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Snake Venom Neutralising Antibody

Why in News?

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru have successfully developed a synthetic human antibody that can neutralise a potent neurotoxin produced by Elapidae snakes, including species such as the cobra, king cobra, krait, and black mamba. The Elapidae family consists of around 300 venomous snake species found in various habitats worldwide.

What is the New Venom-Neutralising Antibody?

About:

• The IISc research team utilized a proven method for screening antibodies against HIV and COVID-19 to create a new antibody, marking its inaugural use in snakebite treatment.

Methodology:

• The antibody developed targets a conserved area within the three-finger toxin (3FTx) present in elapid venom, despite the presence of variations in this toxin across different elapid species.
• Testing on animal models showed that this synthetic antibody was effective against toxins from the Taiwanese banded krait, monocled cobra, and black mamba, exhibiting nearly 15 times the effectiveness of traditional antivenom, even when administered after some time post-venom injection.

Conventional Antibodies:

• Unlike synthetic antibodies, conventional ones consist of a mixture of various types of molecules, each with different affinities and specificities to the various epitopes of the antigen that stimulated their production.

Need:

• Snakebites result in thousands of fatalities each year, especially in India and sub-Saharan Africa.
• According to a study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), India reported about 1.2 million snakebite deaths from 2000 to 2019, averaging 58,000 deaths annually.
• India is responsible for nearly 50% of all snakebite-related deaths globally.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) has categorized snakebite envenoming as a high-priority neglected tropical disease.

Application:

• Researchers believe that this breakthrough moves us closer to achieving a universal antibody that could offer extensive protection against various snake venoms.

The Untapped Potential of Stem Cells in Menstrual Blood: Research

Why in news?

Recently, Biologist Caroline Gargett identified stem cells within hysterectomy tissue that were traced back to the endometrium.

Demonstration of Cells Self-Renewal & Differentiation Capacity:

• Research utilized proliferation assays and differentiation studies.
• Confirmed the ability of stem cells to self-renew.
• Showed potential to differentiate into various cell types, such as:
  (a) Fat cells
  (b) Bone cells
  (c) Smooth muscle cells

Discovery of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Menstrual Blood:

• Researchers found a subset of endometrial stromal mesenchymal stem cells in menstrual blood.
• This discovery offers a non-invasive method to collect these valuable cells.

Therapeutic Potential: Preclinical studies in animal models indicate that menstrual stem cells may treat a variety of conditions, including:

• Diabetes
• Promoting wound healing
• Repairing damaged tissues

Treatment of Endometriosis: Research suggests that differences in gene expression and cellular morphology between healthy individuals and those with endometriosis could assist in diagnosis and treatment.

Regenerative Medicine:

• Defined as the process of replacing or regenerating human cells, tissues, or organs to restore normal function.
• Involves various biomedical approaches, often utilizing stem cells.

Menstruation:

• A normal vaginal bleeding process that occurs as part of a woman's monthly cycle.
• If no pregnancy occurs, the uterus sheds its lining, resulting in menstrual blood, which consists of blood and tissue.

Endometrium:

• The tissue lining the uterus that thickens in anticipation of pregnancy.
• If a fertilized egg is not implanted, the endometrium thins and is shed during menstruation.

About Stem Cells:

• Stem cells are unique cells capable of generating all other cell types in the body.
• They can differentiate into specialized cells such as blood cells, brain cells, and more.

Types of Stem Cells based on Cell Potency:

• Cell potency refers to the ability of stem cells to differentiate into various cell types.

Types include:

• Totipotent stem cells: Can form any cell, including entire organisms.
• Pluripotent stem cells: Have the potential to differentiate into almost all cell types.
• Multipotent stem cells: Limited to a specific range of cell types, such as mesenchymal stem cells found in menstrual blood.
• Oligopotent stem cells: Can differentiate into a few cell types within the same tissue.
• Unipotent stem cells: Specialized to replace one specific type of cell, like skin cells.

Challenges With Menstrual Stem Cells:

• The field remains underexplored and underfunded.
• Cultural taboos surrounding menstruation, along with gender biases in research funding, pose significant challenges.
• Overcoming these barriers could unlock the full potential of menstrual stem cells in regenerative medicine and women's health.

GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS Mission

Why in news?

