From Rote Learning to Real-World Application: Reforming Biology Education for Effective BioE3 Implementation

 Ms. Anushka Dobhal and Prof. Swarkar Sharma

Present biology education, while rich in theoretical content, often falls short in fostering true innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. A significant consequence is the production of job seekers rather than job creators. Its important to explore how current academic practices contribute to this issue and suggest necessary tweaks for the effective implementation of BioE3 (Biology, Entrepreneurship, Engineering, and Environment), a framework that holds the potential to revolutionise biology education and cultivate a generation of innovators.

A primary culprit is the over-reliance on rote learning and memorisation. The curriculum, particularly at the secondary and senior secondary levels, heavily emphasises memorising facts, diagrams, and complex pathways. While a strong theoretical foundation is crucial, the lack of emphasis on critical thinking, problem-solving, and practical application stifles students' ability to translate knowledge into tangible solutions. For instance, exams often prioritise recall over understanding, reinforcing the habit of passive learning and hindering the development of independent thought.

Furthermore, a disconnect exists between the theoretical knowledge imparted in classrooms and the real-world applications of biology in research, industry, and entrepreneurship. Students often graduate with a comprehensive understanding of cellular processes but lack the skills to apply this knowledge to solve real-world problems, such as developing new diagnostic tools, improving agricultural practices, or addressing environmental concerns. The absence of hands-on experience, laboratory work designed to foster innovation, and exposure to cutting-edge research limits their ability to envision and create novel solutions.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 marks a transformative shift in Indian education, aiming to move away from rote learning towards a more holistic, inquiry-driven, and application-based approach. By emphasizing critical thinking, creativity, and multidisciplinary learning, NEP2020 addresses long-standing issues in traditional education, particularly the overemphasis on memorization at the cost of deeper understanding. However, despite its progressive vision, still a gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application exist—especially in the biological sciences, and at ground level implementation, and needs effective bridging. Hands-on experience, innovation-driven laboratory work, and exposure to real-world biological challenges remain limited within the current framework. 

To effectively implement BioE3 and cultivate a generation of biology innovators, several key tweaks are necessary. Firstly, there needs to be a shift in academic approaches from rote learning to practical-based learning. This involves encouraging students to ask questions, design experiments, analyse data, and draw conclusions based on evidence. Teachers need to be trained in facilitating this type of learning environment, where students are actively engaged in the learning process.

 Secondly, the curriculum needs to be revised to incorporate more hands-on learning experiences, including laboratory work, field trips, and internships. These experiences should be designed to expose students to real-world problems and allow them to apply their knowledge to develop practical solutions. Collaboration with research institutions and biotech companies can provide valuable opportunities for students to gain practical experience and mentorship.

Thirdly, the curriculum needs to be made more interdisciplinary. Biology should be taught in conjunction with other relevant fields, such as engineering, mathematics, chemistry, and environmental science. This can be achieved through integrated projects and courses that encourage students to apply knowledge from different fields to solve complex problems.

Finally, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset is crucial. The curriculum should include elements of business and entrepreneurship, such as market research, product development, and business planning. Students should be encouraged to identify unmet needs in the market and develop innovative solutions to address these needs. Mentorship from successful entrepreneurs can provide valuable guidance and inspiration.

The efforts in transforming biology education from a system that primarily produces job seekers to one that fosters innovators requires a fundamental shift in pedagogical approaches, curriculum design, and mindset. By embracing inquiry-based learning, promoting hands-on experiences, fostering interdisciplinary thinking, and cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset, India can unlock the full potential of its students and become a global leader in the biotechnology and life sciences sectors. The effective implementation of BioE3 represents a crucial step towards achieving this goal. We believe ideas like our BIOSKOOL offer a vital solution. With the focus on experiential biology education, integration of the BioE3 (Biology, Entrepreneurship, Engineering, and Environment) framework, and commitment to nurturing problem-solvers rather than passive learners, BIOSKOOL complements NEP2020’s goals by enabling students to apply their knowledge meaningfully and innovatively, preparing them to be future-ready innovators, researchers, bio-entrepreneurs and changemakers.

