** MIT team bags gold at iGEM 2020

Manipal BioMachines (MBM), a synthetic biology research team from Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, bagged the gold medal on its first attempt at the International Genetically Engineered Machine competition (iGEM 2020). The result was announced at the iGEM Giant Jamboree, hosted virtually from November 13 to 23.

** Bengaluru chosen for pioneer cities programme

To help pioneer a new global policy roadmap for smart cities

Bengaluru is among four cities in the country selected by the World Economic Forum, a Geneva-based not-for-profit organisation, to pioneer a new global policy roadmap for smart cities developed by the G20 GlobalSmart Cities Alliance. The other Indian cities selected for the programme are Faridabad, Hyderabad and Indore.

** New species of gecko found in the Eastern Ghats

This is the twelfth species to be discovered outside the Western Ghats

A new species of lizard, the smallest known Indian gekkonid, has been discovered in the Eastern Ghats. Studies show that the species belonged to the genus Cnemaspis. In India, 45 diverse species of Cnemaspis have been found, of which 34 are from the Western Ghats.