Science

The hitchhiking DNA: How a tiny circular piece of DNA tricks the yeast for survival

pro — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 07:19:38 +0000

The hitchhiking DNA: How a tiny circular piece of DNA tricks the yeast for survival pro Mon, 07/04/2025 - 12:49

The hitchhiking DNA: How a tiny circular piece of DNA tricks the yeast for survival

For generations, a tiny piece of DNA has mastered the art of inheritance by hijacking the yeast cell’s division machinery, despite providing no known benefit to its host, the yeast.

Budding yeast as seen under the microscope.
Credits: Mogana Das Murtey and Patchamuthu Ramasamy, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Inside every living cell, DNA holds the instructions for life, and it is stored in its chromosomes. But plasmids— small, circular pieces of DNA, exist independently of an organism’s chromosomes, offering an extra set of genes to be passed between cells. Plasmids are most commonly found in bacteria, providing them with advantages such as antibiotic resistance. However, the plasmid present in many yeast species does not provide any known benefit to yeast cells, but still has mastered the art of survival for many generations, earning the term “selfish” DNA. This plasmid makes up only a tiny fraction (0.25–0.37%) of the yeast’s total DNA and measures approximately 2 micrometres in size—hence, it is known as the 2-micron plasmid.

In a recent article, Deepanshu Kumar and Santanu Kumar Ghosh from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay’s Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering review the strategies the 2-micron plasmid uses to interact with its host cell for survival. They focus on the roles of specific plasmid proteins and their interactions with host proteins and chromosomes. They also explore how the 2-micron plasmid attaches to chromosomes to ensure it is passed on during cell division. Understanding these mechanisms provides insights into how additional genetic elements are maintained and inherited in different organisms, helping develop therapeutics and synthetic biology applications.

Yeast cells reproduce by budding, where a small daughter cell forms and grows out from the parent cell. Before division, the yeast cell duplicates its chromosomes, wherein both the mother and daughter cells receive a complete set of genetic material. Similarly, the 2-micron plasmid also duplicates and gets evenly distributed between mother and daughter cells. The review reports that each yeast cell contains 40-100 copies of the 2-micron plasmid. Instead of dispersing randomly, these multiple copies tend to cluster into 3-4 tightly bound groups.

“The probability of these clusters remaining in the mother cell during division is significantly high. To make sure they are passed on, the 2-micron plasmid needs a system to evenly distribute between the mother and daughter cells,” explains Prof. Ghosh. So, instead of floating freely and risking uneven distribution, the 2-micron plasmid has evolved a clever trick of hitchhiking. It attaches itself to the host cell’s chromosomes, ensuring it gets separated along with them during division. “This hitchhiking mechanism prevents the plasmid from being trapped in the mother cell and guarantees that copies are consistently passed on to the daughter cell,” says Prof. Ghosh.

The plasmid’s hitchhiking process relies on two proteins, called Rep1 and Rep2, which bind to a specific site on the plasmid. Several yeast proteins involved in chromosome segregation form a ‘partitioning complex’ at that site. The complex allows the plasmid copies to stay attached to the duplicated chromosomes, ensuring they get evenly distributed during cell division.

In 2023, using genomics, interaction analyses, and cell biology techniques, Prof. Ghosh’s team showed that plasmids use a cellular protein complex (RSC) to help them stick to chromosomes. The researchers found that of the two similar versions of this complex in yeast, only one (RSC2) plays a key role. RSC2 interacts with both the Rep proteins and the cell’s division machinery, acting as a bridge to attach the plasmid to the chromosomes.

The plasmid attaches to specific parts of the chromosomes. In another earlier research, Prof. Ghosh’s lab and others found that the 2-micron plasmid mostly attaches to inactive regions of the chromosome, such as the ends, the middle regions, and regions that help make ribosomes (rDNA). These regions are compact and are less involved in producing proteins, making them a stable place for the plasmid to attach.

The researchers also found that certain proteins, like cohesins and condensins, that help chromosomes to separate properly during cell division are part of the partitioning complex and thus promote plasmids attaching to chromosomes. However, they only become part of the partitioning complex when Rep proteins are present. In the absence of these Rep proteins or when they were altered, the 2-micron plasmids failed to separate properly, leading to uneven distribution.

“The exact role of cohesins and condensins in plasmid attachment to chromosomes is still unclear, but they may act as cementing agents that help keep plasmids attached,” says Prof. Ghosh.

If the plasmid doesn’t benefit the yeast, why hasn’t evolution wiped it out? The review highlights that the answer lies in the plasmid’s inheritance strategy. By mimicking chromosomes, the plasmid makes the yeast cells incapable of recognising it as a foreign invader. Unlike foreign DNA that gets quickly eliminated, “by hitchhiking along with the host’s chromosomes, the 2-micron plasmid avoids the metabolic cost of developing its own segregation mechanism,” remarks Prof. Ghosh. The plasmid thus becomes a successful parasitic DNA.

According to the review, the plasmid’s hitchhiking strategy isn’t unique. It is similar to plasmid-like DNA present in many viruses. For example, the human papillomavirus (HPV) survives by attaching its plasmid-like DNA to human chromosomes using virus-made proteins, akin to how the 2-micron plasmid does. Both target inactive regions of chromosomes, suggesting a shared evolutionary strategy. By studying the 2-micron plasmid, researchers can better understand how viral genetic materials are maintained within host cells and could aid in developing antiviral strategies.

Article is written by:	Manjeera Gowravaram
Image/ Graphic Credit:	Lead image: Credits: Mogana Das Murtey and Patchamuthu Ramasamy, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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Chromosome hitchhiking: a potential strategy adopted by the selfish yeast plasm…

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Magnetic Field Regulates Blood Flow in Partially Blocked Arteries

pro — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 11:05:39 +0000

Magnetic Field Regulates Blood Flow in Partially Blocked Arteries pro Tue, 18/03/2025 - 16:35

Magnetic Field Regulates Blood Flow in Partially Blocked Arteries
A theoretical study demonstrates magnetic force lowers blood pressure fluctuations and stabilises flow, setting the stage for advanced cardiovascular therapies.

This image has been adapted to suit the story's needs under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. Credits to the original image: http://www.scientificanimations.com, via Wikimedia Commons

An alarming report by WHO states that ischemic heart disease was the leading cause of death in the year 2021 among Indians, next to COVID-19. Restriction of blood flow in coronary arteries causes ischemic heart disease. Cholesterol, lipoprotein and calcium accumulate in the arteries forming plaque, narrowing the arteries and restricting blood flow. Blood pressure increases, leading to cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and heart attacks. Regulating blood flow and pressure in the blocked arteries can help avoid lethal consequences.