Ms. Anushka is M.Sc. graduate in Biotechnology from Centre for Molecular Biology, Central University of Jammu and she is one of the co-founders of idea “BIOSKOOL” (www.bioskool.in). Prof. Swarkar, is Professor at Dept. of Zoology, Central University of Jammu and conceived the idea of BIOSKOOL. (swarkar.molb@cujammu.ac.in)

what are recessive genetic diseases?

 

Dr. Swarkar Sharma

Human Genetics Research Group, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra

In Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), the rate of consanguinity is relatively high due to restricted geographical localization, endogamous population groups and utmost, majority population performs relatively high consanguinity. Since, consanguinity is widely prevalent in majority population, a very high prevalence of several rare human genetic disorders, yet to be identified and characterized, is suspected. In many of such disorders, that are not lethal in early age, individuals remain normal at birth and have disease symptoms later in age that keep on intensifying with advancement of age, sometimes resulting in loss of life. These disorders might have remained unidentified due to geographical isolation, less awareness and limited clinical resources. These disorders as such appear rare however, if unattended in due course may turn out to be huge problem and start to effect at population level instead of being restricted to limited families.

There is this string that makes us Human and binds us together, called the Human DNA, inherited from our ancestors. Every human shared the ancestors and thus share the DNA. DNA is the blueprint of life. It is present in each organism whether it is single cell like bacteria or with many cells like Human. It holds information as instructions, necessary for a living organism to grow and live. HOW DNA Works? The DNA strand is made of string of 4 letters. A, T, G, C. these letters in specific pattern make words and these words together make sentences called the “genes”. We can simply correlate that the sentences carry instructions.  These genes tell the cell to make proteins which enable a cell to perform specific function. So for different type of functions, different genes exist which code for different proteins. With some exceptions, there are two copies of each gene in each individual. One copy is inherited to child from Father and another from the mother. 

During this process, sometimes errors may occur called the Mutation. As we considered gene as a sentence, Let us try to understand it with this example of a sentence, “the car hit the dog”. Lets assume, this is the message of our gene. While DNA is making its copy, there is possibility of different errors. if any of these errors occur, it could be like “the car hit the Fog”, changing the meaning or jumbled up sentence, losing its message due to letter rearrangement like “the C arh itt hed og” or different meaning due to words rearrangements like “hit the car the dog”. The same may happen with the protein if gene has some change. So occurrence of error may result in change in function or altered function of protein. 

We are more concerned about negative impact and specifically when both the copies of the gene have mutation. lets assume, there is a mutation in one copy of gene in mother, may be she has inherited it from either of her parents. As long as father and mother contributed normal copy of gene, kid is normal. If mother has inherited the mutated gene, the normal gene from the parents tries to compensate and disease may not appear and kid though is a carrier yet appears unaffected. Now lets expand the situation. If mother has a carrier cousin who has a carrier daughter and both families decide to marry their kids. Now if both the carriers inherited normal gene copy, kid is normal but if both inherited mutated copy, the severe disease appears and kid is affected and is the scenario called as recessive disorder. 

Recessive disorders are many a times lethal and most of the times severely affect the patients. Though it is random process and chance that an individual is normal, carrier or affected but the probability and possibility of recessive diseases increases by many folds when marriage is within highly close group or within a family. This happens because chances increase that both parents inherit mutated copies of the gene. Closer the relationship, higher is the possibility of inheritance of both mutated Gene copies and appearance of a disorder. Especially it is alarming and critical for the families where incidences of such disorders already exist. 

Ayurvedome and Ayurvedomics: Exploring Indian Traditional Medicinal Practices the Genomics Way!

 

Dr. Swarkar Sharma (Coordinator, Human genetics Research Group)

Ayurveda is our traditional ancient medicine system. Ayurveda has two Sanskrit words, Ayus = life and Veda = science. The core principle of Ayurveda is personalising the medical process as per the individual’s composition or body matrix "Prakriti". Unlike other systems in medicine, Ayurveda’s emphasis is more on maintaining a healthy being than on treatment. Further treatment also targets causative factors causing disequilibrium of the body matrix through the use of medicines, diet and activities to restore the balance and strengthen the body mechanisms. Also, over time, various traditional treatments in the modern medical system have proven their effectiveness beyond any doubt. It is all now a matter of a few years that these will secure a prominent role in global healthcare scenarios.

