BT news

World's first blue rose developed
Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Australian and Japanese researchers have demonstrated the application of RNAi (gene silencing) technology for gene replacement in plants, developing the first blue rose in the world. Till date, breeders have attempted to make true blue roses over many years, but none have successfully bred roses with blue pigment.

The RNAi technology developed by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) was a key technology used under license by Florigene, a Melbourne-based biotechnology company and part of the Japanese Suntory group of companies to develop the rose.

In order to develop a blue rose with a "true blue" pigment, three steps had to be achieved: turn off the production of red pigment; open the 'door' to production of blue pigment; and then produce blue pigment. The RNAi technology was used to remove the gene encoding the enzyme dihydroflavonol reductase (DFR) in roses. DFR works to create intermeencing was used to knock out the activity of the rose DFR gene and then a DFR gene from iris, which makes a lotdiates that are subsequently made into red or blue pigments, but rose DFR does not appear optimal for production of blue pigments. Gene sil of blue pigment, replaced it to produce a blue rose.

Gene replacement is considered a rare event in plants, with researchers only able to either add genes as in the case of insect-resistant cotton, or knock out the activity of an existing gene such as in the development of canola from rapeseed. To be able to turn that around is significant in plant biotechnology, providing researchers with a reliable mechanism to explore improvements in economically significant plants that may have otherwise taken years. Gene replacement in plants is such a rare event that till date it was considered almost impossible to achieve.

Though Florigene has already successfully created blue carnations using gene technology and these have been available in Australia since 1996, it will be at least three years before blue roses will be commercially available in Australia, pending approval from the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator for their commercial release.
National Geographic and IBM launch genographic project
Tuesday, May 10, 2005

The five-year genographic project allows individuals to trace their own migratory history.

The National Geographic Society and IBM are planning a landmark genetic anthropology research project - to assemble one of the world's largest DNA collections. The goal is to map how earth originally was populated.

The genographic project, an innovative five-year research partnership, will use sophisticated laboratory and computer analysis of DNA contributed by hundreds of thousands of people, including indigenous peoples as well as the general public. Led by national geographic explorer-in-residence, Spencer Wells, a team of international scientists and IBM researchers will collect genetic samples, analyze results and report on the genetic roots of modern humans.

With funding from the Waitt family foundation, the scientists will establish 10 centers around the world and will study over 100,000 DNA samples. "Our DNA carries a story that is shared by everyone. Over the next five years we will decipher that story, which is now in danger of being lost as people migrate and mix to a greater extent, " Wells said.

The genographic project has three core components:

Field research – Wells and a consortium of scientists from prominent international institutions will conduct the field and laboratory research. An international advisory board will oversee the selection of indigenous populations for testing as well as adhering to strict sampling and research protocols.

Public participation and awareness campaign – The public can take part by purchasing a participation kit and submitting their own cheek swab samples, allowing them to track the overall progress of the project as well as learn their own migratory history.

Genographic legacy project – The proceeds from the sale of the genographic participation kits will help fund future field research and a legacy project.
Stem cell separation through cryogel
Tuesday, May 10, 2005

A new affinity chromatography column has been developed for cell separation systems.

With the advent of new sciences and technologies, there has been a need for developing new polymers, materials and techniques to put the novel knowledge into application. For instance, both in the areas of biomedical research and diagnostic medicine, it is vital to have specific separation of a discrete population of cells from a mixture. Through cell separation applications like fluorescence-assisted cell sorting via flow cytometry; density-gradient-based methods and magnetic-particle-based methods, a particular type of cell can be isolated from a complex mixture. The isolation of specific cell sub-populations is a key factor to the advancement of cell-based therapies of cancer, auto-immune diseases and genetic disorders.
Dr Ashok Kumar

Dr Ashok Kumar, associate professor, department of biological sciences and bioengineering, IIT Kanpur, along with his team has designed a "cryogel" that is, a polymeric gel formed in moderately frozen media, having a continuous system of interconnected macropores which is capable of separating stem cells.

He selected to work on developing a novel affinity chromatography column (the cryogel) because though magnetic separation and flow cytometry represent the most powerful tools for cell separations, they are limited to analytical applications. Owing to low cost and simple operation, cell affinity chromatography is considered the preferred approach when the application is preparative scale separation.