The Indian Space and Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to launch its GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS mission on 17th February 2024, aimed at improving weather forecasting and disaster warning capabilities.

Key Highlights of the GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS Mission

• INSAT-3DS will be launched using the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle F14 (GSLV F14).
• The GSLV-F14 is a three-stage launch vehicle.
• The first stage (GS1) utilizes a solid propellant motor along with four earth-storable propellant stages (EPS), which includes structures, tanks, and engines.
• The second stage (GS2) is another earth-storable propellant stage.
• The third stage (GS3) is a cryogenic stage that uses liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid hydrogen (LH2) as propellants.
• This mission marks the 16th flight of the GSLV and the 10th flight featuring an indigenous cryogenic stage.

Payloads of INSAT-3DS:

• INSAT-3DS includes four essential payloads: an Imager, a Sounder, a Data Relay Transponder, and a Satellite-Aided Search and Rescue transponder.

Imager Payload:

• This payload can produce Earth images across six different wavelength bands, enhancing visual data collection for meteorology.

Sounder Payload:

• It features a 19-channel sounder that provides crucial data regarding atmospheric profiles, including temperature and humidity levels.

Data Relay Transponder (DRT):

• The DRT component gathers global meteorological and oceanographic data from various automatic weather stations and relays this information back to user terminals.

Satellite-Aided Search and Rescue (SA&SR) Transponder:

• This transponder transmits distress signals for global search and rescue operations, operating within the ultra-high frequency band.

Purpose and Benefits of INSAT-3DS:

• INSAT-3DS is designed to enhance meteorological observations, improve weather forecasting, and bolster disaster management strategies.
• Funded entirely by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), it continues the lineage of Third Generation Meteorological Satellites situated in Geostationary Orbit.
• It will monitor both land and ocean surfaces, augmenting the capabilities of existing satellites INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR.
• India currently receives weather updates through the INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR satellites, with the latter launched in 2016 as a successor to the former, which entered orbit in 2013.
• This mission will significantly enhance the accuracy of weather forecasts and improve strategies for disaster management in India.
• INSAT-3DS will facilitate better data collection and dissemination from various platforms.
• Moreover, it will improve satellite-aided search and rescue services, thereby enhancing emergency response capabilities.

Bone Grafting Technology

Why in News?

Recently, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Canada-based biotechnology company, Conlis Global, to license an innovative, indigenously developed technology that enhances bone healing and regeneration.

What are Nano Hydroxyapatite-based Porous Composite Scaffolds?

These scaffolds are:

• Biodegradable and possess osteoinductive and osteopromotive properties which support bone regeneration.
• They exhibit high biocompatibility, ensuring effective interaction with osteoblast cells, which are crucial for bone formation.
• The scaffolds provide excellent mechanical strength and facilitate interaction between the polymer network and the solvent.

Characteristics:

• The scaffolds possess properties that significantly promote bone growth.
• Due to their high biocompatibility, they ensure favorable interactions with osteoblast cells, which are essential for the mineralization process during bone formation and remodeling.

Applications:

• These scaffolds are widely used in orthopedic procedures, dental implants, bone graft substitutes, coatings for prosthetic devices, and tissue engineering scaffolds.
• Functionalized scaffolds serve as effective fillers for large-size bone defects without compromising connectivity and structural integrity.
• They improve tissue formation, mineralization, and accelerate the healing process of defects.

What is Bone Grafting?

Bone grafting is:

• A surgical procedure that utilizes transplanted bone to repair and reconstruct bones affected by disease or injury.
• This technique can be applied to repair bones throughout the entire body.
• Surgeons can harvest bone from various parts of the body, such as the hips, legs, or ribs, for grafting purposes.

Objective:

• The main goal of this technology is to address the limitations of existing remedies.
• Conventional alternatives may lead to complications such as infections or immune responses.
• This innovative approach allows for the delivery of bone-active molecules, antibiotics, or other medications to combat bone-related issues and facilitate the reconstruction of irregular bone defects, including dental applications.

Functions:

• This technology promotes bone regeneration in a biocompatible manner, acting as a carrier for bone-active biomolecules and delivering them directly to the implant site.
• The material represents a promising solution for reconstructing and repairing bone defects while overcoming the drawbacks associated with existing technologies.
• Functionalized scaffolds can effectively fill large bone defects, maintaining connectivity and structural integrity, as well as enhancing oxygen and blood circulation, thereby promoting tissue formation, mineralization, and rapid healing of defects.
• Additionally, they can serve as bone substitutes, addressing the limitations of autografts.