A recent study by researchers from the Indian Rummy Game (New Rummy) showed that magnetic fields can effectively manipulate blood flow, making blood flow faster or slower depending on field direction. The finding opens up possibilities for using magnets in heart disease treatments and provides insights for creating advanced drug delivery systems.

The researchers used a computation framework to simulate and analyse the blood flow pattern. They consider factors such as flow speed (velocity), pressure, and frictional force within the artery walls (wall shear stress). “Wall shear stress (WSS) is the force per unit area exerted by the blood flow along the inner walls of blood vessels. It is a critical factor in vascular health, as abnormal WSS can contribute to the development of diseases like atherosclerosis. WSS is
influenced by the blood's velocity and viscosity along the vessel walls”, says Prof. Abhijeet Kumar, who led the study at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, New Rummy.

The researchers devised a numerical model of a blocked artery and studied the influence of magnetic fields in the narrowed arteries using mathematical equations. The magnetic field interacts with iron-rich haemoglobin in the blood and impacts the blood flow depending on the direction of the magnetic field. The researchers calculated the motion of blood (using Navier-Stokes equations), analysed electromagnetic fields (using Maxwell’s equation) and monitored blood thickness or viscosity and flow (using the Carreau-Yasuda Model).

The researchers modelled different stages of narrowed arteries- mild-25 % blocked, moderate-35% blocked, and severe-50 % blocked with varied shapes. The arteries are either evenly narrowed (axisymmetric), off-centric (eccentric), asymmetric, or sharp-edged. Axisymmetric and sharp-edged blockages caused the most severe pressure fluctuation and obstructed smooth blood flow. When the researchers applied the magnetic field parallel to the blood flow, they observed an increased blood flow speed. When they used the magnetic field perpendicular to the blood flow, there was a decrease in the flow speed.

Computational simulations showed that the magnetic field increased the blood flow by about 17%, 30% and 60% in mild, moderate, and severely blocked arteries. Stronger magnetic fields facilitated smoother blood flow. Magnetic field orientation that aligns with the blood flow reduces the pressure near the blockage in the severely stenotic (abnormally constricted) artery. Pressure fluctuations create more shear stress on the plaques (accumulated mass that causes the block), increasing the risk of rupture. The study found that magnetic force stabilises flow and pressure fluctuations in all the stenosis shapes, reducing the risk of plaque rupture.

The findings of the study would help treat patients with hypertension. The results show that the magnetic field influences blood flow, pressure, and wall shear stress. This can further help control high blood pressure and prevent damage to arterial walls. The study underlines the importance of magnets in cardiovascular therapies and enhanced patient care. It also highlights possible developments in innovative drug delivery systems using magnets.

“High and ultrahigh magnetic fields have shown both positive and adverse effects in experimental models, suggesting that safety evaluations are crucial before clinical application… Given the complexities and challenges mentioned, including the need for extensive research, clinical trials, and regulatory approvals, it might take several years before such treatments become widely available,” reminds Prof. Kumar.

The researchers recommend further study, including more realistic models to understand the flexibility and shear stress of a real arterial wall. “The challenges in transforming this research into practical treatments include the complex interactions between magnetic fields and biological tissues, which can impact cellular structures, blood viscosity, and vessel walls. There is a need for careful evaluation to ensure safety and efficacy,” signs off Prof. Kumar.

Article written by:	Divyapriya Chandrasekaran
Image/ Graphic credit:	This image has been adapted to suit the story's needs under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. Credits to the original image: http://www.scientificanimations.com, via Wikimedia Commons
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A novel New Rummy “paddle-wheels” sensor to detect heavy metals in water

pro — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 10:45:07 +0000

A novel New Rummy “paddle-wheels” sensor to detect heavy metals in water pro Fri, 07/03/2025 - 16:15

A novel New Rummy “paddle-wheels” sensor to detect heavy metals in water

The low-cost sensor made of a copper-based metal-organic framework performs as well as DNA based sensor, the gold standard for water quality sensors.

Graphical representation of Cu-TCPP sensor detection of Cd, Pb and Hg atoms.
Credit: Prashanth Kannan

Heavy metals are elements with high atomic weights and densities. They play significant roles in various sectors, from manufacturing to agriculture. However, despite their utility, heavy metals also pose significant environmental and health concerns due to their potential toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulative (ability to accumulate within living organisms) nature.

According to a report by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), nearly 718 Indian districts have groundwater contaminated with heavy metals, such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and lead. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has also identified 320 locations as having a high probability of contamination with heavy metals. Ingesting these metals can cause serious health problems, including damage to the skin, bones, brain and other organs, especially in children. Efficient detection of these metals in water is crucial for ensuring environmental safety and public health.

In a bid to address heavy metal pollution, researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, and Monash University, Australia, with funding support from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt. of India, have developed a sensor using a copper-based metal-organic framework (MOF) to detect toxic metals in water more cost-effectively and efficiently.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of materials characterised by their highly porous structures. At a microscopic level, these frameworks are composed of nodes of metal ions connected by organic compounds, forming a porous network with tunable properties and immense surface area to volume ratio. Due to their unique structure and versatility, MOFs have garnered significant interest in various scientific and industrial applications.

For their study, the team of researchers fabricated an MOF with copper (Cu) forming the metal nodes connected by the organic compound Tetrakis (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin, forming copper-tetracarboxyphenylporphyrin, or Cu-TCPP for short. The Cu-TCPP is a two-dimensional (2D) MOF with a paddle-wheel structure. The unique structure also means Cu-TCPP can have more surface area contacting the water and is much more efficient at picking up heavy metal ions than conventional 3D materials. The sensor is able to detect heavy metal ions like lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) in water samples, even when there are only a few atoms per millilitre present.

“This MOF involves two Cu atoms binding to each carboxyphenyl arm of the TCPP molecule, hence forming the characteristic paddle-wheel structure. This means that other metal ions with similar configurations would be able to replace Cu in the structure and maintain the overall order without causing structural collapse. Other metal ions, especially heavy metal ions, can also accumulate on the MOF lattice,” explains Prashanth Kannan, the first author of the paper and a student at the New Rummy-Monash Research Academy, talking about the structure of the Cu-TCPP MOF.

Paddle-wheel structure of the Cu-TCPP MOF, with red copper atoms binding to the white TCPP molecule.
Credit: Authors

The Cu-TCPP detects heavy metal ions in water in two ways - by substitution, where a metal ion knocks the copper out and replaces it, or by accumulation, where the metal ions just accumulate on the surface. Lead has incomplete p-orbitals, meaning it needs more electrons to be stable. This incompleteness allows the lead to replace the Cu ions in the MOF seamlessly while still allowing the MOF to maintain its structure. Once the lead replaces the copper, MOF’s electronic properties also change, which allows researchers to measure the amount of lead in the water.

