CCMB scientists identify critical weaknesses in Tuberculosis bacterium to find new drug targets
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Biotechnology & health research· Prelims·
Genomic mapping and CRISPR technology in drug discovery: a relevant GS3 Science & Technology topic.
Why in news
Scientists at the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) identified critical weaknesses in the Tuberculosis bacterium to help discover new drug targets.
Background
A research team led by Vinay Kumar Nandicoori at CCMB mapped protein export machinery of the Tuberculosis pathogen. The study used CRISPR-based gene-silencing to demonstrate that disrupting SecA1 and Tat pathways significantly reduces bacterial growth.
Facts for Prelims
- S&TCCMB: CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology
- FactSecA1 and Tat pathways: Identified as critical protein export machinery for Tuberculosis survival
Prelims practice question
With reference to the research conducted by CCMB on Tuberculosis, consider the following statements:
- The research team mapped the protein export machinery of the Tuberculosis pathogen.
- The study utilized CRISPR-based gene-silencing to identify new drug targets.
- Disrupting the SecA1 and Tat pathways was found to increase bacterial growth.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a)2 only
- (b)3 only
- (c)1 and 2 only
- (d)1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (c) 1 and 2 only — Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect: The study demonstrated that disrupting these pathways significantly reduces bacterial growth.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the significance of genomic and molecular research in addressing the global burden of antimicrobial-resistant diseases like Tuberculosis.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- R&D bottleneck: High cost and time-intensive nature of identifying novel drug targets for multi-drug resistant strains
- Public health impact: Potential to reduce mortality rates by targeting fundamental bacterial survival mechanisms
Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance · Genomic mapping · CRISPR-based gene-silencing · Pathogen survival · Drug discovery
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