Senior Research Fellow Research Articles

Green Labs Austria: Pioneering sustainability in scientific research

While scientific research plays a crucial role in developing solutions to the imminent threat of climate change, research labs across the world are significantly exacerbating the problem through extreme energy usage and excessive plastic consumption. To explore ways scientists can minimize the environmental impacts of their research, MIT Science Policy Review spoke with Dr. Melina Kerou, a Senior Scientist at the University of Vienna, and Dr. Philipp Weber, a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Vienna and Sustainability Project Officer at the European Molecular Biology Organization. Drs. Kerou and Weber are two of the co-founders of Green Labs Austria (GLA), a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the carbon footprint of research settings by promoting sustainable practices, providing resources, and raising awareness of key issues hindering progress in combating climate change. In our conversation, Drs. Kerou and Weber shared the inspiration behind founding GLA, the necessity for sustainability to become an integral part of all research practices, and the benefits of creating networks and collaborations to promote sustainable methods in laboratories across Europe and beyond.

An Interview with Volker Boege

Dr Volker Boege is a Senior Research Fellow for Climate Change and Conflict at Toda Peace Institute. He has made significant contributions to peace studies, particularly in the Pacific region. His work focuses on hybrid political orders, traditional conflict transformation methods, and the link between environmental degradation and conflict. Currently, he researches the intersection of climate change, land, migration, identity, and conflict, with a focus on Pacific Island Countries. Dr Boege is also an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Queensland’s School of Political Science and International Studies. His career includes research roles at the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg, the University of Duisburg, and the peace research institute BICC. He has lectured extensively and in the 1980s/1990s advised the Green Party in the German Parliament on peace and security policy. Through his diverse roles and research, Dr Boege has advanced the integration of environmental and traditional approaches in conflict resolution.

Comprehensive analysis of uncertainty quantification for the 58Ni(n, p)58Co reaction cross section* *Project supported by the Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Government of India (File No 09/013(882)/2019-EMR-1) for providing senior research fellowships, the IUAC-UGC, Government of India (Sanction No. IUAC/XIII.7/UFR- 71353), and Institutions of Eminence (IoE) BHU (Grant No. 6031).

In this study, we measured the 58Ni(n, p)58Co reaction cross section with neutron energies of 1.06, 1.86, and 2.85 MeV. The cross section was measured using neutron activation techniques and γ-ray spectroscopy, and it was compared with cross section data available in the EXFOR. Furthermore, we calculated the covariance matrix of the measured cross section for the aforementioned nuclear reaction. The uncertainties of the theoretical calculation for 58Ni(n, p)58Co reaction cross section were calculated via Monte Carlo method. In this study, we used uncertainties in the optical model and level density parameters to calculate uncertainties in the theoretical cross sections. The theoretical calculations were performed by using TALYS-1.96. In this study, we aim to analyze the effect of uncertainties of the nuclear model input as well as different experimental variables used to obtain the values of reaction cross section.

Development and validation of a plasmalogen score as an independent modifiable marker of metabolic health: population based observational studies and a placebo-controlled cross-over study