“Precision Medicine” is an emerging field in healthcare in the modern world. With continuous improvement in the methodologies and development and establishment of baseline datasets, it has already secured a prominent place in developed countries. Precision Genomics with Genome information (genetic composition of an individual) at its core offers healthcare providers important information. It helps personalise treatment, determine risk for certain genetic conditions, and even identify how well one may respond to certain medications and dosages. In addition, genomics approaches to address rare genetic diseases have facilitated beyond limits in characterisation, identification and therapeutic intervention. This helps reduce costs while providing a better experience overall. 

The idea of "Prakriti", from Ayurveda, in humans is fascinating and understanding it with genomics makes it exhilarating. We all humans share a common ancestry; thus, common genetic components influence these, yet the combinations of these components make everyone unique. I believe the genetic composition of an individual (Genome) contributes to the "Prakriti", and the genes and their activity potentially have a relationship with Tridoshas and Trigunas. The terms “Ayurvedome” and “Ayurvedomics” is an effort to extend the well-established traditional medicinal system of the Indian subcontinent beyond to find a correlation with modern global advancements termed “omics”. It is anticipated that the efforts to combine Ayurveda with Omics will bring out outstanding rewards in Personalized Medicine. It is worth proposing that working in the domains together will bear more fruits for the benefit of humankind and find answers to questions and challenges in healthcare, rather than acting in silos and competing against each other.

जम्मू और कश्मीर-भारत में दुर्लभ बीमारियां आम हैं और विशेष देखभाल की जरूरत है |

डॉ सावरकर शर्मा (ह्यूमन जेनेटिक्स रिसर्च ग्रुप)

जम्मू और कश्मीर मुख्य रूप से एक पहाड़ी इलाका है, इसलिए अधिकांश जनसंख्या समूह पूरे क्षेत्र में छोटे भौगोलिक क्षेत्रों में मौजूद हैं। भौगोलिक अलगाव के साथ और अधिकांश जनसंख्या समूह विशेष उपसमूहों के भीतर विवाह का अभ्यास और प्रदर्शन करते हैं, जिसके परिणामस्वरूप क्षेत्र में उच्च अंतःप्रजनन होता है। इसके अलावा, जम्मू और कश्मीर की बहुसंख्यक आबादी आम सहमति (अर्थात परिवार में विवाह) का पालन करती है। वैज्ञानिक प्रमाण अब इस बात की पुष्टि करते हैं कि उच्च रक्तसंबंध दुर्लभ आनुवंशिक विकारों की  घटनाओं का कारण बनता है। जम्मू-कश्मीर में इस तरह की जनसंख्या संरचना के कारण , इस क्षेत्र में दुर्लभ आनुवंशिक विकारों की  उच्च संभावना है। दुर्भाग्य से, अच्छे क्लीनिकल परीक्षण ​​​​संसाधनों की कमी के कारण इनमें से कई का अभी तक निदान नहीं हो पाया है।

2013 से हम इस क्षेत्र की आबादी के जीनपूल को समझने के लिए काम कर रहे हैं। विभिन्न आनुवंशिक परीक्षण विधियों को लागू करते हुए, हम विभिन्न प्रकार के दुर्लभ आनुवंशिक विकारों की पहचान और लक्षण वर्णन में सफल रहे हैं और कार्य प्रतिष्ठित वैज्ञानिक पत्रिकाओं में प्रकाशित हुए हैं।

ऐसे कई विकारों में, जो कम उम्र में घातक नहीं होते हैं, व्यक्ति जन्म के समय सामान्य रहते हैं और बाद में उम्र में रोग के लक्षण होते हैं जो उम्र बढ़ने के साथ तेज होते रहते हैं, जिसके परिणामस्वरूप कभी-कभी जीवन की हानि होती है। इस तरह के विकार दुर्लभ दिखाई देते हैं, हालांकि, अगर नियत समय में उन पर ध्यान नहीं दिया गया तो यह बहुत बड़ी समस्या बन सकती है। दुनिया भर में, जेनेटिक्स ने स्वास्थ्य सेवाओं और दुर्लभ विकारों की जांच में महत्वपूर्ण स्थान हासिल करना शुरू कर दिया है और अनाथ दवाओं का विकास महत्व प्राप्त कर रहा है क्योंकि कुल मिलाकर ये स्वास्थ्य पर भारी बोझ डालते हैं। हालाँकि, भारत, विशेषकर जम्मू और कश्मीर में इस तरह की प्रथाओं का अभी भी अभाव है।

