inStem scientists’ research can prevent, treat colitis

inStem researchers have isolated a microbial metabolite responsible for protecting the integrity of the gut lining and have also made a synthetic analogue of it. In both in vitro and in mice, the natural and the synthetic metabolites were able to prevent and treat colitis by repairing the gut lining leakage and reducing inflammation. Researchers … Continue reading inStem scientists’ research can prevent, treat colitis

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Bengaluru team identifies novel mutations that influence bipolar disorder, schizophrenia

Bengaluru-based researchers have identified 42 rare mutations that influence clinical outcomes in bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and psychosis. These mutations are in the genes which are implicated in very severe mental disorders. The researchers are planning to incorporate the genes with mutations into brain cells to understand how the variants affect the working of the cells. … Continue reading Bengaluru team identifies novel mutations that influence bipolar disorder, schizophrenia

inStem’s skin gel may protect farmers from toxic pesticides

A team led by inStem researchers has developed a gel for topical application to prevent organophosphate-based pesticides from causing any adverse effects including death. The gel hydrolyses ester found in pesticides into acid thereby making the pesticides inactive and harmless. When applied on rat skin, protection lasted for four days at a stretch. Trials on … Continue reading inStem’s skin gel may protect farmers from toxic pesticides

inStem team finds how colour-blind flatworms choose colours

When flatworms (planarians) choose one colour over the other, they are not truly sensing colour. They are comparing the two lights and converting the difference in effective intensity of light into clear behavioural choices. In a seminal work, Bengaluru-based researchers have found that flatworms (Schmidtea mediterranea), which are highly averse to light and move away … Continue reading inStem team finds how colour-blind flatworms choose colours