Decreased levels of circulating ethanolamine plasmalogens [PE(P)], and a concurrent increase in phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) are consistently reported in various cardiometabolic conditions. Here we devised, a plasmalogen score (Pls Score) that mirrors a metabolic signal that encompasses the levels of PE(P) and PE and captures the natural variation in circulating plasmalogens and perturbations in their metabolism associated with disease, diet, and lifestyle. We utilised, plasma lipidomes from the Australian Obesity, Diabetes and Lifestyle study (AusDiab; n=10,339, 55% women) a nationwide cohort, to devise the Pls Score and validated this in the Busselton Health Study (BHS; n=4,492, 56% women, serum lipidome) and in a placebo-controlled crossover trial involving Shark Liver Oil (SLO) supplementation (n=10, 100% men). We examined the association of the Pls Score with cardiometabolic risk factors, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality (over 17 years). In a model, adjusted for age, sex and BMI, individuals in the top quintile of the Pls Score (Q5) relative to Q1 had an OR of 0.31 (95% CI 0.21-0.43), 0.39 (95% CI 0.25-0.61) and 0.42 (95% CI 0.30-0.57) for prevalent T2DM, incident T2DM and prevalent cardiovascular disease respectively, and a 34% lower mortality risk (HR=0.66; 95% CI 0.56-0.78). Significant associations between diet and lifestyle habits and Pls Score exist and these were validated through dietary supplementation of SLO that resulted in a marked change in the Pls Score. The Pls Score as a measure that captures the natural variation in circulating plasmalogens, was not only inversely related to cardiometabolic risk and all-cause mortality but also associate with diet and lifestyle. Our results support the potential utility of the Pls Score as a biomarker for metabolic health and its responsiveness to dietary interventions. Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms and optimise the practical implementation of the Pls Score in clinical and population settings. National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC grant 233200), National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (Project grant APP1101320), Health Promotion Foundation of Western Australia, and National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia Senior Research Fellowship (#1042095).

Dynamical system analysis of Dirac-Born-Infeld scalar field cosmology in coincident f(Q) gravity* *SG acknowledges the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Government of India, New Delhi, for a junior research fellowship ( 09/1026(13105)/2022-EMR-I). RS acknowledges the University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi, India, for awarding a Senior Research Fellowship (UGC-Ref. No.: 191620096030). PKS acknowledges the Science and Engineering Research

In this article, we present a dynamical system analysis of a Dirac-Born-Infeld scalar field in a modified gravity context. We considered a polynomial form of modified gravity, used two different types of scalar potential, polynomial and exponential, and found a closed autonomous dynamical system of equations. We analyzed the fixed points of such a system and evaluated the conditions under which deceleration to late-time acceleration occurs in this model. We note the similarity of the two models and show that our result is consistent with a previous study on Einstein's gravity. We also investigated the phenomenological implications of our models by plotting EoS (ω), energy density (Ω), and deceleration parameter (q) w.r.t. to e-fold time and comparing to the present value. We conclude the paper by observing how the dynamical system analysis differs in the modified gravity, and present the future scope of our research.

United States nuclear weapons, 2024

ABSTRACT The United States has embarked on a wide-ranging nuclear modernization program that will ultimately see every nuclear delivery system replaced with newer versions over the coming decades. In this issue of the Nuclear Notebook, we estimate that the United States maintains a stockpile of approximately 3,708 warheads—an unchanged estimate from the previous year. Of these, only about 1,770 warheads are deployed, while approximately 1,938 are held in reserve. Additionally, approximately 1,336 retired warheads are awaiting dismantlement, giving a total inventory of approximately 5,044 nuclear warheads. Of the approximately 1,770 warheads that are deployed, 400 are on land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, roughly 970 are on submarine-launched ballistic missiles, 300 are at bomber bases in the United States, and approximately 100 tactical bombs are at European bases. The Nuclear Notebook is researched and written by the staff of the Federation of American Scientists’ Nuclear Information Project: director Hans M. Kristensen, senior research fellow Matt Korda, research associate Eliana Johns, and program associate Mackenzie Knight. To see all previous Nuclear Notebook columns in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists dating back to 1987, go to https://thebulletin.org/nuclear-notebook/.

Russian nuclear weapons, 2024

ABSTRACT Russia is in the late stages of a multi-decade long modernization program to replace all of its Soviet-era nuclear-capable systems with newer versions. In this issue of the Nuclear Notebook, we estimate that Russia now possesses approximately 4,380 nuclear warheads for its strategic and non-strategic nuclear forces—a net reduction of approximately 109 from last year’s estimate. Although the number of Russian strategic launchers is not expected to change significantly in the foreseeable future, the number of warheads assigned to them might increase. The Nuclear Notebook is researched and written by the staff of the Federation of American Scientists’ Nuclear Information Project: director Hans M. Kristensen, senior research fellow Matt Korda, research associate Eliana Johns, and Herbert Scoville Jr. peace fellow Mackenzie Knight. To see all previous Nuclear Notebook columns in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists dating back to 1987, go to https://thebulletin.org/nuclear-risk/nuclear-weapons/nuclear-notebook.

