NEPAD SANBio / BioFISA II Annual Event Pitch competition, 21 - 22 May 2019

The NEPAD SouthernAfrica Network for Biosciences (SANBio) provides a shared research, development and innovation platform for collaborative research in health and nutrition. With the support of the BioFISA II Programme, since 2017, NEPAD SANBio has hosted an annual networking event for regional and international stakeholders to discuss pertinent issues in the SADC region.

Pitching competition

NEPAD SANBio is this year giving you an opportunity to come and present and showcase your innovative and creative business ideas at NEPAD SANBio / BioFISA II Annual Event. Your innovative ideas must be addressing key critical issues in health, food and nutrition in Africa.

Your innovation can be:

Idea

Developed Prototype

Start-up Company (less than 5 years of operation)

Established business

Date: 21 - 22 May 2019

Venue: CSIR ICC, Pretoria, South Africa

Eligibility:

Must be a citizen of the following countries:

Angola

Botswana

Mozambique

South Africa

Lesotho

Swaziland

Malawi

Namibia

Mauritius

Zimbabwe

Seychelles

Madagascar

Zambia.

Deadline for registration: 16 April 2019

Pitch your innovations in front of great investors and stand a chance get funding, investment and mentorship!

Register for the pitching competition here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SANBioAEP19

After registering for the pitching competition, also register for the event at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SANBioAE19

For more information, visit: http://www.nepadsanbio.org/

Fulbright-Nehru Postdoctoral Research Fellowships 2020 - 2021

These fellowships are designed for Indian faculty and researchers who are in the early stages of their research careers in India. The Postdoctoral Research Fellowships will provide opportunities to talented faculty and researchers to strengthen their research capacities. Postdoctoral fellows will have access to some of the finest resources in their areas of interest and will help build long-term collaborative relationships with U.S. faculty and institutions.

Applications are invited in the following fields only: 

  Agricultural Sciences

  Anthropology

  Bioengineering

  Computer Science

  Economics

  Education Policy and Planning

  Energy Studies

  History

  International Law

  International Security and Strategic Studies

  Materials Science

  Mathematical Sciences

  Neurosciences

  Performing Arts

  Physical Sciences

  Public Health

  Public Policy

Duration

8 – 24 months

Application deadline

15 July 2019

  

Grant Benefits

These fellowships provide J-1 visa support, a monthly stipend, Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges per U.S. Government guidelines, round-trip economy class air travel from India to the U.S., a modest settling-in allowance, and a professional allowance. 

Subject to availability of funds, a dependent allowance and international travel may be provided for one accompanying eligible dependent provided the dependent is with the grantee in the U.S. for at least 80 per cent of the grant period.

Eligibility Requirements

In addition to the General Prerequisites:

·         The applicant must have a Ph.D. degree within the past four years. S/he must have obtained Ph.D. degree between July 16, 2015 and July 15, 2019. The applicant is required to upload his/her Ph.D. degree certificate/provisional Ph.D. certificate in the online application;

·         The applicant must be published in reputed journals and demonstrate evidence of superior academic and professional achievement. Please upload a recent significant publication (copy of paper/article) in the online application; and

·         If applicant is employed, please follow the instructions carefully regarding Letter of Support from Home Institution. If applicable, please obtain the endorsement from the appropriate administrative authority on the FNPostdoc Letter of Support from Home Institution. The employer must indicate that leave will be granted for the fellowship period.

How to Apply

1. Applications must be submitted online at: https://apply.iie.org/fvsp2020

More details here: http://www.usief.org.in/Fulbright-Nehru-Postdoctoral-Research-Fellowship.aspx

Sida rhombiofolia leaf extract inhibits α-amylase and sucrase activity: Herbal therapy for diabetes mellitus.

https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-656117924-escoba-dura-sida-rhombifolia-planta-nativa-mariposas-_JM?quantity=1

Diabetes mellitus remains the most prevalent endocrine disorder characterized by elevated fasting blood glucose levels. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates that over 425 million are living with diabetes around the globe with about 90 – 95% are type 2 diabetics. Despite the current medical interventions, diabetes and diabetic complications continue to claim lives with around 5.1 million yearly deaths. 

