The Scholar's Lens: A Blog by Dr. M A Mujeeb

 Dr. M A Mujeeb | @muzeeb_7/X A CRISPR Breakthrough: Removing the Extra Chromosome 21 in Down Syndrome Cells In a landmark development that could reshape the future of genetic medicine, researchers in Japan have successfully used CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing to remove the extra copy of chromosome 21, the root cause of Down syndrome from human cells. This breakthrough, though still in its early stages, opens new avenues for understanding and potentially treating trisomy 21 at its genetic core. (AI generated representation of gene therapy by CRISPR-Cas9) 🔍 The Science Behind the Innovation Down syndrome, or trisomy 21, arises when an individual inherits three copies of chromosome 21 instead of the usual two. This genetic anomaly leads to a spectrum of developmental, cognitive, and health challenges. Until now, therapeutic strategies have focused on managing symptoms not correcting the underlying genetic cause. That changed with a recent study led by Dr. Ryotaro Hashizume and his team ...

Science, Solidarity, and the Streets: Prof. Vipin Kumar Tripathi’s Quiet Stand for Palestine Dr. M A Mujeeb | @muzeeb_7/X In an age where silence often feels safer than speaking out, retired IIT Delhi physicist Prof. Vipin Kumar Tripathi continues to defy convention, not in a lecture hall, but on the streets. Known for his pioneering work in plasma physics and his unwavering commitment to communal harmony, Prof. Tripathi has now extended his activism to a global humanitarian crisis, the suffering of Palestinians. (Image courtesy: https://thehindustangazette.com ) 📜 A Physicist with a Pamphlet In 2025, Prof. Tripathi was seen distributing pamphlets near Delhi University’s North Campus. The leaflets condemned the violence in Gaza and called for peace, justice, and solidarity with Palestinians. What followed was not a quiet act of civic engagement, but confrontation. He was harassed, verbally abused, and told to stop. His response? Calm, resolute, and deeply human:  “ They are our o...

  drmujeebwrites.blogspot.com | Dr. M A Mujeeb Nobel Prize in Medicine 2025: Decoding the Immune System’s Self-Control (Image Courtesy: The Nobel Prize X handle) The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been announced a short while ago, awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi for their transformative discoveries in peripheral immune tolerance—a biological safeguard that prevents the immune system from attacking the body’s own tissues. Their work has reshaped immunology and opened new frontiers in treating autoimmune diseases, cancer, and transplant rejection. Understanding Peripheral Immune Tolerance The immune system is a powerful defense network, designed to eliminate pathogens and protect the body. But how does it distinguish between harmful invaders and the body’s own cells? Historically, scientists believed that central tolerance is a process occurring in the thymus was the primary mechanism for preventing autoimmunity. However, th...

Dr. M A Mujeeb |  drmujeebwrites.blogspot.com   Several news outlets reporting the cluster of tragic child deaths after taking cough syrup in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India has alarmed families and health officials. This article explains what happened, why certain syrups can be deadly, how the poisoning works in the body, and what parents and health workers should watch for. Background Young children developed ordinary cold symptoms, were given over‑the‑counter cough syrups, and within a day or two their condition worsened rapidly leading to vomiting, reduced urine, extreme lethargy, breathing trouble and, in several cases, death. Investigations are ongoing, and regulators have temporarily pulled suspect products for testing. Who is most at risk? Infants and toddlers (especially under 5 years) because their organs and drug processing systems are immature. Children given age‑inappropriate medicines or excessive doses. Anyone exposed to contaminate...