BOOK - I - The National Academy of Sciences, India - Home Nomination Book 2015/Biological_Sciences... · BOOK - I AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES ... VANGA, Siva Reddy 202 YADAV, Sudesh Kumar

CONFIDENTIAL (For use of Fellows of the Academy only)

The National Academy of Sciences, India

NOMINATIONS Valid for Consideration for Election to

Fellowship – 2015

Section of Biological Sciences BOOK - I

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Forestry, Agricultural

Toxicology, Soil Sciences, Plant Protection, Post Harvest Technology, Agricultural Engineering)

BIOCHEMISTRY, BIOPHYSICS, BIOTECHNOLOGY

(Molecular and Cell Biology, Structural and Functional Studies, Microbiology, Immunology)

PLANT SCIENCES

(Structural, Developmental, Functional, Genetical, Ecological, Taxonomical and Evolutionary Aspects)

5, Lajpatrai Road, Allahabad-211002

The National Academy of Sciences, India

NOMINATIONS Valid for Consideration for Election to

Fellowship – 2015

Section of Biological Sciences BOOK - I

CONTENTS

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES 1 - 78 (Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Forestry, Agricultural Toxicology, Soil Sciences, Plant Protection, Post Harvest Technology, Agricultural Engineering)

BIOCHEMISTRY, BIOPHYSICS, BIOTECHNOLOGY 79 - 184 (Molecular and Cell Biology, Structural and Functional Studies, Microbiology, Immunology)

PLANT SCIENCES 185 - 256 (Structural, Developmental, Functional, Genetical, Ecological, Taxonomical and Evolutionary Aspects)

5, Lajpatrai Road, Allahabad-211002

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

A.G., Murugesan 40

ARUNACHALAM, Ayyanadar 41

BANERJEE, Rintu 18

BARANWAL, Virendra Kumar 19

BARBUDDHE, Sukhadeo Baliram 55

BUDHAVARAM, Varalakshmi 64

BUTTAR, Gurmeet Singh 1

CHAKRABARTI, Swarup Kumar 2

CHALLA, Jagannadham 65

CHAMARTHY, Ratnavathi Venkata 20

CHANDRA, Amaresh 3

CHAUDHARY, Harinder Kumar 42

CHERUKUMALLI, Srinivasa Rao 66

DAS, Dilip Kumar 21

DASGUPTA, Tapash 22

DASIKATTE, Basavarajappa R. 43

DATTA, Karabi 56

DEVI, Laishram Sobita 44

GOPAL, Jai 67

GOPAL, Madhuban 45

GOSWAMI, Tridib Kumar 4

GOYAL, Aakash 46

GUDDE, Ramachandra Subbaraya 57

GUDIPATI, Muralikrishna 5

GULATI, Arvind 58

GUPTA, Vijai Kumar 23

JAIN, Vanita 47

JALALI, Sushil Kumar 6

JANAPALA, Venkateswara Rao 68

JOSHI, Arun Kumar 7

JOSHI, Pawan Kumar 8

KALVAKUNTLA, Jeevanrao 69

KANDASAMY, Kathiresan 70

KANNEPALLI, Annapurna 48

KHAN, Mujeebur Rahman 71

KUMAR, Jitendra 9

MAGANTI, Sheshu Madhav 24

MAHAPATRA, Ajay Kumar 25

MANDAL, Bikash 26

MANDAPAKA, Maheswari 27

MEHETRE, Subhash Sonyabapu 28

MEHTA, Naresh Kumar 49

MONDAL, Kalyan Kumar 29

NANDI, Samit Kumar 59

NEGI, Sharad Singh 60

PAL, Kamal Krishna 30

PANDA, Rabindra Kumar 10

PANDEY, Rakesh 50

PATHIPATI RANI, Usha 31

PATIL, Ramabhau T. 72

PATRA, Ashok Kumar 73

PRAKASH, Jamuna 51

PRASAD, Gaya 74

RAIZADA, Sudhir 52

RAMACHANDRAN, Sundararaj 32

RAMTEKE, Pramod Wasudeo 33

RANA, Jaichand 34

SANDHU, Jeet Singh 53

SANTRA, Subhas Chandra 75

SARKAR, Uttam Kumar 11

SAXENA, Anil Kumar 12

SHANMUGHAVEL, Piramanayagam 54

SHARMA, Ram Roshan 13

SINGH, Ajai 14

SINGH, Bijay 76

SINGH, Brahma 35

SINGH, Harikesh Bahadur 77

SINGH, Krishna Kumar 61

SINGH, Munna 15

SINGH, Rajendra 36

SINGH, Ramesh Pratap 62

SINGH, Rishi Pal 37

SINGH, Sunil Kumar 63

SINGH, Vasudeva 38

SOMVANSHI, Ramesh 78

TODARIA, Nagendra Prasad 16

TOMAR, Anita 39

VARSHNEY, Rajeev Kumar 17

BIOCHEMISTRY, BIOPHYSICS, BIOTECHNOLOGY

AGGARWAL, Ramesh K. 129

AHMED, Niyaz 146

ANAND, Ruchi 79

ASHISH 130

BANERJEE, Uttam Chand 80

BHADRA, Rupak Kumar 131

BHATTACHARYYA, Nitai Pada 147

BHATTACHARYYA, Suvendra Nath 81

BORA, Tarun Chandra 106

CAMEOTRA, Swaranjit Singh 148

CHAKRABARTI, Tapan 149

CHANDRA, Nagasuma 82

CHATTOPADHYAY, Krishnananda 83

COUTINHO, Evans Clifton 150

DASGUPTA, Swagata 107

DATTA, Salil C. 167

DEOBAGKAR, Deepti Dileep 151

DHAWAN, Devinder Kumar 132

DUBEY, Vikash Kumar 168

DUDEJA, Surjit Singh 133

DWIVEDI, Ved Prakash 108

FULEKAR, Madhusudan 169

GAUTAM, Sant Prasad 170

GHOSH, Ananta Kumar 152

GHOSH, Sanjay 134

GUPTA, Pawan 153

GUPTA, Sarita Sharadchandra 109

GUPTA, Umesh Datta 171

HABIB, Saman 172

HANUMANTHAPPA, Krishna Prasad 84

IRSHAD, Mohammad 154

JADHAV, Jyoti P. 85

JANA, Siddhartha Sankar 86

JOHRI, Atul Kumar 87

JOSHI, Santa Ram 88

KASBEKAR, Durgadas Prabhakar 155

KAUR, Jagdeep 110

KAZA, Suguna 111

KHAN, Asad Ullah 135

KHANNA, Madhu 136

KHANNA, Navin Chandra 89

KHARE, Sunil Kumar 112

KHUSHU, Subash 137

KOMATH, Sneha Sudha 173

KRISHNASWAMY, Sankaran 138

KUHAD, Ramesh Chander 156

KUKRETI, Shrikant 174

KUMAR, Anil 157

KUNDU, Manikuntala 113

MANDE, Sharmila Shekhar 175

MANGAMOORI, Lakshmi Narasu 158

MAYILRAJ, Shanmugam 176

MISRA, Hari Sharan 159

NAIR, Sudha 178

NATH, Sunil 90

PADHY, Rabindra Nath 114

PAL, Rahul 115

PANCHANADHAM, S. 179

PANDA, Amulya Kumar 91

PANDEY, Anita 92

PARIDA, Manmohan 139

PARMAR, Devendra 116

PARNAIK, Veena Krishnaji 160

PATEL, Anant Bahadur 93

PATI, Uttam 117

PATRA, Samir Kumar 140

PHALE, Prashant Sitakant 141

POLASA, Kalpagam 118

PONNURAJ, Karthe 142

RAMAKUMAR, Suryanarayanarao 94

RAO, Donthamsetty Nageswara 95

RAYCHAUDHURI, Saumya 180

REDDY SHETTY, Prakasham 96

RISHI, Praveen 181

ROY, Siddhartha 97

SA, Gaurisankar 119

SAINI, Neeru 120

SAMUDRALA, Gourinath 143

SANKARARAMAKRISHNAN, R. 161

SARKAR, Dibyendu 182

SARKAR, Sagartirtha 121

SEKAR, Kanagaraj 98

SEN, Malini 99

SENGUPTA, Sagar 122

SESHADRI, Vasudevan 162

SHAH, Kavita 100

SHARMA, Rakesh Kumar 144

SHARMA, Rakesh 163

SHARMA, Yogendra 123

SHIRAS, Anjali Suhas 101

SHOUCHE, Yogesh 145

SIDDAVARAM, Nagini 164

SIKDAR, Sujit Kumar 165

SIL, Parames Chandra 124

SINGH, Rama Kant 183

SINGH, Surya Satyanarayana 125

SONAWANE, Avinash 126

SRIKUMAR, Kotteazeth 102

SUNDAR, Durai 127

SURI, Chander Raman 184

TOLETI, Subba Rao 103

TULASI, Satyanarayana 104

VEGESNA, Radha 166

VELMURUGAN, Devadasan 105

VENKATASUBRAMANIAN, P. 128

PLANT SCIENCES

ABDIN, Malik Zainul 232

ADHIKARY, Siba Prasad 185

AGRAWAL, Veena 243

ANIS, Mohammad 186

BANDOPADHYAY, Rajib 187

BARIK, Saroj Kanta 188

BATISH, Daizy Rani 244

BATRA, Amla 217

BERA, Subir 233

BHARDWAJ, Renu 189

BHATNAGAR, Subodh Kumar 218

BORDOLOI, Manobjyoti 234

CHAND, Suresh 219

CHAUDHARY, Lal Babu 235

CHAUDHURY, Ashok 190

CHAUHAN, Devendra Kumar 245

CHELLAPPAN, Sathish Kumar 220

DABHADE, Ganpat Trimbakrao 221

DAVIDAR, Priya 222

DHAL, Nabin Kumar 191

DHAR, Manoj Kumar 204

D'SOUZA, S. Jacinta 203

DUBEY, Rama Shanker 205

GARG, Arti 206

GIRI, Ashok Prabhakar 207

GUPTA-BHATTACHARYA, Swati 208

HUSAIN, Tariq 209

J.I., Nirmal Kumar 246

JAIN, Ashok Kumar 210

JAIN, Mukesh 211

JHA, Lalit Kumar 247

MAIKHURI, Rakesh Kumar 248

MALLICK, Nirupama 249

MOHAPATRA, Pravat Kumar 223

MUKHERJEE, Anita 236

MUKHERJEE, Pulok Kumar 212

MUKHOPADHYAY, Kunal 192

MUNSHI, Abid Hussain 213

NANDI, Shyamal Kumar 250

NANJIAN, RAAMAN 193

PAL, Ruma 194

PANDA, Sanjib Kumar 224

PANDE, P.C. 251

PANDEY, Arun Kumar 214

PANDEY, Girdhar Kumar 195

PARVATAM, Giridhar 252

PATHAK, Promila 237

PATRA, Hemanata Kumar 238

PENNA, Suprasanna 225

RAGHUBANSHI, Akhilesh Singh 196

RANA, Tikam Singh 239

RAO, Mandali Venkateswara 215

SAHOO, Dinabandhu 197

SAWANT, Samir Vishwanath 253

SENGUPTA, Dibyendu Narayan 226

SEN-MANDI, Swati 240

SHARMA, Vinay 216

SHEKHAWAT, Narpat Singh 241

SIKARWAR, Ram Lakhan Singh 227

SINGH, Devendra Kumar 254

SINGH, Inderjit 228

SINGH, Kaushal Kumar 255

SINGH, Rana Pratap 198

SINGH, Ved Pal 256

SINGLA-PAREEK, Sneh Lata 199

SONIYA, Eppurath Vasudevan 229

SUBRAMANYAM, Rajagopal 200

TAMANG, Jyoti Prakash 230

THAJUDDIN, Nooruddin 201

THAKUR, Indu Shekhar 231

VANGA, Siva Reddy 202

YADAV, Sudesh Kumar 242

1

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Forestry, Agricultural

Toxicology, Soil Sciences, Plant Protection, Post Harvest Technology, Agricultural Engineering)

BUTTAR, GURMEET SINGH (b 1963), Senior Agronomist, Department of Agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana

Member of the NASI: No (YON 2015, Agricultural Sciences)

It gives me immense pleasure to recommend Dr Gurmeet Singh Buttar for Fellowship of The National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI) in the subject area of Agricultural Sciences. Dr Buttar has published 107 research papers in highly rated national and international journals. He developed and transferred 42 technologies in the area of water management, organic farming, integrated nutrient management, weed control and crop production etc. These technologies are widely adopted by the farmers and helped in sustaining the natural resources (water and soil) of the state/country. He is recipient of Punjab Government Parman Patra (State Award) (2010), Chaudhary Devi Lal Award by ICAR (2008), FAI-Dhiru Morarji Award (2013), Distinguished Scientist Award (2012) and ICAR-CSSRI Excellence Award in Soil Salinity and Water Management (2012-13). He holds fellowships of four professional societies i.e. Cotton Research and Development Association (2007), Indian Water Resources Society (2008), Indian Society of Agronomy (2009) and National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) (2014). He is member of the Editorial Board of several International/national journals.

Proposer : Dr Raj Krishan Gupta, Seconder : Dr Tej Narain Chaudhary

Ten Best Publications:

1. Aujla, M.S., Thind, H.S. and Buttar, G.S.2005. Cotton yield and water use efficiency at various levels of water and N through drip irrigation under two methods of planting. Agricultural Water Management 71: 167-179. (if=2.333, ci=53)

2. Buttar, G.S., Thind, H.S. and Aujla, M.S. 2006. Methods of planting and irrigation at various levels of nitrogen affect the seed yield and water use efficiency in transplanted oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) Agricultural Water Management 85: 253-260. (if=2.333, ci=32)

3. Buttar, G.S., Aujla, M.S., Thind, H.S., Singh, C.J. and Saini, K.S. 2007. Effect of timing of first and last irrigation on the yield and water use efficiency in cotton. Agricultural Water Management 89 : 236-242. (if=2.333, ci=15)

4. Aujla, M.S., Thind, H.S. and Buttar, G.S. 2007. Fruit yield and water use efficiency of Egg plant (Solanum melongema L.) as influenced by different quantities of nitrogen and water applied through drip and furrow irrigation. Scientia Horticulture 112 : 142-48.(if=1.504, ci=69)

5. Jalota,S.K., Buttar,G. S., Sood, Anil., Chahal,G. B. S., Ray, S.S. and S. Panigrahy. 2008. Effect of sowing date, tillage and residue management productivity of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) – wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) system in northwest India. Soil Tillage Research 99: 76-83 (if=2.575, ci=17)

6. Thind, H.S., Aujla, M.S. and Buttar, G.S. 2008. Response of cotton to various levels of nitrogen and water applied to normal and paired sown cotton under drip irrigation in relation to check-basin. Agricultural Water Management 95 : 25-34. (if=2.333, ci=12)

7. Aujla, M.S., Thind, H.S. and Buttar, G.S. 2008. Response of normally sown and paired sown cotton to various quantities of water applied through drip system. Irrigation Science 26 : 357-388. (if=2.843, ci=10)

8. Thind, H.S.,Buttar, G.S.and Aujla, M.S.2010. Yield and water use efficiency of wheat and cotton under alternate furrow and check-basin irrigation with canal and tube well water in Punjab, India. Irrigation Science 28 : 489-496. (if=2.843, ci=11)

9. Sandhu, S.S., Mahal, S.S., Vashisht, K.K., Buttar, G.S., Brar, A.S. and Singh, M. 2012. Crop and water productivity of bed transplanted rice as influenced by various levels of nitrogen and irrigation in northwest India. Agricultural Water Management 104: 32-39.(if=2.333, ci=06)

10. Buttar, G.S., Sidhu, H.S., Singh,V., Jat,M.L.,Gupta, R., Singh, Y., and Singh, B. 2013. Relay planting of wheat in cotton: An innovative technology for enhancing productivity and profitability of wheat in cotton –wheat production system of South Asia. Experimental Agriculture: 49 (1): 19-30. (if=1.069, ci=03)

2

CHAKRABARTI, SWARUP KUMAR (b 1958) Director, ICAR - Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala


Dr. S.K. Chakrabarti, Director, ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute contributed significantly in research and development of tuber crops, particularly in the area of biotechnology and its application in improvement of potato. He joined Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla in the year 1986 and became Head, Division of Plant Protection in 2009. He did post-doctoral research work at Waksman Institute, Rutgers, USA; CIRAD, France; and NRC on Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi. He contributed significantly in the area of potato disease diagnosis; development of transgenics for disease and pest management; molecular markers for characterization of pathogen diversity, linkage mapping, marker assisted selection; structural and functional genomics of potato etc. He was the Country Leader of the Potato Genome Sequencing Consortium (PGSC) consisting of 26 institutes from 14 countries, who deciphered the 727 Mb potato genome in the year 2011. He was awarded the Dr. S. Ramanujam Award for outstanding research on potato biotechnology, Biotechnology Overseas and National Associateship of DBT, and Prof. JP Verma Memorial Lecture Award of Indian Phytopathological Society. He published 189 research articles; guided 6 Ph. D. students and visited several countries including Australia, France, USA, The Netherlands, Philippines and Bangladesh. He is the Fellow of Indian Phytopathological Society, and Indian Potato Association.

Proposer : Prof. Anupam Varma, Seconder : Dr. Shelly Praveen Ten Best Publications:

1. Xun Xu, Shengkai Pan, Shifeng Cheng, Bo Zhang, Desheng Mu, Peixiang Ni, Gengyun Zhang, Shuang Yang, Ruiqiang Li, Jun Wang; Gisella Orjeda, Frank Guzman, Michael Torres, Roberto Lozano, Olga Ponce, Diana Martinez, German De la Cruz; S. K. Chakrabarti, Virupaksh U. Patil, et al. 2011. Genome sequence and analysis of the tuber crop potato. Nature 475: 189-195. IF=42.351, CI=494 2. Chakraborty, S.; Chakraborty, N.; Agrawal, L.; Ghosh, S.; Narula, K.; Shekhar, S.; Naik, P.S.; Pande, P.C.; Chakrabarti, S.K.; and Datta, A. 2010. Next-generation protein-rich potato expressing the seed protein gene AmA1 is a result of proteome rebalancing in transgenic tuber. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 107: 17533-17538. IF=9.809, CI=26 3. Visser, R.G.F., Bachem, C.W.B., de Boer, J. M., & Bryan, G.J., Chakrabati, S.K., Feingold, S., Gromadka, R., van Ham, R.C.H.J., Huang, S., Jacobs, J.M.E., Kuznetsov, B., de Melo, P.E., Milbourne, D., Orjeda, G., Sagredo, B., Tang, X. 2009. Sequencing the Potato Genome: Outline and First Results to Come from the Elucidation of the Sequence of the World‘s Third Most Important Food Crop. American Journal of Potato Research 86: 417-429. IF=0.951, CI=62 4. Chakrabarti, S.K., Lutzz, K.A., Lertwirijawonng, B., Svab, Z., and Maliga, P. 2006. Expression of the cry9Aa2 B.t. gene in tobacco chloroplasts confers extreme resistance to potato tuber moth. Transgenic Research 15: 481-488. IF=2.281, CI=61 5. Grover, A., Azmi, W., Gadewar, A.V., Pattanayak. D., Naik, P.S., Shekhawat, G.S., and Chakrabarti, S.K. 2006. Genotypic diversity in a localized population of Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith 1896) Yabuchi et al. (1996) as revealed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Journal of Applied Microbiology 101: 798-806. IF=2.386, CI=15 6. Modgil, M., Mahajan, K., Chakrabarti, S.K., Sharma, D.R. 2005. Molecular analysis of genetic diversity in micropropagated apple rootstock MM106. Scientia Horticulturae 104: 151-160. IF=1.504, CI=76 7. Sarkar, D., Sud, K.C., Chakrabarti, S.K. and Naik, P.S. 2002. Growing of potato microplants in the presence of alginate-silverthiosulfate capsules reduces ethylene-induced culture abnormalities during minimal growth conservation in vitro. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture 68: 79-89. IF=2.612, CI=16 8. Sarkar, D., Chakrabarti, S.K., and Naik, P.S. 2001. Slow growth conservation of potato microplants: efficacy of ancymidol for long-term storage in vitro. Euphytica 117: 133-142. IF=1.692, CI=24 9. Chakrabarti, S.K., Mandaokar, A.D., Anand Kumar, P. and Sharma, R.P. 1998. Efficacy of ten lepidopteran specific -endotoxin of Bacillus thuringiensis against Helicoverpa armigera. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 72: 336-337. IF=2.601, CI=44 10. Kumar, P.A., Mandaokar, A.D., Sreenivasu, K., Chakrabarti, S.K., Kaushik, S.C., Sharma, S.R., Bisaria, S., Kaur, S. and Sharma, R.P. 1998. Insect resistant transgenic brinjal plants. Molecular Breeding 4:33-37. IF=2.281, CI=69 * Citation analysis done by Google scholar (https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?)

3

CHANDRA, AMARESH (b 1962), Principal Scientist and Head, ICAR-Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research (IISR), Lucknow

Member of the NASI: Yes (YON 2015, Agricultural Sciences)

Dr. Chandra research accomplishment includes development/utilization of >3400 CISP markers (BMC Res.Notes2013; Aust.J.Bot.2011), SSR-capillary-electrophoregrams for clone/variety identity/cross-fidelity assessments and molecular-breeding work in sugarcane (Genome2014; PAG Abstract2014). Developed novel/specific LAMP based molecular detection tool for sugarcane diseases (J.Virological Methods2014; Molecular Biology Reports2015), demonstrated early/high germination through sequential/phasic PGRs applications (SugarTech2015), optimized/popularized bud-chip technology for rapid seed multiplication with increased millable cane/yield (Indian Farming2014; Acta.Physiol.Plant.2011), developed/validated transcriptomes associated with source-sink dynamics, reported first S. spontaneum SAI gene sequence and stress-induced expression study in sugarcane (Curr. Sci.2011,2012; Plant Biology2015; Plant Growth Regulation2015; Natl.Acad.Sci Lett. 2014). In past, Dr. Chandra was involved in development/application of gSSRs/eSSRs markers in forage crops (Mole.Breed.2015;Plant Breed.2010;Euphytica2008,2009; Genome2011). Identified/reported unknown progenitor of hexaploid S. erecta (Plant Syst Evol. 2004), nine new S. seabrana lines using STS markers (Mol. Biotech.2009), a rare Cenchrus ciliaris obligate sexual line (NBPGR registered) with SCAR marker (Range Mgmt.Agroforestry,2010) and have developed linkage map/established QTLs-based causal relationships among drought associated physiological traits in S. scabra (J. Exp. Bot.2001). Involved in development/release of a very first tetraploid multi-cut berseem variety and developed catalogue/descriptors for important forages. Elucidated effect of ploidy levels on drought tolerance in genus Cenchrus (Plant Physiol.Biochem.2010;Acta Physiol.Plant.2008), completed Medicago systematic work (Biochem.Syst.Ecol.2011) and developed efficient regeneration/transformation protocols needed for alfalfa weevil transgenic work (Grass Forage Sci.2013). Dr. Chandra has over 125 high impact research papers cited > 600 times by scientists worldwide. He is Fellow NAAS and is recipient of ICAR outstanding team-research award (agriculture/allied sciences), INSA-Royal Society London scientist exchange and DBT-CREST fellowships.

Proposer : Prof K C Upadhyaya, Seconder : Dr Manoj Prasad


1. Chandra A, Verma PK, Islam MN, Grisham MP, Jain R, Sharma A, Roopendra K, Singh K, Singh P, Verma I and Solomon S (2015). Expression analysis of genes associated with sucrose accumulation in sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) varieties differing in content and time of peak sucrose storage. Plant Biology doi:10.1111/plb.12276. (if=2.405, ci=New publication)

2. Chandra A, Keizerweerd AT, Que Y and Grisham MP (2015). Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) based detection of Colletotrichum falcatum causing red rot in sugarcane. Molecular Biology Reports DOI 10.1007/s11033-015-3875-9. (if=1.958, ci=New publication)

3. Verma P, Chandra A, Roy AK, Malaviya DR, Kaushal P, Pandey D and Bhatia S (2015). Development and characterization of genomic based SSR markers in berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.), an important multi-cut annual forage legume. Molecular Breeding, 35:23 DOI 10.1007/s11032-015-0223-7. (if=2.281, ci=New publication)

4. Kumar S, Chandra A and Pandey K C (2008) Bt transgenic crop: An environment friendly insect-pest management strategy. J. Env. Biol. 29: 641-653. (if=0.553, ci=71)

5. Chandra A. and Bhatt R.K. (1998) Biochemical and physiological response of salicylic acid in relation to systemic acquired resistance. Photosynthetica, 35:255-258. (if=1.007, ci=49)

6. Chandra, A. and Dubey, A. (2010). Effect of ploidy levels on the activities of ▲1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase in Cenchrus species grown under water stress. Plant Physiol. Biochem., 48:27-34. (if=2.352, ci=17)

7. Jain R, Srivastava S, Solomon S, Shrivastava AK and Chandra A (2010). Impact of excess zinc on growth parameters, cell division, nutrient accumulation, photosynthetic pigments and oxidative stress of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.). Acta Physiol. Plant., 32:979-986.(if=1.524, ci=39)

8. Chandra, A. and Kaushal, P.K. (2009). Identification of diploid Stylosanthes seabrana lines from existing germplasm of S. scabra utilizing STS markers and flow-cytometry, and their molecular characterization. Mol. Biotech., 42: 282-291. (if=2.275, ci=7)

9. Chandra A, Saxena R, Dubey A and Saxena P (2007) Change in phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity and isozyme patterns of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase by salicylic acid leading to enhance resistance in cowpea against Rhizoctonia solani. Acta Physiol. Plant., 29: 361-367. (if=1.524, ci=36)

10. Thumma, B.R., Naidu, B.P., Chandra, A., Cameron, D.F., Bahnisch, L.M. and Liu, C. (2001). Identification of causal relationship among traits related to drought resistance in Stylosanthes scabra using QTL analysis. J. Exp. Bot., 52: 203-214. (if=5.794, ci=64)

4

GOSWAMI, TRIDIB KUMAR (b 1958), Professor, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal


I have known Prof. Tridib Kumar Goswami, Agricultural and Food Engineering Deaprtment since his studentship under Ph.D. programme. He was a scholar of two eminent Professors, late Prof. A. N. Bose and late Prof. H. Das. I came to know that his academic contribution during his doctoral work was a unique of its kind, which he had fully utilized during his stay at Kwality Ice cream. We were charmed in his first lecture as a part of recruitment in his department. I have seen professor Goswami working in different aspects of food engineering, particularly in food processing and preservation. Prof. Goswami has 5 patents to his credit. He has published more than 89 papers in peer reviewed journals, 2 books and 4 book chapters, 10 Ph.D., 73 M.Tech., 52 B.Tech. guidance, and delivered lectures in different national and international conferences as key note speakers. I remember, during 2009, Prof. Goswami was invited by Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Korea with full financial support. He is well acknowledged for his academic contribution as reflected through his publications, patents, invited talks, skill of leadership, experts of different professional bodies, Ph.D. thesis evaluation, organizing industry academia interactions etc. Prof. Goswami has also visited several countries several times establishing his scholarly attributes. He has been pioneer in developing physical and thermal properties laboratories in the department. I am sincerely amazed how he has been heading our institute‘s Aquatic Society for more than 14 years. I strongly recommend and propose Prof. Goswami‘s case for NASI fellow.

Proposer : Prof. S.K. Som, Seconder : Prof. P.K. Das


1. Singh, K. K., Goswami, T. K. (1996). Physical Properties of Cumin Seed, Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, Vol. 64, pp. 93 - 98. (if=1.37, ci=275)

2. Singh, K. K., Goswami, T. K. (1998). Mechanical Properties of Cumin Seed (Cuminum cyminum Linn.) under Compressive Loading, Journal of Food Engineering, Vol. 36, pp. 311 - 321 (if=2.576, ci=39)

3. Singh, K. K., Goswami, T. K. (1999). Design of a Cryogenic Grinding System for Spices, Journal of Food Engineering, Vol. 39, pp. 359 - 368.. (if=2.576, ci=38)

4. Singh, K. K., Goswami, T. K. (2000), Thermal Properties of Cumin Seed, Journal of Food Engineering, Vol. 45, pp. 181 - 187.(if=2.576, ci=74)

5. Mahajan, P. V., Goswami, T. K. (2001). Enzyme Kinetics Based Modeling of Respiration Rate for Apple, Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, Vol. 79(4), pp. 399 - 406. (if=1.37, ci=38)

6. Mahajan P. V., Goswami, T. K. (2004). Extended Storage Life of Litchi Fruit using Controlled Atmosphere and Low Temperature, Journal of Food Processing and Preservation, Vol. 28, pp. 388 - 403. (if=0.938, ci=40)

7. Ghodake, H. M., Goswami, T. K., Chakraverty, A. (2006). Mathematical Modeling of Withering Characteristics of Tea Leaves, Drying Technology, Vol. 24, pp. 159 - 164. (if=1.77, ci=39)

8. Ghodake, H. M., Goswami, T. K., Chakraverty, A. (2007). Moisture Sorption Isotherms, Heat of Sorption and Vaporization of Withered Leaves, Black and Green Tea, Journal of Food Engineering, Vol. 78, pp. 827 – 835. (if=2.576, ci=48)

9. Bhande, S. D., Ravindra, M. R., Goswami, T. K. (2008). Respiration Rate of Banana Fruit under Aerobic Conditions at different Storage Temperatures, Journal of Food Engineering, Vol. 87 (1), pp. 116 - 123. (if=2.576, ci=51)

10. Mangaraj, S., Goswami, T. K., Mahajan, P. V. (2009). Application of Plastic Films in Modified Atmosphere Packaging of Fruits and Vegetables-A Review. Food Engineering Reviews, Springer, Vol. 1, pp. 133 - 158. (if=3.036, ci=64.)

5

GUDIPATI, MURALIKRISHNA (b 1958), Chief Scientist & Professor AcSIR, CSIR-CFTRI, Mysore


Dr.Muralikrishna Gudipati contributed immensely in the area of food carbohydrates and their degrading enzymes with respect to their structure function relationship. Dietary fibre is an important constituent of our food and has lot of implications both in food industry and nutrition. However the structure- function relationship with respect to minor constituents of dietary fibre such as acetic acid and ferulic acid in conjunction with arabinoxylans was not deciphered. The role of acetyl and feruloyl groups with respect to foam stabilization, gelling and bread making as well as antioxidant activity of polymers such as cereal arabinoxylans was documented for the first time. Minor enzymes such as acetic acid and ferulic acid esterases were purified and characterized from ragi malt. A single step method for the synthesis of the p-nitrophenyl ferulate was achieved which is used as substrate for spectrophotometric assay of ferulic acid esterase. Methods were developed for the isolation of various cell wall degrading enzymes as well as phenolic acid rich dietary fibres, xylo-oligosaccharides which resulted in US and National patents. Bioactive oligosaccharides were obtained from cereal brans and pulse husks and their probiotic, antioxidant, immune modulatory activities were unequivocally proved. Structures of several seed polysaccharides were delineated by using the state of art methods. His publications are highly cited (over 1200 citations,H-index-20, i10 index:32). He was bestowed with ACCT (I) Carbohydrate Excellence award for 2013 and was elected AFST(I) fellow in 2008. So far he has guided 10 Ph.D candidates and published over 65 peer reviewed publications.

Proposer: Prof. Ram Rajasekharan, Seconder:Prof. Balaji Prakash


1. M.V.S.S.T. Subba Rao. G. Muralikrishna(2002)Evaluation of antioxidant properties of bound phenolics from native and malted ragi. (Eleusine coracana, Indaf-15). Agric. Food Chem. 50, 889-892 (if= 3.107, ci= 134)

2. M. Nirmala, and G. Muralikrishna.(2003)Three alpha amylases from malted finger millet (Eleusine coracana Indaf 15) Purification and partial characterization. Phytochemistry 62, 21-30. (if= 3.35, ci= 74)

3. M.V.S.S.T. Subba Rao and G. Muralikrishna(2004)Structure analysis of arabinoxylans from native and malted finger millet (Eleusine coracana, ragi). 339, 2457-2463. (if= 1.966, ci= 25)

4. R. Shymprasad Rao and G. Muralikrishna(2006)Water soluble feruloyl arabinoxylans from rice and ragi: changes upon malting and their consequence on antioxidant activity.. Phytochemistry, 67, 91-99. (if= 3.35, ci=67)

5. R. Shymprasad Rao, and G. Muralikrishna(2007)Structural characteristics of water-soluble feruloyl arabinoxylans from rice (Oryza sativa) and ragi (Finger millet, Eleusine coracana): variations upon malting. Food chemistry 104, 1160-1170 (if= 3.259, ci=18)

6. G. Madhavilatha., P. Srinivas and G. Muralkrishna(2007)Purification and characterization of ferulic acid acid esterase from malted finger millet (Eleusine coracana, Indaf-15). 55, 9704-9712 (if= 3.107, ci= 14)

7. G. Muralikrishna and M.V.S.S.T. Subba Rao(2007)Non-cellulosic polysaccharides– structure and function relationship – an overview. Critical reviews in Food Science and Nutrition- 47, 599-610. (if= 5.548, ci= 51)

8. Shyamala Hegde, Pulla Bhatla Srinivas and G.Muralikrishna(2009)Single step synthesis of 4-nitophenyl ferulate for spectrophotometric assay for feruloyl esterases, Analytical Biochemistry, 387, 128-129. (if= 2.305, ci= 7)

9. Madhukumar M. S. and G. Muralikrishna(2010)Structural characterization and determination of prebiotic activity of purified xylo-oligosaccharides isolated from bengal gram husk (Cicer arietinum) and wheat bran (Triticum aestivum)Food Chemistry 118, 215-223 (if= 3.259, ci= 28)

10. B. R. Veenashri, G. Muralikrishna.(2011)In vitro anti-oxidant activity of xylo-oligosaccharides derived from cereal and millet brans – A comparative studyFood Chemistry 126, 1475–1481. (if= 3.259, ci= 31)

6

JALALI, SUSHIL KUMAR (b 1956), Principal Scientist and Head, Division of Molecular Entomology, National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Insects, Post Bag No. 2491, H. A. Farm Post, Bellary Road, Hebbal, Bangalore 560024, Karnataka


Developed a molecular method for identification of agricultural insects and characterized 250 insect species and barcoded 85 insects belonging to various orders and developed a database insect barcode database (IBIn) for Indian insects (http://www.cib.res.in). Resolved taxonomical dispute between Trichogramma brasiliense and Trichogramma pretiosum using molecular tool determining both are same species, former thelytokous and latter arrhenotokus form. Diagnosed different Helicoverpa armigera NPV isolates using various genes through molecular tool for rapid and authentic identification and Whole genome sequenced of two isolates, most and least virulent HaNPV. Developed different strains of trichogrammatids tolerant to high & low temperature, multiple insecticides tolerance (for 5 groups) and their identification through biochemical and molecular and target specific genes. Developed automatic moth collection method for Corcyra cephalonica, minimizing health related problems and long term storage of eggs. Developed baseline susceptible data for various Bt Cry proteins used in transgenic crops for cotton (bollgard I & II) and corn pests. Commercialized 7 technologies and filed two patents for salinity and fungicide tolerant Trichoderma spp. Achieved biological control of subabul psyllid; maize borer; sugarcane borers and rice borers. Developed ‗Endogram‘, a strain tolerant to endosulfan, commercialized and treated in 29700 acres from 1999-2004. A high temperature tolerant and multiple insecticides tolerant strains of Trichogramma chilonis was released all over India in an area of more than 75000 acres in different states in past 10 years. Having h-index of 11 and i-10-index of 15 and total citations 705. ResearchGate impact point of 35.42 and RG score 21.60

Proposer : Dr. Subrahmanium Nagarajan, Seconder : Dr. D. J. Bagyaraj


1. Jalali, S. K. and Singh, S. P. 1992. Differential response of four Trichogramma species to low temperatures for short term storage. BioControl, 37: 67 -73. (if=2.253, ci=52)

2. Jalali, S. K. and Singh, S. P. 1994. Effect of Aphis gossypii Glover number on Mallada astur (Banks) and Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius). Biological Control, 4: 45-47. (if=1.873, ci=3)

3. Jalali, S. K., Singh, S. P., Ballal, C. R and Kumar, P. 1988. Competitive interaction between Cotesia kazak and Hyposoter didymator, exotic parasitiods of Heliothis armigera. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 46: 221-225. (if=1.711, ci=14)

4. Jalali, S. K., Singh, S. P., Kumar, P. and Ballal, C. R. 1988. Influence of the food plants on the degree of parasitism of larvae of Heliothis armigera (Hb.) by Cotesia kazak Telenga. BioControl, 33: 65-71. (if=2.253, ci=14)

5. Jalali, S. K, Lalitha, Y., Kamath, S. P., Mohan, K. S. and Head, G. P. 2010. Baseline sensitivity of lepidopteran corn pests in India to Cry lAb insecticidal protein of Bacillus thuringiensis. Pest Management Science, 66: 809-815. (if=2.743, ci=3)

6. Jalali, S. K., Mohan, K. S., Singh, S. P., Manjunath, T. M. and Lalitha, Y. 2004. Baseline-susceptibility of the old-world bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) populations from India to Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ac insecticidal protein. Crop Protection, 23: 53-59. (if=1.539, ci=35)

7. Jalali, S. K, Venkatesan, T., Murthy, K. S., Rabindra, R. J. and Lalitha, Y. 2007. Vacuum packaging of Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) eggs to enhance shelf life for parasitization by the egg parasitoid Trichogramma chilonis. Biological Control, 41: 64-67.(if=1.873, ci=5)

8. Ashok Kumar, G., Jalali, S. K., Venkatesan T., Stouthamer, R., Niranjana, P. and Lalitha, Y. 2009. Internal transcribed spacer-2 restriction fragment length polymorphism (lTS-2-RFLP) tool to differentiate some exotic and indigenous trichogramrnatid egg parasitoids in India. Biological Control, 49: 207-213. (if=1.873, ci=18)

9. Kharbanda, N., Jalali, S. K., Ojha, R. and Bhatnagar, R. K. 2014. Temporal expression profiling of novel Spodoptera litura nucleopolyhedrovirus encoded microRNAs upon infection of Sf21 cell line. Journal of General Virology, 2014 Dec 6. pii: jgv.0.000008. doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.000008. (if=3.529, ci=Nil (Published in end 2014))

10. Selvapandiyam, A., Arora, N., Rajagopal, R., Jalali, S. K., Venkatesan, T., Singh, S. P. and Bhatnagar, R. 2001. Toxicity analysis of N- and C- terminus deleted veg3tative insecticidal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 67: 5855-5858. (if=3.952, ci=86)

http://www.cib.res.in/

7

JOSHI, ARUN KUMAR (b 1958), Professor, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi


The nominee has made significant contributions in the field of wheat genetics, and breeding of wheat cultivars that are resistant to spot blotch (Bipolaris sorokiniana), which is the most important disease in the Eastern Gangetic Plains of India. For spot blotch, his work mainly included characterization of locations, potential sources of resistance, understanding genetics, enhancement of resistance in breeding populations and finding reliable morphological and molecular markers. He mapped QTLs for resistance to spot blotch and was first to obtain gene designation Sb1 for a resistant gene. On the pathogen side, he contributed to the knowledge of disease epidemics, survival of pathogen, pathogen variability and its probable cause. The nominee also made significant contribution in the area of heat and drought tolerance in wheat, which included identification of high yielding thermotolerant wheat genotypes and mapping of QTLs. He also mapped genes for drought tolerance, stay green trait and grain micronutrient (Zn and Fe) concentration. His contributions in the field of breeding wheat under conservation agriculture and for biofortified wheat have also been recognized by international wheat community. He has been associated with development of seven high yielding wheat varieties and large scale seed production. Wheat variety HUW 234 developed by him was grown in ~5 m ha area in 1990s. He is one of the few scientists, who not only generated knowledge about response/tolerance of wheat genotypes to biotic and abiotic stresses through basic and applied research, but also carried research to farmer‘s field, a satisfying journey for an agricultural scientist.

Proposer : Prof. Pushpendra Kumar Gupta, Seconder : Prof. Harinder Singh Balyan


1. Srinivasa J., B. Arun, V.K. Mishra, G.P. Singh, G. Velu, R. Babu, N.K. Vasistha and A.K. Joshi (2014) Zinc and iron concentration QTL mapped in a Triticum spelta × T. aestivum cross. Theor Appl Genet (2014) 127:1643–1651 (DOI 10.1007/s00122-014-2327-6)(if=3.75, ci=0)

2. Lillemo M., Arun K. Joshi, Ravindra Prasad, Ramesh Chand, Ravi P. Singh (2013) QTL for spot blotch resistance in bread wheat line Saar co-locate to the biotrophic disease resistance loci Lr34 and Lr46. Theor Appl Genet 126:711–719. DOI 10.1007/s00122-012-2012-6(if=3.75, ci=15)

3. Paliwal R.; Röder M., Kumar U., Srivastava J., Joshi, A.K. (2012) QTL mapping of terminal heat tolerance in hexaploid wheat (T. aestivum L.). Theor Appl Genet 125:561–575. DOI 10.1007/s00122-012-1853-3 (if=3.75, ci=21)

4. Kumar U., Joshi, A.K., Kumar S., Chand R. and Röder M.S. (2009) Mapping of resistance to spot blotch of wheat caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana. Theor Appl Genet 118:783-792. DOI 10.1007/s00122-008-0938-5 (if=3.75, ci=21)

5. Rai, R., A.K. Singh, B.D. Singh, A.K. Joshi, R. Chand and C.P. Srivastava (2011) Molecular mapping for resistance to pea rust caused by Uromyces fabae (Pers.) de-Bary. Theor Appl Genet 123:803–813 (if=3.75, ci=10)

6. Joshi A.K., J. Crossa, B. Arun, R. Chand, R. Trethowan, M. Vargas and I. Ortiz-Monasterio (2010). Genotype x environment interaction for zinc and iron concentration of wheat grain in eastern Gangetic Plains of India. Field Crops Research 116: 268–277. doi:10.1016/j.fcr.2010.01.004 (if=2.957, ci=34)

7. Joshi, A.K., O. Ferrara, J. Crossa, G. Singh, R.C. Sharma, R. Chand & R. Parsad (2007): Combining superior agronomic performance and terminal heat tolerance with resistance to spot blotch (Bipolaris sorokiniana) in the warm humid Gangetic plains of south Asia. Field Crops Research 103: 53-61 (if=2.957, ci=27)

8. Joshi, A.K., Chand, R., Kumar, S. and Singh, R.P. (2004): Leaf tip necrosis: a phenotypic marker associated with resistance to spot blotch disease in wheat. Crop Science, 44:792-796. (if=2.006, ci=42)

9. Joshi, A.K., B. Mishra, R. Chatrath, G. Ortiz Ferrara & Ravi P. Singh (2007): Wheat improvement in India: present status, emerging challenges and future prospects. Euphytica 157:431-446 (if=1.692, ci=83)

10. Joshi, A.K., M. Kumari, V.P. Singh, C.M. Reddy, S. Kumar, J. Rane and R. Chand (2007). Stay green trait: Variation, inheritance and its association with spot blotch resistance in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Euphytica 153: 59-71 (if=1.692, ci=70)

8

JOSHI, PAWAN KUMAR (b 1975), Professor, School of Environmental Science, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi


Over the course of a long and remarkably productive, and active career, Prof. Joshi has made contributions in the application of RS&GIS for vegetation analysis including landscape characterization and climate change studies. One of his pioneer contributions is developing a model for Biome mapping of India5 which includes Vegetation Cover Type mapping using IRS-WiFS4 and incorporation of the Holdridge Life Zone model5. He has further enhanced the work to assess biome boundary shifts under climate change9. In addition to this, he has immensely contributed in ISRO-GBP programme: SWG on LULC Dynamics and Ecosystem Studies7,8, Tropical Ecosystem Environment Observations by Satellite (TREES I & II)2, GLC-20003, DOS-DBT initiative on Biodiversity Characterization at Landscape Level6, National Natural Resource Census of ISRO using IRS P6 AWiFS (1:250K) and LISS III/IV (1:50K) and others. He has also contributed to Ecosystem Services and Poverty Alleviation - Strategic Situation Analysis (ESPA-SSA), NASA, DST, MoEF funded projects. Prof. Joshi‘s work has produced a wide range of advances in the field of spatial ecology which currently serve as pedagogical base for many research programmes and academic degrees. His research contributions were recognized by the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and the National Academy of Sciences India (NASI) through the award of their highly prestigious Young Scientist Medal (2006) and Young Scientist Platinum Jubilee Award (2009) respectively and many others of similar kind. Recently he was awarded P. R. Pisharoty Memorial Award (Indian National Remote Sensing Award) (2014) for contribution in RS&GIS for Forest and Environment.

Proposer : Prof. Bulusu Lakshmana Deekshatulu, Seconder : Prof. Parth Sarathi Roy


1. Roy, P.S. and P.K. Joshi (2002). Forest Cover Assessment in North East India- The Potentials of Temporal Wide Swath Satellite Data (IRS 1C- WiFS). International Journal of Remote Sensing 23(22): 4881-4896. (if=1.359, ci=58)

2. Agarwal, S. P.K. Joshi, Y. Shukla, P.S. Roy (2003). SPOT VEGETATION multitemporal data for classifying vegetation in south central Asia. Current Science 84(11): 1440-1448. (if=0.833, ci=82)

3. Stibig, H., A. Belward, P.S. Roy, U. Rosalina-Wasrin, S. Agrawal, P.K. Joshi, R. Hildanus Beuchle, S. Fritiz, S. Mubareka and C. Giri (2006). A land cover map of South and Southeast Asia derived from SPOT-4 VEGETATION data. Journal of Biogeography 34: 625-637.(if=4.969, ci=52)

4. *Joshi, P.K., P.S. Roy, S. Singh, S. Agrawal and D. Yadav (2006). Vegetation cover mapping in India using multi-temporal IRS Wide Field Sensor (WiFS) data. Remote Sensing of Environment 103(2): 190-202. (if=4.769, ci=50)

5. Roy, P.S., *P.K. Joshi, D. Yadav, S. Agrawal, S. Singh, and C. Jegannathan (2006). Biome mapping in India using multi-temporal satellite data and other inputs. Ecological Modeling 197(1-2): 148-158. (if=2.326, ci=21)

6. *Joshi, P.K., G.S. Rawat, H. Padilya and P.S. Roy (2006). Biodiversity characterization in Nubra Valley, Ladakh with special reference to plant resource conservation and bioprospecting. Biodiversity and Conservation 15(13): 4253-4270. (if=2.065, ci=16)

7. Lele, N., *P.K. Joshi and S.P. Agarwal (2008). Assessing forest fragmentation in North Eastern Region (NER) of India using landscape matrices. Ecological Indicators 8(5): 657-663. (if=3.230, ci=24)

8. Munsi, M., S. Malaviya, S., G. Oinam and *P.K. Joshi (2010). A landscape approach for quantifying land use land cover change (1976-2006) in middle Himalaya. Regional Environmental Change 10(2): 145-155. (if=2.260, ci=34)

9. Chakraborty, A., A Ghosh, *P.K. Joshi, and G Areendran (2013). Assessing biome boundary shifts under climate change in India. Ecological Indicators 34: 536–547. (if=3.230, ci=4)

10. Ghosh, A. and *P.K. Joshi (2014). A comparison of selected classification algorithms for mapping bamboo patches in lower Gangetic plains using very high resolution WorldView 2 imagery. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation 26: 298–311. (if=2.539, ci=12)

9

KUMAR, JITENDRA (b 1963), Director, Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research, Boriavi, Anand, Gujarat


DR JITENDRA KUMAR obtained his Ph.D degree in Agricultural Chemicals from IARI, New Delhi. His current area of research is agrochemical formulations, botanicals and Nanotechnology. He has developed some ecofriendly pesticide from different plants sources. He has also developed environment friendly controlled release formulations (CRF) of several synthetic and botanical pesticides. His work has led to several patented technologies from neem, polymeric seed coats and nano-formulations of many bioactive molecules for efficient pest management and nutraceuticals delivery. These products are commercialized for the last ten years. Besides, three technologies for the preparation of nano formulations of azadirachtin, imidacloprid, and carbofuran and a process for the preparation of self assembled polymeric nanomaterials are also been released to industry. Dr. Jitendra Kumar has over 270 scientific publications including 13 patents, 105 research papers and 09 books. He has guided 5 Ph D and 3 MSc students at IARI. Dr Kumar has been conferred with ICFRE Neem Award; NATP-World Bank Fellowship, Michigan State University, USA; SPPS Meritorious Scientist Award; INSA-Royal Society Bilateral Exchange Fellowship, Rothamsted Research, UK; Dr Ram Nath Singh Award; Affiliated member of IUPAC, North Carolina, USA; President, MAPA of India, Elected Fellow of NAAS, 2015. The technology generation part has earned him the most coveted ―Meritorious Innovation Award‖ of NRDC, DSIR. IUPAC, North Carolina, USA has appointed him its affiliated member for his significant contribution in advancement of chemistry being directed toward the very practical challenge of agricultural sustainability. I strongly recommend his election to the fellowship of the Academy.

