Advances in Genetics

1.) Precision Fermentation

• R2 is a biomanufacturing facility in Karnataka, known for its precision fermentation technology.
• It produces proteins without the need for traditional livestock farming, offering potential benefits such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions, land conservation, and a decrease in animal cruelty.
• Precision fermentation involves using microbes to produce proteins by giving them genetic instructions.
• The process allows for the production of various proteins used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food, ranging from milk proteins and enzymes for cheese to components of human breast milk.

Significance

• The fermentation industry holds promise for sustainable food production, but concerns have been raised about the potential for consolidation by large food companies, potentially replicating issues seen in existing food systems.
• The development of alternative proteins, including plant-based, cultivated meat, and fermentation-derived proteins, is gaining traction in India.
• Start-ups and established brands are investing in the sector, and the market is showing a willingness to pay a premium for these products.
• However, cultivated meat faces additional challenges due to high production costs and regulatory barriers.

 Issues

• While these precision-fermentation-derived proteins are currently more expensive than those sourced from traditional methods, the industry aims to achieve cost reduction through innovation and technological advancements.

2.) Omicron Specific Vaccine

• India’s first indigenous mRNA vaccine for the Omicron variant, GEMCOVAC-OM, has been granted emergency use approval by the Drug Controller General of India.
• GEMCOVAC-OM has the advantage of being stable at ordinary refrigeration temperatures, and it can be administered using a needle-free Pharma Jet system.
• Clinical trial data submitted to the regulatory authorities indicated that the vaccine has a strong safety profile and generates more neutralizing antibodies compared to Covishield.

3.) Y Chromosome

• The Y chromosome, often referred to as the “master of maleness”, has long captivated scientists and historians alike. In humans, in addition to the 22 pairs of chromosomes in each, we have a pair of sex chromosomes called X and Y. Sex as a specification is determined by these sex chromosomes.

Research Findings

• Recent research has revealed that the Y chromosome possesses genes vital to biological functions, including those related to ageing and lifespan regulation.
• The study of species that have naturally lost their Y chromosome, such as rodents, provides insights into sex-chromosome turnover and the repurposing of other chromosomes as sex chromosomes.
• The genome sequences of Neanderthals indicate the replacement of the Y chromosome in modern humans, suggesting that the Y chromosome may eventually yield its role as the “master of maleness” to another chromosome.

Practice Questions for Prelims

What is the function of messenger RNA?

a) It carries amino acids
b) It is a component of the ribosomes
c) It is a direct copy of a gene
d) It is the genetic material of some organisms

Ans. c)

Mains Practice Question

Genetic diseases are becoming a significant health burden today. Discuss. Also elaborate on the step taken by India to manage genetic disorder.

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