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EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD EDITORIAL BOARD

Dr. S. K. Mahapatra (New Delhi) Editor-in-Chief Prof. M. K. Jyoti (Jammu) Dr. Ashok Kumar Saxena Prof. Dr. Anup Kumar Kapoor (Delhi) Area Editors Prof. Anand Prakash Mishra (Sagar) Prof. Kanhaiya Lal Shrivastava Dr. (Mrs.) Vijay Laxmi Saxena (Jodhpur) (Biological Sciences) Prof. Atul Sitaram Padalkar (Pune) Dr. Pramod Kumar Verma Dr. Kashinath Bhattacharya (Earth Sciences, Engineering & Material Sciences) (Santiniketan) Dr. Manoj Kumar Chakrabarti Prof. Aparajita Ojha (Jabalpur) (Medical Sciences including Physiology) Dr. Arvind Kumar Saxena (Kanpur) Dr. Arvind Kumar Saxena Prof. Ajay Kumar (Delhi) (Physical Sciences)

Dr. (Mrs.) Shashi Bala Singh (Delhi) Dr. (Mrs.) Vipin Sobti Dr. Sib Sankar Roy (Kolkata) (Social Sciences) Dr. V. P. Mahadevan Pillai (Thiruvananthapuram) General Secretary (Membership Affairs) Dr. Nilangshu Bhushan Basu Prof. (Dr.) Arun Kumar Pandey (Delhi) General Secretary (Scientific Activities) Prof. Arun Kumar COVER PHOTOGRAPHS Editorial Secretary Past General Presidents of ISCA Dr. Amit Krishna De 1. Dr. T. N. Khoshoo (1986) 2. Prof. (Mrs.) Archana Sharma Printed and published by Dr. Ashok Kumar Saxena (1987) on behalf of Indian Science Congress Association 3. Prof. C. N. R. Rao (1988) and printed at Seva Mudran, 43, Kailash Bose 4. Dr. A. P. Mitra (1989) Street, Kolkata-700 006 and published at Indian Science Congress Association, 14, Dr. Biresh Guha 5. Prof. Yash Pal (1990) Street, Kolkata-700 017, with Dr. Ashok Kumar 6. Prof. D. K. Sinha (1991) Saxena as Editor.

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12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678 CONTENTS

EDITORIAL :

Epidemiology of Neurological Disease : Answer to many questions Ashok Kumar Saxena 144

ARTICLES :

Gnotobiotic Animals : A Potent Tool for Life Science Research 146

S. Parthiban, S. Malmarugan, J. Johnson Rajeswar and V. Kumar

Water Based Coatings 149

P. C. Thapliyal and Kirti

Assessment of the Environment Safety Issues Related to Genetically 153 Modified Crops Bhausaheb D. Pawar and Ashok S. Jadhav

Biofuels : The Fuel of the Future 159 Dalvi Sanjaykumar N.

Aerobiology is Essential for Biological Science 164 R. Pavan and K. Manjunath

Bridging the Gap Between Scientists and Clinicians 168 Janet Jeyapaul

Life Sketches of Office Bearers, Sectional Presidents & Recorders 170 of The Indian Science Congress Association, 2014-2015

KNOW THY INSTITUTIONS 198

CONFERENCES / MEETINGS / SYMPOSIA / SEMINARS 204

S & T ACROSS THE WORLD 206

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ISCA PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS (1986 TO 1991)

President Title of Presidential Address* Dr. T. N. Khoshoo Role of Science and Technology in Environmental 73rd Indian Science Congress Management 1986, Delhi

Prof. (Mrs.) Archana Sharma Resources and Human Well Being–Inputs from Science and 74th Indian Science Congress Technology 1987, Bangalore

Prof. C. N. R. Rao Frontiers in Science and Technology 75th Indian Science Congress 1988, Pune

Dr. A. P. Mitra Science and Technology in India : Technology Mission 76th Indian Science Congress 1989, Madurai

Prof. Yash Pal Science in Society 77th Indian Science Congress 1990, Cochin

Prof. D. K. Sinha Coping with Natural Disasters : An Integrated Approach 78th Indian Science Congress 1991, Indore

*Available in the Book “The Shaping of Indian Science” Published by University Press (India) Pvt. Ltd., 3-5-819 Hyderguda, Hyderabad 500 029.

As per decision of Council meeting held on May 3, 2014, Presidential Addresses will not be printed henceforth in Everyman’s Science as they are already printed in the above mentioned book.

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EDITORIAL

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE : ANSWER TO MANY QUESTIONS

With the increasing lifespan of Indians, work in many places. The requirement of new probably due to the available medical facilities drugs and therapies for these patients is and better nutritional intake, the problem of understood. The understanding of the old age health has emerged. As the old pathophysiology of some of these diseases is population is increasing, the old age health not sufficient to initiate research for drug problems need to be addressed by the health development. care system. The neuropsychiatric and The neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric neurodegenerative disorders are increasingly disorders are broadly explained on the basis of found in the old age. These diseases also genetic and environmental factors. Though the account for one of the greatest burdens of genetic implication in many of these diseases diseases in the developed world. Though the in developed countries has been reported, the mortality rate in these diseases is not high information in these regard in Indian like that of many infectious diseases, the population is not sufficient. Some morbidity is immense and the support of environmental factors related with these healthcare system is required increasingly. As diseases were identified from the studies the number of traditional large families is carried out in Europe and North America. The decreasing in India due to changes of prevention of disease is apparent if the link socioeconomic ambience, the healthcare givers between disease and environmental factors are are employed in many places. The trained clearly known. For example, the seasonal caregivers for neurological diseases are not affective disorder (SAD), a mental depression available often and the patients are mostly found in North America in winter due to short managed by non- professional personnel. Even day- light may be treated with phototherapy. this type of management is expensive and However, this seasonal factor may not be many families failed to provide the care to the patients. The life of these hapless patients is important in India as the duration of day- light really miserable. does not greatly differ between winter and One can argue about the statistics and summer. To identify the environmental factors diagnostic standards of the neurological for a disease, the need of epidemiological disorders, but the bottom-line is to find out studies are imminent. Because it provides the ways to improve the situations. Some drugs distribution of patients in the population and are available which were discovered by the may indicate factors related to the disease. pharmaceutical industry (Nature, 507, 273, In one study (published in British Journal 2014). There are problems with some of these of Psychiatry, 158, 758-63, 1991) the month of drugs. Many patients do not respond to these birth of about 13,000 schizophrenic patients drugs and it is far from clear how these drugs born in Scotland between 1914-1960 was noted.

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It was found that disproportionately more development may increase the incidence of patients were born in February to May. schizophrenia in the women's children. The Therefore, seasonality effect was noticed. It was seasonal effect on the month of birth of further observed that the relative number of schizophrenic patients may be due to the viral schizophrenic birth in late winter and early infection. It was reported that schizophrenia spring was especially high if the temperature is approximately three times higher in people was lower than normal during the previous who live in the middle of the large cities than autumn. Probably in that condition people in those who live in rural areas. The preferred to stay indoors which favored transmission of infections/illnesses is easier in transmission of viral infection. From other dense population. Probably viral hypothesis is studies, it was indicated than the brain also applicable to explain this observation. development of fetus is adversely effected if This epidemiological study in schizophrenia their mothers are affected viral illness during shows the importance of such study in different the critical phase of the development (second climatic conditions. Considering the different trimester of pregnancy). The toxin produced climatic conditions in India compared to that by virus or the mother's antibodies against the of the countries where the previous studies virus may affect the development of the brain. were carried out, the environmental factors If the viral infection is a causative factor, the schizophrenia should be seen in the babies born related to schizophrenia in India must operate few months after an influenza epidemic, in different ways. The answers of many irrespective of season. This viral hypothesis questions related to a disease may come out has been supported from several studies. The from epidemiological study. Not only serum level of Interleukin 8 (IL-8), a protein schizophrenia, other neurological disorders secreted by the cells of the immune system, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer' s was measured from the stored blood samples disease, Multiple sclerosis, Major affective collected during pregnancy of mothers of disorders are influenced by environmental children who developed schizophrenia later in factors. Epidemiological study on these diseases life. This IL 8 is an indicator of inflammation in India is important to identify these factors, and it’s level was found to be elevated during if any. Unfortunately, a paucity of information pregnancy in the mothers of the babies who in this area is felt by many. It is the right later developed schizophrenia. The maternal time to initiate epidemiological study for such infection in the critical period of fetal type of diseases in India. Dr. Ashok Kumar Saxena

“Believing is easier than thinking. Hence so many more believers than thinkers.” —Bruce Calvert

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GNOTOBIOTIC ANIMALS : A POTENT TOOL FOR LIFE SCIENCE RESEARCH

S. Parthiban, S. Malmarugan, J. Johnson Rajeswar and V. Kumar

Gnotobiotics is the scientific study of animals or other organisms that are raised in germ free environments or ones that contain only specifically known germs. The gnotobiotic laboratory animal is potentially a very valuable tool for investigating any suspected interaction between the host and its associated microflora or between different components of that flora. However, like many other good ideas, the production of gnotobiotes is simple in concept but complicated in execution. In the early stages the greatest obstacles to the general use of germ free animals were the expense and the restricted amount of space that could be maintained free from contaminants. Nowadays, with modern isolators and facilities it is easier to produce gnotobiotic animals at relatively modest price.

INTRODUCTION lower cardiac output, thin intestinal walls, low antibody titers low metabolism rate and notobiotic animals (or) gnotobiote are high susceptibility to infectious pathogens3. G an animal stock or strain in which Lower amounts of serum gamma-globulins only certain known strains of bacteria and have been observed in germ-free animals of other microorganisms are present. Technically, several species, and the quantity increases on the term also includes germ-free animals, as association with microorganisms. Nuttall and the status of their microbial communities is Thierfelder are considered pioneers of also known4. Gnotobiotic animals are derived gnotobiotics and germ free research. Germ by aseptic hysterotomy or hysterectomy, free mice have adapted anatomically and embryo transfer or sterile hatching of eggs physiologically to life without microbes. and are continuously maintained using aseptic technique where the microbial status of the DERIVATION OF GNOTOBIOTIC animal is fully defined; includes both germ ANIMALS free and defined flora animals. Animals reared The production of germ-free animals or in a gnotobiotic colony are devoid of normal birds depends upon the fact that embryos flora, has poorly developed immune systems, developing inside an egg or the mammalian * Department of Veterinary Microbiology, and uterus are microbiologically sterile, provided Department of Veterinary Pathology, VC & RI, that they come from healthy parent stock. The Tirunelveli and TANUVAS. Email: parthis17@gmail. com. uterus is removed and passed into the isolator

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through germicidal dip tank. Once inside the potential. The transfer port is the enclosure isolator, the uterus is opened and young ones that provides a transition between the isolator are removed, cleaned, and then placed with chamber and room environment; used for foster germ free females. Hysterectomy does loading and removing items from the chamber not eliminate pathogens that may contaminate it is the physical barrier to prevent fetus after uterine implantation or that is contamination of the chamber. Isolators have vertically transmitted. Vertical transmission HEPA filtration on air entry and exhaust. of pathogens can be avoided by using embryo Positive pressure is used to prevent transfer2. introduction of airborne contaminants through any punctures and is maintained when rearing Birds are relatively easy to be produced germfree or gnotobiotic animals. If biohazardous germ-free. Germfree chicks, turkeys, and agents are used in the incubator, negative Japanese quail can be obtained by passing pressure should be used. Air exchange rates surface-sterilized eggs through a germicidal are usually higher than the animal room some trap into a sterile isolator, where they are are 30 or more air exchanges per hour inside allowed to hatch. The fertilized eggs must be the chamber. Test the chamber for leakage obtained from flocks free from microorganisms using the gas leak detection test. The long that invade the egg in the oviduct. term success of any gnotobiotic operation Rats and mice have been bred germ-free depends on the sterilization of the isolator through many generations; other species have chamber and the equipment/supplies that enter been bred but are not yet available it6. commercially. The guinea-pig is well-developed CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF at birth and readily takes solid food within a GNOTOBIOTIC ANIMALS day or two, but the operator must work fast during delivery into the isolator as the fetuses Mammals must be aseptically derived by do not survive more than few minutes after hysterectomy or hysterotomy as late as possible removal from the mother. before term. Inside the isolator the young are hand-fed on a sterilized liquid diet similar in ISOLATOR TECHNOLOGY IN composition to the mother’s milk. If the animals GNOTOBIOTICS are successfully brought to sexual maturity Isolators are enclosures used to create the natural breeding can continue in the germ- sterile environment. They must be made of free environment and other strains or even material with an impervious physical barrier; other species may be fostered on to lactating main components are the chamber, air supply, females. Rats and mice have been bred germ- air inlet and outlet, transfer port, and gloves; free through many generations; other species they come as rigid, semi-rigid, and flexible have bred but are not yet available film isolators made of plastic or stainless steel. commercially. Among the larger animals the All manipulation of animals and supplies difficulties of sterile delivery increase with occurs within the chamber via the use of their size. Beagle dogs have been satisfactorily gloves and sleeves that are attached to the reared and used for physiological experiments. isolator walls. The glove is the most vulnerable Germ-free pigs have been produced for many part of the isolator in terms of contamination years, although the problems of handling and

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caging limit their usefulness beyond the first association with one or more pure cultures of few weeks of life. Lambs, calves and goats microbes3. The gnotobiotic animal is potentially have all been maintained germ-free throughout a very valuable tool for investigating any the life. suspected interaction between the host and its associated microflora or between different TERMINOLOGIES RELATED TO components of that flora. The study of nutrition GNOTOBIOLOGY and metabolism is one to which the gnotobiote Germfree (axenic) animal is free of all has made a significant contribution1. Germfree foreign life forms (e.g., bacteria, viruses, etc.) animals are used in research involving various apart from it thought to be hypothetical state fields like toxicology, pollution control, because indigenous or heretofore autoimmune disorders, drug metabolism, uncharacterized viruses may be integrated into genetic expression and vaccine tests5. host genome. REFERENCES Defined flora animals are maintained in 1. M. E. Coates, D. Hewitt and P. Golob. isolated environment and are intentionally British Journal of Nutrition, 24, 223- associated with one or more known life forms, 225, 1970. usually microorganisms. 2. J. W. Foster, and J. L. Slonczewski, Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) are Microbiology, an Evolving Science, 2010, animals free from specific pathogens but Second edition. 871 W. W. Norton & otherwise have an undefined flora. Company. Restricted flora – gnotobiote associated 3. B. S. Wostmann, Germfree and with altered Schaedler flora from isolator but Gnotobiotic Animal Models : is then moved into a maximum barrier room Background and Applications 1996, 54- where it can become colonized with additional 124 CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla. organisms (but remains free of adventitial pathogens); higher level of SPF. 4. J.A.Reyniers, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 78, 1, 3, 1959. Conventional animal – animal reared in 5. D.W. Van Bekkum, Radiation biology: a room with an unknown microflora and In the germ-free animal in research unknown disease status. 1968, 202-243, Academic Press London IMPORTANCE OF GNOTOBIOTIC & New York. ANIMAL 6. J. Fox, S. Barthold, M. Davisson, The gnotobiotic principles used in the C.Newcomer, F. Quimby and A. Smith, production of infection free laboratory animals The Mouse in Biomedical Research, evolved from the efforts to rear and study 2006, 2nd edition, 52-78, 200-246. animals in the absence of microbes or in Elsevier Academic Press, San Diego.

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WATER BASED COATINGS

P. C. Thapliyal and Kirti*

The high performance requirements continue to be the most important criteria for various industrial markets such as automotive, agricultural and construction equipment, marine and others, including the plastics and wood segments. However, environmental regulations and ecological concerns now have become the main driving forces behind the development of new coatings. Research efforts in various laboratories have focused on reducing the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), while avoiding the use of toxic raw materials and striving to improve the coatings performance. Hence, water-based coatings have become the most practical approach to lower the emissions of VOC.

INTRODUCTION hexavalent chromium (VI), pose environmental orrosion is the major reason of energy concerns, and are regarded to be detrimental Cand material loss. It was reported that to health. Thus, despite their effectiveness in 1/5 of energy globally and average 4.2% of corrosion protection, they must be removed Gross National Product (GNP) is lost each from paint formulations. Therefore, extensive year due to corrosion and the economic impact research has been dedicated to the study of 1-4 of corrosion is estimated to be greater than new anticorrosive coatings and pigments . $100,000,000,000 per year in the United States Organic coatings are effectively used for alone. Paint and coatings are widely used for the protection of concrete and metal structures the protection of concrete and metal structures due to their capacity to act as a physical against corrosion. Their protective barrier between the substrate surface and the characteristics can be enhanced by employing corrosive environment in which they perform a suitable pigment. This improvement in the their function. Nevertheless, all polymers are anticorrosive performance of the paint systems permeable to corrosive species such as oxygen greatly depends on the kind, distribution and and water. Water molecules localized at the dosage of the pigments as well as their concrete/metal-film interface may induce a compatibility with the paint binder. Some decrease in the coating adhesion, thus pigments, e.g., lead-based and those containing favouring the corrosion of the substrate under the film. The permeability characteristics of a * Organic Building Materials Group CSIR–Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee-247667, coating are determined by diverse coating Uttarakhand, E-mail: [email protected] properties such as the nature and polymeric

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structure of the polymer, the existence of pores, Water-based coatings create very low VOCs the distribution of pigments and additives, and virtually no HAPs, making them ideal etc. The protectiveness of organic coatings materials in industry. Further, when applying against corrosion can be enhanced by water based coatings, equipment can be cleaned introducing pigments and anticorrosive much more easily, without the use of solvents additives in the coating matrix. In this way, or other chemicals7. paint systems are developed that contain either Water based coatings have been known additives exhibiting active barrier properties, since many years in the past although history or pigments performing some additional of these coatings is not so old. Different types protective actions to those originating from of water based systems known so far are: the barrier characteristics of the coating. In 1. White wash this last case, pigments may perform an 2. Powder distempers electrochemical protection on the metallic 3. Cement paints substrate through galvanic or passivation 4. Oil-bound distempers mechanisms, or they may contribute to the 5. Oleo resinous and alkyd emulsion paints barrier properties of the coating through the 6. Latex paints chemical precipitation of solid compounds. 7. Water soluble resin paints Either epoxy, acrylic or urethane chemistry is The first three types, though extinct in the the leading technology behind most of the advanced countries, still continue to be used coatings systems. in India and other economically backward The best coatings for corrosion protection countries in variable amounts because of their provide not only barriers to corrosion, but also comparatively lower price. Water based a 'smart' release of a corrosion inhibitor as coatings, whether clear or pigmented, are demanded by coating damage and the presence designed by their behavior with water and the of a corrosive environment. Past examples nature of the resin present therein, such as include coatings containing metallic Zn and water dilatable, water reducible, water soluble, chromate. Present and future efforts will take lattices and aqueous dispersions. advantage of inherently conducting polymers The main requirement for water-based as carriers for controlled release of inhibitors. coatings come from (a) to reduce the need for Development of this technology requires an hydrocarbon solvents which are becoming assay for evaluating the release of inhibitors expensive and short in supply (b) from coatings. Similarly, the development and environmental legislation which was intended application of nano-functional materials and to reduce emissions to the atmosphere and (c) nano-structural materials made it possible to as a means of reducing the fire risk from reform the coating materials 5, 6. flammable solvents. The major concern of this WATER BASED COATINGS legislation is the reduction of air pollution In recent years, government regulations caused by emission of toxic or irritating Volatile have become stricter on Hazardous Air Organic Compounds (VOC) or breakdown Pollutants (HAPs) and Volatile Organic products, into the atmosphere. Compounds (VOCs), creating higher demand Resin and paint manufacturers are fully for cleaner and safer synthesis of coatings. aware of unfavourable properties of water,

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such as slow rate of evaporations, high surface the combination of covalent and ionic bonds tension and high latent heat of vaporization. which contribute to a tightly-formed Fundamental properties of water cannot be network5, 6. changed. However, deficiencies due to these Considering the importance of the water- properties have been shadowed by the based coating systems, CBRI has done tremendous success achieved by water-based considerable R&D work in this area. As a coatings in reducing the use of solvent-based result of this work, a team of scientists at coatings on a performance basis 1, 2. CBRI developed the technology for water-based Waterborne, higher solids, electro-coating acrylic coating system for protection of concrete and powder coatings are the most practical structures and epoxy based polymer latex for approaches used to lower the emissions of repair work. Water dilutable cement paints VOC. In general, chemical reactions are needed were developed earlier using white cement to cure these systems at either ambient or low and alkali fast pigments. They are applied or high bake temperatures, depending on the both as decorative and water proofing coatings end-use applications. In the past two decades, for exterior wall surfaces. Bituminous several coatings systems have been studied polyurethane based coating system and sealing and developed. Among the reported systems compounds were also developed and are those based on acid-epoxy chemistry, commercialized 8. anhydride-hydroxyl reactions, epoxy-tertiary CONCLUSIONS amine acrylic polymers, and other combinations. Among various commercial Corrosion is a global phenomenon in today's systems developed for the machinery, industrially advanced world. The awareness of protective coatings or industrial maintenance corrosion and the need for protection against markets, acrylic system, 2K polymeric tertiary- it is being felt more and more everyday, thus amine acrylic and epoxy acrylic, exhibits leading to the emergence of newer materials outstanding exterior durability with better for corrosion protection. Coatings are the major gloss retention. These coating systems are source of corrosion protection and there are either waterborne or solvent-based systems newer formulations and newer binders being which are curable at ambient or bake tried to accomplish the job more efficiently. In conditions. The quaternization reaction this direction waterborne and higher solid between the tertiary-amine, epoxy and coatings can contribute significantly to the carboxylic acid is among the major cure green buildings and environment. Hydrosols, reactions. While the performance properties of group transfer polymerization and aqueous these systems are satisfactory for many of the microgels are some of the recent developments more economical end-use applications, such as in this area. Still there is huge gap between the machinery and protective coatings markets, demand and supply of the cost effective and additional improvements are needed to match environment friendly water-based coating the resistance properties of premium-grade systems and hence there is further need to solvent based urethane or epoxy systems. develop new water-based coatings. At CBRI Especially anhydride containing "all acrylic work is still going on to develop water based systems" (AAA) have unique properties due to coatings for concrete structures.