Proposer : Prof. Palpu Pushpangadan, Seconder : Prof. R. S. Tripathi


1. Ahluwalia, V., Kumar, J., Sisodia, R., Shakil, N.A and Walia, S.(2014) Green synthesis of silver nano particles by Trichoderma harzianum and their bio-efficacy evaluation against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia. Industrial Crops and Products. 55 : 202-206 (if=3.559)

2. Shakil, N. A, Singh, M. K., Sathiyendiran, M., Kumar, J. and Padaria, J.C. (2013) Microwave synthesis, characterization and bioefficacy evaluation of novel chalcone based 6-carbethoxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one and 2H-indazol-3-ol derivatives, European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 59:12-131. (if=3.432)

3. Saha, S. Walia, S., Kumar, J., Dhingra, S. and Parmar, B.S (2010) Screening for feeding deterrent and insect growth regulatory activity of triterpenic saponins from Diploknema butyracea and Sapindus mukorossi. J. Agric. Food Chem., 58: 434-440. (if=3.107)

4. Saha, S. Walia, S., Kumar, J., and Parmar, B.S (2010) Structure-biological activity relationships in triterpenic saponins: the relative activity of protobassic acid and its derivatives thereof against plant pathogenic fungi. Pest Management Science, Published Online: Mar 29 2010 (if= 2.743)

5. Nisar, K, Kumar, J., Walia, S., Shakil, N.A., Arun Kumar, M.B., Parsad , R. and Parmar, B.S. (2009). Development of polymeric seed coats based on azadirachtin-A. Pest Management Science, 65: 175-182. (if= 2.743)

6. Shakil, N.A, Pankaj, Kumar, J., Pandey, R.K. and Saxena, D.B. (2008) Nematicidal prenylated flavanones from Phyllanthus niruri. Phytochemistry, 69 : 759-764. (if=3.350)

7. Choudhary, G., Kumar, J., Walia, S., Parsad, R, and Parmar, B. S (2006) Development of Controlled Release Formulations of Carbofuran and Evaluation of their efficacy against Meloidogyne incognita. J. Agric. Food Chem., 54: 4727-4733. (if=3.107)

8. Sharma, V. Walia, S., Kumar, J., Nair, M.G. and Parmar, B. S. (2003). An Efficient Method for the Purification and Characterization of Nematicidal Azadirachtins A, B, and H, Using MPLC and ESIMS. J. Agric. Food Chem., 51: 3966-3972. (if=3.107)

9. Kumar, J. and Parmar, B.S. (1999). Stabilization of azadirachtin-A in neem formulations : Effect of some solid carriers, neem oil and stabilizers. J. Agric. Food Chem., 47 (4) : 1735-1739. (if=3.107)

10. Kumar, J. and Parmar, B.S. (1996). Physico-chemical and chemical variation in neem oils and some bioactivity leads against Spodoptera litura F. J. Agric. Food Chem., 44 (8):2137-2143. (if=3.107)

10

PANDA, RABINDRA KUMAR (b 1956) Dean (R&D), and Professor, IIT Bhubaneswar.


Prof. Rabindra Kumar Panda is the Dean (R&D) and a Senior Professor at liT Bhubaneswar. He has a total academic experience of 31 years, out of which nearly 24 years is in the liT system (22 years at liT Kharagpur and 2 years at liT Bhubaneswar). He has supervised 13 Ph.D and 68 M.Tech students and 7 Ph.Ds are in progress. He has published 93 peer reviewed publications and 41 conference papers (total citation: 1302; h-index17; 110 index 27). He is the recipient of the prestigious Indo-US Science & Technology Fellowship by the USAID; BOYSCAST Fellowship by the DST; Fellowship by DAAD, Germany; INSA-UK fellowship; Shankar Memorial Award and Commendation medal by the Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers for excellence in teaching and research. He has executed several projects funded by reputed International and National funding agencies. Prof. Panda is the Lead Principal Investigator of a high value, multi institutional research project funded by the Ministry of Information Technology, Govt. of India. The other notable Institutions involved in the project include liT Kharagpur, Texas A&M, University of California and Purdue University, USA. Prof. Panda has patented a low cost "Soil moisture sensor for automated micro-irrigation system" and filed copyright for a software for the design of Centrifugal Pumps. He developed adaptation strategy to abate adverse effect of climate variability on a few major crops and alternative farming systems to prevent the soil erosion and land-slides in the hilly catchments. He has developed a Decision Support System (DSS) for effective management of agro-chemicals without causing environmental pollution and another DSS for Optimum Irrigation Scheduling of the major crops under water scarcity condition. He has also developed a Low Cost Hydraulic Weighing Lysimeter, field Iysimetric laboratory and a Water Quality Laboratory at liT Kharagpur. He is in the process of developing a multidisciplinary Centre of Excellence on Land, Water, Energy and Climate to address issues related to food security.

Proposer : Prof. Kamlesh Narayan Tiwari, Seconder : Prof. Prem Chand Pandey Ten Best Publications : 1. Singh, R. K., Panda, R. K., Satapathy, K. K. and S. V. Ngachan., 2012. Runoff and Sediment Yield Modelling for a Treated Hilly Watershed in Eastern Himalaya Using the Water Erosion Prediction Project Model, Water Resource Management, 26: 643-665. Impact factor: 2.463 (Citation Index: 10) 2. Singh, R. K., Panda, R. K., Satapathy, K. K. and S. V. Ngachan, 2011. Simulation of runoff and sediment yield from a hilly watershed in the eastern Himalaya, India using the WEPP model, Journal of Hydrology, 405:261-276. Impact factor: 2.693 (Citation Index: 17) 3. Behera, S. K. and Panda, R. K., 2009. Effect of fertilization and irrigation schedule on water and fertilizer solute transport for wheat crop in a subhumid subtropical region, Agriculture, Ecosystem and Environment, 130: 141-155. Impact factor: 3.203 (Citation Index: 31) 4. Behera, S. K. and Panda, R. K., 2009. Integrated management of irrigation water and fertilizers for wheat crop using field experiments and simulation modeling, Agricultural Water Management, 96 (11): 1532-1540. Impact factor: 2.333 (Citation Index: 22) 5. Behera, S. and Panda, R. K., 2006. Evaluation of management alternatives in an agricultural watershed using a physical process based model, Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 113: 62-72. 1m pact factor: 3.203 (Citation Index: 137) 6. Panda, R. K., Behera S. K. and Kashyap, P. S., 2004. Effective management of irrigation water for maize crop under stressed conditions, Agricultural Water Management, 66 (3): 181- 203. Impact factor: 2.333 (Citation Index: 99) 7. Panda, R. K., Behera S. K. and Kashyap, P. S., 2003. Effective management of irrigation water for wheat crop under stressed conditions, Agricultural Water Management, 63 (1): 37-56. Impact factor: 2.333 (Citation Index: 87) 8. Tripathi, M. P., Panda, R. K., Raghuwanshi, N. S., 2003. Identification and prioritisation of critical sub-watersheds for soil conservation management using the SWAT model, Biosystems Engineering 85(3): 365-379. Impact factor: 1.367 (Citation Index: 165) 9. Mathew, E. K., Panda, R. K. and Nair, M. 2001. Influence of subsurface drainage on crop production and soil quality in a low-lying acid sulphate soil, Agricultural Water Management, 47 (3): 191-209. Impact factor: 2.333 (Citation Index: 26) 10. Kashyap, P. S. and Panda, R. K. 2000. Evaluation of Evapotranspiration Estimation Methods and Development of Crop-coefficients for Potato crop in a Sub-humid Region, Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, 45 (1): 9-25. Impact factor: 2.333 (Citation Index: 169)

11

SARKAR, UTTAM KUMAR (b 1963), Principal Scientist, National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow


The candidate contributed significantly in exploring, evaluating and characterizing the current status and spatio-temporal pattern of freshwater fish biodiversity of the river Ganges basin (including 15 rivers and 9 dams and reservoirs), and North Eastern region and described a new red variant rohu Labeo rohita and six new species from the North Eastern Region. • Developed a set of priority habitat model of selected Inland waterbodies using ecosystem scaling approach. New concept of habitat fingerprinting technique through elemental fingerprints of fish otolith was successfully demonstrated for the first time. •The concept of State Fish has been adopted, for the first time in the country and received enthusiastic response with 16 states already declared / accepted state fish. • Captive breeding and larval rearing protocols of seven prioritized threatened food fishes were developed, standardized and developed a documentary film on Captive breeding and larval rearing of 6 endangered freshwater fish. Gene banking technology of Chitala chitala, Ompok pabda, O. bimaculatus, was successfully demonstrated in the NEH Region and an innovative approach on the concept of State fish was adopted for the first time. • Successfully demonstrated the potential role of aquatic protected area as an effective tool for freshwater fish conservation showing benefits of riverine protection. • Recently, comparative pattern of reproductive traits and population structure of three Indian Major Carps, Clarias magur and butter catfish Ompok bimaculatus were demonstrated from more than 10 major rivers, 16 dams and reservoirs. • In addition to the above, contributions were made in developing 12 Databases related to fish diversity of India and bioinformatics.

Proposer : Dr W. S. Lakra, Seconder : Dr. Shailja Bhattacharya


1. Sarkar, U. K., A. K. Pathak ,R. K. Sinha,K. Sivakumar, A. K. Pandian, A. Pandey,V. K. Dubey, W. S. Lakra. 2012. Freshwater fish biodiversity in the River Ganga (India): changing pattern, threats and conservation perspectives. Reviews in Fish Biology & Fisheries. 22:251–272 (if=2.564, ci=17)

2. Lakra W. S., U. K. Sarkar, V. K. Dubey, R. Sani, A. Pandey. 2011. River inter linking in India: status, issues, prospects and implications on aquatic ecosystems and freshwater fish diversity. Reviews in Fish Biology & Fisheries. 21:463–479. (if=2.564, ci=12)

3. Sarkar, U. K ; A.K. Pathak and W. S. Lakra. 2008. Conservation of freshwater fish resources of India: New approaches, assessment and challenges. Biodiversity and Conservation 17:2495 – 2511 (if=2.065, ci=26)

4. Sarkar U. K., R.S. Negi, P.K. Deepak, W. S. Lakra and S.K. Paul. 2008. Biological parameters of endangered Chitala chitala (Osteoglossiformes: Notopteridae) from some Indian rivers. Fisheries Research. 90: 170- 177 (if=1.843, ci=15)

5. Sarkar, U. K ; A.K.Pathak, W. S. Lakra . 2008. Sarkar, U.K. and M. B. Bain 2007. Priority habitats for the conservation of large river fish in the Ganges river basin. Aquatic Conserv: Mar. Freshw. Ecosyst. 17: 349- 359 (if=1.756, ci=22)

6. Sarkar U. K., P. K. Deepak, R. S. Negi, T A. Qureshi and W. S. Lakra. 2007. Efficacy of different types of live and non-conventional diets on endangered clown knife fish Chitala chitala (Hamilton) during its early life stages. Aquaculture Research. 38: 1404- 1410(if=1.32, ci=12)

7. Sarkar U. K; W.S. Lakra, P.K. Deepak, R.S. Negi, S.K. Paul and A. Srivastava. 2006. Performance of different types of diets on experimental larval rearing of endangered Chitala chitala (Hamilton) in recirculatory system. Aquaculture. 261 (2006) 141–150. (if=1.828, ci=8)

8. Sarkar, U. K, P.K.Deepak, R.S. Negi, S.P. Singh and D. Kapoor. 2006. Captive Breeding of Endangered Fish Chitala chitala (Hamilton-Buchanan) for Species Conservation and Sustainable Utilization. Biodiversity and Conservation, 15(11): 3579- 3589 (if=2.065, ci=24)

9. Sarkar U. K., P.K. Deepak, D. Kapoor, Raje Singh Negi, S.K.Paul and S.P.Singh, 2005.Captive breeding of Anabas testudineus (Bloch, 1792) with WOVA-FH for conservation and aquaculture. Aquaculture Research,36 : 941-945 (if=1.32)

10. Nagpure Naresh Sahebrao, Iliyas Rashid, Rameshwar Pati, Ajey Kumar Pathak, Mahender Singh, Shri Prakash Singh and Uttam Kumar Sarkar. 2013. FishMicrosat: a microsatellite database of commercially important fishes and shellfishes of the Indian subcontinent. BMCGenomics.14:630doi:10.1186/1471-2164-14- 630. (if=4.04, ci=3)

12

SAXENA, ANIL KUMAR (b 1960), Principal Scientist and Former Head, Division of Microbiology, ICAR- Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New DelhI


Dr. Saxena contributed immensely in the area of molecular diversity and developed a database of bacteria isolated from extreme environments. Deposited 1860 16S rRNA gene sequences to NCBI GenBank 48, 60, 73, 77,87, 91, 97, 108, 112, 113, 119. DNA based diagnostic kits were developed for identification of Bacillus sp.52, Macrophomina phaseolina47, Fusarium udum58 and Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. punicae74. He developed bacterial inoculants, including novel biofilmed formulations, Zn and K solubilizers and NPK providing combinations for INM 20, 22, 55, 71, 75, 79, 89, 103, 105. Identified PGPR for enhancing the yield of different crop plants 12, 13, 25, 30, 57, 63, 81. He developed biocontrol agents for control of fungal pathogens 16,18, 19, 21, 39, 43, 45, 90, 118. He successfully transferred the technologies to entrepreneurs. He optimized the technology for production of bioethanol 94, 99,104 and biodiesel 67, 69, 82, 117. He carried out the complete genome sequencing of Mesorhizobium ciceri, Salinibacillus aidingensis, Bacillus sp., and Thalassobacillus devorans 83-86,101,102. Cloned dnaK gene involved in thermotolerance and cellulose encoding gene and validated in E.coli 93, 106. He attracted funds to the tune of Rs. 1348.874 lakhs through 20 externally funded projects from DBT, DST and ICAR. He has guided 8 M.Sc and 9 Ph.D students, published 119 research papers with 1310 citations and is a recipient of IARI Merit Gold Medal, IARI Best Teacher Award, Fellowship of NAAS and Indian Academy of Microbiological Sciences, Distinguished Scientist Award of Asian PGPR Society and XIV Hari Krishan Shastri Memorial Award.

Proposer : Prof. K.V.B.R. Tilak, Seconder : Prof. C. Manoharachary


1. Saxena, A.K. and Rewari, R.B. 1992. Differential responses of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) - Rhizobium combinations to saline soil conditions. Biology and Fertility of Soils 14 : 31-34 (if=3.396, ci=30)

2. Saxena, A.K., Rathi, S.K. and Tilak, K.V.B.R. 1997. Differential effect of various endomycorrhizal fungi on nodulating ability of green gram by Bradyrhizobium sp. (Vigna) strain S24. Biology and Fertility of Soils 24: 175 – 178 (if=3.396, ci=24)

3. Pal, K.K., Tilak, K.V.B.R Saxena, A.K., Rinku Dey and Singh, C.S., 2001. Suppression of maize root disease caused by Macrophomina phaseolina, Fusarium moniliforme and Fusarium graminearum by plant growth promoting rhizobacteria. Microbiological Research 156: 209-223 (if=1.939, ci=103)

4. Tilak, K.V.B.R., Ranganayaki, N., Pal, K.K., De, R., Saxena, A.K., Nautiyal, C.S., Mittal, S., Tripathi, A. K. and Johri, B.N. 2005. Diversity of plant growth and soil health supporting bacteria. Current Science 89: 136-150 (if=0.833, ci=219)

5. Somvanshi, V.S., Lang, E., Straubler, B., Sproer, C., Schumann, P., Ganguly, S., Saxena, A.K. and Stackerbrandt, E. 2006. Providencia vermicola sp. nov., isolated from infected juveniles of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema thermophilum. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 56: 629-633 (if=2.798, ci=39)

6. Somvanshi, V.S., Lang, E., Ganguly, S., Swiderski, J., Saxena, A.K. and Stackerbrandt, E. 2006. A novel species of Xenorhabdus indica sp. nov., symbiotically associated with entamopathogenic nematode Steinernema thermophilum. Systematic and Applied Microbiology 29: 519-525 (if=3.310, ci=23)

7. Babu, B.K., Saxena, A.K., Srivastava, A.K. and Arora, D.K. 2007. Identification and detection of Macrophomina phaseolina by using species-specific oligonucleotide primers and probe. Mycologia 99: 797-803 (if=2.128, ci=35)

8. Meena, K.K., Mespogu, S., Kumar, M., Yandigeri, M., Singh, G. and Saxena, A.K. 2010. Co-inoculation of endophytic fungus Piriformaspora indica with the phosphate solubilizing bacterium Pseudomonas striata affects population dynamics and plant growth in chickpea. Biology and Fertility of Soils 46: 169-174 (if=3.396, ci=16)

9. Upadhyay, S.K., Singh, J.S., Saxena, A.K. and Singh, D.P. 2012. Impact of PGPR inoculation on growth and antioxidants status of wheat plant under saline condition. Plant Biology 14: 605-616 (if=2.40, ci=20)

10. Tiwari R., Rana, S.; Arora, A., Singh, S.; Kaushik, R.; Agarwal, V.V.; Saxena, A.K. and Lata, N. 2013. Biological delignification of paddy straw and Parthenium sp. using a novel micromycete Myrothecium roridum LG7 for enhanced saccharification. Bioresource Technology 135: 7-11 (if=5.039, ci=5)

13

SHARMA, RAM ROSHAN (b 1962), Principal Scientist (Hort.), Division of Food Science & Postharvest Technology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi


Dr. R.R. Sharma, FHSI has made significant contributions in the field of production and post harvest management of fruits. He has developed six varieties of mango such as Pusa Arunima, Pusa Surya, Pusa Lalima, Pusa Pitamber, Pusa Pratibha, Pusa Shresth, which all are regular bearer and bear attractive coloured fruits, having good shelf life. These are becoming popular among the farmers in different parts of India and abroad. He has recommended Sweet Charlie, a Floridian strawberry for commercial cultivation in India which has attracted strawberry growers in our country. He has standardized micropropagation protocol for grape and has given solution for the problems of fruit cracking and unfruitfulness in lemon. Dr. Sharma has reported the occurrence of fruit pitting, a new disorder in mango and albinism, fruit malformation and buttoning in strawberry for the first time. He has standardized the shrink wrapping technology for apple and kiwifruit, for extending shelf-life and maintaining quality He has standardized fruit bagging technology for apple and pomegranate, which has become quite popular among the farmers of Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra. Dr. Sharma is a prolific writer and has the distinction of publishing 110 articles in journals of International and national repute, 10 books, 30 book chapters, 10 training manuals and 150 popular articles. He has served as International Mango Registar for 4 years, and is the recipient of several honours and awards. He is the Chief Editor of International Journal of Food Processing and Postharvest Technology, and member, editorial board of eight international journals.

Proposer : Dr. T.R.Sharma, Seconder : Dr. N.K. Singh


1. Sharma, R.R., Singh, D. and Singh, R. (2009). Biological control of postharvest diseases of fruits and vegetables by microbial antagonists: A review. Biol. Contl., 50: 205-221. (if=1.873 ., ci=275)

2. Singh, R., Sharma, R.R., Kumar, S., Gupta, R.K. and Patil, R.T. (2008). Vermicompost substitution influences growth, physiological disorders, fruit yield and quality of strawberry of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.). Biores. Technol., 99:8507-8511. [ (if=5.039 , ci=83)

3. Jha, S.K., Sethi, S., Srivastav, M., Dubey, A.K., Sharma, R.R. and Singh, A.K. (2009). Firmness characteristics of mango hybrids under ambient storage. J Food Engg., 97 (2):208-212. (if=2.576, ci=22)

4. Sharma, R.R., Krishna, H., Patel V.B., Dahuja, A. and Singh, R. (2006). Fruit calcium content and lipoxygenase activity in relation to albinism disorder in strawberry. Sci. Hortic., 107: 150-154. (if=1.504, ci=22)

5. Sharma, R.R., Patel, V.B. and Krishna, H. (2006). Relationship between light, fruit and leaf mineral content with albinism disorder in strawberry Sci. Hortic., 109 (1): 66-70. (if=1.504, ci=14)

6. Krishna, H., Singh, S.K., Sharma, R.R., Khawle, R.N., Grower, M. and Patel, V. B. (2005). Biochemical changes in micropropagated grape plantlets due to AMF inoculation during ex-vitro acclimation. Sci. Hortic., 106: 554-567. (if=1.504, ci=41)

7. Singh, R., Sharma, R.R. and Tyagi, S.K. (2007). Pre-harvest foliar application of calcium and boron influences physiological disorders, fruit yield and quality of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.). Sci. Hortic., 112: 215-220. (if=1.504, ci=40)

8. Sharma, R.R. and Singh, R. (2009). Gibberellic acid influences the production of malformed and button berries, and fruit yield and quality in strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) Sci. Hortic., 119: 430-433. (if=1.504, ci=22)

9. Sharma, R.R., Goswami, A.M., Singh, C.N., Chhonkar, O.P. and Singh, G. (2001). Catecholase and cresolase activities and phenolic content in mango (Mangifera indica L.) at panicle initiation. Sci. Hortic., 87(1-2): 147-151. (if=1.504, ci=15)

10. Sharma, R.R. and Saxena, S.K. (2004). Rootstocks influence granulation in Kinnow (C. nobilis x C. deliciosa). Sci. Hortic., 101: 235-242. (if=1.504, ci=12)

14

SINGH, AJAI (b 1970), Associate Professor and Head, Centre for Water Engineering and Management, Central University of Jharkhand, Ranchi


Non point-source loads of sediment and nutrient from lands cause significant ecological problems for downstream waters in the watershed. Dr. Singh worked on one of the watershed under Damodar Valley Corporation where soil erosion is a prevalent problem. Suspended sediment is one of the most prevalent pollutants in streams such as Damodar and its tributaries in the region. Addressing these problems will require improved agricultural practices that reduce soil erosion and the loss of applied fertilizers. Keeping above in view, he has modeled runoff and sediment transport from a small watershed using Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model coupled with GIS and RS techniques. The performance of the SWAT and two models of ANN such as Multilayer Perceptron and Radial Basis Neural Network in simulating hydrologic response were assessed and compared (Singh et al., 2012). He has a very good experience in micro irrigation as evidenced by published research papers. One of the works to validate AquaCrop model for wheat crop has been published in Journal of Irrigation and Drainage. The model was validated for West Bengal and can be used for contingent crop planning. Dr. Singh further explored the methodology of uncertainty involved with semi distributed hydrological modeling where SUFI 2 algorithm was used. He also investigated the uncertainty analysis in ANN using Bootstrap Technique, rarely used in ANN (Singh et al., 2013). He has varied experience and carried out a research on artificial recharge and evaluated the performance of recharge pit.

Proposer : Dr. P.B.S. Sarma, Seconder : Dr. K.N.Tiwari


1. Singh Ajai , R.P.Singh, P.S.Mahar and K.K.Singh. 2000. Optimal design of tapered microirrigation submain manifolds. American Society of Civil Engineers, Jr. of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, 126(6), pp. 371-374. (if=1.59)

2. Tiwari, K. N., Ajai Singh, P.K.Mal and A.Pandey. 2001. Effect of crop geometry on yield and economics of okra (Abelmoschus exculentus(L.) Moench) under drip irrigation. Jr. of the Institution of Engineers, Division of Agricultural Engineering, India, 82, 9-12(if=not available)

3. Tiwari, K. N., Ajai Singh, P.K.Mal. 2003. Effect of drip irrigation on yield of cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata) under mulch and non-mulch conditions. Jr. of Agricultural Water Management, The Netherlands, 58, pp. 19-28. (if=2.822)

4. Singh, A., M. Imtiyaz, R.K.Isaac, D.M.Denis. 2012. Comparison of soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) and multilayer perceptron (MLP) artificial neural network for predicting sediment yield in the Nagwa agricultural watershed in Jharkhand, India. Agric. Water Mgt., 104, pp.113-120. (if=2.822)

5. Ajai Singh, A.C. Pandey, V.K. Pandey, S.S. Kumar. 2012. Probability analysis of rainfall for crop planning in Dakshin Dinajpur, West Bengal, India. Eco. Env. & Cons. 18 (1), pp. 61-64. (if=not known)

6. Ajai Singh, V.K.Jain, Jayanta Dutta. 2012. Comparison of Artificial Neural Network Models and Regression Model for Prediction of Evaporation for Malwa Region of Madhya Pradesh, India. International Agricultural Engineering Journal, 21(3-4), 96-104. (if=not known)

7. Singh, A., M. Imtiyaz, R.K.Isaac, D.M.Denis. 2013. Comparison of Artificial Neural Network Models for sediment yield prediction at single gauging station of watershed in Eastern India, Jr. of Hydrologic Engineering, American Society of Civil Engineers. 18:1, 115-120(if=1.62)

8. Ajai Singh, Sankar Saha, Sanchita Mondal. 2013. Modeling irrigated wheat production using the FAO AquaCrop Model in West Bengal, India for sustainable agriculture. Irrigation and Drainage, 62: 50–56. (if=1.10)

9. Singh, A., M. Imtiyaz, R.K.Isaac, D.M.Denis. 2014. Assessing the performance and uncertainty analysis of Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and Radial Basis Neural Network (RBNN) models for simulation of sediment yield in Nagwa watershed, India. Hydrological Sciences, 2(59): 351-364. (if=1.937)

10. V. K. Jain, Ajai Singh, O. P. Soni. 2013. Performance Evaluation of Recharge Pits Method of Artificial Recharge of Ground water in Madhya Pradesh, India. Advances in Water Resources and Protection, 1 (1), 1-10. (if=not known)

15

SINGH, MUNNA (b 1962) Vice-Chancellor, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur


Professor Munna Singh Ph.D. (Gold-medalist), Fellow-JSPS, JAPAN, worked in Okayama Univ. Japan, Prof. & Head-Plant Physiology, GBPUA&T, Pantnagar. ICAR conferred Jawahar Lal Nehru Award for outstanding research work in agricultural sciences. Recipient of Uttar Pradesh State's apex Saraswati Samman in 2014. Guided over 40 PG-Ph.D. students, studied quality control of PS II, proteomics, genomics of etioplast, etio-chloroplast & chloroplast at Turku Univ., Finland with photosynthetic characteristics under climatic variables. PS II associated activities revealed susceptibility of water oxidizing complex encoded by nDNA assessed for O2 evolution. For the first time, chloroplast genome of poplar isolated, purified and characterized ~ 140 kbp. In-vivo quality control of PS II in Synechocystis PCC 6803 studied to correlate D 1 degradation and its repair with chlorophyll fluorescence. An up-regulated expression of FtsH protease responded to reveal novel approach of PS II in extending cellular physiological fitness under stress with quality control of PS II super-complexes viz., Dl/ D2 proteins encoded by PsbA IPsbB genes of cp-genome through immunoblotting and tandem mass spectroscopy (MSIMS) in chloroplast as ATPase, cytchrome brf, Rubisco, Clp, FtsH and NDH. Chloroplast development from etio-plast found to be triggered by anterograde and retrograde signallings of the cell system by harvesting sun energy linked with carbon economy and plant productivity, worked, phyto-remediation using higher plants for cleanup of F-contaminated sites with original research work and published extensively in national and international journals (IF = 42.540, CI = 139 & NAAS score = 259.85). He, in my opinion, based on his outstanding publications, deserves to be considered for Fellow of NASI.

Proposer : Dr. P.V. Sane, Seconder : Dr. K.P. Singh Ten Best Publications : 1. 2014: Tiwari M, Sharma D, Dwivedi S, Singh M, Tripathi RD & Trivedi PK. Expression in Arabidopsis and cellular localization reveal involvemen of rice NRAMP, OsNRAMPl in arsenic transport and tolerance. Plant Cell & Environment 37: 140-152 (IF: 5.906, NAAS score: 11.91, CI: 11). 2. 2014: Tiwari M, Sharma D, Singh M, Tripathi RD, Trivedi PK. Expression of OsMATE 1 and OsMATE 2 alters development, stress responses and pathogen susceptibility in Arabidopsis. Sci. Reports 4(3964):1-12 (IF: 5.078, NAAS score: 11.08, CI: 02). 3. 2014: Ranjan S, Singh R, Singh M, Pathre UV, Shirke PA. Characterizing photo inhibition and photosynthesis in juvenile-red versus mature-green leaves of Jatropha curcas L. Plant Physiol Biochemistry 79: 48-59 (IF: 2.352, NAAS score: 8.35, CI: 02). 4. 2014: Verma KK, Singh M, Gupta RK & Verma CL. Photosynthesis gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, antioxidant enzymes and growth responses of Jatropha curcas L. during flooding. Turk. J Bot. 38: 130-140 (IF: 1.600, NAAS score: 6.00, CI: 03). 5. 2014: Singh M, Ranjan S, Verma KK, Pathre UV, Shirke PA. Photosynthetic characteristics of red and green leaves in growing seedlings of J curcas. Turk. J Biol. 38: 457-468 (IF: 1.216, NAAS score: 7.22, CI: 01). 6. 2013: Singh M, Verma KK, Verma CL. An approach to develop a model for describing influence of fluoride contaminated irrigation water on physiological responses in poplar (Populus detoides clone S7C15). Acta Physiol. Plantarum 35: 3357-3364 (IF: 1.524, NAAS score: 7.52). 7. 2012: Verma KK, Singh M, Verma CL. Developing a mathematical model for variation of physiological responses of Jatropha curcas leaves depending on leaf positions under soil flooding. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum 34: 1435-1443 (IF: 1.524, NAAS score: 7.52, CI: 05). 8. 2010: Singh R, Tripathi RD, Dwevedi S, Singh M, Trivedi PK, Chakrabarty D. Cadmium induced biochemical responses of Vallisneria spiralis. Protoplasm a 245(1-4): 97-103 (IF: 3.171, NAAS score: 9.17, CI: 03). 9. 2008: Eira K, Singh M, Marjana S, Virpi P, Eveliina A, Natalia B, Eva-Mari A. Expression of protein complexes and individual proteins upon transition of etioplasts to chloroplasts in pea (Pisum sativum). Plant Cell Physiology (Japan) 49: 396-410 (IF: 4.978, NAAS score: 13.39, CI: 50). 10. 2005: Singh M, Yamamoto Y, Satoh K, Aro EM, Eira K. (2005). Post-illumination related loss of photochemical efficiency of Photo system II and degradation of the Dl protein are temperature-dependent. J Plant Physiology 162: 1246-1253 (IF: 2.770, NAAS score: 8.77, CI: 07).

16

TODARIA, NAGENDRA PRASAD (b 1951), Professor and Head, Dept. of Forestry and Natural Resources, HNB Garhwal University, Kilkleswar, Uttarakhand


Initial work of Dr. Todaria revealed that pigment and enzyme synthesis, composition and functions are altered at higher altitudes facilitating adaptations in harsh environment (Photosynthetica 14(2), 1980; 18(3), 1984; Scientia Horticulturae 1983). Seed weight and germination are also influenced by altitude creating altitudinal provenances (Ind. J. Pl. Physio. Bio. 22(2) 1995; 23(1), 1996; Int. Tree Crops. J. 10, 2000; Silvae Genetica 52(5-6), 2003; J. Trop. For. Sci 18(4), 2006). Research work of Dr. Todaria on agroforestry revealed that interactions between tree-crop, weed-crop and medicinal plants-crops are species specific. New combinations of tree-crop and medicinal plant-crop were suggested to increase productivity in agroecosystem (Allelopathy J. 3(1), 1996; 3(2), 1996; J. Sust. Agric. 17(2), 2006; Agro. Syst. 69, 2007). Energy input - output study revealed that agriculture if combined with agroforestry can become energy efficient indicating importance of agroforestry in livelihood in mountain (J. Agril. R D in Trop. & SubTrop 112(2) 2011). Existing formula for fuelwood vale index was modified by Dr. Todaria and demonstrated for 100 species (Biomass 21. 1990; Commonwealth For. Rev., 71(314); For. Eco. & Mang. 47, 1992; Energy, 18(8), 1993). This finding has facilitated introduction of several indigenous tree species in nurseries and plantation programmes. Efforts were also made by Dr. Todaria to rehabilitate patches of degraded lands with new techniques which developed into mixed species forests protecting these landslide prone areas in Uttarakhand (Indian. J. Soil Conser. 31(3), 2003). He highlighted forest disturbance, as main factor in poor regeneration of natural forests (2012; Curr. Sc. 98(2).

Proposer : Dr B. Mohan Kumar, Seconder : Dr. L. M. S. Palni


1. Prerna Pokhriyal, Pooja Uniyal, D.S. Chauhan and N.P. Todaria, 2010: Regeneration status of tree species in forest of Phakot and Pathri Rao watersheds in Garhwal Himalaya. Current Science, 98(2):171- 175. (if=0.905 , ci=18)

2. Yashwant S. Rawat, Subhash C.R. Vishvakarma and N.P. Todaria.,2009: Fuel wood consumption pattern of tribal communities in cold desert of the Lahaul valley, North-Western Himalaya, India. Journal of Biomass & Bioenergy, 33: 1547-1557. (if=3.65, ci=11)

3. Tahir Nazir, A.K. Uniyal and N.P. Todaria,2007: Allelopathic behavior of three medicinal plant species on traditional agriculture crops of Garhwal Himalaya, India Agroforestry Systems, 69: 183-187. (if=1.373, ci=28)

4. M. Latif Khan, Putul Bhuyan, Uma Shankar and N.P. Todaria, 1999: Seed germination and seedling fitness in Mesua ferrea. L. in relation to fruit size and seed number per fruit. Acta Oecologica , 20(6): 599-606. (if=1.621, ci=29)

5. B.P. Bhatt, A.K. Negi and N.P. Todaria, 1994: Fuelwood consumption at different altitudes in Garhwal Himalaya. Energy, 19 (4): 465-468, 1994. (if=3.651, ci=36)

6. A. K. Negi and N.P. Todaria, 1993: Studies on impact of local folk on forests of Garhwal Himalaya. I. Energy from Biomass. Biomass and Bioenergy, 4: 447-454. (if=3.65 , ci=12)

7. A.K. Negi and N.P. Todaria, 1993: Fuelwood evaluation of some Himalayan trees and shrubs. Energy, 18 (8): 799-801. (if=3.65 , ci=12)

8. B.P. Bhatt and N.P. Todaria, 1992: Fuelwood characteristics of some Indian mountain species. Forest Ecology and Management, 47: 363-366. (if=2.766, ci=17)

9. B.P. Bhatt and N.P. Todaria, 1990: Studies on the allelopathic effects of some agroforestry tree crops of Garhwal Himalaya. Agroforestry Systems, 12: 251-255. (if=1.373, ci=39)

10. B.P. Bhatt and N.P. Todaria, 1990: Fuelwood characteristics of some mountain trees and shrubs. Biomass (now Bio-resource technology), 21: 233-238. (if=4.98, ci=39)

17

VARSHNEY, RAJEEV KUMAR (b 1973), Research Program Director - Grain Legumes & Director - Center of Excellence in Genomics (CEG), ICRISAT, Patancheru


As a team leader, Rajeev Varshney worked from India to lead international teams of researchers to sequence genomes of pigeonpea and chickpea and published them as the first and corresponding authors in Nature Biotechnology in 2012 and 2013. As a leader, he developed several superior lines with: (i) enhanced drought tolerance in chickpea, (ii) enhanced individual or combined resistance to Fusarium wilt and Ascochyta blight in chickpea, (iii) enhanced rust resistance in groundnut. He led development of large-scale genomic resources e.g. several thousand molecular markers, high-density marker genotyping platforms, transcriptome assemblies, >30 genetic maps including the first genetic map of groundnut, first generation map of pigeonpea, the most comprehensive genetic map and the first genotyping-by-sequencing based map of chickpea, high density consensus map in groundnut. Majority of this work has been published in many international journals under the primary/corresponding authorship of Rajeev. In brief, Rajeev‘s efforts have elevated ‗orphan legume crops' to ‗genomic resources-rich‘ legume crops. He has also trained >280 breeders and >75 MSc/PhDs/Post-docs in the area of genomics/molecular breeding. Rajeev is enhancing visibility of Indian genome science by presenting work at leading international platforms (e.g. G-8 Open Data Meeting, 2013, Brain-storming on digital design, chaired by Mr Bill Gates, 2012 and FAO- Conference on Agricultural Biotechnology, 2010) and serving Editorial Board of several international journals/review panels of several international funding agencies as well as organizing/ steering committees of international conferences. He has organized several international conferences in India that have greatly benefited students and scientists working in India.

Proposer : Prof. PB Kavi Kishor, Seconder : Prof. V Dashavantha Reddy


1. Varshney RK, Terauchi R, McCouch SR (2014) Harvesting the promising fruits of genomics: applying genome sequencing technologies to crop breeding. PLoS Biol 12(6): e1001883. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1001883 (if=12.69, ci=11)

2. Varshney RK, Pandey MK, Janila P, Nigam SN, Sudini HK, Gowda MVC, Manda S, Radhakrishnan T, Manohar SS, Nagesh P (2014) Marker-assisted introgression of a QTL region to improve rust resistance in three elite and popular varieties of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Theoretical and Applied Genetics 127: 1771-1781 (if=3.759, ci=7)

3. Varshney RK, Song C, Saxena RK, Azam S, Yu S, Sharpe A, Cannon S, Baek J, Rosen BD, Tar‘an B, Millan T, Zhang X, Ramsay LD, Iwata A, Wang Y, Nelson W, Farmer AD, Gaur PM, Soderlund C, Penmetsa RV, Xu C, Bharti AK, He W, Winter P, Zhao S, Hane JK, Garcia NC, Condie JA, Upadhyaya HD, Luo MC, Thudi M, Gowda CLL, Singh NP, Lichtenzveig J, Gali KK, Rubio J, Nadarajan N, Dolezel1 J, Bansal KC, Xu X, Edwards D, Zhang G, Kahl G, Gil J, Singh KB, Datta SK, Jackson SA, Wang J, Cook DR (2013) Draft genome sequence of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) provides a resource for trait improvement. Nature Biotechnology 31:240–246 (if=39.1, ci=159)

4. Varshney RK, Thudi M, Nayak SN, Gaur PM, Kashiwagi J, Krishnamurthy L, Jaganathan D, Koppolu J, Bohra A, Tripathi S, Rathore A, Jukanti AK, Jayalakshmi V, Vemula A, Singh SJ, Yasin M, Sheshshayee MS, Viswanatha KP (2014) Genetic dissection of drought tolerance in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Theoretical and Applied Genetics 127:445-462 (if=3.759, ci=16)

5. Varshney RK, Gaur PM, Chamarthi SK, Krishnamurthy L, Tripathi S, Kashiwagi J, Samineni S, Singh VK, Thudi M, Jaganathan D (2013) Fast-track introgression of ―QTL-hotspot‖ for root traits and other drought tolerance traits in JG 11, an elite and leading variety of chickpea. The Plant Genome 6(3) (if=4.659, ci=14)

6. Varshney RK, Chen W, Li Y, Bharti AK, Saxena RK, Schlueter JA, Donoghue MTA, Azam S, Fan G, Whaley AM, Farmer AD, Sheridan J, Iwata A, Tuteja R, Penmetsa RV, Wu W, Upadhyaya HD, Yang SP, Shah T, Saxena KB, Michael T, McCombie WR, Yang B, Zhang G, Yang H, Wang J, Spillane C, Cook DR, May GD, Xu X, Jackson SA (2012) Draft genome sequence of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan), an orphan legume crop of resource-poor farmers Nature Biotechnology 30:83-89 (if=39.1, ci=182)

7. Varshney RK, Ribaut JM, Buckler ES, Tuberosa R, Rafalski JA and Langridge P (2012) Can genomics boost productivity of orphan crops? (2012) Nature Biotechnology 30:1172–1176 (if=39.1, ci=39)

8. Varshney RK, Bertioli DJ, Moretzsohn M, Vadez V, Krishnamurthy L, Aruna R, Nigam SN, Moss B, Kannan S, Ravi K, He G, Knapp SJ and Hoisington DA (2009) The first SSR-based genetic linkage map for cultivated groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Theoretical and Applied Genetics 118: 729-739 (if=3.759, ci=123)

9. Varshney RK, Graner A, Sorrells ME (2005) Genic microsatellite markers in plants: features and applications. Trends in Biotechnology 23: 48-55 (if=10.040, ci=1004)

10. Gupta PK, Varshney RK (2000) The development and use of microsatellite markers for genetics and plant breeding with emphasis on bread wheat. Euphytica 113: 163-185 (if=1.692, ci=653)

18

BANERJEE, RINTU (b 1963), Professor, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur


Prof. Rintu Banerjee, MNRE Chair Professor is acknowledged as one of the leading enzymologist working in the area of Food, Fermentation and Bioenergy. She has received wide recognition including the coveted Rafi Ahmed Kidwai award, Panjabrao Deshmukh Outstanding Women Scientist Award, ―Louis Pasteur‖, Recognition award, Women Bioscientist, and Fellowship of various societies and academy. Her significant contributions include cost-effective production of industrial enzymes. Enzymatic degradation of potent xenobiotic compounds and development of ―Biodepilator‖ to control environmental pollution generated by tannery industry is one of her significant contributions. Prof. Banerjee has introduced a new concept of using isolated microbial consortia for methane production up to 74%, without the addition of cowdung. She has also brought the revolution in the area of pretreatment of lignocellulosics through enzymatic delignification for improved ethanol/butanol yield. She successfully overcame the problems related to vegetable oil/algal biofuel by transesterification of lipid extracted from oleaginous microbes. She has pioneered novel food processing technologies including enzymatic rice polishing, debittering of juices, nutraceutical-enriched food products and lactic acid production with multiple applications. In the domain of fundamental research, she has investigated the structure, stability and function of food proteins and enzymes, nature of forces involved in ligand-protein interactions. As an outcome of her innovative research, she has been granted with three international and seven national patents out of which eight technologies have been transferred to different industries. Prof. Banerjee guided 26 PhDs, published over 141 articles, 27 book chapter and authored a book entitled ―Environmental Biotechnology―, published by Oxford University Press.

Proposer : Prof. T. K. Adhya, Seconder : Prof. Krishna Misra


1. Banerjee R and Bhattacharyya BC, (1993), Evolutionary Operation (EVOP) to optimize three dimensional biological experiments, Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 41, 67-71. (if= 4.164, ci=31)

2. Hadi T, Banerjee R and Bhattacharyya BC, (1994), Optimization of tannase biosynthesis by a newly isolated strain of Rhizopus oryzae, Bioprocess Engineering, 11, 239-243. (if=1.809, ci=74)

3. Kar B, Banerjee R and Bhattacharyya BC, (1999), Microbial production of gallic acid by modified solid state fermentation, Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, 23, 173-177. (if=2.505, ci=47)

4. Kar B and Banerjee R, (2000), Biosynthesis of tannin acyl hydrolase from tannin-rich forest residue under different fermentation conditions, Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, 25, 29-38 (if=2.505, ci=44)

5. Tunga R, Shrivastava B and Banerjee R, (2003), Purification and characterization of a protease from solid state cultures of Aspergillus parasiticus, Process Biochemistry, 38(11), 1553-1558. (if=2.524, ci=57)

6. Dutta Ray J, Dutta PK and Banerjee R, (2004), Optimization of culture parameters for extracellular protease production from a newly isolated Pseudomonas sp. using Response Surface and Artificial Neural Network models, Process Biochemistry, 39(12), 2193-2198.(if=2.524, ci=105)

7. Rout S and Banerjee R, (2007), Free radical scavenging, anti-glycation and tyrosinase inhibition properties of a polysaccharide fraction isolated from the rind from Punica granatum, Bioresource Technology, 98(16), 3159-3163. (if=5.039, ci=57)

8. Bhanja T, Kumari A and Banerjee R, (2009), Enrichment of phenolics and free radical scavenging property of wheat koji prepared with two filamentous fungi, Bioresource Technology, 100(11), 2861-2866. (if=5.039, ci=37)

9. Kumari A, Mahapatra P, Garlapati VK and Banerjee R, (2009), Enzymatic transesterification of Jatropha Oil, Biotechnology for Biofuels, 2, 1. (if=6.22, ci=53)

10. Nanda RK, Sarkar N and Banerjee R, (2007), Probing the interaction of ellagic acid with Human Serum Albumin: a fluorescence spectroscopic study, Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry, 192(2-3), 152-158. (if=2.475, ci=47)

19

BARANWAL, VIRENDRA KUMAR (b 1960), Principal Scientist and In charge, Advance Centre for Plant Virology, IARI, New Delhi


Dr Baranwal has made major contribution in genome characterization and development of serological and molecular detection assays of RNA and DNA viruses affecting allium, banana, citrus, grapes and other important crops. His latest contribution in development of micro array chip having probe sets for more than 1100 plant viruses at genus and species level and 40 viroids is pioneer effort in chip based diagnostics for plant viruses in India and will be highly useful for quarantine and bio-security. The chip will be highly useful for biosecurity and quarantine. His group has identified and characterized Grape leaf roll associated viruses for the first time in India. He has developed recombinant coat protein based antibody production for several viruses of horticultural crops which is very significant for virus indexing programme in the country. Characterization of episomal Banana streak MY virus (BSMYV) isolates employing sequence independent rolling circle amplification (RCA) and identification of putative coat protein gene as well as epitopes made it possible to produce antibodies to BSMYV which will be highly useful to banana tissue culture industry. Simultaneous detection of a poty-, two carla- and any of eight allexiviruses infecting allium crops is a novel cost effective and sensitive multiplex RT-PCR technology developed for virus indexing of garlic. He has demonstrated production of virus free garlic through apical meristem culture and solar heat therapy. Earlier, he made contribution on characterization of antiviral plant proteins and studied the mechanism of their action. He demonstrated that the action of antiviral proteins is host mediated.

Proposer : Prof Anupam Varma, Seconder : Dr Shelly Praveen


1. Prabha K and Baranwal V. K., (2012). The Genome Sequence of an Isolate of Indian Citrus Ringspot Virus infecting the Sweet Orange in India. J Virol. 86(22):12446-47. (if=5.07, ci=2)

2. Balasubrahmanyam, A., Baranwal V.K., Lodha, M. L., Varma A. and Kapoor, H. C. (2000). Purification and properties of growth dependent antiviral proteins from the leaves of Celosia cristata, Plant Science, 154:13-21. (if=2.9, ci=33)

3. Baranwal V.K and Verma, H.N., Characteristics of a virus inhibitor from the leaf extract of Celosia cristata, Plant Pathology, 46; 523-529 (1997). (if=Baranwal V.K and Verma, H.N., Characteristics of a virus inhibitor from the leaf extract of Celosia cristata, Plant Pathology, 46; 523-529 (1997). 2.71, ci=31)

4. Baranwal V.K and Verma, H.N. (1992). Localized resistance against virus infection induced by leaf extract of Celosia cristata, Plant Pathology , 41, 633-638. (if=2.7, ci=28)

5. Singh, R.P., Dilworth, A. D. Baranwal, V.K. and Gupta K .N. (2006). Detection of Citrus exocortis viroid (CEVd), Iresine viroid (IrVd) and Tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid (TCDVd) in new ornamental host plants in India. Plant Disease 90: 1457. (if= 2.4, ci= 20)

6. Manimekalai, R. Soumya, V.P., Satish Kumar R., Selvarajan, R., Reddy, K., Thomas, G.V., Sasikala,M. Rajeev, G and Baranwal, V. K. (2010) Molecular detection of 16SrXI Group Phytoplasma associated with root wilt disease of coconut (Cocos nucifera) in India. Plant Disease 94, 636 (if= 2.4, ci= 14)

7. Baranwal V.K., Majumder, S., Ahlawat, Y.S. Singh, R.P. (2003). Sodium Sulphite yields improved DNA of higher stability for PCR detection of Citrus yellow mosaic virus from citrus leaves. J Virological Methods 112:155-159. (if= 1.9, ci= 38)

8. Kumar S., Baranwal V. K., Singh P., Jain R. K., Sawant S. D. and Singh, S. K. (2012). Characterization of a Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 from India showing incongruence in its phylogeny. Virus Genes, 45:195–200. (if= 1.8, ci= 6)

9. Baranwal, V. K., Sharma, S. K., Khurana D and Varma, R. (2014). Sequence analysis of shorter than genome length episomal Banana streak OL virus like sequences isolated from banana in India‖ Virus Genes, 48:120–127 (if= 1.8, ci= 3)

10. RP Singh, AD Dilworth, X Ao, Singh, M., V.K. Baranwal (2009) Citrus exocortis viroid transmission through commercially-distributed seeds of Impatiens and Verbena plants European journal of plant pathology 124 (4), 691-694 (if= 1.6, ci= 17)

20

CHAMARTHY, RATNAVATHI VENKATA (b 1961), Principal Scientist, ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad


The major achievements made by Dr. Ratnavathi gave new face to sorghum as a health cereal and as a bio-energy crop. The successful pilot experiments for the production of bio ethanol from sweet sorghum and her research contributions for juice quality characterization led to the development and release of first sweet sorghum hybrid CSH 22 SS and a variety CSV 24 SS for commercial cultivation. The studies made in collaboration with sugar industries have led to the introduction of sweet sorghum crop in the farmer‘s fields in a larger area for the first time in two states yielded bio-ethanol with acceptable quality to create a totally new concept for a novel alternate raw material to sugarcane molasses. Her Successful results of basic research in the area of mycotoxins and food safety added scientific knowledge through international publications. The research work on aflatoxins and fumonisins in sorghum proved sorghum grain safe for human consumption and the work also was recognized by CODEX committee. She has led 4 externally funded competitive projects like NATP and NFBSFARA to improve sorghum as a bioenergy crop. She established food processing laboratory under NAIP project. The technology development of products like flakes, semolina, pasta, noodles, multigrain flour with sorghum, cakes, biscuits, and their popularization made sorghum as a health food and based on this MoUs were signed with leading food companies. The pilot experiments on use of sorghum in brewing industry as adjunct made the industry to shift the adjunct to broken sorghum.