Chinese nuclear weapons, 2024

ABSTRACT The modernization of China’s nuclear arsenal has both accelerated and expanded in recent years. In this issue of the Nuclear Notebook, we estimate that China now possesses roughly 500 nuclear warheads, with more in production to arm future delivery systems. China is now believed to have one of the fastest-growing nuclear arsenals among the nine nuclear-armed states. The Nuclear Notebook is researched and written by the staff of the Federation of American Scientists’ Nuclear Information Project: director Hans M. Kristensen, senior research fellow Matt Korda, research associate Eliana Johns, and Herbert Scoville Jr. peace fellow Mackenzie Knight. To see all previous Nuclear Notebook columns in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists dating back to 1987, go to https://thebulletin.org/nuclear-notebook/.

Новые и старые герои истории: государства в поисках идентичности

A conference titled ‘Old and New Heroes of History: Nation States in Quest for Identity’ was held on the 8th of February 2024, at the Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IMEMO). It was organized by the Center of the Indo-Pacific region of IMEMO. The conference Chief-moderators were Semenenko I.S., Corresponding Member of the RAS, Doct. Sci. (Polit. Sci.), Head of Centre for Comparative Socioeconomic and Political Studies, Deputy Director for Scientific Work of IMEMO and Prokhorenko I.L. Doct. Sci. (Polit. Sci.), Head of the Sector for International Organizations and Global Political Governance, Department for International Political Problems, IMEMO. The questions under analysis included the following points: the features and key directions of identity politics of various states of the world, the role and significance of identity conflict in world politics, rethinking the heritage of the past and the search for new ‘heroes’ for modern societies. The discussion was focused on the role of identity personifiers and the study of identity conflict in the context of the formation of a polycentric world. The speakers were as follows: Semenenko I.S. and Prokhorenko I.L. addressed the plenary meeting; staff members of IMEMO: the Center of the Indo-Pacific region– Head of the Center Cand. Sci. (Hist.) Kupriyanov A.V., Junior Research Fellow Makarevich G.G., Senior Research Assistant Kosareva E.S., Cand. Sci. (Polit. Sci.) Research Fellow Terskikh M.A., Junior Research Fellow Zaitsev I.A., Cand. Sci. (Polit Sci.) Research Fellow Lomova A.A., Turayanova L.T.; staff members of the Center for Middle East Studies – Research Fellow Ibragimov I.E. and Junior Research Fellow Guzhev I.A.; staff members of the Center for Development and Modernization Studies – Research Fellows Arabadzhyan A.Z. and Karamaev S.G.; staff member of the Center for European Studies Cand. Sci. (Hist.) Research Fellow Podchasov N.A. Fellows of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences delivered their speech: Cand. Sci. (Econ.) Leading Researcher of the Center for Middle East Countries Studies Arabadzhyan Z.A., members of the Center for Southeast Asia, Australia and Oceania: Cand. Sci. (Hist.), Academic Secretary of the Center Senior Researcher Astafieva E.M., Cand. Sci. (Econ.) Leading Researcher of the Center and the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia of RAS Popov A.V., staff members of the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences: Research Fellows of the Center for Vietnam and ASEAN Studies Burova E.S., Kucherenko G.N., Shaternikov P.S., Research Fellow of the Center for the Study of Contemparary History of China and Its Relations with Russia Voloshina A.V.; staff members of the Institute for African Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences (IAS RAS): Head of the Center for Tropical African Studies Cand. Sci. (Hist.) Leading Researcher Denisova T.S., Head of the Center for Southern Africa Studies Cand. Sci. (Hist.) Senior Research Fellow Tokarev A.A., Senior Research Fellow of the Center for Southern Africa Studies Cand. Sci. (Hist.) Cand. Sci. (Hist. of Arts) Skubko Y.S., Junior Researcher Nesterova E.S., Senior Research Fellow of the Center for History and Cultural Anthropology Cand. Sci. (Hist.) Associate Professor of the Department of General History, P.G. Demidov Yaroslavl State University (YarSU) Khokholkova N.E., YarSU students and staff members Cand. Sci. (Hist.) Associate Professor of the Department of Regional Studies and Tourism Savin D.A., Professor and Doct. Sci. (Hist.), Professor of the Department of General History Gavristova T.M., post-graduate student of the Department of General History of YarSU, history teacher of the Municipal educational institution ‘Nekrasov Secondary school No. 4 with in-depth study of the English language’ of Yaroslavl city Tsvetkov E.G., Georgy Arbatov Institute for U.S. and Canada Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences (ISKRAN) staff member – Senior Research Fellow of the Center for History and Cultural Anthropology of the Department of Internal Political Research Cand. Sci. (Hist.) Vorobiev D.N.; staff member of the Russian State University for the Humanities, Cand. Sci. (Hist.) Associate Professor of the Department of American studies of the Faculty of International Relations, Political Science and Foreign Regional Studies RSUH Panov A.S. and Master’s student of the Department of Theory and History of Humanities, Institute of Philology and History of RSUH Grebneva N.I.; and master's student of the MGIMO University Kupalov-Yaropolk A.I. The review of the conference materials was compiled by the staff members of the Center of the Indo-Pacific region of IMEMO Cand. Sci. (Polit. Sci.) Research Fellow Lomova A.A. (lomova.dip@list.ru, ORCID: 0009-0004-3178-7480) and Junior Research Fellow Shirgazina E.R. (e.shirgazina8@imemo.ru, ORCID: 0000-0001-7715-2991) and Research Fellow of the Center for Development and Modernization Studies Karamaev S.G. (tiomkin@imemo.ru, ORCID: 0000-0001-5137-3948).