"The choice of a suitable matrix material is important because, as separation objects, cells are relatively large and are rather fragile and sensitive to shear stress. Their diffusivity is negligible and only convective transport can be used. Thus, for cell affinity chromatography the key element is the design of the matrix", said Dr Kumar.

Cryogel as matrix
The cryogels are essentially gel matrices that are formed in moderately frozen solutions of monomeric or polymeric precursors. They typically have interconnected macropores or supermacropores with a size of 10-100 µm, allowing unhindered diffusion of solutes of practically any size, as well as mass transport of nano and even microparticles. The unique structure of cryogels, in combination with their osmotic, chemical and mechanical stability, makes them attractive matrices for chromatography of biological nanoparticles (plasmids, viruses, cell organelles) and even whole cells.

Model for stem cell separation
To demonstrate that stem cell separation can take place through the cryogel column, the researchers selected the human acute myeloid leukemia cells having CD34+ cell surface receptor. After labeling these CD34+ cells with anti CD34+ monoclonal antibodies, labeled cells were found specifically bound to Protein A-carrying supermacroporous monolithic column when passed through it. The viable CD34+ cells were later eluted when free non-specific cheap antibodies displaced cell-bound specific antibodies.

The CD34+ surface antigen is recognized as an important marker for hematopoietic stem cells. Thus, the scientists concluded that the system could be a good model for the separation of CD34+ cells from bone marrow or peripheral blood. Earlier, the researchers also demonstrated specific fractionation of T- and B-lymphocytes from human blood using antibodies against surface receptors of B-cells.

Benefitsa
In addition to a simple and elegant model for stem cell separation, the cryogel allows maximum recovery as it is a hydrophilic polymer on which the cells do not adsorb non-specifically. The other significant advantage is that there is no need for any approval from the regulatory authorities, since they are produced from exactly the same polymers as used in traditional chromatographic materials, which are already approved by regulators. All the synthetic chemistry used at present to prepare chromatographic materials is also applicable to cryogels. It has no other added chemicals and only ice crystals serve as porogen. The same standard low-pressure chromatographic systems can be used with cryogels.

Elaborating further about its advantages, Dr Kumar said, "Cryogels are extremely easy to handle and put in a column. They can be dried and re-swollen directly in the column. Due to the high polymer concentration in the walls of large interconnected pores, they are elastic. The monolith is easily removed and placed back in the column with no leakage in between the monolith and the column walls. Thus, there is no by-pass and the elastic gel monolith sits tightly in the column". The cryogel can also be produced in different sizes and formats (rods, sheets, discs, microtiter plates, etc) with different pore sizes (0.1-100 µm).

Lastly, as compared to magnetic beads they can be applied for both positive and negative selection of viable cells. There is also an efficient and economic use of the expensive monoclonal antibodies as no chemical attachment or immobilization of monoclonal antibodies is required. And there is no restructuring of the column required as the same column type is used for the separation of different cells, besides the ease and simplicity of operation.

"At present we are now both expanding the application of the affinity cryogel adsorbents to other cell separation processes and also simultaneously linking up with biomedical research laboratories and industries for further evaluation of gels on stem cell separation systems," said Dr Kumar.n
Thermo releases micromax microcentrifuge
Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Thermo Electron Corporation has released micromax microcentrifuge to the worldwide market including Asia and Europe. The refrigerated and ventilated micromax models combine sophistication, performance and affordability. Micromax's powerful, quiet performance and attractive, compact styling will appeal to professionals in a range of settings, such as DNA/RNA molecular biology, clinical and forensic labs. The units are easy to operate and clean. Glove-friendly control panel includes an easy-to-read display.
The micromax is capable of producing force up to 21,000 xg at speeds of 15,000 rpm for more separating power. It accelerates to full speed in less than 15 seconds, minimizing wait time. Control over g-force, braking rates, and timing ensures greater centrifugation consistency. Controls are microprocessor-based for added reliability.
For details, contact: bimal.desai@thermo.com