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Acknowledgment: Authors are grateful to 285, 2001. (c) L. Xu-rnei, F. Zhao-bin, the Director, CSIR-CBRI for his continuous Z. Fu-dad, Z. Shu-qingz & H. Xu-sheng, guidance and encouragement. Agric. Sci. China, 5, 700-706, 2006.

REFERENCES 6. S. González, F. Cáceres, V. Fox & R.M. 1. C.G. Munger, Corrosion Prevention by Souto, Prog. Org. Coat., 46, 317-323, Protective Coatings, NACE Texas, 101- 2003. 109, 1984. 7. B.P. Mosher, C. Wu, T. Sun & T. Zeng, 2. P. Oldring & G. Hayward, Resins for J. Non-Cryst. Solids, 352, 3295-3301, Surface Coatings, SITA Technology, 2006. London, 3, 225-241, 1987. 8. (a) L.K. Aggarwal, P. C. Thapliyal & 3. T.N. Nguyen, J.B. Hubbard, G.B. N. Attray, New Build. Mater. Constr. McFadden, J. Coat. Technol, 63, 43, World, 12, 88-92, 2003. (b) L.K. 1991. Aggarwal, P.C. Thapliyal & S.R. 4. T.L. Metroke, R.L. Parkhill, E.T. Karade, Prog. Org. Coat., 59, 76-80, Knobbe, Prog. Org. Coat., 41, 233, 2001. 2007. (c) S.M. Singh & J. George, 5. (a) M.D. Shalati, J.H. McBee, W.J. Building Research Note, CSIR-Central DeGooyer, F. Thys, L.V. Ven & R.T.M. Building Research Institute, BRN, 21, Leijzer, Prog. Org. Coat., 48 236-250, 1-3 2000. (d) B. Singh, M. Gupta & L. 2003. (b) S. González, I.C.M. Rosca & Kumar, J. Appl. Poly. Sci., 101, 217- R.M. Souto, Prog. Org. Coat., 43 282- 226, 2006.

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ASSESSMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT SAFETY ISSUES RELATED TO GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS

Bhausaheb D. Pawar* and Ashok S. Jadhav

Agriculture has many constraints in crop production and conventional breeding is not able to overcome many of these constraints. Introduction of GM crops has demonstrated that they will play a key role in mitigating these constraints. Therefore, it is essential to have unambiguous national policy so as to efficiently exploit GM crops for second green revolution without any hazards to human health and the environment.

INTRODUCTION via introduction of novel genes and alleles he first green revolution resulted in from diverse sources, and particularly for traits Tsignificant increase in yield due to the that are absent from plant genomes. Since introduction of high yielding varieties. approval for commercial use of GM crops in Intensive agriculture practiced without concern 1996, the global area under GM crops reached to the scientific principles and ecological side 148 million hectares in 2011 across 29 different resulted in loss of soil health, depletion of countries. In India Bt cotton got approval in freshwater resources and agro biodiversity. March 2002 since then the area under BT During the past several years, growth in cotton increased substantially covering 86 % agricultural production has remained at a low of total cotton area. level of around two per cent. In India, the Plant breeders have continuously introduced yield of major food grain crops is reaching a new crops, genes, and traits into our diet. plateau although its population continues to However, concerns with GM crops persist to rise and is expected to reach 1.5 billion people some extent because of the perception that in 2050. Also, 27 % of world's undernourished gaining access to a wider range of genetic people live in India. This will require an diversity, crossing species barriers, and increase of more than 50 % in agricultural introducing foods with additional proteins production. To meet the growing demand for present safety concerns. The approval of Bt food and to contrast the detrimental effects of climate change on crop yields, it is essential to brinjal by the Genetic Engineering Approval develop new crop varieties. Committee on October 14, 2010 and the The wider exploitation of GM approaches subsequent indefinite moratorium imposed by will be needed for the increase in crop yield the Ministry of Environment & Forests on February 10, 2010, brought the issue of GM * State Level Biotechnology Centre, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Ahmednagar, crops into the public eye. A number of biosafety Maharashtra 413722, E-mail: [email protected] issues of transgenic crops are being debated.

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SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT GENETICALLY established that the Cry protein cannot cause MODIFIED CROPS any toxic effect in mammals because of lack of highly specific receptors and acidic Assessment of Possible Toxicity And environment in the gut. Allergenicity Use of Antibiotic Resistance Gene The possibility that genetically modified (GM) foods could be a source of novel allergens Selectable marker genes, that confer continues to concern consumers, and has resistance to antibiotics or herbicides, are contributed to the lack of acceptance of GM generally incorporated along with the gene of foods. The allerginicity and toxicity assessment interest in a transformation process so as to for the GM crops should be set on a case-by- allow the recognition of the transformed cells case basis. The issue of GM-related allergies from a background of untransformed ones. burst up for the first time in 1996, when Certain selectable markers like kanamycin researchers showed transfer of a major allergen and hygromycin resistance genes, that are from Brazil nut into soybeans also transferred proven to be safe, and other antibiotics that its ability to activate allergic reactions in have outlived their clinical utility may be individuals with pre-existing Brazil nut utilized till better alternatives are available. allergies. The gene in question, coding for the Although, there is no scientific evidence of the 2S albumin, was being used to improve the adverse environmental effects of selectable nutritional quality of soybeans for animal feed. markers still there is a need to apply This discovery prompted consumer groups, as alternative principles of selection, as more well as scientists, to push for comprehensive transgenic traits have to be incorporated into testing of the potential allergenicity of GM a transgenic crop and because of concern that foods. Another example of allergenic concerns the use of conventional marker genes may arose, when traces of StarLink™ corn were pose a threat to humans and environment. detected in some food products, such as taco New classes of marker genes are now available, shells. StarLink™ was only approved for use conferring metabolic advantage to the in animal feed, but not for human consumption. transgenic cells over the non-transformed cells. Approval for human consumption was withheld Transgenic plants are can be produced by the because the Bt Cry9c protein in corn did not use of marker genes that do not rely on disappear as quickly as other Bt proteins in antibiotic or herbicide resistance but instead test assays. The FDA evaluated the actual promote regeneration after transformation. case samples against reference samples and Also, the information regarding biosafety of these studies found no allergenic reactions the selectable markers should be upgraded to associated with Cry9c. facilitate objective decisions by the regulatory There is enough scientific data proving Bt authorities. protein is non toxic to human and animals. Bt protein is denatured upon cooking. There is Genes Escape from GM Groups not a single report of adverse effect on human Genes may escape from GM crops through health. Bt crops have been grown around the pollen transfer, as seed escapes, horizontal world since 1996 without any reported adverse gene transfer through transformation and health implications. It has been well transduction processes. Advantageous genes

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from the transgenics may be introgressed into GM crops becoming weeds. For example, a the related wild species. Crossing of GM crop salt tolerant GM crop if escapes into marine plants to wild and weedy relatives was major areas could become a potent weed there. There concern to environment. Although gene flow is also fear about the development of super itself is a natural phenomenon and a risk, weeds i.e. a weed that has acquired the gene flow can be of concern if there is a herbicide tolerant gene due to genetic possibility of the gene introgression into the contamination with a herbicide tolerance GMO recipient wild population that leads to through in field cross breeding to related undesirable consequences especially in case of species or through horizontal gene transfer. herbicide tolerant transgenic plants. The When genetically modified oilseed rape is overuse of particular herbicides, such as grown on a large scale, the plants also grow Roundup, has repeatedly led to the appearance on uncultivated land. According to a recent of weeds resistant to Roundup or other study presented at the Ecological Society of herbicides. Such weeds have often originated America conference in Pittsburgh, Scientists in and around crops where any herbicide was at the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville, used extensively, and their appearance is not USA) have now shown for the first time how directly related to whether GM crops are being far the GM rape has spread in the uncultivated grown. If weeds are present that are closely environment. 86 per cent of canola plants, a related to the crops, they may acquire variety of oilseed rape, found on verges and at immunity to the effects from which the crops petrol stations are genetically modified. The were protected and be more difficult to control scientists warn that the feral GM canola could among them. Another concern is the transfer become a weed problem for farmers.3 The of genes from GM crops of a given species and scientists fear that the uncontrolled spread of other non-GM crops of that species. The effects GM rape that is resistant to both herbicides of such gene transfer will depend on the nature of the genes, and the persistence of these could become a stubborn weed in other crops genes will in turn depend on the selective because it would not be possible to control it pressures to which the plants with the new with two of the most widely available genes are subjected. The recipient crops may herbicides. become resistant to particular herbicides, pests, Adverse Effect on Non Target Organism and diseases. Horizontal Gene Transfer (HGT) One of the concerns related to the release is the transfer of genetic material directly to a of GM crop is their potential adverse impact living cell or an organism followed by its on non-target organisms. It has been reported expression. Horizontal gene flow among potential negative impact in a laboratory unrelated species is very common among setting of the Cry1Ab protein on larvae of the bacteria and very rare in human and higher 7 species. two spotted ladybird Adalia bipunctata. This investigation along with some other studies Increased Weediness showing negative impact of the transgenic Weediness means the tendency of the plant MON810 maize on non-target organisms was to spread away from the field where it was used in Germany, to temporarily ban the first planted. There are apprehensions about cultivation of this Bt-maize. The study has

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consequently been criticized as methodological This decline in genetic diversity has occurred shortcomings that make it doubtful whether as the farmers have substituted traditional the observed effects were due to direct toxicity varieties with monocultures and with the of the two Cry proteins.5 Cohik demonstrated development of more transgenic crops this no adverse effects of Cry1Ab and Cry3Bb1 to problem will exaggerate. The introduction of larvae of Adalia bipunctata.1 In addition, a genetically modified plants into the number of peer-reviewed laboratory studies in environment has been increasingly which ladybird beetles were fed Cry1Ab- or controversial, as illustrated by the ongoing Cry3Bb1-expressing maize material (pollen) debates concerning the commercialisation of or Bt maize-fed herbivores have revealed no Bt brinjal. There has been much research on negative effects on different life-history ecology of transgenic crops; it has been parameters of C. maculate. Scientists presented observed that the ecological problems related a clear conclusion during International Green to the cultivation of GM crops are same as Week in Berlin that genetically modified Bt ecological problems associated with maize is as safe as conventional maize. In fact, conventional agriculture. European they say it is better for protecting species Commission published a compendium of the diversity in fields and that cultivation of Bt results of EU-funded research projects on the maize could help prevent soil erosion and use and risk assessment of GM crops in 2010. conserve soil fertility. This is one of the results The Commission concludes that genetic of research projects on the environmental engineering per se does not entail any greater impacts of GM plants that have been funded risks than conventional plant-breeding by Germany's Federal Ministry of Education methods. The conclusion drawn from the efforts and Research (BMBF) over the past 25 years.3 of more than 130 research projects, covering a In another case, it was claimed that Bt period of more than 25 years of research and toxin from residual plant material was involving more than 500 independent research poisoning caddis fly larvae but both reports groups.4,3 were found to be wrong. An analysis of 25 Varieties developed from GM technology studies similarly revealed no significance of Bt may lead to monoculture in different regions on honeybee survival, which is important for of the world. An alternative for this could be pollination of several crops. Similar influence the use of transgene in suitable local varieties. on soil microbes has not been confirmed by The erosion of genetic diversity is a reality several investigators.2 and needs to be contained. As a consequence, various nations, including India, have initiated Adverse Impact On Biodiversity wide collection of land races along with wild The protection of biodiversity and of species to be conserved and maintained in ecosystem should be a top priority, as it is gene banks. However GM technology has already in danger due various human activity certain advantages over conventional and we depend on it fully now and for the agriculture which includes requirement of future. There have been concerns about lower quantities of chemical pesticides and reduction in the genetic diversity in cropping fertilizers which is more environment friendly systems due to use of improved crop varieties. than the conventional ones. Due to higher

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productivity, GM crops protect biodiversity by hazards can be mitigated. Needless regulatory lands not intensively cultivated, whereas load will increase costs of regulation and conventional agriculture practices are highly regulatory compliance and may results in more destructive to biodiversity. Care needs to be costly technology, and can seriously hamper taken for cultivation of transgenic as well as technology development. Therefore, it is non-transgenic crops near the centers of crop essential to carry out appropriate risk diversity and impact assessment should be a evaluation and regulate it systematically as regular activity. Uncertainties about the identified risks require. A transgene that environmental impacts are often cited as has undergone broad biosafety assessment reasons for controversial and lengthy decision should not be treated as new, even if it is a making over the cultivation of transgenic crops. new transgenic event, only the agronomic In an attempt to reduced uncertainty, there performance and the level and stability of has been much research in ecology of transgene expression should be examined. The transgenic crops, however, this research seems regulations must always be based on scientific to confuse rather clarify decision making.6 risk assessment alone for safe utilization of Confusion between environment risk GM crops. assessment and basic ecological research can GM crops are comprehensively tested, and lead to ineffective risk assessment. It should there is no indication that they are less safe be noted that the concerns linked with the GM than their other counterparts. But still we are crops was due to inappropriate agriculture unable to use this technology because of some practice, lack of consideration to suitable misperceptions which are not on the basis of planting plans. scientific evidence. It is essential to have unambiguous national strategy so as to CONCLUSION efficiently exploit GM crops for sustainable Environment risk assessment of transgenic increase in crop yield without any hazards to plants should be carried out on a case by case human health and the environment. The basis considering the biology of the plant, the Indian Biosafety Guidelines, developed during nature of the transgene and protein it produces, the last two decades, do tackle most of the the phenotype conferred by the transgene, use biosafety concerns which are raised. It is of the plant and the environment where it will essential to realise that GM crops are strictly be introduced. Before their commercial release, evaluated and examined for any risk they may GM crops must undergo an environmental pose to human beings and environment. Only risk assessment to ensure that they do not after confirmation through a standard set of cause unacceptable detrimental effects to the investigations and protocols about its safety, a environment. While discussing on GM crops GM crop is released in the environment for we take into account only risks, and not the cultivation. In India where the inputs were benefits. It is essential to convince the public too costly, GM crops can immensely increase about both risks and benefits of GM technology. yields by providing the input in the seed. Risk/benefit analysis is important to convince Agriculture needs GM crops to meet the needs the public that in spite of certain risks, the of a human population that now exceeds seven GM products are more advantageous, and that billion people.

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REFERENCES conference on current approaches to the environment risk assessment of 1. F Alvarez-Alfageme, F Bigler, and J genetically engineered crops, New Delhi, Romeis. Transgenic Res 20, 467-479, 22, 2011. 2011. 2. Anonymous, Inter Academy Report on 5. S Rauschen Transgenic Res, 19, 13-16. GM Crops. Prepared under the auspices 6. A Raybould. Problem formulation in of The Indian Academy of Sciences, The environment risk assessment: reducing Indian National Academy of uncertainty in decision making. South Engineering, The Indian National Asia conference on current approaches Science Academy, The National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the National to the environment risk assessment of Academy Medical Sciences, The National genetically engineered crops, New Delhi, Academy of Sciences India 2010. 23, 2011. 3. Anonymous, http://www.gmo-safety.eu/ 7. JEU Schmidt, CU Braun, LP 2012. Whitehouse and A Hilbeck. Arch 4. I Econmidis. Three decades of EU- Environ Contam Toxicol, 56(2), 221- funded GMO research. South Asia 228.

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BIOFUELS : THE FUEL OF THE FUTURE

Dalvi Sanjaykumar N.

The twentieth century came with the attention of the people towards the use of biofuels. Biofuels are produced either from living organisms or from metabolic by-products (organic or food waste products). In order to be considered a biofuels, the fuel must contain over 80 percent renewable materials. It is originally derived from the plants through photosynthesis process and can, therefore, be referred to as a solar energy source. There are many pros and cons in using biofuels as an energy source. Henry Ford’s1 seemingly prescient outlook is becoming much more relevant after many decades: ‘We can get fuel from fruit, from that shrub by the roadside, or from apples, weeds, saw-dust-almost anything ! There is fuel in every bit of vegetable matter that can be fermented. There is enough alcohol in one year’s yield of a hectare of potatoes to drive the machinery necessary to cultivate the field for a hundred years. And it remains for someone to find out how this fuel can be produced commercially - better fuel at a cheaper price than we know now’.