Proposer : Dr. N. Ganga Prasada Rao, Seconder : Dr. P.B. Kirti


1. Ratnavathi, CV., Suresh, K., Vijay Kumar, BS., Pallavi, M., Komala, VV and Seetharama, N. (2010) Study on Genotypic Variation for Ethanol production from sweet sorghum Juice. Biomass and Bioenergy 34: 947-952 (if=3.411, ci=57)

2. Ratnavathi,CV and Bala Ravi, S.(1991).Effect of different durations of steeping and malting on the production of alpha-amylase in Sorghum J. Cereal Sci., 14 , 287- 296 (if=1.943, ci=20)

3. Ratnavathi,CV and Sashidhar, RB (1998) Micro assay for the quantitation of protein precipitable polyphenols: use of bovine serum albumin-benzidine conjugate as a protein probe. Food Chemistry, 61, 373-380 (if=3.259, ci=19)

4. Ratnavathi,CV and Sashidhar, RB (2003) Substrate suitability of different genotypes of sorghum in relation to Aspergillus infection and aflatoxin production J Agric. Food Chem, 51, 3482-3492 (if=3.107, ci=15)

5. Ratnavathi, CV., Komala, VV, BS Vijay Kumar, IK Das and JV Patil (2012) Natural Occurence of Aflatoxin B1 in Sorghum grown at different geographical Regions of India Journal of The Science Food and Agriculture J Sci Food Agric. 92(12):2416-20 (if=1.88, ci=12)

6. Audilakshmi, S., Aruna, C., Garud, TB., Nayakar, NY., Atale, SB., Veerabadhiran, P., Dayakar Rao, B., Ratnavathi, CV and Indira, S.(2005) A technique to enhance the quality and market value of rainy season sorghum grain, Crop Protection 24: 251-258 (if=1.303, ci=11)

7. VV Komala, CV. Ratnavathi, B.S. Vijay Kumar, I.K. Das (2012) Inhibition of aflatoxin B1 production by an antifungal component, eugenol in stored sorghum grains. Food Control 26:139-146(CV Ratnavathi as corresponding author) (if=2.819, ci=9)

8. Ratnavathi, CV, Bala Ravi, S., Subramanian, V., and Rao, N.S. (2000) A study on the suitability of unmalted Sorghum as a brewing adjunct J. Institute of Brewing, 106: No.-5, 383-387 (if=0.84, ci=7)

9. Ratnavathi,CV and Sashidhar, RB (2000) Changes in the enzyme activities and the aflatoxin elaboration in Sorghum genotypes following Aspergillus parasiticus infestation. J. Sci. Food and Agric. 80:1- (if=1.88, ci=5)

10. Ratnavathi,CV and Sashidhar, RB (2004) Induction of Chitinases in response to Aspergillus infection in sorghum(Sorghum bicolor (L)Moench) J. Sci. Food and Agric. 84:1521-1527 (if=1.88, ci=5)

21

DAS, DILIP KUMAR (b 1950), Professor and Emeritus Fellow (UGC), Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science, Institute of Agricultural Science, University of Calcutta, Kolkata


Prof. Das has made original and significant contribution in the areas of Chemistry of Submerged rice soils with particular reference to nitrogen and micronutrients and their management strategies in rice based production systems in the year 1986. Evaluation of nitrogen losses vis-à-vis enhancement of its use efficiency for low land rice production using 50:50 ratio of N as urea : green manure Dhaincha is of significant (1988, 1995). Low cost technology was developed for the storage of onion (1997). Specific technology packages were developed for the enhancement of shelf life of cut flower, gladiolus, and improvement of brightness and luster of marigold, and gladiolus flower with specific formulations of micronutrients (1997, 1998). His contribution in the field of heavy metals or non nutrient trace elements especially cadmium, chromium, lead and arsenic pollution and their mitigations options are of great significant since the year 2005. Critical limit of arsenic at 30 mg/kg in soils has been suggested for safe growing condition for low land rice. Bioremediation of arsenic using Anabaena sp. and Nostoc sp. were developed (2007). Prof. Das has published more than 150 research articles of Nationally and internationally reputed journals. He is an author of 8 books, 5 book chapters. He has guided 20 Ph. D and 19 Masters‘ degree students. He is an elected fellow of six professional societies namely, ISSS, NABS, WBAScT, ICS, ISAC and FIC. Prof. Das has awarded UGC Emeritus Fellow for two years w.e.f 2015. Prof. Das visited different foreign countries for academic exchanges.

Proposer : Dr. Dharani Dhar Patra, Seconder : Dr. Suchitra Banerjee


1. Tanmoy Karak, Indira Sonar, Ranjit K. Paul, Sampa Das, R. K. Boruah, Amrit K.Dutta and Dilip K Das. 2014. Composting of cow dung and crop residues using termite mounds as bulking agent. Bioresource Technology. 169 : 731–741 (if= 5.172 , ci=1)

2. Tanmoy Karak , Indira Sonar , Ranjit K. Paul , Marcin Frankowski , Romesh K. Boruah , Amrit K. Dutta, Dilip K. Das. 2015.Aluminium dynamics from soil to tea plant (Camellia sinensis L.): Is it enhanced by municipal solid waste compost application?Chemosphere 119 : 917–926 (if= 3.867, ci=1)

3. Koushik Ghosh, Indranil Das, Dilip Kumar Das and S.K.Sanyal. 2012 . Evaluation of humic and fulvic acid extracts of compost, oilcake and soils on complex formation with arsenic. Soil Research. 50:239-248. CSIRO Publishing (Australia) (if= 3.440, ci=4)

4. Indranil Das, Koushik Ghosh, D.K.Das and S.K.Sanyal. 2014. Transport of Arsenic in some affected soils of Indian Sub-tropics. Soil Research. 52: 822–832 CSIRO Publishing (Australia) (if= 3.440, ci=1)

5. Tanmoy Karak , Ranjit Kumar Paul , Indira Sonar , Sandip Sanyal , Kamruza Z. Ahmed , RomeshK.Boruah , Dilip K. Das and Amrit K. Dutta . 2014. Chromium in soil and tea (Camellia sinensis L.) infusion: Does soil amendment with municipal solid waste compost make sense? Food Research International. 64 : 114–124 (if= 3.378, ci=1)

6. H.Pathak, J.K.Ladha, P.K.Aggarwal, S.Peng,S.Das, Y.Singh, B.Singh, S.K.Kamra, B.Mishra, A.S.R.A.S.Sastri, H.P.Aggarwal, D.K.Das and R.K.Gupta. 2003. Trends of climatic potential and on-farm yields of rice and wheat in the Indo-Gangetic Plains. Field Crops Research. 80: 223-234. B.V.Elsevier Science (if= 2.957, ci=122)

7. Tanmoy Karak, Pradip Bhattacharyya, Ranjit Kumar Paul, D.K. Das. 2013. Metal accumulation, biochemical response and yield of Indian mustard grown in soil amended with rural roadside pond sediment. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 92 : 161–173(if=2.572, ci=1)

8. S.K.Naik and D.K.Das .2008. Relative performance of chelated zinc and zinc sulphate for lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.). Nutrient Cycling in Agro Ecosystems . 81: 219-227 (if=1.733, ci=13)

9. D.K.Das, D.Maiti and H.Pathak.2009. Site specific nutrient management in rice in Eastern India using a modeling approach. Nutrient Cycling in Agro Ecosystems . 83: 85-94. (if=1.733, ci=9)

10. A.M.Puste and D.K.Das. 2001. Impact of Air pollutant emissions on the ecosystems in the vicinity of Industrial Areas of Indian-subtropics. Water, Air and Soil Pollution. 130: 843-848. (if=1.685, ci=3)

22

DASGUPTA, TAPASH (b 1955), Director, Institute of Agricultural Science, Calcutta University, Kolkata


Prof. Dasgupta has contributed significantly in the genetic up gradation of genotypes in vegetable cowpea, chickpea, blackgram, rice and sesame. He along with three other scientists developed two vegetable cowpea varieties having characteristics like long succulent pod and determinate plant type. His expertise in biometrical genetics is well known at national level. He has carries out nationally recognised work in the development of sesame in West Bengal. Not only his contribution towards popularisation of white seeded sesame is well appreciated, but his contribution towards seed coat colour genetics and development of mutant varieties are well appreciated. He is deeply involved in study of arsenic contamination in rice for last ten years. He has established a strong network with university of Aberdeen, UK in arsenic research. The first report on QTL mapping for arsenic tolerance in rice (Astol gene) was also published by him along with a group of International scientists in the reputed journal "New Phytologist". He has initiated teaching and research on Bioinformatics and molecular biology with special emphasis to application in crop improvement. He has also established a new laboratory in molecular biology at the Institute. He has guided 9 scholars who have been awarded Ph.D. degree. 3 more scholars have submitted their thesis. He has handled a number of national and international projects. All his research works are now mainly focussed on integrated plant breeding i.e. combining plant breeding, bioinformatics and molecular biology together in crop improvement program of rice and sesame.

Proposer : Dr. Dharani Dhar Patra, Seconder : Prof. Sumita Jha Ten Best Publications: 1. O Singh, CL.L Gowda,SC Sethi and T Dasgupta JBSmith(1992) Genetic analysis of agronomic

characters in chickpea.I. Estimates of genetic variances from diallel mating designs. Theoretical and

Applied Genetics, 83: 956-962. (if=0.760) 2. T Dasgupta, SA Hossain, AA Meharg, AH Price (2004). An arsenate tolerance gene on chromosome 6

of rice. New Phytologist 163 (1), 45-49 (if=6.736) 3. GJ Norton, M Nigar, PN Williams, T Dasgupta, AA Meharg, AH Price (2008). Rice–arsenate

interactions in hydroponics: a three-gene model for tolerance. Journal of Experimental Botany 59 (8),

2277-2284 (if=5.242) 4. GJ Norton, G Duan, T Dasgupta, MR Islam, M Lei, Y Zhu, CM Deacon, (2009). Environmental and genetic control of arsenic accumulation and speciation in rice grain: comparing a range of common cultivars grown in contaminated sites across Bangladesh, China, and India. Environmental Science and Technology (if=5.257) 5. Tamina Begum and Tapash Dasgupta (2010). A comparison of the effects of physical and chemical

mutagens in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). Genetics and Molecular Biology, 33 (4), 761-766 (if=0.740) 6. GJ Norton, T Dasgupta, MR Islam, S Islam, CM Deacon, FJ Zhao (2010). Arsenic influence on genetic

variation in grain trace-element nutrient content in Bengal Delta grown rice. Environmental Science and

Technology 44 (21), 8284-8288 (if=5.257) 7. GJ Norton, MR Islam, T Dasgupta, RP White, AH Price (2011). The dynamics of arsenic in four paddy

fields in the Bengal delta JL Stroud, Environmental Pollution 159 (4), 947-953 (if=3.730) 8. JL Stroud, MA Khan, GJ Norton, MR Islam, T Dasgupta, YG Zhu, AH Price (2011). Assessing the labile

arsenic pool in contaminated paddy soils by isotopic dilution techniques and simple extractions

Environmental Science and Technology 45 (10), 4262-4269 (if=5.257) 9. AA Meharg, G Norton, C Deacon, P Williams, EE Adomako, A Price, Y Zhu, G Li, F-J Zhao, S McGrath, A Villada, A Sommella, P Mangala, CS De Silva, H Brammer, Tapash Dasgupta and M Rafiqul Islam (2013). Variation in rice cadmium related to human exposure. Environmental Science and Technology 47 (11), 5613-5618 (if=5.257) 10. U Bhattacharyya, Sarita K. Pandey and Tapash Dasgupta ( 2014). Identification of EST-SSRs and FDM in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) through data mining. Scholarly Journal of Agricultural Science 4(1), 51-60 (if=1.3725)

23

GUPTA, VIJAI KUMAR (b 1981), Assistant Professor, MITS Universiy, Sikar, Rajasthan Member of the NASI: No (YON 2014, Agricultural Sciences) Dr. Gupta is one of the experts in the area of Mycology. His author h-index and i10-index are 10. He has developed diagnostic kit for Fusarium wilt disease of guava and optimized the process of industrially important enzymes for production of renewable bioenergy from waste and biomass and filed two European Patents. He has developed 04 methods in the area of fungal biology. He is having 44 international/national research/review and 29 book chapters publications with a total ciation of 311 to date. He has excellent editorial capabilities which is evident from 16 books he edited for highly reputed publishers like Wiley-Blackwell; CRC Press; Springer; Elsevier; Nova Science Publisher; LAP Lambert; and CABI. He is the ―Fellow of Prestigious- The Linnaean Society, UK; Fellow of Hind Agri Society, Fellow of Society of Applied Biotechnologist, and Fellow of International Society of Contemporary Biologist, India‖. He has also receved ―Indian Young Scientist Award 2009 & 2011‖. He is the active member of International Sub-commission on Trichoderma and Hypocrea, Austria and working group member of the International Society for Fungal Conservation, UK. He is also serving as editor-in-chief and editor of highly reputed journal/book series like Scientific Reports, A Nature Publishing Group Journal; Fungal Biology and Biotechnoloogy, A BioMed Central Journal; Mycosphere; International Journal of Plant Pathology; ―Fungal Biology‖, and ―Biofuel & Bioenergy‖, Springer etc. His work with Fusarium, Colletotrichum, Aspergillus. Penicillium, and Trichoderma has been complemented by contributions to biotechnological development, molecular diversity, disease diagnostic, plant pathology, fungal-plant interaction, and industrial applications.

Proposer : Prof. Daljit Singh Virk, Seconder : Prof. Hunthrike Shekar Shetty Ten Best Publications: 1. R. Davis, R. Kataria, F. Cerrone,T. Woods, S. Kenny, A. O‘Donovan, M. Guzik, H. Shaikh, G. Duane, V. K. Gupta, M. G. Tuohy, R. Padamati and K. O‘Connor (2013). Conversion of grass biomass into fermentable sugars and its utilization for mclPHA production by Pseudomonas strains. Bio-resource Technology, 150:202-209. (if=5.2, ci=0) 2. P. Kumar, M. kamle, V.K. Gupta, B.K. Pandey, A.K. Misra and D.R. Modi (2013). Host Pathofen interaction study in malformed affected tissues of Mangifera indica L. American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences 8 (3): 199-203. (if=1.36, ci=01) 3. V. K. Gupta (2012). PCR-RAPD profiling of Fusarium spp. causing guava wilt disease in India. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B, UK. 47, 2012, 315-325. (if=1.119,, ci=01) 4. V. K. Gupta, P.K. Jain, A.K. Misra R. Gaur and R.K Gaur. (2010). Comparative molecular analysis of Fusarium solani isolates by RFLP and RAPD. Microbiology, 79(6):772-776. (if=0.813, ci=04) 5. Pankaj Kumar Jain, Vijai K. Gupta, Hardik Pathak, Madan Lowry and D. P. Jaroli (2010) Characterization of 2T engine oil degrading indigenous bacteria, isolated from high altitude (Mussoorie), India. World. J. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 26 (8): 1419-1426. (if=1.262, ci=11) 6. V. K. Gupta, A. Pandey, P. Kumar, B.K.Pandey, R.K. Gaur, V. Bajpai, N. Sharma and S. Sharma (2010). Genetic characterization of mango anthracnose pathogen-Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Penz. by random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis. African Journal of Biotechnology, 9 (26): 4001-4009. (if=0.568, ci=10) 7. Vijai Kumar Gupta, Rajeeva Gaur, Santosh Kumar Yadava, and Nandan Singh Darmwal. (2009). Optimization of xylanase production by free and immobilized cells of Fusarium solani F7. Bioresources. 4: 932-945. (if=1.418, ci=06) 8. V.K. Gupta, A.K. Misra, Rajeeva Gaur, R. Pandey and U.K. Chauhan. (2009). Studies of genetic polymorphisms in the isolates of Fusarium solani. Australian Journal of Crop Science. 3: 101-106. (if=1.63, ci=12) 9. V.K. Gupta, R. Gaur., N. Gautam, P.Kumar, I.J.Yadava and N.S. Darmwal.(2009). Optimization of xylanase production by Fusarium solani F7. American Journal of Food Technology. 4: 20-29. (if=0.894, ci=27) Kumar, P., Gupta, V.K., Misra, A.K Modi, D.R. and Pandey, B. K. (2009). Potential of molecular markers in plant biotechnology. Plant OMICS: Journal of Plant Biology & Omics. 2:141-162. (if=1.734, ci=78)

24

MAGANTI, SHESHU MADHAV (b 1972), Senior Scientist (Biotechnology), ICAR- Indian Institute of Rice Research (formerly Directorate of Rice Research), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad


Dr. M. S. Madhav has actively contributed towards development and application of molecular markers for improvement of important traits in rice. He fine-mapped and cloned two major rice blast resistance genes i.e Pi54 and Pi 40 (Madhav et al 2005,Sharma et al 2005, Madhav et al 2008). He conceptualized the true allele mining strategies(Ram Kumar et al 2010) and identified superior alleles for biotic stress resistance genes like Pi54, Pita and Pib ( Ram Kumar et al 2010a, 2014a, 2015). He also identified new genetic resources for blast resistance as well as key candidate genes involved in biotic and abiotic stress through transcriptome analysis(Venu et al 2010, 2013). He is actively involved in development of biotic stress resistant lines in mega varieties, traditional Basmati varieties and hybrid parental lines possessing three important blast and blight resistant genes through marker-assisted back cross breeding (Arunakanthi et al 2008; Srinivasa Prasad et al 2009; Madhavi et al 2011, Hari et al 2011, 2013,Pandey et al 2012). Dr Madhav's team also identified QTLs for major cooking quality traits using indica parents, that helped in identification of genes controlling these complex traits (Shobha Rani et al 2008, 2011, Sivaranajani et al 2010 and Pandey et al 2012). He also instrumental in development of simple, rapid and reliable functional markers for the Aroma, Kernel elongation and Pi54 which are very useful in molecular breeding programmes of rice for improvement of quality as well as incorporation of resistance (Shaktivel 2009, Ram Kumar 2010, Ram Kumar 2011).

Proposer : Dr. E.A. Siddiq, Seconder : Dr. P. Ananda Kumar


1. M.S. Madhav, T.R. Sharma, P. Shankar, T. K .Jana, K. Gaikwad, R. Rathour, P. Plaha, N.K. Singh (2005). High resolution mapping, cloning and molecular characterization of Pi kh gene which confers resistance to Magnaporthe grisea. Molecular Genetics and Genomics. 274: 569–57; 671 (if=2.881, ci=100)

2. K. Sakthivel, N. Shobha Rani, M. K. Pandey, A. K. P. Sivaranjani, C. N. Neeraja, S. M. Balachandran, M. S. Madhav, B. C. Viraktamath, G. S. V. Prasad, R. M. Sundaram (2009). Development of a simple functional marker for fragrance in rice and its validation in Indian Basmati and non- Basmati fragrant rice varieties. Molecular Breeding 24:185–190 (if=3.251, ci=23)

3. G. Ram Kumar, K. Sakthivel, R. M. Sundaram, C. N. Neeraja, S. M. Balachandran, N. Shobha Rani, B. C. Viraktamath and M.S. Madhav*. (2010). Allele mining in crops: prospects and potentials. Biotechnology Advances. 28: 451–461. (if=11.850, ci=36)

4. G. Ram Kumar, A.K.P. Sivaranani, Manisk .K. Pandey, K. Sakthivel, N. Shobha Rani, I. Sudharshan, G.S.V. Prasad, C. N. Neeraja, R. M. Sundaram, B. C. Viraktamath and M.S. Madhav*(2010). Development of a PCR-based SNP marker system for effective selection of kernel length and kernel elongation in rice. Molecular Breeding. 26: 735-740. (if=3.251, ci=16)

5. R .C. Venu, M. Sheshu Madhav#,...Guo-Liang Wang (2010). Deep and Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of Rice Plants Infested by the Beet Armyworm (Spodoptera exigua)and Water Weevil (Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus). Rice. 3: 22–35. (# Equal contribution author)(if=2.450, ci=8)

6. P. Manimaran, G. Ramkumar, K. Sakthivel, R.M. Sundaram, M.S. Madhav, S.M. Balachandran (2011) Suitability of non-lethal marker and marker-free systems for development of transgenic crop plants: Present status and future prospects. Biotechnology Advances. 29: 703-714 (if=11.850, ci=25)

7. G. Ramkumar, K. Srinivasarao, K. Madhan Mohan, I. Sudarshan, A. K. P. Sivaranjani, K. Gopalakrishna, C. N. Neeraja, S. M. Balachandran , R. M. Sundaram, M. S. Prasad, N. Shobha Rani, A. M. Rama Prasad, B. C. Viraktamath, M. S. Madhav*(2011) Development and validation of functional marker targeting an InDel in the major rice blast disease resistance gene Pi54 (Pikh). Molecular Breeding. 27:129–135. (*Corresponding Author) (if=3.251, ci=10)

8. N. Podishetty, S. Kalidindi, GS. Laha, S. Kommoju, B. Mishra, BC. Viraktamath, H. Yadla, CS. Reddy, SM. Balachandran, T. Ram, SM. Maganti, NS. Rani, NN. Chirravuri, AR. Gajjala, H. Shaik, Sundaram RM. (2012). Identification and fine-mapping of Xa33, a novel gene for resistance to Xanthomonas oryzae pv oryzae. Phytopathology. 102(2):222-8. (if=3.09, ci=12)

9. Manish K. Pandey, N. Shobha Rani, G. S. Laha,M. S. Madhav, K. Srinivasa Rao, Injey Sudharshan,Yadla Hari ,G.S.Varaprasad, L. V. Subba Rao, Kota Suneetha, A. K. P. Sivaranjani, B. C. Viraktamath (2012). Improvement of two traditional Basmati rice varieties for Bacterial Blight Resistance and Plant Stature through Morphological and Marker-assisted Selection. Molecular Breeding. 31 (1), 239-246(if=3.251, ci=9)

10. MK Pandey, NS Rani, MS Madhav, RM Sundaram, GS Varaprasad(2012). Different isoforms of starch-synthesizing enzymes controlling amylose and amylopectin content in rice (Oryza sativa L.) .Biotechnology advances 30 (6), 1697-1706 (if=11.850, ci=9)

25

MAHAPATRA, AJAY KUMAR (b 1959) Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Forest & Environment Dept. Govt. of Odisha, Bhubaneswar


Dr Mahapatra is a professional forester who has researched for last 30 years in the area of biodiversity conservation, tree ecology, forest productivity, bio-prospecting of eastern ghat flora and fauna. Many of his research problems are aimed at addressing field based issues, and I‘ts output led to field application. His major scientific contributions are: Carbon sequestration modeling for Indian Forests, and Agroforestry modeling. Ecological and economic analysis of non timber forest products of eastern India. Floristic inventory and mapping of Orissa state, leading to development of Odisha Biodiversity Portal,(www.rprcbiodiversity.in) Digital Herbarium (www.rprcbbsr.com) based on diversity measurement of more than 1,50,000 plants (975 species) extending over 885 sample plots. Vegetation analysis of niche forests to redefine forest type classification. Floristic inventory and Ethnobiology of medicinal plants of eastern India and wild edible fruit plants that led to establishment of wild fruit garden and biochemical exploration of wild fruits. Biodiversity mapping and documentation of Similipal Biosphere Reserve. Chemo and molecular profiling, reproductive biology, isolation of active ingredient of RET and valuable plants as Homalium, Saraca, Terminalia, Bambusa, Combretum, Calamus and Gloriosa species. Micro propagation and macro propagation techniques of Orchids (Pomatocalpa, Vanda, Dendrobium sps), medicinal plant (Gloriosa, Embelia Blepharispermum, Cordia sps), Mangroves (Agiceras, Cerbera sps), lesser known timber species (Bridelia, Pongamia sps.) Isolation, identification of microfungus and marofungus diversity and application for commercial uses (enzyme, bioinoculants etc). First Mushroom flora of Orissa published by him. Screening of edible mushrooms (12 nos.) for bioactive compounds.

Proposer : Prof Sushil Kumar Dutta, Seconder : Prof. G.B. Chainy Ten Best Publications : 1. Mahapatra Ajay Kumar, Panda Pratap C. 2012. Wild edible fruits diversity and it‘s significance in the livelihood of indigenous tribal people: evidence from Eastern India. Food Security. June 2012, 4(2) 279-293. Springer. (IF-2.072) 2. Mahapatra Ajay Kumar and Charlie, M. Shackleton. 2011. Has deregulation of non-timber forest product controls and marketing in Orissa (India) affected local patterns of use and marketing? Forest Policy and Economics. 13 (2011)621-629. Elsevier. (IF-1.852) 3. Mukherjee Arup K., Ratha Shibani, Dhar Sujaya, Debata Akhil K. Acharya Pradosh K. Mandal Sudhamoy, Panda Pratap C. Mahapatra Ajay Kumar. 2010. Genetic Relationships Among 22 Taxa of Bamboo Revealed by ISSR and EST-Based Random Primers. Biochemical Genetics (2010) 48:1015–1025. Springer (IF-1.938) 4. Mahapatra Ajay Kumar, Albres, H., Robinson, E. 2005. The impact of NTFP sale on rural households cash income in India‘s dry deciduous forest zone. Environmental Management Vol.35, No 3, pp.1-8. Springer (IF-1.647) 5. Mahapatra Ajay Kumar, Tewari, D. 2005. Importance of Non-Timber Forest Products in the economic valuation of dry deciduous forests of India. Forest Policy and Economics Vol.7.no.3. pp.455-467. Elsevier(IF-1.852) 6. Gleinindig, A. Mahapatra Ajay Kumar, A. Mitchell, P. 2001. Modes of communication and effectiveness of Agroforestry extension in Eastern India. Human Ecology. vol.29. No.3 Hunter Publishing(IF-2.249) 7. Mahapatra Ajay Kumar, and Mitchell C. P. 2001. Classifying Tree Planters and Non Planters in a Subsistence Farming System using a Discriminant Analytical Approach. Agroforestry System 52:1, pp 43-34. Springer. (IF-1.373) 8. Mahapatra Ajay Kumar 2000. Planning economic land use model for dryland farm forestry in India. International Journal of Sustainable Development& World ecology.7(2000) Taylor&Francis. (IF-1.213) 9. Mahapatra Ajay Kumar and Mitchell C. P. 1999. Biofuel consumption, deforestation, and farm level tree growing in rural India. Biomass and Bioenergy, vol.17:4, 291-303. Elsevier(IF-3.931) 10. Mahapatra Ajay Kumar and Mitchell C P. 1997. Sustainable development of Non-Timber Forest Products: Implication for Forest Management in India. Forest Ecology and Management, 94, 1-3: pp15-29. (IF-2.92)

26

MANDAL, BIKASH (b 1963), Principal Scientist,Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi


Bikash is credited to resolve the cause of age-old viral disease problems of large cardamom- a cash crop that secures the livelihood of rural people in the North-East sub-Himalayan mountains of India. He discovered new viruses, cardamom bushy dwarf virus (CBDV) and large cardamom chirke virus causing foorkey and chirke diseases of large cardamom, respectively. His work established CBDV as the third virus species under the genus Babuvirus (family Nanoviridae). His work on viral genomics of large cardamom viruses led to develop sensitive and rapid diagnosis of these viruses for the production of virus free planting material. In addition to the large cardamom viruses, he also developed immunodiagnosis kits against begomovirus, cucumovirus, potyvirus and tospovirus, the major groups of viruses in Indian agriculture based on engineered antigens and antibodies produced in E. coli, which are highly potential for commercial application. He developed dipsticks against different plant viruses, which can be used for the detection of virus within 10-15 min on the spot without any laboratory support.

Proposer : Prof. Anupam Varma, Seconder : Dr. T. R. Sharma


1. Mandal B, Mandal S, Csinos AS, Martinez, N Culbreath AK, and Pappu HR. 2008. Biological and molecular analyses of the acibenzolar-s-methyl-induced systemic acquired resistance in flue-cured tobacco against tomato spotted wilt tospovirus. Phytopathology 98:196-204 (if=2.96, ci=48)

2. Mandal, B., Varma A and VG Malathi VG. 1997. Systemic infection of Vigna mungo using the cloned DNAs of mungbean yellow mosaic geminivirus through agroinoculation and transmission of the progeny virus through whiteflies. Journal of Phytopathology, 145:505-510. (if=1.00, ci=44)

3. Mandal, B., Pappu, H. R., and Culbreath, A. K. 2001. Factors affecting mechanical transmission of Tomato spotted wilt virus to peanut (Arachis hypogaea). Plant Disease 85:1259-1263. (if=2.45, ci=43)

4. Mandal B, Jain RK, Krishnareddy M, Krishna Kumar NK, Ravi, KS and Pappu HR. 2012. Emerging Problems of Tospoviruses (Bunyaviridae) and their Management in the Indian Subcontinent. Plant Disease. 96(4): 468-479. (if=2.45, ci=31)

5. Mandal, B., Pappu H.R., Culbreath A.K., Holbrook C.C., Gorbet D.W. and Todd J.W. 2002. Differential response of selected peanut (Arachis hypogaea) genotypes to mechanical inoculation by Tomato spotted wilt virus. Plant Disease 86(9): 939-944. (if=2.45, ci=26)

6. Pramesh D, Mandal B*, Phaneendra C and Muniyappa V. 2013. Host range and genetic diversity of Croton yellow vein mosaic virus, a weed-infecting monopartite begomovirus causing leaf curl disease in tomato. Archives of Virology 158:531–542 (if=2.28, ci=9)

7. Kumar R, B. Mandal*, Geetanjali AS, Jain RK and Jaiwal PK. 2010. Genome organisation and sequence comparison suggest intraspecies incongruence in M RNA of Watermelon bud necrosis virus. Archives of Virology 155:1361–1365. (if=2.28, ci=5)

8. Mandal B*, Vijayanandraj S, Shilpi S, Pun K B, Singh V, Pant RP, Jain RK, Varadarasan S and Varma A. 2012. Disease distribution and characterization of a new macluravirus associated with chirke disease of large cardamom. Annals of Applied Biology. 160: 225–236(if=2.14, ci=3)

9. Mandal B*, Shilpi S, Barman AR, Mandal S, Varma A. 2013. Nine novel DNA components associated with the foorkey disease of large cardamom: Evidence of a distinct babuvirus species in Nanoviridae. Virus Research, 178(2):297-305. (if=2.82, ci=3)

10. Maheshwari Y, Vijayanandraj S, Jain RK, Mandal B*. 2015. Engineered single-chain variable fragment antibody for immunodiagnosis of groundnut bud necrosis virus infection. Archives of Virology. DOI 10.1007/s00705-015-2345-y (if=2.28, ci=-)

27

MANDAPAKA, MAHESWARI (b 1958) Head, Division of Crop Sciences, Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Santoshnagar, Saidabad PO, Hyderabad


Developed transgenic sorghum lines with mtlD gene for enhanced tolerance to water deficit and characterized using molecular, biochemical and physiological tools for gene integration and expression(Biol. Plant. 50: 741-744; 54: 647-652). Confined field trials for eventselection were successfully conducted with appropriate clearances from GEAC and AP State Government. (13/7/2007-CSIII-GEAC; 25.05.2010). Developed a non invasive NMR methodology to detect heat injury in plants. This is a novel and rapid technique based on relationship between high temperature stress injury and temperature dependence of the transverse relaxation time of leaf water to screen genotypes. (Ann Bot. 84: 741-745). Isolated, cloned and characterized genes for water deficit and salinity tolerance such as TPS 1, DHN, ANNEXIN, NHX 1, DREB 2A, USP, SAPK4, CDPK from indigenous sources of rainfed crops and heat tolerant strains of yeast. Constructed Subtractive suppression hybridization libraries for multiple abiotic stresses and identified two novel genes(NCBI accessions: HM243499, GU137310, KC688698, KC688699, KC688697 and KC688696). Elucidated adaptive mechanisms including recovery patterns in water relations and C/N metabolism, physiological basis of yield heterosis, inheritance &expression of osmotic adjustment and responses to elevated CO2 in a wide range of rainfed crops. (Indian J ExpBiol 28: 542-544; Indian J Plant Phy33: 130-135; 34: 153-159; 36: 236-238; J. Agron Crop Sci 168: 85-90; 171: 336-342; Plant Soil and Environ. 56: 458-462). Ammonia release was demonstrated from both leaves and earsof wheat during senescence and the losses being higher athigher applied N level.(J. Agron. Crop Sci.168: 310-317)

Proposer : Prof. Y.P. Abrol, Seconder : Prof. T.K. Adhya

Ten Best Publications : 1. Shanker, A.K., Maheswari, M.,Yadav, S.K., Bhanu, D., Attal N.B. and Venkateswarlu, B. 2014 Drought stress responses in crops. Funct Integr Genomics. 14:11-22. (Impact factor: 2.691; Citation Index: 9) 2. Babitha, M., Maheswari, M., Rao, L. M., Arun Shanker, K. and GangadharRao, D. 2010. Osmotic adjustment, drought tolerance and yield in castor (Ricinus communis L.). Environ. Exp. Bot. 69: 243-249 (Impact factor: 3.529; Citation Index: 46) 3. Maheswari, M., Varalaxmi, Y., Vijaya Lakshmi, A., Yadav, S. K., Sharmila, P., Venkateswarlu, B.,Vanaja, M. and PardhaSaradhi P. 2010. Metabolic engineering using mtlD gene enhances tolerance to water deficit and salinity in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench ) Biol. Plant. 54: 647-652 (Impact factor: 1.74; Citation Index: 23) 4. Maheswari, M., Joshi, D.K., Saha, R., Nagarajan, S. and Gambhir, P.N.1999 Transverse relaxation time of leaf water protons and membrane injury in wheat (Triticum aestivum L) in response to high temperature. Ann Bot. 84: 741-745 (Impact factor: 4.0; Citation Index: 39) 5. Khanna Chopra, R. and Maheswari, M. 1998 Effect of altering source availability on expression of sink capacity in a maize hybrid and its parents. European J. Agron. 9: 101-107 (Impact factor: 3.239; Citation Index: 8) 6. Khanna Chopra, R., Rao. P.S.S., Maheswari, M.,Xiobong Liu. and Shivashankar, S.1994 Effect of water deficit on accumulation of dry matter, carbon and Nitrogen in the kernel of wheat genotypes differing in yield stability.Ann. Bot. 74: 503-512 (Impact factor: 4.0; Citation Index: 18) 7. Subramanian, V. B. and Maheswari, M. 1992 Compensatory growth responses during reproductive phase of cowpea after relief of water stress. J. Agron.Crop Sci. 168: 85-90. (Impact factor: 2.618; Citation Index: 12) 8. Maheswari, M., Nair, T.V.R. and Abrol, Y.P. 1992. Ammonia metabolism during growth and development in relation to N volatilization in wheat (Triticum aestivum L).J. Agron. Crop Sci., 168: 310-317 (Impact factor: 2.618; Citation Index: 8) 9. Venkateswarlu, B., Saharan, N. and Maheswari, M. 1990 Nodulation and N2 (C2H2) fixation in cowpea and groundnut during water stress and recovery. Field Crops Res. 25: 223-232 (Impact factor: 2.957; Citation Index: 28) 10. Venkateswarlu, B., Maheswari, M. and Saharan, N. 1989 Effect of water deficit on N2 (C2H2) fixation in cowpea and groundnut. Plant Soil. 114: 69-74. (Impact factor: 3.11; Citation Index: 39)

28

MEHETRE, SUBHASH SONYABAPU (b 1952), Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri-413722,Ahmednagar Maharashtra


Discovered - Gossypium L.: (cotton), auto-Cytoplasmic Genetic Male Sterile, maintainer and restorer in Gossypium hirsutum, new rerstorer in G. raimondii, concept of basic chromosome number X=7 and polyploid nature of cultivated diploid G. arboreum cotton for first time,. Induced haploids (2n=2x=26) in tetraploid cultivated (2n=4x=52) cottons and utilized them as ―short cut‖ securing interspecific hybrids involving wild G. anomalum, G. thurberi, G. raimondii and cultivated G. arboreum. Synthesized amphidiplod (2n=4x=52) from F1 G. anomalum x G. arboreum (2n=2x=26) that produced fibre with unusual strength (35.8 g/tex). Introgressed pink boll worm, (Pectinophora gossypiella) resistance fine fibre with higher strength and anatomical traits cofering resistance to sucking pests from wild species G. thurberi, G. anomalum and G. capitis-viridis, respectively in cultivated cotton. Registered New germ plasms (RNGR) with NBPBR, New Delhi: Cytoplasmic Male Sterile G. hirsutum (0201), New Genetic Male Sterile of G. arboreum, (03071); surgical purpose G. arboreum cotton , (03072), hybrids: cotton Phule-492 (intra hirsutum), Phule-388 (G. hirsutum x G. barbadense), Pearl millet: Shanti, Varieties: G. arboreum –JLA 794,Phule Anmol and Phule Dhanwantari G. hirsutum Phule-688; Pigeon-pea T Vishaka. Varieties (36), implements (2) released, patents (2) filed, technologies (07) and process (Production and utilization of haploids) and concept (1 Fixation of F1 heterosis of cotton hybrids by One Line Theory) are developed.Investigated mechanism if thermosensitive male sterility in pearl millet. Published Research Papers 314- Foreign (030), National (284).Journals , books (1), Edited (1), and chapters (3),Students supervised (33): Ph.D (20), M.Sc (13).

Proposer : Dr. Ebrahimali Abubacker Siddiq Seconder : Dr. Neelamraju Ganga Prasada Rao


1. Kulwal, P., Ishikawa , G., Benscher, D., Feng ,Z., Xi Yu, L., Jadhav ,A., Mehetre, S. and Sorrells, M. E.(2012). Association mapping for pre-harvest sprouting resistance in white winter wheat. Theor. Appl. Genet., 125:793–805. DOI10.1007/s00122-012-1872-0 (if=3.507, ci=21)

2. Nevaskar, G. S., Chimote, V. P., Mehetre, S.S. and Jadhav, A.S.(2013). Interspecific hybridization in Gossypium L.: characterization of progenies withdifferent ploidy-confirmed multigenomic backgrounds Plant Breed. doi:10.1111/pbr.12031 (if=1.338, ci=03)

3. Mehetre, S.S., Thombre, M.V. and Tayyab, M.A.(1980). Cytomorphological studies in an intergeneric hybrid between Gossypium hirsutum, L.(2n=52) and Hibiscus panduraeformis, Burm. Euphytica, (June, 1980); 29(2): 323-330. (if=1.692, ci=03)

4. Mehetre, S.S., Gomes, M. and Eapen,S. (2004).RAPD analysis of hybrid nature of the offspring of G. hirsutum x G.raimondii. Curr.Sci., (July, 2004); 87(1): 25-28 (if=0.833, ci=18)

5. Mehetre, S. S., Aher, A.R., Gawande, V. L., Patil V. R. and Mokate A. S. (2003). Induced polyploidy in Gossypium: A tool to overcome interspecific incompatibility of cultivated tetraploid cottons. Curr. Sci., (June,2003); 84(12): 1510-1512. (if=0.833, ci=11)

6. Mehetre, S.S., Aher A.R., Shinde, G. C., Gomes, M. and Eapen, S. (2004). RAPD analysis of interspecific hybrid between Gossypium arboreum and Gossypium stocksii. Caryologia, 57 (2): 171-175 (if=0.849, ci=05)

7. Thombre, M.V. and Mehetre, S. S.,(1979). Cytoplasmic-genic male sterility in American cotton (Gossypium hirsutum, L.). ., (February, 1979); 48(4): 172 (if=0.849, ci=05)

8. Mehetre, S.S. and Aher, A.R (2004) Embryo rescue: A tool to overcome incompatible interspecific hybridization in Gossypium Linn.– A Review. Indian J. Biotech., (January,2004); 3(1): 29-36.-11 (if=0510, ci=11)

9. Mehetre, Subhash.(2010). Wild Gossypium anomalum: a unique source of fibre fineness and strength. Curr. Sci., (July, 2010); 99(1):58-71. (if=0.849, ci=04)

10. 3. Mehetre, S.S., Gomes, M. Eapen, S. Aher, A. R. and Shinde, G.C.(2004). RAPD and cytomorphological Analysis of F1, F2 and amphidiploid (A1) generation of Gosspiym arboreum x Gossypium capitis viridis. Cytologia, (June,2004); 69(3): 367-379. (if=0.242, ci=15)

29

MONDAL, KALYAN KUMAR (b 1969), Principal Scientist, Division of Plant Pathology, Plant Bacteriology Lab. #27, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi


Kalyan has demonstrated, for the first time, the composition of bacterial Type III effectors (T3Es) in Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. punicae (Xap), the causal agent of bacterial blight of pomegranate. He has been instrumental in elucidating the precise role of XopN (Xanthomonas outer protein N), a conserved T3E of Xap, in modulating PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI) in pomegranate. He proved that blight pathogen uses effector protein, XopN to cause disease and a XopN-defective mutant could not induce blight in pomegranate. Thus, the disease resistance could be achieved by suppressing the XopN target in pomegranate. Dr. Mondal‘s group developed a rice variety, Pusa 1592-06-5-2 having bacterial blight resistance genes xa13 and Xa21 in the genetic background of Pusa Sugandh 5. Pomegranate bacterial blight is emerging as devastating disease in major pomegranate growing regions of the country. He developed a PCR-based detection kit for efficient detection required for production of quality planting materials. He analysed the close relatedness of pv. punicae with Xanthomonas citri subsp. malvacearum based on multiple sequence typing. Towards managing the pomegranate bacterial blight, Kalyan has developed a Nanocopper formulation, for which patent has been filed. For the management of cotton bacterial blight, Xanthomonas citri subsp. malvacearum, he investigated the possible involvement of four phenolics (including DAPG) in biocontrol activity by strain CRb26 of Pseudomonas fluorescens. He established the etiology of new bacterial diseases, panicle blight of rice caused by Burkholderia glumae, fruit rot of Praecitrullus fistulosus (tinda) caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, leaf blight of rice caused by Pantoea ananatis. In his post-doctoral programme, Kalyan successfully developed transgenic brassica lines expressing chitinase and glucanase, which restricted the infection by Alternaria brassicae.

Proposer : Prof. Anupam Varma, Seconder : Dr. Shelly Praveen


1. Mondal, K.K., Dureja, P. and Verma, J.P. 2001. Management of Xanthomonas camprestris pv. malvacearum-induced blight of cotton through phenolics of cotton rhizobacterium. Curr. Microbiol. 43(5): 336-339. (if=1.359, ci=20)

2. Mondal, K.K., Rana, S.S. and Sood, P. 2002. Sclerotinia root rot: a new threat to buckwheat seedlings in India. Plant Disease 86(12): 1404 pp. (if=2.742, ci=2)

3. Mondal, K.K., Chatterjee, S.C., Viswakarma, N. Bhattacharaya, R.C. and Grover Anita 2003. Chitinase mediated inhibitory acivity of Brassica transgenic against Alternaria brassicae. Curr. Microbiol. 47(3): 171-173. (if=1.359, ci=14)

4. Mondal, K. K., Bhattacharya, R.C., Koundal, K.R., and Chatterjee S.C. 2007. Transgenic Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) expressing tomato glucanase leads to arrested growth of Alternaria brassicae. Plant Cell Reports 26(2):247–252. (if=2.51, ci=26)

5. Mondal, K.K. and Mani, C. 2009. ERIC-PCR generated genomic fingerprints and their correlation with pathogenic variability of Xanthomonas campestris pv. punicae, the incitant of bacterial blight of pomegranate. Curr. Micribiol. 59(6):616-620. (if=1.359, ci=14)

6. Mondal, K.K., Mani, C., Singh, J., Kim, J.G., and Mudgett, M.B. 2011. A new leaf blight of rice caused by Pantoea ananatis in India. Plant Dis. 95:1582-1583. (if=2.742, ci=2)

7. Mondal, KK and Mani, C 2012. Investigation of the antibacterial properties of nanocopper against Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. punicae, the incitant of pomegranate bacterial blight. Ann Microbiol 62:889-893. (if=1.039, ci=7)

8. Mondal, K.K., Mani, C., Singh, J., Dave, S.R., Tipre, D.R., Kumar, A., Trivedi, B.M. 2012. Fruit rot of tinda Caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa-A New Report from India. Plant Dis. 96: 141.2 -141.2. (if=2.742, ci=1)

9. Kumar, Rishikesh, and Mondal, K.K. 2013. XopN T3SS effector is required for growth and pathogenicity by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. punicae, the causal agent of bacterial blight of pomegranate. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology 84: 36-43. (if=1.987, ci=2)

10. Mondal, K.K., Meena, B.R., Junaid A., Verma, G., Mani, C., Majumder, D., Manju, Kumar, S., Banik, S. 2014. Pathotyping and genetic screening of type III effectors in Indian strains of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae causing bacterial leaf blight of rice. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology 86:98-106. (if=1.987, ci=2)

PAL, KAMAL KRISHNA (b 1966), Principal Scientist, Directorate of Groundnut Research, Junagadh,

30

Gujarat


Dr. Pal has developed and popularized plant growth-promoting and yield-enhancing PGPR (PGPR1, PGPR2, and PGPR4) (Dey et al. 2004; Pal et al. 2004); highly competitive groundnut rhizobia (NRCG4 and NRCG9); and beneficial bacterial consortia (consortia 1 and consortia 2) as biofertilizers for groundnut cultivation. He also developed commercially viable technologies for production of cellulase from groundnut shell (Dey et al. 2001), and amylases and proteases from de-oiled groundnut cakes by application of microbes. The technologies have been transferred to M/s Paccar Biotech Limited. Studied the diversity of extreme organisms of the Rann of Kutch including extreme halophilic archaea and bacilli (which can grow upto saturated NaCl) and identified novel lineage of archaea comprising three new archaea (3A1-DGR, H9-DGR and 2ANA-DGR) inhabiting the salt crystallizers (Thomas et al. 2012; Yadav et al. 2014). For the first time in India, genomes of ten extreme halophilic bacilli and archaea have been completely sequenced, annotated and released (available at NCBI) and published by Dr. Pal (Pal et al. 2013a, b, c, d; Dey et al. 2013a, b; Pal et al. 2014; Dey et al. 2014a, b) for understanding the mechanisms of obligate-, moderate-, and extreme- halophilism in bacilli and archaea for isolating genes for osmotolerance. Dr. Pal and his group also became the first in sequencing the genome of the genera Salinibacillus and Thalassobacillus (Pal et al. 2013); and Sediminibacillus (Dey et al. 2014). He also studied endophytes of groundnut which could be probable candidates for alleviation of abiotic stresses like salinity and drought

Proposer : Prof. K. V. B. R. Tilak, Seconder : Prof. C. Manoharachary


1. Pal, K. K., Tilak, K. V. B. R., Saxena, A. K., Dey, R. and Singh, C. S. (2000). Monitoring of a biocontrol rhizobacterium Pseudomonas glumae EM85 using Tn5:: lacZ marker. Indian Journal of Microbiology 40: 21-24. (if=0.832, ci=2)

2. Pal, K. K., Tilak, K. V. B. R., Saxena, A. K., Dey R. and Singh, C. S. (2000). Antifungal characteristics of a fluorescent Pseudomonas strain involved in the biological control of Rhizoctonia solani. Microbiological Research 155: 233-242. (if=1.939, ci=34)

3. Pal, K. K., Tilak, K. V. B. R., Saxena, A. K., Dey, R. and Singh, C. S. (2001). Suppression of maize root diseases caused by Macrophomina phaseolina, Fusarium moniliforme and Fusarium graminearum by plant growth promoting rhizobacteria. Microbiological Research 156: 209-223. (if=1.939, ci=100)

4. Dey, R., Pal, K. K., Chauhan, S. M., Bhatt, D. M. and Misra, J. B. (2002). Cellulolytic and groundnut shell decomposition potential of some microorganisms. Indian Journal of Microbiology 42: 165-167. (if=0.832, ci=5)

5. Dey, R., Pal, K. K., Bhatt D. M. and Chauhan, S. M. (2004). Growth promotion and yield enhancement of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) by application of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria. Microbiological Research 159(4):371-394. (if=1.939, ci=337)

6. Tilak, K.V.B.R., Ranganayaki, N., Pal, K.K., Dey, R., Saxena, A.K., Nautiyal, C.S., Mittal, S., Tripathi, A.K. and Johri, B.N. (2005). Diversity of plant growth and soil health supporting bacteria. Current Science 89 (1): 136-150. (if=0.833, ci=216)

7. Thomas M., Pal, K. K., Dey, R., Saxena, A. K., and Dave, S. R. (2012). A novel haloarchaeal lineage widely distributed in the hypersaline marshy environment of little and great Rann of Kutch in India. Current Science, 103(9): 1078-1084. (if=0.833, ci=2)

8. Ghazi, P., Rao, DLN., and Pal, K.K. (2014). Diversity and Phylogeny of Soybean Rhizobia in Central India. Annals of Microbiology, 64(4): 1553-1565. (if=1.039, ci=0)

9. Yadav, A. N., Verma, P., Kumar, M., Pal, K. K., Dey, R., Gupta, A., Padaria, J.C., Gujar, G. T., Kumar, S., Suman, A., Prasanna, R., and Saxena, A. K. (2014). Diversity and phylogenetic profiling of niche-specific Bacilli from extreme environments of India. Annals of Microbiology, doi: 10.1007/s13213.014.0897.9. (if=1.039, ci=5)

10. Pal, K. K., Dey, R., Thomas, M., Ghorai, S., Sherathia, D., Vanpariya, S., Rupapara, R., Rawal, P., Mandaliya, M., Sukhadiya, B. and Saxena, A. K. (2014). Draft genome sequence of an extreme haloarchaeon 3A1-DGR isolated from a saltern crystallizer of the Little Rann of Kutch, India. Indian Journal of Microbiology, 54(4): 471-473. (if=0.832, ci=0)

31

PATHIPATI, USHA RANI (b 1955), Senior Principal Scientist, Indian Institute of Chemical

Technology, Hyderabad Member of the NASI: No (YON 2014, Agricultural Sciences) Pathipati Usha Rani is an exalted scientist in the field of chemical ecology and semiochemical research. She has studied insect behavior and its utilization in integrated pest management, development of novel and ecofriendly pest control approaches, nano botanical formulations, biological control, insect -plant interactions, use of kairomones and plant- derived chemicals for enhancement of biocontrol potential of insect natural enemies. She is one of the few Indian scientists contributed to the plant defense strategies to insect herbivory . Contributed extensively on research on defense responses of castor, sorghum and brinjal plants to insect attack, host location behavior of insects as well as their natural enemies and nano material impact on environment, plants and insect populations. Participated in augmentation of Neochetina weevil for the biological control of the aquatic weed, water hyacinth. Experienced in identification and study on morphology of insect sensilla and their role in insect plant interactions. Her discovery of three unique types of sensilla responsible for prey location on the rostrum of predatory hemipteran bug is a noteworthy contribution to the field of insect sensory physiology. She is an expert in the area of biopesticides and was successful in developing a commercial insect antifeedant from Neem, JH mimicking compound from water hyacinth, and fumigants from indigenous plants. She has an aptitude for popularization of science which prompted her to make educational documentary films and to write popular articles in science magazines. She is involved in serving the society by educating the farmers on environmentally safer pest control measures.

