IIPH and I3T

Nuclear Pore Complex: New target for cancer chemotherapy Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are the channel-type architecture present in the nucleus of cells. It is the gateway for the transfer of macromolecules (DNA, RNA, and Proteins) from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Research Scientists at the International Institute of Innovation and Technology Kolkata ( I3TK ) are interested in further research on macromolecular transport machinery for drug development against various metabolic disorders. They identified a novel RNA binding protein (RBP) in a model organism that controls the transport of macromolecules through this channel. Inhibition of this RBP caused destabilization of NPC and mRNA export from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Many cancer cells exhibited elevated levels of nuclear pores compared to normal cells. A recent study from Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute demonstrated that blocking the construction of nuclear pores complexes shrank aggressive tumors in mice ...

Mitochondrial DNA A Story of Mothers and a Tale of Energy   Mitochondria are membrane-bound organelles present in the cytoplasm of all eukaryotic cells. They produce energy currency (ATP) inside the cells to perform work. It also contains a genome that ties you to your mother and her mom. We inherit half of our DNA from our mother and the other half from our father. This DNA is chromosomal DNA found inside the nucleus of cells.  Outside the nucleus, mitochondria contain circular DNA which is passed down uniquely from the mother to her children regardless of their sex. The mitochondrial genome encodes several proteins required for energy production. Mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), can compromise the production of energy inside the cell and leads to several pathological conditions like common neurological diseases. Impairment of mtDNA packaging leads to stress that releases mtDNA to the cytoplasm. This cytosolic mtDNA is a sensor to activate a plethora of immune respon...

Antimicrobial Resistance World Health Organization has declared Anti-Microbial Resistance as one of the top 10 public health concerns worldwide. Misuse and overuse of antimicrobials, inadequate sanitation facilities, and absence of proper disease control mechanisms are the main reasons for Anti-Microbial Resistance. Anti-microbials are medicines that can destroy microorganisms having disease-causing potential. It includes antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics. Anti-Microbial Resistance is basically a phenomenon where our body is resistant to such medicines.  Anti-microbial resistance can spread naturally over time from person to person or person to animal and even plants to animals. Common bacterial infections like urinary tract infections, sepsis, and sexually transmitted diseases are frequently treated by antibiotics and show many times show resistance to antimicrobials. For example, the rate of resistance to ciprofloxacin, an antibiotic commonly used to tre...

  What are stem cells? Open pop-up dialog bo   Stem cells are the body's raw materials — cells from which all other  cells with  specialized functions are generated. Under the right conditions in the body or a laboratory, stem cells divide to form more cells called daughter cells. These daughter cells become either new stem cells or specialized cells (differentiation) with a more specific function, such as blood cells , brain cells , heart muscle cell s, or bone cells . No other cell in the body has the natural ability to generate new cell types. Stem cells have the ability to differentiate into multiple lineages given the right cues and milieu.  This unique characteristic has attracted the attention of numerous researchers. Thus, they are devising different ways to harness this differentiation capability of stem cells for regenerative medicine.  At International Institute of Innovation and Technology , we are engaging the stem cells for musculoskeletal re...