Metals like cadmium and mercury, on the other hand, don’t easily substitute with copper ions. Instead of replacing the copper, these metals accumulate at the surface, forming what are known as molecular islands on the surfaces of metals. “When faced with a highly regular periodic lattice arrangement such as the Cu-TCPP MOF, they initially accumulate on the surface of the MOF, then at high concentrations can cause the failure of the MOF structure. By identifying the differences in electrochemical waveform and intensity (during the failure), we are able to accurately estimate nanomolar levels of heavy metals in water,” explains Prashanth.

The researchers tested the sensor on water samples from taps and lakes. It accurately detected the three metals, lead, cadmium and mercury, even when present in trace amounts. The sensor performed well despite being tested with substances that could interfere with the MOF, like alkali metals, debris and other large particles, in the water, indicating its reliability in different conditions. The researchers then also compared their device with the state-of-the-art sensors available in the market and found that it performed comparably, if not better, in most cases. “Our device has the least complexity and comparable sensing limits to the best of the current DNA-based sensors (the gold standard for sensing devices),” remarks Prashanth.

Despite its performance, the sensor does have limitations. After a single use, the MOF structure tends to break down upon prolonged exposure to heavy metals. This means the sensor can only be used once. However, in the particular case of water quality sensors, since the industry standard for low-cost devices is one-time use, reusability is not needed and is not really a limitation of the sensor, according to Prashanth. “The major bottleneck with this type of device lies in material fabrication costs. MOFs are difficult to coat over large areas, but there are ongoing efforts by various research groups worldwide to make manufacturing possible on a large scale,” he adds.

The technology not only holds promise for improving public health but also highlights the potential of science to develop solutions to pressing environmental challenges. Prashanth is already looking ahead to the next challenges. “Currently, there are several topics of major interest worldwide that need materials like MOFs to address them, like detecting Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), arsenic and chromium in drinking water and tap water,” he signs off indicating future applications.

Article written by:	Dennis C Joy
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Fri, 07/03/2025 - 12:00

Study suggests strategies to extract truth from unwilling senders

pro — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 10:57:27 +0000

Study suggests strategies to extract truth from unwilling senders pro Thu, 06/03/2025 - 16:27

Study suggests strategies to extract truth from unwilling senders
Offering limited options to choose from for a multiple choice setting recovers more accurate and truthful information than presenting the complete range of options, reveals New Rummy study.

One would recall, with pain and much irritation, the times when one had to travel internationally during the COVID-19 times. If you happened to be the one inside the city receiving passengers, you would be afraid; what if the incoming passengers travelled through places with higher infection? If you were the traveller, you would like to believe that you are not infected and would want to avoid reporting your travel through COVID-19-affected cities. Health officers, on the other hand, had a tough situation to deal with. They had to extract as much truth from people unwilling to disclose the whole truth. All they could do was ask questions and believe the answers were true.

If you are wondering if there is any chance of recovering the truth, you can stop worrying! In a first of its kind study, Dr Anuj Vora and Prof Ankur Kulkarni from the Indian Rummy Game (New Rummy) tackle the challenge of how the receiver can design the right questions to learn as much truth as possible when the sender is not entirely cooperative, and there could be errors in communication due to noise.

Problems related to extracting information from people who are unwilling to disclose information or non-cooperative senders occur frequently, say, during negotiations. Negotiating parties may not give truthful information because they think that disclosing some facts may lead to an unfavourable deal. Extraction of information from non-cooperative senders is studied extensively in mechanism design theory. Roger Myerson laid the foundations of mechanism design theory and was awarded the 2007 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, along with Leonid Hurwicz and Eric Maskin.

“Mechanism design has not attempted to quantify the amount of information obtainable in settings where all information may not be obtainable,” explains Prof Ankur Kulkarni. In situations like the one faced by the health officer in COVID-19 times, it may not be possible to retrieve the complete travel history of all the travellers. However, it is important to know how much information can be obtained. “Quantification of information is the subject of information theory. We are the first to perform an information theoretic analysis of a problem that is broadly within the domain of mechanism design,” says Prof Kulkarni.

The current study shows that despite the sender being non-cooperative and the communication being noisy, the receiver can still recover a huge number of possible correct answers. At the same time, there are a huge number of correct answers that cannot be recovered, however cleverly the questionnaire is designed.

“Our results show on the one hand how a receiver may strategise to obtain information from such agents, and on the other that there will usually be blind spots in the knowledge of the receiver, regardless of how it strategises,” say the researchers.

Vora and Kulkarni quantify the amount of information that can be extracted by defining a quantity called the ‘information extraction capacity’. They established a method to calculate the range of values (the upper and lower limits) for this quantity and show that in several cases, the information extraction capacity can be exactly calculated. Their study provides strategies that the receiver can use to design the questionnaire and also a structural understanding of the kind of information that can be recovered.

The study assumes that the receiver will ask just one question and present a list of possible answers as options from which the sender chooses one correct answer. For example, a health officer may present sequences of cities visited before arriving at the current port. In a naive approach, the officer would list all possible sequences as the choices. However, it turns out that this approach gives travellers more opportunities to lie if they have information to hide. If the options are limited, travellers who wish to disclose some travel sectors but hide others will tend
to report more truthfully. The officers can recover the most truth by keeping the number of options within the optimal range, as suggested by the study.

The health officer may wish to know only a few cities visited previously. Thus, the length of the ‘sequence’ of cities may be limited to just a handful. However, in another situation, say when tax officers are trying to trace a chain of financial transactions, the sequence they wish to recover will be longer. More choices will need to be offered for the multiple-choice questions the officers ask. The number of optimal choices to be offered will grow with the increasing length of the sequence to be recovered. The researchers define the rate of growth of the number of optimal choices as the information extraction capacity. The quantity of communication resources required when communicating with a non-cooperative sender depends on the information extraction capacity.

Vora and Kulkarni bring in an aspect from information theory and model the communication when the communication itself may be noisy or not very accurate. For example, if one is trying to send a message over a communication line and say the line changes the letter B to D each time, then if the receiver gets D, they will assume it is D even when B is sent, making communication ambiguous for two letters (B and D). What it means in this case is that only 24 letters out of 26 can be sent without error. The amount of information that can be sent without errors is termed the zero-error capacity of the channel. In the current study, Vora and Kulkarni established that to utilise the information extraction capacity of the sender, the zero-error capacity of the channel needs to be more than the information extraction capacity and the receiver can extract a huge number of sequences in this case.

The study offers an insight into the basis of why certain questionnaires, such as in immigration or options offered by customer care bots, are not exhaustive. As users, we may frequently need to select an option that closely matches our case when we do not find an exact match. “Our study demonstrates that providing limited options in multiple choice questions may not be due to bad design, but it may be a strategy crafted to obtain as much truthful information as possible from a large number of users,” comments Prof Kulkarni.