हालांकि इस तरह के विकारों की पहचान और लक्षण वर्णन जटिल है, यह पता लगाना अपेक्षाकृत आसान है कि कोई विकार आनुवंशिक और वंशानुगत है या नहीं। यदि किसी विकार का पारंपरिक रूप से निदान नहीं किया जा सकता है या सटीक कारण ज्ञात नहीं है, तो इसमें एक आनुवंशिक घटक शामिल हो सकता है। विस्तारित परिवार में एक से अधिक व्यक्ति प्रभावित होते हैं (जिसमें पैतृक और नाना-नानी, चाचा, चाची, चचेरे भाई आदि शामिल हैं)। ऐसे विकारों से पीड़ित मरीजों और परिवारों को ज्यादातर समय पारंपरिक चिकित्सा से राहत नहीं मिलती है। उपचार के बावजूद, केवल आंशिक रोगसूचक राहत होती है या लक्षण गायब नहीं होते हैं और फिर से प्रकट होते हैं। इस तरह के विकार विशेष दृष्टिकोण की मांग करते हैं, खासकर यदि लक्ष्य परिवार और आबादी से बीमारी का उन्मूलन है।

Precision Medicine: The future is here, where are we in Jammu and Kashmir?

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) constitutes genome, contains biological instructions to make each species unique and along with the instructions it contains, is inherited from one generation to next generation. This biological information is encoded in fragments of DNA called Genes. To keep things simple in understanding, there are approximately 20,000-25,000 Genes in humans. These individually or in combinations/associations with other regions of genome, as well as interactions with environment, take care of composition and all the functions of the body. Each Gene has primarily two copies and Mother and Father contribute equally, one copy each, that they have inherited from their parents. In this way, transmission of characters from parents to children is controlled (known as heredity). During course of inheritance as well as growth of a body, due to various factors, some changes may arise in DNA and are called mutation or variations. Some of these variations remain restricted to the individual itself (somatic) or are inherited to the next generation (Germline). These variations can be neutral or may have negative or positive impact as they may affect function of a Gene. In addition, as genes have potential to interact with environmental conditions, these variations may effect function of a gene and subsequently expression of the characteristics. When a positive effect, it can be beneficial by helping in adaptation to environment and better survival. However, if negative impact, may result in a disease condition. With this background, to summarize, DNA and its composition may play critical role in defining physical features (called phenotypes), disease predisposition (susceptibility) or resulting in genetic disorder condition, based on how strong the effect of variation is (called penetrance). Thus, this spectrum, like rare monogenic (single gene caused) diseases to complex multifactorial and polygenic (multiple genes and environment) characteristics/disorders, clearly depends on penetrance of these variations.

With the exponential development in genomic approaches and advent of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and high end computational data analyses (big data in genomics), that has already facilitated screening of whole genome of  an Individual in couple of hours itself, new domain in healthcare, “Precision Medicine” is emerging. With continuous improvement in the methodologies and, development and establishment of baseline datasets, in developed countries it has already secured its place in healthcare in various domains. In India, it is slowly making its way, primarily in Tier 1 cities. Precision Genomics offers healthcare providers important genomic information that can help personalize ones treatment, determine ones risk for certain genetic conditions, and even identify how well one may respond to certain medications and dosages. This helps reduce costs while providing a better experience overall. In addition, it has been observed that incorporation of genomics in healthcare, especially to address rare genetic conditions, has facilitated beyond limits in characterization, identification and therapeutic intervention. 