Mass spectrometers from Applied Biosystems
Applied Biosystems Group, an Applera Corporation business, together with its joint venture partner MDS Sciex, a division of MDS Inc, has announced the launch of three new mass spectrometers, the 3200 Q TRAP and the API 3200 LC/MS/MS Systems with Turbo V Source for added sensitivity, throughput, and cost-effectiveness in mass spectrometry-based workflows. These systems are designed for food and beverage, environmental, forensic, clinical research, and pharmaceutical analysis markets.
By incorporating the Applied Biosystems/MDS SCIEX proven Turbo V source and API 4000 LC/MS/MS System-series interface and ionization sources into a smaller platform, these new systems provide increased sensitivity, greater flexibility, and improved ease-of-use. The ceramic interface of the API 3200 and 3200 Q TRAP LC/MS/MS Systems reduces chemical background and improves sensitivity under LC conditions, yielding better efficiency, relative to older source technologies, especially at higher flow rates.
The API 3200 LC/MS/MS System with Turbo V source is a triple quadrupole for quantitation and analyte detection studies. The system provides improved performance, especially at high flow rates, allowing for easy method transfer from LC/UV to LC/MS/MS workflows. This method transfer to LC/MS/MS workflows offers the advantages of improved sensitivity, speed, and simplified sample preparation in the pharmaceutical analysis, environmental, and forensic markets. Additionally, because the Turbo V source family is now compatible with five Applied Biosystems/MDS SCIEX LC/MS/MS systems, method development can be carried out on these new instruments with simple transfer to the higher sensitivity systems.
These mass spectrometers are being distributed in India by Gurgaon-based Lab India Instruments.
For further details, contact: raiv@labindia.com

Ocimum Biosolutions introduces OciChips
Ocimum Biosolutions has launched OciChips, DNA microarrays recently acquired from MWG Biotech. DNA-microarrays, also known as biochips, are tools of increasing importance for academia and industry for basic research and for increasing the understanding of the influences of a multitude of factors on disease processes. The products in the area of array technology at MWG presently include hybridization service, catalog arrays, oligo sets, consumable and kits, software and array user information. Ocimum will take over MWG's portfolio of biochips on the complete genomes of a multitude of model organisms (including rat, mouse, zebra fish, etc.) as well as a biochip representing the complete human genome.
For more information, contact: bdm@ocimumbio.com.

Dynex's Triad series of multimode readers available in India
The TRIAD series of multimode readers from Dynex Technologies provide flexibility for a variety of application needs. It is capable of performing fluorescence, luminescence and absorbance measurements. The TRIAD series is suited for a broad range of applications including protein and enzyme studies, molecular biology, and even cell-based assays. The unique instrument design of the TRIAD series utilizes Dynabrite led-based detection optics to ensure excellent performance in all detection modes. A wide range of filter slides allow researchers to both customize and expand the capabilities of their TRIAD systems as their needs change. It is powered by a highly intuitive instrument operating software package for ease of use and flexibility thus making the implementation and analysis of even complex protocols simple. The Triad series is being distributed in India exclusively by the Chandigarh-based Imperial Bio-Medic P Ltd.
NCBS: Research hub of modern biology
Wednesday, May 11, 2005

The National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) has two academic programs leading to PhD degrees. Students with a masters in any basic science course or a basic degree in any applied science such as medicine or engineering are eligible for the PhD program. The fellowship for initial graduate students in the Ph.D program is Rs 8000 per month. They undertake coursework and a research project leading to a thesis to be submitted to the university for evaluation. Doctoral students have to clear a qualifying examination during their second year in order to be eligible to submit a thesis which they are expected to submit after about four years of work. Upon clearing the qualifying examination, the fellowship is enhanced to Rs 9,500 per month. Integrated PhD students undertake a rigorous coursework program while undergoing three rotations of 3 months apiece. They then choose the groups that they will work in for their PhD. Their initial fellowship is Rs 6000 per month. They too face a qualifying examination towards the end of their second year. On clearing this examination, they undertake a research program leading to a PhD. thesis to be submitted to the university for evaluation. Similar to students of the PhD program, their fellowship is enhanced to Rs 9,500 per month after clearing the qualifying exam. Students at the Centre can register for their degrees with the TIFR Deemed University.

Applications for both programs are screened initially through an All India written test. The test is extremely basic and cover topics in biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics. There is no specified syllabus, nor are sample question papers given out. Those who do well in the written test are sent application forms from which a few candidates are called for a written test and interview. The basis for short listing the candidates are: past academic performance, letters of recommendation from current/former teachers and individual write- ups in the applications. All invited candidates are taken through a preliminary interview and the best performers at this stage are asked to return for final interviews in the following two days.