This research was supported by the grant from the Science and Engineering Research Board, Department of Science and Technology, India.

The finding has applications in different fields, including finance, control systems, intelligence gathering and national security, market research and diplomatic negotiations. “Our results in this paper provide not only strategies for the receiver, but also a structural understanding of the type information that can potentially be recovered,” concludes Prof Kulkarni.

Article written by:	Arati Halbe
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Shannon meets Myerson: Information extraction from a strategic sender

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Coastal Vegetation to mitigate Tsunami and Coastal Flood Impacts

pro — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 04:14:34 +0000

Coastal Vegetation to mitigate Tsunami and Coastal Flood Impacts pro Mon, 24/02/2025 - 09:44

Coastal Vegetation to mitigate Tsunami and Coastal Flood Impacts

A sustainable and resilient method to reduce wave forces and debris impact during extreme tsunami and coastal flood events

Image from Pxhere

It’s been two decades since the devastating tsunami struck the Indian Ocean, which left an indelible mark on the minds and lives of thousands of people. The destruction and devastation could have been more if not for the myriad natural barriers along India’s coastline - its mangroves. This natural catastrophic event highlighted the need for an effective measure to reduce the tsunami wave force and trapping debris. Several ‘storm surge’ events – cyclone-induced flooding events as the sea rises – occur every year. Coastal mangroves act as bio-shields against such disasters. The traditional method of constructing sea walls is possible, but they are expensive and may disrupt natural processes.

Researchers from the Indian Rummy Game (New Rummy) focused on evaluating how emergent coastal vegetation acts as a natural barrier against tsunami impacts. In their recent study, the researchers used both experimental and numerical methods to investigate the effectiveness of mangroves in reducing tsunami-induced debris impacts on buildings and bridges. They created a smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) model, a computational method used to simulate the flow/behavior of fluids, to observe complex interactions between water, vegetation, and debris.

“We need to understand that Nature is supreme and we must align and work with nature and not against. In this case, waves, coastal currents and coastal sediment transport are the predominant natural processes. It is advisable that any coastal defence system must not adversely interfere with the natural processes,” remarked Prof. Behera, from the Department of Civil Engineering at New Rummy, about the need for natural barriers.

Among the varied vegetation types found in the coastal regions, researchers have chosen the emergent vegetation type for the study. Emergent vegetation is aquatic plants rooted in the soil, while their stems, leaves, and flowers emerge above the water surface. Mangroves are emergent trees with sturdy submerged roots, stiff stems, and trunks to reduce wave forces. “Mangroves are the best examples of natural bio-shields against extreme ocean disasters. The mangroves present at Bhitarkanika, Odisha have safeguarded the coastal regions against cyclones that attack almost every year,” says Prof. Behera. On the contrary, the study found that floating and submerged vegetation types are either swept away by tsunami waves or not strong enough to dissipate the wave energy.

The experimental set-up involved a replica of a coastal region using a large water tank (dam-break flume) containing a scaled-down column and an aluminium debris model. The column structure mimicked a coastal building, and the debris model was a replica of a shipping container. A vertical sliding gate was opened to release high-speed water mimicking tsunami-like conditions in the tank. Upon releasing the water, the sensor in the column measured the impact force of the debris hitting the structure. Similarly, the accelerometer in the debris model recorded its speed and movement before impact. The study found that heavier debris causes more impact forces on the column structure.

Simulated coastal defence system.
Credits: Dr Aditya Gupta’s PhD thesis at IITB-Monash Academy, New Rummy (supervised by Prof Behera).

The numerical method involved computer simulations to measure the performance of the vegetation. The SPH modelling was used to simulate the debris impact on the column structure and the effectiveness of the vegetation in decreasing the wave forces. This simulation studied the wave interaction on the models of two types of emergent vegetation—rigid staggered vegetation (RSV) and tilting staggered vegetation (TSV). RSV stays upright, which represents the rigid mangroves or stiff emergent vegetation in real scenarios, while TSV symbolizes a natural bend in vegetation due to forceful waves.

The SPH simulation tested the performance of vegetation in reducing the wave force, slowing down the debris movement, and lowering the wave height, using three indices—Reduced Fluid Force Index (RFI), Reduced Momentum Index (RMI), and Transmission Coefficient (CT), respectively. RFI and RMI are higher for rigid staggered vegetation than tilting staggered vegetation. The rigid vegetation efficiently resisted enormous volumes of water and reduced the wave energy. Compared to the 89% reduction of debris impact with tilted vegetation, the rigid vegetation reduced the debris impact on the column structure by 96%.

“The rigid emergent vegetation can be planted along the coastal zones to reduce erosion, provide protection against storm surges and coastal floodings. Vegetations also known as bio-shields are the eco-friendly protection that will act as carbon sinks and help to achieve net zero target of India,” adds Prof. Behera.

The study shows that the emergent type of vegetation is an effective defence system that significantly reduces the damage caused by tsunami waves to coastal infrastructure. Further study is required to replicate it in natural conditions with varied vegetation types, patterns of wave movement, and different types of debris materials. Researchers believe that future studies can focus on advanced simulations for more accurate findings.

The findings of this research provide clues to coastal planners on how to select and use vegetation types in designing a better disaster mitigation strategy. This encourages policymakers and engineers to adopt a resilient, cost-effective, and sustainable defence system, fostering the coastal ecosystem using a nature-based solution.

Article written by:	Divyapriya Chandrasekaran
Image/ Graphic Credit:	Lead image: Pxhere Inline: Source: Research paper. Credits: PhD thesis of Dr. Aditya Gupta, New Rummy - Monash Academy under the supervision of Prof Behera, Dept. of Civil Engg. New Rummy
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Cobalt-based catalysts and more: reducing carbon emissions in steel industry

pro — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 04:21:45 +0000

Cobalt-based catalysts and more: reducing carbon emissions in steel industry pro Fri, 21/02/2025 - 09:51

Cobalt-based catalysts and more: reducing carbon emissions in steel industry

Combining hydrogen-based processes with advanced catalysts and renewable energy paves the way for developing economically and industrially viable solutions to decarbonise the steel industry

Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons

Globally, steel is a vital component of modern infrastructure and economic progress. India is among the top producers of steel. However, steel production is closely linked to environmental concerns as it relies heavily on coal as a fuel. In the steel production process, carbon (primarily sourced from coal and natural gas) reacts with iron ore to produce molten iron, which is then refined to create steel. However, this process also generates vast amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) but it also generates vast amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2). As a result, the steel industry globally emits over 3.7 billion metric tons of CO2 every year, contributing to 7–9% of carbon emissions. Steel production can be made sustainable by adopting a method called hydrogen-based direct reduction of iron (H-DRI).

