebola viruses use a similar mechanism, and we have recently shown that the human respiratory syncytial virus also uses the trimer-of-hairpins motif. All of these viruses are significant threats to human health, and we are hopeful that our approach to HIV inhibition can be broadly effective against them as well," said Kim.

I will be soon updating about the latest information

Quality Control post in Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Hyderabad

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 14:19:00 +0000

Established in 1984, Dr. Reddy's LaboratoriesLtd. (NYSE: RDY) is an integrated global pharmaceutical company, committed to providing affordable and innovative medicines for healthier lives. Through its three businesses - Pharmaceutical Services and Active Ingredients, Global Generics and Proprietary Products - Dr. Reddy's offers a portfolio of products and services including Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), Custom Pharmaceutical Services (CPS), generics, biosimilars, differentiated formulations and News Chemical Entities (NCEs).

Job Description
1. Sound knowledge in proteins therapeutics 2. cGMP awareness 3. Perform HPLC assays for commercial and stability samples as per the set plan 4. Report writing, document revisions 5. Involve in discrepancy and investigations 6. Perform method validations and involve in technology transfers 7. Prepare product trends

Salary:
Not Disclosed by Recruiter

Industry:
Pharma, Biotechnology, Clinical Research

Functional Area:
Production, Manufacturing, Maintenance

Role Category:
Production/ Manufacturing/ Maintenance

Role:
Quality Assurance/ Quality Control Executive

Keyskills:
proteins therapeutics , cGMP , Good communication , good team player

Desired Candidate Profile

Education:
(UG - B.Sc - Any Specialization) AND (PG - M.Sc - Bio-Chemistry, Microbiology)

Contact Details

Contact Company: Dr Reddys Laboratories Ltd

Address:
8-2-337, Road No 3, Banjara Hills HYDERABAD,Andhra Pradesh,India 500034
http://www.drreddys.com

Unlocked: The link between sex and the female brain

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 16:50:00 +0000

An international team of scientists led by Gregg Adams at the University of Saskatchewan has discovered that a protein in semen acts on the female brain to prompt ovulation, and is the same molecule that regulates the growth, maintenance, and survival of nerve cells.

Male mammals have accessory sex glands that contribute seminal fluid to semen, but the role of this fluid and the glands that produce it are not well understood.

"From the results of our research, we now know that these glands produce large amounts of a protein that has a direct effect on the female," says Adams, a professor of veterinary biomedical sciences at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the U of S.

The work, which appears in the August 20, 2012 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), raises intriguing questions about fertility in mammals, including humans.

The team characterized the protein, dubbed ovulation-inducing factor (OIF), that they have found in the semen of all species of mammal they have looked at so far. In the process of discovering its identity, the team compared OIF to thousands of other proteins, including nerve growth factor (NGF) which is found primarily in nerve cells throughout the body.

"To our surprise, it turns out they are the same molecule," Adams says. "Even more surprising is that the effects of NGF in the female were not recognized earlier, since it's so abundant in seminal plasma."

While OIF/NGF may function differently from animal to animal, it is present in all mammals studied so far, from llamas, cattle and koalas to pigs, rabbits, mice, and humans. This implies an important role in reproduction in all mammals. Just how it works, its role in various species, and its clinical relevance to human infertility are a few of the questions that remain to be answered.

OIF/NGF in the semen acts as a hormonal signal, working through the hypothalamus of the female brain and the pituitary gland. This triggers the release of other hormones that signal the ovaries to release an egg (or eggs, depending on the species).

For this latest study, the team looked at two species: llamas and cattle. Llamas are "induced ovulators," that is, they ovulate only when they have been inseminated. Cows – and humans – are "spontaneous ovulators," meaning that a regular buildup of hormones stimulates the release of an egg.

Using a variety of techniques, the researchers compared OIF and NGF and found them to have the same size and to cause the same effects across species. Work at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron at the U of S confirmed the structure of the molecule.

"The idea that a substance in mammalian semen has a direct effect on the female brain is a new one," Adams explains. "This latest finding broadens our understanding of the mechanisms that regulate ovulation and raises some intriguing questions about fertility."

These are crystals of pure OIF used at Canadian Light Source protein crystallography beam line.

Left to right shows Roger Pierson, Gregg Adams and Karin van Straaten with a few of the University of Saskatchewan llamas east of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

Sexless reproduction for humans soon ?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 14:19:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 14:06:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 13:19:00 +0000

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 -

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 11:49:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 11:47:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 16:23:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 05:40:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 05:35:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 06:13:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 06:17:00 +0000

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.

