[Ip-health] Thus Spake Nobel Laureates-PAULNURSE/DAVID BALTIMORE/ROGER KORNBERG/ROBERT CURL/EDMUND PHELPS

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  NEWS Bulletin from Indian Society For Sustainable Agriculture And Rural D=
evelopment
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  Thus Spake the Nobel Laureates ------

  1. Nobel Laureate PAUL M NURSE - 'Scientists need better dialogue with th=
e public'

2. Nobel Laureate DAVID BALTIMORE -  'We need to engineer the immunity syst=
em'   --- (HIV/AIDS and other diseases)

  3. Nobel Laureate ROGER KORNBERG -  'We can soon unravel the mystery of h=
uman evolution'

  4. Nobel Laureate ROBERT FLOYD CURL Jr -  'Nanotech evolved over billions=
 of years'

  5.  Nobel Laureate EDMUND PHELPS -  More jobs can lead to inclusive growt=
h
-------------------------------------

  Interview with Nobel Laureate PAUL M NURSE

'Scientists need better dialogue with the public'

  http://www.financialexpress .com/news/Scientists-need -better-dialogue-wi=
th-the -public/274263/0

  Posted online: Monday , February 18, 2008 at 0112 hrs IST

  The knowledge of cells and the evolution of life has given mankind the op=
portunity to understand life in a better way. To demystify the complex proc=
ess of nature, biologists need to take the help of scientists from discipli=
nes like chemistry, physics and mathematics, says the British biochemist an=
d president of the US-based Rockefeller University, Paul M Nurse. He was aw=
arded the Nobel Prize in medicine and physiology in 2001, along with Leland=
 H Hartwell and R Timothy Hunt for their discoveries concerning the control=
 of the cell cycle. They identified the key molecules that regulate the cel=
l cycle in yeasts, plants, animals and human beings. These discoveries coul=
d have a great impact on all aspects of cell growth. Defects in cell cycle =
control may lead to the type of chromosome alterations seen in cancer cells=
. Therefore, their research opens new possibilities for cancer treatment. N=
urse was recently in India in the first week of January to participate in t=
he 95th
 Indian Science Congress in Visakhapatnam. In a chat with ASHOK B SHARMA, N=
urse talks about his work on cell division and how his work has emerged as =
the basis for molecular understanding of cancer. Excerpts:

  What excites you the most about your research on human cells?

  I have tried to understand the complexities of life and this led me to ex=
amine the cell, which is the basic structure and functional unit of life.

  A single cell contains many interesting properties. The very functioning =
within the cell is chemistry. The process that occurs within the cell are c=
hemical reactions, but they are organised in such a way to give a biologica=
l cover=97purposeful behaviour like life, ability to reproduce itself, abil=
ity to organise itself in time and space, and also the ability to maintain =
itself. The cell can be considered as a logical computer, processing and ma=
nag-ing information.

  Does it mean to understand life, it's important not only to study biology=
, but chemistry as well?

  The discoveries of the cell, the gene and the evolution, have made this c=
oncept abundantly clear. These discoveries ultimately led to new discipline=
s like biochemistry and molecular genetics.

  In the days to come, biologists will have to seek help from scientists in=
 other disciplines like mathematics, physics and chemistry to unravel the m=
ysteries of life.

  We need to further identify the logical and computational modules that op=
erate in cells and their origin from the underlying molecular, biochemical =
and biophysical mechanisms. We need to work at a range of levels from cells=
 to organisms and ecosystems.

  The principle of natural selection=97the survival of the fittest=97can be=
 seen in cancerous cells. It is a paradox that the very situation, which al=
lowed life to evolve, is responsible for one of the most deadly diseases.

  Why did you select yeast cells to understand cell reproduction?

  I selected yeast because it is a simple organism. I found that basically,=
 a yeast cell has the same body plan as a human cell.

  How did you find the similarities between yeast and human cells?

  About two decades ago, I was interested to know how cell division takes p=
lace in yeast.

  I remember looking at the yeast cells under a microscope. I observed thes=
e becoming bigger, but not splitting into two as they were supposed to do i=
n the process of cell division.

  But I did not give up. I picked up a yeast clone and found these cells at=
 a size smaller than the normal. I found that they divided at a faster rate=
 because the genes that controlled the normal process were altered. I came =
to understand that there was some mechanism, which controlled the overall r=
ate at which cells divided.