TYPES OF BIOFUELS Sometimes, water and particulates are separated from the used vegetable oil and ith petroleum reserves dwindling, the then this is used as a fuel. W search is on to replace gasoline/diesel with a cleaner, greener alternative2. The It is observed that in several nations, the introduction of biofuels would benefit developed diesel engines under warranty are converted countries through increasing energy security to 100% biodiesel use. It has also been proved by reducing the dependence on fossil fuels and that most people can run their vehicles on contributing to lower greenhouse gas biodiesel without any problem4. A large number emissions3. Vegetable oil is used in several old of vehicle manufacturers recommend the use diesel engines that have indirect injection of 15% biodiesel mixed with mineral diesel. In systems. This oil is also used to create biodiesel, Europe, a 5% biodiesel blend is generally used which when mixed with conventional diesel at fuel stations4. fuel is compatible for most diesel engines. Biodiesel is a famous biofuel in Europe. Used vegetable oil is converted into biodiesel. Biodiesel is a fuel composed of monoalkyl esters of long-chain fatty acids derived from * Department of Physics, S N Arts, D J M Commerce renewable vegetable oils or animal fats. and B N S Science College, Sangamner- 422605, (MS), E-mail : harishdops@yahoo. co.in Vegetable oils and animal fats are principally

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composed of triacylglycerols (TAG) consisting burned straight in the existing gasoline engines of long chain fatty acids chemically bound to a without any alteration to the engine or car. It glycerol. The chemical process by which is also claimed that this butanol produces biodiesel is prepared is known as the more energy. Also, butanol has a less corrosive transesterification reaction, which involves a effect and is less soluble in water than ethanol4. TAG reaction with a short-chain monohydric Bio-methanol can be produced from bio- alcohol normally in the presence of a catalyst mass and biodegradable fraction of waste and at elevated temperature to form fatty acid it isequivalent to methanol from non-renewable alkyl esters (FAAE) and glycerol .Biodiesel is resources8. Fuel ethanol can be produced from composed of long-chain FAAE, whereas petrodiesel is a mixture of aliphatic and direct fermentation of simple sugars or aromatic hydrocarbons that contain polysaccharides like starch or cellulose that 10 approximately 10 to 15 carbons6. can be converted into sugars . When biodiesel is mixed with mineral diesel, About 95% of ethanol produced in the world the mixture can be used in any diesel engine. is from agricultural products9. Ethanol fuel is This blend will exhibit properties different the most commonly used biofuel in the world from neat biodiesel or petrodiesel fuels. and particularly in Brazil. In Brazil, the Specifically, the most important fuel properties ethanol use as bio-fuel is very common. In the influenced by blending of biodiesel with 80s, more than half of the Brazilian cars used petrodiesel are lubricity, exhaust emissions, 95% anhydrous ethanol, however, the lack of CN, flash point, oxidative stability, low- sugar and its high prices decreased this value temperature operability, kinematic viscosity, in the subsequent years11. and energy content6. Biodiesel reduces Ethanol can be put to use in petrol engines particulate, carbon monoxide, and sulfur as a substitute for gasoline. Also, it can be dioxide emissions compared to diesel fuel7. mixed with gasoline in any ratio. The Specifically, the most important fuel properties contemporary automobile petrol engines can influenced by blending of biodiesel with work on mixtures of gasoline and ethanol that petrodiesel are lubricity, exhaust emissions, have 15% bioethanol. This mixture of gasoline cetane number, flash point, oxidative stability, low-temperature operability, kinematic and ethanol has more quantity of octane. This viscosity, and energy content7. indicates that the engine would burn hotter and more efficiently. In high altitude areas, Bioalcohols are biologically produced the mixture of gasoline and ethanol is used as alcohols. Fermenting and distilling sugar crops, a winter oxidizer and thereby atmospheric starch crops that have been converted into pollution is decreased4. simple sugars or processing cellulose bio-mass can produce bio-alcohols. These bio-alcohols The Ethanol fuel has less British thermal are mainly bio-ethanol,bio-methanol8 and rare unit energy content. Thus, to drive the same among these are propanol and butanol. distance, more fuel is required as compare to Biobutanol can be used directly in a gasoline usual fuel. Also ethanol has a corrosive effect engine and hence is considered a direct on combustion chambers, aluminum, rubber replacement for gasoline. The butanol can be hoses and gaskets and fuel systems4.

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Biogas is created when organic material is processes based on the use of microalgae and anaerobically digested by anaerobes. During continuous reactors with immobilized cells have production, there is a solid byproduct called also been strongly evaluated being considered digestate. This can be used as a biofuel or as promissory strategies for a future fertilizer. Biogas consists of methane. Landfill development of this sector16. gas is created in landfills due to natural Table-1 : Comparison of some sources of anaerobic digestion and is a less clean form of biodiesel17, 18 biogas. Dried manure, charcoal and wood are –1 Crop Oil yield (L ha ) examples of solid biofuels4. Corn 172 The combined processes of gasification, Soybean 446 combustion and pyrolysis gives rise to Syngas Canola 1,190 which is a biofuel. Bio-syngas resulting from Jatropha 1,892 biomass gasification contains CO, H2, CO2, Coconut 2,689 CH4, and N2 in various proportions 12, 13. The average bio-syngas from a downdraft Palm 5,950 gasifier with air as the oxidant contains 22.16% Microalgaea 136,900 b CO, 17.55% H2, 11.89% CO2, 3.07% CH4, with Microalgae 58,700 14 N2 and other gases as the balance . a 70% oil (by wt) in biomass By using the Fischer-Tropsch process, it b 30% oil (by wt) in biomass can be transformed to a synthetic petroleum substitute.Biomass to Liquid via Fischer- Algae fuel, also called oilgae or third Tropsch (BTL-FT) synthesis is gaining generation biofuel, is a biofuel from algae. increasing interests from academia and Algae are low-input, high-yield feedstock to industry because of its ability to produce carbon produce biofuels. As a matter of fact, average neutral and environmentally friendly clean biodiesel production yield from microalgae can fuels; such kinds of fuels can help to meet the be 10 to 20 times higher than the yield obtained globally increasing energy demand and to meet from oleaginous seeds and/or vegetable oils17,18 the stricter environmental regulations in the (Table 1).With the higher prices of fossil fuels future15. (petroleum), there is much interest in SECOND AND THIRD GENERATION algaculture (farming algae). BIOFUELS The United States Department of Energy Some second generation biofuels that are estimates that if algae fuel replaced all the being developed are Fischer-Tropsch diesel, petroleum fuel in the United States, it would bio-DME (Bio Dimethyl ether), DMF require 15,000 square miles (38,849 square (Dimethylfuran), biomethanol, biohydrogen, kilometers), which is roughly the size of wood diesel, mixed alcohol and biohydrogen Maryland2. Algae, such as Botryococcus diesel. Besides the development of an ef?cient braunii and Chlorella vulgaris, are relatively and economically viable technology for ethanol easy to grow, but the algal oil is hard to production from lignocellulosic materials, other extract. There are several approaches, some of

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which work better than others. Some increase to 6.25 percent for 2010-14.The microalgae have high oil content (Table 2) and worldwide figures for ethanol production can be induced to produce higher concentration (annual) increased from 53 billion liters in of lipids. 2007 to 76 billion liters in 2009.The biodiesel production (annual) increased from 10 billion Table 2 : Lipid content of some liters in 2007 to 12 billion liters in 20095. microalgae (% dry matter)18 India approved a new target of 20 percent Species Lipids biofuels blending in both gasoline and diesel over 10 years, along with tax incentives for Scenedesmus obliquus 11-22/35-55 growers of biofuels crops. The initial mandate Scenedesmus dimorphus 6-7/16-40 was for E5 blending in 2008 but ethanol supply Chlorella vulgaris 14-40/56 issues may have delayed that mandate. Chlorella emersonii 63 Countries with new biofuels targets identified in 2008 include Australia (350 million liters Chlorella protothecoides 23/55 by 2010), Indonesia (blending 3 percent by Chlorella sorokiana 22 2015 and 5 percent by 2015), Japan (500 Chlorella minutissima 57 million liters by 2012), Madagascar (blending Dunaliella bioculata 8 5 percent by 2020), and Vietnam (300 million Dunaliella salina 14-20 liters by 2020). Several blending mandates were enacted or modified in 2008, including in Neochloris oleoabundans 35-65 Brazil, India, Jamaica, Korea, and Thailand. Spirulina maxima 4-9 As per REN21 (The Renewable Energy Macroalgae (seaweed) also have a great Policy Network for the 21st Century): potential for bioethanol and biogas production. Renewables 2010 Global Status Report, the Three marine macroalgae (Chondrus crispus, ethanol industry faced multiple challenges in Himanthalia elongata, Undaris pinnatifida) are 2009, both for corn ethanol and sugar cane used as solid raw material for direct base- ethanol. This resulted in limited additions to catalyzed transesterification19.One advantage production capacity and to widespread of many biofuels over most other fuel types is consolidation as the assets of many former that they are biodegradable3, and so relatively market leaders were acquired. The industry harmless to the environment if spilled4. outlook had fundamentally improved by the end of 2009, with lower corn prices and higher WORLDWIDE PRODUCTION OF crude oil prices than in the autumn. Europe BIOFUELS remains the world's top biodiesel producer. It A number of countries adjusted price is currently home to almost 280 production regulation, modified tax incentives, or adjusted facilities across 27 member states, but the targets, and national biofuels targets and sector continued to become stagnant. The blending mandates continued to evolve. For second generation biofuels are not yet produced example, in a concession to market realities, commercially as per this report, but the EU, Germany lowered the mandatory biofuels blend USA and Canada, along with China, Brazil, rate for all transport fuels from 6.25 percent India, and Thailand, are investing in research to 5.25 percent for 2009. The rate will again and pilot production projects5.

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CONCLUSION 6. Bryan R. Moser, In Vitro Cell. Dev. Biol. Plant, 45, 229-266, 2009. There are various current issues with biofuel production and use, which are presently being 7. John Sheehan, Vince Camobreco, et. al., discussed in the popular media and scientific Overview of Biodiesel and Petroleum journals. These may include the effect of Diesel Life Cycles, NREL/TP-580-24772, May 1998,National Renewable Energy moderating oil prices , the "food vs. fuel" Laboratory, Colorado. debate, carbon emissions levels, sustainable biofuel production, deforestation and soil 8. Marina Enguídanos, Antonio Soria erosion, impact on water resources, human Boyan, Kavalov Peder Jensen, Techno- rights issues, poverty reduction potential, economic analysis of Bio-alcohol biofuel prices, energy balance and efficiency, production in the EU: a short summary and centralized versus decentralized production for decision-makers, May 2002,Report EUR 20280 EN,European Commission. models. Apart from every debate we have to keep in mind that thebiofuels are the best way 9. F. Rossillo-Calle, A Walter, Energ of reducing the emission of the greenhouse Sustain Dev, 10, 20-32, 2006. gases3. They can also be looked upon as a way 10. S.I. Mussatto, et. al., Biotechnology of energy security which stands as an Advances, 28, 817-830, 2010. alternative of fossil fuels that are limited in 11. B. D. Solomon, J. R. Barnes, K. E. availability and also biofuels are renewable Halvorsen , Biomass Bioenerg, 31, 416 sources of energy. As one can realize from 25, 2007. above discussion that today, the use of biofuels 12. D. L. Klass, Encyclopedia of Energy, 1, has expanded throughout the globe. 193-212, 2004. REFERENCES 13. A.A.C.M. Beenackers, W.P.M. Swaaij, 1. “Ford Predicts Fuel from Vegetation,” Thermochemical Processing of Biomass, New York Times, p. 24, Sept. 20, 1925. 91-136, 1984, Butterworth, London, UK. 2. Hartman, Eviana, “A Promising Oil 14. L. Wei, et. al., Trans. ASABE, 52, 21-37, Alternative: Algae Energy,” The 2009. Washington Post, January 6, 2008. 15. Hu Jin, Yu Fei , Lu Yongwu, Catalysts, 3. “Press Conference Launching 2, 303-326, 2012. International Biofuels Forum”,United 16. S.I. Mussatto, et. al., Biotechnology Nations Department of Public Advances, 28, 817-830, 2010. Information, New York, 2007-03-02. 17. Y. Chisti, Biotechnol Adv, 25, 294-306, 4. , Retrieved 2007. on 2011-05-25. 18. Luisa Gouveia, Ana Cristina Oliveira, J 5. REN21. 2009& 2010, Renewables Global Ind Microbiol Biotechnol, 36, 269-274, Status Report: 2009&2010, Renewable 2009. Energy Policy Network for the 21st 19. Angeles Cancela, Rocio Maceiras, Century (Paris: REN21 Secretariat), Santiago Urrejola and Angel Sanchez, France. Energies, 5, 862-871, 2012.

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AEROBIOLOGY IS ESSENTIAL FOR BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE

R. Pavan* and K. Manjunath

Aerobiology is an interdisciplinary field covering environmental science, medical science, agricultural science and biological science. In fact all forms of life which become airborne are now included in the studies of aerobiology has emerged as a specialized branch of investigation in biological science.

INTRODUCTION present in tiny amounts in an unfiltered air sample, including dust, gases, dried vapor he term aerobiology came into use droplets, pollen and spores, sea spray and during 1930 for the studies of airborne T volcanic ash apart from number of bioparticulates which include pollen grains, microorganisms. fungal spores, etc. In fact aerobiology deals with bioaerosols, which are usually the Aerobiology has become an interdisciplinary particles, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, dust science of great significance and applications mites, pollens, spores, and decomposers of drawing information from palynology, ecology, cracked animals or plants1. Aerobiological mycology, pathology4, agriculture, forestry investigations have been started in the immunology, clinical medicine and beginning of 20th century. They are mainly meteorology4. Most of the aerobiological work derived from soil, water bodies, animals, plants is carried out with reference to the and human beings2. Diffused and transmitted Aerobiological Triangle5, described by a through the air, bioaerosols spread human pathway like Source-Release-Dispersion- diseases, such as infectious diseases, allergies Deposition and Impact where environmental or poisoning, as well as animal and plant factors affect at each state. There are various diseases3. Interest in bioaerosols has risen ways of dispersal of pollen and fungal spores sharply in recent years as their relevance to in the atmosphere and the most important occupational and environmental health has factor is wind which transmits pollen and become better understood. Their general spores from the sources to target area. The importance in infectious disease, acute toxic world population is more than 7 billion with effects, allergies and even cancer is now well an annual growth of 1.8 %, approximately 1.5 recognized and their specific importance in billion houses, 1.21 billion People in India relation to respiratory symptoms and lung (about 17 % of Earth) and 330 million houses function impairment has become a particular in India with 32% increase over past 10 years. public health priority. Natural substances are Annually 2 million death and 3 to 4% global burden of diseases are due to air-pollution. * Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology Bangalore University, Bangalore - 560 056, Karnataka, The number of respiratory allergy to pollen India E-mail: pavanrgowda@ rediffmail.com and spores is estimated at 20 to 30% in atopic

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population and upto 6% in general population spacecraft environments, the presence of and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases bioaerosols can compromise normal activities, (COPD) is also seems that climate change is making efficient monitoring crucial depends increasing the abundance of aeroallergens such on numerous physical, chemical and biological as fungi, pollen which may result in greater factors8. Regarding microbial pollutants, among incidence are severity of allergic diseases5,6. their typical indoor reservoirs are people, AIR plants and animals, to some extent soil and water as well as human-made materials. In Air is an essential and important component this type of work environment, biological agents of the ecosystem. Humans are in continuous can cause adverse health effects when exposure to air environment either outdoor or transported in the air as bioaerosols9. indoor. Hence the air environment is a crucial The research works on bioaerosols include factor that affects human health. Air media the identification of source, the way of release contain microorganisms such as viruses, and take off the particles, their dispersion and bacteria, fungi and their spores, pollen grains, the manner of the deposition, identification, algal fragments, apart from the fragments of the objects of impact and the interaction these microbes, glucans and mycotoxins affect between particles10. The sampling devices human health adversely. Exposure to toxins involve techniques that separate particles from can lead to health effects such as fever, fatigue, the air stream and collect them in or a nausea, headache, depression and the long preselected medium. Impaction, filtration and term effect include respiratory diseases and impingement are three common sampling cardiovascular problems. A range of airborne techniques used to collect and separate the particles such as pollen, fungal spores, insect particles. Air monitoring was usually done by debris, animal dander, mites etc. are the using different types of voluemetric samplers, recognized allergens5. Air quality has been a such as Andersen sampler, Burkard sampler, concern for more than 100 years and started Rotorod sampler, etc5. The seasonal air around 1850 during the hygienic revolution, monitoring for at least three seasons (summer, followed by outdoor environmental issues7. winter and rainy) helps in understanding the While indoor pollutant levels in most cases component of air quality. are higher than those of outdoor levels, BIOAEROSOLS researchers also found that most individuals spend 90% of their time indoors and inhale Airborne microorganisms are not regarded around 35 gallons of air each day. Since the as air pollutants but should be considered as air breathed in most often comes from the an important factor affecting air quality and enclosed buildings, good indoor air quality is human health. Bioaerosols enter and are therefore very essential and critical to human dispersed into the atmosphere from a variety health. of sources. Nevertheless, weather variables such as wind speed, relative humidity, rainfall ENVIRONMENT and temperature also influence spore behavior In many environments including hospitals, and dispersion in the atmosphere11. The schools, animal sheds, shopping malls, changes in meteorological factors also affect pharmaceutical facilities, food storages and aeroallergen production, which, in turn,

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impacts the prevalence or severity of allergic particles suspended in the air can be present illness via sensitivity and response pathways12. in viable as well as nonviable forms. They can Climate change, caused in part by increased either exist as individual entities or create atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide aggregates of biological structures. The and other greenhouse gases, is likely to result presence of air is related to multiple in increases in temperature, relative humidity, aerodynamic factors, such as spore size, shape, wind speed and rainfall were changes in the weight and hydroscopic and electrostatic amount, distribution, and intensity of properties of their walls16. Such inhalation precipitation events, and increases in the exposure can initiate numerous intensity and frequency of certain extreme immunopathogenic reactions including weather events10. Researchers summarized the allergies, infections, toxic reactions and other current understanding of the science on the unspecified symptoms like the sick building impacts of climate change on aeroallergens syndrome. and on the interaction between aeroallergens CONCLUSION and air pollution related to allergic diseases13. Epidemiological studies have shown that a A recent review took the further step of few hundred million people around the world outlining adaptation options focused on the are exposed to biological agents. Unfortunately, role of qualitative and quantitative analyses there are no quantitative health based of airborne microorganisms by identification guideline values or thresholds for acceptable method, the predominant microorganisms and levels of microbial contamination. This is so types are taken into consideration with because a dose response relationship for most individual microorganisms show movement of seasonal variations. In a particular type of biological agents has not been determined yet allergy if the microorganisms load is more, we and is controversial in many aspects. It is not can suggest the peoples about the predication possible to identify individual species of of the allergy and made the peoples alert to airborne microorganisms or other specific protect themselves from that particular allergy. biological agents responsible for health effects. The concentration of the investigated Susceptibility to a specific biological agent is parameters and the resulting adverse health an individual feature of each organism with effect, then on the basis of the measurements source data on environmental and occupational of the concentration of the biological agent, concentrations of biological agents are still reference values should make it possible to insufficient and sampling methods using evaluate the quality of the environment and samplers and experimental procedures have to determine specific type of setting14. On the not yet been properly standardized. We can values in occupational and non occupational conclude that the standardized air monitoring environments for several microbial agents, that inspection with appropriate protocols may can be present in the air as bioaerosol hopefully improve our understanding of the components15. Although the air is not conducive environment, such as how it affects human to the growth and survival of microorganisms, health? or how does it eventually lead to our it is the most important medium for carrying understanding in procedures for improving and spreading of biological agents. Biological the quality of the air that we breathe.

