Mystery of complex processes unravelled

Hyderabad, Mar 18 (UNI) The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and Indian Institute of Cemical Technology (IICT) today claimed to have jointly unravelled the mystery of complex processes in animal and human development, using RNA interference (RNAi).

The path-breaking experimental work by CCMB and IICT based on RNAi, published in the very prestigious journal ''CELL' recently, was done in collaboration with the Human Frontier Science programme organisation and the Indo-French Centre for Promotion of Advanced Research.

Addressing the press here, CCMB and IICT scientists Utpal Bhadra and Ms Manika Pal Badhra said they have found that the fascinating new mechanism of RNAi machinery not only influences the regulation of a specific gene, but also helps in bringing the genes from differnet chromosomes.

Together it promotes higher order nuclear organisation which was essential for the development and maintenance of the organism, they added.

Stating that they have conducted research on Drosophila and Human RNAi, Mr Bhadra said this study paves a new path for understanding and controlling developmental process by foreign biological molecules.

He said the RNAi could be helpful in modern medicine by using its power for destroying, for example, the machinery of infectious organisms, and as a powerful therapy against broad spectrum of complex and contagious diseases at a very early stage.

Stating that the outcome might be useful for treating congenital birth defects, Mr Bhadra said understanding of this novel RNAi mechanism would also help find ways and means to control the developmental defects with greater success than before.

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