Vacancies for Junior Analyst posts in Department Of Biotechnology

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 10:08:00 +0000

The Department of Biotechnology invites applications for filling up the five posts of Junior Analysts (Tech.) on contractual basis. The contract will be initially for a period of one year and extendable thereafter. The following are the details of the post and the requisite qualifications:-

Name of the Post Junior Analyst (Tech.)
Scale of Pay: 35000/- (Consolidated)
No. of vacancies: 05
Essential Qualifications : Masters degree in Sciences from a recognized University or equivalent or Bachelors degree in Engineering or Technology from a recognized University or equivalent. The maximum age limit for appointment shall not be exceeding 30 years as on the closing date of receipt of applications.

The application in the prescribed proforma along with necessary certificates may be sent to

Smt. Beena E. Chakravarty,

Under Secretary,

Department of Biotechnology,

Block–2, 8th Floor, CGO Complex,

Lodi Road,

New Delhi–110 003

within 30 days of the publication of this advertisement in the Employment News. It may be noted that at the top of the application form the name of the post for which application has been submitted may be mentioned.

Sd/-

(Beena E. Chakravarty)

Under Secretary to the Govt. of

India

Tel.No.2436 2363

Application Proforma:

PROFORMA

1. Post Applied for

2. Name of the Applicant (in BLOCK Letters)

3. Date of Birth (DD/MM/YY)

4. Date of superannuation

5. Post Address (with email id.)

(a) Residential Address with telephone number

(b) Official Address with telephone number

6. Educational Qualification (Graduation and above)

Exam Passed	University	Year of Passing	Subjects	Division	%age of marks obtained

7. Details of Employment in chronological order

Office/Instt. Orgn.	Post held	From	To	Scale of pay and basic pay	Nature of duties

8. Nature of present employment. Ad-hoc/Temporary/Permanent

(a) Details of research work done, if any

(b) Professional training undergone, if any, and details thereof

9. Any other relevant information that you may like to furnish

(Signature of the candidate)

CERTIFICATE OF BE FURNISHED BY THE EMPLOYER

1. The service particulars of Shri/Dr. ________________ given above have been verified from the service record of the applicant and found correct.

2. Certified that no vigilance enquiry is pending or contemplated against the applicant.

3. Certified that officer will be relieved immediately in the event of his/her selection.

Place Signature

Date: Designation with Office seal

Novel Anti-Malarial Drug Target Identified

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 06:42:00 +0000

An international team of scientists, led by researchers from the Department of Pediatrics at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, have identified the first reported inhibitors of a key enzyme involved in survival of the parasite responsible for malaria.

Their findings, which may provide the basis for anti-malarial drug development, are currently published in the online version of the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.

Tropical malaria is responsible for more than 1.2 million deaths annually. Severe forms of the disease are mainly caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum, transmitted to humans by female Anopheles mosquitoes. Malaria eradication has not been possible due to the lack of vaccines and the parasite's ability to develop resistance to most drugs.

The researchers conducted high-throughput screening of nearly 350,000 compounds in the National Institutes of Health's Molecular Libraries Small Molecule Repository (MLSMR) to identify compounds that inhibit an enzyme which plays an important role in parasite development: Plasmodium falciparumglucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (PfG6PD) is essential for proliferating and propagating P. falciparum.

"The enzyme G6PD catalyzes an initial step in a process that protects the malaria parasite from oxidative stress in red blood cells, creating an environment in which the parasite survives," said senior author Lars Bode, PhD, assistant professor in the UCSD Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology and the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. People with a natural deficiency in this enzyme are protected from malaria and its deadly symptoms, an observation that triggered the reported research.

The parasitic form of the enzyme (PfG6PD) is what contributes the majority of G6PD activity in infected red blood cells. Because the parasite lives in the blood of a malaria-infected person, the scientists aimed at identifying compounds that inhibit the parasitic form but not the human form of the enzyme. "We didn't want to interfere with the human form of the enzyme and risk potential side effects," Bode explained.

Scientific testing had previously been limited by a lack of recombinant PfG6PD. Team members in the lab of Katja Becker, PhD, at the Interdisciplinary Research Center at Justus-Liebig-University in Giessen, Germany produced the first complete and functional recombinant PfG6PD, and researchers led by Anthony Pinkerton, PhD, at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute used it to identify the lead compound resulting from their efforts, ML276.

ML276 represents the first reported selective PfG6PD inhibitor, which stops the growth of malaria parasites in cultured red blood cells -- even those parasites that developed resistance to currently available drugs. "ML276 is a very promising basis for future drug design of new anti-malarial therapeutics," said Bode.