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REFERENCES 9. J. Skowron and M. Golofit-Szymczak, 1. W. C. Jacobs, American Meteorological Bromat Chem Toksykol, 37, 91-98, 2004. Sol. Boston, 1103-1111, 1951. 10. S. Solomon, D. Qin, M. Manning, R.B. 2. P.A Ariya and M. Amyot, Atmospheric Alley, T. Berntsen and N.L. Bindoff, Environment, 38, 1231-1232, 2004. Technical summary. In: Climate Change 2007: Cambridge, United Kingdom : 3. J. Ho and S. Duncan, Journal of Aerosol Cambridge University Press, 2007. Science, 36, 701-719, 2005. 11. A. Adhikari, M. Sen, S. Gupta 4. R. L. Edmonds and W. S. Berninghoft, Bhattacharya and S. Chanda. Aerobiology and its modern applications, Environmental International, 29, 1071- Report No. 3, IBP Aerobiology 1078, 2004. Programme, 17, 1973. 12. P. Chakraborty, A. Chakraborty, D. 5. K. Bhattacharya, Majumdar M. R. and Ghosh, J. Mandal and S. Gupta S. Gupta Bhattacharya A text book of Bhattacharya. Aerobiologia, 30(2), 137- Poloynology, New Central Book Agency 148, 2014. (P) Ltd, India, 168-169, 2006. 13. D. Ghosh, P. Chakraborty, J. Gupta, A. 6. S.N. Agashe, B.E. Rangaswamy and K. Biswas and S. Gupta Bhattacharya. Mamlakatoi, Monitoring environmental Allergy, 65, (6), 795-796, 2010. biopollution and its relevance in public health, Proceedings of National 14. R.L. Gorny, E. Anczyk and J. Dutkiewicz, Symposium on Environmental, 11, 252- The Role of Standards and limit values 255, 2002. for biological agents in protection of workers health a view from Europe, In 7. J.D. Spengler, J.M. Samet and J.F. XVIII World Congress on Safety and McCarthy, Indoor air quality handbook, Health at Work [CD-ROM], 2008. In Burge HA, The fungi. NY: McGraw- Hill Companies, 45, 16, 2000. 15. D. Augustynska and M. Posniak, Harmful agents in the working 8. L.D. Stetzenbach, Introduction to environment admissible values. aerobiology, C.J. Hurst, R.L. Crawford, Warszawa, CIOP-PIB, 2007. J.L. Garland, D.A. Lipson, A.L. Mills, L.D. Stetzenbach, Manual of 16. S. S. Okten, A. Asan, Y. Tungan and M. Environmental Microbiology, ASM Press, Ture, Journal of Science, 6 (1), 97-106, D.C. Washington, 925-938, 2007. 2005.

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BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN SCIENTISTS AND CLINICIANS

Janet Jeyapaul

This article focuses on the wide divide between scientists and clinicians engaged in cancer research. Highthoroughput studies and extensive microarrying have occupied centre stage without taking into account the cell types involved and the progression of disease. This has resulted in 'inhibitors' of little clinical importance.

ver wondered why doctors emphasize Africa and Central and South America account E on early detection of cancer? It is for 60% of worlds total cases. true. Only early detection can maximize Its seems cancer research has more or less complete recovery. Yet the aam aadmi arrives moved supersonically in one direction- of at the doorstep of the Cancer Hospital, well technological finesse. Cultural compulsions past the early stage. No doubt we hear of have led scientists to do hyped up numerous heart touching stories of cancer highthoroughput studies with little clinical survivors, and the many improvements in significance. Scientists have been preoccupied medication and treatment. But this article with genomics and proteomics and the latest focuses on the billions of dollars and rupees ‘omics’ of the day without weaving it into the poured into scientific research worldwide, and biology, pathology, progression of disease and the gap that exists between scientists and clinical significance Clinicians, instead of clinicians. Last year the American Association of Cancer Research sent an important taking the onus of such studies on themselves attachment along with its regular funding have taken their cue for research from the announcements, that of the staggering figures former. of cancer deaths. Funding, has in the past, see-sawed According to the International Agency for dangerously according to the latest 'in thing'. Research in Cancer, WHO report, 2014, an When I was post-doc ing in Philadelphia, USA estimated 14 million new cases will be in the late 80s, the 'in thing' was to do, what diagnosed per year. Within the next two was called in scientific banter, ‘promoter decades, this figure would rise to 22 million bashing’. ‘Promoter bashing’ was nothing but annually. Cancer deaths are estimated to rise mutagenesis of the promoter- systematically from 8.2 million to 13 million per year. Asia, chopping and cutting the promoter to determine the minimum region of promoter * Former Prof. of Biotechnology, SRM University, required for gene expression. So major funding Chennai Currently, Founder, Jeyapaul Labs, Chennai, was allotted to ‘promoter bashing’ studies. India, E-mail : [email protected] Then came cloning, antisense RNAs, siRNAs,

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microarrays, highthoroughput genomics, encompass the entire spectrum of heterogeneity proteomics, and microRNAs- the list is endless. of human cancers, it is important to establish Somewhere in the stampede to stay funded the different mouse models that phenocopy the cancer patient’s fate was adversely sealed. histologically, pathologically and molecularly The biological nature of disease, the the human cancers. interaction of various cell types, the Effective translational cancer research pathogenesis and progression of disease has would involve a team of clinicians, not been dealt with in depth. This has resulted epidemiologists, pathologists, radiologists, in a spurt of 'inhibitors' but none that have scientists from various disciplines - made it to clinics in a significant way. Basic chemotherapy, biological sciences, oncology, science is important in cancer research to genetics, basic sciences and educators / dissect out aberrant genes-oncogenes, mutated professors from teaching profession engaged tumour suppressor genes, signaling in research. The last addition may be a surprise moleculesetc. However, there is little value in but professors often have a clearer perspective microarraying whole sets of genes at a given that is devoid of the strong scientific cultural time point, with no information on the status compulsions/technological inclinations and of genes during progression of disease. More therefore more open to cell based studies. importantly, the interaction between cell types in pathogenesis and progression of disease Being a professor myself and engaged in needs to be taken into consideration. For breast cancer, I find myself a bit detached example in tumours induced by BRCA1 from diehard cultural and technological driven mutation in luminal cells resemble human science. In breast cancer, I am more struck BRCA1 mutated breast cancer and basal with the heterogeneity of cell types and the cancers. BRCA1 mutation in basal cells form diverse function of biomolecules in different tumours that do not phenocopy histologically cell types. Thus there is no fascination for me human breast cancer. Thus the aberrations in studying biomolecules en masse!! that occur in distinct cell types is important. REFERENCES Another important aspect is establishing 1. International Agency for Research in appropriate xenograft models of cancer that Cancer, WHO. Press Release Lyon/ phenocopy human cancers. It has been shown London, 3 February 2014. in breast cancer stem studies that cancers can 2. Molyneux G. Geyer FC, Magnay FA et be induced in mouse that do not phenocopy human breast cancer. In such models it is of al; Cell Stem Cell, 7(3), 403, 2010. little benefit to study the effect of inhibitors. 3. Fillimore CM and Kuperwasser C., While it is true that not one mouse model can Breast Cancer Research, 10, R25, 2008.

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LIFE SKETCHES OF OFFICE BEARERS, SECTIONAL PRESIDENTS & RECORDERS OF THE INDIAN SCIENCE CONGRESS ASSOCIATION, 2014-2015 He is member of several National / Professional Bodies and also member Governing Council of the Consultancy Development Centre, Govt. of India, Ministry of Science & Technology, Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR), New Delhi w.e.f. 10th July, 2012 (for three years), Member, Steering Committee for XIIth Five Year Plan on Higher Education, Planning Commission of India, New Delhi, since April DR. SARJERAO BHAURAO NIMSE 2011, Secretary, (Admin), Indian Mathematical General President Society (IMS), 1st April, 2007 to 31st March, Dr. S. B. Nimse is presently Vice Chancellor, 2011, Executive Committee Member and Sectional President (ICT Section) of ISCA Lucknow University. He was earlier Vice (2005-06). Chancellor, Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded Dr. Nimse has published 12 books on (Maharashtra) (2008-2013) Mathematics, 21 papers in International Journal and 11 papers in National Journal. 9 Dr. Nimse completed M.Sc. (Mathematics- students have completed Ph.D. under his First Class) from Pune University, M. Phil. guidance, and presently four students are (Mathematics). He received U.P. Governor’s registered to Pune University and SRTM Award for distinguished achievement in M.Phil. University, Nanded. He has been invited to He completed his Ph.D. (Mathematics; General deliver lectures lecture in different parts of Topology), 1982. the world. Dr. Nimse previously served as Principal, New Arts, Commerce & Science College, Ahmednagar (M.S.) since March, 2004 to 16th July, 2008, Director of Management Institute (Institute of Management, Research and Rural Development, Ahmednagar (M.S.) during 1990- 1998, Director, MBA Center, IBMRD, Ahmednagar (M.S.) 1986-1990, Member, Management Council, University of Pune, since February-2006, Dean, Faculty of Science, DR. ER. NILANGSHU BHUSAN BASU University of Pune, during Sept. 2001 to Sept. General Secretary (Membership 2005, Chairman, Board of Studies in Affairs) Mathematics, University of Pune, 1985 to 1991 and 2005 to 2008. Born on 14th day of July, 1956, Dr.

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Nilangshu Bhusan Basu graduated in Civil Engineering from Bengal Engineering College in the year 1977 with distinction. He completed his Master’s degree in Structural Engineering from Jadavpur University in the year 1983 with distinction and successfully undergone training in River Basin Management at Thames Water Authority, U. K. in the year 1989. He has served as Chairman of Architectural Engg. Division of Institute of PROF. ARUN KUMAR Engineers, West Bengal Chapter. He is also General Secretary (Scientific adorning the honoured post of the Vice Activities) President at the Institute of Public Health Prof Arun Kumar has over 31 years of Engineers. Presently, he is working at The teaching and research experience in Kolkata Municipal Corporation in the capacity Department of Earth Sciences, Manipur of the Principal Chief Engineer (civil). Under University. He initially started his research in the supervision of his Engineering skills a the field of fluvial geomorphology with good number of infrastructure projects for the application of GIS and Remote using city of Kolkata have been completed techniques in the watersheds studies in successfully. 40 MGD water treatment plant Manipur. He has carried out the landslide at Palta, 100 MGD pressure station for clear hazards studies along the National Highways water at Palta, 100 MGD intake jetty with in Manipur, North Eastern, Jammu & Kashmir intake station of Palta, Networking for water and Himachal Pradesh India. mains, Booster pumping stations at Parkcircus, He has established number of seismic Bagmari, Ranikuthi, Kalighat Drainage observatories in Manipur as well as NE India pumping station of Southern Avenue, to monitor the ongoing seismological status as Automated computerized car parking system the region of Manipur, falls under highest at Rowdan street (over ground ) at Lindsay Seismic Zoning map of India. He created the street (underground) etc, are only a few among earthquake hazard awareness in a scientific the large number of successful projects that manner in many schools in NE region where he has so far undertaken. All the JNNURM school children can witness to measure the projects of KMC worth 1000 crores had also earthquake epicentre parameters in their been formulated and is being executed in his school earthquake laboratories. Approximately leadership. These prestigious projects include sixty observatories are operational in various 134 year old underground brick sewer higher secondary schools in the NE India. rehabilitation of Kolkata also. He has also Now, he is establishing a multi-parameter been invited to deliver lectures in many geophysical observatory at Imphal, Manipur National and International seminars in India to observe the earthquake precursory and Abroad and has a number of International phenomenon by using the geo-electric, electro- publications in prestigeous engineering magnetic, magneto-telluric, seismic & micro- magazines too. strain through boreholes and anomalies due to

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the crustal deformations. He has continued Professor and Head, Department of Zoology, the crustal deformation measurements along Veer Kunwar Singh University, Arrah, Bihar. actives faults in (Swalbard) Arctic Region, He is Member Syndicate and Convener of the which is quite interesting in estimating the committee for Academic and Administrative Isostatic Rebound phenomenon for ongoing reforms of Veer Kunwar Singh University, climate change. The entire research activities Arrah. He was Dean faculty of Science and are financially supported by the Ministry of was Coordinator College Development Council Earth Sciences (MoES), Science Technology, Ministry of Environment & Forest (MoEF) of the University. He was also Coordinator of Government of India. He is presently the Vidya-Sagar classes (a Video Conferencing members of Programme Advisory Committee Class-room programme) of the University. He (Seismology Programme) of MoES and Expert is also a member (eastern zone- RAC) of central Advisory Committee of Hydroelectric & River Board of Workers Education (CBWE) under valley Projects of MoEF. Ministry of Labour and Employment, He has travelled various countries for Government of India. attending International conferences, training He did his M.Sc. and Ph.D. from Visva- programmes and research activities. More than Bharati University, Santiniketan. During his fifty research articles in various International M.Sc. Classes he was selected to represent and national journals are published. Besides, Visva-Bharati at Diamond Jubilee Session of two volumes are edited and contributed a ISCA at Chandigarh (1973) as a student scientific database on water balance of small delegate. He was also selected among 52 watershed from Manipur. Ten students have been awarded and six are in progress for their students across the country as a Post-Graduate Ph. D. degree. He has trained many of his Meritorious Student to attend Summer research scholars and M. Sc. students in GIS, Institute at Porto-Novo, Annamalai University, Remote Sensing and Seismology. organized by U.G.C. in 1972. He was Senior He is active member of The Indian Science Research Fellow under Council of Scientific Congress Association, Kolkata and enjoyed the and Industrial Research at Visva-Bharati, elected post of Sectional President (ESS Santiniketan (1976-1978) and obtained his Section, 98 ISCA). Ph.D. degree in 1978. Professor Kumar has more than 39 years of teaching and research experience and has successfully supervised 15 students for the award of Ph.D. degree. He is presently working on effect of pollutants on enzyme activity and also working on endocrine disruptors and has published more than 50 papers in the journals of National and International repute. He was the Executive Secretary of 6th PROF. DHYANENDRA KUMAR International Congress of Asia Oceania Society Treasurer for Comparative Endocrinology (An Professor Dhyanendra Kumar is presently International organization of 19 countries).

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He has also represented ISCA and the Country Pindrui, District Midnapur of West Bengal. at University of Kelaniya, Colombo- Sri Lanka He completed his schooling from Pindrui K.I. at 65th Session of SLAAS (Sri Lanka Academy Vidyaniketan, Midnapur. He did B.Sc. (Hons) of Advances of Sciences). He was awarded in Chemistry in 1978, M.Sc. (Ag) in 1980 in 50000 Yen in 1990 to attend International Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science from Congress of Ecology at Yokohama, Japan. He the prestigious Calcutta University, Kolkata. is in the editorial Board and reviewer/ referee He worked in research projects as Junior and in a number of Journals of National and Senior Research Fellows, in University College International repute. His research papers were of Agriculture, Kolkata and obtained Ph.D accepted for presentation in several Seminars/ (Ag.) degree from Calcutta University. Symposia at Japan, USA, Thailand, Egypt, Then he joined National Bureau of Soil Netherland and China. He has organized and Survey and Land Use Planning (ICAR), as chaired various sessions of the International Scientist in 1986 through Agriculture Research and National conferences on the topics like Service (ARS) Examination of ICAR and posted molecular signaling, endocrine disruptors, fish- at Regional Centre Delhi, IARI Campus, New toxicity, biodiversity and other environmental related issues. Delhi. Presently he is working as Principal Scientist. In the past 28 years of Agricultural Professor D. Kumar has worked as a Research Services he made significant Recorder in the Section of the Environmental contributions in the field of Soil Survey, Science of ISCA in 2005 at Ahmedabad. He Mapping, Correlation, Classification, was the Member Council from 2006 and 2011 Assessment of Soil Degradation, Agro-ecological and member of the Executive Committee from Zoning, Soil Site Suitability, Land Evaluation 2008 to 2011 of The Indian Science Congress and Land Use Planning. He has handled Association. several research projects (Institutional, Collaborative, Sponsored) covering all the North Indian states. He has about 200 research publications. He attended numerous national and international Conferences. He is the life member of 8 Professional Societies. He served as Section Member (2004-05) and Sectional Recorder (2008-10) of ISCA, Councillor of the Indian Society of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, Nagpur (2001-03) and Vice President DR. S. K. MAHAPATRA from 2011 onwards, the Councillor of The President Agricultural Society of India (2001-06), Section of Agriculture and Assistant Secretary (2003-2006) and Joint Forestry Sciences Secretary (2007-2012) of Indian Society of Soil Dr. Sankar Kumar Mahapatra was born on Science and Secretary, the Clay Minerals February 25, 1959 in village Chandipur, PO Society of India (2014-2015).

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He is recipient of ISCA Best Poster Associate Professor and Professor and during Presentation Award, ISAS Best Paper this period. He was also entrusted with Presentation Award and Distinction Certificate different academic and administrative Award for Result Framework Documents given positions. by Cabinet Secretariat, Govt. of India. He was Dr. Jyoti served the University besides Expert in Creation of Question Bank or ARS/ Professor of Zoology, as Head of Biosciences NET Examination of Agricultural Scientists and Zoology respectively, Dean of Life Sciences, Recruitment Board. Director of Distance Education, Convenor/ He has been actively involved in organising Coordinator Environmental Sciences, several international and national Conferences/ Biochemistry, Migrant Cell Kashmir University Seminars/Congress. He has also organized 2 and M.Sc. Fisheries. He has also contributed Training Programmes of 21 days duration as to the academic growth of other Universities Programme Coordinator, sponsored by as member of their board of studies and NNRMS, Deptt. of Space, Govt. of India for through participation as resource person in the Central and State Government Officials. their refresher courses. His field of research primarily remained Fisheries and Limnology. He bagged an successfully completed several research projects awarded by U.G.C, C.S.I.R, I.C.A.R and MoE etc. He has supervised about two dozen M.Phil and one dozen Ph.D. scholars and published 60 research papers in Indian and Foreign journals. He was picked up by newly created Central PROF. M. K. JYOTI University of Jammu, where he worked for President another three years and established a Section of Animal, Veterinary and department of Environmental Sciences. He Fishery Sciences was sponsored by U.G.C. for visits to New- Zealand and Czechoslovakia under its academic Born on 17-05-1946, he had his primary exchange program. and secondary education in Jammu and Post graduation (M.Sc. Zoology) from University of During his active service carrier, he Kashmir. After having done M.Sc, he continued organized 6 national seminars and worked for with Ph.D. programme at University of the introduction of some new course in the Kashmir as J.R.F of C.S.I.R. in the year 1973, University. He has been conferred with He was appointed as Lecture in the honours by the Inland Fisheries Society, Department of Biosciences of University of Zoological Society of India and Indian Academy Jammu. He continued serving University of of Environmental Sciences. Jammu till 2006. It was during these 33 years Presently he is also Convener of Jammu of service that he was elevated to positions of ISCA Chapter.

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as the Principal Investigator and/or Co-PI for several research projects.

Prof. Kapoor has received several awards like Ruchi Award (1991); UGC Research Award (1999); Life Time Education Achievement Award (2006); Vidya Ratan Award (2008); Man of The Year Award (2009) and Dr. Panchanan Mitra Memorial Lectureship Award of the PROF. ANUP KUMAR KAPOOR Asiatic Society (2014) for his outstanding contribution in Anthropology, Education and President Human Development. Section of Anthropological and Behavioural Sciences (including He has acted as Chief Guest, Guest of Archaeology, Psychology, Honor, Chairperson, Co-Chairperson and Education and Military Sciences) Presided at various National and International Seminars, Conferences, Sports Functions and Prof. Anup Kumar Kapoor, former Vice- numerous Cultural Activities. Prof. Kapoor Chancellor of Jiwaji University, Gwalior (M.P.), has also delivered Invited Lectures, Special is an eminent Bio-Social Anthropologist of the Lectures and Keynote Addresses in various country. Born on 20th Jan., 1954 in Delhi, Conferences, Workshops and Seminars in India Prof. Kapoor did his B.Sc. (Hons.) Anthropology and abroad. He has served and has been (1973), M.Sc. Anthropology (1975) and Ph.D. serving as a member of the Editorial Board of (1981) from University of Delhi, Delhi. He did Indian Journals and Reviewer of different postdoctoral research on the High Altitude International Journals. Besides his academic Tribal Populations of Himalayas (1981-83) achievements, he has held various supported by Indian Council of Medical administrative positions like Deputy Proctor Research, New Delhi at Department of (1989-2004); Provost, D.S. Kothari Hostel Anthropology, University of Delhi, Delhi. He (1999-2001); Treasurer, Indian Society of was appointed University Adhoc Lecturer Human Ecology (1988-2002); Chairperson and (1983-86), University Lecturer (1986-1991), Member of the Governing Bodies of NGO’s University Reader (1991-97) and Professor and Colleges under University of Delhi; Vice- (1997-till date) in Department of Anthropology, President of Indian Anthropological Association University of Delhi, Delhi. His research interest (1993-95); Member, Advisory Committee, Delhi covers Human Population Biology; Forensic University Students Union (1989-2004); Anthropology; Cultural Biology with emphasis Coordinator (Polls) between University of Delhi on tribal, Himalayan and health studies; and National Election Commission of India Biological Gerontology, Neuroanthropology and (1998); Member, Academic Advisory Human Rights. As an anthropologist he has Committees, Academic Staff Colleges of few carried out extensive and intensive fieldwork Universities; Member, UGC Creation of New among tribes, castes and ethnic groups in the Academic Staff Colleges (2009); Member, States and Union Territories. He has served Monitoring and Evaluation Committee of M.P.

