IISER Bhopal Scientists identify circular RNA to help HIV treatment

ABHAY
ABHAY ANAND
Manager Editorial
1 min readUpdated on Sep 25, 2023 15:57 IST

This breakthrough research reveals how ‘ciTRAN,’ a circular RNA molecule, influences the virus's transcription process, which could potentially lead to novel therapeutic strategies against HIV-1

Researchers from Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal (IISER Bhopal) identified a specific circular RNA (circRNA) called ‘ciTRAN’, which plays a crucial role in multiplication of the AIDS-causing HIV-1 virus within the human body.

The RNA or Ribonucleic acid is a molecule in living cells that carries genetic information and helps in the production of proteins. RNAs are in general straight-chain, free-end structures but one form of RNA called ‘circRNA’ forms a closed-loop. The circRNA plays a pivotal role in regulating gene expression and is essential for various biological processes. Its role in HIV-1 replication has remained unclear for a long time.

Explaining the rationale for the study, Dr. Ajit Chande said, “Characterizing circular RNA can be tricky because it usually is less abundant, making it further challenging to detect in the native form. It is like trying to follow a complicated recipe. Additionally, when we look at RNAs during viral infections, there's so much information from the virus that it can make it hard to find the less common ones like circular RNA. So, we needed to devise different ways to spot these less common RNA molecules to understand their roles.”

Q:   What is unique about IISER Bhopal?
A:

IISER Bhopal is a unique institution in India that offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Science and humanities. It is one of the top five IISERs, which are autonomous research institutes funded by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Some of the features that make IISER Bhopal unique are:

  • It has a rich history and heritage, with its origins dating back to 1906 when Sir C.V. Raman established the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science in Bhopal. The institute was officially inaugurated in 2008 by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
  • It features three centers of excellence, nine academic departments, and a strong emphasis on research and innovation. Additionally, it is home to a number of research centers, including the Earth Science Studies (CES), the Center for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology (CAMNAT), and the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS).
  • It has a vibrant student life, with various clubs, societies, events, and activities that foster creativity, leadership, and social responsibility. Some examples are the Literary Society, the Music Society, the Cultural Committee, the Sports Committee, and the Social Service Committee.
  • It has a diverse faculty and staff, with many eminent scientists, scholars, artists, and educators who have contributed to various fields of knowledge. Some notable alumni include Nobel laureate Venkatraman Ramakrishnan (Physics), Padma Shri recipient Anil Kumar Singh (Chemistry), Padma Bhushan recipient Renuka Shahane (Chemistry), and Padma Vibhushan recipient Kailash Satyarthi (Social Work).
Q:   How is life at IISER Bhopal?
A:

For students who are interested in Science and research, life at IISER Bhopal is incredibly enriching and satisfying. IISER Bhopal offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate Science and humanities programs, with a focus on merging Science teaching and research. The institute also features 9 academic departments and 3 centers of excellence where students can follow their interests and learn about different subjects.

Benefits of studying at IISER Bhopal are:

  • You will get to interact with eminent faculty members who are experts in their respective domains and have published widely in reputed journals.
  • You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, such as laboratories, libraries, computer centers, etc.
  • You will be exposed to cutting-edge research projects and collaborations with national and international institutions.
  • You will have opportunities to participate in various events, workshops, seminars, conferences, etc., that enhance your skills and network.
  • You will be part of a vibrant student community that organizes various cultural, sports, social, and academic activities throughout the year.
Q:   What are people's opinions on IISER Bhopal for BSc?
A:

IISER Bhopal is one of the best options to pursue BSc. It has great faculty that is always there to guide students. Infrasturcture at the college is great, with state of the art laboratories, a library with large collecion of books on different subjects. Students and especially, seniors are really great when it comes to proper guidance. IISER Bhopal has connections to most of the big research firms, helping students to secure good internships and placement.