  Ten years later, I wanted to learn whether the genes I had earlier discov=
ered as responsible for controlling the division in yeast cells, were also =
responsible for the division in human cells. Hence, I took a yeast mutant t=
hat was defective in controlling the gene and could not divide. Then, I too=
k human genes and sprinkled them on the yeast, just to see whether the yeas=
t cells could take help from human genes. It really worked to my surprise. =
The cell division in yeast did take place and I could see it. I identified =
the yeast gene called CDC2 that controls the progression of the cell cycle =
and the homologous human gene called CDK1.

  The startling similarity between the yeast and human genes that my team d=
iscovered shows that you can use yeast as a good model to study human gene =
function.

  Does it mean that all living beings are somewhat connected? Typically, ho=
w does a cell function?

  Yes, it may be true. Charles Darwin is also right in propounding his theo=
ry of evolution. In the first phase, the cell grows and becomes larger and =
attains a certain size. In the next phase, DNA synthesis takes place and th=
e cell duplicates its hereditary material and a copy of each chromosome is =
formed.
  Subsequently, the mechanism checks whether the DNA replication is complet=
ed and then begins cell division.

  Isn't it difficult for a common man to understand the complexities of the=
 evolution of life?

  Biology is not a mere academic discipline. It is a study that unravels th=
e secrets of nature, creation, evolution and dissolution. To understand the=
 complexities of life and nature, biology should be taught or learnt as a n=
atural phenomenon.

  There should be better dialogue between the scientists and the public at =
large.
  Scientific discoveries have made it easier to understand life as an organ=
ised system with unique structures of cells, genes and natural selection. S=
ince Robert Hooke discovered the cell in 1665, there has been a paradigm sh=
ift in the study of biology.

  The genetic discovery by Gregor Mendel gave the clue to hereditary and co=
mmonality. The principle of natural selection propounded by Charles Darwin =
enabled us to understand genetic changes and evolutionary alterations.
  Since genetic changes and evolutionary alterations could not be reversed,=
 the scientists should modify their functions by discovering products to en=
able mankind lead a healthy and long life.
-----------------------------------------


  Interview With Nobel Laureate DAVID BALTIMORE

'We need to engineer the immunity system'   --- (HIV/AIDS and other disease=
s)

  http://www.financialexpress .com/news/We-need-to-engineer -the-immunity-s=
ystem/271521/0

  Posted online: Monday , February 11, 2008 at 0028 hrs IST

  His research has significantly contributed to an understanding of the rol=
e of viruses in the development of cancer. And for this, David Baltimore, a=
n American biochemist, shared the Nobel Prize for physiology and medicine i=
n 1975 with Howard M Temin and Renato Dulbecco. He is now working to use ge=
ne therapy to build a permanent new generation of immune system. The idea i=
s to deal with diseases like tuberculosis, cancer and HIV.

  Baltimore served as president of the California Institute of Technology (=
Caltech) from 1997 to 2006. He is currently the professor of biology at tha=
t institution. He has also conducted research that led to an understanding =
of the interactions between viruses and the genetic material of the cell. O=
n a recent visit to India, the Nobel laureate spoke to ASHOK B SHARMA on th=
e recent research initiatives he has undertaken to counter diseases like HI=
V and cancer. Excerpts:

  How effectively can we find solution to dangerous diseases like HIV and c=
ancer?

  The immune system in the human body is successful in handling most of the=
 infections and diseases by anti-bodies generated from B-cells, or by activ=
ating T-cells. But in cases of some diseases like tuberculosis and cancer, =
the immune system fails to counteract. We need to do something to engineer =
the immunity system.

  Don't you feel HIV poses a great challenge to the global scientific commu=
nity?

  HIV does pose a great challenge to the scientific community. It is differ=
ent from other viruses. It has a set of genes not found in other retrovirus=
es or in any other virus. Genes in the process encode for proteins that hav=
e special properties=97the DNA in the body and RNA of the virus. HIV proces=
ses proteins secretly and without the knowledge of the immune system. The c=
arbohydrates cover the virus and hide its action and viral proteins are thu=
s protected from actions by antibodies.

  But if the HIV were completely surrounded by antibodies, there would be n=
o scope for it to bind to the cells. The carbohydrate cover has, however, s=
ome crevices (cracks or fissures) on its surface and we are working to find=
 out ways of using smaller molecules, not as big as antibodies, to get insi=
de these crevices.

  Our work is to use gene therapy to make these protective molecules actual=
ly program the immune system. We are also working with a new group who can =
make these binding molecules based on very different structures than antibo=
dies.

  Where and how are you implementing this project?

  I call this process as engineering immunity in the human body. This can a=
lso be effective against cancer. Skirball Foundation funded our project in =
the initial stages and now the Bill Gates Foundation has given us $14 milli=
on.

  But has the project made any progress?