Google DeepMind’s SIMA and AlphaGeometry

Why in news?

Recently, Google DeepMind unveiled its advanced AI products based on Predictive AI Models, prominently featuring SIMA (Scalable Instructable Multiworld Agent) and AlphaGeometry. These innovations, along with OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini, have attracted considerable attention from various sectors. Companies and researchers, particularly in the oil and gas and pharmaceutical industries, are increasingly adopting Generative AI or Predictive AI for purposes such as oil exploration and drug discovery.

What is SIMA?

• Overview: SIMA is an AI agent that distinguishes itself from traditional AI models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Google Gemini. Unlike these models, which are trained on extensive datasets and have limitations in autonomous functioning, SIMA can actively process data and take actions independently. It serves as a game-enhancing AI, improving the overall gaming experience.
• Functionality: SIMA functions as a generalist AI agent capable of performing diverse tasks. It acts like a virtual companion, able to comprehend and execute instructions across various virtual settings, from exploring enigmatic dungeons to constructing elaborate castles.
• Understanding Commands: SIMA is trained to interpret human language, allowing it to grasp commands like "build a castle" or "find the treasure chest" accurately. This ability to understand context is a distinct feature of the AI agent.
• Adaptive Learning: A notable characteristic of SIMA is its capacity to learn and adapt through user interactions. This means that its performance can improve over time based on the tasks it engages in with users.
• Training Process: Google DeepMind collaborated with eight gaming studios to train SIMA using nine different video games, including Teardown and No Man’s Sky. During this training, SIMA acquired skills such as navigation, menu usage, resource extraction, and spaceship operation. It was also tested in four research environments, one of which was the Construction Lab in Unity.

What is AlphaGeometry?

• Specialization: AlphaGeometry is a specialized AI system created to address complex geometry problems. In contrast to general-purpose AI models like ChatGPT or Gemini, AlphaGeometry is specifically designed for geometric reasoning tasks.
• Technology Integration: This AI combines advanced neural language modeling with a symbolic deduction engine focused on algebraic and geometric reasoning. Neural language models are built on architectures inspired by the human brain's structure and function, while symbolic deduction involves logical reasoning using symbols and predefined rules.
• Problem-Solving Approach: When faced with geometry-related challenges, AlphaGeometry first employs its language model to propose possible geometric constructs that could assist in finding a solution. These suggestions guide the symbolic deduction engine, which systematically approaches the problem to derive a solution.
• Performance Evaluation: AlphaGeometry's effectiveness was assessed using a benchmark set of geometry problems sourced from the International Mathematical Olympiads (IMO). It achieved remarkable results, solving a substantial number of problems within the time constraints of the competition, outperforming previous AI systems in geometry and nearing the capabilities of human gold medalists in the IMO.

How Predictive AI Models are Gaining Traction?

• Volcanic Ash Monitoring: Companies like Moscow-based Yandex are employing advanced mathematical models and neural networks to create interactive maps for real-time tracking of volcanic ash dispersion. This technology enables timely responses from authorities and communities to ashfall, ensuring public safety and protecting infrastructure.
• Oil and Gas Exploration: Major players in the oil and gas sector are investing in AI strategies for both upstream (exploration) and midstream (pipeline and logistics) operations. AI algorithms analyze historical surveys and exploration data to identify patterns, predict potential reserves, optimize extraction techniques, and cut costs. For example, Shell and Saudi Aramco are utilizing generative AI tools to enhance subsurface imaging, assess drilling plans, and make accurate forecasts for refined products.
• Medicine Research: Neural networks are increasingly applied in drug discovery processes to create predictive models that evaluate the properties of chemical compounds and their effectiveness against specific diseases. Pharmaceutical companies like Merck are leveraging machine learning to refine their drug discovery efforts, resulting in new methodologies for assessing chemical compounds.
• Collaborative Research Initiatives: Projects like the European Union’s MELLODDY Project aim to bolster predictive models through federated learning, which maintains data privacy while pooling resources for improved research outcomes.

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