Proposer : Dr. Ramesh V Sonti, Seconder : Prof. P B Kavi Kishor Ten Best Publications: 1. Pala Rajasekharreddy, Pathipati Usha Rani and Bojja Sreedhar (2010). Qualitative assessment of silver and gold nanoparticle synthesis in various plants: a photobiological approach. Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 12: 1711-1721. (if=IF- 2.1, ci=Cited By 40) 2. Peta Devanand and Pathipati Usha Rani (2008). Biological potency of certain plant extracts in management oftwo lepidopteran pests of Ricinus communis L. Journal of Biopesticides, 1(2):170 - 176. (if=IF- 0.5, ci=Cited By 30) 3. Pathipati Usha Rani and Yasur Jyothsna (2010). Biochemical and enzymatic changes in rice plants as a mechanism of defense. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 32: 695-701. (if= IF- 1.305, ci=Cited By 21) 4. Pathipati Usha Rani and Pala Rajasekharreddy (2011) Green synthesis of silver-protein (core–shell) nanoparticles using Piper betle L. leaf extract and its ecotoxicological studies on Daphnia magna. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects. 389 (1-3): 188-194. (if=IF- 2.1, ci=Cited By 20) 5. Pathipati Usha Rani and S. Sakuntala Madhavendra (2005). External morphology of antennal and rostral sensillae in four hemipteran insects and their possible role in host in host plant selection. International Journal of Tropical Insect Science 25 (3): 198- 207. (if=IF-0.00, ci=Cited By 12.) 6. Pathipati Usha Rani and K. Nakamuta. (2001). Morphology of Antennal Sensilla and Sexual Dimorphism of Trogossita japonica (Coleoptera: Trogossidae). Annals Entomological Society of America. 94 (6): 917-927 (if=IF-1.196, ci=Cited By 11) 7. Pathipati Usha Rani and Pala Rajasekharreddy (2010). Insecticidal activity of (2n-octylcycloprop-1-enyl)-octanoic acid (I) against three coleopteran stored product insects from Sterculia foetida (L.). Journal of Pest Science, 83(3); 273-279. (if= IF- 2.1, ci=Cited By 10) 8. T. Sreelatha, A. Hymavathi, Joish Madhusudhana Murthy, Usha Rani Pathipati and J. Madhusudana Rao (2009). Synthesis of Insect Antifeedant compounds from Plumbagin derivatives against Achaea janata and Spodoptera litura. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 57: 6090–6094. (if=IF-2.816, ci= Cited By 10) 9. Atanu Bhattacharyya, Asim Bhaumik, Pathipati Usha Rani, Suvra Mandal and Timothy T. Epidi (2010). Nano-particles - A recent approach to insect pest control. African Journal of Biotechnology 9(24): 3489-3493. (if=IF-0.573, ci=Cited by 26) 10. Pathipati Usha Rani, Thanniru Venkateshwaramma and Peta Devanand (2011). Bioactivities of Cocos nucifera L. (Arecales: Arecaceae) and Terminalia catappa L. (Myrtales: Combretaceae) leaf extracts as post-harvest grain protectants against four major stored product pests. Journal of Pest Science. 84(2): 235-247. (if= IF- 2.1, ci=Cited By 8)

32

RAMACHANDRAN, SUNDARARAJ (b 1963), Scientist G and Head, Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Bangalore


The nominee, Dr. Sundararaj, enjoys an established reputation for his outstanding contributions on bio-diversity, bio-ecology and management of harmful forest entomofauna. His work on these aspects has received international acclaim not only for its scientific merit, but also for its practical application in controlling insect pests. His election as a Fellow of The Royal Entomological Society (London) stands testimony to the world-wide recognition bestowed on him. He is an acknowledged authority on taxonomy of whiteflies and has to his credit eight genera and 131 species, described as new to science. He has also reported twelve species of these pests for the first time from Indian forest ecosystems (References 5,8,9.10,17,18,20,21,23,15,16,28,29,39,50,52,57,61,67,68,73,76,77,78,79,82,83,84,86,89,90,91,94,97,98,99,101,103,104,105,107,110,111,11,6,121,129,130,131,137,138,143,144,146,147,152,153,156,157,163,169). Dr. Sundararaj has made extensive studies on entomofaunal diversity and their interactions in different sandal-wood dominated ecosystems of South India (References 95,100,102,106,108,109,114, 117,118,119,122,128,150,161,166). He has thoroughly investigated the insect pest problems of sandalwood cultivated in different agri-horti-silvi models, and developed integrated pest management strategies (References 124,125,126,127,154,160). In addition, he has also worked out integrated management strategies against insect pests of important tree species and of their nurseries. The novelty and uniqueness of these scientific contributions have, indeed, made a scholastic impact in the context of protection of our forest wealth (References 33,34,35,36,40,43,47,51, 55,75,76,81,135,140,151, 158,175,181). The nominee has also made a comprehensive study on the natural bio-resistance of imported timbers (132,164,165,167,182,183,184,185,186). The results are of practical importance in guiding wood industry to choose the right timber for end use, based on its natural durability. He has successfully guided 10 Ph.D. students and presently guiding three PDFs.

Proposer : Dr. L.N. Santhakumaran, Seconder : Dr. Jagannadha Rao


1. Sundararaj, R. and Reuben, R. 1992. Evaluation of microgel droplet formulation of Bacillus sphaericus 1593M (Biocide S) for control of mosquito larvae in rice fields in Southern India. Journal of American Mosquito Control Association, 7: 556 559. (if=0.83, ci=12)

2. Sundararaj, R. and Rao, R. 1993. Field evaluation of microgel droplet formulation of Bacillus sphaericus 1593M (Biocide S) against Anopheles culicifacies and Anopheles subpictus in South India. Southeast Asean Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health. 24 (2): 363 368. (if=0.55, ci=8)

3. Dubey, A.K. and Sundararaj, R. 2006. Distinctaleyrodes setosus Dubey & Sundararaj (Sternorrhyncha: Aleyrodidae), a new whitefly genus and species from India. Zootaxa, 1154: 35-39 (if=1.06, ci=4)

4. Sundararaj, R. 2007. On the genera Cockerelliella Sundararaj & David and Pseudcockerelliella Sundararaj gen. nov. with a key to the Indian genera of Aleyrodidae (Hemiptera). Oriental Insects, 41: 243-257. (if=0.18, ci=9)

5. Dubey, A.K and Sundararaj, R. 2008. Are polyphagous aleyrodids more diverse in puparial morphology. Current Science, 94 (8): 968-969. (if=0.567, ci=3)

6. Pushpa, R. and Sundararaj, R. 2010. The genus Aleuroclava Singh (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) from India. Oriental Insects, 44: 95–146(if=0.18, ci=8)

7. Sundararaj, R. and Rajamuthukrishnan 2011. Population dynamics of some coccids (Coccoidea: Hemiptera) infesting sandal (Santalum album Linn.) in Bangalore, India. Journal of Forestry Research, 22 (2): 259-262. (if=1.47, ci=6)

8. Shanbhag, R.R. and Sundararaj, R. 2013. Physical and chemical properties of some imported woods and their degradation by termites. Journal of Insect Science, 13 (Article 63): 1-8. (if=0.875, ci=6)

9. Shanbhag, R.R., Sundararaj, R. 2013. Imported wood decomposition by termites in different agro-eco zones of India. International Journal of Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 85: 16-22. (if=2.44, ci=4)

10. Devaraj, R. and Sundararaj, R. 2014. Parasitoids of Asphondylia pongamiae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) the flower gall inducer of Pongamia pinnata and their role in biological control. Journal of Tropical Forest Science 26 (2): 173–177. (if=0.667, ci=1)

33

RAMTEKE, PRAMOD W. (b 1957), Dean of Post Graduate studies, Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences, Allahabad

Member of the NASI: Yes (YON 2014, Plant Sciences)

Prof. Ramteke‘s research contribution focuses around exploring of microbial biodiversity for sustainable development and unraveling their role in several agro-ecological processes. Microbe based ecosystem friendly processes were developed for bioremediation and bio-recovery of heavy metals from wastewaters, detoxification and biodegradation of environmental contaminants; and utilization of agricultural wastes for production of biofuel, industrially important enzymes and intermediates. Bacteria from cold habitats showed their potentials in energy-saving bioremediation of domestic and industrial waste at high altitude cold arid regions. Research highlighted the role of transferable R-plasmids in emerging antibiotic resistance among water borne pathogens and their potential health risk; and developed technologies for provision of safe drinking water. Rapid, simple, sensitive, and inexpensive microbial bioassays and indicators were developed for detection of bacterial contaminants in water and food. Protocols were developed for regeneration of endangered medicinal plants Podophyllum hexandrun, Cajanus cajan, Stevia rebaudiana, Bertoni, Coleus forskohlii; and assessed diversity of P. hexandrum by genetic and phytochemical markers. Protocol was developed for tissue culture independent Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated in planta transformation; and whole plant regeneration in inbred lines of tropical maize. Demonstrated traditional herbs as an anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-hyperglycaemic, antioxidant and antibacterial. He is elected Fellow of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, The Linnean Society of London, Maharashtra Academy of Sciences and Academy of Environmental Biology. He is awardee of Prof. K. S. Bilgramy Memorial Award-2012, Er. V. S. Chauhan Gold Medal-2013, Biotechnology Overseas Associateship and International Fellowship by BBSRC, UK. He was a member of 18th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica.

Proposer : Dr. Suman P. S. Khanuja, Seconder : Prof. G. K. Srivastava


1. Ramteke, P.W., Bhattacherjee, J.W., Pathak, S.P. and Kalra, N. (1992) Evaluation of coliforms as indicator of water quality in India. Journal of Applied Bacteriology 72: 252-256. (if=2.386, ci=44)

2. Ghosh, A., Singh A., Ramteke, P.W., and Singh, V.P. (2000) Characterization of large plasmids encoding resistance to toxic heavy metals in Salmonella abortus equi. Biochemical Biophysical Research Communication 272: 6-11. (if=2.221, ci=36)

3. Verma, T., Srinath, T., Gadpayale, R., Ramteke, P.W., Hans, R.K. and Garg, S.K. (2001) Chromate resistant bacteria from tannery effluents. Bioresource Technology 78: 31–35. (if=5.039, ci=59)

4. Srinath, T., Ramteke, P.W., and Garg, S. K. (2002) Chromium (VI) biosorption and bioaccumulation by chromate resistant bacteria. Chemosphere 48: 427-435. (if=3.499, ci=304)

5. Baghel, V. S. Tripath, R. D., Ramteke, P. W., Gopal, K., Dwivedi, S., Jain, R. K., Rai, U. N. and Singh, S. N. (2005) Psychrotrophic proteolytic bacteria from cold environment of Gangotri glacier, Western Himalaya, India. Enzyme and Microbial Technology 36:654-659.(if=2.966, ci=32)

6. Joseph, B., Ramteke, P. W. and Thomas, G. (2008) Cold- active microbial lipases: Some hot issues and recent developments. Biotechnology Advances 28:457-470. (if=8.905, ci=245)

7. Verma, T., Garg, S.K. and Ramteke, P.W. (2009) Genetic correlation between chromium resistance and reduction in Bacillus brevis isolated from tannery effluent. Journal of Applied Microbiology 107:1425-1432. (if=2.386, ci=28)

8. Pandey, H., Parashar, V., Parashar, R., Prakash, R., Ramteke, P. W. and Pandey, A. C. (2011) Controlled drug release characteristics and enhanced antibacterial effect of graphene nanosheets containing gentamicin sulphate. Nanoscale 3: 4104-4108.(if=6.739, ci=26)

9. Kuddus M. and Ramteke P.W. (2012). Recent developments in production and biotechnological applications of cold-active microbial proteases. Critical Review in Microbiology 38(4): 330-338. (if=6.087, ci=15)

10. Mandotra, S., Kumar, P., Suseela, M. R. and Ramteke, P. W. (2014) Fresh water green microalga Scenedesmus abundans: A potential feedstock for high quality biodisiel production. Bioresource Technology 156C: 42-47. (if=5.039, ci=7)

34

RANA , JAI CHAND (b 1963), Principal Scientist & Head, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources Regional Station, Phagli, Shimla


Dr. JC Rana has released 11 varieties and one mutant for commercial cultivation of different crops. Secured six US patents, registered 12 genetic stocks, and 06 farmer‘s varieties with NBPGR and PPV & FR Authority. He has collected >2,000 accessions from Himalayan region; evaluated >15,000 accessions and identified several trait specific sets of germplasm for agronomic, quality and biotic stresses including a core collection in beans. He has standardized the propagation and production technology for the commercial cultivation of eight crops and refined olive oil extraction technology. Also, revealed molecular and physiological dynamics of rutin biosynthesis and accumulation in buckwheat. He has published his research in peer reviewed journals (107), popular articles (14), book chapters (35), bulletins (06), and books authored (02). He has mobilized external funding to the tune of Rs. 500 lakhs through 20 externally funded projects. Extensively worked with mountain farmers on the on-farm conservation of agrobiodiversity by organizing >100 trainings, brainstorming sessions and around 200 FLDs. Received MS Swaminathan National Award for outstanding Research on Hill Agriculture, Fellow of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (FNAAS), Fellow ISGPB, Fellow ISPGR, ICAR-UNDP Fellowship; Post Doc Fellowship of MHRD; best publication award, SAGES Recognition award, ICAR-NARC visiting scientist to Nepal; technical expert member ICFRE, State Biodiversity Board, Indian Himalayas Climate Change Adaptation Programme, National PI (Plant Breeding & Germplasm) for AICRN (PC); Coordinated multi-institutional NATP NAIP-GEF project activities on agro-biodiversity for Western Himalaya and have visited Nepal, China (2), Russia and Canada.

Proposer : Prof. Shyam Kumar Sharma, Seconder : Prof. Narpinder Singh


1. Rana JC, K Pradheep and VD Verma. 2007. Naturally Occurring Wild Relatives of Temperate Fruits in Western Himalayan Region of India. An Analysis. Biodiversity and Conservation. 16(14):3963-3991. (if=2.26, ci=13)

2. Rana JC, KS Negi, SA Wani, Sanjeev Saxena,K Pradheep, Anjali Kak and SK Pareek. 2009. Genetic Resources of Rice in the Western Himalayan Region of India – Current Status. Genet. Resour. Crop. Evol. 56:963-973. (if=1.59, ci=18)

3. Seeratpreet Kaur, Narpinder Singh, Navdeep Singh Sodhi and Jai Chand Rana. 2009. Diversity in Properties of Seed and Flour of Kidney Bean Germplasm. Food Chemistry. 117(2):282-289. (if=3.33, ci=19)

4. Kaur Shubhpreet, Narpinder Singh, and Jai Chand Rana. 2010. Amaranthus hypochondriacus and Amaranthus caudatus germplasm: Characteristics of plants, grain and flours. Food Chemistry. 123 (4): 1227-1234. (if=3.33, ci=18)

5. Rana JC, Archna Singh, Yogender Sharma, K. Pradheep and Nisha Mendiratta. 2010. Dynamics of Plant Bioresources in Western Himalayan Region of India – Watershed Based Case Study. Current Sci. 98(2):192-203. (if=0.91, ci=10)

6. Rana JC, K Pradheep, OP Chaurasia, Sarvesh Sood, RM Sharma, Archna Singh and Ranjna Negi. 2011. Genetic Resources of Wild Edible Plants and their Uses among Tribal Communities of Cold Arid Region of India. Genet. Resour. Crop. Evol. 59 (1) 135-149(if=1.59, ci=11)

7. Gupta Nidhi, Sunil K Sharma, Jai C Rana and Rajinder S. Chauhan. 2011. Expression of flavonoid biosynthesis genes vis-à-vis rutin content variation in different growth stages of Fagopyrum species. Journal of Plant Physiology. 168 (17):2117-2123 (if=2.69, ci=19)

8. Sonah H., Rupesh K. Deshmukh, Anshul Sharma, Vinay P Singh, Deepak K Gupta, Raju N Gacche, Jai C Rana, Nagendra K Singh and Tilak R Sharma. 2011. Genome-Wide Distribution and Organization of Microsatellites in Plants: An Insight into Marker Development in Brachypodium. PLoS ONE 6 (6): e 21298. Doi : 10.1371/ journal. pone. 0021298 (if=3.73, ci=62)

9. Khetan Shevkani, Narpinder Singh, Amritpal Kaur, Jai Chand Rana. 2015. Structural and functional characterization of kidney bean and field pea protein isolates: A comparative study. Food Hydrocolloids 43: 679–689 (if=4.28, ci=02)

10. Rana JC, Rakesh K Chahota, Vikas Sharma, Maneet Rana, Nidhi Verma, Bhawna Verma, Tilak R Sharma. 2015. Genetic diversity and structure of Pyrus accessions of Indian Himalayan region based on morphological and SSR markers. Tree Genetics and Genomes 11:821 DOI 10.1007/s11295-014-0821-2 (if=2.40, ci=02)

35

SINGH, BRAHMA (b 1941), Former Director, Life Sciences, DRDO, Delhi


Padma Shri Dr Brahma Singh has developed 1o varieties of vegetables, two of them (brinlal ARU-1 and

ARU-2C) were identified for release at national level. He is known for greening of Leh valley by developing appropriate agro-technologies making production of large number of vegetables under frozen conditions possible and large scale plantation. He pioneered research on protected cultivation in India resulting in cultivation of almost all type of vegetables in Leh Valley (considered impossible) in innovative ways. This has led to local farmers being able to supply 50 percent fresh vegetable requirement of troops boosting both the local economy and cutting spending by Defence Forces on air transportation of food material to Leh besides boosting troop morale. This expertise has led to appointment of Dr Singh as Chairman of Working Group on Protected Cultivation for Haryana, Haryana Kisan Ayog. He is Founder President of Indian Society for Protected Cultivation, New Delhi which plans to help in bringing one million hectare (now 2500 ha) under protected cultivation in next ten years to enhance productivity and production of vegetables and flowers in India, besides standardizing soil-less vertical farming to face climate change. While documenting bio resources of Ladakh he discovered sea-buckthorn, an environment friendly fruit with many health promoting phytochemicals. He led development of beverage ‗Leh Berry‘ out of its juice patented and transferred the technology leading to establishment of a new flourishing industry in India. He has contributed in development of space food for first Indo-Russian Space Mission.

Proposer : Dr. Kirti Singh, Seconder : Dr. Anupam Varma Ten Best Publications: 1. B. Singh and B. Choudhury (1973) The chemical characteristics of tomato varieties resistant to root-

knot nematodes. Nematologica 19 (4) 443-448. Rating 7.4 (if=0.214, ci=23) 2. P.V.L. Rao and B. Singh (1991) Plantlet regeneration from encapsulated somatic embryos of hybrid

Solanum melongena L. Plant Cell Reporter 10: 7-11. Rating 7.7 (if=2.509, ci=55) 3. Om Kumar & B. Singh (1992) Effect of Ayurvedic liver stimulants on live weight gain broilers in North

East Region. Indian J. Anim. Res. 26 (11) : 1-5. Rating 6.1 (if=0.46, ci=3) 4. N. Kannan and B. Singh (1994) Changes in haematological blood gas variables in broiler at high

altitude with ascites syndrome. Indian Vet. J. 71 (9): 881-884.Rating 6.0 (if=0.5, ci=1) 5. B. Singh, Eli Paljor and K. L. Jadhav (1995) Effect of plant spacing on the yield of potato (Solanum

tuberosum) grown through seeding in Leh. Indian J. Agri. Science. 65 (9): 683-685. Rating 6.6 (if=0.18,

ci=-) 6. K.L. Jadhav, B. Singh & M. M. Kale (1995) Mortality in crossbred calf and young stock at Leh (Ladakh).

Indian J. Ani. Sciences 65 (1): 110-112. Rating 6.6 (if=0.349) 7. Dwivedi, S.K., Paljor Eli, Attrey, D.P. and Singh, B. (2002). Propagation of common seabuckthorn

through hard wood cuttings in Ladakh. Ind. J. Agril. Sciences. 72 (4): 228-229.Rating 6.6 (if=0.18, ci=4) 8. Dwivedi, SK; Singh, B. and Paljor Eli.(2000). Studies on vegetative propagation of apricot through

grafting in Ladakh. Ind J. Hort. 57(1): 39-41 Rating 6.6 (if=0.13, ci=7) 9. 14. Dwivedi SK and Singh B. (2001).Studies on chip budding in Apricot in cold arid conditions of

Ladakh. Indian J. Hort 58(3). 215-217. Rating 6.6 (if=0.13, ci=3) 10. R.S. Singh, B. Singh & S.P.S. Beniwal (1967) Observation on the effect of sawdust on incidence of

root knot and on yield of okra and tomatoes in nematodes infested soil. PI. Dis. Reptr. 51 : 861-863 NAAS

Rating 7.7 (if=--, ci=17)

36

SINGH, RAJENDRA (b 1963), Dean (Undergraduate Studies) & Professor (HAG), I.I.T.Kharagpur Member of the NASI: No (YON 2014, Agricultural Sciences) Dr. Rajendra Singh has contributed significantly to the Agricultural Engineering profession through teaching, research and technology transfer. He has made fundamental contribution in hydrometry through introduction of a new concept for determining the discharge coefficient of side weirs, and developing an Automated Side Weir Irrigation System (Singh & Satyanarayana 1994; Singh et al. 1994). He has developed ANN_ETo models (artificial neural networks models for reference crop evapotranspiration) (Kumar et al. 2002). He has developed a Portable Rainfall Simulator Infiltrometer that improves the infiltration measurements (Bhardwaj and Singh 1992). His work on the canal irrigation system management is pioneering as he has developed an Irrigation Optimization System (IOS), combining the hydraulic-hydrologic simulations of canal-command to improve the overall irrigation efficiency (Singh et al. 1997, 1999). He has further developed an Integrated Reservoir-Based Canal Irrigation Model, IRCIM, for irrigation departments (Bhadra et al. 2009). He has developed and popularized software packages like Hydrology_Calculator, SCS_Designer and DSS_ET to improve the agricultural engineering education and research. Dr. Singh has guided 10 PhD and 52 MTech students, and as per Google Scholar, his h-index is 17 and i-10-index is 29, which highlight his research contribution. He has received several national and international honours and awards including BOYSCAST Fellowship, AICTE Career Award for Young Teachers, ICAR Young Scientist Award, DAAD Research Fellowship, DAAD Visiting Professorship; and held important positions like Member, Board of Governors, Dean (Undergraduate Studies) and Head of Department at IIT Kharagpur, and Member of Research and Technical Advisory Committees of several National bodies.

Proposer : Prof. K.N. Tiwari, Seconder : Prof. Subhasish Dey Ten Best Publications: 1. Singh, R., Manivannan, D. and Satyanarayana, T. 1994. Discharge coefficient of rectangular side

weirs. Journal of Irrigation & Drainage Engineering, ASCE, 120 (4): 814 819 (if=1.13, ci=72) 2. Singh, R., Subramanian, K. and Refsgaard, J.C. 1999. Hydrological modelling of a small watershed

using MIKE SHE for irrigation planning. Agricultural Water Management, 41: 149-166. (if=2.203, ci=65) 3. Mishra, A., Anand, A., Singh R. and Raghuwanshi, N.S. 2001. Hydraulic modelling of Kangsabati main

canal for performance assessment. Journal of Irrigation & Drainage Engineering, ASCE, 127(1): 27- 34. (if=1.13, ci=24) 4. Kumar, M., Raghuwanshi, N.S., Singh, R., Wallender, W.W. and Pruitt, W.O. 2002. Estimating

evapotranspiration using artificial neural network. Journal of Irrigation & Drainage Engineering, ASCE,

128(4): 224-233. (if=1.13, ci=230) 5. Tripathi, M.P., Panda, R.K., Raghuwanshi, N.S. and Singh, R. 2004. Hydrological modelling of a small

watershed using generated rainfall in the Soil and Water Assessment Tool model. Hydrological

Processes, 18: 1811-1821 (if=2.497, ci=28) 6. Raghuwanshi, N.S., Singh, R. and Reddy, L.S. 2006. Runoff and sediment yield modelling using

artificial neural networks: upper Siwane river, India. Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, ASCE, 11(1): 71- 79 (if=1.38, ci=54) 7. Bandyopadhyay, A., Raghuwanshi, N.S. and Singh, R. 2008. Estimation of monthly solar radiation from

measured air temperature extremes. Agricultural & Forest Meteorology, 148 (11): 1707-1718. (if=3.421,

ci=27) 8. Bandyopadhyay, A., Bhadra, A., Raghuwanshi, N.S. and Singh, R. 2009. Temporal trends in estimates

of reference evapotranspiration over India. Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, ASCE, 14 (5): 508- 515. (if=1.38, ci=45) 9. Bhadra, A., Bandyopadhyay, A., Singh, R., Raghuwanshi, N.S. 2010. Development of a rainfall-runoff

model: Comparison of two approaches with different data requirements. Water Resources Management,

24: 37-62. (if=2.259, ci=23) 10. Kumar, M., Raghuwanshi, N.S. and Singh, R. 2011. Artificial neural networks approach in

evapotranspiration modeling: a review. Irrigation Science, 29(1): 11-25 (if=2.289, ci=35)

37

SINGH, RISHI PAL (b 1962 ), Director Seed & Farms, Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand


Dr. R.P. Singh, presently the Director of Seed and Farms at Birsa Agricultural University (BAU) is internationally known for his contributions in breeding climate resilient germplalsm stocks/hybrids/varieties in cotton and developed first Indian cotton variety (Aurobindo) in upland cotton (G. hirsutum L.) for its cultivation during rabi/spring summer season in West Bengal. Focusing on quality seed production under present scenario of climate change, nominee has been instrumental in strengthening of formal seed system in Jharkhand. Consequent to this seed production, processing and storage and testing facilities have been created/strengthened at BAU, Ranchi with >50 folds increase in quality seed production of various categories. With the help of KVKs, rural entrepreneurship, local seed systems and public private partnership have been strengthened. The first Rolling Seed Plan of Jharkhand (2006) prepared and the same has been adopted/implemented by Jharkhand Govt. which contributed significantly in the accelerating the Seed Replacement Rates (SRR). This action also correlates with the achievement of State Govt. which has been awarded by the Agricultural Ministry, GOI with "Krishi Karman Award" in pulse production and productivity for two consecutive years i.e. 2011-12 and 2012-13. Nevertheless, nominee has published three articles in the internationally reputed journal Advances in Agronomy (from USA). This has been adopted by the American Seed Industry journal "Seed World" as a new theme ―breeding for climate change‖. The nominee is recipient of prestigious Dr. Rajendra Prasad Puruskar- 2011 by ICAR, New Delhi for technical book in Hindi on seed and planting material. The scientific and technical leadership of the nominee has also been recognized at national and state level by giving responsibilities as member of Board of Director/Member Governing Bodies/Chairman etc.

Proposer : Dr. Dinesh Chandra Uprety, Seconder : Dr. Anurudh K. Singh


1. R.P. Singh, P.V. V. Prasad and K.R. Reddy (2015). Climate change and seed industry: mitigating the impact by various stakeholders. Advances in Agronomy, 129, 1-64. (if=5.06, ci=New)

2. R.P. Singh, P.V. V. Prasad and K.R. Reddy (2013). Impact of changing climate and climate variability on seed production and seed industry. Advances in Agronomy, (Academic Press, New York) 118, 49-110. (if=5.06, ci=7)

3. R.P. Singh, P.V. V. Prasad, K. Sunita, S.N. Giri and K. Raja Reddy (2007). Influence of High Temperature and Breeding for Heat Tolerance in Cotton – A Review. Advances in Agronomy, (Academic Press, New York) 93: 313-385. (if=5.06, ci=84)

4. R.P. Singh, A.K. Gupta and R.G Saini (1992). Genetics of resistance against bacterial leaf blight (BLB caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. Oryzae (Ishiyama) Dye in a breeding line of rice ARC10464 from India. Plant Breeding (Zeitschrift fur pflanzenzuchtung), 108:335-337. (if=1.18)

5. R.P. Singh, A.K. Gupta and R.G. Saini (1994). Genetics of resistance to Xanthomonas campestris pv. Oryzae (Ishiyama) Dye in Oryza sativa L. Indian Journal of Genetics & Plant Breeding. 54(3): 287-292. (if=0.2)

6. Munshi Singh, R.P. Singh and V. P. Singh (1998). Inheritance and linkage relations of gene for yellow seedlings in cotton (Gossypium spp.). Indian Journal of Genetics & Plant Breeding. 58(2): 143-147. (if=0.2)

7. R.P. Singh, A.K. Gupta, R.G. Saini and R.K. Goel (1998). Inheritance and allelic relationship between genes conferring resistance to Xanthomonas campestris pv. Oryzae (Ishiyama) Dye in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Indian Journal of Genetics & Plant Breeding. 58(4): 427-431. (if=0.2)

8. M. Vafie-Taber, S. Chandrashekaran, R.P. Singh and M.K. Rana (2003). Evaluation of Genetic diversity in Indian tetraploid and diploid cotton (Gossypium spp) by morphological characteristic and RAPD‘s. Indian Journal of Genetics & Plant Breeding. 63(3): 230-234. (if=0.2, ci=21)

9. R.P. Singh, V.P. Singh, M. Singh, G.P Gupta and C.B. Lal (2001). Selection of narrow leaf upland cotton (G.hirsutum L.) lines with better fibre quality and tolerant to white fly. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences. 71(2):131-133. (if=0.18, ci=4)

10. M. Raghuraman, G.P. Gupta and R.P. Singh (2004). Biochemical constituents imparting resistance in cotton (G.hirsutum L) to whitefly Besmisia tabici Genn. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences. 74(9): 505-507. (if=0.18)

38

SINGH, VASUDEVA (b 1953), Emeritus Medical Scientist (ICMR), Dept. of Studies in Food Science and Nutrition, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore


Experienced on the processing of paddy w.r.t improved harvesting and processing of the same for getting higher yield. Demonstrated on 3 tonnes of high moisture paddy, the method of preservation in humid conditions at northern part of Karnataka. Developed a test for detecting scent at leaf stage and helped the Breeders. Njavara, a medicinal rice could be differentiated by Genetic Studies but not by Quality Profile. Isolated starch from cereals and pulses were modified by acids, and their granular and molecular properties were understood. Biodegradable plastics were prepared from isolated starches of Indica, Japonica non-waxy and waxy rice after high degree acetylation and their biodegradation were studied. Properties of these three rice were studied in their flour, grain and starch form. Modified starches from tapioca, corn, waxy rice were used in the preparation of traditional foods. Sago was manufactured successfully with modified steps at 3 tones level (tapioca wet starch) at an industry at Salem, Tamilnadu. Prepared number of products from multigrains in RTC and RTE forms which are superior w.r.t functional, nutritional and anti-oxidant properties. Protein from deoiled bran, low digestible cross linked rice starch, by animal models have been confirmed for PER and low GI studies. Protein from Okara, (up to 80%) a by-product of Soya processing, could be recovered by Membrane technology. Handled milling problems of some of the Rice Mills of Orissa State. Studies on phytochemicals in Indian Corn varieties and diabetic noodle preparation from rice have been completed. Three Ph.D thesis are under preparation.

Proposer : Dr. Benjaram Mahipal Reddy, Seconder : Dr. Sarit Kumar Das


1. Vasudeva Singh and S. Z. Ali (2000): Acid degradation of starch. The effect of acid and starch type. Carbohy. Polym. 41, 191 –195.(if=3.9, ci=79)

2. Vasudeva Singh, H.Okadome, H.Toyashima, S.Isobe and K. Ohtsubo : Thermal and Physico- chemical properties of rice grain, flour and starch. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, 45 (7), 2639 – 2647 (2000) (if=3.11, ci=78)

3. G.Deepa, Vasudeva Singh and K. Akhilender Naidu (2008) : Nutrient, Physico- chemical properties of Indian Medicinal Rice : Njavara Food Chemistry , 106. 165-171 (if=3.259, ci=56)

4. Vasudeva Singh and S. Zakiuddin Ali (1987): Comparative Acid Modification of Various Starches. Starch/Staerke 39, 11, 402 – 405(if=1.41, ci=26)

5. . Vasudeva Singh, S. Zakiuddin Ali and S. Divakar (1993) : 13C CP / MAS NMR Spectroscopy of Native and Acid Modified Starches . Starch/Staerke 36, 2, 59 – 62 (if=1.41, ci=27)

6. Pankaj Sharma, Chakkaravarti, A. Vasudeva Singh and Subramanian, R. (2008). Grinding characteristics and batter quality of rice in different wet grinding systems. J. Food Engineering 88, 499 – 506. (if=2.576, ci=27)

7. A. Jayadeep, Vasudeva Singh, B.V. Satheydra Rao, A. Srinivas , S. Z. Ali (2009): Effect of Physcal Processing of Commercial De-oiled Rice Bran on Particle Size Distribution, and content of Chemical and Bio-functional Components. Food and Bioprocess Technology, 2, 57 -67 (if=3.13, ci=18)

8. Vasudeva Singh, Vishwanathan, K.H., Aswathanarayana, K.N and Indudhara Swamy Y.M (2010). Hydration behaviour of rice, wheat, millets and modeling their sorption behaviour as per Peleg‘s equation. Part I. Cereals. J Food Sci Technol (Jan. – Feb.), 47 (1) 34-41(if=2.024, ci=14)

9. Sreerama, Y.N., Sashikala, V.B., Pratape, V.M. and Vasudeva Singh (2012). Nutrients and antinutrients in cowpea and horse gram flours in comparison to chickpea flour: Evaluation of their flour functionality. Food Chemistry: doi. 10 1016/I food chem 2011 09 008.(if=3.259, ci=23)

10. Hameeda Banu.N. Itagi and Vasudeva Singh* (2012). Preparation, nutritional composition, functional properties and antioxidant activities of multigrain composite mixes. J of Food Science and Technology, 49(1), 74-81. Adjudged as JFST Best Paper Award, for the year 2012, in the fielf of Food Science, Award was presented during IFCON 2013, Dec 21st. (if=2.024, ci=7 (2013-14))

39

TOMAR, ANITA (b 1976), Scientist-C, Centre for Social Forestry and Eco-rehabilitation(CSFER)

Allahabad


Nominee Initiated first ever work on Lesser Known Trees Species (LKTS) a new step towards biodiversity conservation. Her Ph.D (awarded by Forest Research Institute University in 2011) on Lesser Known Plants, she developed a new approach of Macro-proliferation for fern and herb with rhizome (a technique till date popular for bamboo only). This approach of Macro-proliferation of rhizome technique used for herb (Gentiana kurroo) research paper adjudged Women Scientist award in 2010 in 2nd Rashtriya Yuva Vaigyanik Sammelan at Doon University, Dehradun. Also adjudged for Brandis Prize by Indian Forester. Introduced Stereospermum suaveolens- ―A rare endangered medicinal plant‖ at Allahabad, this tree was not reported in the Flora of Allahabad and Introduction of Hippophae salicifolia – ―A wonder Lesser Known Plant‖ at Chakrata in Dehradun district (under ICFRE funded projects). A new innovative technique in wild Mango Spondias pinnata was adopted by her for its quick/cheap germination without any potting media so that quality seed lots may be assured for its conservation as well as cultivation in cheapest way. As a researcher she has worked on various International projects like USDA, Europian Union and National Projects funded by NMPB, DBT, CSIR, NRAA, ICFRE etc. Currently working on Less Known wild Fruits viz. Artocarpus lakoocha, Spondias pinnata, Averrhoa carambola etc. for sustainable livelihood and promoting lesser known beneficial species in Social Forestry programmes. Forty one research articles publications in international, national journals and books. More than 35 publications in proceedings. As a referee for various national and international forestry journals.

Proposer : Prof. G.K.Srivastava, Seconder : Prof. Anupam Dikshit Ten Best Publications: 1. Tomar, A. and Srivastava, R. K. (2007). Vegetative propagation of Less Known Fern-Cyrtomium

caryotideum-A new approach. Indian Forester*, 133 (2) 261-262 pp. (if=NAAS ratings(2013) is 4.27) 2. Kumar, D., Negi, S. S., Pandey, R., Pundir, I., Tomar, A. and Kumar, P. (2007). Variation in Cone and

Seed Morphology of Pinus roxburghii Sargent: Effect of population and mother tree. Indian Forester, 133

(6): 749-758 pp. (if=NAAS ratings(2013) is 4.27) 3. Tomar, A., Kumar, D., Singh, B. and Pundir, I. (2008). An approach to ensure year round availability of germinating seeds of Cassia tora for industrial application. Indian Forester,134 (8) :1011- 1015 pp. (if=NAAS ratings(2013) is 4.27) 4. Tomar, A., Manhas, R.K. and Srivastava, R.K. (2011). Macroproliferation of Gentiana kurroo Royle .International Journal of Green Pharmacy.5 (2): 138-140. 5. Tomar, A (2012). Impact of different treatments in Gentiana kurroo and Cyrtomium caryotideum

rhizome macroproliferation. National Journal on Chembiosis. 3(1) 11-13. 6. . Tomar, A. R.K.Manhas, R.K. Srivastava (2012).Seed germination studies in Gentiana kuroo Royle –

An endangered medicinal herb. Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Sciences. 34 (3 & 4) 168-171. 7. Tomar, A., Manhas, R. and Srivastava R.K, Vasistha, H.B. (2012). Growth performance of

macroproliferated plants of Gentiana kurroo and Cyrtomium caryotideum at two different Sites. Indian

Forester. 138(11): 1063-1065. (if=NAAS ratings(2013) is 4.27) 8. Tomar, A., Tripathi, S., Kumar, A. (2013). Relationship of Pods and Seeds traits in medicinal value tree

Stereospermum suaveolens DC. International Journal on Applied Bioengineering (ISSN: 0973-9084),

Volume 7, Issue 1 9. Tomar, A. and RattanV. (2013).Temperature and Light response index (RI) on seed germination of

Hippophae salicifolia D.Don. Indian Forester,139(5): 420-424. (if=NAAS ratings(2013) is 4.27) 10.Tomar, A., Singh, S.M., Pandey,B.K., Shukla, M.K. and Chandra, V. (2013).Floristic diversity of Meja Thermal Power Plant (MTPP) at Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. Ann.For. 21(1):68-76. (if=2012 rating is 1.63)

40

A.G. , MURUGESAN (b 1960), Professor, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, Tamilnadu


Prof. A.G Murugesan has intensively worked on industrial toxicology with special reference to the impact of industrial effluents and other xenobiotics on immunotoxicity, haematotoxicity etc. He is continuously assessing the water quality and self purification capability of the perennial river Tamairabarani, and other southern rivers. He has assessed the environmental quality of the Gulf of Mannar region and thermal ecology of the Kudankulam marine environment. Dr.Murugesan has developed an integrated method of biological control of the water hyacinth employing weevils, mite and fish at field levels. He has developed technologies on biological treatment of industrial effluent employing bacteria, fungi, and aquatic weeds, reeds and recycling the treated water for irrigation. He has intensively worked and successfully produced bio-ethanol, biopolymer and hydrogen fuel using agricultural wastes, water hyacinth, coir industrial waste, micro algae and seaweeds employing microbial technology. He has conducted Environment Impact Assessment for several industries. Prof. Murugesan has published more than 110 quality research papers and written 5 books on environment and global warming, more than 50 popular science articles on different environmental issues in leading dailies and weekly magazines. He has produced 30 PhDs, 35 M.Phils and 90 PGs. Dr. Murugesan has successfully operated 29 major research projects, in addition to several minor projects funded by national and international agencies to the tune of about 4.0 crores. He has been bestowed with two state government awards in addition to a few more prestigious awards for his teaching, research and extension activities in environmental pollution.

Proposer : Prof. T. J. Pandian , Seconder : Prof. G. Marimuthu


1. D. Radhika and A.G. Murugesan (2012). Bio-production, statistical optimization and characterization of microbial plastic (Poly 3-hydroxy butyrate) employing various hydrolysates of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) as sole carbon source. Bioresource Technology, 121: 83-92. (if=5.039, ci=7)

2. Bala Amutha.K and Murugesan, A.G (2011). Biological hydrogen production by the algal biomass of Chlorella vulgaris MSU 01 strain isolated from pond sediment. Bioresource Technology, 102(1):194–199 (if=5.039, ci=16)

3. Sathesh Prabu, C and Murugesan, A.G (2011). Potential utilization of sorghum field waste for fuel ethanol production employing Pachysolen tannophilus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Bioresource Technology, 102(3):2788-2792 (if=5.039, ci=15)

4. Murugesan, A.G., Vijayalakshmi, G.S., Sukumaran, N. and Mariappan, C (1995). Utilization of water hyacinth for oyster mushroom cultivation. Bioresource Technology. 51(1): 97-98. (if=5.039, ci=22)

5. Bala-Amutha K, Murugesan A.G (2013) Biohydrogen production using corn stalk employing Bacillus licheniformis MSU AGM 2 strain, Renewable Energy, 50: 621–627. (if=3.361, ci=8)

6. Ramesh, S., Sukumaran, N., Murugesan, A.G and Rajan, M.P. (2010). An innovative approach of drinking water quality index—A case study from Southern Tamil Nadu, India. Ecological Indicators, 10: 857-868 (if=3.230, ci=16)

7. Kumar G, Sharmila Banu G, Murugesan A.G and Rajasekara Pandian M. 2008. Hypolipaedmic activity of Helicteres isora bark extracts in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 116: 161 – 166. (if=2.939, ci=34)

8. Kumar, G., Sharmila Banu, G., Murugesan A.G and Rajasekara Pandian, M (2006) Hypoglycemic effects of Helicteres isora bark extract in rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology.107; 304-307. (if=2.939, ci=38)

9. Kandaswamy Kalaivani, Sengottayan Senthil Nathan, Murugesan, A.G. (2012). Biological activity of selected Lamiaceae and Zingiberaceae plant essential oils against the dengue vector Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera:Culicidae), Parasitol Research, 110: 1261-1268(if=2.327, ci=20)

10. Ramathilaga, A and Murugesan, A.G (2011). Effect of electron beam irradiation on proximate, microbiological and sensory characteristics of chyavanaprash – Ayurvedic poly herbal formulation. Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies 12:515-518. (if=2.248, ci=3)

41

ARUNACHALAM, AYYANADAR (b 1970), Principal Scientist, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi


Dr. A. Arunachalam has made notable contributions to soil ecology, ecosystem ecology, shifting agriculture and land use dynamics, particularly in the northeastern India. His maiden research on the role of detrital mass in soil nutrient restoration in regrowing forests after shifting agriculture has revealed the competitive role of fine roots and microbial biomass in nutrient immobilization and biomass turnover particularly in the degraded and/or regenerating forested ecosystems. Dr. Arunachalam has characterized nutrient cycling patterns in hill agro-ecosystems associated with slash-and-burn agriculture (jhum), with special reference to the microbial biomass that act as both `sink‘ and `source‘ of plant available nutrients. His studies have revealed that the role of microbial biomass in soil organic matter and nutrient cycling increases with jhum cycle period and also with fallow age. He has also investigated the impact and after-effects of various types of disturbances such as fire, floods, felling and landslides on the soil nutrients in the region, particularly with reference to carbon and nitrogen. He has demonstrated the role of microbial biomass in nutrient retention that helps in the natural revegetation following landslides. Further, while evaluating the role of bamboos in the recovery of shifting agricultural fallow lands, he found that the bamboo rhizosphere hold greater soil biomass and therefore more soil nutrients. Based on extensive research, he is focusing on the reclamation of shifting agricultural fallow lands. Dr. Arunachalam‘s scientific findings have been helpful in formulating management strategies for undisturbed and disturbed ecosystems. His h-index is 19 and i10-index is 34.

Proposer : Dr. Bhaskharan Pillai Mohan Kumar, Seconder : Dr. D C Uprety


1. 87. Maithani, K., Tripathi, R.S., Arunachalam, A. and Pandey, H.N. (1996): Seasonal dynamics of microbial C, N and P during regrowth of a disturbed subtropical humid forest in north-east India. Applied Soil Ecology 4, 31-37. (if=2.206, ci=75)

2. 67. Arunachalam, A. and Arunachalam, K. (2000): Influence of gap size and soil properties on microbial biomass in a subtropical humid forest of north-east India. Plant and Soil 223 (1/2), 185-193. (if=3.235, ci=73)

3. 48. Barbhuiya, A.R., A. Arunachalam, H.N. Pandey, K. Arunachalam, M.L. Khan and P.C. Nath (2004) Dynamics of soil microbial biomass C, N and P in disturbed and undisturbed stands of a tropical wet-evergreen forest in Arunachal Pradesh, India. European Journal of Soil Biology, 40 (3-4): 113-121. (if=2.146, ci=68)

4. 59. Arunachalam, A. and Pandey, H.N. (2003) Ecosystem restoration of jhum fallows in northeast India: Microbial C and N along altitudinal and successional gradients. Restoration Ecology, 11 (2): 168-173. (if=1.991, ci=61)

5. 72. Arunachalam, K., Arunachalam, A. and Melkania, N.P. (1999): Influence of soil properties on microbial population, activity and biomass in terrestrial mountainous ecosystems of humid subtropics. Biology and Fertility of Soils 30(3): 217-223. (if=3.396, ci=56)

6. 86. Arunachalam, A., Maithani, K., Pandey, H.N. and Tripathi, R.S. (1996): The impact of disturbance on detrital dynamics and soil microbial biomass of a Pinus kesiya forest in north-east India. Forest Ecology and Management 88, 273-282. (if=2.667, ci=51)

7. 85. Arunachalam, A., Pandey, H.N., Tripathi, R.S. and Maithani, K. (1996): Fine root decomposition and nutrient release patterns in a subtropical humid forest following tree cutting. Forest Ecology and Management 86, 141-150. (if=2.667, ci=51)

8. 77. Arunachalam, A., Arunachalam, K., Pandey, H.N. and Tripathi, R.S. (1998): Fine litterfall and nutrient dynamics during forest regrowth in the humid subtropics of north-eastern India. Forest Ecology and Management 110, 209-219. (if=2.667, ci=47)

9. 75. Maithani, K., Tripathi, R.S., Arunachalam, A.and Pandey, H.N. (1998): Nitrogen mineralization as influenced by climate, soil and vegetation in a subtropical humid forest in north-east India. Forest Ecology and Management 109, 91-101. (if=2.667, ci=47)

10. 74. Maithani, K., Arunachalam, A., Tripathi, R.S. and Pandey, H.N. (1998): Influence of leaf litter quality on N mineralization in soils of a subtropical humid forest. Biology and Fertility of Soils 27, 44-50. (if=3.396, ci=42)

42

CHAUDHARY, HARINDER KUMAR (b 1962), Professor & Head, CSK HP Agricultural University, Palampur


Dr H K Chaudhary, Professor & Head, Department of Crop Improvement, an expert in Chromosome Engineering & Molecular Breeding has contributed in developing and releasing of ten crop varieties including first Doubled Haploid wheat variety (Him Pratham) and the first winter wheat variety (Saptdhara) of the country for the tribal regions of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining states by utilizing the Himalayan gene pools. He has invented an efficient chromosome elimination- mediated wheat x Imperata cylindrica system of doubled haploidy breeding (patent in process) having commercial applications globally for high precision and accelerated wheat improvement. He has led 12 nationally funded projects in wheat biotechnology, coordinated three Indo-Japan projects in Chromosome Engineering, published 115 research papers, three practical manuals, four brochures, guided 15 PG scholars (with fellowships like Beachell-Borlaug International Scholarship) and visited 10 countries for sharing his innovations in chromosome engineering. Ordained with various awards (ICAR Young Scientist Award 1997–presently Lal Bahadur Shastri Outstanding Young Scientist Award, Himachal Kesari Award 2007 and Prerna Strot Samman Puruskar Govt. of H.P. – 2009), fellowships (Commonwealth Fellowship–2003, DBT Senior Biotech Overseas Associateship – 2004 and William Gamble Fellowship University of Melbourne-2014), Honorary Visiting Professorship of Osaka K University, Japan & University of Melbourne, Australia and fellow/membership of various professional societies, he is on the panel of Board of Studies and RDC of Abhilashi University in the State and also contributing in the CSKHPKV as Coordinator, International Coordination Cell, Convenor, Institute Germplasm Identification Committee, Member Technical Advisory Committee and Member Secretary, IPR Cell.

Proposer : Prof. SK Sharma, Seconder : Prof. UC Lavania


1. Chaudhary, H.K. Tayeng, T., Kaila, V. and Rather, S.A. 2013. Use of asynchrony in flowering for easy and economical polyhaploid induction in wheat following Imperata cylindrica- mediated chromosome elimination approach. Plant Breeding 132:155-158 (if=1.338, ci=5.00)

2. Tayeng, T., Chaudhary, H.K. and Kishore,N.2012. Enhancing doubled haploid production efficiency in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell) by in vivo colchicine manipulations in Imperata cylindrica-mediated chromosome elimination approach. Plant Breeding 131:574-578 (if=1.338, ci=3.00)

3. Kishore, N., Chaudhary, H.K., Chahota, R.K., Kumar, V., Sood, S.P., Jeberson, S. and Tayeng,T. 2011. Relative efficiency of maize- and Imperata cylindrica-mediated chromosome elimination approach for the induction of haploids in wheat-rye derivatives. Plant Breeding 130 :192-194 (if=1.338, ci=3.00)

4. Komeda, N., Chaudhary, H.K., Suzuki, G. and Mukai, Y. 2007. Cytological evidence for chromosome elimination in wheat x Imperata cylindrica hybrids through fluorescence in situ hybridization. Genes and Genetic Systems 82: 241-248 (if=0.87, ci=2.14)

5. Pratap, A., Sethi, G.S. and Chaudhary, H.K. 2006. Relative efficiency of anther culture and chromosome elimination technique for haploid induction in triticale x wheat and triticale x triticale hybrids. Euphytica 150(3): 339-345 (if=1.692, ci=2.62)

6. Chaudhary, H.K., Sethi, G.S., Singh, S., Pratap, A. and Sharma, S. 2005. Efficient haploid production in wheat by using pollen of Imperata cylindrica. Plant Breeding 124(1): 96-98 (if=1.338, ci=2.89)

7. Pratap, A., Sethi, G.S. and Chaudhary, H.K. 2005. Relative efficiency of different Gramineae genera for haploid induction in triticale and triticale x wheat hybrids through the chromosome elimination technique. Plant Breeding 124: 147-153 (if=1.338, ci=3.33)

8. Sharma, S. Sethi, G.S. and Chaudhary, H.K. 2005. Influence of winter and spring wheat genetic backgrounds on haploid induction parameters and trait correlation in wheat x maize system. Euphytica 144: 199-205 (if=1.692, ci=1.11)

9. Chaudhary, H.K., Dhaliwal, I., Singh, S. and Sethi, G.S. 2003. Genetics of androgenesis in winter and spring wheat genotypes. Euphytica 132 (3), 311-319 (if=1.692, ci=1.91)

10. Singh, S., Chaudhary, H. K. and Sethi, G.S. 2000. Distribution and allelic expressivity of genes for hybrid necrosis in some elite winter and spring wheat ecotypes. Euphytica 112: 95-100 (if=1.692, ci=0.50)

43

DASIKATTE, BASAVARAJAPPA RANGAPPA (b 1963), Professor of Agronomy and University Head, UAS, DHARWAD Member of the NASI: No (YON 2013, Agricultural Sciences) Dr. R. Basavarajappa Professor and University Head, Department of Agronomy, UAS, Dharwad, Karnataka was involved in development of crop varieties SIA-2642 (foxtail millet) MAS-946-1 and MAS-26 (aerobic rice varieties) and KM-101(Thanu) rice variety. He developed Agronomic technologies namely • Pandimethaline @ 5 lit/ha+diuran @1.25kg/ha as post emergent weedicide in cotton. • Mepiquat chloride @2 ml/lit. at 50 and 75 DAS,reduces vegetative growth in cotton. • Increasing cropping intensity by growing cotton + onion during kharif followed by wheat in rabi. • Fertilizer level to pre-release Navani variety,SIA-2642 (25:15:15 kg NPK/ha) and Savi variety,TNAU-63 (25:15:15 kg NPK/ha) • Inter cropping system of Little millet or Foxtail millet and Finger millet with pigeon pea and Sesame in 4:2 row proportions. • Intercropping of Sesame + Pigeon pea, Foxtail millet + Green gram / Matki and Little millet + Green gram / cowpea in 4:2 row proportions . • Copper ore Tailing @ 1.5 t/ha in chilli as source of micronutrient to enhance productivity and improve soil fertility. • Chapter on small millets in the ―Package of Practices‖ book of UAS Dharwad. • Rice(kharif)- Ridgegouard/ Tomato/ Cluster been/ Radish(rabi/ summer) based cropping system • Organic sources (cow dung slurry/Glyricidia/paddy straw) in the long run could save 25-50% of the inorganic nutrient requirement in rice-rice system. • Nitrogen management in paddy through LCC. Parthenium@ 2.5 t/ha. as green manure in paddy along with 5t FYM /ha • He has published 55 Research publications and Published four books. • Increasing the plant population by 25% than the normal helps to achieve maximum rice yields.

