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Anjana Badrinarayanan on discovery science, DNA repair, and the Infosys Prize 2025
IndiaBioscience spoke with Anjana Badrinarayanan, winner of the Infosys Prize 2025 in life sciences, about her scientific journey and research. In response to questions posed by IndiaBioscience, she reflected on the meaning of the award, her work on genome maintenance and DNA repair, the role of live-cell imaging in understanding dynamic cellular processes, and the responsibilities that come with scientific recognition.
How to turn your pet into a monster?
‘Once upon a time, there lived Frankenstein’s monster, Yeti, Loch Ness monster, Godzilla, dragon, and a goldfish…’ Surprised to see a goldfish in the league of monsters? Then let’s also add that while the others are fictional, a goldfish might be a real threat we are looking at. We are talking of biological invasions.
Posted on in Health & Medicine, Science & Personal Experience
Mitochondria: The guardians of immunity!
Who doesn't know that mitochondria is the powerhouse of cells? But an organelle that has its own genes and proteins, it does much more than generating energy for cells. Sai Poojitha, a molecular virologist, studies how mitochondria play key roles in immune responses too.
Posted on in Health & Medicine, Science & Personal Experience
Will I be healthy? Can genetic testing predict?
On a quiet Sunday, while discussing her mother’s struggle with ankylosing spondylitis, Sara Sajjadi found their conversation drifting toward genetic testing. The exchange, layered with science, uncertainty, and hope, reminded her of how deeply genes and environment intertwine to shape health. Sara recently completed her PhD at CSIR-CCMB, where she studied how early-life nutrition, particularly vitamin D, influences epigenetics and long-term cardiometabolic wellbeing. Now, she works at an IT consultancy, applying AI to accelerate drug discovery and leading projects that integrate genetics and artificial intelligence to advance personalized medicine.
Posted on in Health & Medicine, Science & Personal Experience
Shifting kharif crops into summer: A betrayal of water sustainability
Shifting kharif crops to summer may seem like smart farming, but it’s draining our groundwater in the hottest months. This short-term benefit comes at the cost of longer-term water security. In this article, the authors urge a return to climate-aligned farming practices before we run our wells dry.
CRISPR in 2025: The next frontier in genetic engineering
In this reflective piece, Satyajit Shinde combines his love of words with science through the evolution of CRISPR's journey and its technological leap from the laboratory to a global community, grappling with ethical challenges—through a lens that treats writing as art.
