The novel coronavirus has evolved as a pandemic which forced lockdown in many countries including India. The sudden surge in symptomatic cases requires funding for medicines, diagnostic kits, research to develop vaccines, development of medical infrastructure, as well as assisting daily wagers. The entire nation has risen to assist our Indian government to raise funds for the noble cause. In the premise of supporting the government to combat the outbreak, SRM University AP, Andhra Pradesh has offered its support to the government in every way possible.

Pro VC and Director CLM in discussion with the Education Minister

The contribution of 25 lakhs was handed over to the Hon’ble Education Minister Dr. Adimulam Suresh by Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof. D. Narayana Rao, Director of Campus Life and Maintenance Venkataachalam and Media PRO, Venugopal. In this distressing scenario, all the citizens of India are requested to combat against this pandemic by staying at home and taking adequate preventive measures. Dr. P Sathyanaranan, President of SRM university- AP said, “The COVID-19 Pandemic has created an unprecedented global catastrophe and a national public health emergency. In this crisis, the measures taken by the Government of Andhra Pradesh under the leadership of the Hon’ble Chief Minister to combat the COVID-19, leaving no stones unturned, is commendable.”

Earlier this week on Monday, responding to this calamity, SRM Group donated 1.15 crore on behalf of the employees of the institutes under the umbrella of the group. Dr. TR Paarivendhar, Chancellor, and Member of Parliament transferred the fund to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund.

SRM AP has commenced online classes to ensure that imparting of knowledge to the students is not hindered by the pandemic. View details here

Awareness Campaign on COVID-19: Coronavirus

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Dr Sutharsan Govindarajan’s research papers published in “Nature” and “Nature Microbiology”

Dr Sutharsan Govindarajan, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences at SRM University-AP has published two papers in highly reputed journals, “Nature” and “Nature Microbiology”. Both papers involve the discovery of novel strategies used by bacteriophages (viruses that kill bacteria) to overcome the bacterial CRISPR-Cas system, which are molecular scissors that are programmed to cut DNA. His findings have massive implications on the society as it has the ability to reshape the boundaries of the Phage-therapy in curing diseases.

In the paper, “A bacteriophage nucleus-like compartment shields DNA from CRISPR nucleases”, published in ‘Nature’, researchers from the University of California San Francisco, including Dr Sutharsan of SRM University-AP, discovered that certain large bacteriophages called “Jumbophages” are capable of protecting their genetic material (DNA) from being cut by the bacterial CRISPR-Cas system. In nature, the primary function of the CRISPR-Cas system, which is famous for its genome editing applications, is to cut the DNA of bacteriophages. The researchers made a surprising finding that several CRISPR-Cas enzymes were utterly ineffective in cutting the DNA of jumbophages. Subsequent studies led to the finding that these bacteriophages protect their DNA within a protein compartment called as ‘shell’. The shell provides a ‘safe room’ for the phage DNA and keeps antiviral enzymes, including CRISPR-Cas enzymes at bay. It is the first-time researchers have found that bacteriophages, which are essentially viruses, can employ one strategy to protect its DNA from many different immune systems. Dr Sutharsan says, “usually, this kind of sophisticated DNA protection mechanism is employed by complex eukaryotic cells like humans. However, our findings show that viruses, which have evolved billions of years before eukaryotic cells, also seem to be using a similar strategy. This is mind-boggling”, says Dr Sutharsan, “because our finding is making us to rethink about the current understanding of the evolution of cells on Earth.”

In another finding, which is also co-authored by Dr Sutharsan, the researchers have found a different kind of bacteriophage that protects its DNA by ‘turning off’ the production of the CRISPR-Cas enzymes in bacteria. Thus, this bacteriophage employs an entirely different strategy for the same purpose, i.e., protection of its genetic material. The paper “Bacterial alginate regulators and phage homologs repress CRISPR–Cas immunity”, got published in the journal ‘Nature Microbiology’ very recently.

