Page 13 - Biennial Report 2018-20 Jun 2021

allelic frequency in orthologs of Atg8, a critical component of the autophagy

pathway. The impact of disease mutations on protein folding, stability and
protein-protein interactions was also examined in depth. The fascinating
cell biology underlying skin pigmentation was revealed through studies

spanning cell lines, human populations and zebrafish models. The zebrafish
model yielded the surprise finding that alterations in intra-cellular pH

trigger the acetylation of histones and activation of selected genes driving
the pigmentation pathway.

In response to the call for commercially relevant technologies and societally

relevant applications emerging from our scientific exploration, several
groups at IGIB have initiated translational projects. As a consequence, IGIB
has grown and diversified adding new branches of study like nutraceuticals,

development of food additives, image analysis for medical applications and
development of therapeutics that are relevant to the strategic sector. Each

of these applications has emerged from years of work on the fundamental
research in relevant areas. Lastly, IGIB scientists have also contributed

actively to collection and analysis of health and nutrition data from across
the country, be it measurement of vitamin B12 deficiency or lung function

in apparently healthy individuals.

Tackling infectious diseases requires a multi-pronged approach targeting
the pathogen, the host, and factors that govern this interaction.

Tuberculosis and skin infections caused by fungi and bacteria are the
infectious diseases being studied at IGIB. Lipid accumulation and exchange,
calcium homeostasis and GTP binding proteins are three aspects of

Mycobacterium tuberculosis biology that are being actively explored at IGIB.
The unique features of this pathogen and its deep transactions with the host

cell are important for a better understanding of the host pathogen
interaction, which in turn guides the development of strategies to tackle the

pathogen. Emerging drug resistance in fungal and bacterial pathogens that
cause skin ailments is another focus area of infectious disease research at

IGIB.

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