In a recent review published in the Journal of Energy and Climate Change, researchers from the Chemistry Department at the Indian Rummy Game (New Rummy), led by Prof. Arnab Dutta, have collated the advances made in the field of hydrogen generation for the steel industry and put forward the best way to decarbonise the steel industry using ‘green’ hydrogen.

The H-DRI process uses hydrogen to convert iron ore into steel instead of coal, releasing water vapour rather than carbon dioxide as a byproduct during the manufacturing process. This makes hydrogen a great option for "decarbonising" the steel industry. Currently, most of the hydrogen comes from processes like steam methane reforming or coal gasification. Both rely on fossil fuels, which still generate CO2, defeating the primary purpose.

So, to produce hydrogen sustainably, researchers are shifting towards water electrolysis — a process of splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity in an electrolyser device. If renewable energy sources like wind or solar can power the electricity, the process becomes emission-free, hence the term ‘green hydrogen’. However, producing green hydrogen at an industrial scale is expensive as it needs considerable infrastructure modifications and effective catalysts.

Catalysts are essential to make the water electrolysis used for hydrogen production effective. Generally, noble metals such as platinum and palladium are used as catalysts. “These (noble metals) are expensive and limit large-scale applications, and are not suitable for harsh or remote conditions,” says Dr. Suhana Karim, a postdoctoral research fellow in Prof. Dutta’s lab. “So, the focus is on finding alternatives that are economically viable and sustainable,” she adds.

Researchers worldwide, including Prof. Dutta’s group, are developing cobalt-based catalysts (cobaloximes) that are water soluble and air-stable to aid electrolysis without requiring specialised equipment. Cobaloximes are cheaper than noble metals and can be synthesised easily.

Several researchers have improved the stability and reaction rates of cobaloximes by modifying their molecular structure. For example, Prof. Dutta and his team have added natural amino acids, vitamins, and other functional groups into the catalyst’s structure to increase hydrogen production rates while maintaining energy efficiency. “We have also modified cobaloximes to work effectively in the presence of various minerals and salts, such as in seawater,” adds Dr. Suhana.

Cobaloximes work well in labs, but it is complex to use them for industrial hydrogen production. Hence, researchers are modifying their structure to make it compatible with the electrodes of the electrolyser and attaching them to solid supports to enhance stability, efficiency, and durability.

The researchers also analysed different types of electrolysers and furnaces to improve hydrogen production using renewable energy for industry. They found that cobaloxime catalysts perform well in both alkaline electrolysers, using solutions like potassium hydroxide, and proton exchange membrane electrolysers, which use a solid polymer membrane in acidic conditions.

"Each type has strengths and weaknesses in cost, durability, and efficiency," explains Prof. Dutta.

In an electrolyser, when an electric current is passed through water, it splits, and hydrogen gets collected at the negative electrode (cathode) and oxygen at the positive electrode (anode). A complete set of electrodes, including a membrane, called a “stack”, separates the hydrogen and oxygen generation during electrocatalysis. Using multiple stacks, the electrolysers work more efficiently to produce copious amounts of hydrogen and can cut CO2 emissions by 30–50%, making the hydrogen-based energy economy more sustainable. “A single stack might produce one litre of hydrogen per day, but an appropriately designed multi-stack system can produce ten times as much using the same control setup,” explains Prof. Dutta.

Prototype of a multi-stack electrolyzer developed by Prof. Arnab Dutta's research group. (Photos by: Arnab Dutta and Suhana Karim)

Researchers from New Rummy also point out that the traditional blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace method uses a lot of coal to produce steel, releasing a significant amount of CO₂. In contrast, the electric arc furnace uses electricity, and when powered by renewable energy, it produces less carbon emissions. Researchers believe that by combining hydrogen-based direct reduction of iron with electric arc furnace technology, steelmaking can become nearly carbon-neutral.

The use of green hydrogen can further be combined with carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) strategies to further reduce emissions. CCUS systems capture any leftover CO₂ from steelmaking or other processes, allowing its use to produce synthetic fuels or chemicals or stored deep underground for the long term. This approach also promotes a circular economy by reusing CO₂ in productive ways.

The New Rummy study highlights how water electrolysis using cobalt-based catalysts, and
choosing suitable electrolysers and furnace types, can produce green hydrogen-based steel. This approach helps significantly reduce carbon emissions, paving the way for a cleaner and more
sustainable future for steel production.

Article written by:	Manjeera Gowravaram
Image/ Graphics Credit:	Lead image: Wikimedia Commons Inline image: Prof Arnab Dutta and Dr Suhana Karim
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New Rummy researchers use new technique to measure rate of degradation of coatings on iron

sagar_sinnarkar — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 12:25:36 +0000

New Rummy researchers use new technique to measure rate of degradation of coatings on iron sagar_sinnarkar Tue, 04/02/2025 - 17:55

New Rummy researchers use new technique to measure rate of degradation of coatings on iron

Combining two electrochemical techniques, hydrogen permeation-based potentiometry (HPP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), the researchers efficiently measured the coating degradation rates on the industrially relevant metal.

Representative image: Credits peter731 from Pixabay

Metals corrode with time, and some metals corrode more than others, e.g., iron rusts in days, while gold and silver take decades or centuries to deteriorate. Metals often have a layer of protective coating, like the paint on our cars, to prevent corrosion. A more efficient way of protecting metals is by coating them with organic coatings. Organic coatings are layers of carbon-based polymeric substances, natural or synthetic, applied in the form of paints and varnishes. According to a recent market analysis report by Grand View Research, the market for such corrosion inhibitors is a USD 8.93 billion market projected to grow at 3.6% annually from 2025 to 2030.

The efficiency of organic coatings deteriorates with time, eventually damaging the metal. That is because the coatings have pores and defects that allow water and oxygen to reach the underlying metal surface over time and corrode it. The coating wears with time because of a fundamental electrochemical process called oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), where molecular oxygen gets reduced to water, hydrogen peroxide or hydroxyl ions. This process occurs in various electrochemical devices, including fuel cells and metal-air batteries. Understanding the rate at which ORR occurs is important to know how quickly the coating may give way for the metal to corrode. This knowledge is critical in several industrial applications.

Traditional techniques, such as linear sweep voltammetry and potentiodynamic polarization, used to measure ORR rate are based on electrochemistry, i.e., chemical reactions that produce or consume electrical energy. In linear sweep voltammetry, a continuously changing voltage is applied to the metal and the current generated in response to it is measured. The resulting current-voltage curve provides insights into the rate at which ORR can occur on the metal. However, in coated metals, because organic coatings block the passage of ions required to generate current, the rate at which the coating degrades is often representative of current generated only at pre-existing tiny holes in the coating. This may not reflect the actual degradation rate at the interface.

