Cells perform a complex feat of picking and proofreading amino acids for protein synthesis. Several aspects of this translation process were shrouded in mystery for a long time. This article traverses Rajan Sankaranarayanan’s two decades of seminal research that decoded some of the checkpoints and helped biologists better understand the error-free protein translation mechanisms.

The levels of nucleic acids are enhanced in the blood of individuals affected by certain diseases. This understanding can be used for non-invasive diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases, cancers, genetic conditions in the fetus, and neurological disorders. In this article, Ambika Kurbet gives an overview of the use of cell-free circulating DNA in diagnosis.

Behind the now-popular story of cockroach milk are ten years' of efforts by researchers to decode the structure of heterogeneous protein micro-crystals taken from the roaches' guts—a technologically difficult exercise that has never been done before.

People from all walks of life are contributing to science. They volunteer to join forces with researchers to help in collecting vital scientific data, analyzing large volumes of data and answering important scientific questions. This trend is gaining popularity in India, with several new initiatives being launched to drum up public involvement in scientific endeavors.