Dr Sutharsan further explained how his research can play a pivotal role in the application of Phage-Therapy, which is a therapeutic strategy where bacteriophages are used to kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria and cure patients suffering from difficult-to-treat bacterial infections. Currently, the success rate of phage therapy is low, and researchers are trying to find the reasons behind this. Dr Sutharsan thinks that CRISPR-resistant bacteriophages, which he studies in his lab, can be a game-changer in phage therapy. However, this idea needs to be tested. Towards this goal, he is currently seeking collaborations with clinicians interested in phage therapy.

When asked about his future research plans, Dr Sutharsan says the “Laboratory of phage-bacteria interaction”, which I am going to establish soon at SRM University – AP, will involve in the discovery of new molecular mechanisms employed by phages and bacteria to defend against each other. Such studies have given us’ Restriction enzymes’, which started the ‘era of gene engineering’, and ‘CRISPR-Cas enzymes’, which started the ‘era of genome engineering’. We hope that our lab at the SRM University – AP will make discoveries that can take us beyond genome engineering.

References:

Nature-A bacteriophage nucleus-like compartment shields DNA from CRISPR

Nature Microbiology- Bacterial alginate regulators and phage homologs repress CRISPR–Cas immunity

Dr Sutharsan Govindarajan- https://arc2025.srmap.edu.in/faculty/sutharsan-govindarajan/

Dr. Sutharsan Govindarajan receives prestigious INSPIRE Faculty award

Department of Science and Technology, Government of India has awarded Dr. Sutharsan Govindarajan, Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, SRM University-AP, the prestigious fellowship “Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE)”. This initiative provides funds and a platform to potent young achievers for conducting independent research and strengthening the Science & Technology base. Dr. Sutharsan is to receive a total research grant of 35 lakhs for a period of 5 years as a DST-INSPIRE fellow.

Dr. Sutharsan will establish an independent research lab at SRM University, AP, Andhra Pradesh to focus on CRISPR-Cas biology. “CRISPR technology is a powerful tool for editing genomes. It is capable of changing a single base of DNA out of billions of bases. This invention is potent to cure genetic disorders, enunciating its candidature to receive the Nobel Prize in the future.”, informs Dr. Sutharsan.

Dr. Sutharsan’s research work has the potential to nullify the single limitation of the CRISPR technology- ‘off-target’ effects i.e., unintended base changes that affects the accuracy of DNA editing. Through his research titled “Discovery of novel CRISPR-Cas silencing proteins”, he and his team intend to prevent ‘off-targets’ by identifying and characterizing the novel anti-CRISPR proteins that can inhibit in CRISPR-Cas proteins. Dr, Sutharsan believes, “This will improve the efficiency of CRISPR technology which will be highly useful for gene editing technologies, alleviating a wide range of genetic disorders and diseases in the future”.

“Evening is a time of real experimentation. You never want to look the same way,” said fashion guru Donna Karan. You think, the Queen of luxury fashion is talking about appearance and personal style presentation, when you have another kind of display on your mind. The one you have to make the next day. Many young students are bogged down by presentations, case studies, assignments and deadlines every day of their college life. But that’s all the more reason to let your hair down, experiment, rejuvenate, and live your life to the fullest in the evenings. SRM University AP campus is the sanctuary to do just that.

Evenings are the perfect time to take stock of your day. They offer you the breather to unwind, relax, and rejuvenate. They are also a precursor to the promise of the night, which brings with it a new dream. It is the beautiful cusp of a moment and at SRM University AP you can shape it exactly according to your interests. They say, some of the best evenings are unplanned, random, and spontaneous. We say, plan your evenings and make the most out of the avenues we have in store for you. Here are 6 fun, cool, exciting things you can do under the campus skies after 6 pm. And we assure you, the sky is limit for the creative, cultural and culinary satisfaction you can get on campus.

Walkabouts are in

Designed by Perkins + Will, American architecture firm, the name behind some of the visually stunning educational institutions around the world, SRM University AP is a sight to behold. The natural beauty is enhanced by eco-friendly spaces that create a soothing ambience perfect for leisurely strolls. Go for a walkabout exploring the hidden gems on campus or head for evening walks with friends and make memories to last.

