Project Title:
Beyond Borders and Barlines
Project partners:
Mangalayatan University, Aligarh, India & Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Research Center(India):
Department of Visual & Performing Arts
Faculty of Humanities
Mangalayatan University
Aligarh Mathura Highway,
Beswan, Aligarh 202145
1. Title of project: ‘Beyond Borders and Barlines’ (Synthesis of cross – cultural music with special reference to Hindustani Classical and Australian Jazz instrumental music)
2. Applicant name: Debasis Chakroborty, empanelled artist of I.C.C.R
3. Details of Investigator: Debasis Chakroborty
- Designation: Associate Professor (music)
- Department: Department of Visual & Performing Arts
- Code: MU 0306
- Email : debasis.Chakroborty@mangalayatan.edu.in
- Contact no. +91 9457004184
4. Co-Investigator details (if any): Dr. Robert Burke
- Designation: Associate Professor(Jazz & Popular music)
- Affiliations: Monash University, Victoria, Australia
- Code (for MU employee only)
- Correspondence address : School of Music, Clayton Campus, Victoria 3800, Australia
- Email : Robert.burke@monash.edu
- Contact no.: +61 990 51332
5. Project description
- Introduction
- Title: Beyond Borders and Barlines(Synthesis of cross – cultural music with special reference to Hindustani Classical and Australian Jazz instrumental music)
- This project brings together three of Australia’s finest Jazz musicians, Robert Burke (saxophone), Stephen Magnussen (guitar) and Sam Evans (tabla) with Indian classical virtuoso slide guitarist Debasis Chakroborty in an intensive ensemble music project exploring the cross-cultural potential of improvisation and melody. This two-week collaboration will see the creation and recording of new compositions, public engagement in the creative process through workshops and performances, and an online educational resource of video footage and musician interviews.
- Objectives:
This project explores the intersection of Western Jazz and Indian Classical musical styles, with the aim of refining a potential working model for cross-cultural ensemble collaboration. The artists will build on their previous experience and rapport with Indian classical virtuoso slide guitarist Debasis Chakroborty. Performing on an instrument that is in itself a hybridization of Indian and Western cultures, Debasis has been identified as the ideal musical partner.
Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India approved project “Design and Synthesis of Potent analogues of Peroxisome Proliferator activated gamma receptor agonist by allosteric modulation study”
Duration- 02 years
Date of Sanction- 22 July 15
Principal Investigator- Mr. Ram Babu Tripathi
Amount- 5.37 Lakh
SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
Bioinformatics and computational biology is interdisciplinary field that applies the techniques of computer science, applied mathematics and statistics to address biological problems. Allosteric modulation help in identifying drug targets via bioinformatics tools. They can be used to analyze the target structure for possible binding site, generate candidate molecules, and check for their drug likeness. Docking of these molecules with the target and rank them according to their binding affinity. Further, optimize the molecules to improve binding characteristics. Development of peroxisome proliferators’ gamma ( agonist molecules using combination of bioinformatics tools like QSAR and docking provides a faster, cost effective and reliable methodology. These tools have now become integral part of lead discovery, SAR development and lead optimization. In this project, it is planned to develop new pharmacological approaches to treat levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID) in a pre-clinical model of Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Department of Science & Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India approved project “Development of an effective and early diagnostic gadget/tool to control prevalence of rheumatic heart disease”
Duration -03 years
Date of Sanction- 09 October 15
Principal Investigator 1- Prof. Mohd. Owais, Interdiciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh
Amount- 44 Lakhs
Principal Investigator 2- Dr. Nishi Sharma, Dept. of Biotechnology, Mangalayatan University, Aligarh
Amount- 20 Lakhs
SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
Rheumatic fever (RF) remains a major cause of heart disease and premature death in large parts of the world. Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) is a systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease that follows throat infection with Lancefield group A -hemolytic streptococci (Streptococcus pyogenes). Rheumatic Heart disease (RHD) is major cause of valvular heart diseases throughout the world which is the late sequel of rheumatic fever .
The pathogenesis of ARF is believed to involve the triad of a genetically susceptible individual, infection with a rheumatogenic strain of Group A Streptococci (GAS) cause a wide variety of life threatening diseases in developing countries like India. Characterization of GAS isolates is therefore necessary for prevention and control of pathogen associated diseases. Considering lack of adequate and comprehensive knowledge regarding genotypic analysis, the present proposal is an attempt to develop an easier way for identification of GAS strain in infected patient. The abnormal immune responses evoked post streptococcal infection can have strong correlation with genetic makeup of an individual. The possibility of a predisposing genetic influence in some individuals is one of the most perturbing factors that might contribute his susceptibility to RF.
The identification of this bacterium is traditionally based upon physiological and biochemical traits. Direct tests using fluorescent antibody, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and latex agglutination have been used widely for the detection of GAS. However, the sensitivity of these detection methods is limited. Moreover, definitive identification of Streptococci still requires conventional culture. Thus, the need exists for improving diagnostic methods for early detection of Group A streptococcal infection.
The project foresees development of a platform that can detect multiple GAS isolates and characterization of their virulence factors in a single test at a much lower cost than the methods which are being used currently.