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Council of Science and Technology (2008); at Banda (U.P.). After the school education, he Chairman, Expert Review and Assessment has completed his college Graduation from Committee of DRS/DSA (SAP Programmes of Bundelkhand University, Jhansi with merit in UGC, 2007-2008); Member, UGC Expert the year 1978 and Post-graduation from Committee Human Rights Education (2008 & University of Allahabad in 1981 with second 2009); Member, UGC Expert Committee on rank in merit. Prof. Mishra obtained his D.Phil. Reforms of Affiliating System (2008). He has and D.Sc. from the University of Allahabad in been the Patron and Member of the various 1985 and 2004 respectively. He has been Organizing Committee of National and recipient of JRF and SRF during his research International Seminars and Conferences. work (1982-86). He was also awarded scientist- Prof. Kapoor has published more than 230 Pool officership (CSIR) to work in IISc., research papers and articles in National and Bangalore in 1986. Prof. Mishra started his International Journals and authored/edited 15 career as a lecturer in Dr. H.S.Gour University, books. So far 17 students have got their Ph.D. Sagar in 1986; afterwards he moved to under his guidance and eight students are university of Allahabad and again joined working under his supervision. He has written H.S.Gour University in 1997 where he became eight Forwards on the various books authored Professor in 2006. In between, Prof. Mishra by scholars of different disciplines. He has participated in 98 Conferences, Seminars and has also worked as UGC-Visiting Associate in Workshops in India and abroad. IIT,Bombay in 1990 & 1991 ; under UNESCO program in IIT, Madras in 2000 and as INSA- He has been the Visiting Fellow to various Visiting Fellow in IIT Kanpur. Universities in India, Europe and North America. He is the Founder and Life Member Co-ordination Chemistry, Structural of Several Prestigious Scientific Bodies and a Inorganic Chemistry, Bio-inorganic chemistry, Member of International Union of Medicinal Inorganic chemistry, Solid State Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences materials & nanoprecursors, microwave- (IUAES). assisted synthesis, Nanotechnology, Solution chemistry and Ultrasonics are the major research interests of Prof. Mishra. He has experience of more than 27 years in UG-PG teaching and 30 years in research. Under his supervision 15 students have earned Ph.D degrees and currently 4 are working. He has published more than 110 research papers in various reputed national and international journals. He is also co-author of two books. He PROF. A. P. MISHRA has successfully completed five research President projects. Bioactive Compounds synthesized by Prof. Mishra for metal chelation therapy have Section of Chemical Sciences been recognized by NCI (USA) and TAACF A. P. Mishra was born on 1st January, 1960 (Birmingham). He has participated in more

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than 100 national and international in Editorial Board of ISCA Journal Everyman’s conferences/workshops and delivered number Science. In past, he has been Associate Editor of invited lecturers in universities and colleges. & Member of Publication Committee, Indian His research work has been awarded several Chemical Society in 1997-98 and Associate times in the form of best research papers in Editor of Journal of Environment and Social conferences. science research.

Prof. Mishra has been involved in organizing Prof. Mishra has been associated with ISCA several conferences as organising Secretary. since 1985. He was Sectional Recorder- He has been associated as Life Member/Fellow Chemical Sciences during 2002-04. with a number of Professional/Academic bodies. He was elected as Vice-President, ICC (2011- 14); Secretary, Central Zone, ICC (2001-2004), Executive Member (2005-07 & 1991-1994) of Indian Council of Chemists and Council Member, Indian Chemical Society (2014-16). He has been the Sectional President-Inorganic (2013) of Indian Council of Chemists at Karnataka University, Dharwad. He was elected as Sectional Recorder, ISCA (2002-04) PROF. K. L. SHRIVASTAVA and Member of Sectional Committee(Chemical President Sci. ISCA) in 1998-99. He was the Executive Section of Earth System Sciences Member of International Academy of Physical Sciences in 1997-98 and Active Member of Kanhaiya Lal Shrivastava is Professor of New York Academy of Sciences. Economic Geology since May 2001 at Jai Besides this Prof. Mishra had undertaken a Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur, India where number of administrative responsibilities in he has been teaching since 1982. He was born th the university viz. Chairman, All India at Niwari (Madhya Pradesh) on 28 March Entrance Test of Dr. H.S.G.Central University, 1959, obtained his M.Tech (Applied Geology) Sagar in 2010 & 2012; Coordinator in from Centre of Advance Study in Geology University examinations. At present he is Sagar University in 1980 with University merit serving also as the Director of Institute of and Doctoral degree from Jodhpur University. Distance Education, Member of University Professor Shrivastava is actively engaged Academic Council and Coordinator, in understanding different aspects of economic Sophisticated Instrumentation Centre, Dr. mineralization for the last thirty two years. H.S.Gour Central University, Sagar. His interest is purely dealing with the genesis Prof Mishra is an honorary Reviewer of and exploration of economic deposits of Igneous several national and international journals. affiliations, sulfide deposits and mineral fuels. Currently he is Associate Editor of J.ICS ; Unexplored from mineralization point of view, Editor of Research Journal- Madhya Bharti the Malani Igneous Suite is his main terrain (Science), Dr. H.S. Gour VV, Sagar and is also of his interest. He has discovered new

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carbonatites, signature of kimberlite and President of University Teachers Association komatiite etc. He has also developed a (1997), Elected Senator (1991-1994 and 1994- ‘Mossbauer log’ for source rock evaluation of 1997), elected Academic Councillor (1988-1991), petroleum by leading first Indian working Incharge Deptt. of Geology, Faculty of group on Mossbauer, recognized globally. Engineering (2001-2009), Hostel warden (1987- Hon’ble President of India has given him 1997) and Chairman Yoga (1997-2012). special responsibility to explore ‘calcrete type Professor Shrivastava was honoured by non conventional uranium’ in Indian Desert. ‘Prof. S. Sambegowada Goldmedal’ for research Presently, he is engaged with, by using high contribution made on ‘Framboids’ in the year resolution Ground Penetrating Radar (first 1981 and ‘Decree of Merit’ by IBC, Cambridge time in India) with high resolution satellite in the year 1995. He was nominated for Vikram data and advance geochemistry. Sarabhai Award (2003). Professor Shrivastava has chaired eight international sessions and Professor Shrivastava has edited two well delivered numerous keynote addresses and reputed International volume ‘Economic invited talks in India and abroad. Mineralization’ (2009) and Geo-Resources (2014). He has published one hundred and twelve papers. Professor Shrivastava has supervised 15 Doctoral theses and supervising 8 more.

Professor Shrivastava is founder member of South Asian Association of Economic Geology (Colombo, 1995). He is Chairman of Rajasthan chapter of the same. He has served as National DR. ATUL SITARAM PADALKAR executive of ISCA (2010-2013). He has elected President Sectional President of The Earth System Sciences, ISCA (2014-2015). He is fellow of 15 Section of Engineering Sciences scientific societies including Geological Society Dr. Atul Padalkar is born on June 1st of India, AGID, ISTE etc. Professor Shrivastava 1962. He obtained his degree of BE and ME in has completed various projects financed by Mechanical Engineering. He has German Government, DST, UGC, AMD etc. completed Ph.D. in area of ‘Alternative Refrigerants’ under the guidance of and represented Indian subcontinent in several Dr. Devotta. Dr. Devotta had been associated research working groups. His biography is on the work which recognized for award of published in many global dictionaries of the Noble prize to IPCC in the year 2007. Biographic Institutes. Dr. Atul Padalkar is founder of the Flora In Jai Narain Vyas University, Professor Institute of Technology, Pune. Presently, he Shrivastava has served as Head and Chairman is working as a Principal with the same of the Department of Geology (2009-2012), Institute. He started his career in 1987 as a

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Lecture at Rajarambapu Institute of European Energy Center (EEC), “Performance Technology. Subsequently, he has served Assessment of Air Conditioners with HC290” various prestigious institutions in capacity of appeared in the Bulletin of the IIR, 2010. The Dean, Principal, Professor and Assistant same work has been published in Spanish and Professor. Amongst, the University of Pune, French languages. Sinhgad College of Engineering, Pune (2004- He is working as consultant for corporate 2011) AISSMS College of Engineering, Pune, houses like Blue Star, Thermax Ltd., Godrej (1996 - 2003) respectively are important. Appliances Ltd., India. He provides technical He has been mentor for introducing various support for design and development of products academic programme which include B. Tech. to business houses. Biotechnology, Post graduate progammes in He has attended more than score of national Mechatronics, Computer Networks, and and international conferences and workshops. Communication Networks while working at the University of Pune. He is the founder Dean of Faculty of Technology and started Department of Technology at the University of Pune. He is associated actively with various technological Institutions and technical bodies as Advisor, Member and Life Member. He has also worked as the Chairman, ISTE Maharashtra & Goa. PROF. KASHINATH His contributions particularly development BHATTACHARYA of room air conditioners with HC-290 and President handbook on good servicing of room air Section of Environmental conditioner under the aegis of German Sciences Technical Cooperation (GIZ), Germany has Prof. Kashinath Bhattacharya was born on been recognised widely in the field of 25th November 1956 at Gangarampur, a small Engineering and Industrial Research. The work own of North Bengal where he completed his of development of hydrocarbon technology in schooling in 1972 from Gangarampur High air conditioners has been appreciated by UNEP School under the West Bengal Board of and International Institute of Refrigeration Secondary Education. He graduated from City (IIR). College, Kolkata (Calcutta University) and He has published more than seventy completed his M.Sc. degree in Botany from research papers in journals of national and Calcutta University. He did his Ph.D. degree international repute. The important in 1985 from Bose Institute (Calcutta publications includes “Performance Assessment University) in the field of Palynology and of Air Conditioners Using Propane” in Official Environmental Biology under the guidance of Journal of Centro Studi Galileo (CSG) and eminent Scientist Dr. Sunirmal Chanda. Prof.

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Bhattacharya joined the West Bengal various universities and delivered contributed Education Service in 1985 as lecturer, posted talks at national and international seminars. in the Krishnagar Govt. College where he Dr. Bhattacharya is currently President of served for three years, then he joined the Indian Aerobiological Society. He has been Department of Botany, Visva-Bharati (a elected Fellow of the West Bengal Academy of Central University) in 1988 as a lecturer in Science & Technology, Fellow of the Indian Botany. Dr. Bhattacharya is presently College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, Professor of Botany, Visva-Bharati and was and Fellow of the Indian Aerobiological Society. Head of the Department from 2009 to 2012. He is presently one of the Members of Prof. Bhattacharya has about 30 years of INDSUBIO (Indian Sub-Continent teaching and research experience. The main Biomization) Project sponsored by IGBP domain of his research activities has been (International Geosphere Biosphere Palynology in relation to assessment of Programme), Bristol University, UK and was biodiversity and climate, and role of one of the Core Members, GEO Task US09- atmospheric pollen-spore in relation to human 01a: Earth Observation Priorities for Human respiratory allergy and asthma. Dr. Health: Aeroallergens SBA project (Sponsored Bhattacharya has contributed significantly in by NASA). University of North Carolina, USA. Holocene climatology in Assam, Bengal Basin, and Southern West Bengal. He also made atmospheric pollen-spore calendar of various townships of West Bengal which are found to be helpful to the clinicians for easy diagnosis of pollen-spore allergy. Dr. Bhattacharya also purified and characterize several pollen allergens namely, Cassia (3 spp), Alstonia scholaris, Eucalyptus citroidora, Madhuca indica, Cocos nucifera, and Cycas circinalis - PROF. APARAJITA OJHA a gymnosperm pollen causing allergy reported first time from India. He has also made President significant contribution to the assessment of Section of Information and quality of India honey through Communication Science & melissopalynological and biochemical analyses. Technology (including Computer Dr. Bhattacharya has guided eleven Ph.D. Sciences) students and has published around 100 Professor Aparajita Ojha completed her scientific papers / reviews in various impact basic education from R.D. University, Jabalpur. journals and books, and participated in various She was the recipient of four gold medals national or international conferences/symposia, including the University medal for attaining etc. Dr. Bhattacharya has authored 2 text the first rank in M. Sc. Examination across books and edited one book on ‘Current concept the science disciplines. As a graduate student, on pollen spore research’. He has lectured at she was fascinated by two important areas of

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studies; spline approximation and summability visual cryptography, data hiding and digital theory. As a CSIR Junior Research Fellow, watermarking, motion estimation for digital she continued to study the quasiconformal video processing, network flow optimization mapping properties of complex planar splines and software engineering. Using interesting and approximation properties of bivariate properties of wavelets, Professor Ojha and her splines which led to her Ph.D. degree under student Amit Kumar have devised a novel the guidance of Professor H.P. Dikshit. It was technique for natural path planning, suitable shown that complex planar splines define a for animated characters. They have also one-to-one onto mapping over their region of studied certain pursuit evasion game problems interpolation, which strikingly ensured the and are now developing hardware to implement quasiconformal property. These research their algorithms. findings were published in prestigious Starting her teaching career in 1984 as a Mathematical Proceedings of Cambridge lecturer in the Department of Mathematics Philosophical Society. Along with Prof. H. P. and Computer Science of the R.D. University Dikshit, she also worked jointly with two other Jabalpur, Professor Ojha served the university well-known mathematicians Professor for 21 years in capacity of Reader and Professor Ambikeshwar Sharma of University of Alberta, also. In December 2005, Professor Ojha moved Edmonton, Canada and Professor R.A. Zalik to PDPM Indian Institute of Information of University of Alabama, Auburn, USA on Technology, Design and Manufacturing quasiconformal properties of higher degree Jabalpur as a Professor. Since 2009 she has rational complex planar splines. Later her been serving the Institute as the Director. research interest was oriented towards computer aided geometric design and geometric Professor Ojha is a life member of Several modelling. Working on the constructive aspects academic societies. Professor Ojha has worked of finite element methods, Professor Ojha, on a number of research projects and has been together with Professor Dikshit and Professor invited in various national and international W. Dahmen of RWTH, Germany developed a conferences for delivering lectures. numerically efficient iterative algorithm for Wachspress quadrilateral elements which could be suitably employed for surface generation and geometric modelling. Later, Professor Dikshit and Professor Ojha jointly developed a novel subdivision formula and smoothness criteria. These important contributions were published as a series of papers in the prestigious journal Computer Aided Geometric Design. She also worked with her student Anita Bhatt on variation diminishing DR. ARVIND KUMAR SAXENA properties of n-dimensional Bernstein President polynomials and established an upper bound Section of Materials Science on the total variation of these polynomials. Professor Ojha’s current research interests Dr. Arvind Kumar Saxena did his M.Sc. in include path planning for robotics and gaming, Organic Chemistry from University of

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Lucknow, Lucknow in 1975. Later on, he was Polyphosphozene (PPZ) is also a unique awarded Ph.D. in 1980 from the same strategic material as it has fire, solvent & UV university and carried out excellent work in resistant properties. The PPZ rubber the area of Organomettalic Chemistry of main components can be used up to -100 to +250oC group 14 & 15 as is evidenced with several and potential candidate for cryogenic international publications. As a postdoctoral application. Under his able leadership the PPZ fellow (PDF), Dr. Saxena worked at Industrial polymer has been synthesized and Toxicology Research Centre (Presently named its continuous &nano fiber have been as IITR), Lucknow and has carried out developed. remarkable work in the area of Plastic & He is Life Member of several academic Polymer Toxicity. societies. He is founder President of Society of Dr. Saxena was selected in DRDO through Polymer Science of India (Kanpur – Lucknow UPSC as Scientist ‘C’ in 1983 and posted at Chapter) and Academy of Microscope Science DMSRDE, Kanpur in April, 1984. Since then & Technologies, India. Under his supervision, Dr. Saxena is continuously serving DMSRDE three students got Ph.D. degree and five at various capacity and in 2011 as Scientist students are pursuing research work for Ph.D. ‘G’, he has assumed the charge of DMSRDE degree. as Director. In 2012 he was promoted to He has published more than 75 papers in Scientist ‘H’. Peer Reviewed International journals & filed In DMSRDE, he has carried out pioneer 30 National & International Patents and research work in the area of strategically transferred the technologies of five products to important material & products for which he industries for production. has been given time to time several awards & recognition but most prestigious award given to him i.e., the DRDO Best Innovation/ Futuristic Development Award in 2011 for the development of ceramic precursor materials which will be used as structural material to withstand at very high temperature for Rockets, Missiles, re-entry vehicles, EATERS, Tokomak etc. and will also be required for high temperature semiconducting device, armors, stealth technologies & support PROF. AJAY KUMAR materials/products. President He mainly worked in the area of organo Section of Mathematical Sciences silicon & organo phosphorus based Inorganic (including Statistics) polymers. The strategically most important material developed under leader ship of Dr. Prof. Ajay Kumar is presently Dean Saxena is Polycarbosilane which is a source for Research (PS & MS) and Head, Department of all poly types of SiC ceramic. PCS is the only Mathematics, University of Delhi. His research material used for SiC fiber and future candidate interest include Operator Spaces, Harmonic for making composites for ultrahigh Analysis, Representation theory of locally temperature applications as CFCMC’s & CMC’s. compact groups and hypergroups, Complex

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analytic methods in partial differential 30 Nov 2010 before taking over as Director, equations, Potential Theory on Lie groups. He Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied has published several research papers in Science (DIPAS), Delhi on 1st Dec 2010. journals of international repute. He was She obtained her Ph.D. degree in Human awarded several foreign post doctoral Physiology from All India Institute of Medical fellowship like DAAD (German Academic Sciences, New Delhi in 1986 and started her Exchange Service);. C.I.E.S. (French Govt. career in DRDO at DIPAS, Delhi. Dr Shashi Fellowship); Commonwealth Academic Staff Bala Singh has substantially contributed Fellowship; Royal Society, London fellowship; towards improvement in the quality of life of DFG (German Research Foundation); JSPS the soldiers deployed at high altitudes. Her (Japan Society for Promotion of Science) etc. innovative approach has ensured fresh food He has supervised Nine Ph.D. thesis and fifteen availability in the Ladakh sector, which M.Phil. dissertations. resulted in close interaction between troops He has been teaching in University of Delhi and natives providing insulation from security since last 37 years and has visited/worked in threats to this region. She pioneered research more than 25 Universities in the world. He on non-conventional energy sources, permafrost has been Reviewing for Mathematical Reviews based germplasm conservation, climate change and Zentralblantt fur Mathematik and has mitigation and development of herbal been Referee for several national and interventions for improving performance at international journals. He has organized high altitude. She has developed several National and International conferences supplementation with antioxidant and and Advance training programmes for cholinomimetic drugs to improve high altitude Lecturers. induced impairment in cognitive functions. Using behavioral, biochemical and electrophysiological studies, she has showed that impairment in memory function is mainly due to the oxidative stress leading to neuro- degeneration in brain structures (hippocampus, cortex and striatum) involved in learning and memory. Using translational approach, she has facilitated in bringing the research from laboratory to the soldier and society. Her contributions have helped in building DR. SHASHI BALA SINGH technologies and products that help in President modulating the microclimate of soldier thus Section of Medical Sciences providing habitability in difficult terrains. (including Physiology) She was conferred the “Scientist of the Dr. Shashi Bala Singh, Sc ‘H’ has the Year Award” by Hon’ble Prime Minister in distinction of serving in the immensely difficult 2010. She is also the recipient of Surg Rear terrain like Leh- Ladakh. She served as Admiral M.S Molhotra Prize-2012 & 2007, Director, Defence Institute of High Altitude CSIR Award for S&T Innovations for Rural Research (DIHAR), Leh, from 1st Sep 2007 to Development-2011, Marico Innovation Award-

