Latest news with #RajeshSGokhale
News18
24-06-2025
- Science
- News18
Axiom Mission-4's Delay Prompts Scientists To Revise Experiments, Prepare Fresh Samples
Last Updated: The mission had finalised a total of 60 experiments representing 31 countries, including the US, India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria, for 14 days As Axiom Mission-4 continues to face delays, scientists are revising research plans with some experiments now requiring a fresh set of samples. Initially scheduled for liftoff on June 8, liftoff to the International Space Station is indefinitely on hold. 'While the microbial samples can endure extended delays without compromising viability, the stem cell cultures remain stable for only a few days. Beyond that window, they lose experimental value, so fresh samples will need to be prepared and sent once a new launch date is confirmed," said Dr Rajesh S Gokhale, secretary, department of biotechnology (DBT). Of the seven experiments shortlisted by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), at least three were designed by institutes under DBT. Two of the experiments used microbe samples – one to study how microgravity affects edible microalgae, and the other to investigate how photosynthetic cyanobacteria grow when fed with urea versus nitrate – to explore their role in future life-support systems for astronauts. The third experiment is aimed at studying how microgravity affects muscle repair and regeneration, and how metabolic supplements can help. This was based on pre-cultured human muscle stem cells, likely sourced from healthy human donors. Since cultured stem cells have a limited viability window, typically three to eight days, these samples will need to be discarded and used afresh. MISSION AWAITS LIFTOFF DATE To be led by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, the mission has Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as pilot, with two mission specialists from the European Space Agency (ESA) – Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. US-based Axiom Space had finalised a total of 60 experiments representing 31 countries, including the US, India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria, for the 14-day mission, which was initially expected to take off on SpaceX Falcon 9 from Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. It was hailed as one of the most extensive sets of experiments ever planned for a mission aboard the ISS. Some of India's top research institutes, including Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (InStem), and the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) had contributed to the seven experiments shortlisted by ISRO. These included studies on edible microalgae – the tiny, nutrient-rich organisms that could be a future food source for long-term space missions – as well as experiments to improve future life-support systems for astronauts by investigating growth of photosynthetic cyanobacteria, and studying how tardigrades (a type of microbe) survives and reproduces in microgravity. Researchers were also keen to study the cognitive impact of computer screens on astronauts, which will help design more user-friendly spacecraft computers in future. Additionally, there were experiments designed to study how salad seeds sprout in space, and how microgravity affects growth and development of food crop seeds like fenugreek. 'India-centric food experiments including the sprouting of fenugreek (methi) known for its medicinal properties and sprouts will help us explore their behaviour in microgravity. We'll bring the seeds back to Earth for cultivation and assess how microgravity affects their growth across generations. These studies will form the foundation for future space farming," Tushar Phadnis, Group Head for Microgravity Platforms and Research, ISRO, had said earlier. First Published:
Mint
23-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
Indias biotech sector grew nearly fivefold in past decade: DBT Secretary
New Delhi, Jun 23 (PTI) India's biotechnology sector has expanded rapidly in the past decade, with its bioeconomy growing from USD 35.5 billion in 2014 to USD 165.7 billion in 2024, according to Rajesh S Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT). He said the sector is now aiming for a USD 300 billion target by 2030, as scientific advances begin to translate into industrial and public health gains. "Biotechnology is no longer a fringe discipline, it's now a strategic driver for India's economic and health priorities," Gokhale said at a press conference highlighting 11 years of DBT's achievements. Among the standout initiatives is GenomeIndia, a nationwide effort to sequence the genomes of 10,000 individuals from 99 population groups, he said. The data, released earlier this year, is expected to inform personalised medicine and help researchers develop diagnostics tailored to Indian populations. Gokhale also highlighted India's first in-human gene therapy trial using a lentiviral vector for Severe Hemophilia A. India's vaccine response, Gokhale said, demonstrated the capacity of the DBT-backed innovation ecosystem. Under "Mission COVID Suraksha", five COVID-19 vaccines developed with DBT support received emergency approvals, including GEMCOVAC-19, the world's first thermostable mRNA vaccine. Other products include the intranasal COVID-19 vaccine and CERVAVAC, India's first indigenous quadrivalent HPV vaccine, now part of the National Immunization Programme, according to document shared at the briefing. Indian scientists contributed to decoding the complex genome of bread wheat, a global staple crop, and published a reference genome with 94 per cent coverage. Other research showed how Mycobacterium tuberculosis can infect liver cells and undermine TB treatment efficacy, while a study on taurine levels suggested amino acid may influence aging. Gokhale said India's biotech startup landscape has changed dramatically, with over 10,000 startups now in the sector, up from a few hundred a decade ago. Over 800 biotech products have emerged in this period. Through BIRAC, DBT has helped set up 95 bio-incubators across 21 states. Infrastructure investments include India's first dedicated biomanufacturing institute in Mohali and vaccine testing labs notified as Central Drug Laboratories. Speed breeding facilities have also been established to accelerate the development of climate-resilient crops. The BioE3 policy, approved by the Cabinet in 2024, is aimed at fostering high-performance biomanufacturing aligned with Net Zero targets.