Nuclear weapons sharing, 2023

ABSTRACT The Nuclear Notebook is researched and written by the staff of the Federation of American Scientists’ Nuclear Information Project: director Hans M. Kristensen, senior research fellow Matt Korda, research associate Eliana Johns, and Scoville fellow Mackenzie Knight. The Nuclear Notebook column has been published in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists since 1987. This issue’s column examines the current state of global nuclear sharing arrangements, which include non-nuclear countries that possess nuclear-capable delivery systems for employment of a nuclear-armed state's nuclear weapons. To see all previous Nuclear Notebook columns, go to https://thebulletin.org/nuclear-notebook/.

Impact of pay-for-performance for stroke unit access on mortality in Queensland, Australia: an interrupted time series analysis

Stroke unit care provides substantial benefits for all subgroups of patient with stroke, but consistent access has been difficult to achieve in many healthcare systems. Pay-for-performance incentives have been introduced widely in attempt to improve quality and efficiency in healthcare, but there is limited evidence of positive impact when they are targeted at hospitals. In 2012, a pay-for-performance program targeting stroke unit access was co-designed and implemented within a clinical quality improvement network across public hospitals in Queensland, Australia. We assessed the impact on access to specialist care and mortality following stroke. We used interrupted time series analysis on linked hospital and death registry data to compare changes in level (absolute proportions) and trends in outcomes (stroke/coronary care unit admission, 6-month mortality) for stroke, and a control condition of myocardial infarction (MI) without pay-for-performance incentive, from 2009 before, to 2017 after introduction of the pay-for-performance scheme in2012. We included 23,572 patients with stroke and 39,511 with MI. Following pay-for-performance introduction, stroke unit access increased by an absolute 35% (95% CI 29, 41) more than historical trend prediction, with greater impact for regional/rural residents (41% vs major city 24%) where baseline access was lowest (18% vs major city residents 53%). Historical upward 6-month mortality trends following stroke (+0.11%/month) reversed to a downward slope (-0.05%/month) with pay-for-performance; difference-0.16%/month (95% CI-0.29,-0.03). In contrast, access to coronary care and mortality trends for MI controls were unchanged, difference-in-difference for mortality-0.18%, (95% CI-0.34,-0.02). This clinician led pay-for-performance incentive stimulated significant improvements in stroke unit access, reduced regional disparities; and resulted in a sustained decline in 6-month mortality. As our findings contrast with lack of effect in most hospital directed pay-for-performance programs, differences in design and context provide insights for optimal program design. Queensland Advancing Clinical Research Fellowship, National Health and Medical Research Council Senior Research Fellowship.