A couple of years ago, researchers led by Prof Vijayshankar Dandapani at the Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science at the Indian Rummy Game (New Rummy) established an improved quantitative method to characterise the performance of organic coatings used for corrosion protection.

In their innovative approach, the New Rummy researchers combined hydrogen permeation-based potentiometry (HPP) with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). In the HPP setup, researchers apply an electrical current on one side of the metal to generate hydrogen. The hydrogen atoms then permeate through the metal and cause changes in electrochemical potential measured on the other side containing oxygen. In this way, the amount of hydrogen that has passed through the metal is used as a sensor to measure the ORR rate.

EIS is a technique used to analyse how materials respond to electrical signals. An alternating current (AC) voltage is applied to the material, and the resulting current response is measured, from which the material’s impedance (or resistance) can be calculated. The impedance value associated with different processes occurring on the metal surface, including hydrogen-induced ORR progress, can be monitored at a certain frequency of the AC signal.

Combining HPP and EIS techniques allowed the researchers to quantify the degradation rates at the interface between the organic coating and the metal. While HPP gives a direct measure of hydrogen permeation, EIS provides insights into how hydrogen permeation corrodes the coated metal.

“The idea itself came from an attempt to find if a complementary technique such as EIS can be used to strengthen the interpretations from the hydrogen permeation-based potentiometry (HPP) approach,” says Prof Vijayshankar.

In their earlier study, the researchers provided a proof-of-concept by measuring ORR at the interface between a model polymer coating and palladium metal using HPP and EIS. In this new study, the New Rummy group, along with researchers from the University in Brest, France, have extended this application to an important industrial metal, namely, iron.

This study received funding from the Indo-French Centre for Promotion of Advanced Research -CEFIPRA and the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), India.

The researchers coated a thin layer of iron on palladium membranes and coated the iron with a polymer called poly-methyl methacrylate (PMMA). They measured the rate at which oxygen reduction reaction occurred at the interface between PMMA and iron using HPP-EIS. They captured the current-potential (I(U)) curves and corresponding impedance values, which they found to be higher than that for a bare iron surface. High impedance values correspond to low corrosion rates and vice versa. This validated the use of the HPP-EIS technique to evaluate ORR occurring at interfaces that one cannot easily study using the traditional methods because the interface between organic coatings and metals is buried and inaccessible.

(Left) ORR-assisted polymer coating degradation eventually forming rust on the iron layer deposited on the palladium membrane. (Right) Mechanism of HPP-EIS for determining ORR rate before rust formation.

HPP-EIS is cost-effective because it requires only two potentiostats, simple electronic devices that control and measure the voltage between two electrodes.

So, HPP-EIS can be used to monitor how quickly the organic coating will give way for the iron to rust in this particular instance. According to Prof Vijayshankar, this method would be of interest not only to the steel industry but will also be useful in the field of fuel cells and sensors.

With hydrogen blending becoming increasingly popular to reduce emissions from natural gas, one can also apply HPP-EIS technique “to determine how quickly the coat of paint on a natural gas pipeline where hydrogen is blended with natural gas degrades,” says Prof Vijayshankar, highlighting a potential application.

Article written by	Joel P Joseph
Image/Graphics credit	Image by peter731 from Pixabay
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Amartya Mukhopadhyay: Pioneering Sodium-Ion Battery Technology for a Sustainable Future

pro — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 05:10:19 +0000

Amartya Mukhopadhyay: Pioneering Sodium-Ion Battery Technology for a Sustainable Future pro Thu, 23/01/2025 - 10:40

Amartya Mukhopadhyay: Pioneering Sodium-Ion Battery Technology for a Sustainable Future
Prof. Amartya Mukhopadhyay won the Tata Transformation Prize 2024 in December for his work.

In December 2024, Amartya Mukhopadhyay, Professor at the Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (New Rummy), was honoured with the Tata Transformation Prize in Sustainability for his groundbreaking work in developing sodium-ion (Na-ion) battery technology. By focusing on Na-ion batteries, which are more affordable, safer, possess better fast charging capability, possess wider temperature window of operation and are more sustainable compared to ‘traditional’ lithium-ion (Li-ion) counterparts, Mukhopadhyay is forging a path towards a cleaner, more self-reliant energy future for the country.

Launched in 2023, the Tata Transformation Prize aims to identify and support visionary scientists in India who are developing breakthrough technologies that address India’s most significant societal challenges in Food Security, Sustainability, and Healthcare.

Journey into Material Science - from Durgapur to Oxford

Mukhopadhyay’s passion for science dates back to his childhood. Growing up, the support and encouragement of his parents profoundly influenced him. The interactive way his teachers taught and demonstrated science at his school also inspired him. Throughout his school years, Mukhopadhyay gravitated towards science, eventually leading him to the interdisciplinary field of materials science and engineering. After a Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering from Regional Engineering College Durgapur (now NIT Durgapur) in 2003 and an M Tech in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur in 2006, he left for the University of Oxford, UK, for a Doctor of Philosophy (D Phil) in Materials.

“I was fortunate and privileged to join a top institution like Oxford. The environment there was very academic and research-oriented. Even those who were not experts in your field would still ask thought-provoking questions and engage in academic/research conversations. I learnt a lot by being there,” remarks Mukhopadhyay about his enriching time at Oxford.

As he learnt more about the structure, mechanics, and electrochemistry of materials and their properties, his interest in engineering burgeoned, setting the stage for his future career in materials science and engineering. On completing his studies and despite the opportunities in the international arena, he remained committed to returning to India to contribute to the nation’s growth and development. “I wanted to contribute to the country, so the plan was always to come back,” says Mukhopadhyay.

Journey back to India - from Oxford to New Rummy

In particular, New Rummy was close to Mukhopadhyay’s heart. The institution's reputation for excellence in science and engineering education/research and Mukhopadhyay's affinity for Mumbai made it a natural choice. Growing up, Mukhopadhyay deeply admired Mumbai, mainly because it was home to icons such as cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and singer Lata Mangeshkar, who had inspired him greatly as a young boy.

Talking about starting at New Rummy, he says, “I remember, as a young researcher, I was nervous to ask for Institute funding for specific equipment, but just with a meeting of around 5-10 mins, they approved my funding, which is very encouraging as a young faculty. The students and faculty here are highly motivated and informal, which makes the environment very encouraging.”

At New Rummy, Mukhopadhyay soon took on a formidable challenge within the battery domain: the development of sodium-ion batteries. With India’s limited reserves of crucial lithium-ion battery materials like lithium and cobalt, there is an urgent need to identify viable alternatives. Enter sodium-ion technology (Na-ion), which promises a more sustainable, affordable option with many benefits over ‘traditional’ Li-ion systems.