Time for a Gym-jam

All fitness enthusiasts and beginners can band together in state of the art gymnasiums on campus. It’s time to throw your weight behind your overall wellness. Pushups, pull-ups, cardio, aerobics; you name it. Go for the workout of your choice and engage with fellow fitness fans. Then there are Yoga rooms to channel your energies, meditate and recuperate from the daily rigours. Sources for your physical and emotional wellbeing are thus covered on campus.

Display your sporting attitude

Don’t see yourself working out in the gym? No sweat. SRM University AP campus boasts of the best facilities for sports including badminton, basketball, volleyball, athletics, cricket, soccer, table tennis and more. Want to pick up a new game or want the best platform to showcase your sporting prowess? Dive into the avenues we have in store for you and be a good sport!

Mentoring – Extra innings

The residential campus of SRM University AP is home not only to students and scholars but to many of our experienced faculty members. You can pick the free time in the evenings to engage with them on topics of the curricular and beyond. Our approachable and affable faculty members have been the guiding force behind many transformative journeys. Now you get to have an extra helping of that mentorship while building lasting relationships too.

For Foodie two-shoes

Extra helpings remind us of all the delicious options you can devour on campus. The lip-smacking delights available at the night canteen will satiate all your culinary cravings in style. You can also hop over to the truck shop to get your supply of foodie goodies packed with chips, cookies, chocolates, cold drinks and ice creams. Now can there be a more mouthwatering prospect?

Go clubbing

And we are only talking about student clubs that create exciting platforms for you to pursue your interests. Passion-photography society, drama club, dance club, music room, sessions of next tech lab, python in pyjamas, debate sessions, women in Machine Learning, movie screenings are just some of the engaging outlets you can enjoy. The Night League by the Gaming Club is a raging success amongst our shining Knights.

We told you life after 6 on campus is all fun and games with enough food for thought!

Football Team of SRM University-AP

There is a famous saying “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Therefore, here at SRM University-AP, students are always encouraged to go beyond the limits of curricular activities. The Students of SRM-AP have proven to be all-rounders by winning several cups in various segments of different Inter-College Sports Meet. VIT-AP and MVR College of Engineering and Technology have recently organised the Inter College Sports in their respective campuses. Students of SRM-AP merrily participated and successfully bagged winner’s trophy in football and cricket and the runner-up trophy in lawn tennis in Vitopia, Sports Tournament of VIT-AP. They have also secured the winner’s trophy in cricket, and the runner-up trophy in badminton in the Inter-college Sports Championship organised by MVR College of Engineering and Technology.

The football team of SRM-AP was invincible. Their incredible performance throughout the tournament took them straight to the finals where they thrashed VIT-AP, another finalist with a straight 3-0, a resounding victory without any doubt. SRM University-AP team’s captain Ishmael, a 3rd-year Mechanical Engineering student, was able to lead the team successfully. He also turned out to be an ideal strategist. Andrew, another 3rd-year Mechanical Engineering student, sent the ball into the net twice during the match, whereas Venky, 1st-year Computer science and engineering student, supported his team by scoring another goal.

Aiming to Score

Cricket Team with the Trophy

Our cricket team has proven their talent by winning two consecutive champion’s trophy both in VITOPIA and MVR Sports Meet. Jaswanth, a 3rd-year Electronics and Communication Engineering student and the captain of the cricket team, says, “our team has some up-and-coming players. However, at the end of the day, it is the team effort that leads us to success.”

GKV Manikantha hitting the ball

Lawn tennis is another game of hardcore physical strength mixed with ingenious strategies. GKV Manikantha, 1st-year Mechanical Engineering student and a passionate player, won the runner-up trophy at VITOPIA, yet it could not make him happy. He said, “Due to my injury, I could not put up a fight in the finals. I was hurt and therefore had to retire from the game. I am trying to have a speedy recovery and will be back very soon.”

Twelve teams from different colleges participated in the badminton tournament. RK College OF Engineering, Velagapudi Ramakrishna Siddhartha Engineering College, DVR & Dr HS MIC College of Technology, GDMM College of Engineering & Technology were a few among them. Though our team could not secure the first prize, Rathan, a 2nd year CSE student, put up a marvellous fight which brought the university the runner-up trophy.

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