Turkish Foreign Policy in the Centennial Republican Anniversary: Quo Vadis?

The Republic of Türkiye is proudly celebrating its centennial anniversary as a nation erected on the ashes of the Ottoman Empire, which had reigned for six centuries until it was wrecked by the First World War. Since the end of the Cold War, Türkiye has been incrementally attracting more and more attention in world politics compared to any previous era. The more Türkiye is under the spotlight, the more it increases its activist foreign policy, becoming routine under the AK Party led by Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Thus, Turkish foreign policy (TFP), in return has also attracted substantial scholarly work not only from the national International Relations students and scholars but also from foreign policy analysts both in Türkiye and abroad.

Pakistan nuclear weapons, 2023

ABSTRACT The Nuclear Notebook is researched and written by the staff of the Federation of American Scientists’ Nuclear Information Project: director Hans M. Kristensen, senior research fellow Matt Korda, and research associate Eliana Johns. The Nuclear Notebook column has been published in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists since 1987. This issue’s column examines Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, which we estimate to currently include approximately 170 warheads and which could realistically grow to around 200 by 2025 at the current growth rate. To see all previous Nuclear Notebook columns, go to https://thebulletin.org/nuclear-risk/nuclear-weapons/nuclear-notebook/.

The Dantu blood group prevents parasite growth in vivo: Evidence from a controlled human malaria infection study.

The long co-evolution of Homo sapiens and Plasmodium falciparum has resulted in the selection of numerous human genetic variants that confer an advantage against severe malaria and death. One such variant is the Dantu blood group antigen, which is associated with 74% protection against severe and complicated P. falciparum malaria infections in homozygous individuals, similar to that provided by the sickle haemoglobin allele (HbS). Recent in vitro studies suggest that Dantu exerts this protection by increasing the surface tension of red blood cells, thereby impeding the ability of P. falciparum merozoites to invade them and reducing parasite multiplication. However, no studies have yet explored this hypothesis in vivo. We investigated the effect of Dantu on early phase P. falciparum (Pf) infections in a controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) study. 141 sickle-negative Kenyan adults were inoculated with 3.2 × 103 aseptic, purified, cryopreserved Pf sporozoites (PfSPZ Challenge) then monitored for blood-stage parasitaemia for 21 days by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)analysis of the 18S ribosomal RNA P. falciparum gene. The primary endpoint was blood-stage P. falciparum parasitaemia of ≥500/μl while the secondary endpoint was the receipt of antimalarial treatment in the presence of parasitaemia of any density. On study completion, all participants were genotyped both for Dantu and for four other polymorphisms that are associated with protection against severe falciparum malaria: α+-thalassaemia, blood group O, G6PD deficiency, and the rs4951074 allele in the red cell calcium transporter ATP2B4. The primary endpoint was reached in 25/111 (22.5%) non-Dantu subjects in comparison to 0/27 (0%) Dantu heterozygotes and 0/3 (0.0%) Dantu homozygotes (p=0.01). Similarly, 49/111 (44.1%) non-Dantu subjects reached the secondary endpoint in comparison to only 7/27 (25.9%) and 0/3 (0.0%) Dantu heterozygotes and homozygotes, respectively (p=0.021). No significant impacts on either outcome were seen for any of the other genetic variants under study. This study reveals, for the first time, that the Dantu blood group is associated with high-level protection against early, non-clinical, P. falciparum malaria infections in vivo. Learning more about the mechanisms involved could potentially lead to new approaches to the prevention or treatment of the disease. Our study illustrates the power of CHMI with PfSPZ Challenge for directly testing the protective impact of genotypes previously identified using other methods. The Kenya CHMI study was supported by an award from Wellcome (grant number 107499). SK was supported by a Training Fellowship (216444/Z/19/Z), TNW by a Senior Research Fellowship (202800/Z/16/Z), JCR by an Investigator Award (220266/Z/20/Z), and core support to the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Kilifi, Kenya (203077), all from Wellcome. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and interpretation, or the decision to submit the work for publication. For the purpose of Open Access, the authors have applied a CC BY public copyright license to any Author Accepted Manuscript version arising from this submission. NCT02739763.