It is important to mention that scientific evidences suggest that Indian populations have unique genepool that it has acquired over period of time due to different population specific natural selection scenarios and migrations etc. Over the period of time, due to our social practices, it may have resulted in unique population specific genetic signatures, many of which may be restricted to independent population groups (endogroups: based on religion, caste, language, ethnicity etc.). With upcoming research in the domain, these are being explored and many a such signatures are coming into light. Yet, a lot has to be done keeping in mind huge population diversity of the land and extensive geographical and social distribution of various endogroups countrywide.

The population structure of Jammu and Kashmir is also quite unique. J&K is mainly a hilly terrain, so majority of the population groups exist in small geographic pockets throughout the region and until recently these population groups have remained isolated which might have resulted in diverse but conserved gene pool over a period of time, as observed by various studies carried out by our research group. Subsequently, the health hazards and diseases in the region that affect the populations in the region, in addition to the common ones, hugely are different rare disorders, many remain uncharacterized, may be restricted to particular families or populations, yet to be understood and gain attention. In many of such disorders, that are not lethal in early age, individuals remain normal at birth and have disease symptoms later in age that keep on intensifying with advancement of age, sometimes resulting in loss of life. To highlight, geographic isolation and most of the population groups practicing and performing marriages preferentially within particular subgroups, result in high inbreeding. Adding to it, majority of population of Jammu and Kashmir practice consanguinity (i.e. marriage with in the family). It is a known fact that high consanguinity cause high incidence of rare genetic disorders. In light of such population structure in J&K, a high incidence of rare genetic disorders is expected in the region, to the extent, these rare disorders start to appear like an epidemic in isolated areas. Carrying this information to general public is an important component in the maintenance and control of such disorders. It is need of the day that not only population residing in urban areas but remote areas too are educated about genetic disorders as well as practice of high consanguinity especially, in situations when incidence of disorders is reported in families. 

With this background, Human Genetics Research Group at School of Biotechnology at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, with support from collaborators, has initiated a project called “Project JK-DNA” (www.jkdna.in). The purpose of the project is to provide an online open access resource with the goal of aggregating and harmonising both Human Exome and Genome sequencing data from population of J&K through its genome sequencing projects (Next Generation Sequencing), published resources or public datasets, and making summary data available for the use of wider scientific community especially medical researchers in J&K and India. HGRG SMVDU has plans to pool NGS datasets, generated with collaborators from Institute of Human Genetics and School of Biotechnology, University of Jammu, for better and higher genomic resolution. The portal will also feature various scientific outcomes in the domain, from the region, in simple and layman’s terms for the knowledge and awareness of the common masses. 

 About HGRG:

Human Genetics Research Group (HGRG) is established at the School of Biotechnology, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, India. HGRG team, comprised of researchers with enhanced skill sets, is working in the area of Human Evolutionary Genetics, Rare Undiagnosed Genetic Disorders and Complex Genetic disorders in the Human population of Jammu and Kashmir. The group has received research grants from various external Funding agencies:  DST SERB GoI; UGC GoI, CSIR GoI; National Geographic Society, USA. Group has high-impact scientific research publications and patents to their credit. 

Jammu and Kashmir Healthcare System needs Genetic Counselling and Molecular Medicine integration.

In an international study, it has been observed that on an average a rare disorder patient needs to consult at least 5 doctors, receives 3 misdiagnoses and waits 4 years before receiving a right diagnosis. This is the case in developed countries like UK. Unfortunately, situation is very bad in India where rare diseases are yet to gain importance due to priority of the health services to cater huge burden of common and communicable diseases. With this background as well as lack of good clinical and diagnostic resources, many of these disorders yet have not been diagnosed or misdiagnosed. The health hazard scenario in Jammu and Kashmir  is quite unique. J&K is mainly a hilly terrain, so majority of the population groups exist in small geographic pockets through out the region. With the geographic isolation and climatic advantage many of the severe infections and parasites are yet to reach or affect populations in the region that bad as other regions of India. So, the health hazards and diseases in the region that hugely affect the populations in the region are not the common ones but huge number of different rare disorders, may be restricted to particular families or populations, yet to be understood and gain attention. In many of such disorders, that are not lethal in early age, individuals remain normal at birth and have disease symptoms later in age that keep on intensifying with advancement of age, sometimes resulting in loss of life. 