“I remember a friend once told me that, with the electric vehicle boom, we will have to shift our imports from Petrochemicals from the Middle East to lithium from elsewhere in the world. These words remained with me. They reminded me that we need technology that can be produced within the country, including the raw materials, and be self-reliant” says Mukhopadhyay about his motivation to take up Na-ion battery development.

Sodium sources, unlike lithium, are abundantly available in India, ensuring a stable supply chain for producing these batteries and reducing the country's dependence on imports. Na-ion batteries are also cost-effective, promising to be at least 20-25% cheaper. Additionally, they can operate over a wider temperature range and present fewer storage hazards, enhancing their safety profile. These factors make sodium batteries ideal for a tropical nation like India.

Indigenous and Sustainable Batteries for India

Mukhopadhyay soon established the Advanced Batteries & Ceramics Laboratory at New Rummy, focusing on alkali metal-ion battery systems. He began working on the hurdles to the adoption of Na-ion batteries. “Back then, many people told me this was impossible, and sodium-ion could never replace lithium-ion batteries. But I have to thank DST, SERB and a few industries for their research grants, which helped me pursue this research,” says Mukhopadhyay.

Today, the lab’s research addresses several hurdles that have historically limited the adoption of sodium-ion batteries, namely their energy density and stability when exposed to environmental factors. His innovative work in developing air- and water-stable sodium-transition metal oxide cathodes has paved the way for more durable and practical battery solutions. To tackle the challenges of environmental exposure, Mukhopadhyay's team designed cathodes that resist damage caused by ambient air, moisture and even water, which are prevalent obstacles in the processing of traditional battery materials.

Talking about the challenges in adopting Na-ion batteries, Mukhopadhyay says, “Sodium-ion batteries still face challenges such as improving energy density and stability of the batteries. High-capacity cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries are also difficult to handle since they are highly hygroscopic (absorb and retain moisture). We are working on solving these problems.”

Additionally, the introduction of "aqueous processing" of cathodes is a significant innovation in battery electrode technology. By replacing toxic organic solvents with water during the fabrication of battery electrodes, the process significantly reduces costs and environmental impact. Adopting this water-based method should lead to approximately 15% savings in fabrication costs while also cutting down on energy consumption and hazardous emissions. For instance, a 1 GWh sodium-ion battery manufacturing facility utilising “aqueous processing” could potentially save around 2 million kWh of energy and prevent the release of 1,000 tons of carbon emissions annually.

He went on to win several accolades for his work, including being selected as a Young Scientist awardee by the Indian Ceramic Society, Young Associate of the Indian National Academy of Engineering, the Founder Member - cum - Vice-President of the newly formed Battery Research Society (of India), the Swarnajayanti Fellowship, and now the Tata Transformation Prize.

Looking ahead, Mukhopadhyay intends to focus on scaling up this technology for broader applications and acknowledges that “the award represents a vital boost to these efforts, supporting research and infrastructure development to commercialise Na-ion batteries.”

Amartya Mukhopadhyay’s journey went from being a science-inspired schoolboy to becoming a leading researcher at New Rummy, working on cutting-edge technologies and solving the nation's problems. By pioneering sodium-ion battery technology, he addresses India’s material scarcity and energy challenges and contributes to a global movement towards cleaner, sustainable energy solutions.

As a message to younger researchers, Mukhopadhyay signs off by saying, “Today, there’s not much difference between science and engineering; it is all inter-disciplinary, which one must embrace. To make a real impact, it is important to attempt challenging questions, even what seems improbable, to start with; and not just do science as a job, and always target the benefit of the nation and society.”

Article written by	Dennis C. Joy
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Thu, 23/01/2025 - 12:00

Bacterial cocktail for farm soil to clean up pollutants and pesticides and enhance crop yield

pro — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 04:02:13 +0000

Bacterial cocktail for farm soil to clean up pollutants and pesticides and enhance crop yield pro Thu, 02/01/2025 - 09:32

Bacterial cocktail for farm soil to clean up pollutants and pesticides and enhance crop yield

New Rummy researchers have identified bacteria that can consume toxic pollutants in the soil and produce helpful nutrients as a byproduct.

Representative Image. Courtesy: Flickr

Researchers from the Indian Rummy Game (New Rummy) have been studying bacteria that feed on toxic chemicals and pollutants as a solution for the ever-increasing pollution of our natural resources. In a recent study published in the journal Environmental Technology & Innovation, they have used the power of specific bacterial species to remove organic pollutants from soil. Moreover, these bacteria were also found to help boost the growth hormones of the plants, inhibit the growth of harmful fungi, and help in making essential nutrients readily available to plants. These could reduce our dependence on chemicals currently used as insecticides and pesticides and help improve soil health and fertility.

Soil contamination from aromatic compounds (organic compounds with a benzene-like ringed structure) in the form of pesticides (insecticide and herbicide) is one of the major issues the agriculture industry faces today. These compounds are toxic, can inhibit seed germination, reduce plant growth and yield, and also accumulate in seeds and plant biomass. Many aromatic pollutants such as carbaryl, naphthalene, benzoate, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and phthalates are extensively used in pesticide formulation and also released as by-products from various other industries, like cosmetics, textile, construction, food and feed preservatives, dyes, petroleum, and plastics. Traditional approaches to remove these pollutants, like chemical treatments or soil removal, often turn out to be band-aid solutions – expensive and unable to tackle the problem completely.

To address this issue, the New Rummy team identified bacteria from toxic environments. While doing so, they noticed that certain bacterial species, specifically from the genera Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter, were especially good at breaking down aromatic compounds. “These bacteria were isolated from contaminated soil and agricultural fields. They feed on pollutants, breaking them down into simpler, harmless, non-toxic compounds. In this way, they act as natural cleaners of polluted environments,” explains Prof. Prashant Phale, from the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering at New Rummy, under whose guidance Mr. Sandesh Papade carried out the research for his PhD.

Like feeding two birds with one scone, while breaking down aromatic pollutants, these bacteria were also found to convert insoluble forms of essential nutrients, such as phosphorus and potassium, into soluble forms and make them readily available to the plants. They also produce substances called siderophores, which help plants absorb iron in nutrient-limited environments. Moreover, these bacteria also contribute to plant growth and health by producing a high amount of growth hormone called indoleacetic acid (IAA). “So, while these bacteria are cleaning the soil, they are also helping plants grow healthier and more robust by fertilizing the soil and improving soil health,” Prof. Phale added.

