Author Archives: nandithavs

Role of infections in atherogenesis of cerebrovascular diseases

Introduction Traditionally atherogenesis has been considered within the domain of non communicable lifestyle diseases affecting the affluent sections of human population while communicable diseases and infections have been the cause of languish in the developing world. However the lines of division between these two high mortality disease causing pathologies are increasingly becoming blurred compelling usContinue reading “Role of infections in atherogenesis of cerebrovascular diseases”

Evolution of Oxygenators in Cardiothoracic Surgery

Introduction  Darwin famously said that it is not the strongest of species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change. Indeed we humans are the only creatures existing on this planet who have managed the feats of flying without wings, swimming without gills and even breathing without lungs which isContinue reading “Evolution of Oxygenators in Cardiothoracic Surgery”

Is Magnetogenetics the new Optogenetics?

Any medical student would agree that one of the most pressing issues that drives most of us to tears of desperation is “How on earth do we commit so much factual information into our memory?!Hence if someone were to claim that it was possible to zap one’s brain with mere light to selectively activate orContinue reading “Is Magnetogenetics the new Optogenetics?”

What makes the bacterial clock tick?

Circadian rhythms or changes in an organism’s behavior or physiology that follow a cyclical 24 hour pattern are found throughout the  tree of life with fungi, plants, insects and mammals all demonstrating them. However when it comes to bacteria, the most ancient of life forms that are ubiquitous dwellers in diverse habitats, the presence of aContinue reading “What makes the bacterial clock tick?”

Learning across Cultures – an online learning initiative by Karolinska Institutet

As the pandemic raged on and unprecedented circumstances forced all learning to shift online we students were met with yet another roadblock. The extremely anticipated exchange program that our college offered to students every year to broaden our horizons and understand the medical education and healthcare systems in place in different countries was also broughtContinue reading “Learning across Cultures – an online learning initiative by Karolinska Institutet”

Pharmacogenomics and the era of precision medicine

Innumerable are the times that the quote “blame it on my genes!” has crossed my mind in response to a sudden pang of envy – be it at the perennially skinny friend whose skeletal frame seemed to betray the tantalizing cheesy wonder of a pizza that they could devour guilt free or be it atContinue reading “Pharmacogenomics and the era of precision medicine”

Optogenetics and the Manipulation of Memory

INTRODUCTION Any medical student would agree that one of the most pressing issues that drives most of us to tears of desperation is “How on earth do we commit so much factual information into our memory?!” So after yet another unsuccessful attempt at rote learning the tongue twisting names of hundreds of drugs for anContinue reading “Optogenetics and the Manipulation of Memory”