Page 7 - Covid Newsletter 11_10

vaccine for COVID-19. His Excellency Pham Sanh Chau, the Ambassador of Vietnam to India, led a team that visited THSTI on 23 September 2021, to sign MoU between THSTI and the Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC. THSTI has been at the forefront of research for COVID-19 vaccines.
Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology
congratulated THSTI for leveraging its expertise and
facilities not only for India but also globally. She applauded the scientists and appreciated their efforts in developing vaccines and therapeutics.
Website link:
https://dbtindia.gov.in/pressrelease/translational-health-science-and-technology- institute-thsti-do-biotechnology-mo-science
CIAB utilises Agri-biomass in fighting COVID-19
Center of Innovative and Applied
Bioprocessing (CIAB), an autonomous
institute of the Department of
Biotechnology, is working towards
antiviral efficacy. However, faculties at
CIAB have taken up this challenge to
address this pandemic via converting agri-
products into therapeutics. The following
research activities have been initiated,
which apply multiple research expertise
including chemistry, chemical engineering,
biotechnology, molecular biology, and nanotechnology available at DBT-CIAB.
Research activity 1 - Polypyrrollic photosensitisers and their nanoformulations for antiviral photodynamic therapy
Research activity 2 - Natural garlic essential oil as an ACE2 protein inhibitor for preventing SARS-CoV-2 invasion
Products of the proposed research outcome are expected to be biocompatible, low cost and scalable. Most importantly, the research objectives proposed have deliverables planned to be completed in less than a year’s time. The potential antiviral molecules which are identified in this work will be tested for their ability to act against SARS-CoV-2 in collaboration with the Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad.
Contact info:
ceo@ciab.res.in
Website link:
http://www.ciab.res.in/Documents/Misc/COVID19CIABactivity24.pdf
CCMB study detects gene suppression in COVID-19 patients as the
reason for loss of taste and sense of smell
Researchers from the Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) have unlocked the mystery behind the loss of sense of smell and taste, the two-key symptoms that went a long way in identifying the tell-tale signs of COVID-19 positive patients’ status.
VOL. IV ISSUE 12
VIGYAN PRASAR 3
COVID-19 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EFFORTS IN INDIA