Advertisements for applications to both programs appear in leading national newspapers in August/September each year.

Details about the current research programs can be had by visiting the NCBS web site accessible at www.ncbs.res.in

IOB focused on global biocomputational research

The Institute of Bioinformatics (IO is an international research institute carrying out research in bioinformatics and molecular biology. Dr Akhilesh Pandey, chief scientific advisor, Institute of Bioinformatics, elaborates about the research activities going on in the institute.

The Institute of Bioinformatics focuses on internationally competitive research. Though, a number of our students have applied to PhD programs to two universities that we are currently affiliated with – Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) and Kuvempu University. We encourage our students to carry out thesis research on a competitive topic and prove their merit by publication in the world's topmost journals. In this way we are also generating a future generation of interdisciplinary scientists: those who are proficient in biology as well as computation. We have scientific collaborations with certain laboratories at the National Centre of Biological Sciences (NCBS) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.), both in Bangalore. In addition, we carry out our research collaboratively with the group of Dr Akhilesh Pandey at Johns Hopkins University. As a result of this exchange program, several of our PhD students are working in Dr Pandey's laboratory at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, USA.

For entry into the institute, we consider students with a masters degree in biology or related area for positions as Research Trainee. This is done through a competitive written examination and interviews of the selected applicants.

The candidates can contact the director, Dr Krishna Deshpande, by e-mail: ksdeshpande@ibioinformatics.org
Your BT Education Options
Wednesday, May 11, 2005

Biotechnology is an interdisciplinary subject offering flexible eligibility criteria at the entry level.

Biotechnology can be chosen as the area of specialization/study at the graduation, post graduation or research level. The field offers late entrants the advantage of not necessarily having a prior degree in the subject. Some important prerequisites and entry levels for biotech education in India are listed below:

BSc Biotechnology
Many State universities offer a BSc degree in Biotechnology like Bangalore University (Karnataka), Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, (Uttar Pradesh), Kakatiya University, Warangal (Andhra Pradesh), Madras University, Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Osmania University, Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh), Patna University, (Bihar) and many others.

The eligibility criterion is essentially 40 percent (the minimum percentage may vary from state to state) in PUC/10+2/Intermediate/equivalent with science subjects. The duration of the course is three years and admissions are either through an entrance exam by the university/institute or percentage-based.

BTech/BE Biotechnology
Some of the IITs offer a four-year BTech course in biotechnology. IIT Kharagpur offers a BTech degree program in Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering while IIT Chennai and Guwahati give a BTech degree in Biotechnology. In 2004, IIT Kanpur introduced a BTech degree in Biological sciences and BioEngineering.

Admission to these IIT undergraduate programs is through an all India competitive exam - the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE).

Besides the IITs, several other institutes and universities offer a BE/BTech Biotechnology course. For example, the Anna University in Chennai has been offering a BTech program in Industrial Biotechnology since 1992. Some other universities offering BTech (Biotechnology) courses include Bharathidasan Institute of Engineering and Technology, Tiruchirappalli; Guru Gobind Singh University, Delhi; Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar (BTech Chemistry and BioEngineering); UP Technical University, Lucknow, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore (Tamil Nadu). This is just a representative list.

Students are selected either through the All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE), or the common entrance exam conducted by the state governments.

MSc Biotechnology
At present there are 30 MSc courses in general biotechnology, seven in agricultural biotechnology; one in medical biotechnology; two in marine biotechnology, one in industrial biotechnology and three courses in neurosciences running in various universities in the country which are supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).

Students are admitted to different universities through an All India combined biotechnology entrance examination, conducted by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi (on behalf of Department of Biotechnology) in May every year.

MTech Biotechnology
IIT Delhi and IIT Kharagpur offer a five-year integrated dual degree MTech course in Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology with the support of DBT. IIT Chennai offers a similar integrated MTech course in Biotechnology. Students are eligible to enter these integrated courses after completion of 10+2 with science.

MTech Biotechnology program (of 2 years/4 semester) are offered by Anna University, Chennai and University of Technology, Kolkata and IIT Kanpur with the support of the DBT. Candidates who have done BPharma or BTech/BE course in biotechnology or related disciplines or MSc Life Sciences are eligible for this program. The admissions are either through the joint biotechnology entrance exam conducted by JNU or through GATE. An MTech degree in BioProcess Technology is offered by the University Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai. This course is also supported by the DBT. Students with bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, pharmacy, chemical technology with GATE are eligible and the selection is based on the GATE scores plus the ICT written test and interviews.

