October 8, 2025

Get ready for a mind-blowing discovery from India’s top institute! IIT Madras, ranked No.1 in India, joined hands with the Technical University of Denmark to reveal how genetic "switches" can unlock hidden secrets inside cells. Their exciting research, published in the famous Nature Communications journal, shows how genes work side by side to turn on silent metabolic pathways in yeast. But why yeast? Because yeast cells help us understand complex life forms, including humans. Led by PhD student Mr. Srijith Sasikumar and Prof. Himanshu Sinha from IIT Madras, along with Dr. Shannara Taylor Parkins and Dr. Suresh Sudarsan from Denmark, the team used advanced multi-omic methods to crack this genetic code. Prof. Sinha explained, "The implications of this discovery extend well beyond yeast. Many complex human diseases—including cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders—arise from the interplay of multiple genes rather than single mutations. The IIT Madras study provides a mechanistic framework for studying these interactions systematically." Imagine two switches flipping together to activate a secret backup power source. That's how Mr. Sasikumar described their findings: "It is like flipping two switches at once suddenly, a hidden backup circuit turns on, and the whole system behaves differently. This shows us that genes don’t just act alone, but their interaction can create new outcomes that we would never see otherwise." What does this mean for you? This discovery opens doors to develop smart biomarkers and spot drug targets that consider the combined effect of genes. This could lead to accurate disease diagnosis and personalized treatments based on your unique gene profile. Not only medicine, but industries like biofuel production and farming could also benefit by tweaking these genetic pathways to improve yields and efficiency. In short, a tiny yeast has whispered big secrets that could help humans, farm animals, and even fuel factories! This study marks a thrilling step forward in genetic research, thanks to IIT Madras and their Danish partners. For more info, check the original study here: https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/indias-no-1-ranked-institute-iit-madras--danish-university-study-reveals-genetic-switches-that-can-transform-disease-research-302578398.html (Photo credit: IIT Madras campus - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2791473/IIT_MADRAS_Campus.jpg)

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Tags: Iit madras, Genetic switches, Disease research, Gene interactions, Nature communications, Biotechnology,