There is therefore, need for research into the medicinal plant extracts and herbs for management of diabetes. This can also result in the discovery of compounds which can be developed as antidiabetic drugs.

https://www.beforward.jp/

In a research carried out by researchers at the University of Botswana, a leaf extract of the plant sida rhombiofolia was evaluated for its antidiabetic potential. The researchers found out that the extract lowered blood glucose in diabetic subjects. In trying to find out how the extract works, Bati and co-researchers explored the extract’s effects on glucose digestion and absorption, a method employed a clinically used drug; Acarbose. They found out that it inhibited the enzymatic activity of α-amylase and sucrase in a concentration dependent manner. 

Their results implies that the extract can be used to manage sugar levels after meals in type 2 diabetes mellitus by reducing the absorption of glucose from the intestines into the blood stream.

Read full paper here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326985241_The_Inhibitory_Effect_of_An_Ethanol_Extract_of_Sida_rhombifolia_Leaves_on_Key_Carbohydrate_Hydrolyzing_Enzymes

International Summer School on Gene Regulation, Epigenetics and Genome Stability, 2019

The International Summer School (ISS) is a 6-week programme with a focus on “Gene Regulation, Epigenetics and Genome Stability”. It is coordinated by the Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB).

The programme offers outstanding and enthusiastic undergraduate and Master's students from all over the world the opportunity to acquire excellent practical skills and hands-on training from leading scientists in molecular biology.

The International Summer School has a clearly defined and unique profile that will provide you with interdisciplinary education in the following fields:

·         Epigenetics

·         Gene Regulation

·         DNA Damage & Genome Stability

·         Developmental Biology

·         Systems Biology & Bioinformatics  

·         Translational Research

·          

ELIGIBILITY & HOW TO APPLY

Important dates

·         12 February 2019: Deadline for registration (12:00 noon CET)

·         19 February 2019: Deadline for application (12:00 noon CET) 

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for the ISS you need to have been successfully studying a life sciences related subject at university for a minimum of three years by the time of the ISS. Students currently studying for a Master's degree can also apply. Since the programme has a strong hands-on focus, you should have previous research experience.

The ISS is an international programme and applications are encouraged from students from all over the world. However, unfortunately, due to funding restrictions, German students or students studying in Germany during the time of the ISS are not eligible for consideration.

The international nature of the ISS means that the entire programme is held in English, so you need to be able to communicate in this language. 

How to Apply

The application consists of 2 steps:

Registration: Please provide contact details of yourself and referees. Once you have submitted this information, you will receive an email with a link to the online application form. Your nominated referees will also receive a personalised link to the standard reference form and upload page. You will be notified by email when a reference letter is submitted. It is important that we receive the reference letter(s) prior to the application deadline! Please make sure that you enter all contact data correctly since we cannot change it after your registration and emails are sent automatically by our application system. 

Application: The application form will ask you to provide the information and documents listed below. As the form cannot be saved, we strongly advise you to prepare and save this information separately before you begin. Texts can then be pasted into the form as required. The application must be completed in English.

The online application form will ask for:

·         Personal data, including your address and contact details

·         Curriculum vitae

·         University registration certificate that confirms your status as a student (if applicable)

·         High school certificate

·         University certificates such as transcripts of records

·         Extra-curricular activities or awards

·         A motivational statement describing your interest in the ISS

Please note that your documents should be uploaded as 2 PDF files:

·         CV, max size 3 MB

·         Education certificates, max size 4 MB

Certificates or copies of your university records are preferred in English. However, if not available from your university, authorised translations are not necessary.

For more information: https://www.imb.de/students-postdocs/international-summer-school/