Proposer : Dr. Abrol Yash Pal, Seconder : Dr. Abrol Inder Pal Ten Best Publications: 1. BASAVARAJAPPA,R ., PRABHAKAR, A.S. AND HALIKATTI S. I., 2002, Effect of tillage practices, organics and nitrogen levels on yield and economics of foxtail millet during rainy season. Indian J. of Agril sciences, 72(7): 416-417. (if=0.10-0.20 (6.6), ci=NISCAIR CABI IABA and NAAS) 2. SHASHI KUMAR, BASAVARAJAPPA, R., M.P., SALAKINKOP,S.R.,PATIL H.Y. AND HEBBAR. M., 2012, Influence of foliar nutrition on performance of blackgram (Vigna mungo l.), nutrient uptake and economics under dry land ecosystems. Legume Research,36(5):422-428 (if=0.08-0.10 (6.5), ci=NISCAIR CABI IABA and NAAS) 3. MANJUNATH, B. N., BASAVARAJAPPA, R., SIDRAMAPPA, A.S., POLICE PATIL., YOGESHAPPA, H. AND KALYANMURTHY., 2010, Effect of age of seedlings under different system of rice intensification (SRI). International J. Agril. Sciences, 6(2): 377-379. (if=0.0 (3.9), ci=CABI IABA and NAAS) 4. RAVI, N., BASAVARAJAPPA, R., CHANDRASHEKAR, C. P. and HARLAPUR, S.I., 2013, Response of quality protein maize(QPM) to integrated nutrient management on yield, nutrient uptake and availability of nutrients during summer. International J. Agril. Sciences, 9(1):126-129. (if=0.0 (3.9), ci=CABI IABA and NAAS) 5. BASAVARAJAPPA, R., 2013, Evaluation of TwinN in rabi sorghum on growth and growth parameters in northern transitional zone of Karnataka. International J. Agril. Sciences, 9(1):314-316 (if=0.0 (3.9), ci=CABI IABA and NAAS) 6. BASAVARAJAPPA, R., KORADDI, V. R., AND KAMATH, K.S., 1997, Response of cotton cv. Abhadita to soil and foliar application of micronutrients under rainfed conditions. Karnataka Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 10(2): 287-291. KJAS (if=0.0 (3.3), ci=CABI ILN and NAAS) 7. BASAVARAJAPPA, R., PRABHAKAR. A. S. AND HALIKATTI, S. I., 2003, Foxtail millet based inter cropping system under shallow alfisols. Karnataka J. Agril, Sciences, 16(4): 514-518. (if=0.0 (3.3), ci=CABI ILN and NAAS) 8. BASAVARAJAPPA, R. AND PRABHAKAR. A. S., 2002, Studies on tillage practices organic, nitrogen levels on foxtail millet yield and nutrient uptake under shallow alfisols. Karnataka Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 15(3): 457-461. (if=0.0 (3.3), ci=CABI ILN and NAAS) 9. BASAVARAJAPPA,R ., PRABHAKAR, A. S. AND HALIKATTI S. I., 2002, Effect of tillage practices, organics and nitrogen levels on yield and economics of foxtail millet during kharif. Karnataka Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 15(3): 485-490. (if=0.0 (3.3), ci=CABI ILN and NAAS) 10. BASAVARAJAPPA, R. AND PRABHAKAR, A.S., 2003, Foxmillet based cropping sequences, production potential and monetary returns under shallow alfisols. Mysore J. Agril, Sciences, 37(3): 236- (if=0.0 (2.9), ci=CABI IABA and NAAS)

44

DEVI, LAISHRAM SOBITA (b 1960), Professor, Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology &

Sciences (Formerly Allahabad Agriculture Institute) (Deemed to be University) Allahabad Member of the NASI: Yes (YON 2013, Agricultural Sciences) Prof. (Dr.) Mrs. Sobita Devi, Head, Department of Plant Protection,SHIATS, Allahabad has been known to me professionally for more than 20 years. Her passion for research has afforded her many awards sponsored by CSIR, UGC, and DST Govt. of India. For three years (2004-07) she was selected as National career Awardee by UGC, New Delhi. Her work has been published in many National and International Journals and she is a member of twelve academic societies. To date she has successfully guided fourteen PhD theses. The most significant research contribution of the nominee relates to studies she conducted on molecular mapping of gene conferring resistant to M. graminicola in rice. Extensive evaluation were done using PCR based amplified products, which resulted in the polymorphic identification of the genes through bulk segregation analysis. Out of 50 rice lines screened 13 were found to be highly resistant and 24 were resistant. The result obtained have been catalogued with UGC. Her main area of focus has been to develop integrated pest management modules for some major plant endo-parasitic nematodes, such as H. cajani of some pulses, M. incognita of vegetables, H. mucronata and M. graminicola of rice and P. thornei of gram singly and in complex association with other soil micro-organisms, like Pythium spp. F. oxysporum spp and R. solani of major field crops.

Proposer : Prof. Anupam Dikshit, Seconder : Dr. Krishna Pal Singh Ten Best Publications: 1. Sobita Simon and Anamika (2011) Agro-based waste products as a substrate for mass production of

Trichoderma spp. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES, 3(4):168-171 (if=2.041) 2. Sobita Simon (2011) Management of Root knot disease in rice caused by Meloidogyne grminicola

through Nematophagous Fungi JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES, 3(1):122-126 (if=2.041) 3. Sobita Simon and Anamika (2011) Sustainable plant disease management of wilt of chickpea caused

by fungi-nematode interaction JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES, 3(4):272-276 (if=2.041) 4. Sobita Simon, Abhilasha A. Lal and Mayank Kumar (2013). A new record of leaf spot disease of Vigna

unguiculata L. caused by Drechslera australiensis (Bugnic.) Subram and B. L. Jain 1966 in India.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND RESEARCH, 3(3):149-150 (if=4.12) 5. Sobita Simon, Abhilasha A. Lal and Hayder, M. (2013). Record of Root-knot nematode Meloidogyne

incognita infesting banana in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BOTANY

AND RESEARCH, 3(3):51-54 (if=1.45) 6. L. Sobita Devi, Abhishek Dass, Manish K. Pande and C. R. Kole (2006) Depiction of genetic diversity in

Rice CROP RESEARCH AND INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL, 32(3):459-461 (if=0.036) 7. L. Sobita Devi, Firdoos Ahmad Raina, Manish K. Pandey and C. R. Kole (2006). Genetic parameters of

variation for yield and its components in rice (Oryza sativa) CROP RESEARCH AND INTERNATIONAL

JOURNAL, 32(1):69-71 (if=0.036) 8. Devi, S.L. and Wang, Y.R. (1995) Effect of chopped some plant for management of Rotylenchulus

reniformis on pigeonpea ACTA AGRICULTURAE UNIVERSITATIS JIANGXIENSIS, 17(3):345-347 (if=9.0

(INDEX COPERNICUS)) 9. Mukesh Dongre and Sobita Simon (2013). Efficacy of certain botanical Extracts in the management

Meloidogyne graminicola of rice. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND RESEARCH,

3(3):91-98.(if=4.12) 10. Anoorag Rajnikant Tayde & Sobita Simon (2013). Studies on Biology and Morphometris of Hadda

Beetle, Epilachna vigintioctopunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) a Serious Pest of Bitter Gourd,

Momordica charantia, in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE

AND RESEARCH, 3(4):133-138 ( if=4.12)

45

GOPAL, MADHUBAN (b 1951), National Fellow & Principal Scientist, Indian Agricultural Research

Institute, New Delhi 110012. Member of the NASI : No (YON 2013, Agricultural Sciences) Dr Madhuban Gopal activated carbon monoxide (CO) for developing a novel non-cyanide route of synthesis by using in-situ generated metal catalysts and evolved methods for detoxification of pesticides. His experiments on decontamination of pesticides using solar energy, nanotechnology and novel way of utilizing microorganisms and enzymes as well as chemicals are of practical utility. His citation index is 653, and technologies based on his initiative have been adopted by researchers and industry. He prepared reference materials of pesticides and their metabolites and provided leadership to the Delhi Centre of All India Coordinated Research Project on Pesticide Residues. Having prepared nanopesticides effective at lower dosage than conventional agrochemicals, he evaluated safety of nanoparticles. He refined and validated IPM packages for vegetables and fruits to reduce the input of pesticides. Plant protection packages for the management of problem pests (aphids in mustard, diamondback moth in cabbage and Helicoverpa in tomato) have utilized both synthetic and bio-pesticides. He proposed Maximum Residue Limit of pesticides on pulses and maize and passed them to Codex Alimentarius Commission (FAO/WHO). Dr Gopal improved analytical methods for the quantity control of synthetic and bio-pesticides (e.g. BT). He developed methods for estimation of pesticides in drinking water at sub ppb level and assisted BIS in fixing new MCL for water to help Indian laboratories for enhancing their capability for analyzing pesticide residues at 0.1 ppb level. He designed the course ―Agrochemicals: Regulation, Quality Control and Management‖ and trained students in management and was rightly awarded best teacher award.

Proposer : Prof. Nagendra Kumar Singh, Seconder : Dr. Tilak Raj Sharma Ten Best Publications: 1. Chromatographic techniques in the analysis of organochlorine pesticide residues. Journal of

Chromatography A 754 (1), 33-42, 1996 (IF=4.531, CI=64)

2. Organochlorine pesticide residues in dairy milk in and around Delhi. Journal of AOAC International 76

(2), 283, 1993 (IF=2.109, CI=35) 3. Synthesis of diynes, alpha, beta.-unsaturated monoacids and diacids by the selective palladium (0)-catalyzed and phase transfer catalyzed reactions of vinylic dibromides Organometallics 2 (7), 801-805,

1983 (IF=3.963, CI=35) 4. Biodegradation of beta-cyfluthrin by Pseudomonas stutzeri strain S1. Biodegradation 16 (6), 581-589,

2005 (IF=2.017, CI=28) 5. Insecticide residues in baby food, animal feed, and vegetables by gas liquid chromatography. Bulletin

of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 56 (3), 381-388, 1996 (IF=1.139, CI=28)

6. Biodegradation of β-Cyfluthrin by Fungi. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 52 (5), 1220-1223,

2004 (IF=2.823, CI=27) 7. Organochlorine insecticide residues in drinking and ground water in and around Delhi. Environmental

Monitoring and Assessment 76 (2), 185-193, 2002 (IF=1.400, CI=25) 8. Environmental behaviour and translocation of imidacloprid in eggplant, cabbage and mustard Pest

Management Science 56 (10), 932-936, 2000 (IF=2.251, CI=24) 9. Degradation of beta endosulfan by Aspergillus Niger . Toxicological & Environmental Chemistry 46 (4),

217-221, 1994 (IF=2.809, CI=24)

10. Residue behaviour of fenvalerate, tau fluvalinate, lambda cyhalothrin and monocrotophos in eggplant

(Solanum melongena L.) fruits. Pesticide science 36 (3), 175-179, 1992 (IF=2.251, CI=21)

46

GOYAL, AAKASH (b. 1979), Canadian Wheat Breeder, Bayer Crop Science, Lab 10,410 Downey Road,

Saskatoon Saskatchewan, S7N4N1, Canada Member of the NASI: No (YON 2013, Agricultural Sciences) An expert in Agriculture and Plant Biotechnology along with breeding, molecular biology and tissue

culture techniques. He did his Masters in Biotechnology from Guru Jambeshwar University Hissar, India (2001); and Ph.D. in Genetics and Plant Breeding from Ch.Charan Singh University Meerut, India (2007). After Ph.D. he has been a recipient of prestigious NSREC Visiting Fellowship of Canada and worked in spring wheat and triticale molecular breeding programs of Lethbridge Research Center, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. After successful completion of three years of Fellowship he applied for research scientist position with Bayer and got selected for this January 2012. Currently at Saskatoon with Bayer, now working on the development of new wheat primaries from new sources of wheat germplasm, wide crosses, with emphasis on Yield, FHB and Rust disease resistance. Also using some advance technologies e.g. microspore and Maize Pollinated based double haploid production and Marker Assisted Selection (MAS) to pyramid different biotic and abiotic resistance genes in wheat.

Proposer : Prof. C.Manoharachary, Seconder : Prof. G.K.Srivastava Ten Best Publications: 1. Kavanagh V.B., Hills M.J., Goyal A., Randhawa H.S.,Topinka A.K., Eudes. F. and Hall L.M.* (2013) Molecular markers as a complimentary tool in risk assessments: Quantifying interspecific gene flow triticale to spring wheat and durum wheat. Transgenic Research (if = 2.754). 2. Mukhtar. Ahmed,Atif Kamran, Muhammad Asif,Ummara, Rehman, Zammurad Iqba Ahmed, Aaash Goyal* (2013) Silicon priming:a potential source to impart abiotic stress tolerance in wheat: A Review. Australian Journal of Crop Science (if = 1.63). 3. Muhammad Asif, Francis Eudes*, Aakash Goyal, Eric Amundsen, Harpinder Randhawa and Dean Spanner (2013) Organelle antioxidants improve microspore embryogenesis in wheat and triticale. In Virto Cellular and Development Biology-Plant. (if = 1.497). 4. Kumar S., Goyal A., Mohan A. Balyan H.S. and Gupta P.K.*(2012) Further addition to physical maps of simple sequence repeats (SSRs) in bread wheat. In Special Issure on wheat in Australian Journal of Crop Science (if = 1.63). 5. Goyal A.* (2012) Protected areas, sustainable land? Book review in Agriculture and Human Values (if = 1.54). 6. Armghan Shahzad, Muhammad Iqbal, Muhammad Asif*, Arvind H. Hirani, Aakash Goyal(2013) Growing wheat on saline lands: Can a dream come true? Australian Journal of Crop Science. (if = 1.63) 7. Mukhtar A., Muhammad A., Hirani A., Mustazar N.A., and Goyal A*. (2013) Modeling for Agricultural Sustainability: A Review. Book Chapter in Agriculture Sustainability Ed. By Bhullar G. and Bhullar N.K. by Elsevier Publication Houses. (Chapter 07,127-143) 8. Goyal A* and Mukhtar A. (2012) BARLEY: Production, Improvement, and Uses Book review. Crop Science 52:2852-2853 (if = 1.73) 9. Kumar A.,Bassi FM., Paux E., Al-Azzam O., Jimenez M., Denton A., Yong Q GuYQ., Huttner E., Kilian A., Kumar S., Goyal A., Iqbal JM., Tiwari V., Dogramaci M., Balyan HS., Dhaliwal HS., Gupta PK., Randhawa GS., Feuillet C., Pawlowski W. and Kianian SF*. (2012) DNA repair and crossing over favor similar chromosome regions as discovered in radiation hybrid of Triticum. BMC Genomics 13:339-351. (if = 4.07) 10. Goyal A*. And Mohammad A. (2012) Food Security in Africa and Asia Strategies for Small-scale Agricultural Development by Henk Bakker published by CAB International Book Review in Agriculture and Human values DOI 10.1007/s10460-012-9397-3. (if = 1.54)

47

JAIN, VANITA (b 1967), Principal Scientist, ICAR, New Delhi


Studies have led to understanding the various aspects of process of nitrate assimilation The differences in NUE of High Nitrate Reductase and Low Nitrate Reductase were found to be due to the coordinated expression and activity of transporters and all the enzymes of nitrogen assimilation pathway (J. of Plant Biology, 2006, 32: 43-48; Physiol. Mol. Biol. Plants:2011, 17: 137-144) the enzyme nitrate reductase is also regulated by Oxidation of methionine to Met sulfoxide can couple oxidative signals to changes in protein phosphorylation, in vitro as well as in vivo (Biochem. J. 2009, 422,: 305-312). Associative symbiosis with N2 fixing bacteria in maize enhanced activity of enzymes of ammonia assimilation pathway and phytohomones resulting in similar yield and higher grain N with lower application of chemical fertilizers. (Cereal Research Communications, 2004, 32: 83-89; Indian J. Agric. Sci. 2004, 74, 213-214; Curr. Sci; 2007, 93; 1296-1300; Indian J. Plant Physiology.,2003, 539-544). The CO2 changed the composition of the grains in terms of amino acids and led to decline in N concentration by inhibiting nitrate photoassimilation (Biol. Plant. 51: 559-562, 2007; Agric Ecosyst Environ. 101: 31-38; 2004.). Ammonical-N enhanced nitrogen concentration in wheat: indicating thereby that rising CO2 levels may lead to changes in the pattern of fertigations in future (Indian J. Plant Physiology, 2013). Cytokinins prevented the degradation of carbonylated proteins via 26 S proteasome pathway (Plant Cell Physiol. 2008, 49, 843-852) and has relevance to protein homeostasis in responses to changes in N nutrition

Proposer : Dr. P. Anandakumar, Seconder : Dr. T. R. Sharma


1. Vanita Jain, M. Pal, K. C. Lekkineni, YP Abrol . 1999. Photosynthetic characteristics in two wheat genotypes as affected by nitrogen nutrition. Biol. Plant. 42:217-222. (if=1.69, ci=Cited by 10)

2. D.C. Uprety, N. Dwivedi, V. Jain, R. Mohan. 2002. Effect of elevated carbon dioxide concentration on the stomatal parameters of rice cultivars. Photosyn. 40: 315-319, 2002. (if=1.000, ci=Cited by 25)

3. Pal M., Karthikeyapandian., Vanita Jain., Srivastava A.C., Raj A., Sengupta U.K. 2004. Biomass production and nutritional levels of berseem (Trifolium alexandrium) grown under elevated CO2. Agriculture Ecosystem and Environment. 101: 31-38. (if=3.004, ci=Cited by 25)

4. Mamta Rai, Madan Pal, K. V. Sumesh, Vanita Jain, and A. Sankaranarayanan. 2006. Engineering for biosynthesis of ecotine (2methyl4-carboxy tetrahydro pyrimidine) in tobacco chloroplasts leads to accumulation of ecotine and enhanced salinity. Plant Sci., 170: 291-306. (if=2.92, ci=Cited by 9)

5. S.P. Saikia and Vanita Jain. 2007. Biological nitrogen fixation with non-legumes: an achievable target or a dogma. Current Science 92:317-322. (Impact factor 1.04. Scholarly articles for Current Science nitrogen fixation Biological nitrogen fixation with non-legumes(if=1.40, ci=Cited by 24)

6. Vanita Jain., Pal.,M., Raj, A., Kheterpal, S. and Srivastava, G.C. 2007. Photosynthesis and nutritional composition of spinach and fenugreek grown under elevated atmospheric CO2. Biol. Plant. 51: 559-562. (if=1.69, ci=Cited by 8)

7. Kant P.C.B, Bhadraray, S., Purakayastha, T.J., Vanita Jain., Madan Pal and Datta S.C. 2007. Active carbon pools in rhizosphere of wheat( Triticum aestivum L.) grown under elevated atmospheric carbon di oxide concentrationin a typic heplusept in subtropical India. Environ. Pollut. 147: 273-281. (if=3.746, ci=Cited by 14)

8. Quan-Sheng Qiu, Joan L. Huber, Fitzgerald L. Booker, Vanita Jain, Andrew D.B. Leakey, Edwin L. Fiscus, Peter M. Yau, Donald R. Ort and Steven C. Huber 2008. Increased protein carbonylation in leaves of Arabidopsis and soybean in response to elevated [CO2]. Photosyn. Res, 97: 155-166. (if=3.243, ci=Cited by 33)

9. Vanita Jain, Werner Kaiser, Steven C Huber . 2008. Cytokinin inhibits the proteasome-mediated degradation of carbonylated proteins in Arabidopsis leaves. Plant Cell Physiol. 49: 843-852 (if=4.702, ci=Cited by 19)

10. Shane C. Hardin, Clayton T. Larue, Man-Ho Oh, Vanita Jain, Steven C Huber. 2009 Coupling oxidative signals to protein phosphorylation via methionine oxidation in Arabidopsis. Biochem. J., 422: 305-312. (if=4.654, ci=Cited by 53)

48

KANNEPALLI, ANNAPURNA (b 1959), Principal Scientist, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New

Delhi-110012 Member of the NASI: No (YON 2013, Agricultural Sciences) Dr. K. Annapurna focused her research efforts in exploiting the genetic diversity of rhizobia, PGPR and

soybean-microbe interactions for nitrogen fixation, biotic and abiotic stress management. For the first time she showed an in situ localization of Paenibacillus polymyxa in root nodules of soybean (Annapurna et al 2013). Broad spectrum PGPR identified as Paenibacillus polymyxa HKA-15, with strong antimicrobial

activity produced a resilient cyclic peptide and depsipeptide. Charcoal rot in soybean and bacterial blight in cowpea are reduced by 80% in the presence of P. polymyxa HKA-15 (Senthil et al. 2007, 2008, 2009;

Mageshwaran et al. 2010, 2011, 2012). Dr. Annapurna showed that high genetic diversity existed in nodule symbionts of Indian soybean cultivars (SatyaPrakash and Annapurna, 2006; Pham et al. 2007) and endophytic rhizobia in rice (Ramesh et al. 2006). Exploitation of the diversity resulted in developing a molecular marker (a 110bp RSα) for rapid identification of soybean bradyrhizobia (Annapurna et al. 2007). Her research has brought into commercial production of highly effective strains of Bradyrhizobium japonicum ; SB 103, SB 119, and DS-1which are used in soybean inoculation in the country. These bio-inoculants has improved crop growth and yield by 5-15%. Isolation, cloning and functional validation of acdS (Govindasamy et al. 2008, 2009), otsA and mltD genes for abiotic stresses like heavy metal and salinity is an important contribution. Dr. Annapurna‘s group have submitted ~ 150 bacterial (16S rDNA, acdS, nifH, mltD) genes to GenBank NCBI.

Proposer : Prof. Appa Rao Podile, Seconder : Dr. P. Anand Kumar Ten Best Publications: 1. K. Annapurna and Y.D. Gaur 1998. Antigenic diversity amongst strains of Azospirillum from an Indian soil and their host specificity. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 30: 1217-1219. (if=3.654, ci=02) 2. Ramesh K. Singh, Ravi P.N.Mishra, Hemant K. Jaiswal, Vinod Kumar, Shree P.Pandey, Sasi B.Rao and K. Annapurna 2006. Isolation and identification of natural endophytic rhizobia from Rice (Oryza sativa L.) through rDNA PCR RFLP and sequence analysis. Current Microbiology. 52: 345-349 (if=1.52, ci=43) 3. Pham Q Hung, M.Senthil Kumar, V. Govindsamy and K Annapurna 2007. Isolation and characterization of endophytic bacteria from wild and cultivated soybean varieties. Biology and Fertility of Soils. 44: 155-162. (if=2.505, ci=26) 4. M. Senthilkumar, V.Govindasamy and K. Annapurna 2007. Role of antibiosis on charcoal rot disease suppression by Soybean endophytic bacterium Paenibacillus sp. strain HKA 15. Current Microbiology, 55: 25-29. (if=1.52, ci=23) 5. K. Annapurna, N. Balakrishnan and L. Vital 2007. Verification and rapid identification of soybean bradyrhizobia in Indian soils. Current Microbiology 54: 287-291. (if=1.52, ci=08) 6. V. Govindasamy, M. Senthilkumar, Kishore Gaikwad and K. Annapurna 2008. Isolation and characterization of ACC deaminase gene from two plant growth promoting rhizobacteria. Current Microbiology. 57: 312-317. (if=1.52, ci=15) 7. Young-Keun Lee, M. Senthilkumar, Jung-Hun Kim, K. Swarnalakshmi and K. Annapurna. 2008. Purification and Partial characterization of antifungal metabolite from Paenibacillus lentimorbus WJ5. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology. 24: 3057 3062. (if=1.262, ci=12) 8. M. Senthilkumar, K. Swarnalakhmi, V. Govindasamy, Young Keun Lee and K. Annapurna. 2009. Biocontrol potential of Soybean bacterial endophytes against charcoal rot fungus Rhizoctonia bataticola. Current Microbiology. 58: 288-293 (if=1.52, ci=21) 9. Young-Keun Lee, Senthilkumar M, Annapurna K 2011. Gamma radiation induced modifications in substrate specificity of glucose dehydrogenase and carbon source utilization pattern of Pantoea strains. Biotechnology Letters. 33: 2391-2396. (if=1.853, ci=03) 10. Kannepalli Annapurna, Dhanushkodi Ramadoss, Pranita Bose and Lakkineni VithalKumar 2013. In situ localization of Paenibacillus polymyxa HKA-15 in roots and root nodules of soybean (Glycine max.L.). Plant and Soil 373: 641-648. (if=2.638, ci=01)

49

MEHTA, NARESH KUMAR (b 1956), Professor, Plant Pathology, CCS HAU, Hisar Member of the NASI: No (YON 2013, Agricultural Sciences) Dr. Naresh Mehta has contributed immensely to the field of Plant Pathology as evident from a large number of publications in National and International journals of repute. His classical work on identification of two races of Peronospora parasitica and four pathotypes of A. brassicae in rapeseed-mustard has received global recognition and being utilized in development of resistant varieties worldwide. His studies on safe fungicide residue limit in mustard, has laid the foundation for harvesting residue-free produce. Disease prediction models for major diseases of rapeseed-mustard based on epidemiological studies have remarkable impact in judicious use of fungitoxicants in disease management and thereby reducing overdependence on pesticides. His expertise and contribution in Tissue culture techniques have been successfully employed for generation of disease resistant calli and biochemical basis of disease resistance. Plant clinic, rendering timely diagnostic and remedial measures, established under his supervision is a model and his induction as Member of ―International Working Group on Plant Health Clinic‖ is testimony to his significant contribution in this area. Published 2 books, 10 Manuals, contributed 17 book chapters, 17 lead/invited conference lectures, 7 reviews and 95 research papers, speaks of his dynamism and capabilities. He has guided over a dozen of students in plant pathology, and contributed in several National and International conferences in India, Canada, New Zealand and Italy. In recognition of his outstanding contribution in Plant Pathology, I strongly recommend Dr. Naresh Kumar Mehta for election to the Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India, which he richly deserves.

Proposer : Dr. MP. Srivastava, Seconder : Dr. B.L. Jalali Ten Best Publications: 1. Mehta, Naresh, G. S. Saharan and T. S. Kathpal. (1997). Absorption and degradation of metalaxyl in mustard plant (Brassica juncea). Eco-toxicology and Environmental Safety, USA 37: 119-124. (if=2.482) 2. Srivastava, M. P., M. S. Sangwan, Naresh Mehta and Rakesh Kumar (2001) Evaluation of Brassica varieties for resistance to Alternaria brassicae (Berk.) Sacc. under epidemic conditions. Tests Agrochemicals & Cultivars (Ann. Appl. Bio. Suppl.). 22: 30-31. (if=1.955) 3. Arora, Y.K., N. Mehta, D. P. Thakur and D. S. Wagle. (1986). Enzyme changes associated with host parasite interactions between pearl- millet and downy mildew fungus. Journal of Phytopathology (Phytopath. Z.) 116: 97-105. (if=0.921) 4. Madaan, R.L., J. N. Chand and Naresh Mehta (1986). Physiological studies on Alternaria state of Pleospora infectoria causing leaf spot disease of ber. Indian J. Microbiology 26: 162-164. (if=0.832) 5. Mehta, Naresh, P. C. Gupta, R. K. Thareja and J. K. Dang (1989). Varietal behaviour and efficacy of different fungicides for the control of date-palm leaf spot caused by Graphiola phoenicis. International Journals of Pest Management (Formerly PANS Tropical Pest Management) 35: 117-119. (if=0.75) 6. Kumar, Prabhat, M.S. Sangwan, Naresh Mehta and Santosh Kumar (2014). Anti-oxidative enzymes changes associated with chickpea calli tolerant to Ascochyta rabiei culture. Journal of Environmental Biology: 35 (3): 491-496 (if=0.553) 7. Malik, Heetika, Anjula Dahiya, Rakesh Kumar, M. S. Sangwan, Naresh Mehta and Naresh Sangwan. (2001). Synthesis and bio efficacy evaluation of 2-[4-(3-arylprop-2-enoyl) phenoxy]-N-substituted acetamides and 2-[4-(5-aryl-4, 5-dihydro-1-H-pyrazol-3-yl) – phenoxy] acetic acid hydrazides as potential pesticides. Indian J. Chemistry 40B: 682-687. (if=0.489) 8. Mehta, Naresh and D.P. Thakur. (1986). Role of different grasses in the occurrence of ergot in pearl millet. Indian J. Agril. Sci. 56: 473-475. (if=0.177) 9. Kumar, Prabhat, M.S. Sangwan and Naresh Mehta (2014). A protocol for efficient callus induction from hypocotyls explants in chickpea (Cicer arietinum). Indian J. Agril. Sci. 84: 166-168. (if=0.177) 10. Gupta Anil, Bal Mukand, Naresh Mehta and S. K. Gandhi (2008). Efficacy of bio-agents and plant extracts against Colletotrichum lagenarium causing anthracnose of bottle gourd. Researches on Crops 9 (2): 485-489 (if=NA)

50

PANDEY, RAKESH (b 1960) Principal Scientist & Head, Microbial Technology & Nematology Department, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow


Over the years contributed significantly in developing environment friendly green technologies for higher production and value addition of medicinal and aromatic plants and to improve soil health. A strain of Trichoderma harzianum useful as plant growth promoter and phytonematode inhibitor was developed.It was found that distillation wastes of Mentha arvensis and Cymbopogon winterianus can serve as better media for mass multiplication of T. harzianum and T. virens with longer shelf life and better nematode disease control. Several resistance inducers were screened for their resistance including efficiency against root-knot disease of mints, ashwagandha, henbane and chamomile. A complete recycling package of managing distillation and agro waste of medicinal and aromatic plants for production of superior quality of vermicomposts was developed. Cellulolytic microbes were screened for higher cellulose activities and a strain of Trichoderma was developed producing higher amount of exo-, endo-glucanase, and beta glucosidase. Vermicompost integration of the same strain considerably reduced the decomposing period and was also helpful in reducing incidence of nematode infestation. Aqueous extracts of vermicompost from menthol mint and geranium were found inhibitory to hatching of Meloidogyne eggs and significantly reduced the nematode infection in plants. Vermicompost was established as better carrier supporting higher population of beneficial microbes compared to conventional carrier and can be directly applied to the fields in standing crops/ plantation. Developed microbial consortia (Trichoderma harzianum, Bacillus megaterium, Pseudomonas fluorescens) for better crop yield and disease management of medicinal and aromatic plants. Six phytomolecules possesses antiageing activities have been reported using Caenorhabditis elegans model.

Proposer : Prof. H.N.Verma, Seconder : Dr. B. P. Singh

Ten Best Publications: 1. Pandey, R., Kalra, A., Tandon, S., Mehrotra, N., Singh, H. N. & S. Kumar. Essential oils as potent source of nematicidal compounds, Journal of Phytopathology, 148: 501-502. Germany 2000. if=0.937 ci=79 2. Khare, P., Sonane, M., Pandey, R., Ali S., Gupta, KC and A. Satish. Adverse effect of TiO2 and Zno nanoparticles in soil nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology 7: 116-117. 2011 UK. if=4.216 ci=55 3. Pandey, R. Management of Meloidogyne incognita in Artemisia pallens with Bio-organics, Phytoparasitica 33 (3): 304 -308. Israel 2005. if=0.887 ci=19 4. Pandey, R.. Gupta, M .L. Singh, H. B. and Kumar, S. Interaction potentialities of Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi with root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita on black henbane. Bioresource Technology 69: 275-278. UK 1999. if=4.301 ci=15 5. Haseeb, A and Pandey R. 1987. Incidence of root-knot nematodes in medicinal and aromatic Plants-New Host records. Nematropica 17:209-212. USA 1987. if=0.652 ci=15 6. Pandey R. Additive effect of three organic materials and pesticides on the reproduction of Meloidogyne incognita and yield of Mentha arvensis, Nematropica 30: 155-160. U.S.A. 2000. if=0.652 ci=13 7. V Shukla, D Yadav, SC Phulara, MM Gupta, SK Saikia, R Pandey. Longevity-promoting effects of 4-hydroxy-E-globularinin in Caenorhabditis elegans, Free Radical Biology and Medicine 53 (10), 1848-1856. USA 2012. if=5.983 ci=08 8. R Pandey, S Gupta, S Tandon, O Wolkenhauer, J Vera, SK Gupta, Baccoside A suppresses epileptic-like seizure/convulsion in Caenorhabditis elegans, Seizure 19 (7), 439-442. U.K. 2010. if=2.003 ci=07 9. Haseeb, A. & R. Pandey. Root-knot disease of henbane, Hyoscyamus- A new disease records, Tropical Pest Management 35:212-21. U.K. 1989. if=0.690 ci=04 10. Haseeb, A, Pandey, R. and A. Husain. A comparison of nematicides and oil seed cakes for control of Meloidogyne incognita on Ocimum basilicum, Nematropica 18: 65-69. U.S.A. 1988. if=0.652 ci=11

51

PRAKASH, JAMUNA (b 1955), Professor, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Mysore, Mysore


The applicant has been very active in research as evidenced from research projects, publications, and guidance. She has won many accolades and awards for research achievements. Notable contribution are - Extensive work is done in the area of development, compositional analysis, storage stability and sensory evaluation of value added products such as fortified products, products with dehydrated green leafy vegetables, products utilizing bio-waste from food industry such as rice bran, wheat bran, industrial bio-waste in the form of pulp residue and peels of fruits and vegetables. Use of different processes and ingredients for lowering the fat absorption in fried products, such as pre-thermal processing of ingredients, use of jack seed flour, soy flour and dehydration techniques. Use of natural emulsifiers for lowering the fat content of curries has been a major contribution. Food and Nutrition Security as impacted by utilization of nutrients: Food matrix is a major determinant of nutritional quality of foods as the amount of utilizable nutrient from a food depends on the overall food matrix apart from the composition. This concept has been forwarded through research studies undertaken on the digestibility/bioaccessibility of nutrients. Antioxidant properties of foods, are determined not only by the presence of antioxidant components but also by the processing conditions as some of the processes enhance availability of antioxidant components whereas others may reduce it thus influencing the antioxidant potential. In a unique study, effects of digestive enzymes on antioxidant properties of foods has also been investigated.

Proposer : Dr. V. Prakash, Seconder : Dr. H. Shekar Shetty


1. Jamuna Prakash. Rice bran proteins: properties and food used. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 1996, 36 (6) 537-552.(if=5.548, ci=103)

2. Gayatri G.N., Kalpana Platel, Jamuna Prakash and Srinivasan K. Influence of antioxidant spices on the retention of B-carotene in vegetables during domestic cooking process. Food Chemistry. 2004, 84:35-43. (if=3.259, ci=58)

3. Mamatha Kumari, Sheetal Gupta, Jyothi Lakshmi A. and Jamuna Prakash. Iron availability in greens cooked in different utensils. Food Chemistry. 2004, 86(2), 217-222 (if=3.259, ci=36)

4. Sheetal Gupta, Jyothi Lakshmi A., Manjunath M. N. and Jamuna Prakash. Analysis of nutrient and antinutrient content of underutilized green leafy vegetables. LWT, Food Science and Technology, 2005, 38 (4), 339-345. (if=2.024, ci=88)

5. Shyamala B. N., Sheetal Gupta, Jyothi Lakshmi A. and Jamuna Prakash. Leafy vegetable extracts – Antioxidant activity and effect on storage stability of heated oils. Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies. 2005, 6 (2): 239-245. (if=3.342, ci=87)

6. Reihaneh A. Ghavidel and Jamuna Prakash. Effect of germination and dehulling on functional properties of legume flours. Journal of Science of Food and Agriculture. 2006, 86 (8): 1189-1195. (if=1.879, ci=41)

7. Naveeda Khatoon and Jamuna Prakash. Nutrient retention in microwave cooked germinated legumes. Food Chemistry. 2006, 97 ( 1):115-121. (if=3.259, ci=32)

8. Reihaneh A. Ghavidel and Jamuna Prakash. The impact of germination and dehulling on nutrients, antinutrients, in vitro iron and calcium bioavailability and in vitro starch and protein digestibility of some legume seeds. LWT, Food Science and Technology, 2007, 40 (7): 1292-1299. (if=2.024, ci=103)

9. Rhicha Sinha, Radha C., Jamuna Prakash and Purnima Kaul. Whey Protein Hydrolysate: Functional Properties, nutritional quality and utilization in beverage formulation. Food Chemistry. 2007, 101(4): 1501-1508. (if=3.259, ci=108)

10. Sheetal Gupta and Jamuna Prakash. Studies on Indian green leafy vegetables for their antioxidant activity. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition. 2009, 64(1), 39-45. (if=2.416, ci=119)

52

RAIZADA, SUDHIR (b 1956), Principal Scientist, NBFGR, Lucknow


Dr Sudhir Raizada is a fish and fishery scientist for last 37 years in the ICAR set-up. He has made immense contributions in teaching, research and extension in the fisheries sector. In teaching and training, he has been associated with Ph.D., M.F.Sc., D.F.Sc., and certificate programmes of CIFE, Mumbai (Deemed University) and taught important topics of freshwater, brackishwater and marine fisheries. He supervised 11 students for their Ph.D. thesis and M.F.Sc. dissertations. His main areas of research are captive breeding, larval rearing and culture of commercial/prioritized/threatened fish and shellfish species; fish nutrition; ecotoxicology and fish health management. His noteworthy contributions in research are development of technologies of seed production of giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) using inland ground saline water which is first of its kind in the fisheries domain; commercial farming of tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) in inland ground saline water, captive breeding of threatened/prioritized fishes Wallago attu, Ompok bimaculatus, Channa striatus, Labeo dyocheilus, Labeo calbasu, Clarias batrachus. He has published 5 books, 6 book chapters, 50 research papers, 15 manuals, 50 popular articles and 12 technical reports and bulletins. His major contributions in infrastructure developments are ISO accredited, Ganga Aquarium, the best in the country; development of inland saline fish farm at Rohtak (Haryana) with facilities of prawn hatchery, wet labs and biology/chemistry laboratories. Conferred with prestigious Dr. Rajendra Prasad Puruskar of ICAR, Best Scientist awards of CIFE and NBFGR, Best Hindi Worker award, AEB Fellowship besides receiving 6 appreciation letters from authorities in India and abroad.

Proposer : (Late) Dr. S.A.H. Abidi, Seconder : Dr. P.K. Seth


1. Sudhir Raizada, Hasan Javed, S. Ayyappan, S.C. Mukhergee, U.K. Maheshwari. D. S. Fielder (2015). Hatchery seed production of giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii using inland ground saline water in India. Aquaculture Research, 46: 49–58(if=NAAS 7.23)

2. S. Raizada, C. S. Purushothaman, V. K. Sharma, V. Harikrishna, M. Rahaman, R. Kumar, J. Hasan and A. Kumar (2014). Survival and growth of tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) in inland saline water supplemented with potassium. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. India B, DOI 10.1007/s40011-014-0372-1. (if=NAAS 6.4)

3. Kailash Chandra Yadav, Abha Mishra, Sudhir Raizada, Vikash Sahu and Prem Prakash Srivastava (2014). Influence of formulated diet on survival and growth of giant-snakehead, Channa marulius reared in pond condition. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. India B. DOI 10.1007/s40011-0414-8. (if=NAAS 6.4)

4. Sudhir Raizada, K.K. Lal, U.K. Sarkar, P.K. Varshney, Vikash Sahu, Kailash C. Yadav, P. Agnihotri, A. Awasthi, J.K. Jena (2013). Captive breeding and embryonic development of butter catfish (Ompok bimaculatus, bloch 1794), a threatened fish of Indian sub-continent in northern India. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. India B. 83 (3): 333-339. (if=NAAS 6.4)

5. Prem P Srivastava, Shipra Chowdhary, Joy K Jena, Sudhir Raizada, Atul K Singh and Vipin Kumar (2013). Synergistic effects of thyroxine and feeding regimes on the survival and biomass gain in Asian catfish, magur (Clarias batrachus, Linn.). Natl. Acad. Sci. Lett. 36 (3): 265-270. (if=NAAS 6.24)

6. Rajesh Dayal, Prem P. Srivastava, Anita Bhatnagar, S. Raizada, Shipra Chowdhary, Akhilesh K. Yadav and Wazir S. Lakra (2013). Captive Spawning and larval rearing of the striped murrel, Channa striatus (Bloch) using Salmon Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone in agro-climatic conditions of Northern India. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. India B, 83 (1): 65-70. (if=NAAS 6.4)

7. Sudhir Raizada, Prem Prakash Srivastava, Piyush Punia, Kailash Chandra Yadav, Vikash Sahu, Shipra Chowdhary, Joykrushna Jena (2012). Dietary protein requirement of giant snakehead, Channa marulius (Ham., 1822) fry and impact on survival and growth. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. India B, 82 (4):489-496. (if=NAAS 6.4)

8. Shipra Chowdhury, P.P. Srivastava, Suman Mishra, A.K. Yadav, R. Dayal. S. Raizada and J.K. Jena (2012). Partial replacement of dietary animal protein with vegetable protein blend with different proportions of glucosamine on growth, feed efficiency, body composition and survival of fingerlings of Asian catfish (Clarias batrachus). National Academy Science Letters, 35 (4):291–297 .(if=NAAS 6.24)

9. Rana, K.S. and S. Raizada (2000). Histopathological alterations induced by tannery and textile dyeing effluents in the kidney of Labeo rohita (Ham.). J. Environ. Biol., 21 (4): 301-304. (if=NAAS 6.55)

10. Raizada, S. and K.S. Rana (1998). Acute toxicity of Malachite Green to an air-breathing teleost, Clarias batrachus (Linn.). J. Environ. Biol. 19 (3): 237-241. (if=NAAS 6.55)

http://m.f.sc/

http://d.f.sc/

http://m.f.sc/

53

SANDHU, JEET SINGH (b 1955), Agriculture Commissioner, Deptt Ag & Coop., Ministry of Agriculture,

New Delhi


Dr JS Sandhu was actively involved in basic and applied pulses research since 1985 at Punjab

Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana and developed 22 varieties of different pulse crops. His

contributions in interspecific hybridization in chickpea and Vigna species have been widely acclaimed. Dr

Sandhu has handled National and International research projects. He has guided, M.Sc and Ph.D of

students of Plant Breeding. Dr Sandhu has published 162 research papers in journals of national and

international reputes. He has provided leadership to PAU pulses scientists and also established linkages with national and international institutes. Dr Sandhu has significantly contributed as Assistant Director General (Seeds) with ICAR from March 2010 to March 2013, to enhance the breeder seed production and its policy planning. He has made a number of new initiatives to minimize varietal mis-match and varietal replacement. Dr Sandhu is duly recognized for his contributions with awards and honors like CGIAR‘ S King Baudouin Award 2002 and ICRISAT DOREEN MASHLER 2002 – PAU Team Award as national collaborator, Plaque for best Research Worker, with a certificate for outstanding contribution in Research and Development by the PAU and with ISPRD Recognition award by the Indian Society of Pulses Research and Development (ISPRD), Kanpur. He also served the ISPRD as president & vice president. Dr Sandhu was a member of various committees like PPVFRA, RCGM, SVRC, Saarc Regional Gene Bank and Board of Management, MSKJUA&T, Banda etc. The National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi‘ awarded Fellowship to Dr Sandhu, for his scientific Contributions.

Proposer : Prof. R.B. Singh, Seconder : Dr. Kailash Chander Bansal Ten Best Publications: 1. Sandhu, J.S.; Brar, H.S. and Verma, M.M. 1990.Inheritance of plant --- --utilization in chickpea.

Euphytica 48(2): 111-112. (if=1.554, ci= 7) 2. 2. Verma, M.M. Ravi. andSandhu, J.S. 1995. Characterization of the interspecific cross Cicer arietinum

L. x C .judaicum (Boiss).Plant Breeding 114: 549-551 (if=1.596, ci=11) 3. Kaur, Harinderjeet.; Gupta, ----- Jeet, Singh. 2009. Differential ---of chickpea. Plant Growth Regulation

57: 109-114. (if=2.859, ci=14) 4. Kaur ----Sandhu, J.S. --Gupta, S.K. 2009. Antioxidative ----- in chickpea. Journal of Agronomy &Crop

Science195: 393-397.65.(if=2.433, ci=17) 5. Bhardwaj, R.;Sandhu, J.S.;Kaur, L.; ----Varshney, R. 2010. Genetics of resistance --- in chickpea.

Euphytica 171: 337-343. (if=1.554, ci=11) 6. Saxena, K.B., ----Sandhu, J.S. ---Varshney, R.K. 2011. Genetics ----hybrids in Pigeonpea.Crop

Science 52: 574-578. (if=2.433, ci=7) 7. Berger, J.D.;Street, K.A.; Sandhu, J.S.---- 2012. Temperature – ---wild relatives. Field Crop Research

126: 119-129. (if= 2.936, ci=6) 8. Kaur, H.---- and Sandhu, J.S. 2012.High acid -----seed filling. Indian Journal of Experimental Biology

50:735-743. (if=1.295, ci=1) 9. Kaur L.----Sandhu, J. S.--- Siddique, K.H.M. 2013.Combing -----hybridization. Phytopathologia

mediterranea 52:157-165. (if=1.413, ci=0) 10. Singh, Inderjit, Sandhu, J.S.----Singh, Sarvjeet.2013. Introgression----- blackgram. Plant

Breeding.doi:10.1111/pbr.12068. (if=1.596, ci=0)

54

SHANMUGHAVEL, PIRAMANAYAGAM (b 1964), Co-ordinator. Bioinformatics Centre : Co-ordinator- Cheminformatics Programme School of Life Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore


Shanmughavel contributed in two aspects. Firstly added new knowledge on the physiology of plantation bamboo crop (Int‘l Tree Crops Journal. 203 - 212) ,contributed innovative cultural practices on bamboo, biomass production and allocation (Biomass and Bioenergy, 10:383-391), nutrient dynamics (Commonwealth Forestry Review, 75:240-242) and nutrient Cycling in bamboo plantations (J. Sustainable Forestry,11 :71-82. , Bio Resources Technology. 80 : 45-48). Suggested fertility dosage for plantation bamboo to increase productivity while raising large-scale bamboo Plantations. Recommended 1).inter-cropping agricultural plants in bamboo plantations (Agro forestry) (J. Bamboo and Rattan. 1: 3-9), 2). Edible bamboo species (Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources, 3: 237-239), 3). Plantation bamboo under Social Forestry (The Malaysian Forester. 63 : 147-158). Described fiber characteristics, chemical analysis, and pulp and paper making characteristics of plantation bamboo and compared with natural bamboo (Van Vigyan 36:125-127). Suggested cutting cycle for plantation bamboo for pulping purposes (World Bamboo and Rattan. No 1. 4). Derived regression equations first time for the plantation bamboo and will useful for the paper industries to access the pulp yield without felling (J.Tropical Forestry 12:97- 100). Recommended an alternative raw material for the paper industries (Van Vigyan 36:125-12). Findings on harvesting and post harvest application are of much use to the paper industry. Suggested methodologies for future research on plantation bamboo, document biomass accumulation and productivity of many forest species (Bioinformatics Trends 1:21-25). Secondly, contributions related to biodiversity informatics and Computational biology (Journal of Bimolecular Structure & Dynamics, 26, 0739-1102). Developed several databases on forests and plantations.

