Tag: biotechnology

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Explain the working principle of recombinant DNA technology. Analyse its role in transforming modern pharmaceutical production.

Topic: Re-combinant DNA Technology Q5. Explain the working principle of recombinant DNA technology. Analyse its role in transforming modern pharmaceutical production. (10 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: InsightsIAS Why the question Recombinant DNA technology is central to modern biotechnology, vaccine manufacturing, and biopharmaceutical self-reliance, making it a high-utility GS-3 topic linking science with industrial and …

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Lab-Grown Milk

Source:  BS Subject:  Science & Tech Context: Israel-based startup Remilk has announced the commercial launch of its lab-grown “cow-free” milk from January 2026, marking one of the world’s first large-scale rollouts of animal-free dairy. About Lab-Grown Milk: What it is? Lab-grown milk, or animal-free dairy, is real milk made without cows using biotechnological methods. Unlike …

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Bioactive Peptides

Source:  PIB Context: A study by the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati, has shown that bioactive peptides in fermented foods can have population-specific health benefits, paving the way for personalised nutrition in India. About Bioactive Peptides: What it is? Short protein fragments (2–20 amino acids) formed during fermentation of foods …

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Discuss the advancements in synthetic biology and their applications in India. Analyse the concerns surrounding synthetic organisms. Suggest regulatory frameworks for safe adoption.

Topic: Science & Technology Q5. Discuss the advancements in synthetic biology and their applications in India. Analyse the concerns surrounding synthetic organisms. Suggest regulatory frameworks for safe adoption. (15 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: InsightsIAS Why the question Rapid advancements in synthetic biology and India’s growing focus on bio-economy necessitate analysis of opportunities, concerns, and …

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Genome India Project

Source: ToI  Context: Prime Minister announced the successful completion of the Genome India Project, marking a significant advancement in India’s biotechnology landscape. About Genome India Project: What it is: A national initiative for decoding India’s genetic diversity through large-scale genome sequencing. Launched In: January 2020. Ministry: Funded by the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science …

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RNA Editing

Syllabus: Science and Technology Source:  TH Context: Recently, companies like Wave Life Sciences have made significant strides in RNA editing, with the first clinical application of this technology. About RNA Editing: Definition: RNA editing involves making precise changes to RNA molecules, which carry instructions from DNA to produce proteins. This process allows scientists to correct …

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Centre’s BioE3 Policy: Harnessing Biotechnology for Economic Development

Syllabus: Science and Technology Source: IE Context: The recently launched BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) policy aims to transform manufacturing processes across sectors to be more sustainable and less wasteful, utilizing biotechnology to mimic natural biological systems.   This marks the beginning of the “industrialisation of biology” with potential economic impacts.   BioE3 …

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UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice – Insights SECURE: 30 August 2024

  The Insights IAS Secure Initiative for UPSC Mains Answer Writing practice enables you to practice daily answer writing, enhancing your skills and boosting your scores with regular feedback, expert tips, and strategies. Let consistency be the hallmark of your preparation and utilize UPSC Mains Answer Writing practice initiative wisely   Click on EACH question to …

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Gene-edited mustard

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: IE  Context: Researchers in India have made significant advancements in the breeding of mustard plants to create varieties with lower levels of glucosinolates, compounds that contribute to the pungency of mustard oil and meal. The low-glucosinolate mustard lines were developed using gene editing technology known as CRISPR/Cas9. By editing …

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Metagenome sequencing

  Source: TH  Context: The pandemic led to the development of rapid and unbiased genome sequencing techniques for pathogen surveillance. The metagenomic approach, used to directly sequence patient samples without prior knowledge of the infectious agent, quickly identified SARS-CoV-2 as the cause of COVID-19. This genomic approach, termed metagenomics, has revolutionized pathogen identification and surveillance. …

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A mechanism that quietly removes unfit cells before you’re born

  Source: TH  Context: Research on the early stages of human embryonic development and the role of specific cells known as the inner cell mass has gained importance recently. The inner cell mass contains pluripotent cells, meaning they have the potential to differentiate into all the different cell types that make up the human body. …

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The third patient is cured of HIV: How did this happen and what are its implications?

GS Paper  3 Syllabus: Science and Technology: Biotechnology    Source: Indian Express, Nature   Context: The man referred to as the “Dusseldorf patient” became the third person to have been “cured of HIV” after a bone marrow transplant carrying a specific HIV-resistant – CCR5 delta 32 genetic mutation.   What is CCR5 mutation and how …

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CRISPR

GS Paper  3 Syllabus: Biotechnology   Source: Indian Express  Direction: Biotechnology is one of the favourites for UPSC mains as well as prelims. CRISPR has reached a decade of development this year. Those giving mains this time, plz don’t ignore this topic.  Context: Over the last 3 years, gene-editing technology with nearly unlimited potential has …

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Genomics

 GSPaper-3 Syllabus: Science and Technology   Source: WHO Context: WHO’s Science Council launches report calling for an equitable expansion of genomics. (This article is in continuation of the previous one on CRISPR Gene editing) Genomics is the study of the complete set of DNA (including all of its genes) in a person or other organism. A …

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10 years of CRISPR Gene editing

GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Science and Technology- Biotech   Source: Time Context: 10 years back in 2012, Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier published their finding that CRISPR-Cas9 could be programmed with RNA to edit genomic DNA, now considered one of the most significant discoveries in the history of biology. CRISPR-Cas9: Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats Associated protein 9 CRISPR …

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Norms eased for genetically modified crop research:

GS Paper 3: Syllabus: Biotechnology.   Context: The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has issued guidelines easing norms for research into genetically modified (GM) crops and circumventing challenges of using foreign genes to change crops profile. These guidelines are applicable to all public/private organisations involved in research, development and handling of Gene Edited Plants   Overview …

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Self-replicating mRNA Covid-19 vaccines:

GS Paper 3: Topics Covered: Developments in Science and Technology.   Context: A California based pharmaceutical company has developed ARCT-154, a self-amplifying mRNA vaccine against Covid-19 infection.   Benefits: It offered 95% protection against severe Covid-19 and 55% against Covid infection.   What are mRNA vaccines? An mRNA vaccine use messenger RNA that encodes the …

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