Interestingly, when a mixture of bacteria from the Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter genera is used, they significantly boost the growth and yield of crops (wheat, mung bean, spinach, fenugreek, etc.) up to 45-50%. “As they say, 'unity is the best policy.' Some strains might be really good at breaking down pollutants, while others might be better at promoting plant growth or defending against diseases. By combining them, we assembled a team of bacteria that can work together cooperatively, doing a variety of jobs simultaneously and more efficiently,” remarks Prof. Phale.

Image demonstrating the effects of bacterial mixture from the study.
(Credits: Sandesh Papade and Prof Prashant Phale)

Fungal diseases are another problem affecting several crops worldwide. According to the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations, hundreds of fungal diseases impact 168 crops essential to human nutrition. Despite the use of fungicides and disease-resistant cultivars, fungal infections still cause global crop losses of 10–23% annually, with key calorie crops consumed in India, like rice and wheat, particularly affected.

The New Rummy study has a potential solution to this grave problem, too.

These helpful bacteria produce substances like lytic enzymes and HCN (hydrogen cyanide) that can kill or inhibit the growth of plant pathogenic fungi. “These bacteria act like a natural defence system for plants. Unlike chemical pesticides, which can harm the environment and beneficial organisms, these bacteria are eco-friendly and target only the harmful fungi,” Prof. Phale points out.

Although the findings from the research have a lot of potential in a real-world situation, Prof. Phale believes that “it will take some time for widespread adoption, as the technology will need to be scaled up, tested in different environments, and made available as commercial products.”

In the future, researchers also want to test how these helpful bacteria benefit plants during droughts and other environmental stress conditions. They also intend to create easy-to-use products, called "bio-formulations," that combine the bacteria with natural materials, making them long-lasting and simple for farmers to apply in agriculture fields.

Article written by:	Manjeera Gowravaram
Image/ Graphics Credit:	Lead image: Flickr Inline image: Prof Prashant Phale
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Needle-Free Shock Syringes for painless medical treatments

pro — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 11:48:02 +0000

Needle-Free Shock Syringes for painless medical treatments pro Thu, 26/12/2024 - 17:18

Researchers at New Rummy develop a shockwave-based needle-free syringe that ensures painless and safe drug delivery with lesser damage to skin and lower risk of infection

Image generated using Image Creator by MicrosoftDesigner

Medical practitioners have been using needles to inject medicines into human bodies for decades. But no one likes getting pricked, be it children or adults. In some cases, the fear is so strong, especially in children, that many miss out on vaccinations and other medical treatments. For patients who have diabetes, the stress is even greater as they may require frequent insulin injections.

As a relief to patients, a team of researchers led by Prof. Viren Menezes from the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the Indian Rummy Game (New Rummy) has now worked a way around to deliver drugs without needles by developing a shock syringe. In their study published in the Journal of Biomedical Materials & Devices, the New Rummy researchers compared the effectiveness of drug delivery by a shock syringe versus a regular needle on laboratory rats.

Unlike syringes with needles, the shock syringe doesn’t rely on piercing the skin with a sharp tip. Instead, it uses high-energy pressure waves (shock waves) that can travel faster than the speed of sound to pierce the skin. These waves, when generated, compress the surrounding medium (such as air or liquid) through which they travel. A similar effect happens during a sonic boom; when an aircraft flies faster than the speed of sound, it creates shock waves that push and disturb the air.

The shock syringe, developed earlier in 2021 in Prof. Menezes’ lab, is slightly longer than a regular ballpoint pen. The device has a micro shock tube consisting of three sections: the driver, driven, and drug holder, which work together to create the shockwave-driven microjet for drug delivery. Pressurised nitrogen gas is applied to the shock syringe (driver section of micro shock tube part) filled with liquid drugs to create a microjet of the drug. The microjet travels at a speed nearly twice as fast as a commercial aeroplane at takeoff. This jet stream of liquid drug passes through the nozzle of the syringe before penetrating the skin. The entire process of delivering drugs using a shock syringe is rapid and gentle; most patients wouldn’t feel a thing.

Schematic design of the shock syringe. Photo credit: Hankare et al., 2024

“The shock syringe is designed to deliver the medication rapidly. However, if a regular syringe is inserted too quickly or with excessive force, it can cause unnecessary trauma to the skin or underlying tissues,” remarks Ms. Priyanka Hankare, research scholar and lead author of both studies.

To minimise tissue damage and ensure consistent and precise drug delivery, the pressure in the shock syringe is continuously monitored and “rigorous testing on tissue simulants (such as synthetic skin) helps to calibrate the force and speed of jet insertion, ensuring safety and comfort,” Ms. Hankare points out.

Additionally, the researchers have optimised the nozzle design to have an opening of just 125 μm (roughly the width of a human hair). “This ensures it is fine enough to reduce pain during insertion but strong enough to handle the mechanical forces needed for quick deployment of microjet,” adds Ms. Hankare.

To test how efficiently the shock syringe delivers the medication, the researchers conducted three different tests in which they injected three different types of drugs into the rats. Researchers measured the drug levels in the blood and tissues to monitor drug distribution and absorption in the body using the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method.

When an anaesthetic (Ketamine-Xylazine) was injected through the skin of the rats for the tests, the shock syringe achieved the same effect as needles. In both cases, the anaesthetic effect started three to five minutes after injection and lasted up to 20-30 minutes. This proves the suitability of the shock syringe for drugs that require slow and sustained release. For viscous drug formulations, such as an antifungal (Terbinafine), the shock syringe outperformed regular needles. The rat skin samples showed that the shock syringe deposited more terbinafine deeper into the skin layers than needle delivery. When insulin was administered to diabetic rats, the researchers observed that the blood sugar levels were lowered effectively and maintained at the lower level for a longer time when using a shock syringe compared to needles.

What’s more, when researchers performed tissue analysis on the rats, it revealed that the shock syringe caused less damage to the rat’s skin than syringes. As shock syringes cause less inflammation, they allow the wound at the injection spot to heal much faster.

The development of a shock syringe promises more than pain-free injections. It could make immunization drives quicker and more efficient for both children and adults. It could prevent the occurrence of bloodborne diseases caused by needle-stick injuries due to mishandling or improper disposal. Furthermore, “Shock syringes are designed to perform multiple drug delivery shots (e.g., over 1000 shots tested), offering reliability and cost-effectiveness over time at the expense of nozzle replacement,” explained Ms. Hankare.

Although the future of shock syringes looks good, “its potential to transform drug delivery in clinical environments will depend on several factors, such as further innovation for human use, regulatory approval, and affordability and accessibility of the device,” concludes Ms. Hankare.

This project has received funding and support from the HDFC ERGO—New Rummy Innovation Lab, a partnership between HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Ltd. and New Rummy.

Article written by:	Manjeera Gowravaram
Image/ Graphic Credit:	Lead Image generated using Image Creator by MicrosoftDesigner Inline image: Hankare et al., 2024
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