The team of IIT Madras researchers made use of computational tools, the team studied its two close variants – SARS-CoV and NL63.

The team of IIT Madras researchers were led by Professor M. Michael Gromiha, Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, IIT Madras, Dr. Puneet Rawat and Dr. Sherlyn Jemimah, Research Scholars from IIT Madras.

IIT Madras researchers study great transmission potential

IIT Madras researchers set out to understand how the spike proteins (which enables the coronavirus to penetrate human cells and cause COVID-19) of these different virus strains are interacting with the ACE2 receptors of human cells and how this interaction is affecting their transmission potential and severity of the disease.

‘SARS-CoV’ can be considered a ‘sibling’ of the subfamily beta coronavirus ‘SARS-CoV-2.’

The ‘NL63’ belongs to sub-family alpha coronavirus can be considered as a ‘cousin’ of SARS-CoV-2, say IIT Madras researchers.

SARS-CoV is more severe than SARS-CoV-2 whereas NL63 shows milder symptoms than SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2.

The IIT Madras researchers set out to find the reason behind the mildness and severity of disease caused by these viruses.

From the previous studies, it was realized that all three viruses gain entry to the human cell via ACE2 receptors which are present on human cells.

The finds of the study by IIT Madras researchers is published in the well-known international journal ‘Proteins: Structure, Function, Bioinformatics.’

The Research Paper can be downloaded from the following link – ‘https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/prot.26024’

Speaking on the work done by IIT Madras researchers Professor M. Michael Gromiha said Coronaviruses are not new to humans. Coronavirus such as NL63 causes only mild symptoms, he said.

There exist some common functional aspects among NL63 and viruses such as SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, both of which are relatively severe.

Our effort is to find answers to these questions to an extent possible by studying the interaction mechanism of these viruses with the organs of human body, he said.

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Using various computational tools, the team of IIT Madras researchers found that the interaction area between spike protein and ACE2, surrounding hydrophobicity and interaction energy play a key role in deciding the severity and transmission potential of coronaviruses.

IIT Madras researchers also found that the distant cousin NL63 has unique ACE2 binding sites compared to SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2.

However, some of the binding site regions are conserved and any change in these regions is evolutionarily prohibited.

Further, IIT Madras researchers found that less interaction area, surrounding hydrophobicity and interaction energy for the interface residues are the main reasons for the mild severity of NL63 coronavirus.

There had been previous outbreaks as well. In 2002, one of its members SARS-CoV played havoc and in the year 2012, MERS-another member of the same family also spread widely.

Now, SARS-CoV-2 has spread around the world causing COVID-19 and, like SARS-CoV and MERS, the SARS-CoV-2 also spreads through sneezing, coughing and via respiratory droplets but its transmission potential turned out to be high, say IIT Madras researchers.

Such a study, IIT Madras researchers said, will help find ways to reduce the gravity of the severe disease-causing coronaviruses and develop effective therapeutic interventions, which can be used across ACE2 binding corona-virus strains and potentially other viruses that may target ACE2 for infection.

The team is also working on repurposing the known drugs, which target the identified conserved regions on the viral S-protein and can help in treating coronavirus infections.

Both are two great academic programs that prepare students for a career related to the marine world.

While these two courses offer knowledge and skill set required to commence careers related to the marine world, but there is enough confusion among the students when it comes to choosing the courses.

Marine Engineering vs Ocean Engineering Eligibility

Marine Engineering vs Ocean Engineering eligibility is about the criteria students must fulfill to be eligible to apply for these courses. More information about Marine Engineering vs Ocean Engineering eligibility criteria is mentioned below:

– Marine Engineering: Pass your 10+2 examinations with a minimum of 60% marks in physics, chemistry, and mathematics.

– Ocean Engineering: Pass your 10+2 examinations with a minimum of 60% marks in physics, chemistry, and mathematics, with a strong foundation in biology and environmental science.

Marine Engineering vs Ocean Engineering differences

Marine Engineering vs Ocean Engineering differences is about unique points related to both of these academic programs. These points differentiate both the courses from each other and are not common between them. Details regarding Marine Engineering vs Ocean Engineering differences are provided below:

– Marine Engineering: Focuses on the design, construction, and maintenance of ships, boats, and other marine vessels.

– Ocean Engineering: Focuses on the design, construction, and maintenance of offshore platforms, pipelines, and other ocean-based infrastructure.

Marine Engineering vs Ocean Engineering similarities

Marine Engineering vs Ocean Engineering similarities is about those points that are common to both the academic programs. These points feature equally in both the courses. Details about Marine Engineering vs Ocean Engineering are provided below:

– Interdisciplinary Approach: Both fields require an interdisciplinary approach, combining principles from engineering, physics, mathematics, and environmental science.

– Problem-Solving Skills: Both fields require strong problem-solving skills, with an emphasis on analytical thinking, creativity, and innovation.

Marine Engineering vs Ocean Engineering course lessons

Marine Engineering vs Ocean Engineering course lessons is about the subjects that would be taught to students of these courses. The details are mentioned below for the sake of the students:

– Marine propulsion systems

– Ship stability and dynamics

– Marine electrical systems

Ocean Engineering:

– Oceanography and marine geology

– Offshore platform design and construction

– Pipeline engineering

– Coastal engineering and management

Marine Engineering vs Ocean Engineering admission process

Marine Engineering vs Ocean Engineering admission process is about the procedure to be followed by educational institutions to admit students into these courses.

Information regarding Marine Engineering vs Ocean Engineering admission process is mentioned below for the sake the students. The admission process involves:

– Entrance Exams: Appear for entrance exams like JEE Main, JEE Advanced, or state-level exams.

– Counseling: Participate in counseling sessions conducted by the respective colleges or universities.

– Seat Allocation: Secure a seat in a reputable college based on your entrance exam scores and counseling sessions.

Marine Engineering vs Ocean Engineering colleges

This is about the educational institutions offering the courses, these colleges are located across India and are quite popular. Details are mentioned below for the sake of the students:

Marine Engineering

South India

– Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi

– Indian Maritime University, Chennai

– HIMT College, Chennai

– CMC, Coimbatore

East India

– C.V. Raman Global University, Bhubaneswar

– MAKAUT, Kolkata

– Lovely Professional University

– Chandigarh University

West India

– Marine Engineering and Research Institute, Mumbai

– Ganpat University, Mehsana

Ocean Engineering

South India

– Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM)

– Academy of Maritime Education and Training University (AMET)

– Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT)

East India

– Indian Maritime University (IMU), Kolkata

– The Neotia University

West India

– Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB)

– Ganpat University

Other Notable Colleges

– National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK)

– Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering

Fees

This is the amount to be paid while studying the course, while marine engineering may cost Rs 40,000 to Rs 1,00,000 per year, the same for ocean engineering likely stands at Rs 55,000 to Rs 2,00,000 per year.

Points to remember

Marine Engineering vs Ocean Engineering are two great courses, details provided above are general in nature and are meant to provide basic guidance to students when it comes to choosing the courses.

The information has been provided after approaching various sources in both online and offline platforms, there may be changes due to various reasons with regards to fees, course names, course continuity, colleges offering the courses and so on.

Students willing to know more information with regards to Marine Engineering vs Ocean Engineering may also refer various sources to get details.

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