  The surface protein of HIV is a trimer and we have not been able to figur=
e out the structure of the trimer, though the tree-dimensional structure of=
 the monomer has been obtained. We have to fully understand the surface of =
the virus and scientists are working on it to get the clue.

  Is there any other way in which HIV could be tackled?

  Another way to tackle the HIV is to use T-cells. Much of the work done in=
 the last decade was to produce T-cell based vaccines. Merck produced such =
a vaccine and failed. Yet there is hope. Some Companies are engaged in prod=
ucing T-cell based vaccine following different methods. It would take at le=
ast 10 years to prepare such vaccines.

  How you do propose to deal with cancer?

  In the case of cancer, we are engineering T-cells to look for a peptide t=
o which they can bind. Cancer cells make proteins that are different from o=
thers in cell differentiation. The body's immune system is unable to attack=
 tumour cells due to its autoimmunity. Therefore, it is necessary to make t=
he body's immune system to effectively respond to a particular antigen. We =
are trying to get genes for T-cell receptors that allow T-cells to particul=
arly focus on melanoma. This is a joint programme we have initiated with a =
group at UCLA.

  What can India do in the field of research in HIV and cancer?

  With its skilled manpower, India has a lot of potential in research. It i=
s in a position to build great institutions, but unfortunately, there aren'=
t any such great institutions around. India has to create adequate environm=
ent for research. It has to follow the countries, which have created enormo=
us environment for research like the US.

  India faces a lot of challenge in making public healthcare affordable. It=
 has also to make drugs available at cheaper rates. Apart from HIV, cancer =
and tuberculosis, there are quite many other healthcare problems that are e=
merging in India like the recent incidents of bird flu and chikungunya....
---------------------------------

  Interview with Nobel Laureate ROGER KORNBERG

'We can soon unravel the mystery of human evolution'

  http://www.financialexpress .com/news/We-can-soon-unravel -the-mystery-of=
-human-evolution /268788/0

  Posted online: Monday , February 04, 2008 at 0033 hrs IST

  Knowledge of genes is not just the key to unravel the mystery of human ev=
olution. It is also a way to cure diseases arising out of genetic disorders=
 and to prescribe suitable medicines catering to individual's genetic makeu=
p. Promoting this thought process is Roger Kornberg of Stanford University,=
 who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2006, for his studies of how cells=
 take information from genes to produce proteins. The work is important for=
 medicine, because disturbances in that process are involved in illnesses l=
ike cancer, heart disease and various kinds of inflammation. And learning m=
ore about the process is the key to using stem cells to treat disease.

  Roger won the Nobel Prize 47 years after his father Arthur Kornberg recei=
ved it in 1959, in Physiology for his discovery of the mechanisms in the bi=
ological synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). This was the sixth time =
when father and son have won Nobel Prizes. Roger Kornberg's prize-winning w=
ork produced a detailed picture of what scientists call transcription in eu=
karyotes, the group of organisms that includes humans and other mammals. He=
 was recently in India on the occasion of the 95th Indian Science Congress =
in Visakhapatnam in early January, this year. He shed light on how informat=
ion is taken from genes and converted to molecules called messenger RNA. In=
 an interview with ASHOK B SHARMA, he discusses how the knowledge of genes =
will impact the future of medical therapy. Excerpts:

  What is your take on the mechanism of life?

  The DNA contains instructions for development and maintenance of a living=
 organism. But DNA is alone and is silent and does nothing.

  There is an inbuilt mechanism, which processes this information for devel=
opment and maintenance of the organism. We successfully found the mechanism=
 that processes this information.

  Tell us something about this inbuilt mechanism?

  The central component of the machinery is the RNA polymerase=97it is a gi=
ant molecule of 30,000 atoms. In our work, we had been able to identify the=
 precise location of these 30,000 atoms.

  Then, we got a picture of the molecule in action, reading out the informa=
tion in the DNA. This is otherwise called the molecular basis of eukaryotic=
 transcription. Eukaryotes are an important group of organisms having a wel=
l-defined cell nuclei. The process of this transcription appears to be the =
basis of life.

  The mechanism appears to be automatic. But is it perfect enough?

  In some cases, the mechanism works perfectly well and there is no problem=
. But at times, it makes mistakes in cases of mutation, which may lead to s=
ome diseases. We need to know how these mistakes take place and how they ar=
e corrected. We are working on these aspects.

  Do you mean that many of the diseases can be cured if the disorder in the=
 mechanism is corrected?

