Adichunchanagiri

Institute of Medical

Sciences

Chief Patron

Paramopoojya

Sri Sri Sri

Dr.Balagangdharanatha

Mahaswamiji

Chief Advisor

Dr Shivaramu M.G.

Principal A.I.M.S.

Chief Editor

Dr Aliya Nusrath.

Professor & Head

Dept. of Biochemistry

Editorial Board

Dr. Rajeshwari A.

Assoc. Professor

Sri. Somashekar G.N.

Asst. Professor

Dr. Mahantesh Patil.

Asst. Professor

Dr. Chikkanna D.

Asst. Professor

Members

Dr Maithri C.M.

Tutor cum PG

Dr. Divija D.A

Tutor cum PG

Dr. Prathibha K.

Tutor cum PG

Biomed

Dept of Biochemistry ___________________________________________________

Quarterly News letter VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 SEPTEMBER 2011

___________________________________________________

From Editor’s Desk Greetings

It is important to update our self with the current

trends in Biochemistry to upgrade and broaden our

knowledge in the field of medicine. Biomed is an attempt

by us to understand, share and communicate contemporary

information of this field with one and all. Your support and

encouragement are solicited and valuable suggestions are

welcome.

Biochemistry and Medicine Biochemistry is one of the most rapidly

developing subject in Medicine. Today’s Biochemistry is

tomorrow’s Medicine is rightly said as understanding the

various biochemical process is central for understanding the

pathological changes in the disease condition. Biochemistry

also gives you an insight for effective therapeutic

intervention.

The knowledge of medicine is not new to our

country. As early as 400 BC circa, Charaka, our own great

master of Indian Medicine described Madhumeha, which in

modern medicine is Diabetes Mellitus. In his treatise he

depicted that there is an alteration in carbohydrate and lipid

metabolism in this disease.

“Disease is a molecular entity” Most of the diseases

have a biochemical basis. It is a manifestation of

abnormalities of molecules, chemical reactions or

biochemical process. Understanding of biochemical process

is important for understanding medicine and conversely

study of medicine has led to better understanding of

biochemical aspects. For example sickle cell anaemia

occurs due to a single amino acid replacement in the

haemoglobin structure. Manifestation of this disease reveals

the importance of understanding the primary structure for

its normal functioning.

Knowledge of biochemical aspect of nutrition throws light not only on the functions

of nutritionally important molecules, but also apportions their normal requirements to prevent

deficiency or toxic states.

Research in molecular genetics has advanced in leaps and bounds. Today we not only

know the entire nucleotide sequence of human genome but can also pinpoint many of the

diseases to alteration in a specific gene. With the advent of recombinant DNA technology, it

is possible to synthesize human proteins used in therapy, as well as replace the defective gene

in gene therapy. The completed human genome project has influenced research in many

fields of medicine under the titles of OMIC like genomics, proteomics transcriptomics etc.

Another discipline of Biochemistry is clinical laboratory science which has

immensely expanded in the last few decades. A biochemical investigation, reveal

fundamental causes and mechanisms of disease, assists in diagnosis of specific disease,

monitors the prognosis of disease, assess the response to therapy as well as suggests rationale

treatment. With development of technologies like polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA

microarray chips etc., it is possible to diagnose disease very early, sensitively, specifically

and even prenatally.

There is a reciprocal relationship between Biochemistry and other life sciences

subjects. Knowledge of Biochemistry has illuminated many areas of medicine as well as

other life sciences subjects.

Dr Aliya Nusrath, Prof and Head of Biochemistry

New Information on MicroRNAs

Advances in biochemical knowledge have illuminated many areas of medicine.

Conversely the study of diseases has often revealed previously unsuspected aspects of

Biochemistry. Biochemical approaches are fundamental in illuminating the causes of diseases

used in designing appropriate therapies.

Recently microRNAs (miRNA) has been discovered. These miRNAs are non protein

coding small RNAs (20-40 nucleotides) functioning as regulators of gene expression and

plays a crucial role in gene regulation. MicroRNAs modulate the activities of mRNA which

results in dramatic changes in protein production and in gene expression.

About 723 miRNAs have been identified till date by microarray based screening test

in human beings. These miRNAs have been implicated in numerous diseases such as heart

disease, cancer, muscle wasting, viral infection and diabetes.

Several placental microRNAs have been discovered. Placental miRNA concentration

in maternal plasma is non-invasive test for monitoring pregnancy associated disease,

Dr Rajehwari A, Assoc Professor of Biochemistry.