Disentangling the genetic overlap and causal relationships between primary open-angle glaucoma, brain morphology and four major neurodegenerative disorders.

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is an optic neuropathy characterized by progressive degeneration of the optic nerve that leads to irreversible visual impairment. Multiple epidemiological studies suggest an association between POAG and major neurodegenerative disorders (Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal dementia, and Parkinson's disease). However, the nature of the overlap between neurodegenerative disorders, brain morphology and glaucoma remains inconclusive. In this study, we performed a comprehensive assessment of the genetic and causal relationship between POAG and neurodegenerative disorders, leveraging genome-wide association data from studies of magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, POAG, and four major neurodegenerative disorders. This study found a genetic overlap and causal relationship between POAG and its related phenotypes (i.e., intraocular pressure and optic nerve morphology traits) and brain morphology in 19 regions. We also identified 11 loci with a significant local genetic correlation and a high probability of sharing the same causal variant between neurodegenerative disorders and POAG or its related phenotypes. Of interest, a region on chromosome 17 corresponding to MAPT, a well-known risk locus for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, was shared between POAG, optic nerve degeneration traits, and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Despite these local genetic overlaps, we did not identify strong evidence of a causal association between these neurodegenerative disorders and glaucoma. Our findings indicate a distinctive and likely independent neurodegenerative process for POAG involving several brain regions although several POAG or optic nerve degeneration risk loci are shared with neurodegenerative disorders, consistent with a pleiotropic effect rather than a causal relationship between these traits. PG was supported by an NHMRC Investigator Grant (#1173390), SM by an NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship and an NHMRC Program Grant (APP1150144), DM by an NHMRC Fellowship, LP is funded by the NEIEY015473 and EY032559 grants, SS is supported by an NIH-Oxford Cambridge Fellowship and NIH T32 grant (GM136577), APK is supported by a UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowship, an Alcon Research Institute Young Investigator Award and a Lister Institute for Preventive Medicine Award.

Information Through the Lens of Safety and Security

On April 20, 2023, Dr. Patrick Neal, Senior Research Fellow at the Canadian Centre for Identity-Based Conflict and Vice President of Cyber Research at CASIS Vancouver, presented Information Through the Lens of Safety and Security at the April 2023 CASIS Digital Roundtable. The presentation was followed by a question-and-answer period with questions from the audience. The key points discussed were how information has shifted to shape culture, the future evolution of Public and National Safety, and transformations in technology from language analysis. Received: 2023-05-11 Revised: 2023-05-12

3 QUESTIONS ON . . . Using Caregivers for Patient-Reported Outcomes

3 QUESTIONS ON . . . Using Caregivers for Patient-Reported Outcomes

Abstract 1200: Aurora kinase A is a potential therapeutic target regulated by the MYCN oncogene in human retinoblastoma