Dr. Ajit Chande, the lead researcher further said, "Our results indicate that HIV-1 virus hijacks this host-encoded ciTRAN in such a way that it can use it to multiply efficiently. This discovery uncovers a previously unknown aspect of how viruses like HIV-1 overcome transmission barriers.”

Another important result from this research was that the researchers developed a small protein molecule that can inhibit viral transcription, in the context of virally-induced ciTRAN. By showing how ciTRAN promotes the virus's ability to multiply efficiently, this study offers promising avenues for the development of novel therapeutic interventions. Moreover, the creation of a molecule capable of inhibiting viral transcription represents a significant leap in our understanding of combating HIV-1 and potentially other viruses.

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Q:   Is IISER Bhopal good for BSc?
A:

IISER Bhopal is one of the top institutes of Science education and research in India. It offers a Bachelor of Science (BSc) programme in two streams: Engineering Sciences and Humanities and Social Sciences. The BSc is an intense five year fulltime programme, which provides a strong foundation for students in basic scientific and mathematical disciplines as well as exposure to areas of interest.

The admission to the BSc programme is based on the performance in the Joint Entrance Examination (Advanced) or the Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) for candidates with a valid fellowship.

The BSc programme at IISER Bhopal is designed to provide students with a high-quality education that prepares them for higher studies or careers in Science and engineering. The curriculum covers both theoretical and practical aspects of various subjects, as well as skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, teamwork, etc. The faculty members are highly qualified and experienced in their respective fields of research. The institute also has state-of-the-art facilities such as laboratories, libraries, computer centers, sports complex, etc.

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ABHAY ANAND
Manager Editorial
Abhay, an alumnus of IIMC and Delhi University, is an experienced education journalist with over a decade of reporting across diverse beats. He has extensively covered higher education, competitive exams, policy cha Read Full Bio
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Answered 2 months ago

IISER Bhopal - Indian Institute of Science Education & Research round 3 counselling is open. The counselling date starts from August 8, 2025 to August 12, 2025. IISER Bhopal offers research-based programs in BS, BS-MS Dual Degree, PhD, and Integrated PhD across 10 departments. Admission processes

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Sanjana Dixit

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

That's a great question, and it's wonderful that you're still exploring opportunities with IISER! However, for admission to the IISERs (Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research), there is a specific eligibility criterion regarding the year of passing your 12th standard. The admission crit

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Aman Kumar

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

IISER Bhopal isn't the place for a typical B.Tech in Computer Science or Electrical. They're more into pure sciences and research stuff. You'll find BS-MS dual degrees, a BS in Engineering Sciences, and integrated PhD programs there—not the regular engineering tracks. If you're aiming for a classic

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Sonali Samal

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

No, the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER) do not offer standalone B.Sc. programs. Instead, they provide integrated BS-MS programs that combine undergraduate and postgraduate studies over five years. These programs emphasize research-oriented learning in disciplines like bio

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Aman Kumar

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

The IISER Entrance Exam (IAT) application form is expected to be released around April 2025 on iiseradmission.in. Students can apply through three channels: IAT, JEE Advanced, or KVPY scores. For IAT, you need to have at least sixty percent marks in Class 12 (with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics

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Aman Kumar

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

If you are a biology student you must have pcb as your subjects but the B.Tech at IISER bhopal or at any college in India does require maths as a compulsory subject 

In case you have pcmb you are totally eligible but not with PCB

 

thank you

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Dua naqvi

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

IISER Bhopal cutoff 2025 for admission to the BS + MS course across multiple specialisations was 2015 for the students belonging to the General AI quota. For BTech admission, the cutoff rank stood at 974 for different specialisations. This is the cutoff rank for Round 1. Please note that the cutoff

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Rashmi Sinha

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

IISER Bhopal cutoff 2025 has been released for different categories of students under the AI quota. For the General category, the cutoff rank for BS + MS admission across multiple specialisations was 2015. For BTech, the Round 1 closing rank stood at 974. To view the category-wise ranks, refer to th

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Rashmi Sinha

Contributor-Level 10