Columns

• India’s bio-engineering leap: Securing data in the era of CRISPR and AI

  

  Varun Asediya is a researcher interested in how science shapes our lives in ways which we are unaware of as it begins to happen. His work engages in developing interdisciplinary approaches to the evolving interface between biology and technology seamlessly shifting from the mechanisms associated with biological systems to the circuits of our neurons - at the nexus of innovation and imagination where truly transformative possibilities emerge.
  

  Posted on Jul 11, 2025 in Agriculture, Microbiology, Environmental Sciences & Research

  ---

• Farming in the age of superbugs: Are enteric pathogens becoming resistant to disinfection?

  

  Mittali Tyagi, a PhD student at Manav Rachna International Institute of Research & Studies in Faridabad, Haryana, is an environment enthusiast who works towards the promotion of sustainability. Her passion for nature has turned into a strong commitment to addressing environmental challenges and spurring change in the way we interact with the planet. As part of her PhD studies on pathogen-plant interactions, she came across fascinating research on enteric pathogen survival on plants and their implications for food safety—an observation that prompted her to author this article.
  

  Posted on Jun 20, 2025 in Agriculture, Microbiology, Environmental Sciences & Research

  ---

• Engaging youth to fight against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

  

  In rural Rajasthan, this outreach initiative addressed the issue of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) through 14 interactive workshops facilitated by the third IndiaBioscience Outreach Grants (IOG 3). Neha Jain, Associate Professor, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Jodhpur, and her team educated students on microbiology and responsible antibiotic use, empowering young minds and fostering sustainable solutions to combat AMR.

  Posted on Sep 23, 2024 in Microbiology, Science Communication, Networking, Outreach, Science communication & School Education

  ---

• 10 Women, 10 Questions: Akriti Sondhi

  

  Akriti Sondhi is a contemporary artist currently working on a bio-art project called ‘soft-earth’. She is also a commercial and fine art photographer and explores alternative photography methods. In this interview, she reflects on her experience of working with living organisms as an artistic medium and the intersection of science and art.

  Posted on Aug 26, 2024 in Microbiology, Other, Science Communication, Women in Science & Personal Experience

  ---

• Learning bioreactor design using a frugal science approach

  

  A laboratory can be a great place for experiential learning. However, using set protocols and kits can deprive students of this opportunity and make them disengaged learners. In this article, Tejaswini Panchpor, an educator from Dr Vishwanath Karad’s MIT World Peace University, Pune shares a frugal science approach to provide experiential learning to students and stimulate their creativity.

  Posted on Apr 22, 2024 in Biotechnology, Microbiology, Education, Teaching & Undergraduate

  ---

• Catching food freshness in real time: An undergraduate biology experiment

  

  Food spoilage is covered in undergraduate biology courses with limited scope for practical experience. This article describes a simple module that not only helps students explore the topic experimentally but also develop a deeper understanding of various scientific concepts and gain experience in design thinking.

  Posted on Nov 24, 2023 in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Undergraduate, Research & Education

  ---

• A project-to-publication experience for a remote, student-led team during the pandemic

  

  In this article, Shreeya, Stutee and Karishma recount their experiences on working remotely on a new research area during the pandemic, the former two as students and the latter as mentor. Their project led to a publication. Biofilm-AMP is a now a published structural and functional repository of AMPs for biofilm studies. The work was also published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology.

  Posted on Dec 27, 2021 in Microbiology, Bioinformatics, COVID-19, Personal Experience & Research

  ---