Overview:

Two researchers in Goa have said that they synthesised gold nanoparticles from a wild mushroom species that is widely eaten as a delicacy in the coastal state.

About Roen olmi

It is a mushroom of the Termitomyces species.

It grows on termite hills and is locally known as ‘roen olmi’ in Goa.

It is an edible wild mushroom popular among Goans and consumed during the monsoons.

These mushrooms have no independent existence. They grow only in association with termites.

Habitat: It is endemic to the Western Ghats, where the thick forest cover and high humidity provides an ideal breeding ground.

Ecological significance: It plays a very important role as a powerful biodegrading fungus in forest and grassland ecosystems converting 50% dead plant material on the ground into rich soil.

In fact, all Termitomyces species are edible and have unique food value attributed to their texture, flavour, nutrient content, and beneficial mediational properties.

Additionally, Termito-myces have been recognized for their ethno-medicinal importance in various indigenous communities throughout Asia and Africa.

Termitomyces species possess various beneficial antioxidant and antimicrobial properties

Overview:

Recently, the Union Science and Technology Minister told that India has conducted the first human clinical trial of gene therapy for ‘haemophilia A’ at Christian Medical College – Vellore.

About Hemophilia A

It is a genetic disorder that affects the body’s ability to form blood clots.

It is a rare disorder in which the blood doesn't clot in the typical way because it doesn't have enough blood-clotting proteins.

It is a sex linked disorder. The gene for hemophilia is carried on the X chromosome.

Causes: It is caused by a mutation or change, in one of the genes, that provides instructions for making the clotting factor proteins needed to form a blood clot. This type is caused by a lack or decrease of clotting factor VIII.

Symptoms: Signs and symptoms of hemophilia vary, depending on the level of clotting factors.

Males are much more likely to have hemophilia than are females. Treatment:

It involves replacement therapy, which involves infusing clotting factor concentrates into the bloodstream to help the blood clot.

Other treatments may include medications to promote clotting or surgery to repair damage caused by bleeding.

Inactivating a disease-causing gene that is not functioning properly Introducing a new or modified gene into the body to help treat a disease

Gene therapy products are being studied to treat diseases including cancer, genetic diseases, and infectious diseases.