The Birla Institute of Technology (BITS), Pilani also offers a ME degree in biotechnology.

MBA Biotechnology
The University of Pune pioneered a unique two-year fulltime MBA program in biotechnology in 2002. The syllabus is based on the requirements of the industry. About 60 percent of the syllabus covers the managerial aspect and the rest covers the nitty gritty of biotechnology.

Bioinformatics courses
Bioinformatics, an offshoot of biotechnology, has been lately attracting a lot of attention. This has led to specialized BSc/MSc and BTech courses in this branch. Bharathiar University, Coimbatore and Pune University, which has a center of excellence in bioinformatics, offer a two-year MSc courses in bioinformatics. The Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University has been offering a BTech course in bioinformatics since 1999.

DBT supports a one-year course (Advanced Diploma in Bioinformatics) in five Indian universities - Calcutta University, Jawaharlal Nehru University (New Delhi), Madurai Kamaraj University, Pondicherry University and Pune University.

Apart from the DBT-supported courses, the Bangalore-based Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology (IBA offers a 16-month postgraduate diploma course in bioinformatics.

The Bioinformatics Centre (BIC) at Jawaharlal University, New Delhi, a pioneer in bioinformatics education in the country, offers a PhD program in bioinformatics.

PhD programs
India boasts of a network of research institutes spread around the country established both by government and private sector. Students wanting to pursue an active career in biotech research can enter any CSIR, ICAR or ICMR lab depending on their qualification and area of specialization.

CSIR
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research holds national-level joint CSIR-UGC Examination (NET) generally twice a year, one in June and another in December. This examination determines the eligibility of Indian nationals for the award of Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) and for appointment of lecturers in science and arts disciplines.

Considering the emergence of new specialized disciplines and their need in drug R&D, CSIR has recently permitted fresh engineering and medical graduates and MPharm candidates with a valid GATE score to avail CSIR fellowships for pursuing a research career, in addition to CSIR lateral entry as Senior Research Fellow.

ICAR
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) promotes science and technology programs in agricultural research and education and carries out research directly through ICAR institutes and national research centers, project directorates and also in association with the State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) through the all India coordinated research project systems.

The Agricultural Research Services (ARS)/National Eligibility Test (NET) examination is conducted by Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASR (Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan, Pusa, New Delhi) for filling up vacancies of scientists of the ARS institutes, the ICAR institutes and for recruitment of lectures and assistant professors by the State Agricultural Universities (SAUs).

ICMR
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) formulates, coordinates and promotes biomedical research in India.

Apart from the labs falling under CSIR/ICAR, almost all the IITs, institutes and universities having a life/biological sciences department, further research in this frontier area of knowledge. Admission to these PhD programs is made on the basis of written test/interview conducted by the department/center concerned. The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), a premier scientific research institute, conducts both PhD and integrated PhD programs (directly after BSc) in biological sciences, which includes research in biotechnology also. Admission to IISc is through an entrance exam conducted by the institute or is based on the GATE score followed by an interview.
Stem Cell Initiatives Proliferate
Tuesday, May 10, 2005

With collaborations being the mantra for success, a joint UK-India workshop was held in April to foster stem cell research.

The UK has a pragmatic, but not permissive, policy on embryonic stem cell research. India too has a similar approach on stem cell work and a lot of advanced research is happening in this sphere. India and the UK are keen on leveraging their respective strengths and explore collaborative therapeutic work in the field. As a major step in this direction, a week long "Indo-UK stem cell workshop" was organized in April in Bangalore.

British high commissioner to India, Sir Michael Arthur noted, "We recognize India's growing strengths in this field of research. We hope that the stem cell workshop will be a catalyst for a number of Indo-UK collaborations in this area of research that holds much promise for benefiting human health."