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2010, Titanium Trophy-2009, DRDO Scientist Scientist at the Cell Biology and Physiology of the year Award-2009, Technology Spin off Division, CSIR Indian Institute of Chemical award-2008, Prof. Baldev Singh Oration award- Biology, Kolkata. Dr. Roy passed M.Sc. in Life 2007, DRDO Laboratory Scientist of the year Science in 1990 from Visva Bharati, Award-2006, Dr JN Maitra Memorial Oration Santiniketan and then joined at Department Award-2003 and Bharat Nirman Talented of Biochemistry, Bose Institute to for his Ph.D. Ladies Award-1995 amongst the various degree in 1991. He submitted his Ph.D. thesis awards and honors to her credit. She also has in 1996 and awarded degree from Jadavpur more than 100 publications in national and University. He did his Post-Doctoral work at international journals. Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, USA Dr. Shashi Bala Singh is the Fellow of and joined at this Institute in the year 2000 National Academy of Sciences, India (FNASc), and started working on molecular mechanisms President of Federation of Indian Physiological of metabolic disorders. Societies (FIPS), Jury Member of Marico Dr. Sib Sankar Roy’s long term research Innovation Foundation Awards, member of interest is to understand the mechanisms of the Academic Council of the Central University metabolic disorders considering two critical of Tamil Nadu (CUTN), Member of the Project diseases like diabetes and cancer. Ovarian review committee of National Innovation Foundation (NIF), Academic Board member of cancer is considered as the second largest Sri Ram Institute of Industrial Research. She gynaecological cancer type and its mechanism is a Fellow of Indian Association of Biomedical of pathophysiology is not known and its early Scientists (FIABMS) and Indian Academy of diagnosis remains a challenge. He made Neuroscience (FIAN). She is also Editor of significant contribution in understanding the Journal of Biomedicine (Physiology section) mechanisms of proliferation/invasion of ovarian and Annals of Neuroscience. cancer cells. While VEGF’s role is well-known in endothelial cells, for the first time his group demonstrated that VEGF binds to its receptor in ovarian epithelial cancer cell. Through MAPK pathway, VEGF activates Ets-1, which up-regulates MMPs important for cancer cell invasion. He identified a novel growth factor (FGF-16) that augments proliferation/invasion of ovarian cancer cells and could be a promising future drug-target and detection marker for ovarian cancer. Dr. Roy works for many years DR. SIB SANKAR ROY in transcriptional regulation of key genes President regulating ovarian structure/function in normal Section of New Biology (including and diseased condition. He showed how Biochemistry, Biophysics & collagen metabolism is controlled in ovary by Molecular Biology and PITX2 homeodomain transcription factor, Biotechnology) which regulates the expression of many Dr. Sib Sankar Roy is working as Principal important genes in ovary that are pertinent to

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cancer progression. In addition, he has the University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, established that Wnt signalling pathway and Kerala, India. He has been the Dean of Faculty PITX2 interacts in ovarian cancer cells and a of Applied Science and Technology of the positive feedback loop controls the cellular University of Kerala from 2011 onwards. He growth and proliferation. He has contributed was born in 1959. He took B. Sc., M.Sc., extensively on the mechanism of insulin M.Phil. and Ph.D. Degrees from the University resistance and diabetes type2 and identified of Kerala. He started his career as lecturer in carp cell as new source of insulin. Thus, Dr. 1982 in the Department of Physics of the St. Roy has extensively investigated and identified Gregorios College, Kottarakara, Kollam and characterized the factors to understand District, Kerala. He was promoted Reader of the mechanism of critical metabolic disorders. Physics in 1996. He continued in that post Dr. Roy published about 26 research papers until he got appointment in 2001 as Reader in in highly reputed International journals and the Department of Optoelectronics in the got three patents. He also wrote 2 chapters in University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram. two books. Till now nine students received He was promoted as Professor of Ph.D. under his guidance from Jadavpur Optoelectronics in 2005. From June 2001 University and University of Calcutta and onwards he is the Head of the Department. eight students are presently working under him for Ph.D. degree. He has received many He is working in different research areas awards like CSIR Raman Fellowship and including spectroscopy, laser technology, elected Fellow of West Bengal Academy of holography and nanophotonic materials. He Science and Technology. Dr. Roy delivered has successfully guided 14 Ph. D. scholars and invited talks in conferences and seminars in 44 M. Phil. dissertations. He has also guided many National and International venues. Along several M. Tech. dissertations. He has with his research activities, he teaches at published around 120 research papers in peer various Universities as visiting teachers. reviewed international journals which have received more than 700 citations. He has more than 200 papers which were accepted/ presented at International/National Conferences. He has delivered over 45 invited talks in International /National Conferences. He is the Chairman of the Board of Studies in Optoelectronics, and Member of the Academic Council and Faculty of Applied Science and Technology of the University of Kerala since 2002. He is/was member of Board of Studies in PROF. V. P. MAHADEVAN PILLAI various Universities viz., Periyar University President (Salem, Tamil Nadu), Cochin University of Section of Physical Sciences Science & Technology (Kochi), Pt. Ravi Dr. V.P. Mahadevan Pillai is Professor and Shankar Shukla University (Raipur), Alagappa Head of the Department of Optoelectronics in University (Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu) etc. He

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has been awarded the “Catholicate Best Lucknow. He obtained M.Sc. Degree from Scientist Award” in 2012. He is a Member of University of Lucknow (1973) and worked for the Editorial Board of the Journal of Optics Ph.D. degree at National Botanical Research (Springer). Institute, Lucknow. He joined the Department He has served as General Secretary I of the of Botany, TM Bhagalpur University, Indian Laser Association for the period 2009- Bhagalpur in 1983 and rose to the position of 2013. He is a life member of various Professor in 1995. He has taught taxonomy, professional organizations. He was the Local evolution, reproductive biology and plant Joint Secretary for the 97th Indian Science resources and supervised doctoral work of 18 Congress 2010 held in Thiruvananthapuram scholars. He was selected as Professor of and was the Co-Secretary for DAE-BRNS Botany at the University of Delhi in August National Laser Symposium (NLS 2002) held 2008. Thus he has more than three decades of in Thiruvananthapuram in 2002. He was the research and teaching experience. Convener of organizing committee for the Prof. Pandey was Post-doctoral Fellow in conduct of four national conferences. He had the Ohio State University, USA during 1987- visited the Institute of Sensorics and 88. In 1994, he visited Herbarium, Royal Information Sciences (ISIS), Karlsruhe Botanic Gardens, Kew, England. In 2002 and University of Applied Sciences, Germany 2004, twice he was awarded Bass Fellowship (under DAAD fellowship) for two weeks in of the Field Museum Chicago, USA where he 2011 and delivered lectures. He had also visited worked on molecular taxonomy of the ginseng Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. Recently, he visited The Robert Gordon University in family. He was Visiting Professor at the Aberdeen, UK as Visiting Professor for two University of Vienna, Austria (2006) and INSA weeks under UGC-UKIERI project and visiting Fellow at the Korea Research Institute delivered a talk in IDEAS seminar. of Bioscience & Biotechnology (2008). He has delivered invited lectures at the University of Munich, Begning and Vienna.

Prof. Pandey has carried out extensive research on the systematics and reproductive biology of families such as Asteraceae, Cucurbitaceae, Araliaceae and Fabaceae. He has done taxonomic revision of Tricholepis, Inula, Aralia and Panax. He has published an exhaustive checklist of Indian Cucurbitaceae PROF. ARUN KUMAR PANDEY and papers on molecular phylogeny of Aralia- President Panax complex (Araliaceae), Nassauvia Section of Plant Sciences (Asteraceae), Crotalaria and Indigofera Professor Arun Kumar Pandey (born 1953), (Fabaceae). He has published a new species, received his school to University education at Indigofera himachalensis from Himachal

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Pradesh. Ethnobotanical studies carried out by him have helped to record important, useful traditional knowledge from among different tribal groups in Santhal Paragana (Jharkhand), Similipal (Odisha) and Chothe tribe (Manipur). Dr Pandey has carried out extensive work on medicinal plant wealth of Similipal Biosphere Reserve (Odisha), and on impact of mining on the flora of Rajmahal hills (Jharkhand). DR. K. G. MANDAL Prof. Pandey is recipient of YS Murty medal Recorder of the Indian Botanical Society and VV Section of Agriculture and Sivarajan medal of the Indian Association for Forestry Sciences Angiosperm Taxonomy. He has delivered G. Dr. Krishna Gopal Mandal is presently a Panigrahi Memorial lecture (2009) at Senior Scientist (Agronomy) at the Directorate University of Kuvempu (Karnataka) and of Water Management (ICAR), Bhubaneswar. Parukutty Barua Memorial Lecture (Gauhati) Born at Kumardubi in Bankura district of West Bengal in 1967; educated at Bishnupur in 2006. Dr. Pandey is President of East- High School; B.Sc. (Ag) Hons. with 1st Class Himalayan Society for Spermatophyte First & M.Sc. (Ag) with 1st Class First, Faculty Taxonomy (EHSST) and Past President (2010) Topper from Institute of Agriculture, Visva- of the Indian Association for Angiosperm Bharati, Sriniketan 1987-91 & 1991-93; Ph.D. Taxonomy (IAAT). He is Past Recorder of the in Agronomy from BCKV, West Bengal 1994- Plant Science Section of ISCA. 1997; Post-Doctoral research from CAU at He has published over 140 research papers Beijing 2005-06. Dr. Mandal started his and has authored 14 books. Professor Pandey research career as ARS Scientist 1998-02, then Scientist (SS) 2002-07 in the discipline of is member/ office bearer of 16 national and Agronomy at IISS (ICAR), Bhopal. Since 2007, international societies. He has completed 16 he is engaged in research and training as major research projects and has organized Senior Scientist at the present institute. International symposia, Taxonomy training and He has more than 16 years of research Orientation programmes, Workshops on experience in ICAR on soil & plant nutrient Ethnobotany and Molecular systematics. He management, irrigation, watershed was twice Organizing Secretary of the Indian management, conservation tillage and energy Association for Angiosperm Taxonomy and was management in about 12 institutional/ inter- Executive Editor of Rheedea (official journal institutional (ICAR funded), and 6 external of IAAT) during 1999-2000. He is Professor- funded Agencies. Dr. Mandal has significant incharge of the Delhi University Herbarium contribution in integrated nutrient (DUH) and the Botanical Garden of the management, water x nutrient interactions, Department of Botany. development of water production functions,

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energy efficiency, crop diversification on broad- bed and furrow land configuration, conservation tillage for soybean-wheat system, water stress physiology and mitigation strategies, nutrient starvation and root growth, irrigation water saving techniques, soil organic carbon assessment in cropping systems, pedotransfer functions, on-farm water management, agronomy of aerobic rice, improving water productivity in canal PROF. KALYANI PANDEY commands and pond-based integrated farming Recorder Section of Animal, Veterinary and systems. Fishery Sciences Dr. Mandal is also involved in guiding Dr. Kalyani Pandey, M. Sc., Ph. D., FZSI, students for thesis work and training at the Professor & Head of Zoology, MRM College, present institute. He was the Coordinator/ Darbhanga has worked on different aspects of Convener and resource person for several Fish Biology and Environmental Science. She Farmers’ and Trainers' Training Programmes. has published over 45 research papers in He is also involved as a resource person for reputed journals and supervised four Ph. D. several model training & short courses, students. She has worked as Principal summer & winter schools organized at the Investigator of UGC funded research projects. Institute, dissemination of technologies through She is Member/Life Member and Fellow of exhibition and farmers' fair organized by the many professional bodies and recipient of many State and Central Govt. Departments. honours/awards including ZSI Gold Medal. She has the honour to cochair many seminars/ Dr. Mandal has very good publications with symposia. Her research articles have been 58 research papers (32 international, 26 cited in many books. national), 13 books/ book chapters. Dr. Mandal has received National Scholarship of the GoI, S.J. Jindal Trust Scholarship, Dr. Amitava Mukhopadhyay Memorial Gold Medal Award, Hon'ble Prime Minister's Invitation as a Topper, Tapan Memorial Award (twice) 1991 & 1993; University Research Fellowship of BCKV; ICRISAT Sr. Research Fellowship; CSC Chinese Govt. Scholarship 2005-06; Doreen Mashler Award 2006 of ICRISAT; DWM (ICAR) DR. RAKESH K. SRIVASTAVA Proficiency (Scientist) Award 2011. He is the Recorder Life Member of several professional societies Section of Anthropological and and editorial board member of 3 journals. He Behavioural Sciences (including was recently associated with ISCA as a Archaeology, Psychology, Sectional Member for the years 2012-14. Education and Military Sciences)

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Dr. Rakesh K. Srivastava (born Feb. 15, operational group of the World Association of 1953) is presently Head. Department of Cultural Psychiatry (WACP). He is awarded Psychology, Post-Graduate College, Malikpura, IPERA Prof. M.A. Hakim Memorial award for Ghazipur (U.P.) of the V.B.S. Purvanchal the best Applied Psychologist (2013) at 1st University since 1979. He earned his M.A. IPERA International Conference and also (1973) and Ph.D. degree in Psychology (1979) awarded Indian Psychological Association from Kanpur University, Kanpur. Earlier he President's Gold Medal and certificate for served in research projects at I.I.T. Kanpur excellence in Psychology (2014). He was an and I.I.M. Ahmedabad and teaching and Associate Editor of Purvanchal Journal of research assignments at P.P.N. College, Social Sciences (1993-94). He has attended Kanpur. Dr. Srivastava has contributed more more than 75 National and International than 50 scholarly articles in Indian and foreign conferences. journals. He has published seven book chapters, two books reviews, two test Dr. Srivastava was an elected Sectional adaptations and also completed three research committee member of Section of Psychology & projects funded by the University Grants Educational Sciences (82nd Session, 1994-95) Commission. He is also supervising Ph.D. level and Section of Anthropological & Behavioral research in Psychology. He has done extensive Sciences (90th session, 2002-03 & 95th session, research on tribals particularly on Ethnic 2007-08). He has also served as Chairperson/ Psychology of Tharu tribals. He is currently Rapporteaur at different conferences. Presently working in the areas of Psychology of he is the member of the editorial boards of acculturation, Ethnic Socialization. several journals of psychology and social Empowerment of tribals, Cross-cultural issues sciences including Indo-Indian Journal of Social in human development and Indigenization of Sciences and Behavioral Research Review. He psychology in India. has visited various Universities in India and He is a member of several Indian and Abroad. foreign professional associations. He was also a member of International Council of Psychologists, U.S.A. (1981-82). He was founder member and Joint Secretary of Community Psychology Association of India (1988-2001), Executive member of Praachi Psycho-cultural Research Association (2001- 05), and Executive member of Indian Psychological Association (1993-94). He has been an Executive member of Uttar Pradesh Psychology Association since 1995 and also a DR. RANJANA AGGARWAL member of Research Board of Advisors (since Recorder 2000) of the American Biographical Institute Section of Chemical Sciences (U.S.A.). He has been nominated as one of the Dr. Ranjana Aggarwal (September 20, 1967) members of the 27 member international Professor, Department of Chemistry,

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Kurukshetra University Kurukshetra obtained journal with high impact factor. She has her M.Sc. (with distinction, 1988) and Ph.D. delivered many invited talks and plenary (1992) from Kurukshetra University. In 1992, lectures at various conferences and Institutes/ she visited Cambridge University, UK as a Universities both in India and abroad. postdoctoral fellow where she worked in the Besides chemistry as her academic area of biosynthesis of erythromycin with Prof discipline, Dr. Aggarwal is actively engaged in James Staunton, FRS. Subsequently, she issues related to women empowerment. She is joined Kurukshetra University as a faculty in a resource person and Master trainer for 1995 and is actively engaged in teaching and Sensitization, Awareness and Motivation (SAM) research with more than 20 years of programme for Women in Higher Education, a experience. Dr. Aggarwal was awarded drive of UGC, initiated by Prof. Armity Desai, Commonwealth Fellowship in 2003 to work former Chairperson UGC. She is Member and again at Cambridge University in Dr. Spencer’s Councillor of Gender Sensitization Committee group on enantioselective synthesis of against Sexual Harassment at workplace of aminolactones. She was a visiting fellow at Kurukshetra University and other state Trieste University, Italy and worked on Universities. antibody catalysis. Her research work is mainly focused on developing green synthetic methodologies for regioselective synthesis of heterocycles of natural and synthetic origins. Commonly employed methodologies involve: mechanochemistry, multicomponent reactions and eco-friendly hypervalent iodine reagents. The bioactive azole compounds have been identified as selective antitumor compounds acting as photonucleases, minor groove binders PROF. PANKAJ K. SRIVASTAVA and caspase inhibitors. 2D NMR spectroscopy Recorder and computational modelling are being Section of Earth System Sciences explored to assign isomers of fluorinated and Born in the year 1966, Prof Srivastava has non-fluorinated compounds without any obtained his Ph.D. degree in Applied Geology ambiguity. from Indian School of Mines Dhanbad in the She has completed five major research year 1991. At present he is working as Professor projects till now. Recently, she was awarded of Economic Geology and Dean Students an International collaborative research project Welfare in the University of Jammu. Prof on development of anticancer agents under Srivastava has served different organizations India Ireland Cooperative Science Programme like Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, by DST, New Delhi and Trinity College Dublin, Dehradun, and University of Rajasthan, Jaipur Ireland. So far, eight students have obtained in different capacities before finally joining their Ph.D. degree under her supervision. She University of Jammu. He has more than 22 has published more than eighty research years of Teaching and Research experience in papers in the National and International the field of Ore Geology, Mineral Exploration,

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Mining Geology, Fluid Inclusions and of assistant professor in the Department of Geochemistry. Metallurgical & Materials Engineering at The main area of his research work involves Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. genesis of hydrothermal mineral deposits with Born on July 07, 1978, Dr. Laha obtained his the help of fluid inclusion and geochemical B.E. degree form Indian Institute of techniques. Tungsten and rare metal deposits Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), associated with acid magmatism are of special Shibpur (formerly Bengal Engineering College) interest to me. Apart from this the gold in 1999 and M. Tech. from IIT Kanpur in deposits of Mahakoshal belt, gem bearing 2002. Dr. Laha received his Ph.D. in 2006 pegmatites, fluorite deposits of Rajasthan, and from Florida International University (FIU), carbonate hosted Pb-Zn and Himalayan magnesite deposits have also been studied Miami, USA in the area of nano-fiber reinforced particularly with reference to evolution of ore metallic nanocomposites. bearing fluids and genesis of these deposits. As a young researcher, Dr. Laha is currently Five research projects and a number of involved in synthesis/development and technical consultancies have been completed mechanics of carbon nanotube reinforced bulk till date. metallic nanocomposites for structure He has 45 refereed publications in scientific application. The processing routes being International and National journals and 4 adopted for the synthesis of these edited books. He has presented more than 75 nanocomposites are thermal spraying, spark papers presented in different international and national seminars. plasma sintering (SPS) and microwave sintering (MWS). Dr. Laha is trying to address Dr. Srivastava is DAAD Fellow and has the very significant and fundamental issues of received a number of fellowships from different “interface engineering of CNT” to promote the organizations. He was the Convener of Children Science Congress in the 101st session bonding between CNT reinforcement and metal of the Indian Science Congress held at Jammu matrix in his work. in 2014. Another research area, which Dr. Laha is exploring presently, is synthesis of Al based bulk metallic glass nanocomposite (BMG-NC) via mechanical allying and spark plasma sintering (SPS). In this work, Dr. Laha is focusing to improve the ductility and fracture toughness of intrinsically brittle Al based BMGs by reinforcing this material with ductile crystalline reinforcement. Dr. Laha is also working in the area of surface engineering DR. TAPAS LAHA and coating, where investigating the Recorder tribological behaviour and interfacial Section of Engineering Sciences phenomena in layered nanocomposite is the Dr. Tapas Laha presently holds the position primary focus. He is involved in an industrial

