Popular Science Lecture - 86

Why do most deadly viruses contain RNA?


Venue: Anna Centenary Library,
Kotturpuram
Chennai

December 21, 2024
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Organised by Anna Centenary Library & TNSF

About Program







This is part of its efforts to popularize science to the general public and students who are pursuing science as their career. TNSF attempt to focus on students on higher science as everyone knows that learning of science at college within the curriculum is not enough to acquire holistic knowledge of science at the appropriate time. Hence, to fill the gap between what students are acquiring through the curriculum and what it is required, TNSF is planning its activities on higher science to students who are pursuing higher education.



About the Lecture
The central rule for the propagation of life is the accurate transmission of genetic information from one generation to the next. Yet, RNA viruses defy this fundamental principle. Their replication is marked by high error rates, a feature that would seem detrimental in most contexts. Instead, this apparent flaw is key to their extraordinary success, enabling them to outmaneuver their DNA-containing counterparts. How do RNA viruses thrive despite—or perhaps because of—their high mutation rates? How does this ability shape their evolution, adaptability, and virulence? In this talk, the speaker will unravel the mechanisms that allow RNA viruses to break this cardinal rule of life and turn it into an advantage, explaining why they dominate the list of deadly pathogens.

உயிரின் பரவலுக்கு மையக் கோட்பாடு துல்லியமான மரபணு தகவலைத் தலைமுறையிலிருந்து தலைமுறைக்கு பரிமாறுவதே ஆகும். ஆனால், RNA வைரஸ்கள் இந்த அடிப்படைக் கோட்பாட்டை மீறுகின்றன. உயர்ந்த தவறான மறு எழுத்துப்பதிவு வீதத்துடன், இவை தனது உச்ச வெற்றியை அடைகின்றன. இந்த உரையில், உரையாளர், RNA வைரஸ்களின் இயற்கை, வளர்ச்சி மற்றும் தீவிரத்தன்மையை விளக்குவார்.

SCHEDULE

Time: 11:00 am to 1:00 pm - December 21, 2024

Attendance Registration starts at 10:30 am

11:00 am

Introduction

11:10 am

Dr. Arun Panchapakesan
Assistant Professor and Laboratory Manager,Molecular Biology Laboratory, YR Gaithonde Centre for AIDS Research and Education (YRG CARE)

Why do most deadly viruses contain RNA?

12:10 pm

Q & A

Speakers

Dr. Arun Panchapakesan

Dr. Arun Panchapakesan

Dr. Arun Panchapakesan is an Assistant Professor and Laboratory Manager at the Molecular Biology Laboratory, YR Gaithonde Centre for AIDS Research and Education (YRG CARE). He holds a BE in Biotechnology from RV College of Engineering and a PhD in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore. His work focuses on HIV-1 research, including viral evolution and reverse transcriptase mechanisms, with several publications and manuscripts under review.

Dr. Arun is also a science journalist, contributing articles on HIV, COVID-19, and general science topics to platforms like The Hindu and The Wire. He is a visiting faculty member teaching biostatistics, an amateur astronomer, and a science outreach advocate. Fluent in multiple languages, he engages in citizen science and educational initiatives, and he holds a radio broadcast license. His contributions span academic research, science communication, and public education.

Venue

Anna Centenary Library,
Kotturpuram,
Chennai

Call

+91 9176512565

Email us

tamilnadutnsfchennai@gmail.com

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