The Hindu Editorial (Decoding the script) – Mar 02, 2024

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The Hindu Editorial (Decoding the script) – Mar 02, 2024:

decode (verb) – decipher, figure out, explain, understand, comprehend, interpret.
genome (noun) – the genetic material (a complete set of DNA, including all of its genes) of an organism. The sum total of the genetic material of a cell or an organism. It is the entire set of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) residing in the nucleus of every cell of each human body. It carries the complete genetic information responsible for the development and functioning of the organism; the DNA blueprint.
sequence (noun) – the complete order of compounds/building blocks (nucleotides) of nucleic acids, such as RNA or DNA. The DNA consists of a double-stranded molecule built up by four bases – adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G) and thymine (T). Every base on one strand pairs with a complementary base on the other strand (A with T and C with G) In all, the genome is made up of approximately 3.05 billion such base pairs. While the sequence or order of base pairs is identical in all humans, compared to that of a mouse or another species, there are differences in the genome of every human being that makes them unique.
genome sequence (noun) – The process of deciphering the order of base pairs, to decode the genetic fingerprint of a human is called genome sequencing. it is basically a process that determines the order, or sequence, of the DNA (nucleotides i.e., A, C, G and T) in each of the genes present in the genome.
Genome India Project (noun) – a project funded and coordinated by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). It is an exercise to create a reference database of 10,000 whole-genome sequences out of India. While India first sequenced a complete human genome in 2006, creating a database that is representative of the diversity of India’s population, is seen as a key step to being able to learn about genetic variants that are unique to India’s population groups and use that to customise drugs and therapies. About 20 institutions across India are involved in the project with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad being the lead institutions coordinating the project.
findings (noun) – conclusion arrived at (as a result of an inquiry/investigation).
widely (adverb) – publicly, broadly.
blueprint (noun) – plan, model, template, design, pattern.
constitute (verb) – form, shape, make up.
reference (noun) – information source.
in a way (phrase) – to certain degree/extent/level.
enterprise (noun) – undertaking, venture, exercise, operation, programme, project.
akin (adjective) – similar, related, comparable, equivalent, connected with.
key (adjective) – vital, important, essential, crucial.
topographical (adjective) – relating to the physical features, layout, or characteristics (especially the position of its rivers, mountains, etc.) of a particular area.
feature (noun) – characteristic, quality, property, aspect.
devoid of (noun) – lacking, without, free of/free from.
granular (adjective) – detailed, precise, minute.
insight (noun) – awareness, understanding, comprehension, apprehension.
prise (verb) – obtain something with effort/difficulty.
application (noun) – use, utilization, implementation.
geneticist (noun) – a biologist who studies genetics, the science of genes, heredity, and variation of organisms.
aberration (noun) – anomaly, deviation, divergence, abnormality, oddity, abnormality, eccentricity.
MYBPC3 gene (noun) – it encodes the cardiac isoform of myosin-binding protein C. Myosin-binding protein C is a myosin-associated protein found in the cross-bridge-bearing zone (C region) of A bands in striated muscle. MYBPC3 is expressed exclusively in heart muscle and is a key regulator of cardiac contraction.
correlate (verb) – connect, relate, associate.
variant (noun) – different or form or version or mutant of something.
ancestry (noun) – descent, succession, heritage, dynasty, lineage.
given (preposition) – considering, taking into account, bearing in mind.
the subcontinent (noun) – a physiographical region in Southern Asia. It spans major landmasses from the countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
order (verb) – organize, classify, categorize, group.
endogamy (noun) – the practice of marrying only within a specific family group, caste, ethnic or religious group; inbreeding, self-pollination.
imply (verb) – indicate, signify, suggest, denote, point to
ordinarily (adverb) – usually, normally, generally.
course of evolution (noun) – time of development, progress, advance, advancement, progression.
ought to (modal verb) – must, should.
die out (phrasal verb) – disappear, vanish, fade (away).
persist (verb) – continue, carry on, go on, keep going.
ring with (phrasal verb) – be filled with a specific quality; reverberate, echo, resound.
brave-new-world (adjective) – relating to a entirely new condition, particularly one in which there is some doubt about whether it can be good or successful.
humanity (noun) – humankind, the human race, human beings, humans, people.
awry (adjective) – uneven, lopsided, asymmetrical, off-centre, skewed, misaligned.
personalised medicine (noun) – it is an emerging practice of medicine that uses an individual’s genetic profile to guide decisions made in regard to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease.
pitch (noun) – a way of talking when attempting to convince someone to buy or accept something.
reflect (verb) – indicate, show, display, demonstrate, reveal, exhibit.
subsequent (adjective) – consecutive, successive, succeeding, following.
decade (noun) – a period of ten years.
temper (verb) – moderate, tone down, mitigate, decrease, lessen.
for one (phrase ) – a single reason/example given as an important one and almost surely sufficient to influence the argument, of several reasons/examples for something.
fraction (noun) – tiny amount, small part.
monogenic (adjective) – relating to a single gene.
inherited (adjective) – ancestral , hereditary, familial.
debilitating (adjective) – weakening, disabling, exhausting, undermining, impairing, paralyzing, immobilizing.
open up (phrasal verb) – disclose, reveal; make/become something available.
realm (noun) – arena, sphere, domain, field, territory, area.
go beyond (phrasal verb) – exceed, surpass, overtake, transcend; be more than something; to do more than something; to do more than is needed.
mark (noun) – target.
lock up (phrasal verb) – store, secure, seal, confine, put inside.
ivory tower (noun) – a place where people are happily separated from the rest of the world and so they have no knowledge or experience of the practical problems of everyday life (e.g. a place of learning like college/university).
academia (noun) – the environment or community in which education and/or research takes place, especially universities, (colleges and schools); the academic world
imaginative (adjective) – creative, insightful, resourceful, innovative.
ethicist (noun) – A person, particularly a philosopher, who studies ethics (principles governing right and wrong behaviour).
push forward (phrasal verb) – advance, promote, improve , move forward, press on.