To highlight, geographic isolation and most of the population groups practicing and performing marriages preferentially within particular subgroups, result in high inbreeding in the region. Adding to it, majority of population of Jammu and Kashmir practice consanguinity (i.e. marriage with in the family). It is a known fact that high consanguinity cause high incidence of rare genetic disorders. In light of such population structure in J&K, a high incidence of rare genetic disorders is expected in the region, to the extent, these rare disorders start to appear like an epidemic in isolated areas. Carrying this information to general public is an important component in the maintenance and control of such disorders. It is need of the day that not only population residing in urban areas but remote areas too are educated about genetic disorders as well as practice of high consanguinity especially, in situations when incidence of disorders is reported in families. 

Worldwide, Genetics has started to attain key position in healthcare services and rare disorders screening and Orphan drug development is attaining importance as altogether these pose huge health burdens. However, such practices are still lacking in India, especially Jammu and Kashmir. It is high time, we pay attention to such diseases, as can be seen, these started to appear like huge health burden in populations of the region.

Swarkar Sharma (Coordinator, Human genetics Research Group), 

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, katra, J&K, India 

swarkar.sharma@smvdu.ac.in

Rare diseases otherwise, are common in Jammu and Kashmir, India

Jammu and Kashmir  is mainly a hilly terrain, so majority of the population groups exist in small geographic pockets through out the region. With geographic isolation and most of the population groups practicing and performing marriages preferentially within particular subgroups, result in high inbreeding in the region. Adding to it, majority of population of Jammu and Kashmir practice consanguinity (i.e. marriage with in the family). Scientific evidences now confirm that high consanguinity cause high incidence of rare genetic disorders. In light of such population structure in J&K, a high incidence of rare genetic disorders is expected in the region. Unfortunately, due to lack of good clinical and diagnostic resources, many of these have not been diagnosed or misdiagnosed. 

In 2016, our team has successfully characterized one such disorder and identified the genetic cause of it. The research work has now been acclaimed by international scientific community and last week been published in the renowned scientific journal, Nature Scientific Reports. This discovery has solved the mystery of decades old crippling skeletal disorder of Arai village of Poonch District, Jammu and Kashmir, India. The team identified it as Progressive Pseudorheumatoid Dysplasia (PPD). Otherwise rare, due to lack of characterization and proper management, the disorder has gained alarming proportions in the village. 

In many of such disorders, that are not lethal in early age, individuals remain normal at birth and have disease symptoms later in age that keep on intensifying with advancement of age, sometimes resulting in loss of life. These disorders as such appear rare however, if unattended in due course may turn out to be huge problem. Worldwide, Genetics has started to attain key position in healthcare services and rare disorders screening and Orphan drug development is attaining importance as altogether these pose huge health burdens. However, such practices are still lacking in India, especially Jammu and Kashmir.

Understanding the basics of inheritance is essential as it helps to figure out the plausibility of a disorder as an inherited disease or genetic disease. For a brief overview, Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) contains biological instructions (called the genes) for the various functions in the human body. As DNA is inherited, these instructions are inherited from parents to children. Sometimes, if an error occurs in a gene (mutation), that could be by chance, the biological instructions are affected or changed, resulting in a disease situation. And once this change appears, may be inherited to next generation and in due course mutation and disease keeps accumulating in the family. It may attain alarming proportions if unchecked as we had seen in Arai Village. So, it is very critical to identify families where such disorders exist. Though identification and characterization of such disorders is complicated, it is relatively easy to find if a disorder is Genetic or hereditary. The rule of the thumb is, if a disorder could not be diagnosed conventionally or the exact cause is not known, might have a genetic component involved. Patients suffering from such disorders most of the times do not respond to conventional therapy or despite treatment, partial relief or symptoms do not vanish and reappear. The main key component: more than one person is affected in extended family (that involves, paternal and maternal grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousin etc). Such disorders ask for special approach and I invite sharing such information at swarkar.sharma@smvdu.ac.in or sawerkar@gmail.com, to help you or the family in better understanding. 

Dr. Swarkar Sharma, Ph.D., 

Human Genetics Research Group, 

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Katra, India.