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problem of steel-rubber interfacial adhesion completed her B.Sc. (Botany Hons.) from SKM improvement, addressed this issue by University, Dumka, Jharkhand. Later on she developing a novel multi-layer Cu-Sn coating did her M.Sc. and B.Ed. from Visva-Bharati strategy and published 5 technical papers in University, Santiniketan, West Bengal. She peer-reviewed international journals based on pursued her M. Phil degree at Rani Durgawati this work. University, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh and was an integral part of the Mycological Dr. Laha has published total 36 research Research laboratory. She conducted her papers in peer-reviewed journal and conference research in Plant breeding and Genetics in proceedings and presented around 40 technical Horticulture from Oregon State University, talks in national and international conferences Corvallis, OR, USA. based on his research work. He has received the “IEI Young Engineers Award 2010-2011”, She has research experience in diverse fields in Metallurgical & Materials Engineering of Life Sciences and extremely motivated discipline, given by the Institution of towards recent developments in this area. For Engineers, India. He was also awarded “The her master’s degree, she chose environmental Outstanding Ph.D. Graduate, Fall 2006” from biology and pollution with special focus on College of Engineering and Computing, Florida ‘‘Jatropha for Biodiesel Production.’’ Based on International University after completion of the results obtained by growing the shrub on his Ph.D. degree. Dr. Laha is involved with different types of soils, it was established that review work in various international journals Jatropha could be cultivated on the dry barren and was selected twice as the “Top 20% wastelands without the use of fertilizers. This reviewer” by Metallurgical & Materials could solve the shortage of fossil fuel issue as Transactions. Dr. Laha is active member in well as address the worsening pollution various professional societies. situation in India. For her M.Phil project, she worked on, ‘‘Gelatin Zymography as a criterion in identification of Chrysosporium species.’’ For the first time, Gelatin Zymography was used to identify species of Chrysosporium. She has several publications in different national journals and conference procedings. After qualifying GRE and TOEFL, she went to USA for higher studies. There, she joined the graduate program in Horticulture Department MAITREE GOPAL TIWARI at Oregon State University (OSU), Corvallis. Recorder She was working on Genetic Mapping for Section of Environmental resistance to root rot desease in snap beans Sciences under vegetable breeding program. She has Maitree Gopal Tiwari was born on 15th strong inclination towards nature and believes December, 1982 in Deoghar, Jharkhand. She sustainable agricultural and human

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development. In her future research, she wants presided Technical sessions and delivered to apply new techniques of molecular biology lectures in them. in ecological studies. Worked as Co-ordinator for National Conference & faculty development program at college level. Joint Secretary of Yashwantrao Chavan Vyaspeeth, (Public Trust) at Ahmednagar engaged in social & educational reforms. Life member of various Professional & Technical societies. Being a professional in computer science and Information Technology Since last 24 years, he has worked in various application areas of the related field in terms PROF. ARUN D. GANGARDE of research, consultancy and Project Recorder Section of Information and Development. About 24 years of Experience in Communication Science & Teaching, Training and Research in the field Technology (including Computer of Computer Science & Information Sciences) Technology. Pioneer in Animation degree in Pune university Education by introducing B.Sc. Prof. Arun Gangarde , MCS, MCM, MBA (Animation) course under faculty of science, from Pune university. At Present Working as the 1st under graduate level Education in the Chairman, Board of Studies in Animation, state of Maharashtra. University of Pune and working as a Associate Professor & Head, Postgraduate Department of MCA New Arts, Commerce & Science College, Ahmednagar (M.S.). He has contributed as an Expert, Observer, Convener in various committees of university. He is member of Board of Studies, Research Committee & Academic Council of Pune University and worked as External Evaluator and / or Visiting Faculty of many colleges, Universities & Institutes., participated in DR. ASHISH KUMAR Designing & Implementation of Computer & Recorder IT related course curriculum for various Section of Materials Science Universities & Institutes, conducted many Dr. Ashish Kumar obtained his M.Sc. development programs for the students of Degree in 1995. After qualifying CSIR-UGC different faculties in affiliated colleges, NET in 1999, he was awarded PhD in 2004 for organized and / or participated in National & his thesis on river water pollution. He started International Conferences and Seminars, his teaching career in 1997. Since 2003 he is

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working as asst. Prof. Chemistry in Agra from University of Delhi in 1999, 2002, 2004 College (one of the oldest educational and 2010 respectively. She has to her credit institutions in India established in 1823). His several research papers published in national research interests include various aspects of and international journals. Her research water pollution. He has presented numerous interest is in Algebraic Coding Theory. She is papers at various national and international recipient of Shri Suresh Bhatia Memorial Gold conferences. He has several research papers Medal (1999), Rai Bahadur Brijmohan Lal in national and international journals to his Saheb Memorial Gold Medal (1999) and Dr. credit. In 2007, he visited University of J.N. Mitra Memorial Prize (1999) for being California, Santa Barbara among other places the best candidate in B.Sc.(Hons.) in in U.S.A. as the member of Group Study Mathematics. She was shortlisted for Young Exchange team. Scientist Award in the Section of Mathematical This year he was selected for Netherlands Sciences (including Statistics) of 96th Indian Fellowship Programme. Under this he was Science Congress 2008 - 2009. She has been a awarded scholarship to attend a course on member of the Jury of INSPIRE AWARD water quality assessment at UNESCO-IHE (DST program) at National Level Exhibition (The Netherlands), which is one of the world's and Project Competition (NLEPC) held in 2012 best institutions on water education. He is the and 2013 at New Delhi. She has participated only candidate selected for this prestigious in several national and international scholarship for this course from India this conferences/seminars. She is currently an year. Apart from above he has visited several Assistant Professor in the Department of countries in four continents. Mathematics at Mata Sundri College for Women (University of Delhi).

DR. RASHMI VERMA Recorder DR. SAMIR KUMAR SIL Recorder Section of Mathematical Sciences Section of Medical Sciences (including Statistics) (including Physiology) Dr. Rashmi Verma did her B.Sc.(Hons.) in Dr. Samir Kumar Sil, did his B.Sc. Mathematics, M.Sc. in Mathematics, M.Phil. (M.B.B.College, Agartala) and M.Sc. in in Mathematics and Ph.D. in Mathematics Physiology from University of Calcutta. He

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did M.Sc. in the year 1988 with first class reregulation of components of signal pathways third position and qualified CSIR/UGC NET in drug induced fibroblast proliferation is of in 1989. He carried out his Ph.D. in the active interest. Department of Human Genetics, Indian Dr. Sil is a member of different academic Statistical Institute, Kolkata on Haemoglobin bodies and scientific organizations. He is related genetic disorder and Genomic analysis. recipient of many honours, awards and Using autosomal and mitochondrial fellowships including ICMR Young Biomedical polymorphic DNA markers Dr. Sil deciphered Scientist award and Overseas Associateship the origin of tribal population of Tripura from by Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India. genetic point of view. Afterwards, he visited He has published his findings in national and Tulane University, USA, to work on international journals. Haemoglobin E, haemoglobinopathy predominantly found in northeastern populations, and malaria.

He joined Tripura University in 1995 and at present he is the Head of the Department of Human Physiology, Tripura University. His research interest revolves around genetic polymorphism and disease susceptibility. Analyzing the sequence of HbV genome, their group has identified a new subtype of HBV DR. PARTHA PRATIM BOSE circulating in the population of Tripura, with Recorder clinical implications. His group is also carrying Section of New Biology (including out molecular typing of HPV in cervical cancer Biochemistry, Biophysics & patients of Tripura and to decipher the Molecular Biology And association of host factors with the disease, Biotechnology) genome wide association study in respect to different stages of cervical cancer is also being Dr. Partha Pratim Bose got his Ph.D in carried out. Another interest of his group is to Chemistry from Jadavpur University, Kolakata assess anti-cancer, immunomodulatory and (2007). He had worked in various renowned wound healing activity of molecules from universities and institutes like Uppsala natural sources especially from medicinal University, Karolinska Institute, Sweden; plants at molecular and cellular level. Using European Institute of Chemistry and Biology, different cell lines (in-vitro) and in-vivo mouse France as post doctoral researcher. In his models two endogenous medicinal plants, P. current assignment, he works as assistant Javanica and E. nummularius, have been professor in the Department of Biotechnology, identified to possess anti cancer activity and National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education were found to induce apoptosis in cancer cells and Research, Hajipur. His current research involving mitochondria. Up or down interest is the development of point of care

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diagnostic platform based on nanotechnological International peer reveiwed journals. She is approach. also reviewer of a number of high impact International journals. She has edited several books/proceedings. She has participated in various National and International conferences and chaired various technical sessions and delivered many invited talks. She has also presented papers in Paris (France) and Dubai ( UAE ). She has successfully completed major research project . She has received Best Poster presentation award in the section of Physics at 90th Indian Science Congress, Jan 2003. PROF. MANISHA GUPTA She had also served several times as sectional Recorder committee member in then Physics / Physical Section of Physical Sciences Science section. Prof. Manisha Gupta, born on Jan 6, 1966, Prof. Gupta has also administrative received her college to university education in experience as Proctor-in-Charge, Additional Lucknow. She obtained her graduate, master’s Proctor, Coordinator, Treasurer, member of and doctorate degree in 1983, 1985 and 1990 several committees in the University. She has respectively from the University of Lucknow, been on the selection Committee for Lucknow. Prof. Gupta joined the department appointments in several Universities. She is of Physics as Lecturer in 1990 and rose to the Life member of various National Scientific position of Professor in 2007. bodies. Prof. Gupta started her research career as JRF (UGC) in 1985 in the department of Physics, University of Lucknow, Lucknow. She has over 25 years research and teaching experience. Her field of research specialization is electrical, acoustical and spectroscopic studies of materials especially industrially important polymers. Prof. Gupta has vast experience of teaching and research having guided 12 students for Ph.D. and evaluated doctoral work of many Ph.D. scholars. She has PROF. (MRS.) SESHU LAVANIA also supervised several Master’s students for Recorder their project work. She has national Section of Plant Sciences collaboration as well as inter departmental Professor (Mrs.) Seshu Lavania M.Sc., collaboration within the University. M.Phil., Ph.D., MNASc, FBS, FLS (London) Prof. Gupta has more than 100 research did her M.Sc., M.Phil. and Ph.D. from Institute papers to her credit in various National and of Advanced Studies, Meerut University,

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Meerut. She joined NBRI,Lucknow for her characterization, (iii) experimental strategy for CSIR Post Doctoral Fellowship. Later in 1985 elicitation of bud-sport formation for mining of she joined as regular faculty in the department de novo diversity, (iv) development of root of Botany at Lucknow University, Lucknow. ideotype concept for vetiver for its dual utilization for industrial and environmental She has 35 years of research experience applications, including root-anatomy bioassay, and published 37 research papers in Indexed (v) proposition of ‘vetiver grass model’ for Journals and one US Patent. She made carbon sequestration in sub-soil horizon, (vi) significant contributions in the area of floral / demonstration of ‘polyploid model’ for fixation vegetative morphology and polyploidy of plants of heterozygosity, and (vii) pinpointing that from phenomics and developmental biology native secondary metabolites in progenitor angle. Her notable contributions are : diploids have decisive bearing on growth (i) identification of an intermediary unique behavior in the derived autopolyploids in form of axio-parietal placentation in Solanum grasses (Cymbopogon Sp.). She is a recipient grandiflorum providing unique link vis-à-vis of Woman Scientist Medal of Indian Botanical placental specialization, (ii) elucidation of Society, King of Thailand Vetiver Award evolutionary significance of trichomes in Certificate of Excellence and Vetiver Network delineating speciation and microtaxonomic International Certificate of Excellence.

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KNOW THY INSTITUTIONS

N ATIONAL ATLAS AND THEMATIC MAPPING ORGANISATION (NATMO), KOLKATA

National Atlas & Thematic Mapping make them aware of the different aspects of Organisation (NATMO), a subordinate office development and plan in the path forward of under Department of Science & Technology, our country through pictorial projection of Govt. of India, is the sole authority of depicting thematic mapping and also in electronic National framework data in the form of (digital) form in Hindi and in all regional thematic maps and atlases to cater the actual languages. The main objective of NATMO is to picture of the development and planning educate the people of India and to make them initiatives of the country among the users. conscious about the changing scenario of the Keeping pace with the modern-state-of-the-art physiographic, hydrologic, climatic, technologies and also to achieve the goal as administrative, political, social, agricultural, per its mission to the path forward in the industrial, cultural and economic changes in arena of geo-spatial technologies, NATMO has the country. The Organization motivates the already progressed a lot in its axis in respect planners and decision makers to use maps as of both, the vertical growth of user base and complimentary documents for developmental demands. It is an opportunity as well as the planning at national, state/ UT, district, sub- responsibility to NATMO to reach the most of division and even at block level. NATMO is the citizens of our country to educate and also the pioneer of Urban Mapping in India.

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Using high resolution satellite data rectified temporary posts and Prof. S.P.Chatterjee was by GPS recordings, large scale city maps are appointed as the Honorary Director of the being prepared with detailed information Project. The institution thus created was collected from field survey. To promote tourism, named National Atlas Organisation from that industry, tourist atlases, maps, trekking route date. The Geography Department of the maps, maps showing the detailed plan/ Calcutta University located at Senate House information on national parks and wild life in those days provided the first shelter to the sanctuaries, etc. are being prepared and also Organisation. being updated on regular basis. It grew in strength in the successive plan periods and took up projects of great national BACKGROUND importance. The Government appointed a The plan of compiling a National Atlas of Review Committee in December 1975 under India was formulated for the first time in this Chairmanship of Prof. George Kurian and as country by Prof. S.P.Chatterjee, the then per recommendation of the Committee, the Professor of Geography, Calcutta University. Department of Science and Technology through A discussion on this subject with late Pandit an order dated 9th August 1978, modified the Jawaharlal Nehru in 1953 resulted in his name of the Organisation as “National Atlas instant approval of the project. The then and Thematic Mapping Organisation Ministry of Natural Resources & Scientific (NATMO)”. Research after consultations with other The total strength of the Organisation is Ministries decided to set up an Advisory Board now 322 persons who are engaged in scientific in March 1954 for formulating a scheme for pursuits for thematic mapping at local, preparation of National Atlas of India. The regional, national & international levels. It Advisory Board gave a favourable report and employs a large number of highly qualified also provided a tentative guide line about the professional geographers, perhaps largest scope and contents of the atlas. Subsequently under one roof anywhere in the world. in April 1954 the same Ministry sanctioned a TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT skeleton staff of 7 posts on a temporary basis PROGRAMMES to help Professor S.P.Chatterjee in giving shape to the Board's suggestions. (a) Brajil & Low Vision Mapping : The small group of workers officially known NATMO has pioneered in the field of as National Atlas Unit drafted maps on various mapping of Braille Atlas and atlas for people topics for the proposed atlas. These were having low vision. In this project maps and examined by different experts in Planning atlases are being prepared using the technology Commission and in the Ministries. The of Braille. For low vision people colour scheme authorities were eventually impressed and has been chosen suitable for them. convinced about the essentiality of the project (b) Large-Scale Mapping : and on August 18, 1956 an order from the Government of India issued by the Ministry of In this cyber age, availability and N.R. & S.R. sanctioning a budget grant of Rs. accessibility of accurate and reliable 12.43 lakhs for 1956-57 was received. The information (both micro and macro level) with order also sanctioned creation of additional 56 geospatial solutions, plays a pivotal role in

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planning and implementation of national published for the users very soon. However, policies in respect of natural resources and revision and updation work on account of management. Effective use of geospatial formation of new districts, are in progress information and technology has become the along with the rest project. platform of solution for different environmental (d) Golden Map Service (GMS) and developmental challenges. But due to Initiative : absence of high-resolution map data in appropriate forms, many planning and Accumulating the cartographic base, development programme are lagging behind generated in pieces over the years under in our country. NATMO has taken initiative several projects, and with the help of the for preparation of large-scale maps (1:10,000 remote sensing data, now available under the scale) on various themes to facilitate micro- Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS) series, level planning like irrigation, agriculture etc. particularly the panchromatic data of IRS 1C, using its own database and technical 1D and P5 along with the recently launched methodology. Cartosat-1 & 2, (the resolution has come to 5.8 and 2.5 metres and 1 metre), NATMO has (c) District Planning Map Series (DPMS) been taken up this project of Golden Map Initiative : Service with the following objectives As per the decision of DCUSPC, NATMO Objective : has been assigned this project by DST in the (a) Primary : To provide location maps of year 1992 and work on the same had been any site of the country in black and initiated in the year 2002 after formulating white on web either by place-names or the detailed specification. Though this project by geographical co-ordinates. was shared between NATMO and Survey of (b) Secondary : To provide route maps India initially, but later on NATMO has been between two points in the country. assigned this project solely. (c) Tertiary : To provide a basis for a variety Objective : of social, economic, administrative To provide a ready-reckoner to the planners, operations related to elections, crime, researchers, students in respect of complete rural marketing, relief and supply etc. geographical, geological, geomorphological, Achievement : demographic, cultural information and features NATMO has almost completed site selection along with administrative boundary, blocks, for GCP for adjustment of GPS data covering speciality, etc. of a particular district both in whole of the country. State/Region wise field paper format and in digitized format both in survey has been going on in the final stage. Hindi and English. GMS-Kolkata, GMS-Mahakashi, GMS-Mysore, Achievement : GMS-Sylvassa, GMS-Gorakhpur, GMS- NATMO has almost completed the project Bharatpur have been published in Themaitc and maps of 260 districts have been published Map (paper print) format during this year. for the users. Digital version of the maps are Conversion and patterning of the digital format also going on in the final stage and will be is going on.

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(e) National Atlas of India Resources, Atlas of Agricultural Resources, Initiative : Atlas of the City of Calcutta and its Environments, Water Resources Development In the year 1956, the then Prime Minister Atlas, Land Resources Atlas, Indian Ocean of India, Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru approved Atlas, Scoio-Economic Atlas, Science & the formation of National Atlas & Thematic Technology Atlas of India, Atlas on Population Mapping Organisation (then it was National Chages in India, Irrigation Atlas of India, Atlas Organisation) and granted the ‘National Hydrogeological Atlases of different states for Atlas Project’ to NATMO. Hence, National the Central Ground Water Board, Integrated Atlas is the flagship publication of NATMO. Water Resources Development Atlas for the Accordingly ‘Bharat Rashtriya Atlas’ first National Commission of Integrated Water published in the year 1957 and its English Resources Development and Plan, Resource Version, ‘National Atlas of India’ was published Profile for Bankura and Kolar Districts (jointly in the year 1986. Since, then this publication with the Centre for Studies in Resource is being updated and revised keeping pace Engineering, IIT, Mumbai) for the NRDMS with the administrative changes in respect of Division, Department of Science & Technology, states, districts etc. Environmental Atlas of India and State-level Objective : maps on Environmentally Sensitive Zones and (i) To have India's National Atlas like the Siting of Industries for the Central Pollution other countries of the world. Control Board, Tribal Map of India (jointly (ii) To depict the country in respect of its with Anthropological Survey of India), Block geology, geography, geomorphology, Maps for the whole State of West Bengal for demography, culture, administration, etc. the Panchayat and Rural Development in thematic map form. Department, Govt. of West Bengal, Forest Achievement : Atlas of India for the Department of National Atlas of India, both in English Environment & Forest; National Cultural and in Hindi version, has been appreciated by Heritage Atlas of India, Historical Atlas of the users of every corner. It is for the vertical India, District level communication and demand of the users, NATMO is still publishing Infrastructure maps of Uttaranchal State, A the editions of the Atlas till today and regular to Z of Kolkata City Map, Natural Resources updation and revision of the same is going on. Atlas of Sikkim (as part of North-East Programme), Desertification Status Maps of (f) Publication of Atlases Balia District (1:50,000 scale), Disaster Keeping in view the success, popularity Management Maps of Maldah, East & West and demand of the ‘National Atlas of India’, Medinipur Districts of West Bengal for the Govt. of India has assigned NATMO the task Relief Department, Govt. of West Bengal, of preparing different atlases on various themes National Atlas of India, Satellite Atlas of India, for various departments and purposes, they School Atlas for the Visually Impaired (in have also become the important publications Eng. & Hindi) ( in two volumes) - A TIFAC of NATMO. Some of those Publications are : sponsored Programme of DST, Electronic Atlas Tourist Atlas of India, Atlas of Forest of India (NRDMS Programme of DST) etc.

