The Bio-Science Group of BARC comprises of five Divisions each having distinct mandates.
■ Radiation Biology and Health Sciences Division: The focus of research at RB&HSD is in the frontier areas of radiation biology for understanding the effect of low- and high LET radiations, chronic and acute radiation exposure, high background radiation, and radionuclide exposure on mammalian cells, cancer cells, experimental rodents and human health. Preclinical and translational research is aimed at development of new drugs and therapeutics for prevention and mitigation of radiation injury, de-corporation of heavy metals and treatment of inflammatory disorders and cancers. We are also studying macromolecular structures and protein-ligand interactions using biophysical techniques like X-ray crystallography, neutron-scattering, circular dichroism and synchrotron radiation, with an aim for ab initio design of therapeutic molecules.
■ Nuclear Agriculture & Biotechnology Division is engaged in improving and developing elite crop varieties through mutation breeding and tissue culture techniques. It is also involved in developing molecular markers, bioreactors, transgenics, biological control for pests and pathogens, biosensors, fertilizer formulations with improved nutrient use efficiency and Nisargruna biogas technology for agricultural and slaughterhouse waste biodegradation. It is primarily involved in activities with great societal impact.
■ Molecular Biology Division is engaged in understanding the cellular and molecular basis of stress response in bacteria, plants and animals. The major emphasis has been on understanding the extraordinary resistance to DNA damage and oxidative stress tolerance in bacteria, and epigenetic regulation of alternate splicing in plants and mammalian cells. MBD employs CRISPR-Cas mediated genome editing technologies in both basic and applied research and is engaged in the development of gene technologies and products for bio-medical applications.
■ Food Technology Division is involved in developing applications of radiation technology for improving food security, food safety and promote international trade of agricultural commodities. It is also engaged in R&D activities pertaining to food science & technology for better understanding of the mechanisms of effect of gamma radiation on food components. Recently, the division is focussing on developing the technologies/processesfor treatment of fruits & vegetables for shelf life extension as well as export.Similarly it has widened the scope of research to develop novel packaging materials, development of novel functional foods and rapid methods for detection of food borne pathogens.
■ Bio-Organic Division is involved in focussed basic and applied research in bio-organic chemistry and biology of contemporary relevance. Directed research is oriented towards cancer targeting agents (radio-sensitizers, chemotherapeutic agents, phytomedicines and nuclear medicines) and other diseases (microbial infection and cardiovascular pathogenesis) in various in vitro and in-vivo models and exploratory organic materials research for application in nuclear fuel cycle and societal benefits.
Generation of structural and functional diversity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in salt tolerant rice by the alternative splicing has been demonstrated.
Generation of structural and functional diversity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in salt tolerant rice by the alternative splicing has been demonstrated.
Generation of structural and functional diversity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in salt tolerant rice by the alternative splicing has been demonstrated.
BARC has supplied more than 1550 quintals breeder seeds of Trombay Groundnut varieities during 2016-2020
BARC has supplied more than 1550 quintals breeder seeds of Trombay Groundnut varieities during 2016-2020
The current focus of the structural biology research at BARC is to understand the functioning of the major drug targets related to HIV/AIDS, cancer, malaria and COVID-19 using multi-disciplinary approaches, including crystallography, solution scattering techniques, biochemical & biophysical methods and computational approaches. The ultimate objective is to utilize the structural knowledge for rational drug discovery. Another area of focus is to do engineering of proteins for potential biotechnological applications.
Glimpses of some of the macromolecular systems investigated at BARC
Rust resistance gene in groundnut has been identified through map based cloning
Rust resistance gene in groundnut has been identified through map based cloning
In collaboration with Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Gandhinagar
In collaboration with BARC Hospital and TMH, Mumbai
A rapid, reproducible and sustainable micropropagation technology for ginger has been developed.
A rapid, reproducible and sustainable micropropagation technology for ginger has been developed.
Intensification in biological properties of chitosan has been observed after γ-irradiation.
Intensification in biological properties of chitosan has been observed after γ-irradiation.
Gamma ray induced dwarf banana mutant (in vitro mutagenesis derived). The mutant is currently under multi-location trial in collaboration with ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Trichy, Tamil Nadu
The guanine quadruplex (G4) DNA structure dynamics and its involvement in the gamma radiation responsive gene expression and radioresistance in Deinococcus radiodurans have been elucidated.
The guanine quadruplex (G4) DNA structure dynamics and its involvement in the gamma radiation responsive gene expression and radioresistance in Deinococcus radiodurans have been elucidated.
CRISPR based vectors with improved features of genome editing have been developed, and gene knockout constructs for mouse and gene silencing technologies in bacteria have been developed
CRISPR based vectors with improved features of genome editing have been developed, and gene knockout constructs for mouse and gene silencing technologies in bacteria have been developed
A thermostable Mn catalase (Kat B) of a cyanobacterium, Anabeana PCC7120 has been functionally characterized and its usefulness for the detoxification of H2O2 in textile industries is under evaluation.
A thermostable Mn catalase (Kat B) of a cyanobacterium, Anabeana PCC7120 has been functionally characterized and its usefulness for the detoxification of H2O2 in textile industries is under evaluation.
BARC has developed a hydrogel with enhanced water holding capacity having applications in agriculture and horticulture
BARC has developed a hydrogel with enhanced water holding capacity having applications in agriculture and horticulture
BRD4 a transcription factor and druggable cancer target has been characterized for its role in alternate splicing (protein diversity) in normal and cancer cells.
BRD4 a transcription factor and druggable cancer target has been characterized for its role in alternate splicing (protein diversity) in normal and cancer cells.
Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) for fruit fly Control has been developed
Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) for fruit fly Control has been developed
Yellow Rust Resistant Mutant lines have been developed in Indian Wheat using DBW88 as parent and are currently in preliminary yield trial at IIWBR, Karnal
Yellow Rust Resistant Mutant lines have been developed in Indian Wheat using DBW88 as parent and are currently in preliminary yield trial at IIWBR, Karnal
RSMS and an uranium cum radiation tolerant bacterium
Chryseobacterium isolated from uranium ore site Domiasat, Meghalaya have been completed and announced through global repository with its GeneBankaccession no RPFK00000000 and PIZV00000000, respectively.
A new mechanism of DNA damage response in the absence of LexA/RecA type canonical SOS response has been characterized in radioresistant bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans.
A new mechanism of DNA damage response in the absence of LexA/RecA type canonical SOS response has been characterized in radioresistant bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans.
RBHSD: Targeted Magnetic Nanoparticles-based Liposomal Formulation for Cancer Chemo-Radiotherapy
RBHSD: Radiobiological Effects of Th-232 and U-238 and Their Decorporation by Efficient Approaches
RBHSD: Development of adjuvant for radiotherapy and radiation mitigator
NABTD:Recent Trombay Crop Varieties
NABTD: Nisargruna biogas technology for agricultural and slaughterhouse waste biodegradation
NABTD: List of Trombay Crop Varieties
NABTD: 62 Trombay crop varieties
MBD: Cyanobacteria in the perspective of fundamental research
MBD: Fundamental research at molecular levels
MBD: Some technologies originated from the fundamental research at molecular levels
BOD: Application oriented products
BOD: Products with therapeutic values
FTD: Food Irradiation Facility, KRUSHAK, Lasalgaon, Nashik
FTD: Gamma radiation processing plants in India
