IndiaBioscience

16/07/2026

How did life begin on Earth?

Billions of years ago, our planet was a barren, hostile world. Yet, from simple chemicals, water, energy, and time emerged the first building blocks of life. This extraordinary journey—from chemistry to biology—is known as abiogenesis.

Read more: https://buff.ly/mhhRqBW

Image Credit: Origin of life. Odra Noel. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Written by: Sauvik Das Naskar

One of the biggest puzzles in biology is: Which came first—DNA or proteins?

The RNA World Hypothesis offers a fascinating answer. Unlike DNA or proteins, RNA can both store genetic information and catalyse chemical reactions, potentially making it the first self-replicating molecule.

Recent research suggests life may have emerged through a partnership between RNA and simple peptides, eventually forming protocells capable of evolution.

The story of life’s origins is still unfolding, but it reveals how non-living chemistry may have transformed into the first living systems.

The original article was published in SciTales by CSIR-CCMB: https://buff.ly/S4zq68W

14/07/2026

Welcome back to , a weekly thread where we bring a curated list of jobs, grants, and events relevant to the Indian life science community 👩🔬

13/07/2026

As DNA synthesis becomes faster and more accessible, ensuring it is used responsibly has become a global priority.

In Governing the Code of Life, Tanya Sarawagi and Suryesh K. Namdeo explore why robust DNA synthesis screening is essential for balancing innovation with biosecurity.

🔗 https://buff.ly/o98o5qB

How can we enable cutting-edge biotechnology without increasing biosecurity risks?

The EBRC–IISc workshop highlighted key challenges—from sequence and customer screening to distributor accountability, AI-generated sequences, and building trusted DNA synthesis supply chains.

For India, DNA synthesis screening is more than a regulatory requirement—it's a strategic opportunity.

The article outlines recommendations for policymakers, industry, researchers, and funders to strengthen biosecurity while supporting innovation in synthetic biology.

06/07/2026

Applications are now open for the EMBO - excellence in life sciences × IndiaBioscience Online Course on Fundamentals of Communication: Pitches, Posters & Presentations, led by scientific communication trainer Laura Moro-Martín.

Learn how to:
🔹 Craft compelling scientific stories
🔹 Design effective posters and presentations
🔹 Deliver confident research pitches
🔹 Engage diverse audiences

📅 Application deadline: 15 July 2026
👥 Only 20 participants will be selected

Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfyUa1fZsY2jtDt6DlAc6AEpEE9UuyTJmuEtfz801EZkACG6g/viewform?usp=header

More information: https://meetings.embo.org/event/fundamentals-of-communication-pitches-posters-and-presentations-1

Applications are now open for the EMBO-IndiaBioscience Online Course on Fundamentals of Communication: Pitches, Posters and Presentations.

The course is open to all career stages, with priority given to:
Researchers who have an ongoing project or preliminary results they can use as a basis for their pitch/poster/presentation.

Participants who are likely to present at a conference or internal event in the near future.
Participants will learn:

- How to structure scientific presentations
- Storytelling for science communication
- Effective slide and poster design
- Audience engagement and visual clarity
- Delivering concise and impactful pitches

The course also includes practical feedback sessions based on participants’ own presentations.

Only 20 places available.

Application deadline: 15 July 2026

Apply here:
https://buff.ly/wE6BiX4

Learn more:
https://buff.ly/UQygpCd

06/07/2026

From a remote village in Madhya Pradesh to becoming an Associate Professor at IISER Pune and an EMBO Global Investigator Network awardee, Krishanpal Karmodiya’s journey is one of resilience, curiosity, and determination against the odds.

Read his inspiring story by Netra Kadambi- https://buff.ly/U7vGmBw

As a first-generation graduate, Krishanpal navigated language barriers, financial constraints, and career uncertainties before finding his path in science. Today, his lab investigates how the malaria parasite adapts to changing environments, immune responses, and drug pressures.

What enables a tiny parasite to survive across mosquitoes and humans while evading drugs and immune systems?

Krishanpal Karmodiya’s research seeks answers to this question, revealing how cellular systems adapt and evolve. A story of science, perseverance, and the power of opportunity.

03/07/2026

Women experience pain differently, but too often, their suffering is dismissed, delayed, or misdiagnosed.

In The Gendered Language of Pain, Ponnari Gottipati explores how biology, cultural beliefs, and healthcare systems shape women's experiences of chronic pain, and why believing women is a clinical imperative.

Originally published in The India Forum (https://buff.ly/reyEFXa) and republished on IndiaBioscience- https://buff.ly/UZJmm3R

Illustration by Titash Sen.

From migraines and endometriosis to chronic pelvic pain, women are more likely to experience persistent pain, face longer diagnostic delays, and receive inadequate treatment. Historical research bias has left major gaps in understanding women's health.

"Being heard can matter just as much as being treated."

Through a deeply personal narrative, Ponnari Gottipati highlights why listening to women, investing in women's health research, and addressing gender bias in healthcare are essential for equitable care.

02/07/2026

Why is dengue so hard to control?

The answer lies in a centuries-long evolutionary partnership between the dengue virus and the mosquito Aedes aegypti. Originally from African forests, this mosquito adapted remarkably well to human settlements, thriving in stagnant water and urban environments.

Read more: https://buff.ly/EoqTaAB

Written by Vishal Sah

Aedes aegypti isn't just another mosquito. It feeds almost exclusively on humans, lives close to us, and has evolved ways to tolerate dengue virus without becoming sick. Some studies even suggest that dengue-infected humans become more attractive to mosquitoes, helping the virus spread further.

As urbanisation expands, so do opportunities for Aedes aegypti. While scientists continue to uncover the biology behind dengue transmission, simple actions—eliminating stagnant water, maintaining clean surroundings, and mosquito control measures—remain among our strongest defences against this growing public health challenge.

The original article was published in SciTales by Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology - https://buff.ly/N1aeapc

About the image: The voyage of Aedes aegypti, by Greeshma Murthati

29/06/2026

We often think of “survival” as simply staying alive—but is that enough?

In this piece (https://buff.ly/fDG08dL), Satyajeet Gupta, SaiRama Raju Marella & Shatarupa Sarkar explore survival beyond biology, through both ecological and sociological lenses.

From Adivasi displacement in Central India to pollution in Cuddalore, survival is shaped by power, inequality, and environmental injustice.

Those most dependent on nature often bear the highest costs—despite contributing the least.

Survival isn’t just endurance—it’s resistance, dignity, and justice.
In a climate crisis, the question is no longer how we survive, but who gets to survive—and under what conditions.