Proposer : Prof.M.S.Swaminathan, Seconder : Prof. P. C. Kesavan


1. T Muthukumar, K Udaiyan, P Shanmughavel (2004) Mycorrhiza in sedges—an overview.Mycorrhiza, 14:65-77 (if= 2.630, ci=96)

2. P Shanmughavel, K Francis (1996) Above ground biomass production and nutrient distribution in growing bamboo ( Bambusa bambos(L.) Voss). Biomass and Bioenergy, 10:383-391 (if=2.975, ci=46)

3. Zheng, P Shanmughavel, L Sha, M Cao (2006) Litter Decomposition and Nutrient Release in a Tropical Seasonal Rain Forest of Xishuangbanna, Southwest China. Biotropica, 38:342-347 (if=2.351, ci=25)

4. P Shanmughavel, K Francis (1997) Balance and turnover of nutrients in a bamboo plantation (Bambusa bambos) of different ages. Biology and fertility of soils, 25:69-74 (if=2.510, ci=20)

5. P Shanmughavel, K Francis (1996) Biomass and nutrient cycling in bamboo (Bambusa bambos) plantations of tropical areas. Biology and fertility of soils, 23:431-434 (if=2.510, ci=17)

6. P Shanmughavel, L Sha, Z Zheng, M Cao (2001) Nutrient cycling in a tropical seasonal rain forest of Xishuangbanna, Southwest China. Part 1: tree species: nutrient distribution and uptake. Bioresource technology, 80:163-170 (if=4.750, ci=16)

7. P Shanmughavel, RS Peddappaiah, T.Muthukumar (2001) Biomass production in an age series of Bambusa bambos plantations. Biomass and Bioenergy, 20:113-117 (if=2.975, ci=20)

8. P Shanmughavel, Z Zheng, S Liqing, C Min (2001) Floristic structure and biomass distribution of a tropical seasonal rain forest in Xishuangbanna, southwest China. Biomass and Bioenergy, 21:165-175 (if=2.975, ci=13)

9. P Shanmughavel, K Francis (2001) Bioproductivity and nutrient cycling in bamboo and acacia plantation forests. Biomass and Bioenergy, 80:45-48 (if=4.750, ci=14)

10. P Shanmughavel (2007) An overview on biodiversity information in databases. Bioinformation, 9:367-369 (if=1.0, ci=14)

55

BARBUDDHE, SUKHADEO BALIRAM (b 1967), Principal Scientist, National Institute of Biotic Stress Management, Raipur


Contributed significantly to research on an emerging foodborne pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes. State-of-the-art facilities to diagnose and to subtype Listeria monocytogenes in humans and animals have been established. The research contribution has led to grant of ―Centre of Excellence and Innovation in Biotechnology‖ on Molecular epidemiology of Listeria monocytogenes by Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. The research has provided an overall picture on the genetic diversity among Listeria isolates prevalent in India. Established a rapid method, Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis for typing Listeria based on macro-digestion of the listerial genome. Contributed to the complete and annotated genome sequence of Listeria seeligeri. The research work carried out emanated in the form of a diagnostic kit, protocols for molecular subtyping, a national repository of Listeria strains and an on-line Indian Listeria Culture Database, 36 research papers and four reviews in journals of repute, three book chapters. He has contributed significantly to animal disease research and development of diagnostic protocols for zoonotic infections. Filed a patent for a novel process of fermentation of cashew apple juice for feni making. Hosted XVIII International Symposium on Problems of Listeriosis (ISOPOL) in Goa, India in 2013 as Convener and Secretary, Scientific Committee, and invited for ISOPOLs XV, XVI, XVII held in Sweden (2004), USA (2007) and Portugal (2010), respectively. The nominee was recipient of Biotechnology Overseas Associateship of Department of Biotechnology, Young Scientist Award of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fellow of National Academy of Veterinary Sciences and Indian Association of Veterinary Public Specialists.

Proposer : Dr. Mohan R. Wani, Seconder : Dr. Tilak R. Sharma


1. Barbuddhe, S.B., Maier, T., Schwarz, G., Kostrzewa, M., Domann, E., Chakraborty, T. and Hain, T. (2008). Rapid identification and typing of Listeria species using matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 74(17): 5402-5407 (if=3.952 , ci=131)

2. Barbuddhe, S.B. and Chakraborty, T. (2009) Listeria as an enteroinvasive gastrointestinal pathogen. Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology 337:173-195. (if=3.471 , ci=30)

3. Kuenne C.T., Billion, A., Mraheil, M.A., Strittmatter, A., Daniel, R., Goesmann, A., Barbuddhe, S.B., Hain, T. and Chakraborty, T. (2013). Reassessment of the Listeria monocytogenes pan-genome reveals dynamic integration hotspots and mobile genetic elements as major components of the accessory genome. BMC Genomics 22;14:47. (if=4.04 , ci=17)

4. Vaidya V. M., Malik S. V.S., Bhilegaonkar K. N., Rathore R. S., Kaur B. and Barbuddhe S. B. (2008). Comparison of PCR, immunofluorescence assay and isolation method for diagnosis of q fever in humans with spontaneous abortions. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 46:2038–2044. (if=4.232, ci=14)

5. Bhide, M., Chakurkar, E., Tkacikova, L., Barbuddhe, S., Novak, M. and Mikula, I. (2006). IS900-PCR-based detection and characterization of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis from buffy coat of cattle and sheep. Veterinary Microbiology 112(1):33-41. (if=2.726, ci=27)

6. Rawool, D.B., Malik, S.V.S., Shakuntala, I., Sahare, A.M. and Barbuddhe, S.B. (2007). Detection of multiple virulence associated genes in pathogenic Listeria monocytogenes from bovines with mastitis. International Journal of Food Microbiology. 113(2): 201-207.(if=3.155, ci=26)

7. Kaur, S., Malik, S.V.S., Vaidya, V.M. and Barbuddhe, S.B. (2007). Listeria monocytogenes in spontaneous abortions in humans and its detection by multiplex PCR. Journal of Applied Microbiology 103:1889-1896. (if=2.386, ci=22)

8. Parihar, V.S., Barbuddhe, S.B., Danielsson-Tham, M.L. and Tham W. (2008). Isolation and characterization of Listeria species from tropical seafood. Food Control 19:566-569. (if=2.819, ci=26)

9. Steinweg C, Kuenne C.T., Billion, A., Mraheil, M.A., Domann, E., Ghai, R., Barbuddhe, S.B., Kärst, U., Goesmann, A., Pühler, A., Weisshaar, B., Wehland, J., Lampidis, R., Kreft, J., Goebel, W., Chakraborty, T. and Hain, T. (2010). The complete genome sequence of L. seeligeri, a non-pathogenic member of the genus Listeria. Journal of Bacteriology, 192(5):1473-1474. (if=2.688, ci=17)

10. Shakuntala, I., Malik, S.V.S., Barbuddhe S.B. and Rawool, D.B. (2006). Isolation of Isolation of Listeria monocytogenes from buffaloes with reproductive disorders and its confirmation by polymerase chain reaction. Veterinary Microbiology, 117(2-4): 229-234.(if=2.726, ci=15)

56

DATTA, KARABI (b 1951), Reader, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, Kolkata


Pioneering contribution in establishment of genetic transformation using protoplast system in indica rice (Bio/Technology, 1990). Demonstrated marker free transgenic event selection in rice using Agro and biolistic method of transformation (Plant Biotechnol.J,2003; MGG, 2005; Plant Biotechnol J. 2006). Demonstrated non-antibiotic based phosphomannoseisomerase (pmi) selection system in rice (Plant Biotechnol J., 2003; Curr. Sci. 2006). Endosperm specific promoter driven carotenoids biosynthesis in indica rice demonstrated (Plant Biotechnol. J, 2003; Curr. Sci.2006). High iron rice developed (Plant Science, 2003; Food Chemistry, 2013). Tissue specific promoter driven cry genes expression (TAG, 1998) and Enhanced sheath blight resistance in rice demonstrated (Bio/Technology, 1995; TAG, 1999, 2000; Plant Sci., 2001; MPP, 2013). Bacterial blight resistant rice developed and field evaluated (TAG, 2000; Trends in Biosciences, 2008). Gene pyramiding of Xa, Bt and pathogenesis related protein gene, in conferring resistance to bacterial blight, lepidopteran insect and enhanced resistance to sheath blight respectively has been demonstrated in rice (TAG, 2002). Insect resistant Bt rice developed, field evaluated and demonstrated its advantage over non-Bt rice (Plant Cell Reports 1999; Nature Biotechnology, 2000). Abiotic stress tolerance by overexpression of DREB genes and Rab16A has been demonstrated in rice (Plant Biotechnol. J., 2012; Plant Signaling and Behavior, 2012). Stress inducible salinity regulated promoters has been studied in rice for their efficacy (Plant Cell Reports, 2011). RNAi mediated silencing for enhancement of nutritional bioavailability in rice has been demonstrated (PloS ONE, 2013; Rice, 2013). Stable genetic transformation of Jute and Pod borer resistant Chickpea has been established (PCTOC, 2014; TAG, 2014).

Proposer : Prof. K.C. Bansal, Seconder : Dr. Ajay Parida


1. Ali N, Paul S, Gayen D, Sarkar SN, Datta K, Datta SK (2013) Generation of a low phytate indica rice cultivar by RNAi mediated silencing of Inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate 2-kinase gene (IPK1) using Oleosin18 promoter. PLoS ONE 8(7): e68161. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0068161 (if=3.534, ci=16)

2. Datta K, Baisakh N, Ganguly M, Krishnan S, Shinozaki K and Datta SK (2012) Overexpression of Arabidopsis and rice stress genes‘ inducible transcription factor confers drought and salinity tolerance to rice. Plant Biotechnology Journal, 10(5):579- 586 (if=5.677, ci=17)

3. Datta K, Baisakh N, Oliva N, Torrizo L, Abrigo E, Tan J, Rai M, Rehana S, Al- Babili S, Beyer P, Potrykus I, and Datta SK (2003) Bioengineered 'golden' indica rice Cultivars with β-carotene metabolism in the endosperm with hygromycin and mannose selection systems. Plant Biotechnology Journal 1:81-90 (if=5.677, ci=145)

4. Datta K, Tu J, Oliva N, Ona I, Velazhahan R, Mew TW, Muthukrishnan S, Datta SK (2001) Enhanced resistance to sheath blight by constitutive expression of infection-related rice chitinase in transgenic elite indica rice cultivars. Plant Science 160:405-414 (if=4.114, ci=150)

5. Datta K, Velazhahan R, Oliva N, Mew T, Khush GS, Muthukrishnan S. Datta S.K. (1999) Over expression of cloned rice thaumatin-like protein (PR-5) gene in transgenicrice plants enhances environmental friendly resistance to Rhizoctonia solani causing sheath blight disease. Theor. Appl. Genet. 98:1138-1145 (if=3.51, ci=249)

6. Datta K, Vasquez A, Tu J, Torrizo L, Alam MF, Oliva N, Abrigo E, Khush GS and Datta SK (1998) Constitutive and tissue-specific differential expression of cryIA(b) gene in transgenic rice plants conferring resistance to rice insect pest. Theor. Appl.Genet. 97:20-30(if=3.51, ci=228)

7. Reddy PM, Ladha JK, Ramos MC, Maillet F, Hernandez RJ, Torrizo LB, Oliva NP and Datta SK, Datta K (1998) Rhizobial lipochitooligosaccharide nodulation factors activate expression of the legume early nodulin gene ENOD12 in rice. The Plant Journal 14:693-702 (if=6.582, ci=59)

8. Datta SK, Peterhans A, Datta Karabi, Potrykus I (1990) Genetically engineered fertile Indica- rice plants recovered from protoplasts. Bio/Technology (Nature Biotechnology) 8:736-740 (if=39.1, ci=427)

9. Tu J, Zhang G, Datta Karabi, Xu C, He Y, Zhang Q, Khush GS and Datta SK (2000) Field performance of transgenic elite commercial hybrid rice expr-endotoxin. Nature Biotechnology 18:1101-1104essing Bacillus thuringiensis (if=39.1, ci=353)

10. Lin W, Anuratha CS, Datta K, Potrykus I, Muthukrishnan S, Datta SK (1995) Genetic engineering of rice for resistance to sheath blight. Biotechnology (Nature Biotechnology) 13:686-691 (if=39.1, ci=338)

GUDDE, RAMACHANDRA SUBBARAYA (b 1964), Chief Research Scientist, Indian Institute of

57

Science, Bangalore


I have known Dr. Ramachandra for the last two decades ever since he joined as Scientific Officer at the Primate Research Laboratory (PRL), Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. I had great opportunity to interact and observe his work very closely when I was heading the PRL, the largest bonnet monkey facility in India. He was involved in almost all the projects on non-human primates which I had undertaken and he was actively involved in designing and execution of the projects. One of the projects where he was involved resulted in a publication in Science, an international journal of repute. Dr. Ramachandra is not only a very good veterinarian but also a very good scientist who actively participated in the projects and contributed significantly to the success of the projects. He was instrumental in testing several compounds for their contraceptive efficacy (Contraception, 1997; Andrologia, 1998; Reproduction, 2003), need for estrogen during implantation (Reproductive Biomedicine Online, 2007), effect of immunization with phage-expressed peptides of FSH receptor (Reproductive Biomedicine Online, 2004) and by Eppin (Science, 2004) in bonnet monkeys. Apart from his routine job, he is actively involved in promoting and creating awareness on quality of laboratory animals in biomedical research and organizing several workshops, conferences and training programmes periodically. He is instrumental in promoting the laboratory animal care and management in India and established a Laboratory Animal Scientist‘s Association (Founder President) and started a ―Journal of Laboratory Animal Science‖ (Editor-in-Chief) that shows his innovativeness and leadership in promoting the laboratory animal science.

Proposer : Prof. A.J. Rao, Seconder : Prof. Rajan R. Dighe


1. M. G. O'Rand, E.E. Widgren, P. Sivashanmugam, R.T. Richardson, S.H. Hall, F.S. French, C.A. VandeVoort, S.G. Ramachandra, V. Ramesh and A. Jagannadha Rao (2004). Reversible immunocontraception in male monkeys immunized with Eppin. Science. 306(5699) : 1189-1190. (if=31.477, ci=149)

2. Singh V, Holla S, Ramachandra SG, Balaji KN (2015). WNT-Inflammasome Signaling Mediates NOD2-Induced Development of Acute Arthritis in Mice. J Immunol. Feb 25. pii: 1402498. [Epub ahead of print] (if=5.362, ci=0)

3. Nirmalya Basu, Sayanti Saha, Imran Khan, Subbaraya G. Ramachandra and Sandhya S. Visweswariah (2013). Intestinal cell proliferation and senescence are regulated by receptor Guanylyl Cyclase C and p21. The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 289(1) : 581-593. (if=4.60, ci=2)

4. Kishor Sarkar, Sai Rama Krishna Meka, Amrit Bagchi, N. S. Krishna, S. G. Ramachandra, Giridhar Madras and Kaushik Chatterjee (2014). Polyester derived from recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) waste for regenerative medicine RSC Advances. 4: 58805–58815.(if=3.708, ci=0)

5. -methyl-19-nortestosterone on serum testosterone, number of spermatozoa and fertility in adult male bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata). Reproduction. 124 : 301-309.S.G. Ramachandra, V.Ramesh, H.N. Krishnamurthy, N. Kumar, K. Sundaram, M.P. Hardy and A.Jagannadha Rao (2002). Effect of chronic administration of 7 (if=3.262, ci=13)

6. A.J. Rao, S.G.Ramachandra, V. Ramesh, L.Couture, L. Abdennebi, R. Salesse and J.J. Remy (2004). Induction of infertility in adult male bonnet monkeys by immunization with phage-expressed peptides of the extra cellular domain of FSH receptor. Reproductive Biomedicine Online. 8(4) : 385-391. (if=2.980, ci=28)

7. Dhriti Chatterjee, Kaushiki Biswas, Soma Nag, S. G. Ramachandra, and Jayasri Das Sarma (2013). Microglia play a major role in direct viral-induced demyelination. Clinical and Developmental Immunology. 2013 : 1-12. (if=2.934, ci=3)

8. Gunapal Shetty, H.N.Krishnamurthy, H.Krishnamurthy, S.G.Ramachandra and N.R.Moudgal (1997). Use of Norethisterone and Estradiol in mini doses as a contraceptive in the male : Efficacy studies in the adult male bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata). Contraception. 56(4) : 257-265. (if=2.932, ci=10)

9. M.K.Lakshmana, B.S.Shankaranarayana Rao, N.K.Dhingra, R.Ravikumar, Govindaiah, S.G.Ramachandra, B.L.Meti and T.R.Raju (1998). Chronic (-) deprenyl increases dendritic arborization in CA3 neurons of hippocampus and Acetylcholinesterase activity in specific regions of the primate brain. Brain Research. 796 : 38-44. (if=2.828, ci=28)

10. N.Selvaraj, R.Medhamurthy, S.G.Ramachandra, M.R.Sairam and N.R.Moudgal (1996). Assessment of luteal rescue and desensitization of macaque corpus luteum, a result of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and deglycosylated hCG treatment. Journal of Bioscience. 21(4) : 497-510. (if=1.939, ci=12)

58

GULATI, ARVIND (b 1954), Chief Scientist, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur


It is my pleasure citing scientific contributions of my colleague Dr. Arvind Gulati for his nomination to the Election of Fellows in Agricultural Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences, India. Dr. Gulati has made tangible contributions in the area of Plant Pathology inter alia to the understanding of host-parasite interactions in fungal-pathogens in cereals and tea, microbial diversity of the unique niches of trans-Himalayas, and plant growth promoting microorganisms. Notably, his contributions on involvement of cytokinins in pathogenecity of hemibiotrophs by directed translocation of nutrients to infection sites, evolutionary relationship of cellulose and protease producing bacteria from the cold deserts, distinctive biogeographic pattern of distribution of root nodulating and rhizobacteria, and selection of efficient genotypes of PGPR with consistent field performance have been recognized internationally. His R&D findings have appeared in high impact international journals and cited widely by international scientific community. Consequently, he has been invited for chairing sessions and sharing his research findings in international conferences. He is also credited with creating microbial culture collection as national wealth for bioprospection from the cold deserts. The microbial technologies developed by Dr. Gulati are finding field applications through M/s. Multiplex Biotech Private Limited in promoting agricultural productivity with reduced application of fertilizers, and microbe-assisted phytorestoration of closed dumping sites in the difficult terrains of the Himalayas by National Hydro-Power Corporation. His team has also made a substantive contribution in improving productivity and quality of tea with considerable economic gains to Kangra Tea Industry.

Proposer : Dr. P.S. Ahuja, Seconder : Prof. S.K. Sharma


1. Vats, S.K., Sood, R.P., Gulati, A. and Sharma, O.P. (1994). Lantana camara L.- a lignocellulosic substrate for cultivation of Pleurotus sajorcaju. Bioresource Technology 48: 49-52. (if=5.039, ci=6)

2. Vyas, P., Rahi, P., Chauhan, A., Gulati, A. (2007). Phosphate solubilization potential and stress tolerance of Eupenicillium parvum from tea soil. Mycological Research 111: 931-938. (if=2.139, ci=38)

3. Kasana, R.C., Salwan, R., Dhar, H., Dutt, S., and Gulati, A. (2008). A rapid and easy method for detection of microbial cellulases on agar plates using Gram‘s iodine. Current Microbiology 57 (5): 503-507. (if=1.359, ci=187)

4. Gulati, A., Rahi, P., and Vyas, P. (2008). Characterization of phosphate-solubilizing fluorescent pseudomonads from rhizosphere of seabuckthorn growing in the cold deserts of Himalayas. Current Microbiology 56: 73-79. (if=1.359, ci=75)

5. Vyas, P., Rahi, P. and Gulati, A. (2009). Stress tolerance and genetic variability of phosphate-solubilizing fluorescent pseudomonas from the cold deserts of the trans-Himalayas. Microbial Ecology 58: 425-434. (if=3.118, ci=21)

6. Vyas, P. and Gulati, A. (2009). Organic acid production in vitro and plant growth promotion in maize under controlled environment by phosphate-solubilizing fluorescent Pseudomonas. BMC Microbiology 9: 174. (if=2.98, ci=69)

7. Gulati, A., Vyas, P., Rahi, P., and Kasana, R.C. (2009). Plant growth promoting and rhizosphere competent Acinetobacter rhizosphere strain BIHB 723 from the cold desert of Himalayas. Current Microbiology 58(4): 371-377. (if=1.359, ci=46)

8. Mamta, Rahi P., Pathania V., Gulati A., Singh B., Bhanwara R.K., and Tewari R. (2010). Stimulatory effect of phosphate solubilizing bacteria on plant-growth, stevioside and rebaudioside-A contents of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni. Applied Soil Ecology 46: 222-229.(if=2.206, ci=39)

9. Singh, D.P., Khattar, J.I.S., Nadda, J., Singh, Y., Garg, A., Kaur, N. and Gulati A. (2011). Chlorpyrifos degradation by the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain PUPCCC 64. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 18(8): 1351-1359. (if=2.757, ci=26)

10. Rahi, P., Kapoor, R., Young, JPW and Gulati, A. (2012). A genetic discontinuity in root-nodulating bacteria of cultivated pea in the Indian trans-Himalayas. Molecular Ecology 21: 145-159. (if=5.84, ci=8)

59

NANDI, SAMIT KUMAR (b 1967), Associate Professor and Former Head of the Department, Department of Veterinary Surgery & Radiology, West Bengal University of Animal & Fishery Sciences, Kolkata


Dr Samit Kumar Nandi, Associate Professor and Former Head, Department of Veterinary Surgery & Radiology, WBUAFS has made significant contribution in developing calcium phosphate based scaffolds and cements including doped implants, marine based biomaterials in bone grafting, local antibiotic delivery systems in treating osteomyelitis, coated metallic implants and dental surgery, autologous bone marrow grafting for enhancing wound healing and isolation of biomolecules from marine mollusk as osteogenic inhibitor and novel immunostimulator/immunomodulator in animal model. The research endeavors yielded a new trend of cost effective, well accepted, effective technologies for treatment of complicated orthopaedic diseases for the profitable ailing animals‘ vis-à-vis for curing human patients and some of the technologies have been transferred to industry. His research aptitude has already been established and proved through achieving the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru Award for outstanding Post-Graduate Agricultural Research 2007, National Bioscience award for career development 2008, CSIR Technology Award-2010 by ICAR, DBT, CSIR, Government of India. He has been conferred Biotech Product & Process Development and Commercialization Award-2013 from DBT, Government of India by the President of India. Dr Nandi has completed four national projects and presently running three nationally funded projects in developing animal cartilage and silk based biomaterial for treatment of rhinoplasty, microtia and diabetic wound healing in human and animal patients. I am personally acquainted with the scientific work of Dr. Nandi and it is my pleasure to recommend and propose his name to elect as the Fellow of ‗The National Academy of Sciences‘, India.

Proposer : Dr. Risendra Verma , Seconder : Dr. Hemanta K. Majumder


1. Samit K. Nandi, Biswanath Kundu, Arnab Mahato, Narsinh L. Thakur, Siddhartha N. Joardar and Biman B. Mandal. 2015. In vitro and in vivo evaluation of marine sponge skeleton as a bone mimicking biomaterial. Integrative Biology. 7, 250--262 (if=3.996)

2. Kundu, B., Soundrapandian C., Nandi SK., Mukherjee P., Dandapat N., Roy S., Datta BK., Mandal TK., Basu D., Bhattacharya RN. 2010. Development of new localized drug delivery system based on ceftriaxone-sulbactum composite drug impregnated porous hydroxyapatite: A systematic approach for in vitro and in vivo animal trial. Pharmaceutical Research; 27: 1659-1676 (if=3.952, ci=30)

3. Ghosh, SK., Nandi, SK., Kundu, B., Dutta, S., De, D.K., Roy, SK., Basu, D. 2008. In vivo response of porous hydroxyapatite and ß-tricalcium phosphate prepared by aqueous solution combustion method and comparison with bioglass scaffolds, J. Biomed. Mater. Res.: Applied Biomaterials; 86B: 217-227 (if=2.308, ci=61)

4. Nandi, SK., Kundu, B., Ghosh, SK, De, DK., Basu, D. 2008. Efficacy of nano- hydroxyapatite, prepared by an aqueous solution combustion technique in healing bone defects of goat. Journal of Veterinary Science; 9(2): 183-191

5. Nandi S.K., Kundu, B., Mandal, TK., De, DK., Basu, D. 2009. Cefuroxime-Impregnated calcium Phosphates as an Implantable Delivery System in Experimental Osteomyelitis¨. Ceramic International. 35(4): 1367-1376 (if=2.086, ci=18)

6. Nandi SK., Kundu, B., Mukherjee P., Mandal TK., Datta S., De DK., Basu, D. 2009. In vitro and In vivo release of cefuroxime axetil from bioactive glass as an implantable delivery system in experimental osteomyelitis. Ceramics International 35: 3207-3216 (if=2.086, ci=11)

7. Kundu B., Nandi SK., Mukherjee, P., Roy, S., Dandapat, N., Singh, A., Mandal, TK., Datta, S., Das, P. and Basu D, 2011 ―Macro-to-micro porous special bioactive glass and ceftriaxone-sulbactam composite drug delivery system for treatment of osteomyelitis: A systematic approach for in vitro and in vivo animal trial. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine 22:705–720 (if=2.379, ci=13)

8. Samit K. Nandi, Biswanath Kundu and Debabrata Basu. 2013. Protein growth factors loaded highly porous chitosan scaffold: A comparison of bone healing properties. Material Science and Engineering C 33: 1267–1275 (if=2.736, ci=09)

9. Nandi, SK., Ghosh, SK., Kundu, B., De, DK, Basu, D. 2008Evaluation of new porous ß -tri-calcium phosphate ceramic as bone substitute in goat model. Small Ruminant Research. 75: 144-153. (if=1.009, ci=22)

10. Rupnarayan Bhattacharya, Biswanath Kundu, Samit Kumar Nandi and Debabrata Basu. 2013. Systematic approach to treat chronic osteomyelitis through localized delivery system: Bench to bed side. Material Science and Engineering C, 33(7):3986-93 (if=2.736, ci=01)

60

NEGI, SHARAD SINGH (b 1957), Director, Forest Research Institute and Vice Chancellor, FRI

University, Dehradun Member of the NASI: Yes (YON 2012, Agricultural Sciences)

As Director, Forest Research Institute (Dehra Dun) and ex-officio Vice-Chancellor, FRI University, Dr. Negi has made unquantifiable contribution to the advancement of research, extension and education in Forestry and Wood Science, thereby laying a strong foundation not only for the enhancement of forest resources in India, but also to the environmental security in general. An acknowledged authority and an accomplished author, with an unmatched flare for prolific writing, the nominee has utilized the voluminous data, collected on diverse disciplines of Indian forestry, intelligently interpreted and supplemented with innovative ideas from his imaginative but analytical mind, to publish 126 books (Appendix – I). These are standard reference volumes for forestry students and administrators. His outstanding work on participatory natural resource management and integrated water-shed development aspects has convincingly demonstrated the complex dynamics entwined in sustainable resource management and forest -dwellers‘ participation. These studies are useful in assessing the extent of dependence of forest-fringe dwellers on the natural resources and also in formulating techniques for optimizing ecosystem services through improved planning and management, thereby laying the foundation for participatory natural resource management – an effective tool in poverty alleviation and environmental conservation. Dr. Negi has extensively studied different aspects of Himalaya ecosystems and the useful data generated range from environmental aspects, geological and litho-petrological observations, drainage morphology, ecological and conservation details to bio-diversity.

Proposer: Dr. B.P. Mohan Kumar, Seconder: Dr. L.N. Santhakumaran Ten Best Publications: 1. Negi, S.S., Sinha, A.K. and Pandey, B.K., 1982. Litho Petrological observations of the rock types in the Rudraprayag Tilwara area of Garhwal Lesser Himalaya. Himalayan Geology (Wadia Inst.of Himalayan Geology, Dehra Dun), 1 : 156 – 168. 2. Negi, S.S., 1983. Study of rural ecosystems in a part of Garhwal Himalaya. Him. Ecol. & Ind. Jour. For.,

1983 : 1 – 16. 3. Negi, S.S., 1983. Comparative ecology of the Sivalik Forests of Dehra Dun and Nurpur areas. Him. Ecol. & Ind. Jour. For., 1983 : 65 – 82. 4. Negi, S.S. and Singhal, R.M., 1993. Biological Diversity of Garhwal Himalaya and its Conservation. Ind.

Jour. Trop. Biodiversity, 1 : 18 – 29. 5. Negi, S.S., 1995. Biodiversity of sub-tropical Himachal Pradesh and its conservation. Van Vigyan,

Journal of the Society of Indian Foresters, 33 (3-4) : 189 – 200. 6. Negi, S.S. 1997. Emerging Concepts of Sustainable Forest Management in India. Van Vigyan, Journal of the Society of Indian Foresters, 35 (2) : 102-109 7. Negi, S.S., 2003. Participatory management of natural resources in the Shivalik Hills of Himachal Pradesh. In : Cont. Studies in Nat. Res. Mgt. in India. Ed. S.B. Roy. Publ. Int. Alia. Pub., New Delhi : 293 – 306 8. Raina, A.K. and Negi, S.S., 2007. Soil mineral relationship with different forest types in Mussoorie

Forest Division in Uttaranchal, India. Himalayan Geol., 28 (1) : 79 – 86.

9. Negi, S.S. and Gupta, M.K., 2010. Soil organic carbon store under different land use Systems in Giri

Catchment of Himachal Pradesh. The Indian Forester, 136 (9) : 1147 – 1154.

10. Negi, S.S. and Gupta, M.K. 2012. Carbon Sequestration through soil organic Carbon pool under

different forest covers in Chamoli District of Uttarakhand. The Indian Forester, 138 (3) : 207 – 211.

61

SINGH, KRISHNA KUMAR (b 1960), Director, Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal


Dr. K.K. Singh has made original contributions on the applications of cryogenics in food processing for retention of aroma in spice grinding establishing an internationally recognized school of thought in CRYOGENIC GRINDING OF SPICES, an area little explored until now in India or abroad. Based on basic theory of heat and mass transfer and properties of the spices, he developed a design concept as well as a physical model of cryogenic grinding system for spices. Finally, he scaled up to a commercial scale of 40-50 kg/h capacity which produces fine powder of excellent quality with 25-30% higher volatile oil content in comparison to conventional technique. This is first time a prototype of cryogenic grinder has been successfully developed in India which solved problem of frequent choking of grinder encountered in conventional grinding of spices. The design of cryogenic grinder has been licensed to M/s Spectra Cryogenic Systems Pvt. Ltd., Kota for mass manufacturing and commercial exploitation. He developed nutritionally rich extruded products based on Recommended Dietary Allowances for Indian population, protocols for flaxseed dehulling, screw pressing of dehulled kernel and functional energy bar, and peanut based dairy analogues. He designed a number of need based food processing machines like, small capacity dryer for fruits and vegetables, potato peeler and slicer, power operated peanut sheller, expanding pitch type fruit grader, potato pulper for extraction of potato starch, and solar supplemented pulse dryer for small entrepreneurs/farmers. These machines have been helpful in reducing the drudgery and enhancing efficiency of operations, and have been adopted by the small scale processors/farmers.

Proposer : Dr. Narpinder Singh, Seconder : Dr. S.K. Datta


1. Singh, KK and TK Goswami. 1996. Physical properties of cumin seed. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research (presently: Biosystems Engineering), 64: 93 98. (if=1.367, ci=273)

2. Singh, KK and TK Goswami. 1998. Mechanical properties of cumin seed (Cuminum cyminum Linn.) under compressive loading. Journal of Food Engineering, 36: 311 321. (if=2.576, ci=39)

3. Singh, KK and TK Goswami. 2000. Thermal properties of cumin seed. Journal of Food Engineering, 45: 181-187. (if=2.576, ci=73)

4. Singh, KK and TK Goswami. 1999. Design of a cryogenic grinding system for spices. Journal of Food Engineering, 39: 359 368.(if=2.576, ci=39)

5. Singh, KK and TK Goswami. 1999. Studies on cryogenic grinding of cumin seed. Journal of Food Process Engineering, 22: 175-190.(if=0.626, ci=18)

6. Singh, KK and TK Goswami. 2000. Cryogenic grinding of cloves. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation, 24: 57-81. (if=0.938, ci=12)

7. Singh, KK. 1994. Development of a small capacity dryer for vegetables. Journal of Food Engineering, 21: 19 30. (if=2.576, ci=16)

8. Singh KK, Mridula D, J Rehal and P Barnwal. 2011. Flaxseed: A potential source of food, feed and fibre. Critical Reviews of Food Science & Nutrition, 51(3): 210-222. (if=5.548, ci=49)

9. Singh, KK and BS Reddy. 2006. Post-harvest physico-mechanical properties of orange peel and fruit. Journal of Food Engineering, 73: 112-120. (if=2.576, ci=97)

10. Singh KK; DP Wiesenborn; N Kangas and K Tostenson. 2002. Influence of moisture content and cooking on screw pressing of crambe seed. Journal of American Oil Chemists‘ Society, 79: 165-170. (if=1.620, ci=44)

62

SINGH, RAMESH PRATAP (b 1954) Associate Professor, Dept. of Entomology, NDUA&T, Kumarganj,

Faizabad-UP Member of the NASI: No (YON 2012, Agricultural Sciences) The innovative research and findings have been contributed and reported for the first time by Dr. R. P. Singh namely larval proline of sac brood disease of honey bee recorded 81.8% of total free amino acids and more than twice of healthy larvae, estimated 94.11% proline content of total free amino acids in mustard honey. The bee pollinated plants of mustard seed constituted the triglycerides 74% non-polar lipids and sterol was least. Production of (30 - 40) kg honey from the mustard, sunflower and pigeon pea per ha crop occupied area have been estimated by him. A newly designed hive of Stingless bees (Trigona iridipennis Smith) has been evolved by him for hiving, rearing, extraction of honey, multiplication and conservation. Concentration of protein amino acids in mustard pollen fed larva was twice of non-mustard and mustard pollen was more nutritious than others. For survival of bee colony during lean period explored and discovered the feeding of Neem (Azadirachta indica) fruit pulp syrup and Mahua flowers extract syrup for feeding of bee colonies during floral dearth and recorded the deficiency of essential amino acids in the larvae of honey bee. The innovative research papers have been published by him, in most reputed apicultural journal of the world such as Apiacta, Italy, 1991 ; Journal of Apicultural Research, Cardiff, UK, 1992; Apidologie, France, 1996; Journal of Apicultural Research and Bee World, 2007; 2008, Cardiff, UK and university received a new centre of AICRP on "Honey Bees and Pollinators" on these contributions.

Proposer: Prof. Anupam Dikshit, Seconder: Prof. G.K. Srivastava

Ten Best Pulications: 1. Journal of Apicultural Research and Becword 2008, 47, 261-264 (CI = 0.78, NAASc=7.8) 2. Journal of Apicultural Research and Becword 2007, 46, 276-281 (CI = 0.78, NAASc=7.8) 3. Apidologie 1996, 27, 21-28. (Impact Factor=1.16) 4. Journal of Apicultural Research, U.K. 1992, 31, 128-133 NAASc 7.8 (CI = 0.78) 5. Apiacta Italy, 1991, 26, 38-44 6. Indian Journal of Entomology, 2011, (NAASc=4) 7. Indian Journal of Entomology 2010, 72, 259-261 (NAASc=4) 8. Indian Journal of Entomology 2007, 69, 321-326 (NAASc=4) 9. National Academy of Science Letters, 2004, 27, 11&12, 425-428 (NAASc=7.6) 10. National Academy of Science Letters, 2003, 26, 11&12, 336-340 (NAASc=7.6)

63

SINGH, SUNIL KUMAR (b 1960), Principal Scientist, Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur


Dr S. K. Singh is a recipient of DST Young Scientist Award, Post Doctoral fellowship (ICRISAT) and trained at Friedrich-Schiller University, Germany. Fellow of three professional societies, remained Editor in Chief of An international Journal of Research, Prepared current status report for FAO on ―Current Status of Mushroom Genetic Resources in India‖. Registered 356 novel gene sequences of fungi, bacteria and plants with NCBI, USA to address Indian microbial and plant biodiversity. Remained In-charge of macro-fungi Gene Bank and RFS for spawn production. The novel Cryo-preservation and Lyophilization techniques developed are being utilized to conserve National Mushroom Gene Bank germplasm. Reported a number of hitherto new fungal diseases and hosts of several important dryland crops. Developed IPM strategies for integrated management of legumes and oil seeds to combat pests and diseases and his recommendations were adopted by SKUAST-J University as package and practice for the benefit of farmers in rainfed areas. Significantly contributed to molecular characterization and process of biosynthesis of agriculturally important metal nanoparticles by potential microbes. Written technical bulletins, books and participated in Kisan melas. Recognized as Ph. D. guide by Jiva Ji University, Gwalior, Jai Narain University, Jodhpur and Banasthali Vidyapeeth, Rajasthan by the Research Councils. Trained a large number of post graduate students, teachers and scientists from Universities and ICAR institutes in molecular diagnostic techniques of microorganisms.

Proposer : Dr. Kalu Ram Dadarwal, Seconder : Prof. K.C. Bansal


1. Singh, S.K., Nene, Y.L. and Reddy, M.V. 1990. Influence of cropping systems on Macrophomina phaseolina population of Soil. Plant Disease (USA) 74(10): 612-614. (if=2.455, ci=32)

2. Singh, S.K., Nene, Y.L. and Reddy, M.V. 1990. Host range of a chickpea isolate of Macrophomina phaseolina. Plant Disease (USA) 74(10):828 (if=2.455, ci=7)

3. Singh, S. K., Sharma, V. P., Sharma, S. R., Kumar, S. and Tiwari, M. 2006. Molecular characterization of Trichoderma taxa causing green mould disease in edible mushrooms. Current Science 90 (3): 427-431 (if=0.905 , ci=20)

4. Singh, S.K., Upadhyay, R.C., Yadav, M. C. and Tiwari, M. 2004. Development of a novel lyophilization protocol for preservation of mushroom mycelial cultures. Current Science. 87(5): 568-570. (if=0.905 , ci=15)

5. Pathak, R., Singh, S.K., Singh, M. and Henry, A. 2010. Molecular assessment of genetic diversity in cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) genotypes. Journal of Genetics. 89(2):243-246. (if=0.876 , ci=26)

6. Singh, S.K., Upadhyay, R.C., Kamal, Shwet and Tiwari, M. 2004. Mushroom cryopreservation and its effect on survival, Yield and genetic stability. Cryoletters (London) 25: 23-32. (if=0.837, ci=16)

7. Singh, S.K., Rehman S.J., Gupta, B.R. and Kalha, C.S. 1992. An integrated approach to the management of major foliar diseases and insect pests of peas in India. International Journal of Pest Management. (Formerly Tropical Pest Management (England) 36(3): 265-267. (if=0.718, ci=6)

8. Jain, N., Bhargava, A., Tarafdar, J.C., Singh, S.K. and Panwar, J. 2013. A biomimetic approach towards synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. DOI:10:1007/s00253-012-3932-2. (if=3.689, ci=18)

9. Raturi, A., Singh, S.K., Sharma V. and Pathak, R. 2012. Molecular characterization of Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek genotypes based on nuclear ribosomal DNA and RAPD polymorphism. Molecular Biology Reports.39 (3):2455-2465. (if=2.506, ci=11)

10. Kakani, R. K., Singh, S. K., Pancholy, A., Meena, R. S., Pathak, R. and Raturi A. 2011. Assessment of Genetic Diversity in Trigonella foenum-graecum Based on Nuclear Ribosomal DNA, Internal Transcribed Spacer and RAPD Analysis. Plant Molecular Biology Reporter 29:315-323. (if=5.319 , ci=22)

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BUDHAVARAM, VARALAKSHMI (b. 1965), Senior Scientist, Division of Vegetable Crops, Indian Instt. of

Horticulture Research, Hessaraghatta Lake Post, Bangalore Member of the NASI : No (YON 2011, Agricultural Sciences) Green leaf vegetables occupy an important place among the food crops as these provide adequate amounts of many vitamins and minerals, consumption of which will reduce many degenerative diseases like cancer, heart diseases etc., In order to make available high yielding, nutrient rich leafy vegetable varieties, She has released six high yielding and nutrient rich leafy vegetable varieties namely, Amaranth: Arka Suguna, Arka Arunima -high yielding, Arka Varna, Arka Samraksha-rich in antioxidant activity; Palak: Arka Anupama- high yielding, Coriander: Arka Isha-high yielding and vitamin C rich (Varalakshmi et aI., 1998. Indian Hort. 42{4}:14-15, Varalakshmi et al., 2001. Indian Hort. 46(1): 28 & 30, Varalakshmi et al., 2001. Indian Hort. 46(1): 29 & 30) Cauliflower is an important vegetable grown extensily in the country, but seeds of the' available hybrids cultivated in India are all imported from European countries involving lot of foreign exchange. To save this valuable foreign exchange and to make available the indigenous varieties and hybrids for the tropical conditions, she has developed three superior advanced breeding lines namely, IIHR-316- 1(371g, 18.6 t/ha), IIHR-391-1(360g, 18.0 t/ha) and IIHR-371-1 (346g, 17.3 t/ha) which are under testing and performing well in various locations in the country. She has also identified downy mildew resistant lines ('IIHR-260-1', 265, 302' and 305-1'), Alternaria leaf spot resistant lines (IIHR-73-3- 20, 250-4-4-16-27, 264-3, 392, 424, 421,434,435 and 457} (Varalakshmi et al. 2009. Indian J. of Agric. Sci., 79 (6): 482-83) in early cauliflower. She has transferred male sterility (agura & taurnafartii ms back ground) in to cauliflower advanced breeding lines, which are ready to use in the indigenous F1 hybrid seed production.

Proposer: Prof. K. V. Peter Seconder: Prof. Kirti Singh Ten Best Publications: 1. Varalakshmi, B., Y. Narayana Reddy and B. Muralimohan Reddy, 1994. Genetic divergence in ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula (Roxb). L. Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding. (the then, Genetica Agreria) 48: 131-134. (NAAS rating: 3.0) 2. Varalakshmi, B, P. Venkat Rao and Y.Narayana Reddy, 1995 Genetic variability and heritability in ridge gourd Indian J. Agric. Sci. 65 (8): 608-610. (NAAS rating: 7.2) 3. Varalakshmi, Band VV Pratap Reddy, 1997 Variability, heritability and correlation studies in vegetable amaranth. Indian J. Hort., 54 (2): 167-170. (NAAS rating: 4,0) 4. Pratap Reddy, VV and BVaralakshmi, 1998. Heterosis and combining ability for leaf yield and its components in vegetable amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor). Indian J. Agric. Sci.. 68(12): 773-775. (NAAS rating: 7.2) 5. Varalakshmi, B. 2003. Phenotypic stability for economic traits in vegetable amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.). Indian J. Agric Sci., 73, 114-5. (NAAS rating: 7.2) 6. Varalakshmi, Band Devaraju, 2007. Genetic Diversity in Drumstick (Maringa oleifera Lam.) Germplasm. In Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Indigenous Vegetables and Legumes. (Eds. M.L.Chadha, G.Kuo and C.L.L.Gowda). Acta Horticulture, No. 752. pp 411-412. (NAAS rating: 3.0) 7. Varalakshmi, B Girija Ganeshan, C Gopalakrishnan, A Pushpalatha and B S Chethana. 2009 Identification of sources of resistance to alternaria leaf spot (Alternaria brassicicola), black rot (Xanthomanas campestris) and downy mildew (Peronaspora parasitica) in cauliflower (Brassica aleraceae). Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences. 79 (6): 482-83". (NAAS rating: 7.2) 8. Varalakshmi, B. 2009. Heterosis al)d combining ability for yield and its components in early cauliflower. Indian J. Hart. 66(2): 198403. (NAAS rating: 4.0) 9. Varalakshmi, B. 2009. Inheritance of yield and its component traits in vegetable amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.). Vegetable Science. 35(1): 77-78, (NAAS rating: 4.0) 10. Varalakshmi, B, A. Pushpalatha and J.R. Girigowda.2010. Genetic diversity in early cauliflower. Indian J.Hort., 67(2):281-283. (NAAS rating: 4.0)

65

CHALLA, JAGANNADHAM (b. 1949), Principal Scientist (Educational Technology) National Academy of Agril.

Research Management, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. Member of the NASI: No (YON 2011, Agricultural Sciences) Dr. Challa is an excellent teacher, excellent researcher and a scholar of agricultural sciences. He has communication skills par excellence. At NAARM his courses are very popular and he is sought after speaker in many universities and institutions across the country. His PhD work on calcium and phosphorous kinetics of homoeostasis mechanism in ruminants and developed the cycle of homoeostasis < of phosphorous and the research information obtained had direct relevance to computation of calcium < and phosphorous requirements in cattle. His work is regularly being quoted in several papers and is being used in ARC Recommendations of the UK. He has 36 years of teaching and research experience in undergraduate, post graduate and PhD level students. As Programme Coordinator and Resource person he designed and conducted several senior level and foundation level training programmes at NAARM in Agricultural Research management, HRD, Faculty development programmes in Educational technology and International programmes for Management Development in Agricultural Research and Education. As, Principal Investigator of several externally funded projects he produced excellent reports which had direct relevance in policy implications of ICAR. He developed a concept of Scientist- Administrator Finance Interface with a lot of empirical data as a part of HRD Strategies for Organizational Effectiveness of NARS. He authored several books and monographs and edited several conference papers notably the book on Conservation Agriculture. He is the first author of the book on "Developing Winning Research Proposals in Agricultural Research" which is indeed is well sought after publication of NAARM. He has recently released the 3rd revised edition.

Proposer: Dr. S.M. Virmani, Seconder: Dr. E.A. Siddiq Tem Best Publications: 1. Jagannadharn Challa and Braithwaite, G.D., 1988, Phosphorous and calcium metabolism in growing calves with special emphasis on Homoeostasis: 1. Studies of the effect of changes in the dietary phosphorous intake on phosphorous and calcium metabolism., Journal of Agricultural Science, 110,573- 582 (NAAS JournallD J010) 2. Jagannadham challa and Braithwaite, G.D., 1988, Phosphorous and calcium metabolism in growing calves with special emphasis on phosphorous homoeostasis: 2. Studies of the effect of different levels of phosphorous infused abomasally on phosphorous metabolism, Journal of Agricultural Science, 110, 583- 589. (NAAS JournallD J01 0) 3. Jaganndham Challa and Braithwaite, G.D., 1988, Phosphorous and calcium metabolism in growing calves with special emphasis on phosphorous metabolism: 3. Studies of the effect of contino us intravenous infusion of different levels of phosphorous in ruminating calves receiving adequate dietary phosphorous. Journal of Agricultural Science, 110,591-595. (NAAS JournallD J010) 4. Jagannadharn Challa, G. D. Braithwaite and M. S. Dhanoa, 1989, Phosphorous homoeostasis in growing calves, Journal of Agricultural Science, 112,217-226. (NAAS JournallD J010) 5. Jagannadham Challa and G.D. Braithwaite, 1989, Phosphorous and calcium metabolism in growing calves with special emphasis on phosphorous homoeostasis: 4. Studies on milk fed calves given different levels of dietary phosphorous but a constant level of calcium, Journal of Agricultural Science, 113,385- 389. (NAAS JournallD J010) 6. U.R. Mehra, J. Challa and U. B. Singh, 1993, Nutrient utilization and rumen fermentation pattern in buffalo calves fed rations supplemented with formaldehyde treated urea molasses mineral blocks, 4,67- 72. Journal of Applied Animal Research, 4, 67-72. (NAAS JournallD J030) 7. S.P. Tiwari, U. R. Mehra, U.B. Singh and J. Challa,1990, Rumen Fermentation pattern in growing male buffalo calves fed urea-molasses-mineral block as a lick -on a what straw basal diet, J. Nuclear Agric. Biol, 19: 128-133. 8. U. R. Mehra, J. Challa and U. B. Singh, 1990, Response to supplementation of berseem hay in buffalo calves fed with diets based on ammoniated wheat straw, Indian J. Dairy Sci. 43, 3,: 260-267 (NAAS JournallD 1025) 9. A. K. Ram, U. R. Mehra and J. Challa, 1990, Preparation and evaluation of complete feed mix block for goats, Indian, J. Dairy Sci, 43, 4: 458-461 (NAAS Journal ID 1025) 10. Pankaj Kumar, J. Challa, U. Dimri and Manish Kumar, 2007, Role of micronutrients in dermatological disorders of dog, INTAS Polyvet, 8, No: 11,467-471 (NAAS JournallD 1071)

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CHERUKUMALLI, SRINIVASA RAO (b 1965), Director, ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad


Dr. Rao has brought out, a comprehensive picture of potassium (K) status and K release pattern of Indian soils in relation to crop K nutrition in different agro-ecological regions and identified 122 priority districts where soils are K deficient and strategies developed for judicious efficient use of imported K fertilizers costing 16,000 crores subsidy annually to GOI (Austr. J Soil Res., 1999, 2007; Plant & Soil, 2014). His contributions on soil health management (SHM) resulted in evolving location specific integrated nutrient management strategies involving locally available organic resources to maintain soil organic carbon (SOC) in rainfed agriculture having 60% total available area in India. Based on long-term studies computed critical carbon requirements for arresting further depletion of SOC at antecedent level. His contribution in participatory SHM strategies through soil health cards (about 20000 farmers fields) reached the benefits to resource poor farmers in 150 climate vulnerable districts in the country, resulted in improved crop productivity, carbon sequestration, nutrient use efficiency and reduced GHG emissions (Adv Agronomy, 2012; Sci. Total Environ, 2013; Land Deg. & Dev., 2014). His contributions in development of agricultural contingency plans for 580 districts of India helped district authorities and farmers to cope up with climate vulnerable conditions, particularly during 2014 kharif drought (early, midseason and terminal drought) in real-time implementation of contingency measures, offset about 10 % reduction in crop sown area in India, contributed overall food security of the country (Govt. of India, Min. of Agri. website; J Environ. Sci. & Tech., 2015).

