Life-saving molecules by Indian scientists - Fusion - WeRIndia

Indian scientists have made a discovery of amazing new molecules. According to recent findings, there are anti-cancer molecules found in some organisms in the Antarctica. The findings also show that there are some life-saving anti-freeze molecules from the Arctic environments.

These are very volatile environments where life is pushed to its limit and where it’s very hard to survive. The Ministry of Earth Sciences has launched a strong effort to search for similar new molecules but in the areas of high altitude Himalayan region.

In such extreme cold conditions, life has to adapt to survive. This creates unique mechanisms in organisms that live there. The temperatures there are below zero degrees Celsius most of the times.

However, even in these harsh conditions microorganisms not only survive, but also thrive. This goes to show that they have an evolutionary advantage which gave them special protective covers that help fight the cold and harsh conditions.

There have been some great results from the expeditions of India to the Antarctica and from the setting up of a specialized institution (the National Centre for Antarctica and Ocean Research (NCAOR) in Goa.

Thanks to this new setup, a scientist named Shiv Mohan Singh has found a new molecule called ‘thelebolan’. The new molecule that was found has anti-cancer properties.

It is extracted from a fungus ‘Thelebolus microsporus’. They have managed to collect it from the Larseman Hills. The place is nearby the Indian permanent station in the Antarctica.

After researching the new molecule it was found that it helps stop the multiplication of cancer cells. The team is working along with scientists from Indian Institute of Technology to completely understand the nature of this new molecule. Singh has stated that the new molecule can also boost immunity to help people suffering with HIV/AIDS. It has many other uses too.

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