  Yes, particularly those based on genetic disorders. Not only that, once y=
ou know the genetic make up of an individual, the right type of medicine ca=
n be prescribed. Chromosomes are collectively called the genome. Human bein=
gs respond differently to different drugs. We can soon unravel the mystery =
of human evolution. If future genetic studies are taken up at a cost of $1,=
000 per person, it can be completed within five years.


  Your father received the Nobel Prize in Physiology in 1959. How were you =
inspired?

  I do not honestly believe there is any connection. The only thing I can s=
ay is that I might have inherited genes from him. I have always been an adm=
irer of my father's work and that of many others preceding me. My father's =
work was for the discovery of the mechanisms in the biological synthesis of=
 DNA. Along with Severo Ochoa of New York University, my father was awarded=
 the Nobel Prize. His primary research interests were in biochemistry, espe=
cially enzyme chemistry, the synthesis of DNA and studying the nucleic acid=
s, which control heredity in animals, plants, bacteria and viruses. My work=
 was to unravel the molecular basis of eukaryotic transcription in which en=
zymes give voice to DNA by copying it into RNA molecules that acts as templ=
ates for protein in organisms=97from yeast to humans.
-----------------------------------

  Interview with Nobel Laureate ROBERT FLOYD CURL Jr (1996 in Chemistry)


  'Nanotech evolved over billions of years'

  http://www.financialexpress .com/news/Nanotech-evolved -over-billions-of-=
years/263815 /0

  Posted online: Monday , January 21, 2008 at 0141 hrs IST

  Nanotechnology might have become the buzzword today but few are aware tha=
t it was in use in ancient times for producing a number of products. Of lat=
e, scientists have not only rediscovered it, they have also reinvented it t=
o keep in pace with changing times, claims American chemist and Nobel Laure=
ate, Robert Floyd Curl Jr of Rice University. Curl is known for his contrib=
utions to microwave and laser spectroscopy and the discovery of the first f=
ullerene-the third known form of pure carbon (after diamond and graphite) i=
n 1985. Curl's initial work was on small clusters of atoms of semiconductor=
s, such as germanium and silicon. For his contributions, Curl shared the 19=
96 Nobel Prize for chemistry with Smalley and Harold Kroto. Later work on t=
he discovery by other scientists developed fullerene chemistry, devoted to =
the use of fullerenes in the production of superconductors, industrial cata=
lysts, and nanotubes. Curl was in India recently to participate in the 95th=
 Indian
 Science Congress in Visakhapatnam. In an interview to ASHOK B SHARMA, he o=
utlines the future prospects of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Excerpts:



  Can nanotechnology surpass other technologies in the times to come?

Nanotechnology is the technology for the future generation. It will surpass=
 all other forms of existing technologies. It can be used not only for indu=
strial purposes but also in life sciences, particularly relating to drug de=
livery at the targeted points in the body.

  How long should we wait to reap the benefits of this emerging technology?


  Nanotechnology is not new. It evolved over billions of years as a natural=
 phenomenon. In the medieval period of history, there were instances where =
nanotechnology was deployed. Many items like the Persian Khanjar and the Da=
mascus steel were made by unconsciously applying nano technology. The iron =
ore was procured from India and processed in traditional way at requisite t=
emperatures to produce these wonderful items. A hot-forged metal was used i=
n sword making with its particles in microns-one-millionth of a metre. Whil=
e examining these ancient products, we find the existence of carbon nanotub=
es in them. Tipu Sultan, the ruler of the erstwhile kingdom of Mysore in In=
dia had a sword made of Damuscus steel. India, too, produced many products =
by unconsciously deploying nanotechnology.

  In 2006, a team of scientists led by the German physicist Peter Pauller f=
ound presence of nanotubes and nanowires in Tipu Sultan's sword. According =
to them, a complex process of forging and annealing, led the sword's develo=
pment on nano-scale.


  In which other areas was nanotechnology used in ancient times?

  Yes, there are many more examples. The attractive colouring on ancient Cz=
ech glasses is found to contain nano particles. This shows that nanotechnol=
ogy was used for spraying and making a product look attractive. However, ov=
er a period of time this knowledge was lost. Now it is being rediscovered a=
nd reinvented.

  How and when did we rediscover nanotechnology in modern times?


  In 1974, Japanese scientist Norio Taniguchi coined nanotechnology to mean=
 precision making. Earlier in 1966, the American physicist, Richard Ferynma=
nn, in a seminal paper-explained the concept of nanotechnology. In 1986, K =
Reic Drexier's book-Engine of Creation: The Coming Era of Nanotechnology- w=
as published. Today, the increasing use of nanoparticles in microprocessors=
 or chips for electronic devices has been upheld by Moore's law, which says=
 that the power of microprocessors doubles and the cost of production are r=
educed by half in every 18 months.