Proposer : Dr. S. M. Virmani, Seconder : Dr. J. Venakteswarlu


1. Srinivasarao, Ch., Anand Swarup, Subba Rao, A. and V. Venugopal (1999) Kinetics of nonexchangeable K release from Tropaquept as influenced by long-term cropping, fertilization and manuring. Australian Journal of Soil Research. 37(2):317-328. (if=3.443, ci=45)

2. Vineela, C., Wani, S.P., Srinivasarao, Ch., Padmaja, B and K.P.R.Vittal (2008) Microbial properties of soils as affected by cropping and nutrient management practices in several long-term manurial experiments in the semi arid tropics of India. Applied Soil Ecology. 40: 165-173. (if=2.206, ci=42)

3. Khormali,F., Ajami, M., Ayoubi, S., Srinivasarao, Ch. and S.P. Wani (2009) Role of deforestation and hillslope position on soil quality attributes of loess-derived soils in Golestan province, Iran. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 134: 178-189. (if=3.203, ci=40)

4. Srinivasarao, Ch., Venkateswarlu, B., Lal, R., Singh, A. K., Sumanta Kundu, Vittal, K. P. R., Patel, J. J. and M. M. Patel. (2011). Long-term manuring and fertilizer effects on depletion of soil organic carbon stocks under pearl millet-cluster bean-castor rotation in western India. Land Degradation & Development. 25 (2), 173-183. (if=2.058, ci=34)

5. Venkateswarlu, B., Srinivasarao, Ch., Ramesh, G. Venkateswarlu, S. and J. C. Katyal (2007) Effects of long term legume cover crop incorporation on soil organic carbon, microbial biomass, nutrient build up and grain yields of sorghum/sunflower under rainfed conditions. Soil Use and Management (U.K.). 23:100-107. (if=1.968, ci=31)

6. Rupa, T.R., Srinivasarao, Ch., Subbarao, A., and Singh, M. (2002) Effect of farmyard manure and phosphorus on zinc transformation and phyto-availability in two Alfisols of India. Bioresource Technology. 87: 279-288. (if=5.039, ci=26)

7. Srinivasarao, Ch., Venkateswarlu, B., Lal, R., Singh, A.K., Vittal, K.P.R., Sumanta Kundu, Singh, S.R. and S.P. Singh (2012) Long-term effects of soil fertility management on carbon sequestration in a rice-lentil cropping system of the Indo-Gangetic plains. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 76(1): 168-178. (if=2.000, ci=25)

8. Srinivasarao, Ch., Subba Rao,A. and T.R. Rupa (2000) Plant mobilization of reserve potassium from fifteen smectitic soils in relation to mineralogy and soil test potassium. Soil Science (USA) 165(7): 578-586. (if=1.042, ci=23)

9. Srinivasarao, Ch. and M. S. Khera (1994) Potassium replenishment capacity of some ustrochrepts at their minimal exchangeable K in relation to clay mineralogy. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science (Germany). 157(6):467-470. (if=1.663, ci=21)

10. Srinivasarao, Ch., Vittal, KPR., Tiwari, KN., Gajbhiye, PN. and S. Kundu (2007) Categorization of soils based on potassium reserves and production systems: implications in K management. Australian Journal of Soil Research. 45: 438-447. (if=3.443, ci=20)

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GOPAL, JAI (b. 1954), Head, Crop Improvement Div., Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla Member of the NASI: No (YON 2011, Agricultural Sciences) Dr. Jai Gopal has contributed significantly to the field of agriculture. He is working on potato genetics, breeding, and genetic resources from past more than 30 years. He has bred 12 improved potato cultivars, which have been released and are in cultivation. He also developed eight genetic stocks, which have been registered at the national level. He has been instrumental in establishing the biggest potato gene bank of South Asia in India. He undertook research on reproductive biology, inheritance, conservation and evaluation of genetic resources and development of breeding methods. This has led to the development of efficient procedures and criteria for selection of superior parents, cross combinations and clones in the potato breeding programmes. He developed an innovative methodology of combining in vitro and in-vivo methods for accelerating potato breeding. His work has been published in high impact factor journal including Theoretical & Applied Genetics, Plant Breeding, Plant Cell Reports, Euphytica, In Vitro and Cellular Developmental Biology and so on as is evident from the his impressive list of publications. His work has been recognized at national as well as international level. He is fellow of a number cf scientific academies including the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Japan Society for Promotion of Science, Third World Academy of Sciences and he has also bagged many awards. The FAO nominated him as panel member for external project and management review of International Potato Center, Lima, Peru and member of Task Force oh Global Initiative on Plant Breeding.

Proposer: Dr. S.K. Sharma, Seconder: Dr. S. K. Pandey Ten Best Publications: 1. Gopal, J. 1994. Flowering behaviour, male sterility and berry setting .... Euphytica 72: 133-142 (IF: 8.0 (NAAS)) 2. Gopal, J., P.C. Gaur and M.S. Rana, 1994. Early generation selection for agronomic ..... Theor. Appl. Genet. 84: 709-713 (IF: 8.9 (NAAS)) 3. Gopal, J. 1997. Progeny selection for agronomically important... Theor. Appl. Genet. 95: 307-311 (IF: 8.9 (NAAS)) 4. Gopal, J. 1998. Identification of superior parents and crosses .... Theor. Appl. Genet. 96: 287-293 (IF: 8.9 (NAAS)) 5. Gopal, J. and J.L. Minocha, 1998. Effectiveness of in vitro selection for ... Euphytica 103: 67-74 (IF: 8.0 (NAAS)) 6. Gopal, J., J.L. Minocha and H.S. Dhaliwal, 1998. Microtuberization in potato ... Plant Cell Reports 17: 794-798 (IF: 8.4 (NAAS)) 7. Gopal, J. 1999. In vitro versus in vivo genetic diverqence in potato. Theor. Appl. Genet. 98: 299- 304. (IF: 8.9 (NAAS)) 8. Gopal, J. and K. Oyama. 2005. Genetic base of Indian potato selections ... (IF: 8.0 (NAAS)) 9. Gopal, J. and K. Iwama. 2007. In vitro screening againstwater-stress ... Plant Cell Reports 26: 693- 700. (IF: 8.4 (NAAS)) 10. Gopal, J., V. Kumar and S.K. Luthra. 2008. Top-cross vs. poly-cross as .. Plant Breeding 127: 441- 445 (IF: 8.0 (NAAS))

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JANAPALA, VENKATESWARA RAO (b 1956), Chief Scientist, Biology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of

Chemical Technology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad Member of the NASI: No (YON 2011, Agricultural Sciences) Dr. Janapala Venkateswara Rao working as a Chief Scientist at the Biology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad. His work is mainly focused on toxicokinetic behaviour of agricultural pesticides and their harmful effects on non-target organisms. He has contributed significantly to the development and adoption of novel in vitro and in vivo safety evaluation methods using paramecium, earthworm and different fish species for toxicity assessment of pesticides. He is an authority in the area of dynamic bio-indicators i.e., earthworms and marine sponges for real time operations to assess load of pollution in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Dr. Rao has made significant contributions in isolation and development of new biopesticide molecules from marine resources. The outcome yielded in the form of IGR (Insect Growth Regulator) from marine green algae Dictyosphaeria favulosa, which is first of its kind in the Integrated Pest Management. In the subsequent program many analogues have been developed from the above active compound that are lethal to the larvae and also disrupt the life cycle of many agricultural and publichealth pests. Dr. Rao is a member of several leading societies dealing with Biological Sciences. He is a Fellow of many National and International academies including National Academy of Biological Sciences, National Environmental Science Academy, and American Academy of Toxicological Sciences. As a research mentor, Dr. Rao has guided fifteen students for M.Phil. and PhDs under his supervision. He has published more than 100 papers and also has nine national and international patents.

Proposer: Dr. Ramesh V Sonti, Seconder: Dr. S. Chandrasekhar Ten Best Publications: 1. Venkateswara Rao, J., Desaiah, D., Vig, P.J.S., & Venkateswarlu, Y. (1998), Marine biomolecules inhibit rat brain nitric oxide synthase. Toxicology, 129(2), 103-112. (IF=3.641, CI=21) 2. Venkateswara Rao, J., Surya Pavan, Y., &. Madhavendra, S.S. (2003), Toxic effects of chlorpyrifos on morphology and acetylcholinesterase activity in the earthworm Eisenia foetida. Ecotox. Environ. Safe., 54(3), 296-301. (IF=2.34, CI=45) 3. Venkateswara Rao, J., Shilpanjali, D., Kavitha, P., & Madhavendra, S.S. (2003), Toxic effects of profenofos on tissue acetylcholinesterase and gill morphology in a euryhaline fish, Oreochromis mossambicus. Arch. Toxicol.,77(4), 227-232. (IF=4.041, CI=33) 4. Sekhar, K.C., Chary, N.S., Kamala, C.T., Venkateswara Rao, J., Balaram, V., & Anjaneyulu, Y. (2003), Risk assessment and pathway study of arsenic industrially contaminated sites of Hyderabad: a case study. Environ. Int., 29(5), 601-611. (IF=4.691, CI=40) 5. Venkateswara Rao, J., & Kavitha, P. (2004), Toxicity of azodrin on the morphology and acetylcholinesterase activity of earthworm Eisenia foetida. Environ. Res., 96(3), 323-327. (IF=3.500, CI=27) 6. Venkateswara Rao, J. (2006), Toxic effects of novel organophosphorus insecticide (RPR-V) on certain biochemical parameters of euryhaline fish, Oreochromis mossambicus. Pestic. Biochem. Physiol., 86(2), 78-84. (IF=1.503, CI=28) 7. Venkateswara Rao, J. (2006), Sub-lethal effects of an organophosphorus insecticide (RPR-II) on biochemical parameters of tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus. Comp. Biochem. Phys., C, 143(4), 492- 498. (IF=2.325, CI=24) 8. Venkateswara Rao J. (2006), Biochemical alterations in euryhaline fish, Oreochromis mossambicus exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of an organophosphorus insecticide, Monocrotophos. Chemosphere, 65(10), 1814-1820. (IF=3.155, CI=32) 9. Kavitha, P., & Venkateswara Rao, J. (2007), Oxidative stress and locomotor behaviour response as biomarkers for assessing recovery status of mosquito fish, Gambusia affinis after lethal effect of an organophosphate pesticide, monocrotophos. Pestic. Biochem. Physiol., 87(2), 182–188. (IF=1.503, CI=33) 10. Venkateswara Rao, J., & Kavitha, P. (2009), Sub-Lethal Effects of Profenofos on Tissue-Specific Antioxidative Responses in a Euryhyaline fish, Oreochromis mossambicus. Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf., 72(6), 1727-1733. (IF=2.34, CI=17)

69

KALVAKUNTLA, JEEVANRAO (b 1958), Professor, Dept. of Soil Science & Agril. Chemistry, College of

Agriculture, Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-30 Member of the NASI: No (YON 2011, Agricultural Sciences)

D.K.Jeevan Rao investigations have contributed towards understanding the nature and extent of soil and water pollution hazards due to urban solid wastes, Industrial effluents and sewage waters and sludge under farmers field and landfill conditions and helped to develop strategies for their safe utilization in agriculture. His work has had far-reaching applications in such diverse areas of solid waste management, soil and water pollution, and heavy metals in food chain etc. His studies will be useful in developing soil quality policies and understanding linkages among soil, waste, water pollution and environmental protection.He went on to develop a laboratory in the university for the first time for the study of soil and water pollution and organic waste recycling in agriculture by incorporating the interdisciplinary style. His studies revealed that management of urban wastes and agricultural wastes through composting technology is an environmentally friendly and cost effective way to transform high volume heterogeneous by products into a product having economic value. Compost enrichment with beneficial microorganisms and mineral additives such as rock phosphate and other additives helped in improving the agronomic value of the compost. Dr.Rao demonstrated the composting techniques in the farmers fields.

Proposer : Prof. E.A. Siddiq, Seconder : Prof. Vudem Dashavantha Reddy Ten Best Publications: 1. Jeevan Rao, K and Shantaram M V 1994 Heavy metal pollution of Agricultural soils due to application of garbage Indian Journal of Environmental Health 36(1) : 31-39 Neeri Nagpur (IF=0.2334, CI=7) 2. Jeevan Rao, K and Shantaram M V 1995 Contents of heavy metals in crops treated with urban solid

wastes Journal of Environmental Biology 16(3) : 225-232 Muzaffar U.P (IF=0.48, CI=3) 3. Jeevan Rao, K and Shantaram M V1995 Concentration and relative availability of heavy metals in urban solid wastes of Hyderabad, India Bio-resource Technology 53(10): 53-55 Elsevier Applied Sc England. (IF=4.0-4.5, CI=4) 4. Jeevan Rao, K and Shantaram M V 1995 Nutrient changes in agricultural soils due to application of garbage Indian Journal of Environmental Health 37(4) : 265-271 NEERI Nagapur. (IF=0.2334, CI=3) 5. Jeevan Rao, K and Shantaram M V 1996 Effect of urban solid wastes application on dry matter yield,uptake of micronutrients and heavy metals by maize plant Journal Environmental Biology 17(1):Muzaffarpur UP (IF=0.48, CI=8) 6. Prashanthi V. and Jeevan Rao K 1999 Impact of land disposal of industrial effluents on properties of Soils of Noor Mohammed Lakebed Journal of Environmental Biology 20(3) P. 269-272 Luknow. (IF=0.48, CI=5) 7. Jeevan Rao. K and .Shantharam M.V 1999 Potentially toxic elements in soils treated with Urban Solid

Wastes Indian Journal of Environmental Health 41(4), P.364-368 Nagpur (IF=0.2334, CI=11) 8. Jeevan Rao.K, Vimala Devi Y.S.S, and Srinivasa Raju A 2004 Impact of long term land application of

Urban Solid Wastes on Soil Chemical Properties Ecology, Environment and Conservation10(3), P 303- 5. (IF=0.03, CI=5) 9. Jeevan Rao.K, Rama Lakshmi Ch. S, and Srinivasa Raju A 2008 Evaluation of Urban and Agricultural

Waste Compost Journal of the Indian Society of Soil Science 56(3)295-299 New Delhi. (IF=2.5, CI=3) 10. V.Chanakya and K.Jeevan rao2009 Fractionation of Metals in soils of Kattedan Industrial Area of

Hyderabad Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering 15-126 NEERI,Nagpur. (IF=0.2334, CI=3)

70

KANDASAMY, KATHIRESAN (b 1956), Dean & Director, Professor of Marine Biology, Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Annamalai University, Parangipettai


Prof. K. Kathiresan of Annamalai University has spent practically most of his research career studying mangroves (Kathiresan, 2000). He discovered a mangrove species new to science, and also prepared a check list for 4011 species of mangrove ecosystem in India (Kathiresan & Qasim, 2005). In association with a team of world class scientists, he identified 11 globally threatened mangrove species (Polidoro et al., 2010) and also contributed to the recently published ―World Atlas of Mangroves‖. He trained about 200 mangrove researchers of 16 countries. He formulated a package of techniques for better (i) growth of mangroves; and (ii) fishery resource enrichment. He also demonstrated the techniques to work in the field by creating 35-hectare area of forest. This forest saved about 1000 human lives and their assets during the 2004 tsunami (Kathiresan & Rajendran, 2004). His work demonstrated the ecological roles of mangroves in (i) tolerance to solar UV-B radiation, (ii) sedimentation, (iii) carbon sequestration, and (iv) pollution removal (Kathiresan & Bingham, 2001). His innovative ideas have proved mangroves as the source of high value products: (i) black tea; (ii) artificial honey; (iii) microbial enzymes; (iv) plastic degrading microbes; (v) agriculture fungicides; (vi) microbial biofertilizers; (vii) mosquito repellents; (viii) silver nanoparticles; (ix) prawn feed; and, (x) to suppress HIV, diabetics, oral cancer, hair loss and E. coli infection (Premanathan et al., 1992). His contribution is remarkable in preparation of valued documents: (i) ―National Strategy Action Plan for mangroves of India‖ for IUCN programme of Mangrove For Future (MFF); and, (ii) ―National Guidelines for Mangrove Plantations, Conservation and Management‖ for Govt. of India.

Proposer : Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, Seconder : Prof. S.Z. Qasim


1. K. Kathirean & Brain L. Bingham, 2001. Biology of mangroves & mangrove ecosystem. Advances in Marine Biology, 40 : 81-251.(if=5.00, ci=699)

2. K. Kathiresan & N. Rajendran, 2005. Coastal mangrove forests mitigated tsunami. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Sciences, 65 : 601-606. (if=2.253, ci=355)

3. K. Kathiresan, S. Manivannan, M.A. Nabeel & B. Dhivya, 2009. Studies on silver nanoparticles synthesized by a marine fungus, Penicillium fellutanum isolated from coastal mangrove sediment, Colloids and surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 71 (1), 133-137. (if=4.287, ci=185)

4. K. Kathiresan, 2000. A review of studies on Pichavaram mangrove, southeast India. Hydrobiologia, 430 (1-3) : 185-205. (if=2.212, ci=167)

5. B.A. Polidoro, K.E. Carpenter, L. Collins, N.C. Duke, A.M. Ellison, sJ.C. Ellison, E.J. Farnsworth, E.S. Fernando, K. Kathiresan, N.E. Koedam, S.R. Livingstone, T. Miyagi, G.E. Moore, Vien Ngoc Nam, J. E. Ong, J.H. Primavera, S.G. Salmo, III, J.C. Sanciangco, S. Sukardjo, Y. Wang & J.W.H. Yong, 2010. The loss of species: Mangrove extinction risk and geographic areas of global concern. PLoS ONE, 5 (4): 1-10. (if=3.534, ci=164)

6. Gan Zhang, Paromita Chakraborty, Jun Li, Pichai Sampathkumar, Thangavel Balasubramanian, Kandasamy Kathiresan, Shin Takahashi, Annamalai Subramanian, Shinsuke Tanabe & Kevin C. Jones, 2008. Passive Atmospheric Sampling of Organochlorine Pesticides, Polychlorinated Biphenyls, and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Urban, Rural, and Wetland Sites along the Coastal Length of India. Environmental Science & Technology, 42: 8218–8223. (if=5.481, ci=133)

7. K. Kathiresan & S. Manivannan, 2006. α--Amylase production by Penicillium fellutanum isolated from mangrove rhizosphere soil, African Journal of Biotechnology, 5 (10), 829- 832. (if=0.57, ci=86)

8. M. Premanathan, K. Chandra, S.K. Bajpai & K. Kathiresan, 1992. A survey of some Indian marine plants of antiviral activity. Botanica Marina, 35(4) : 321-324 (if=1.00, ci=76)

9. K. Kathiresan, 2003. Polythene and plastics-degrading microbes from the mangrove soil, Revista de biologia tropical 51 (3-4), 629-633, (if=0.55, ci=74)

10. M. Premanathan, R. Arakaki, H. Izumi, K. Kathiresan, M. Nakano, N. Yamamoto & H. Nakashima. 1999. Antiviral properties of a mangrove plant, Rhizophora apiculata Blume, against human immunodeficiency virus. Antiviral Research, 44 (2) : 113-122. (if=3.43, ci=66)

71

KHAN, MUJEEBUR RAHMAN (b 1963), Professor, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh


Dr. Khan is a fellow of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences. He has 125 research papers, 35 review articles, 2 patents (USA 1 & India 1), 5 authored books (USA 1, Germany 2 and India 2), 3 edited books (NASI, Allahabad) and 6 research projects (DST 2, DBT 1, UGC 2 & UPCST 1) to his credit. Dr. Khan has contributed largely in evaluating the effects of environmental contamination and climatic change on crop productivity and plant diseases. His researches have revealed that SO2, O3, NH3, coal smoke, acidic rain and heavy metals at low concentrations do not injure plants, but may predispose them to a greater pathogenic damage. His ongoing DST project on climatic change has shown that 450-500 ppm CO2 can promote plant diseases. Dr. Khan has also explored plant growth promoting and pathogen suppressing effects of flyash, and has recommended soil application of 3-4 q ash/ha for cultivation of ornamental plants. Dr. Khan‘s other major research area is biocontrol of plant diseases. Evaluation of numerous microorganisms has revealed that Pochonia chlamydosporia, Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma harzianum and Pseudomonas flourescens can control root-knot, root-rot, wilt and fungus-nematode

disease complexes of vegetables, pulses and ornamentals. Dr. Khan has invented a low-cost technology to produce microbial formulations of biocontrol fungi and bacteria. He has maped diversity of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) in U.P. and has demonstrated commercial potential of selected indigenous strains of EPN in the management of fruit fly in mango and root-knot nematodes in vegetable.

Proposer : Prof. M. Shamim Jairajpuri, Seconder : Prof. Q. H. Baqri Ten Best Publications: 1. Khan M R and M W Khan.1993. Interaction of SO2 and root-knot nematode on tomato. Environmental

Pollution (U.K.) 81:92-103.(if=4.094, ci=25) 2. Khan M R and M W Khan.1994. Single and interactive effects of root-knot nematode and coal smoke

on okra. New Phytologist (U.K.) 126:337-342. (if=6.640, ci=12) 3. Khan M R and M W Khan.1995. Effects of ammonia and root-knot nematode on tomato. Agriculture,

Ecosystems & Environment (The Netherlands) 53:71-81. (if=3.673, ci=8) 4. Khan M R and M W Khan.1997. Effect of root-knot nematode on the sensitivity of tomato to sulphur

dioxide and ozone. Environmental and Experimental Botany (U.S.A.) 37:11-26. (if=3.553, ci=9) 5. Khan M R and M W Khan.1996. The effect of fly ash on plant growth and yield of tomato.

Environmental Pollution (U.K.) 92:105-11.(if=4.094, ci=113) 6. Khan M R, M W Khan and MJ Pasha.1998. Effects of sulphur dioxide on the development of powdery

mildew of cucumber. Environmental and Experimental Botany 40:265-273. (if=3.553, ci=14) 7. Khan M R and M W Khan.1998. Interactive effects of ozone and root-knot nematode on tomato.

Agriculture, Ecosysterms & Environment (The Netherlands) 70:97-107. (if=3.673, ci=5) 8. Khan M R and M W Khan.1998. Interactive effects of ozone and powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca

fuliginea) on bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria). Agriculture, Ecosysterms & Environment (The

Netherlands) 70:109-118. (if=3.673, ci=5) 9. Khan M R and S.M Khan. 2002. Effect of root-dip treatment with certain phosphate solubilising

microorganisms on Fusarial wilt of tomato. Bioresource Technology (U.K.) 85:213-215. (if=5.172, ci=27) 10. Khan M R and M. Mahmud Khan 2010. Effect of intermittent exposures of SO2 on the leaf blight

caused by Alternaria brassicicola on Indian mustard. Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment (Netherland) 139 (4): 728-735 (if=3.673, ci=2)

72

PATIL, RAMABHAU TUMADU (b 1954), Principal Scientist and Former Director, CIPHET; Central

Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal (MP) Member of the NASI: No (YON 2011, Agricultural Sciences)

Dr. Patil, a fellow of ISAE, Institution of Engineers and NAAS has contributed substantially to R&D in the area of Food Engineering. He has developed more than 20 prototypes for processing of plantation crops, soybean, fruits and vegetables for use by small scale processing industry in the production catchment. As Director CIPHET he steered the research on cutting edge areas like extrusion cooking, fermentation, smart packing, and development of bio extracts. The inventions done by his team like pomegranate aril extracting machine (500 kg/h with no aril damage and at 1/10 cost and double the capacity of imported machine) and hand tool for aril extraction are unique in the world. His earlier invention of coconut dryer has been helping coconut farmers of the country since last 25 years through about 20 manufacturers. The invention of soybean processing machines like low cost flaking machine, blancher, extruder, dryer etc has helped establish small scale processing industries to provide rural employment and better return to farmers. Development of a reactor and decantor by his team for fractionation of mustard flour, hulls and bio extract for production of mustard sauce have been licensed to M/s Cremica in 2007. He has published more than 75 research papers in refereed journal, 55 conference proceedings, 20 book chapters, 2 authored and 7 edited books. He is recipient of eminent engineer award by Institution of Engineers India and team awards from Govt of Poland for thermal processing and from ISAE for the invention of pomegranate aril extractor.

Proposer: Dr. Rakesh Tuli, Seconder: Dr. Tapan K. Adhya Ten Best Publications: 1. Patil, R. T. and B. D. Shukla. 1988. Natural convection tray type batch dryer using agricultural waste as fuel. International J. of Drying Technology, USA. 6 (2):P 195-212 (IF = 1.662) 2. Patil R. T. and Nawab Ali. 2006. Effect of pretreatments on mechanical oil expression of soybean using

a commercial oil expeller. International Journal of Food Properties. 9:1-10 (IF= 0.947) 3. R.T. Patil, B.D. Shukla and A.P. Gandhi 1987 Development of low-cost soybean blanching unit using wood chips as fuel. Energy in Agriculture, 6 (1987) 255-263 (IF = 4.365) 4. Patil R. T. and B. D. Shukla. 2006 A novel design of crop dryer for use in developing countries. International J. of Drying Technology, 24,1-7 (IF= 1.662, CI = 0.14) 5. Rajbir Singh, RR Sharma, S Kumar, RK Gupta and RT Patil. 2008 Vermi compost substitution influences growth, physiological disorder, fruit yield and quality of strawberry. Bioresource Technology Volume 99, Issue 17, November 2008, Pages 8507-8511 (IF = 4.365) 6. Harinder Singh Oberoi; Praveen V Vadlani; Khushal Brijwani; Vinod Kumar Bhargav; Ramabhau Tumadu Patil. 2010. Enhanced Ethanol Production via Fermentation of Rice Straw with hydrolysate-adapted Candida Tropicalis ATCC 13803 Process Biochemistry, Vol.45 No.8 August 2010 [Page 1299-1306] (IF= 2.648, CI = 4.0) 7. Harinder Singh Oberoi, Neha Babbar, Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal, Simranjeet Kaur, Praveen V. Vadlani, Vinod K. Bhargav and Ramabhau T. Patil. 2010. Enhanced Oil Recovery by Pre-treatment of Mustard Seeds Using Crude Enzyme Extract Obtained from Mixed-Culture Solid-State Fermentation of Kinnow (Citrus reticulata) Waste and Wheat Bran. Food Bioprocess Technol., Online May: 9 pages (IF = 3.576, CI= 1.00) 8. Neha Babbar, Harinder Singh Oberoi, Dewinder Singh Uppal, Ramabhau Tumadu Patil. 2011. Total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of extracts obtained from six important fruit residues. Food Research International 44 (2011) 391-396 (IF= 2.416) 9. D.R. Rai, S.N. Jha, O.D. Wanjari and R.T. Patil. 2009. Chromatic Changes in Broccoli (IF= 1.223) 10. Dattatreya M. Kadam, Deepak Raj Rai, R.T. Patil, Robin A. Wilson, Sumandeep Kaur, and Rahul Kumar. 2011 Quality of fresh and stored foam mat dried Mandarin powder. International Journal of Food Science and Technology doi:10.1111/j.1365-2621.2011.02559.x(IF= 1.172, CI= 0.00)

73

PATRA, ASHOK KUMAR (b 1960), Director, Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal


Developed a mobile digital minilab (unique and first time) for analysis of 10 soil chemical parameters for soil health card preparation of the country. Developed a procedure for bromide (Br-) extraction and estimation as a tracer for studying NO3- -N movement/leaching in soil and water. Using 15N and Br- tracers, quantified N-transformations in major soils of India. Using lysimeters under intensive legume based forage production system, quantified for the first time that leaching of nutrients during large storms is a major constraint in the semi-arid regions. Unraveled for the first time that N supply from soil [potential-N-mineralization] is strongly influenced by interactive effects of soil management, organic matter fractions, depth and weather conditions. Use of encapsulated calcium carbide (ECC) as a nitrification-denitrification inhibitor; established the mechanism that C2H2, which slowly released from ECC and inhibits activity of ammonia mono-oxygenase, is associated with reducing population of the ammonia oxidizing bacteria in soil. Methodologies for studying cell density of nitrifying organisms and genetic diversity at molecular level of functional communities for N-cycling in agroecosystems. Reported for first time that intensive agro-ecosystem enhances the activity and abundance of functional communities driving N cycling, but reduces their genetic diversity. Using molecular probes, demonstrated for the first time that intensity of land management and the plant species composition play a significant role to shape up the community functions and microbial diversity in soil. Identified promising strains (JSR-3 and JSR-4) of Rhizobium on Stylosanthes hamata for higher N2 fixation under impoverished red soils of the grasslands in India. Developed an integrated soil quality index for different cropping and land management systems.

Proposer : Dr. D.D. Patra, Seconder : Dr. Trilochan Mahapatra


1. Patra A.K., Abbadie, L., Clays, A., Degrange, V., Grayston, S. J., Loiseau, P., Louault, F., Mahmood, S., Nazaret, S. Philippot, L., Poly, F., Prosser, J. I., Richaume, A. and Le Roux, X. (2005). Effect of grazing on microbial functional groups involved in soil N dynamics. Ecological Monographs 75(1): 65-80. (if=7.107 (NAAS IF 13.11), ci=128)

2. Patra, A.K., Clays, A., Degrange, V., Grayston, S. J., Guillaumaud, N., Loiseau, P., Louault, F., Mahmood, S., Nazaret, S. Philippot, L., Poly, F., Prosser, J. I., and Le Roux, X. (2006). Effects of management regime and plant species on the enzyme activity and genetic structure of N-fixing, denitrifying and nitrifying bacterial communities in grassland soils. Environmental Microbiology 8 (6): 1005-1016. (if=6.24 (NAAS IF 12.24), ci=129)

3. Mandal, A., Patra, A. K., Singh, D., Swarup, A., Masto R. E. (2007). Effect of long-term application of manure and fertilizer on biological and biochemical activities in soil during crop development stages. Bioresource Technology 98: 3585-3592. (if=5.039 (NAAS IF 11.04), ci=145)

4. Masto, R. E., Chhonkar, P.K., Singh, D., Patra, A. K. (2006). Changes in soil biological and biochemical characteristics in a long-term field trial on a sub-tropical inceptisol. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 38: 1577-1582 (if=4.41 (NAAS IF10.41), ci=144)

5. Masto, R. E., Chhonkar, P.K., Singh, D., Patra, A. K. (2007). Soil quality response to long-term nutrient and crop management on a semi-arid inceptisol. Agriculture, Ecosystem & Environment: 118 (1): 130-142. (if=3.203 (NAAS IF 9.20), ci=86)

6. Masto, R. E., Chhonkar, P.K., Singh, D., Patra, A. K. (2008) Alternative soil quality indices for evaluating the effect of intensive cropping, fertilisation and manuring for 31 years in the semi-arid soils of India. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 136: 419–435. (if=1.679 (NAAS IF 7.68), ci=60)

7. Patra, A.K., Le Roux, X., Grayston, S. J., Loiseau, P., Louault, F. (2008). Unraveling the effects of management regime and plant species on soil organic carbon and microbial phospholipid fatty acid profiles in grassland soils. Bioresource Technology 99: 3545-3551(if=5.039 (NAAS IF 11.04), ci=29)

8. Patra, A.K., Jarvis, S.C. & Hatch, D. (1999): Nitrogen mineralization in soil layers, soil particles and macro-organic matter under grassland. Biology and Fertility of Soils 29(1): 38-45. (if=3.396 (NAAS IF 9.40), ci=22)

9. Patra, A. K., Chhonkar, P.K. & Khan, M. A. (2006) Effect of green manure Sesbania sesban and nitrification inhibitor encapsulated calcium carbide (ECC) on soil mineral -N, enzyme activity and nitrifying organisms in a rice-wheat cropping system. European Journal of Soil Biology 42 (3): 173-180. (if=2.146 (NAAS IF 8.15 ), ci=25)

10. Mohanty, S., Patra, A. K., & Chhonkar, P.K. (2008). Neem (Azadirachta indica) seed kernel powder retards urease and nitrification activities in different soils at contrasting moisture and temperature regimes. Bioresource Technology 99: 894-899. (if=5.039 (NAAS IF 11.04), ci=20)

74

PRASAD, GAYA (b 1953), Assistant Director General (Animal Health), ICAR, New Delhi


Prof. Prasad has made significant contribution in the field of animal husbandry in general and animal health in particular. His outstanding research contribution has lead to better understanding of bluetongue (BT) disease epidemiology, genetic diversity of BT virus and development of diagnostics and vaccine. His critical contributions as the collaborating centre of ICAR All Indian Network Programme on bluetongue enabled development of the vaccine recently commercialized as ‗Raksha Blu‘ by Indian Immunologicals Limited, Hyderabad. Bluetongue diagnostic assay based monoclonal antibody and baculovirus expressed recombinant antigen was another outcome of his research of immense practical utility. His research findings have significantly impacted the formulation of bluetongue disease control strategy in animals in India. His work on development of diagnostic assays for detection of adulteration of meat has resulted into award of two Indian Patents (Patent No. 261631, Patent No. 261685) which are being offered for commercialization. His research on antifungal properties of garlic has found practical utility as poultry feed supplement and anti-candidiasis therapy in poultry. His pioneering work on temperature sensitive mutant of Moloney murine leukemia virus helped in better understanding of the pathogenesis of neurological and immunological disorder induced by the virus. In addition, his work on animal rotaviruses, canine parvovirus and fowl adenoviruses has been widely recognized in the country. In recognition of his research accomplishments, he was awarded Rafi Ahmad Kindwai award. Presently, he is spearheading the animal health research of ICAR as ADG (AH) wherein he has been supervising 9 All India Network/Outreach programmes and two All India Coordinated Research Programmes on different aspects of animal health.

Proposer : Dr. Rishendra Verma, Seconder : Dr. R.M. Acharya


1. Shafiq M, Minakshi P, Anshul B, Ranjan K, and Prasad G (2013). Evidence of genetic reassortment between Indian isolate of bluetongue virus serotype 21 (BTV-21) and bluetongue virus serotype 16 (BTV-16). Virus Research, 173(2):336-43 (if= 2.827, ci= 3)

2. Minakshi P, Singh R, Ranjan, K, Kumar P, Joshi CG, YKM Reddy and Prasad, G. (2012). Complete genome sequence of bluetongue virus serotype 16 of goat origin from India. Journal of Virology, 86: 8337-38. (if=4.650, ci=14)

3. Maan,N.S., Maan, S., Nomikou, K. , Prasad, G , Singh, K.P., Manjunatha, B.N., Mertens, P.P.C (2012). Full genome sequence of bluetongue virus serotype 1 from India. Journal of Virology. 86, 4717– 4718. (if=4.650, ci=4)

4. Gollapalli, S. R. K., Mallavarapu, S., Uma, M., Rao, P. P.,Susmitha, B., Prasad, P. U. V. S., Chaitanya, P., Prasad, G., Hegde, N. R. and Reddy, Y. N. (2011). Sequences of genes encoding type-specific and group-specific antigens of an Indian isolate of bluetongue virus serotype 10 (BTV-10) and implications for their origin. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, 59: 165-172. (if=3.2, ci=10)

5. Manuja, B.K., Prasad, Minakshi, Manuja, A., Gulati, B.R. and Prasad G. (2008). A novel genomic constellation G10P[3] of group A rotavirus detected from buffalo calves in northern India. Virus Research. 138:36–42. (if=2.827, ci=16)

6. Mertens,P.P.C., Maan, N.S., Prasad,G., Samuel,A.R., Shaw, A.E., Potgiester, A.C., Anthonay, S.J.& Maan, S. (2007).Design of primers and use of RT-PCR assays for typing European bluetongue virus isolates: differentiation of field and vaccine strains. Journal of General Virology. 88:2811-2823. (if=3.529, ci=75)

7. Prasad, G., Stoika, G. & Wong, P.K.Y. (1989). The role of thymus in the pathogenesis of hind limb induced by ts1, a temperature sensitive mutant of Moloney murine leukemia virus-TB. Virology. 169: 332-340 (if=3.278, ci=21)

8. Wong, P.K.Y., Prasad, G., Hansen, J. & Yuen, P.H. (1989). ts1, a mutant of Moloney murine leukemia virus-TB, causes both immunodeficiency and neurological disorders in BALB/c mice. Virology. 170: 450-459 (if=3.278, ci=51)

9. Prasad, G., Kumar, A., Singh, A.K., Bhattacharya A.K., Singh, K. & Sharma, V.D. (1986). Antimicrobial activity of essential oils of some Ocimum species and clove oil. Fitoterapia. LVII: 429-432 (if=2.216, ci=68)

10. Prasad, G. & Sharma, V.D. (1980). Efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum) treatment against experimental candidiasis of chicks. British Veterinary Journal (now ―Veterinary Journal‖) 136: 448- 451. (if=2.165, ci=36)

75

SANTRA, SUBHAS CHANDRA (b 1953), Professor, Department of Environmental Science, University of Kalyani, Nadia


Prof. Subhas Chandra Santra is a biologist who completed 42 years of teaching and research of which around 30 years in department of Environmental science, University of Kayani, West Bengal. He had published over 265 research papers and scholarly articles in various National and International journals. He supervised over 60 research students in diverse area of research in Environmental science. Prof. Santra awarded PremChand RoyChand Award from University of Calcutta, and received fellowship from West Bengal Academy of Science and Technology. He also acted as Vice president of above stated academy for four successive years. Prof. Santra was delivered Prof. J.C.Sengupta endowment lecture of West Bengal Academy of Science & Technology in 2013.The major scientific research area of Prof. Santra lies in Toxicology, Environmental Microbiology, Radiation Biology and Pollution. He served as member of various academic committees of Universities, Expert member of State Pollution Board, and Ministry of Environment and Forests, Union Public service commission and University Grants Commission. Prof. Santra visited various scientific laboratories of the World, participated in International Conference in India outside the country and made a number of collaborative research with various laboratories within the country. He also published 18 text and reference books in Biology and Environmental Science.

Proposer : Prof. T.K.Adhya, Seconder : Dr. Hemanta Kumar Majumder


1. Dietary arsenic consumption and urine arsenic in an endemic population: response to improvement of drinking water quality in a 2-year consecutive study. Anirban Biswas, Debasree Deb, Aloke Ghose, Gijs Du Laing, Jan De Neve, Subhas Chandra Santra and Debendra Nath Guha Mazumder. 2014. Environ Sci Pollut Res, 21: 609-619 (if=2.618, ci=5)

2. In vitro assessment on the impact of soil arsenic in the eight rice varieties of West Bengal, India. Piyal Bhattacharya, Alok C. Samal, Jayjit Majumdar, Satabdi Banerjee, Subhas C. Santra. (2013). Journal of Hazardous Materials 262(2013): 1091-1097. ISSN: 0304-3894(if=3.925, ci=4)

3. Synthesis, catalytic activity and phytotoxicity of a supported nickel(II) Schiff base complex. S.M.Islam, Sumantra Paul, Anupam Singha Roy, Satabdi Banerjee, Manir Mobarok and S.C.Santra, 2013, Transition Met Chem, 38: 855-864. (if=3.358, ci=1)

4. Arsenic-induced health crisis in peri-urban Moyna and Ardebok villages, West Bengal, India: an exposure assessment study. Jyoti Prakash Maity, Bibhash Nath, Sandeep Kar, Chien-Yen Chen, Satabdi Banerjee, Jiin-Shuh Jean, Ming-Yie Liu, Jose A.Centeno, Prosun Bhattacharya, Christina L. Chang, and Subhas Chandra Santra, 2012, Environ. Geochem Health, 34(5):563-74. (if=2.076, ci=13)

5. Synthesis, catalytic oxidation and antimicrobial activity of copper (II) shiff base complex. S.M.Islam, Anupam Singha Roy, Paramita Mondal, Dildar Hossain, Satabdi Banerjee, and S.C.Santra, 2011, Journal of Molecular catalysis A: Chemical 336: pp. 106-114.(if=3.319, ci=24)

6. Prevalence of intestinal helminth eggs on vegetables grown in wastewater-irrigated areas of Titagarh, West Bengal, India. N, Gupta, D.K. Khan and S.C. Santra. 2009, Food Control, 20(10), 942-945. (if=2.74, ci=51)

7. Occurrence of arsenicosis in a rural village of Cambodia, D.N. Guha Mazumder, K. K. Majumdar, S.C.Santra, Hero Kol and Chan Vicheth. 2009, Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A , 44, 480-487 (if=1.107, ci=22)

8. Effects of gamma irradiation on edible seed protein, amino acids and genomic DNA during sterilization, Maity, J.P., Chakraborty, S., Kar, S., Panja, S., Jean, J-S., Samal, A., Chakraborty, A., Santra, S.C. 2009, Food Chemistry, 114 ,1237–1244 (if=3.33, ci=37)

9. Distribution of actinomycetes, their antagonistic behaviour and the physico-chemical characteristics of the world's largest tidal mangrove forest, Mitra, A., Santra, S. C. and Mukherjee, J. 2008, Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 80(4):685-95. (if=3.69, ci=29)

10. Status of road traffic noise in Calcutta metropolis, India, Debashish Chakraborty, S. C. Santra. 1997, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 101 (2), 943 - 949. (if=1.59, ci=63)

SINGH, BIJAY (b 1950), INSA Senior Scientist, Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural

76

University, Ludhiana


Inefficient management of nitrogenous fertilizers, imbalanced use of nutrients and environmental deterioration are associated with rice-wheat cropping system since late seventies. During more than three decades, Dr Bijay Singh‘s research efforts have been directed towards understanding the mechanisms and quantifying the losses of nitrogen applied to rice and wheat and finding means and ways to improve the fertilizer nitrogen use efficiency. His contributions on nitrogen balance in soil-plant systems have led to better understanding for (i) enhancing nitrogen use efficiency in rice-wheat cropping system (ii) fertilizer nitrogen related environmental pollution, and (iii) integrated nutrient management. Initiated in early seventies, work on nitrate pollution of groundwater revealed that nitrogen fertilizers used as per recommended practices contributed very little to nitrate enrichment of groundwater. Research on losses of nitrogen from soil-plant system has provided basis for enhancing fertilizer nitrogen use efficiency and avoiding possible pollution of the environment from fertilizers and helped in formulating more efficient fertilizer management practices for coarse textured soils of north-western India where farmers apply large doses of nitrogen fertilizers. Recent work on scheduling fertilizer nitrogen to rice and wheat through need based fertilizer applications using leaf color chart, chlorophyll meter and optical sensors should provide a breakthrough in rationalizing fertilizer nitrogen usage. Contributions in understanding the basic and applied aspects of integrated management of fertilizers, animal manures, green manures and crop residues have provided scientifically sound directions for achieving not only sustainable yields in rice-wheat system but also for maintaining soil fertility for the future generations.

Proposer : Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Seconder : Dr. I. P. Abrol


1. Bijay-Singh and GS Sekhon (1976) Nitrate pollution of ground water from nitrogen fertilizers and animal wastes in the Punjab, India. Agriculture and Environment 3:57-67. (if=3.896, ci=44)

2. Bijay-Singh, JC Ryden and DC Whitehead (1988) Some relationships between denitrification potential and fractions of organic carbon in air-dried and field moist soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 20:737-741. (if=4.785, ci=81)

3. Yadvinder-Singh, Bijay-Singh, MS Maskina and OP Meelu (1988) Effect of organic manures, crop residues and green manure (Sesbania aculeata) on nitrogen and phosphorus transformations in a sandy loam at field capacity and waterlogged conditions. Biology and Fertility of Soils 6:183-187. (if=3.396, ci=46)

4. Bijay-Singh, Yadvinder-Singh and GS Sekhon (1995) Fertilizer use efficiency and nitrate pollution of groundwater in developing countries. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 20:167-184. (if=2.951, ci=139)

5. Ladha, JK, D Dawe, H Pathak, AT Padre, RL Yadav, Bijay-Singh, Yadvinder-Singh, Y Singh, P Singh, AL Kundu, R Sakal, N Ram, AP Regmi, SK Gami, AL Bhandari, R Amin, CR Yadav, EM Bhattarai, S Das, HP Aggarwal, RK Gupta and PR Hobbs (2003) How extensive are yield declines in long-term rice-wheat experiments in Asia? Field Crops Research 81: 159-180. (if=2.957, ci=254)

6. Bijay-Singh, Yadvinder-Singh, JK Ladha, KF Bronson, V Balasubramanian, Jagdeep-Singh, and CS Khind (2002) Chlorophyll meter and leaf color chart-based nitrogen management for rice and wheat in northwestern India. Agronomy Journal 94:821-829. (if=1.542, ci=202)

7. Bijay-Singh, Yadvinder-Singh, Patricia Imas and Xie Jian-chang (2004) Potassium nutrition of the rice-wheat cropping system. Advances in Agronomy 81: 203-259. (if=5.512, ci=51)

8. Yadvinder-Singh, Bijay-Singh and Jagadish Timsina (2005) Crop residue management for nutrient cycling and improving soil productivity in rice-based cropping systems in the tropics. Advances in Agronomy 85: 269-407. (if=5.512, ci=131)

9. Bijay-Singh, YH Shan, SE Johnson-Beebout, Yadvinder-Singh and RJ Buresh (2008) Crop residue management for lowland rice-based cropping systems in Asia. Advances in Agronomy 98: 117-199. (if=5.512, ci=59)

10. Bijay-Singh, Varinderpal-Singh, Yadvinder-Singh, HS Thind, Ajay Kumar, R.K. Gupta, Amit Kaul and Monika Vashistha (2012) Fixed-time adjustable dose site-specific fertilizer nitrogen management in transplanted irrigated rice (Oryza sativa L.) in South Asia. Field Crops Research 126: 63-69. (if=2.957, ci=21)

77

SINGH, HARIKESH BAHADUR (b 1953), Professor & Head, Department of Mycology & Plant Pathology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi- 221005


Prof. Singh has identified several new diseases on different crops and contributed significantly in developing sustainable and economically viable methods of controlling plant pathogens. One of the initial contributions has been establishing the antifungal nature of neem oil effective against soilborne pathogens (Mycologia 72:1077-1093, 1980). This work was instrumental in quashing the neem Patent filed by W.R. Grace Co., USA. Working on biological control of plant diseases, Prof. Singh developed a simple and economically viable medium for mass multiplication of Trichoderma with one year shelf life (US Patent No: 6,511,821). Prof. Singh's innovations have resulted 16 US and PCT patents, on bioinoculants and disease resistant varieties of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. His biopesticide technologies were transferred to several industries for commercialization (Govt. of Uttar Pradesh; Balaji Crop Care Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad; GSFC, Vadodara). In recognition to the work on formulation development and popularization of bioinoculants among the farmers, his team was awarded with CSIR Award for Science & Technology Innovation for Rural Development by the Hon‘ble Prime Minister of India. He showed that biocontrol potential microbes in combinations contribute significantly in eliciting host antioxidants and defense mechanisms against soilborne pathogens. His work on antioxidants further established that polyphenolics of different medicinal plants have very high antioxidant and antiquorum-sensing activities. He is recipient of several awards viz., Vigyan Ratna Award by UPCST, CSIR Technology Prize for Biological Sciences, Prof. Panchanan Maheshwari Medal by Indian Botanical Society, BRSI Industrial Medal Award, Prof. V.P. Bhide Memorial Award by Maharashtra Association for the Cultivation of Science, Pune.

Proposer : Prof. Udai Pratap Singh, Seconder : Prof. A. K. Rai


1. Singh, U.P., Singh, H.B. and R.B. Singh. (1980). The fungicidal effect of neem (Azadirachta indica) extracts on some soil-borne pathogens of gram (Cicer arietinum). Mycologia 72:1077-1093. (if=2.128, ci=94)

2. Pandey, R., Gupta, M.L., Singh, H.B. and S. Kumar. (1999). The influence of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi alone or in combination with Meloidogyne incognita on Hyoscyamus niger L. Bioresource Technology 69: 275-278. (if=5.039, ci=15)

3. Nautiyal, C. S., Johri, J.K. and H. B. Singh. (2002). Survival of the rhizosphere-competent biocontrol strains Pseudomonas fluorescens NBRI2650 in the soil and phytosphere. Canadian Journal of Microbiology, 48(7): 588-601. (if=1.199, ci=41)

4. Singh, A., Srivastava, S. and H. B. Singh. (2007). Effect of substrates on growth and shelf life of Trichoderma harzianum and its use in biocontrol of diseases. Bioresource Technology 98: 470-473. (if=5.039, ci=41)

5. Dhan Prakash, Upadhyay, G., Singh, B. N. and H. B. Singh. (2007). Antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of seeds and agri-wastes of some varieties of soybean (Glycine max). Food Chemistry 104: 783-790. (if=3.259, ci=108)

6. Singh, B.N., Singh, B.R., Singh, R.L., Prakash, D., Dhakarey, R., Upadhyay, G. and H. B. Singh. (2009). Oxidative DNA Damage protective activity, antioxidant and anti-quorum sensing potentials of Moringa oleifera. Food and Chemical Toxicology 47(6): 1109-1116.(if=2.61, ci=104)

7. Singh, B.N., Singh, B.R., Singh, R.L., Prakash, D., Sarma, B.K. and H. B. Singh. (2009). Antioxidant and Anti-quorum sensing activities of green pod of Acacia nilotica L. Food and Chemical Toxicology 47(4): 778-786. (if=2.61, ci=75)

8. Singh, B.N., Singh, B.R., Singh, R.L., Prakash, D., Singh, D.P., Sarma, B.K. Upadhyay, G. and H. B. Singh. (2009). Polyphenolics from various extracts/fractions of red onion (Allium cepa) peel with potential antioxidant and antimutagenic activities. Food and Chemical Toxicology 47(6): 1161-1167. (if=2.61, ci=77)

9. Singh, H.B., Singh, B.N., Singh, S.P. and C.S. Nautiyal (2010). Solid-state cultivation of Trichoderma harzianum NBRI-1055 for modulating natural antioxidants in soybean seed matrix. Bioresource Technology 101: 6444-6453. (if=5.039, ci=32)

10. Abhilash, P.C., Powel, J., Singh, H.B. and Brajesh K. Singh. (2012). Plant-microbe interactions: Novel applications for exploitation in multi-purpose remediation technologies. Trends in Biotechnology. 30(8): 416-420. (if=10.655, ci=29)

78

SOMVANSHI, RAMESH (b. 1953) Professor, Division of Pathology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute,

Izatnagar, Bareilly Member of the NASI: Yes (YON 2011, Agricultural Sciences) Nominee is having 37 years research, disease investigation and postgraduate teaching experience. He worked on diseases of animals and poultry like-bovine horn cancer, enzootic bovine haematuria, bovine papillomatosis, fern toxicity, infectious bursal disease, aflatoxicoses, diseases of cattle, Pashmina goats, laboratory animals and wildlife. Currently, he is researching on molecular pathogenesis, immunohistochemistry of enzootic bovine haematuria and bovine papillomatosis and fern toxin-virus interactions. He reported first time ultrastructure of bovine horn cancer, established status of EBH and determined presence of fern toxin ptaquiloside / quercetin in Uttarakhand, induced haematuria in guineapigs with green ferns. From bovine papillomatosis and urinary bladder tumour cases of EBH, reported first time BPVs from India. He described ultrastructure of EBH and fern toxicity in cattle and laboratory animals. He studied lBD, aflatoxicoses and their interactions in relation with immunosuppression and observed that in combined groups pronounced occurred. He reported causes of mortality cattle, Pashmina goats and laboratory animals. Investigated causes of deaths in Pashmina goats as environmental stress and controlled their high mortality by disease investigation and prophylaxis. Rare diseases / tumors were reported in these species including polycystic liver disease in hamsters. First world report of potato plant dermatitis and papillomatoses in Indian buffaloes and yaks were outstanding achievements. He credits 40 gene bank submissions. Possessing rich experience in necropsy techniques, histopathological and electron microscopy interpretations. Engaged in post graduate teaching in Veterinary Pathology. Guided 12 masters/ doctoral scholars and served as National Fellow (ICAR), Head, Division of Pathology and Joint Director, CADRAD, IVRI, Izatnagar.