Sir Arthur pointed out that the global revenues in the stem cell and tissue engineering market are estimated to touch $10 billion by 2013 and that the UK plans to achieve sizeable share through collaborations and joint ventures. "Stem cell research in the UK is funded primarily by the medical research council and its strength lies in therapeutic cloning, diabetes and neuron diseases and it is here that the UK is looking at taking up collaborative research to carry forward its application," added Sir Arthur. The UK in its 2005 budget has announced £2.5 billion allocation for biotech. "A certain amount of this is kept aside for stem cell research. Our Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council has invested about £17 million in stem cell research over the last 10 years and our Medical Research Council spends about £4.5 million annually. Since 1995, the Wellcome Trust has awarded 15 project and program grants specifically for stem cell research, totaling about £4.5 million."

Prof Azim Surani of University of Cambridge, lead the UK delegation, which was represented at the workshop by National Stem Cell Bank, the UK Stem Cell Initiative, the UK Stem Cell Foundation (led by private sector), the Human Embryology and Fertilization Authority and a number of other stem cell centers.

In another development, Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, the union minister for health and family welfare, said, "The government would also boost stem cell research in India and informed that the country would host an international conference on stem cell research in September 2005 in Mumbai."
We have a very broad genetics program within the UK"
- Dr Paul Scotting, senior lecturer in Genetics, Institute of Genetics, University of Nottingham.
Namratha Jagtap
Tuesday, May 10, 2005

- Dr Paul Scotting, senior lecturer in Genetics, Institute of Genetics, University of Nottingham.

Can you elaborate on research being done at your institute?
The Institute of Genetics is one of Nottingham University's acknowledged strengths in research. We excel in areas of biological research, from genes to genomes, from molecules to cells, from model organisms to humans. We have a very broad genetics program within the UK. One of the unusual features of our genetics department is that we maintain a range of genetics. So as such we have disciplines like developmental genetics which is my field, human genetics, and then we have a strong history in population evolution, fungal biology and genetics and we also have molecular microbiology and genome dynamics.

Basically our research interests lie in molecular neurogenesis and neuro-oncology and the techniques involved which includes in situ hybridization, in vivo electroporation, chick embryo and zebra fish manipulation.

Our group focuses on the eukaryotic gene expression and the genetics of vertebrate embryonic development. Our work on the control of gene expression address the machinery used by cells to achieve appropriate levels of functional transcripts. These studies include control of transcription and the mechanisms of RNA maturation.

My interests lie in the molecular basis of nervous system development in vertebrates, especially the role of transcription factors in neurogenesis and paediatric brain tumours.

What do you feel about the potential applications of stem cells?
In terms of newer therapeutic approaches, I feel the idea of using bone marrow cells for transplant is a very strong avenue. Also researchers need to explore both adult and embryonic stem cells as different diseases may benefit from treatment with different cell types. The adult stem cells have unique advantages. If they can be recruited to specific tissues, then this approach could be used to enlist the body to fight its own disease. "Stem cells could be the greatest medical advance in history"
Namratha Jagtap
Tuesday, May 10, 2005

- Rachel Eiges, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Israel

Comment on the potential application of stem cells.
I think they have great potential. Although I think we have a long way to go before we consider them for the use of clinical applications. I think we really have to develop much more efficient methods for their differentiation and working on testing their functions. The goal of stem cell therapy is to repair damaged tissue that cannot heal itself. Stem cells could be the greatest medical advance in history in the sense that most of our serious diseases can be cured.

Can you elaborate on your institution's research work?
The institute is affiliated to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. It has several departments like biological chemistry, genetics, cell and animal biology, plant sciences, evolution systematics and ecology (ESE), neurobiology, microbial and molecular ecology and national and international research centres. I belong to the genetics department. The genetics department again has sections such as human genetics, animal genetics. Research at our institute includes areas such as genetic regulation and cellular differentiation in eukaryotes and interactions between chromosomes and the nuclear envelope, developmental, genetic and molecular analysis of complex characteristics in drosophila, in chicken and in mouse.

We have now settled down with certain methodologies. We have learnt how to morph the stem cells, how to manipulate them genetically and sort them and start working on them. They are a bit difficult to grow and difficult to do experiments with. We have been having problems in analyzing their functions and purifying them to specific cell types. So we are going slow. Actually we have been thinking of shifting from cell biology applications to basic research.

What do you think are the hurdles in the field of stem cell research?
Lately researchers have been thinking very applicably where funding is. There is a lot of money going into stem cells as there is a great demand for cell transplantation medicine. Stem cells have other applications too but since there is not much money involved here, people don't really appreciate the others uses of stem cells.