  What is fullerenes? Has its discovery helped in the development of nanosc=
ience?

  I and my colleagues Harold Kroto and Richard Smalley at the University of=
 Sussex and Rice University discovered fullerenes in 1985. Fullerenes are a=
 family of carbon allotropes named after Richard Buckminster Fuller and are=
 sometimes called buckyballs, when in a spherical configuration. They are m=
olecules composed entirely of carbon, in the form of a hollow sphere, ellip=
soid, or tube. Cylindrical fullerenes are called carbon nanotubes or buckyt=
ubes.

  Fullerenes are similar in structure to graphite, which is composed of a s=
heet of linked hexagonal rings, but they also contain pentagonal (or someti=
mes heptagonal) rings that prevent the sheet from being planar. Carbon nano=
science is a newer concept, while carbon nanotechnology is much older. Carb=
on nanoscience needs powerful tools like structures, synthesis and uses (na=
notechnology). Carbon nanoscience had its humble beginning in 1889 when a U=
S patent was accorded to TV Hughes & CR Chambers for fibre from swamp gas-C=
H2. The discovery of fullerenes gave carbon nanoscience a push.


  Nano carbon tubes can be used in electronics, healthcare, solar cells, li=
ght harvesting and composites. Nanotechnology can address environmental con=
cerns if it's deployed in manufacturing, disposal, transportation and expos=
ure.


  What are its applications in medical therapy?

  Nano particles can act as capsules carrying drugs to targeted points in t=
he human body. Such nano capsules would be biodegradable and safe and would=
 not cause any harm to the human body. Among other aspects where nanotechno=
logy can help is the creation of enzymes synthesing molecules, which would =
produce enzymes at the rate required by the human body.
  ------------------------------ ---


  More jobs can lead to inclusive growth: Nobel Laureate

  http://www.financialexpress .com/news/More-jobs-can-aid -inclusive-growth=
-Nobel -Laureate/261349/

  ASHOK B SHARMA
Posted online: Monday , January 14, 2008 at 2018 hrs IST

New Delhi, January 14: Creation of more jobs, reasonably high wages for sam=
e type of work and innovations can lead to inclusive growth in the Economy,=
 according to the Nobel Laureate Edmund Phelps.

  Addressing the Bharat Ram Memorial Seminar organized by Sri Ram Centre fo=
r Industrial Relations and Human Resources and the Federation of Indian Cha=
mbers of Commerce and Industry on Monday Phelps proposed that the governmen=
t should render fiscal incentives, support or subsidy to corporate house fo=
r creation of more and more jobs with high wages. "High wages enable worker=
s to solve various problems, participate in the growing Economy and live wi=
th dignity," he said.

  He said that jobs, particularly for the disadvantaged and poor can lead t=
o distributive justice. "The way the market Economy determines wage, it cre=
ates problems of inclusion. The government should step in to regulate, if n=
ecessary. There should be a vibrant labour market for equalizing wage rate =
for same type of work."

  When pointed out that high wages may lead to price inflationary trend in =
the Economy, he said:"It is the duty of the central bank of the country to =
take care of such situation."

  Phelps stressed upon innovation as another necessary aspect for economic =
growth to be sustainable and dynamic. Jobs and innovations added to the cap=
ability of workers and lead to dynamism in the Economy and this ultimately =
would lead to inclusive growth, he said.

  He said that indigenous innovation can achieve more dynamism in the Econo=
my.

  The professor emeritus of the London School of Economics, Lord Meghnad De=
sai said: "In India the entire distribution pattern is of social nature due=
 to political considerations. It is similar to the civil rights movements o=
f yesteryears in the US. This should be given up and the distribution patte=
rn needs to be changed. Government should encourage low-technology labour-i=
ntensive industries."

  The Union minister for Panchayati Raj Institutions and northeast developm=
ent, Mani Shankar Aiyer, however, batted for political Economy and said tha=
t democratic actions dictate economic policies in the country as India afte=
r Independence began with a full fledged democracy, unlike many countries i=
n the West which took years to give democratic rights to all sections of it=
s people. He pleaded for grassroots local village democracies and planning =
from the village level.

  The chairman, Social Work Research Centre, Sanjit Bunker Roy said: "It wa=
s been demonstrated that people without formal education, particularly wome=
n have become self-reliant and productive with the help of local technologi=
es. We have successfully set up in different parts of the country =96 Baref=
oot Colleges =96 quite different from formal education system to disseminat=
e and practice the traditional ways of life."
  ------------------------------ ------------


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