Abstract Retinoblastoma (RB) is a pediatric intraocular neoplasm characterized by loss of function mutations in the RB1 gene. RB has a near-perfect prognosis in developed countries, but a significant dip in patient survival is observed in low and middle-income nations, with an overall survival rate of around 40%. Chemotherapy is a primary treatment modality in RB. However, the immediate and long-term side effects of conventional and intra-arterial chemotherapies necessitate the need for additional treatment options. Aurora kinases are serine/threonine kinases that play a pivotal role in mitosis. In recent years, Aurora kinase A (AURKA) has gained prominence as a drug target in various tumors and several small molecule inhibitors of AURKA are currently in clinical development. In this study, we have shown that AURKA is overexpressed in RB patient specimens and cell lines using immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. Moreover, induced expression of AURKA significantly correlated with optic nerve invasion of the tumor suggesting a role of AURKA in RB progression. Inhibition of AURKA in RB cell lines and patient specimens using small molecule inhibitors or selective silencing with lentivirus-mediated shRNA knockdown led to decreased cell viability, increased apoptosis, cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and subsequent induction of polyploidy. To further investigate the deleterious effects of AURKA inhibition within the tumor microenvironment, chorio-allantoic membrane (CAM) xenografts with RB cells were performed. The in-ovo data revealed a delay in tumor growth when treated with AURKA inhibitors. MYCN is an essential oncogene in RB progression immediately to RB1 mutations. Notably, an in-silico promoter analysis predicted the presence of MYCN binding sites upstream of the transcription start site of AURKA. Chromatin immunoprecipitation - qPCR (ChIP-qPCR) confirmed the binding of MYCN to the promoter region of AURKA. Besides, immunoblots corroborated that AURKA was downregulated in MYCN knockdown RB cells. Overall, our findings show that elevated AURKA levels in RB could be targeted in-vitro and in-ovo, and its expression is transcriptionally regulated by the MYCN oncogene. These data not only shed light on the role of AURKA in RB tumorigenesis but also unravel its potential as a therapeutic target, in isolation or through MYCN-driven downstream pathways. Acknowledgements: Department of Biotechnology - Innovative Young Biotechnologist Award (DBT-IYBA to MMR), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India; Hyderabad Eye Research Foundation (HERF), L V Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar, India; Indian Council of Medical Research - Senior Research Fellowship (ICMR-SRF to NAB), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Citation Format: Naheed Arfin Borah, Ruchi Mittal, Devjyoti Tripathy, Swathi Kaliki, Suryasnata Rath, Srinivas Patnaik, Mamatha M. Reddy. Aurora kinase A is a potential therapeutic target regulated by the MYCN oncogene in human retinoblastoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 1200.

From the Self to the Community

Research Article| April 01 2023 From the Self to the Community: Experiences of a First-Generation Researcher in India Devina Sarwatay Devina Sarwatay Devina Sarwatay is senior research fellow (UGC-NET) and PhD candidate in the Department of Communication, University of Hyderabad, India. She researches young people and social media with Professor Usha Raman. She is also webinar series manager of the Media Education Lab, University of Rhode Island, USA, and research associate, FemLab and CDMC-MICA working on Digital Creativity and Global Kids Online-India. Her latest lead- and co-authored work is published in Information, Communication & Society (won the ICA CAM Best Published Article Award 2023), Media International Australia, Frontiers in Human Dynamics, Journal of Communication, as well as in Routledge and Wiley-Blackwell Handbooks. She regularly presents her work at conferences like ICA, IAMCR, and AoIR. You can reach her at Twitter: @DevinaSarwatay. email: devina.sarwatay@gmail.com Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar email: devina.sarwatay@gmail.com Journal of Autoethnography (2023) 4 (2): 298–304. https://doi.org/10.1525/joae.2023.4.2.298 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation Devina Sarwatay; From the Self to the Community: Experiences of a First-Generation Researcher in India. Journal of Autoethnography 1 April 2023; 4 (2): 298–304. doi: https://doi.org/10.1525/joae.2023.4.2.298 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentJournal of Autoethnography Search I believe I have been extremely fortunate in my research career so far: being at the right place at the right time and finding the right people to guide me into the right opportunities or helping me to create them. As far as I know, I am a first-generation researcher who happened to have the best time of my life during my master’s when I was introduced to research. My contributions in the first practical rural immersion research project and the final master’s dissertation were received well by expert examiners, giving me the confidence needed to go through the selection process for an MPhil. I imagined this second exclusively research-oriented master’s degree would act as a trial run before I signed up for a longer commitment of a PhD. In the meantime, I also cleared a competitive national examination1 that would fund my PhD. As I am writing this... You do not currently have access to this content.

Law, justice and the role of courts in changing the social superstructure narrative in climate litigation

Law, justice and the role of courts in changing the social superstructure narrative in climate litigation