Did you Know

The total counter length of all DNA in a single human cell is 2 meters. The total

length of all the DNA in approximately 1014

cells of adult human body is 2X1013

meters or

2X1010

Km. Compare this with the earth’s circumference which is 4X104 Km and the

distance between the earth and sun is 1.5X108 Km. Amazing! How such large DNA is

accommodated in a microscopic nucleus.

Dr Aliya Nusrath, Prof and Head of Biochemistry

Laboratory Medicine

Clinical lab is the heart of any hospital setup. The diagnosis, treatment and prognosis

of disease are all dependent mainly on the lab findings of an individual. The should be well

equipped and quality of the test results is the utmost important and should be maintained.

In this regard our institute is not a step behind. We shifted our old lab a new venue

where it is now a highly equipped centralized AC lab. In this new lab we have installed new

analyzers like ERBA-EM 200 and ABG blood gas analyzer. Apart from regular

investigations we are doing some special investigations like HbA1c, microprotein,

microalbuminuria and hormone analysis.

In lab we are running quality control materials on basis. As a result the quality of the

clinical lab has also improved drastically. The CMC vellore score has first time come bellow

100 (score 95) which is a very good sign for any clinical lab.

With the blessings for Paramapoojya Swamiji we would like to continue this

dedicated work in the future.

Dr Mahantesh Patil, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry

What is Life?

My own scientific career was a descent from higher to lower dimensions, led

by a desire to understand life. I went from animals to cells, from cells to bacteria, from

bacteria to molecules, from molecules to atoms, from atoms to electrons. The story had its

irony for molecules have no life at all. On my way life ran out between my fingers

- Albert Szent Gyorgi

Selenocysteine

Selenocysteine (Se), the 21st amino acid is present at the active site of several

enzymes that catalyzes redox reactions like thioredoxin reductase, glutathione peroxidase and

deiodinase. Se participates in the catalytic mechanisms of these enzymes. Impairements in

human selenocysteine have been implicated in tumerogenesis, atherosclerosis and is also

associated with selenium deficiency cardiomyopathy (Keshan disease).

Cancer chemopreventive activity of Selenium: Shamberger in 1969 stimulated research

interest in the role of Se in cancer prevention. In 1977, Gerhard Schrauzer and his team

reported that Se is a potential human cancer protective agent. Many clinical trials have shown

that supplemental Se reduced the incidence and mortality of several type of human cancers by

many mechanisms like induction of apoptosis, regulation of DNA synthesis, inhibition of

angiogenesis and by its antioxidant mechanism

Selenocysteine and AIDS: It has been shown that HIV-1 encodes a functional selenoprotein.

Patients with HIV have been shown to have a lower than average plasma selenium level.

These individuals are more susceptible to cardiomyopathy. Thus AIDS patients are

recommended to take selenium supplements.

Dr Maithri C.M, Post graduate in Biochemistry

Fun and Learn

Complete the statements

1. Every third amino acid residue in collagen super helical structure is ___________

2. modulates the fluidity of membrane.

3. antibiotic inhibits transcription by interacting with duplex DNA

4. In protein targeting, residues directs proteins to lysosomes.

5. enzyme is stimulated by G protein transduction

By Dr. Rajehwari A, Assoc Professor

Biomed Crossword

Across:

1. Precursor for certain hormone or

enzymes

3. One way element

6. 6 -amino purine

7. Genetic material in certain viruses

8. An antioxidant mineral

11. A phospholipid involved in

coagulation

13. A waste product as well as

fertilizer

14. Pathway for synthesis of ATP

15. A muscle protein in diagnosis of

cardiac disorders

17. Fluoride inhibits this enzyme.

18. Membrane of neuron rich in

lipids

19. A sulphhydryl containing amino

acid

Down:

1 . End product of aerobic glycolysis

2. The process in which genetic

information flows from parent to

daughter cell

4. Molecular scissor

5. Oxidize form of niacin coenzyme

9. A molecule involved in water &

electrolyte balance

10. Sugar in blood

12. Proteins of lipoproteins

16. A unit that determines a

character

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

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17

18

19

By Dr Aliya Nusrath Prof &HOD Answers

Complete the statements: 1. Glycine. 2. Cholesterol 3. Actinomycin D 4. Mannose 6 phosphate 5. Adenyl Cyclase

Biomed Crossword: Across: 1. Pro 3. Iron 6. Adenine 7. RNA 8. Selinium 11. Cephalin 13. Urea 14. ETC 15. Troponin 17. Enolase 18. Myelin 19. Cysteine Down: 1. Pyruvate 2. Replication 4. REN 5. NAD+ 9. Renin 10. Glucose 12. Apo 16. Gene