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There is ample scope for this organisation of geography use the library for books/ CD, to serve nation through some unique projects topographical sheets, rare maps and remote like School Atlas in different Indian languages, sensing imagery. Archaeological atlas, Anthropological atlas, Vision : Indian Heritage atlas, Micro level maps as an NATMO is also in the process of extension of district planning maps, Landform commencing full-fledged degree and diploma maps etc. All the maps with rich write up can courses on thematic cartography, digital be prepared utilising geographers. cartography, photogrammetry. Collaboration Vision : from various universities in this regard has As there is a full-fledged Digital Mapping been requested through Department of Science System along with necessary peripherals and & Technology, Govt. of India. We are hoping application software in its own, NATMO is in that the courses will be commenced very soon. the process of digitization of all the atlases SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH and maps so that it can be reached electronically to the users in the near future. NATMO employs a large number of highly NATMO has also initiated to prepare Water qualified professional geographers, qualified Quality Atlas of West Bengal (to earmark the statisticians, geologists and cartographers who arsenic-affected region) and Geo-Touristic Atlas are engaged in research for the technological of India (to provide a handy guide to the advancement in the field of cartography in the tourists) during this year. geo-spatial arena. A good number of monographs, papers has been published in TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT FOR this regard which were highly held by the S&T ADVANCEMENT OF THE COUNTRY scholars and different departments of the NATMO also provides training on Thematic country. Cartography, Digital Cartography, INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE AND Photogrammetry, GPS, Remote Sensing and TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION GIS, Aerial Photography, Colour Cartography to the officers and staff of various govt. and NATMO represents in various international private departments, university and college seminars/conferences to promote the use of teachers, scholars and students of the country. geospatial information and technology in Training courses of NATMO are held in high cartography and has also earned honour and esteem by scientific departments and fame in that field. Geo-informatics and Space organizations all over the country as well as Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), abroad. Last year, 450 persons were trained in Government of Thailand has sought NATMO's NATMO. cooperation in developing technologies for NATMO Documentation Centre, Library & creation of data-base, preparation of large- Archive, including its remote sensing archive scale maps, technological support for using provide service not only to officers and staff THEOS data for mapping and also in providing members of the organization itself, but a good training to GISTDA staff on mapping related number of technocrats, professors, post- issues. A MOU has been signed between DST graduate students, under graduate students and Govt. of Thailand in this regard As per

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the MOU signed between Geoinformatics and research activities which will house a complete Space Technology Development Agency, Govt. Digital Map Laboratory and Printing & of Thailand and National Atlas and Thematic Camera Unit. Mapping Organisation, Govt. of India, for Contact : cooperation in the field of Mapping and Prof. (Dr.) V.C. Jha, Director, National Atlas Geospatial Technology Applications, project on & Thematic Mapping Organisation (NATMO), publication of an Archaeological Atlas, jointly Ministry/ Deptt. of Science & Technology, Govt. by NATMO and GISTDA with thematic plates of India, C.G.O. Complex (7th fl), DF Block, using high-resolution satellite data and Salt Lake, Kolkata-700 064, Phone : 033- geospatial technologies, to highlight the spread 23345006/ 6331/ 6459 Fax : 033-23346460 of Buddhism from India to South East Asia. Website: www.natmo.gov.in The project will include India and participating Campus : ASEAN countries is going on. Rashtriya Atlas Bhavan National Atlas & Thematic Mapping Organisation INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT (NATMO), Ministry/ Deptt. of Science & During the year, NATMO has almost Technology, Govt. of India, Block GN-35, completed the construction of Rashtriya Atlas Sector-V, Salt Lake, Kolkata-700 091, Phone : Bhavan to get a wholly dedicated place for its 033-23578401/ 4949

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Conferences / Meetings / Symposia / Seminars

23rd National Laser Symposium, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, December 3 - 6, 2014. Topics : ● Physics and Technology of Lasers ● Lasers in Nuclear Science and Technology ● Laser Materials, Devices and Components ● Non-linear, Quantum and Atom Optics ● Ultrafast Lasers and Applications ● Lasers in Material Science ● Laser in Plasma Interaction ● Lasers in Industry and Defense ● Laser Spectroscopy and Applications ● Lasers in Chemistry, Biology & Medicine ● Laser Based Instrumentation ● Electronics and Instrumentation for Lasers Contact : Shri A. S. Joshi, Convener, NLS-23, Laser Plasma Division, RRCAT, Indore-452013, Phone : 0731-2488461, Email : convenernls23 @ gmail.com

Fifth International Conference on Plants & Environmental Pollution (ICPEP- 5), 3-6 December 2014, Lucknow, India. Topics : 1. Bio-Indication & Bioremediation 2. Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology 3. Environmental Impact Assessment & Eco-Auditing 4. Environment & Biodiversity 5. Plant Responses to Environmental Pollution 6. Climate Change & Human Health 7. Climate Change and Global Food Security

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8. Impacts of Air Pollution & Climate Change on Forest Ecosystem 9. Role of Botanical Gardens in Climate Change Research 10. Environmental Education, Environmental Laws, Outreach & Information 11. Contemporary Environmental Issues : (a) Paleo-environment (b) Environmental impact on cultural heritage (c) Environmental systems and disaster management (d) Hospital wastes management (e) Indoor pollutants (f) Bio-pollutants (g) Bio-energy/Biofuel (h) Sustainable agriculture & food Security (i) Alien Plant Invasion (j) Bio-prospecting (k) Noise pollution (l) Urban pollution & green belt designing (m) New & Renewable Energy Contact : Organising Secretaries (ICPEP-5), Dr. K. J. Ahmad - Dr. R. D. Tripathi - Dr. Nandita Singh, International Society of Environmental Botanists, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute Campus, Lucknow-226001, India E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected], Telephone : +91-522-2297821. (Direct), +91-522-22205831-35 (PBX), Fax: +91-522-22205836, website: http:// isebindia.com.

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investigator for the pulsar-survey project that S & T ACROSS THE WORLD detected the burst. Possible causes, scientists said, include a range of exotic astrophysical objects, such as MYSTERIOUS BURSTS OF RADIO evaporating black holes, mergers of neutron WAVES INDENTIFIED FAR OUTSIDE stars, or flares from magnetars—a type of GALAXY neutron star with extremely powerful magnetic fields. Mysterious split-second pulses of radio The pulse was detected on Nov. 2, 2012, at waves are coming from deep in outer space, Arecibo, with the world’s largest and most and nobody knows what causes them, according sensitive single-dish radio telescope. to astronomers. The result confirms previous estimates that Researchers led by Laura Spitler from the the bursts occur roughly 10,000 times a day Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy in over the whole sky, said the astronomers, who Bonn, Germany say they have found the first inferred the huge number by calculating how so-called “fast radio burst” in the sky’s northern much sky was observed, and for how long, to hemisphere, using the Arecibo radio telescope make the few detections so far reported. in Puerto Rico. The bursts appear to be coming from beyond The mystery is reminiscent of that of the Milky Way galaxy based on measurements gamma-ray bursts, discovered in the 1960s and of an effect known as plasma dispersion. Pulses now thought to come from giant stars that travel through the cosmos are collapsing to form black holes. The new distinguished from man-made interference by phenomenon, in the form of radio rather than the effect of electrons in space, which cause gamma-rays—a different form of light— longer radio waves to travel more slowly. remains an enigma. (Courtesy of the Max Plank Institute for The flashes last only a few thousandths of a second. Scientists using the Parkes Radio Astronomy and World Science staff) Observatory in Australia had recorded such NEWFOUND GENE COULD PLAY ROLE events before, but the lack of similar findings IN AGING FROM BIRTH by other telescopes led to speculation that the Australian instrument might have been picking It’s something of an eternal question : Can up signals from sources nearby Earth. we slow or even reverse aging ? Although The finding at Arecibo is the first detection genetic manipulations can alter some cellular using a different telescope: the burst came from processes, not so much is known about the the direction of the constellation Auriga in the mechanisms of the aging process in living Northern sky, according to the scientists, who things. detail their findings July 10 in the online issue Now scientists have found in animal models of The Astrophysical Journal. that one gene plays a surprising role in aging “There are only seven bursts every minute that can be detected early on in development. somewhere in the sky on average, so you have They say the discovery could point toward the to be pretty lucky to have your telescope possibility of one day using therapeutics, even pointed in the right place at the right time,” some commonly used ones, to manipulate the said Spitler, the paper’s lead author. “The aging process itself. characteristics of the burst seen by the Arecibo This “developmental gene, known as Spns1, telescope, as well as how often we expect to may mediate the aging process,” said Shuji catch one, are consistent with the Kishi, a professor at the from the Florida characteristics of the previously observed campus of The Scripps Research Institute who bursts from Parkes.” led the study, published by the journal PLoS “The radio waves show every sign of having Genetics. “Even a partial loss of Spns1 function come from far outside our galaxy – a really can speed aging.” exciting prospect,” added Victoria Kaspi of the Using various genetic approaches to disturb McGill University in Montreal and principal Spns1 during the embryonic and/or larval

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stages of zebrafish—which have emerged as Physicists think that every particle of useful for studying diseases associated with matter has an antimatter counterpart with development and aging—the scientists said equal mass but opposite charge. When matter they produced some models with a shortened meets its antimatter equivalent, the two life span, others that lived long lives. annihilate one another. But some particles While most studies of “senescence”— might be their own antimatter partners, decreases in a cell’s power of division and according to a 1937 prediction by Italian growth—have focused on later stages of life, physicist Ettore Majorana. For the first time the new study explores early stages. “Mutations researchers say they have imaged one of these to Spns1 both disturbs developmental Majorana particles, and report their findings senescence and badly affects the long-term bio- in the Science. chronological aging process,” Kishi said. The new Majorana particle showed up inside The study found that Spns1, along with a a superconductor, a material in which the free pair of “tumor suppressor genes,” called beclin movement of electrons allows electricity to 1 and p53, can influence senescence through flow without resistance. The research team, two different mechanisms: the Spns1 defect led by Ali Yazdani of Princeton University, was enhanced by Beclin 1 but suppressed by placed a long chain of iron atoms, which are ‘basal’ p53. Spns1 also was found to hinder magnetic, on top of a superconductor made of autophagy, a process whereby cells remove lead. Normally, magnetism disrupts unwanted or destructive proteins and balance energy needs during various life stages. superconductors, which depend on a lack of Building on their insights from the study, magnetic fields for their electrons to flow Kishi and his colleagues noted in the future unimpeded. But in this case the magnetic therapeutics might be able influence aging chain turned into a special type of through Spns1. He said a commonly used superconductor in which electrons next to one antacid, Prilosec, has been shown to another in the chain coordinated their spins to temporarily suppress autophagic abnormality simultaneously satisfy the requirements of and senescence seen in the Spns1 deficiency. magnetism and superconductivity. Each of these pairs can be thought of as an electron (Courtesy of the Scripps Research Institute and an antielectron, with a negative and a and World Science staff) positive charge, respectively. That NEW PARTICLE IS BOTH MATTER AND arrangement, however, leaves one electron at ANTIMATTER each end of the chain without a neighbor to pair with, causing them to take on the Physicists used a scanning-tunneling properties of both electrons and antielectrons— microscope to image a thin chain of iron atoms in other words, Majorana particles. atop a superconductor made of lead (yellow As opposed to particles found in a vacuum, bar). The colors here represent the quantum unattached to other matter, these Majoranas probability that any given spot contains a so- are what’s called “emergent particles.” They called Majorana particle, which is both matter emerge from the collective properties of the and antimatter. The zoomed-in portion shows surrounding matter and could not exist outside that the propability of finding a Majorana the superconductor. particle increases greatly at the ends of the The new study shows a convincing signature wire, as theory predicts it should. of Majorana particles, says Leo Kouwenhoven Since the 1930s scientists have been of the Delft University of Technology in the searching for particles that are simultaneously Netherlands who was not involved in the matter and antimatter. Now physicists have research but previously found signs of found strong evidence for one such entity inside Majorana particles in a different a superconducting material. The discovery superconductor arrangement. “But to really could represent the first so-called Majorana speak of full proof, unambiguous evidence, I particle, and may help researchers encode think you have to do a DNA test.” Such a test, information for quantum computers. he says, must show the particles do not obey

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the normal laws of the two known classes of based on these Majoranas,” Yazdani says. ”The particles in nature—fermions (protons, idea is that such a bit would be much more electrons and most other particles we are robust to the environment than the types of familiar with) and bosons (photons and other bits people have tried to make so far. force-carrying particles, including the Higgs (Courtesy Princeton University) boson). “The great thing about Majoranas is that they are potentially a new class of WHERE DOES EBOLA HIDE ? particle,” Kouwenhoven adds. “If you find a Fruit bats are the most likely carriers of new class of particles, that really would add a Ebola but it is human-to-human transmission new chapter to physics.” that matters most now. The people of Guinea Physicist Jason Alicea of California Institute have been locked in a life-and-death struggle of Technology, who also did not participate in with Ebola virus since last December. Nearly the research, said the study offers “compelling 60 percent of Guineans infected with the virus evidence” for Majorana particles but that “we since then have died. To cope with the should keep in mind possible alternative unprecedented disease, the government went explanations—even if there are no immediately so far as to ban soup made from bats. obvious candidates.” He praised the Why bats? Because three kinds of bats experimental setup for its apparent ability to from the region are believed to harbor the easily produce the elusive Majoranas. “One of deadly filovirus. That’s based on a survey of the great virtues of their platform relative to small animals in Gabon and the Democratic earlier works is that it allowed the researchers Republic of the Congo, where the Ebola to apply a new type of microscope to probe the virus seems to be endemic. The DRC even detailed anatomy of the physics.” hosts the Ebola River that gave the virus its The discovery could have implications for name. (It is a tributary of the Congo River searches for free Majorana particles outside of that gives the country its name.) superconducting materials. Many physicists suspect neutrinos—very lightweight particles Although Ebola does not kill the bats as far with the strange ability to alter their identities, as scientists know, it does kill more than or flavors—are Majorana particles, and humans—the virus has devastated chimpanzee experiments are ongoing to investigate whether and gorilla populations as well. So intrepid this is the case. Now that we know Majorana researchers from the International Center for particles can exist inside superconductors, it Medical Research of Franceville in Gabon set might not be surprising to find them in nature, out to trap small animals that might harbor Yazdani says. “Once you find the concept to be the disease from forest regions that had correct, it’s very likely that it shows up in recently been devastated, starting in 2001. another layer of physics. That’s what’s All told, the researchers gathered 679 bats, exciting.” 222 birds and 129 mice and other small The finding could also be useful for mammals over several years to test for constructing quantum computers that harness evidence of the Ebola virus. A few individuals the laws of quantum mechanics to make from three different kinds of fruit bats tested calculations many times faster than positive for an immune response to the disease conventional computers. One of the main issues or had pieces of its RNA in their cells, although in building a quantum computer is the no one has yet found the actual virus in these susceptibility of quantum properties such as bats. The three fruit bat species are the entanglement (a connection between two hammer-headed bat (Hypsignathus particles such that an action on one affects the monstrosus), Franquet’s epauletted bat other) to collapse due to outside interference. (Epomops franqueti) and the little collared bat A particle chain with Majoranas capping each (Myonycteris torquata). end would be somewhat immune to this danger, All three bats are widespread in Africa, because damage would have to be done to both including the regions of west Africa that are ends simultaneously to destroy any information now afflicted with the disease for the first encoded there. “You could build a quantum bit time, although it is the far western edge of

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their range. All eat fruit and it is unclear how hygiene information. In this case, hygiene or even if the disease jumped from bats to primarily involves staying clear of bodily fluids humans or if there was an intermediate host, from those afflicted with the Ebola virus—and such as apes. Researchers and health officials that involves ending traditional burial practices still do not even know whether bat-to-bat that include a thorough cleansing of the corpse, transmission, bat-to-human transmission or which remains contagious for several days bat-to-other animal-to-human transmission is after death. Other rules are relatively simple: responsible for the beginning of the current wash hands often; do not shake hands; and do outbreak. And it remains far from clear that not eat meat from animals found dead in the bats are the hosts of the deadly zoonotic disease forest. since two similar surveys of thousands of At the same time, however, some of the animals, including bats, at sites where human steps taken by international groups and outbreaks occurred in the past failed to turn national governments, such as quarantines, up any sign of Ebola virus. may have exacerbated the outbreak, according What is clear is that human-to-human to medical anthropologist Barry Hewlett of transmission is the main cause for the Washington State University. Hewlett continuing outbreak this time. A genetic published the definitive account of the local analysis of the virus showed that since at response to such outbreaks in central Africa least May there has been no evidence of any in the late 1990s and early 2000s: “Ebola, crossover from bats or any other animal to Culture and Politics: The Anthropology of an humans. In fact, the disease bears much the Emerging Disease.” Most of those earlier same genetics from Liberia to Guinea, outbreaks stemmed from people finding, suggesting a single jump from some animal to butchering and eating apes found dead in the a human that happened in eastern Guinea. forest, although some seem to have started People afflicted with the disease suffer from with soldiers moving across regions carrying high fever, diarrhea, vomiting, pain and the illness. The key to stopping an outbreak is sometimes bleeding. Contact with such bodily trust, a trust developed between the sick, the fluids is the way the disease spreads from infected, the local populace and authorities, so person to person, with symptoms of infection that hygiene rules can promulgate. Such trust taking two to 21 days to manifest themselves. is easily destroyed by a forcefully imposed In fact, the genetics suggest that the outbreak quarantine that traps the healthy with the in Sierra Leone stems from a single funeral sick, Hewlett notes. held in Guinea in late April, according to a In the 41st week of the outbreak in Guinea paper published in Science Sept 12, 2014 Five the spread of the disease shows no signs of of the co-authors of that paper died from slowing, with the majority of cases to date Ebola in the course of researching the reported in just the last three weeks. Health epidemic’s roots. workers are recording roughly 100 new cases Nearly 8,400 people have now suffered from per week, including in the capital of Conakry. the disease, and almost half (4,033) have died, And it still remains unclear where the virus according to the World Health Organization. came from when it made the leap into humans Those are just the reported cases, so the WHO last December in the forests of eastern Guinea. figures likely underestimate the real impact of “Humans have been responding to deadly the disease. The epidemic has been exacerbated outbreaks for thousands of years,” Hewlett by distrust of government; a persistent rumor notes. “We have minds adapted to deal with that Ebola does not exist still circulates in the them, we have accumulated cultural knowledge region as does one that it was purposefully of options, we have culture to adapt relatively introduced by international medical workers. quickly.” But as it stands, WHO predicts that To counteract these rumors imams in the outbreak will not end before next year— Guinea were tasked with spreading the and that is the best-case scenario. And the message of good hygiene during some 7,000 host of the Ebola virus is still hiding sermons over the recent Tabaski Festival. And somewhere in the forests. the government carried out a coordinated (Courtesy Scientific American, campaign of text messages bearing good Octber 14, 2014)

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