Hundreds of thousands of stretches of DNA have remained unchanged in humans and other primates for over 65 million years but not other mammals, genetic scientists have found1. These evolutionary records could play an important role in improving human health. Constrained genes are parts of the genome that don’t encode proteins. They carry most of… Continue reading Unique unchanged DNA stretches define humans and other primates

Annapoorna P. K. works to understand the role of epigenetics in neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety and addiction in mice as part of her PhD at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad. The ultimate goal of the work, P. K. says, is to have a better understanding of these disorders… Continue reading I study depression in the lab and advocate for mental health in academia

A recent collaborative study led by Giriraj R Chandak, CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, examined height differences among children in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared to high-income countries (HICs). They discovered that besides genetic factors, epigenetic modifications, particularly in the SOCS3 gene, significantly influence height, showing potential implications for childhood interventions to reduce future non-communicable disease risks. Height… Continue reading Why are many children from low and middle-income countries like India stunted?

Secretary of India’s Department of Biotechnology, Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, graced the 36th Foundation Day celebration of Hyderabad’s Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), inaugurated on November 26, 1987. On the occasion of 36th Foundation Day of Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), which was inaugurated on November 26, 1987, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Government… Continue reading Hyderabad-based CCMB marks 36th Foundation Day

Epigenetic factors are external influences, including lifestyle, nutrition and environment that affect the way genes work. In a significant finding, scientists have discovered that environmental factors play a greater role than genetic variants in determining the height of children in low and middle income countries (LMICs) in contrast to those from European nations, where genetic… Continue reading Environmental factors determine height of children in LMICs

Researchers need not go around to collect samples of all organisms in a physical setting to assess the total biodiversity of any ecosystem. Thanks to a new method developed by the researchers at the Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES), one can pick just a few litres of water, soil, or even air.… Continue reading Environmental DNA: A novel method to detect all life forms in an ecosystem

The study will include researchers from the University of Bristol, UK, the MRC Unit and the Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. The CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad, is set to be part of the Diverse Epigenetic Epidemiology Partnership (DEEP), a five-year international project which has been sanctioned… Continue reading Rs 25 crore project: Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology join UK scientists in 5-year deal