Proposer : Dr. Ram Raghubir, Seconder : Dr. Rishendra Verma Ten Best Publications: 1. Somvanshi, R., Iyer, P.K.R., Biswas, J.C. and Koul, G.L. (1987). Polycystic liver disease in golden

hamsters. J. Comp. Path., 97: 615-618. (Impact Factor 1.725) Cited by 4 2. Hoque, M., Somvanshi, R., Singh G.R. and Mogha, I.V. (2002). Ultrasonographic evaluation of

urinary bladder in normal, fern fed and enzootic bovine haematuria affected cattle. J. Vet. Med. A., 49: 403-407. (IF 1.854). Cited by 14

3. Somvanshi, R. and Sharma, V.K. (2005). Proliferative urocystica and adenoma in a guinea-pig. J. Comp. Pathol., 133(4): 277-280. (Impact Factor 1.725) Cited by 1

4. Pangty, K., Singh, S., Goswami, R., Saikumar, G. and Somvanshi, R. (2010). Detection of BPV-1 &-2 and quantification of BPV-1 by real time PCR in cutaneous warts in cattle and buffaloes. Trans. Bound. Emerg. Dis., 57(3):185-196. (Impact Factor 2.448) Cited by 23

5. Nagarajan, K. Saikumar, G., Arya, R.S., Gupta, A., Somvanshi, R. and Pattnaik, B. (2010). Influenza A H1N1 virus in Idian pigs and its genetic relatedness with pandemic human influenza A 2009 H1N1. Indian J. Med. Res., 132: 160-167. (Impact Factor 1.51). Cited by 13

6. Rai, G. K., Saxena, M., Singh, V., Somvanshi, R. and Sharma, B. (2010). Identification of bovine papilloma virus 10 in teat warts of cattle by DNase-SISPA. Vet. Microbiol., 147: 416-419.. doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2010.07.015. (Impact Factor 2.874). Cited by 12

7. Mishra, B., Srivastava, V.K., Chaudhry, Somvanshi, R.K., Singh, A.K., Gill, K., Somvanshi, R., Patro, I.K. and Dey, S. (2010). SD-8, a novel therapeutic agent active against multidrug-resistant Gram positive cocci. Amino Acids, 39:1493-1505 (Impact Factor 3.87). Cited by 5

8. Somvanshi, R. (2011), Papillomatosis in Buffaloes: A less-known disease. Trans. Bound. Emerg. Dis., 58: 327-332. doi: 10.1111/j.1865-1682.2011.01211.x (Impact Factor 2.448) Cited by 3

9. Pathania, S., Pawan Kumar, Leishangthem, G.D., Kumar, D., Dhama, K. and Somvanshi, R. (2011). Preliminary assessment of binary ethylenimine inactivated and saponized cutaneous warts (BPV-2) therapeutic vaccine for enzootic bovine haematuria in hill cows. Vaccine, doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.07.065. (Impact Factor 3.467). Cited by 4

10. Pathania, S., Dhama, K., Saikumar, G., Shahi, S. and Somvanshi, R. (2012). Detection and quantification of bovine papilloma virus Type 2 (BPV-2) by real-time PCR in urine and urinary bladder lesions in enzootic bovine haematuria (EBH)-affected cows. Trans. Bound. Emerg. Dis., 59(1):79-84. doi: 10.1111/j.1865-1682.2011.01248.x (Impact Factor 2.448). Cited by 7

79

BIOCHEMISTRY, BIOPHYSICS, BIOTECHNOLOGY (Molecular and Cell Biology, Structural and Functional Studies,

Microbiology, Immunology)

ANAND, RUCHI (b 1975), Associate Professor, Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay, Mumbai

Member of the NASI: No (YON 2015, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology including)

Over the past decade or so her major contributions are in the field of structural biology. She has extensively studied structural aspects of enzymes involved in purine metabolism. In particular, she has unraveled the mechanism of ammonia channeling and interdomain signaling that takes place in the bi-functional enzyme formylglycinamide synthetase from pathogen S.typhimurium, enzyme, utilized in cells for the synthesis of precursors of nucleic acids. Determining the crystal structure of a huge enzyme with a MW of 140 kDa with three different domains and multiple active sites was a challenging task. Dr. Anand, has not only determined such a complex structure successfully but also has opened new avenues in the field of substrate channeling. Subsequently, she has successfully probed the mechanism of allosteric regulation and recently answered the long standing question regarding the path followed by ammonia by combining theory with experiment. Apart from these achievements, her work on nucleobase catabolism has unraveled new aspects related to substrate specificity and evolution. Her recent contributions include understanding of the mechanism of antibiotic production and resistance in actinomycetes, the master antibiotic producers. Antibiotic resistance is a very important aspect of structural biology as lack of understanding in this domain is fast becoming a global threat. She has determined the structure of the putative multidrug resistance efflux pump regulator in complex with its cognate DNA. In summary, Dr. Anand‘s contributions in structural biology related to enzymes of pathogenic organisms are very significant and qualify her for the fellowship of the Academy.

Proposer: Prof. M.R.N. Murthy, Seconder: Prof. M. Vijayan


1. Anand R, Dorrestein PC, Kinsland C, Begley TP, Ealick SE., 2002, ―Structure of Oxalate Decarboxylase from Bacillus subtilis at 1.75Å Resolution‖ Biochemistry , 7659-69. (if=3.2, ci=115)

2. Anand R, A.A Hoskins A. A, J. Stubbe J, S.E. Ealick S.E., 2004, ―Domain organization of Salmonella typhimurium formylglycinamide ribonucleotide amidotransferase revealed by X-ray crystallography‖ Biochemistry, 10328-42. (if=3.2, ci=43)

3. Anand R, P.A. Kaminski P.A, S.E. Ealick S.E., 2004, ―Structure of purine 2'- deoxyribosyltransferase, substrate complexes and the ribosylated intermediate at 1.75Å resolution‖ Biochemistry, 2384-93. (if=3.2, ci=34)

4. Anand R, Marmorstein R., 2007, ―Structure and mechanism of lysine-specific demethylase enzymes‖.J Biol Chem., 282(49):35425-9.(if=5.2, ci=72)

5. Anand R, Kim AY, Brent M, Marmorstein R., 2008, ―Biochemical Analysis of MST1 kinase: Elucidation of a C-terminal Regulatory Region‖, Biochemistry, (25): 6719-26. (if=3.2, ci=32)

6. Anand R, Pagano N, Maksimoska J, Wong E, Diamond SL, Meggers E, Marmorstein R., 2009, ―Development of a potent and specific organoruthenium mammalian Sterile 20 kinase inhibitor‖, J. Med. Chem., 52 (6): 1602–11. (if=5.5, ci=34)

7. Tanwar AS, Morar M, Panjikar S, Anand R., 2012, ―Formylglycinamide ribonucleotide amidotransferase from Salmonella typhimurium: Role of ATP complexation and the glutaminase Domain in Catalytic Coupling‖ Acta Crystallogr. D Biol Crystallogr., 627-36. (if=7.23, ci=3)

8. Tanwar A.S, Goyal V.D, Choudhary D, Panjikar S, Anand R., 2013, ―Importance of hydrophobic cavities in allosteric regulation of formylglycinamide synthetase: Insight from xenon trapping and statistical coupling analysis‖ PlosOne, 8(11), e77781. (if=3.53, ci=1)

9. Bhukya, H., Bhujbalrao, R., Bitra, A., Anand, R., 2014, ―Structural and functional basis of transcriptional regulation by TetR family protein CprB from S. coelicolor‖ A3(2); Nucleic Acids Res., 42 (15): 10122-33. (if=8.9, ci=1)

10. Tanwar, A.S, Sindhikara, D.J, Hirata, F, Anand, R., 2015, ―Determination of the formylglycinamide ribonucleotide amidotransferase ammonia pathway by combining 3D-RISM theory with experiment‖, ACS Chemical Biology, 10 (3): 698–704 (if=5.9)

80

BANERJEE, UTTAM CHAND (b 1956) Professor and Head, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), SAS Nagar

Member of the NASI: Yes (YON 2015, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology including)

Dr U C Banerjee, who has over 32 years of research experience, has made very significant contributions in the field of biotechnology, fermentation and biocatalysis. His contributions towards purification, characterization and application of various industrially important biocatalytic enzymes, which include lipase, nitrilases and oxidoreductases, his work on biodiesel production and a extraction of bioactive compounds from microbial strains have been widely acclaimed, as evidenced by the huge number of citations some of his papers have received. (Production, purification, chracterization and applications of lipases. Biotech Adv. 19 (2001), 627; 1074 citations; Botrycoccus braunii a renewable source of hydrocarbons and other chemicals, Crit. Rev. Biotechnology 22 (2002) 245; 452 citations). Dr. Banerjee's research also encompasses work on anti-cancer agents that inhibit topoisomerase II (N-fused imidozoles as novel anticancer agents that inhibit catalytic activity of topoisomerase IIα and induce appostasies in G1/S phase J. Med. Chem. 54 (2001) 5013). Recently, his group has begun research on nanophotosensitizers and nanobiocatalysis (Applications of photothermostic Nanoagents in photodynamic therapy. Nano Research 1-22). Besides being an excellent researcher, Dr. Banerjee is also an excellent teacher and has successfully guided 27 PhD students to date. Based on his excellent contributions in the areas of industrial and medical biotechnology, and his track record as a mentor par excellence, I strongly recommend Dr. U. C. Banerjee for admission into the fellowship of the NASI.

Proposer : Prof. Amit Ghosh, Seconder : Prof. Pradip K Chakraborti Ten Best Publications : 1. U. C. Banerjee, Rajesh K. Sani, W. Azmi and R. K. Soni, Thermostable alkaline Protease from Bacillus brevis and its Characterization as a Laundry Detergent Additive, 1999, Process Biochemistry, 35(1-2): 213-219. IF 2.56, CI 231 2. R. Sharma, Y. Chisti, U. C. Banerjee, 2001, Production CI, purification, characterization and applications of lipases, Biotechnology Advances, 19: 627-662. IF 11.2, 1087 3. M. S. Bhattacharyya and U. C. Banerjee, 2007, Improvement of carbonyl reductase production of Geotrichum candidum for the transformation of 1-acetonaphthone to S(-)-1-(1‘-napthyl) ethanol, Bioresource Technology, 98: 1958-1963. IF 5.6 CI 9 4. P. Soni, M. Singh, A. L. Kamble and U. C. Banerjee, 2007, Response surface optimization of the critical medium components for the carbonyl reductase by Candida viswanathii MTCC 5158, Bioresource Technology, 98: 829-833. IF 5.6, CI 23 5. P. Kaul and U. C. Banerjee, 2007, Cross-linked amorphous nitrilase aggregates for enantioselective nitrile hydrolysis, Advanced Synthesis & Catalysis, 349: 2167-2176. IF 5.54, CI 45 6. A. T. Baviskar, C. Madaan, R. Preet, P. Mohapatra, V. Jain, S. K. Guchhait, C. N. Kundu, U. C. Banerjee and P. V. Bharatam, 2011, N-Fused imidazoles as novel anticancer agents that inhibit catalytic activity of topoisomerase IIα and induce apoptosis in G1/S phase, Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 54: 5013–5030. IF 5.48, CI 81 7. S. Jain, S. Kumar, A. Agrawal, K. Thanki, and U. C. Banerjee, 2013, Enhanced transfection efficiency and reduced cytotoxicity of novel lipid-polymer hybrid nanoplexes, Molecular Pharmaceutics, 10: 2416–2425. IF 4.78, CI 8 8. A. K. Mittal, Y. Chisti, and U. C. Banerjee, 2013. Synthesis of metallic nanoparticles using plant extracts, Biotechnology Advances 31: 346–356. IF 11.2, CI 120 9. A. K. Mittal, J. Bhaumik, S. Kumar and U. C. Banerjee, 2014, Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles: elucidation of prospective mechanism and therapeutic potential, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 415(1):39-47. IF 3.58, CI 17 10. J. Bhaumik, A. K. Mittal, A. Banerjee, Y. Chisti, U. C. Banerjee, 2014, Applications of phototheranostic nanoagents in photodynamic therapy, Nano Research, 10.1007/s12274-014-0628-32014. IF 6.96

http://link.springer.com/search?facet-author=%22Jayeeta+Bhaumik%22

http://link.springer.com/search?facet-author=%22Amit+Kumar+Mittal%22

http://link.springer.com/search?facet-author=%22Avik+Banerjee%22

http://link.springer.com/search?facet-author=%22Yusuf+Chisti%22

81

BHATTACHARYYA, SUVENDRA NATH (b 1975), Principal Scientist, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata


Dr Bhattacharyya has worked on the mechanism of microRNA (miRNA) mediated gene regulation in mammalian cells and is successful in publishing a number of pioneer research papers while working in the field of miRNA research. His work on derepression of miRNA activity during stress response, published in the journal Cell in 2006, has attracted great attention. It has >1000 citations! He is also the author in couple of highly cited review articles on miRNA. He is a leading miRNA biologist of this country with international reputation. He is presently engaged in to understand the modulation of miRNA machineries in mammalian cells. A major part of his research on pathogen mediated modulation of miRNA activity in mammalian cells. In this context he has published a ground breaking work on miR-122 as the target that Leishmania donovani, a pathogenic parasite, modulates in the host tissue during infection and has identified miR-122 as a unique therapeutic molecule against visceral leishmaniasis. This work, accompanied by a commentary, was published in the Cell press journal Cell Host Microbe, the top research journal in this research field. The importance of this discovery was also recognized and covered in many national level news papers. The nominee has also identified a transient phase during macrophage activation-essential for inflammatory response, when miRNA activities get reversed (Mazumder et al. 2013; EMBO Rep). This work was also cited in Nature India. Apart from that his work on intercellular miRNA transfer also received great appreciation (Basu and Bhattacharyya, 2014, Nucleic Acids Res).

Proposer : Dr. Chitra Mandal, Seconder : Dr. Syamal Roy


1. Ghosh S., Bose M., Ray A., Bhattacharyya S.N., (2015). Polysome arrest restricts miRNA turnover by preventing their exosomal export in growth retarded mammalian cells. Mol. Biol. Cell. 26(6):1072-1083 (if=4.6, ci=0)

2. Basu, S. and Bhattacharyya, S.N., (2014). Insulin-like growth factor-1 prevents miR-122 production in neighbouring cells to curtail its intercellular transfer to ensure proliferation of human hepatoma cells. Nucleic Acids Res., 42, 7170-7185. (if=8.8, ci=4)

3. Mazumder, A., Bose, M., Chakraborti, A., Chakrabarti, S. and Bhattacharyya, S.N., (2013). A transient reversal of miRNA-mediated repression controls macrophage activation. EMBO Rep., 14, 1008-1016. (if=7.8, ci=8)

4. Ghosh J., Bose M., Roy S., Bhattacharyya S.N., (2013). Leishmania donovani targets Dicer1to downregulate miR-122, lower serum cholesterol, and facilitate murine liver infection. Cell Host Microbe, 13, 277-288 (if=12.5, ci=21)

5. Kundu P, Fabian M.R., Sonenberg N., Bhattacharyya S.N*., Filipowicz W.*, (2012). HuR protein attenuates miRNA-mediated repression by promoting miRISC dissociation from the target RNA. Nucleic Acids Res. 40, 5088- 6000. *Co-corresponding authors(if=8.8, ci=29)

6. Cougot N., Bhattacharyya, S.N., Tapia-Arancibia, L., Bordonné R., Filipowicz, W., Bertrand E., and Rage, F., (2008). Dendrites of mammalian neurons contain specialized P-body-like structures that respond to neuronal activation. J. Neuroscience, 28, 13793-13804. Co-first authors (if=6.7, ci=88)

7. Filipowicz, W., Bhattacharyya, S.N., Sonenberg, N., (2008). Mechanisms of post-transcriptional regulation by microRNAs: are the answers in sight? Nat Rev Genet., 9, 102-114. (if=39.8, ci=2717)

8. Bhattacharyya, S.N., Habermacher, R., Martine, U., Closs, E.I., & Filipowicz, W., (2006). Relief of microRNA mediated translational repression in human cells subjected to stress. Cell, 125, 1111-1124. (if=33.1, ci=1005)

9. Kotaja, N., Bhattacharyya, S.N., Jaskiewicz, L, Kimmins, S, Parvinen, M, Filipowicz, W., & Sassone-Corsi, P., (2006). The chromatoid body of male germ cells: Similarity with processing bodies and presence of Dicer and microRNA pathway components. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U S A., 103, 2647-2652. Co-first authors (if=9.8, ci=261)

10. Pillai, R.S., Bhattacharyya, S.N., Artus, C.G., Zoller, T., Cougot, N., Basyuk, E., Bertrand, E. & Filipowicz W., (2005). Inhibition of translational initiation by let-7 microRNA in human cells. Science, 309, 573-1576. (if=31, ci=1164)

82

CHANDRA, NAGASUMA (b 1965), Associate Professor, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore


The nominee has made significant contributions in systems biology, by navigating upwards in a systems scale with structural level resolution, for studying several aspects of drug discovery and pharmacology. By combining structural biology, bioinformatics and systems biology, she has developed an integrated in-depth perspective of drug discovery and drug failure. The nominee scores very highly on the originality and novelty of the approaches used, which has enabled her to address new questions. An important contribution from her work is the development and probing of genome-scale metabolic models of M.tuberculosis, so as to identify vulnerable hot-spots that make promising drug targets. She has combined this with genome-scale structural bioinformatics models, where structural models at a proteome-scale are modelled in M.tuberculosis, binding sites in them identified and used for obtaining functional clues by identifying possible small molecule ligands recognized by them. Such large-scale analyses has become possible due to the suite of algorithms developed in her laboratory, which detect, match and align binding sites in protein structures. She has used it for a novel high-resolution method for predicting druggability and polypharmacology, which has led to identification of target-sets and candidates for drug repurposing. Using interaction networks, she has identified pathways in drug resistance in tuberculosis, suggesting new ways of tackling resistance. She has also contributed extensively to theoretical immunology. By hierarchical classification of HLA alleles, she has shown that large populations can be grouped into a few response types, which are useful for predicting disease susceptibility for H1N1 influenza.

Proposer : Prof. M. Vijayan, Seconder : Prof. A. Surolia


1. Raman K, Rajagopalan P, Chandra N. (2005) Flux balance analysis of mycolic acid pathway: targets for anti-tubercular drugs. PLoS Comput Biol. Oct;1(5):e46. Epub 2005 Oct 14. (if=4.83, ci=150)

2. Y Kalidas, N Chandra, (2008) PocketDepth: a new depth based algorithm for identification of ligand binding sites in proteins Journal of structural biology 161 (1), 31-42 (if=3.37 , ci=58)

3. Yeturu K, Chandra N. (2008) PocketMatch: a new algorithm to compare binding sites in protein structures. BMC Bioinformatics. 9:543. (if=2.67, ci=55)

4. K Raman, N Chandra, (2008) Mycobacterium tuberculosis interactome analysis unravels potential pathways to drug resistance BMC microbiology 8 (1), 234 (if=2.98, ci=70)

5. Raman K, Yeturu K, Chandra N. (2008) targetTB: a target identification pipeline for Mycobacterium tuberculosis through an interactome, reactome and genome-scale structural analysis. BMC Syst Biol. 19;2:109. (if=2.85, ci=129)

6. Raman K, Vashisht R, Chandra N. (2009) Strategies for efficient disruption of metabolism in Mycobacterium tuberculosis from network analysis. Mol Biosyst. (Royal Society of chemistry) 5(12):1740-51 (if=3.18, ci=31)

7. Raman K, Chandra N (2009) Flux balance analysis of biological systems: applications and challenges Briefings in bioinformatics 10 (4), 435-449 (if=5.92, ci=166)

8. Sambarey A, Prashanthi K, Chandra N. (2013) Mining large-scale response networks reveals 'topmost activities' in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Sci Rep. (Nature publishing) 3:2302 (if=5.08, ci=5)

9. Anand P, Chandra N. (2014) Characterizing the pocketome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and application in rationalizing polypharmacological target selection. Sci Rep. (Nature publishing) September 4:6356 (if=5.08, ci=Recent publication)

10. Mukherjee S, Warwicker J, Chandra N. (2015) Deciphering complex patterns of class-I HLA-peptide cross-reactivity via hierarchical grouping. Immunol Cell Biol (Nature publishing). In Press (if=4.2, ci=In Press)

83

CHATTOPADHYAY, KRISHNANANDA (b 1970), Principal Scientist, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata


Dr. Chattopadhyay‘s group used spectroscopy to study unexplored areas of protein aggregation at single molecule resolution, screened small molecule inhibitors, and used nanoparticles to enhance efficacy. Incorrect contact formation of unfolded proteins and the early events of aggregation: Although many research groups study the late events of amyloid formation, it is now believed that the early events (and not the late amyloid formation) may be responsible for the toxicity associated with neurodegeneration. His group showed that the unfolded state fluctuates between extended and compact collapsed states, forming rapid contacts (Biochemistry 2009; JBC 2010). These contacts could either be correct (proper folding), or incorrect (aggregation) (JBC 2012; Biochemistry 2013). These early dynamics depends on multiple factors, including mutational and environmental stresses (Biochemistry 2013, JBC 2012). He established strong correlation between the early contacts and late amyloidosis, suggesting a direct link between early fluctuations and amyloidosis (ACS Chem Neurosci 2014). Developing small molecule inhibitors against the early events: He developed applications of FCS to screen small molecules to identify potential aggregation inhibitors. His group proposed and validated a hypothesis that an effective inhibitor of protein aggregation should possess a combination of ‗unfolded state destabilization‘ and ‗denaturant-like‘ properties (Biochemistry 2009; Scientific Reports 2013). Subsequently, the nominee‘s group attached these small molecules to magnetite nanoparticles to enhance their efficiency (ACS Appl Mat Interfac 2013, Particles 2013, Langmuir 2014). Although there are many available small molecules targeting the late events, his group reported first successful application of any small molecule targeting the early events of amyloidosis (Langmuir 2014).

Proposer : Prof. Nahid Ali, Seconder : Dr. Susanta Roychoudhury


1. Ghosh, R., Sharma, S. & Chattopadhyay, K* (2009) Effect of Arginine on Protein Aggregation Studied by Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy and Other Biophysical Methods, Biochemistry 48, 1135 – 1143 (if=3.2, ci=No. of citations 53)

2. Haldar, S, Mitra, S. & Chattopadhyay, K* (2010) The role of the protein stabilizers on the conformations of the unfolded states and its early folding kinetics: An investigation at single molecular resolution, Journal of Biological Chemistry 285, 25314-23 (if=4.6, ci=No. of citations 23)

3. Haldar, S., & Chattopadhyay, K* (2012) The interconnection of salt induced hydrophobic compaction and secondary structure formation depends on solution conditions: revisiting early events of protein folding at single molecule resolution, Journal of Biological Chemistry 287,11546–11555 (if=4.6, ci=No. of citations 15)

4. Haldar, S., Paul, S. S., Joshi, N., Dasgupta, A., Chattopadhyay, K*.(2012) The Presence of the Iron-Sulfur Motif Is Important for the Conformational Stability of the Antiviral Protein, Viperin.Plos One 7, e31797 (if=3.5, ci=No. of citations 6)

5. Mukhopadhyay A, Joshi N, Chattopadhyay K*, De G. (2012) A facile synthesis of PEG-coated magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles and their prevention of the reduction of cytochrome c.ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 4, 142-9 (if=5.9, ci=No. of citations 42)

6. Sharma, S., Sarkar, S., Paul, S.S., Roy, S. & Chattopadhyay, K*.(2013) A small molecule chemical chaperone optimizes its unfolded state contraction and denaturant like properties.Scientific Reports 3, 3525; DOI:10.1038/srep03525 (if=5.1, ci=No. of citations 4)

7. Basak S, Chattopadhyay K*. 2013 Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy Study on the Effects of the Shape and Size of a Protein on Its Diffusion Inside a Crowded Environment. Langmuir 29, 14709-14717 (if=4.4, ci=No. of citations 5)

8. Sarkar, S. & Chattopadhyay, K* 2014 Studies of early events of folding of a predominately beta sheet protein using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and other biophysical methods, Biochemistry 53, 1393-1402 (if=3.2, ci=No. of citations 4)

9. Joshi, N. Basak, S., Kundu, S, De, G, Mukhopadhyay, A & Chattopadhyay, K* 2015 The attenuation of the early events of alpha-synuclein aggregation: A fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and laser scanning microscopy study in the presence of surface coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles Langmuir 31, 1469-1478. (if=4.4, ci=Not cited yet)

10. Basak, S., Prasad, G.V., Varkey, J. & Chattopadhyay, K*. 2015 Early SDS induced collapse of alpha synuclein correlates with its amyloid formation, ACS Chemical Neuroscience 6, 239-246. (if=4.2, ci=Not cited yet)

84

HANUMANTHAPPA, KRISHNA PRASAD (b 1950), Professor, Department of Biotechnology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.


Prof. Krishna Prasad has made seminal contributions to the control of tuberculosis which primarily infects the lungs and other organs in humans. His major contribution has been the characterization and identification of a hitherto unreported antigenic DNA binding histone-like protein (HupB) in the pathogen, using a novel immuno-subtraction technique, (Prabhakar et al., 1998). He identified the coding gene and developed a rapid diagnostic PCR assay to identify and distinguish both human and bovine tubercle bacilli. Through his work he demonstrated that humans & cattle harbour both pathogens (Zoonosis, Mishra et al., 2005; Shah et al., 2006; Kumar et al., 2009). The disease in the latter causes economic loss to the dairy industry. In addition, he has shown that gamma interferon, a promising cytokine promoting the killing of intracellular pathogens, failed to provide protection against active TB in patients. This failure was attributed to the down-regulation of specific receptors on cells harbouring TB bacilli, (Bhattacharyya et al., 1999; Singhal et al., 2007).

Proposer : Prof. Sudha Bhattacharya, Seconder : Prof. Jaya S. Tyagi


1. S Prabhakar, PS Annapurna, NK Jain, AB Dey, JS Tyagi & HK Prasad. 1998. Identification of an immunogenic histone–like protein (HLPmt) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tub. And Lung Dis., 79, 43-53. (if=2.756, ci=51)

2. S. Bhattacharya, R.Singla, A.B,Dey, and H.K.Prasad. 1999. Dichotomy of cytokine profiles in patients and high risk healthy subjects exposed to tuberculosis. Infection and Immunity. 67(11): 5597-5603. (if=4.096, ci=66)

3. A. Mishra , A. Singhal, D.S. Chauhan, V. M. Katoch, K. Srivastava, S. S. Thakral, , S.S. Bharadwaj, V. Sreenivas and H. K. Prasad. 2005. Direct Detection and Identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis And Mycobacterium bovis In Bovine Samples by a Novel Nested PCR Assay: Correlation with Conventional Techniques. Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 43(11), 5670-5678. (if=4.214, ci=63)

4. Prasad, H.K.; Singhal, A.; Mishra, A.; et al. 2005. Bovine Tuberculosis in India: Potential Basis for Zoonosis. Tuberculosis 85:421-428. (if=3.503, ci=39)

5. N.P. Shah, A. Singhal,A. Jain, P. Kumar,S. S. Uppal,M. V. P. Srivatsava,and H. K. Prasad. 2006. Occurrence of Overlooked Zoonotic Tuberculosis: Detection of Mycobacterium bovis in Human Cerebrospinal Fluid. Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 1352–1358(if=4.214, ci=25)

6. A.Singhal, A.Jaiswal, V.K. Arora, and H. K. Prasad. 2007. Modulation of Gamma Interferon Receptor 1 by Mycobacterium tuberculosis: a Potential Immune response evasive Mechanism. Infection and Immunity. 2500–2510 Vol. 75, No. 5. (if=4.096, ci=32)

7. P. Kumar, K. Nath, B. Rath, M.K. Sen, P. Vishalakshi, D.S. Chauhan, V. M. Katoch, S. Singh, S. Tyagi, V. Sreenivas, H.K.Prasad. 2009. Visual format for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis in clinical samples using molecular beacons. J Mol Diagn. 11:430–438. (if=3.955, ci=14)

8. Santosh Chauhan, Anil Kumar, A. Singhal, Jaya Sivaswami Tyagi and H. K. Prasad. 2009. CmtR, a cadmium-sensing ArsR–SmtB repressor, cooperatively interacts with multiple operator sites to auto-repress its transcription in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. FEBS Journal. 276:3428–3439. (if=3.986, ci=8)

9. Das S, Duggal P, Roy R, Myneedu VP, Behera D, Prasad HK, Bhattacharya A. 2012. Identification of Hot and Cold spots in genome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using Shewhart Control Charts. Sci. Rep. 2, 297; DOI:10.1038/srep00297 (if=5.078, ci=3)

10. Das S, Roychowdhury T, Kumar P, Kumar A, Kalra P, Singh J, Singh S, Prasad HK, Bhattacharya A. 2013. Genetic heterogeneity revealed by sequence analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from extra-pulmonary tuberculosis patients. BMC Genomics. 17;14:404. (if=4.397, ci=5)

85

JADHAV, JYOTI PRAFULLA (b 1968), Professor and Head, Department of Biotechnology, Shivaji University, Kolhapur


Professor Jyoti Jadhav is Head, Department of Biotechnology, Shivaji University, Kolhapur and during last eight years, she has nurtured this nascent department into a centre of academic and research excellence and has received more than 10 crores from funding agencies. She has published 96 papers, two patents and guided 17 Ph. D. students. She has made several noteworthy contributions on anti Parkinson‘s drug L-DOPA from plant sources and extended her work for identifying and deciphering the mechanism of tyrosinase inhibitors using SPR technology. Another research area of Professor Jadhav has been focused on bioremediation of textile effluents and chicken feathers wastes using microbial, plant and transgenic hairy roots which encompasses the studies of enzymes for the predication of metabolic pathways for textile dye degradation followed by cyto-genotoxicity assays to analyze the toxic nature of dyes and effluent wastes. She has developed a phytoremediation technology using various plant bacterium consortiums. Her research on bacterial keratinases to bioremediate feather wastes and its conversion into a biofertilizer is a praiseworthy work. She has successfully purified efficient chitinase from a fungal source which has industrial and agricultural applications. Simultaneously, Prof. Jadhav has standardized a protocol for preparation of wine from underutilized fruits. Professor Jadhav has participated in numerous conferences and has been awarded with Women scientist award constituted by BRSI. She is a Member, National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI) and Fellow of Maharashtra Academy of Sciences. She is a member of various academic committees of the University and institutes.

Proposer : Prof. V. A. Bapat, Seconder : Prof. D. M. Salunkhe


1. S. A. Patil, S Sistla, J. P. Jadhav (2014) Screening of inhibitors for mushroom tyrosinase using Surface Plasmon Resonance. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry 62 (47), 11594-11601 (if=3.1, ci=0)

2. R. R. Patil, A. R. Gholave, J. P. Jadhav, S. R. Yadav, V. A. Bapat (2014) Mucuna sanjappae Aitawade et Yadav: a new species of Mucuna with promising yield of anti-Parkinson‘s drug L-DOPA. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 62 (1), 155-162 (if=1.48, ci=0)

3. N. S. Patil, S. R. Waghmare, J. P. Jadhav (2013) Purification and characterization of an extracellular antifungal chitinase from Penicillium ochrochloron MTCC 517 and its application in protoplast formation. Process Biochemistry 48 (1), 176-183 (if=2.52, ci=11)

4. S. S. Phugare, D. C. Kalyani, A. V. Patil, J. P. Jadhav (2011) Textile dye degradation by bacterial consortium and subsequent toxicological analysis of dye and dye metabolites using cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and oxidative stress studies. Journal of Hazardous Materials 186 (1), 713-723 (if=4.33, ci=54)

5. S. N. Surwase, J. P. Jadhav (2011) Bioconversion of L-tyrosine to L-DOPA by a novel bacterium Bacillus sp. JPJ. Amino Acids 41 (2), 495-506, (if=3.65, ci=26)

6. U. U. Shedbalkar, J. P. Jadhav (2011) Detoxification of malachite green and textile industrial effluent by Penicillium ochrochloron. Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering 16 (1), 196-204 (if=1.22, ci=26)

7. S. S. Phugare, D. C. Kalyani, S. N. Surwase, J. P. Jadhav (2011) Ecofriendly degradation, decolorization and detoxification of textile effluent by a developed bacterial consortium. Ecotoxicology and environmental safety 74 (5), 1288-1296, (if=2.48, ci=47)

8. J. P. Jadhav, D. C. Kalyani, A. A. Telke, S. S. Phugare, S. P. Govindwar (2010) Evaluation of the efficacy of a bacterial consortium for the removal of color, reduction of heavy metals, and toxicity from textile dye effluent. Bioresource Technology 101 (1), 165-173(if=5.03, ci=105)

9. J. P. Jadhav, S. S. Phugare, R. S. Dhanve, S. B. Jadhav (2010) Rapid biodegradation and decolorization of Direct Orange 39 (Orange TGLL) by an isolated bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain BCH. Biodegradation 21 (3), 453-463 (if=2.49, ci=66)

10. D. C. Kalyani, A. A. Telke, R. S. Dhanve, J. P. Jadhav (2009) Ecofriendly biodegradation and detoxification of Reactive Red 2 textile dye by newly isolated Pseudomonas sp. SUK1. Journal of Hazardous Materials 163 (2), 735-742 (if=4.33, ci=164)

86

JANA, SIDDHARTHA SANKAR (b 1974), Associate Professor, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata


Using an in vitro model system, Dr. Jana has demonstrated that C2C12- myotubes undergo fragmentation and generate mononucleated cells in the presence of a carcinogen, 3-methylcholanthrene. These mononucleates can form colonies when they are seeded into soft agar. Dr Jana has also established that fragmentation, the first step of dedifferentiation, which may arise due to loss of cytoskeletal structure, and the regulation of myogenic factor or cell cycle re-entry are independent processes (9, 21). Another important piece of work has significantly contributed to the understanding of neuritogenesis using time lapse image microscopy. Dr. Jana has established that neurite growth displays biphasic speed (retrograde phase with a negative CNL (change of neurite length per minute) value and protrusion phase with a positive value) during neuritogenesis. The neurite final length is dependent on the relative duration of the two phases. Dr. Jana has shown that earlier steps of neuritogenesis are dynamic process (7, 11). Dr. Jana is trying to develop new drug delivery system and drug against cancer using various mammalian cell lines. In collaboration with chemists in IACS, his goal is to identify therapeutic agents for modification (either covalently or noncovalently) so as to develop next generation drugs with high specificity, and targeted drug-delivery systems. Recently, Dr. Jana has shown that block copolymer based polymersome can substitute the usages of 2% horse serum in differentiating mouse myoblast cells to myotubes in vitro(12-15, 18, 20). Dr Jana has demonstrated that siRNA binding to its target mRNA is a stochastic resonance process (17).

Proposer : Dr. Susanta Roychoudhury, Seconder : Dr. Chitra Mandal


1. Chattoraj S, Saha S, Jana SS*, Bhattacharyya K* (2014) Dynamics of silencing a gene in a live cell: Stochastic resonance. J Phys Chem Lett, 5: 1012-1016 (if=6.585, ci=5)

2. Deb J*, Majumder J, Bhattacharya S, and Jana SS* (2014) A novel naproxen derivative capable of displaying anti-cancer and anti-migratory properties against human breast cancer cells. BMC Cancer, 14: 567 (if=3.32, ci=2)

3. Dey SK, Saha S, Das P, Das M, Jana SS* (2014) Regulation of nonmuscle myosin II during 3-methylcholanthrene induced dedifferentiation of C2C12 myotubes. Exp Cell Res, 326: 68-77. (if=3.6, ci=1)

4. Majumder J, Das MR, Deb J, Jana SS*, Dastidar P* (2014) Designing simple organic salt based supramolecular topical gel capable of displaying in vivo self-delivery application. Chem Commun, 50: 1671-1674. (if=6.169, ci=12)

5. Majumder J, Das MR, Deb J, Jana SS*, Dastidar P* (2013) β-Amino Acid and Amino-Alcohol Conjugation of a Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) Imparts Hydrogelation Displaying Remarkable Biostability, Biocompatibility, and Anti-Inflammatory Properties. Langmuir; 29:10254-63. (if=4.187, ci=12)

6. Saha S, Dey SK, Biswas A, Das P, Das MR, Jana SS* (2013) The effect of including the C2 insert of nonmuscle myosin II-C on neuritogenesis. J Biol Chem, 288: 7815-28. (if=5.676, ci=1)

7. Saha S, Dey SK, Das P, Jana SS*(2011) Increased expression of Nonmuscle Myosin IIs is associated with 3MC induced mouse tumor. FEBS J, 278: 4025-4034. (if=4.25, ci=1)

8. Jana SS*, Kim KY, Mao J, Kawamoto S, Sellers JR, Adelstein RS* (2009) An alternatively spliced isoform of non-muscle myosin II-C is not regulated by myosin light chain phosphorylation. J Biol Chem, 284:11563-71. (if=5.676, ci=17)

9. Jana SS, Kawamoto S, Adelstein RS* (2006) A specific isoform of nonmuscle myosin II-C is required for cytokinesis in a tumor cell line. J Biol Chem, 281: 24662-70. (if=5.676, ci=34)

10. Golomb E, Ma X, Jana SS, Preston YA, Kawamoto S, Shoham NG, Goldin E, Conti MA, Sellers JR, Adelstein RS* (2004) Identification and characterization of nonmuscle myosin II-C, a new member of the myosin II family. J Biol Chem, 279: 2800-08.(if=5.676, ci=237)

87

JOHRI, ATUL KUMAR (b 1968), Professor, School of Life Sciences, JNU, New Delhi


Prof. Johri is the discoverer of a high affinity phosphate transporter (PiPT) of fungus Piriformospora indica and has proved its role in the transfer of phosphate from fungus to the host plant (Yadav V., Johri AK et al 2010, JBC). His work resulted in the first structure of a eukaryotic phosphate transporter (Pedersen,BP, Sali, A., Johri, AK, Stroud, RM (2013).Nature, 25;496 (7446):533-536) which provides a strong template for modelling key transporter whose malfunctions in humans are associated with diseases such as cancer and diabetes (example, MCT-1 and GLUT2) as well as those that mediate drug absorption, distribution and elimination( example, OCT1). These findings provide new insights into charged ligand recognition, binding and release in the context of active membrane transport, a process essential to all living cells. Another important contribution is the Identification of vaccine candidates in case of human pathogens Group B Streptococcus and Group A Streptococcus of Indian origin (GBS and GAS causes pneumonia, sepsis, meningitis and RHD, pharyngitis, necrotizing fasciitis respectively). These vaccine candidates are very crucial as vaccine developed in USA/Europe may or may not work in case of Indian population. By using these candidates a more effective universal vaccine can be made and will be used globally specifically in developing countries. These candidates are under trial (Johri AK et al 2006, Nature Reviews Microbiology 4: (12) 932-942,Sharma, P., Johri AK et al 2013, JBC, 288: 4023-4034, Johri et al 2013 Vaccine, Sharma A.,Johri AK et al. 2013, J. Proteome Res., 12(1), 336-346).

Proposer : Prof. Ashwani Pareek, Seconder : Prof. Rakesh Bhatnagar


1. Trivedi, DK, Bhatt, H, Pal, RK, Tuteja, R., Garg, B Johri, AK , Bhavesh, NS & Tuteja, N (2013): Structure of RNA-interacting Cyclophilin A-like protein from Piriformospora indica that provides salinity-stress tolerance in plants. Scientific Reports (Nature) 3, Article number:3001. doi:10.1038/srep03001. (if=5.07, ci=5)

2. Pedersen,BP Kumar,H., Waight,AB, Risenmay,AJ, Zygy Roe-Zurz, Chau, BH Schlessinger, A., Bonomi, M., Harries, W., Sali, A.,Johri, AK, Stroud, RM (2013). Crystal structure of a eukaryotic phosphate transporter. Nature, Apr 25;496 (7446):533-536. (if=42.35, ci=47)

3. Sharma, A., Arya, DK., Sagar, V., Bergmann, R., Chhatwal, GS., and Johri, AK (2013) : Identification of Potential Universal Vaccine Candidates against Group A Streptococcus by using high throughput in silico and Proteomics Approach. Journal of Proteome Research. Jan 4;12(1):336-46. (if=5.1, ci=5)

4. Sharma,P., Lata, H., Arya, DK., Kashyap,AK., Kumar,H., Dua, M., Ali,A., and Johri, AK (2013): Role of pili proteins in adherence and invasion of Streptococcus agalactiae to the lung and cervical epithelial cells. Journal of Biological Chemistry. Feb 8;288(6):4023-4034. (if=4.6, ci=10)

5. Yadav, V., Kumar, M., Kumar, D.D., Tripathi, T., Sharma, R., Tuteja, N., Saxena A.K. and Johri A.K. (2010): A Phosphate Transporter from Axenically Cultivable Arbascular Mycorrhiza like Fungus Piriformospora indica and its Role in the Phosphate Transfer to the Plants. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 285: 26532-26544. (if=4.6, ci=81)

6. Kumar M, Yadav V, Tuteja N, Johri AK. (2009): Antioxidant enzymes activities in maize plants colonized with Piriformospora indica , Microbiology. 155:780-790. (if=2.83, ci=60)

7. Johri AK, Immaculada, M., Broenstrup M., Brettoni, C., Hua, L., Gygi, SP, Telford, J., Grandi, G., Paoletti LC. (2007) :Transcriptional and proteomic profiles of Group B Streptococcus type V reveal potential adherence proteins associated with high-level invasion) Infection and Immunity. 75,1473-1483. (if=4.15, ci=26)

8. Johri A.K., Paolett, LC, Glaser, P., Dua, M., Sharma, PK, Grandi, G., and Rappuoli, R (2006): Group B Streptococcus" global incidence and vaccine development: Nature Reviews Microbiology 4: (12) 932-942. (if=23.3, ci=193)

9. Saxena, A., Mozumdar, S., and Johri A.K. (2006): Ultra-low sized cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone nanoparticles as non-viral vectors for in vivo gene delivery. Biomaterials. 27(32):5596-5602. (if=8.3, ci=21)

10. Johri AK, Padilla J, Malin G, Paoletti LC. (2003): Oxygen regulates invasiveness and virulence of group B Streptococcus. Infection and Immunity. 71(12):6707-6711. (if=4.15, ci=26)

88

JOSHI, SANTA RAM (b 1967), Associate Professor, Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics , North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong


The nominee has been working in the field of microbiology with a focus on aspects of diversity, taxonomy and ecology of microbial biome of Northeast India. His major scientific contributions are in microbial diversity and genomics, speleothemic (cave) microbes, horizontal gene transfer and bar coding of various microbial groups. He has isolated and established molecular characterization of microorganisms prevalent in the region including pristine habitats like the sacred groves, cave environments and heaviest rainfall receiving ecosystems. The characterized taxa are described under more than 250 genera with a submission of more than 700 sequences to international database. His efforts have led to the generation of a baseline data on microbial diversity. He has studied the microbial and molecular ecology of uranium deposit of Meghalaya, the first study in the region, microbiology of traditionally fermented foods of Meghalaya. which is being extended to other states of the region, microbial and molecular ecology of macrofungi (mushrooms) consumed by the ethnic tribes of Meghalaya and generation of barcode, has provided the first reports on microbial ecology of caves of Meghalaya and ecology of endophytic microbes associated with ethnomedicinal plants of the region. Generation of primary data using the nucleic acid markers as the barcode for identification has been translated into an online database titled as North-East India Microbial Database(NEMiD) (available at www.mblabnehu.info/nemid) Besides as an active member of NASI NER Region Local Chapter he has been playing a proactive role in organizing activities for promotion and popularization of science among school children in near and far-flung areas of Northeast India for the last 10 years reaching out to more than 8000 school children

Proposer : Prof. Veena Tandon, Seconder : Prof. Amit Ghosh


1. Joshi,SR, Sharma GD and Mishra RR (1993). Microbial enzyme activities related to litter decomposition near a highway in a sub-tropical forest of North-East India. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 25(12). pp. 1763-1770. (if=4.41) , ci=45)

2. Kumar R, Acharya C and Joshi SR (2011) Isolation and analyses of uranium tolerant Serratia marcescens strains and their utilization for aerobic uranium U(VI) bioadsorption. Journal of Microbiology. 49(4): 568-574 (if=1.52, ci=19)

3. Thokchom S and Joshi SR (2012) Antibiotic resistance and probiotic properties of dominant lactic microflora from Tungrymbai, an ethnic fermented soybean food of India. Journal of Microbiology. 50(3): 535-539 (if=1.52, ci=4)

4. Devi LS, Khaund P, Nongkhlaw FMW and Joshi SR (2012) Diversity of culturable soil micro-fungi along altitudinal gradients of eastern Himalayas. Mycobiology 40(3): 151-158 (if=0.51, ci=4)

5. Nongkhlaw M, Kumar R, Acharya C and Joshi SR (2012) Occurrence of Horizontal Gene Transfer of PIB-type ATPase Genes among Bacteria Isolated from the Uranium Rich Deposit of Domiasiat in North East India. PLoS ONE 7(10): e48199. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0048199 (if=3.53, ci=8)

6. Kumar R, Nongkhlaw M, Acharya C and Joshi SR (2013) Uranium (U)-tolerant bacterial diversity from U ore deposit of Domiasiat in North-East India and its prospective utilisation in bioremediation. Microbes and Environment. 28(1): 33-41 (if=2.44, ci=16)

7. Lyngwi NA, Koijam K, Sharma D and Joshi SR (2013) Culturable bacterial diversity along the altitudinal zonations and vegetation range of tropical Eastern Himalaya Revista de Biología Tropical. 61(1): 467-490 (if=0.55, ci=5)

8. Bhattacharjee K and Joshi SR (2014) NEMiD: A web-based curated microbial diversity database with Geo-based plotting. PLoS ONE. 9(4): e94088. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0094088. (if=3.53, ci=2)

9. Devi LS and Joshi SR (2014) Evaluation of the antimicrobial potency of silver nanoparticles biosynthesized by using an endophytic fungus, Cryptosporiopsis ericae PS4. Journal of Microbiology. 58(4): 667-674. DOI 10.1007/s12275-014-4113-1 (if=1.52, ci=2)

10. Khaund P and Joshi SR (2014) DNA barcoding of wild edible mushrooms consumed by the ethnic tribes of India. GENE. 550: 123–130 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gene.2014.08.027 (if=2.2, ci=2)

89

KHANNA, NAVIN CHANDRA (b 1956) Senior Scientist and Group Leader, Mammalian Biology Division,

Recombinant Gene Products Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and

Biotechnology, New Delhi


Dr. Khanna‘s research efforts have made significant impact on the public health in India. He has designed several novel multiepitope recombinant proteins, which are being used as diagnostic intermediates of high sensitivity and specificity by many manufacturers of diagnostic kits in India. The availability of these recombinant clones to Indian manufacturers has made diagnostic kits highly affordable and has made India, not only self-sufficient, but also an exporter of these kits. These kits for the detection of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV and Dengue infections in rapid and ELISA formats are being manufactured in India ,from our ―Know-how‖, and are being sold in >40 countries. Dr. Khanna‘s research efforts have generated recombinant clones useful for the industrial scale production of proteins of medical use. A company in China has purchased two of these clones, one, capable of producing >7 g/Liter of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, and another one, secreting >3 g/Liter of Insulin precursor in the culture medium. Dr. Khanna is heading a research project on the development of tetravalent subunit based dengue vaccine candidate, under an Indo-US Vaccine Action Program of DBT. His research efforts are being supported by grants from Wellcome Trust and NIH USA. Dr. Khanna has been given the following awards Om Prakash Bhasin Award for Biotechnology and Medical Sciences, Ranbaxy Research Award in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biotech Product & Process Development and Commercialization Award, and VASVIK Award for commercialization of Research.

Proposer : Dr. Vijay Kumar, Seconder : Dr. Anil Suri Ten Best Publications: 1. Talha, S.M., Hytönen, J., Westhorpe, A., Kumar, S., Khanna, N., Pettersson, K. 2013. Europium nanoparticle based high performing immunoassay for the screening of treponemal antibodies. PLoS One 8(12), e84050 doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084050 (IF 3.54) 2. Khetarpal N, Poddar A, Nemani SK, Dhar N, Patil A, Negi P, Perween A, Viswanathan R, Lünsdorf H, Tyagi P, Raut R, Arora U, Jain SK, Rinas U, Swaminathan S, Khanna N. Dengue-specific sub-viral nanoparticles: design, creation and characterization. J Nanobiotechnology. 2013 May 25;11:15. doi:10.1186/1477-3155-11-15 (IF 4.08) 3. Mani S, Tripathi L, Raut R, Tyagi P, Arora U, Barman T, Sood R, Galav A, Wahala W, de Silva A, Swaminathan S, Khanna N. Pichia pastoris-expressed dengue 2 envelope forms virus-like particles without pre-membrane protein and induces high titer neutralizing antibodies. PLoS One. 2013 May 23;8(5):e64595. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0064595 (IF 3.54) 4. Arora U, Tyagi P, Swaminathan S, Khanna N. Virus-like particles displaying envelope domain III of dengue virus type 2 induce virus-specific antibody response in mice. Vaccine. 2013 Jan 30;31(6):873-8 (IF 3.485) 5. Talha SM, Nemani SK, Salminen T, Kumar S, Swaminathan S, Soukka T, Pettersson K, Khanna N. Escherichia coli-expressed near full length HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein is a highly sensitive and specific diagnostic antigen. BMC Infect Dis. 2012 Nov 27;12:325. (IF 2.56) 6. Vanz AL, Lünsdorf H, Adnan A, Nimtz M, Gurramkonda C, Khanna N, Rinas U. (2012). Physiological response of Pichia pastoris GS115 to methanol-induced high level production of the Hepatitis B surface antigen: catabolic adaptation, stress responses, and autophagic processes. Microb Cell Fact. 11(1):103 (IF 4.25) 7. Korrapati AB, Swaminathan G, Singh A, Khanna N, Swaminathan S. 2012. Adenovirus delivered short hairpin RNA targeting a conserved site in the 5‘ non-translated region inhibits all four serotypes of dengue viruses. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 6: e1735. (IF 4.569) 8. Arora U, Tyagi P, Swaminathan S, Khanna N. 2012. Chimeric Hepatitis B core antigen virus-like particles displaying the envelope domain III of dengue virus type 2. J Nanobiotechnology. Jul 13;10:30. doi: 10.1186/1477-3155-10-30. (IF 4.08) 9. Lunsdorf H, Gurramkonda C, Adnan A, Khanna N, Rinas U. 2011. Virus-like particle production with yeast: ultrastructural and immunocytochemical insights into Pichia pastoris producing high levels of the Hepatitis B surface antigen. Microb Cell Fact. 10, 48. (IF 4.25) 10. Myyryläinen, T., Talha, S.M.,Swaminathan, S., Vainionpää, R., Soukka, T., Khanna, N., Pettersson, K. 2010. Simultaneous detection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 and Hepatitis B virus infections using a dual-label time-resolved fluorometric assay. J Nanobiotechnology. 8:27. (IF 4.08)

90

NATH, SUNIL (b 1962), Professor, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi


Sunil Nath‘s fundamental research has focussed on various physical aspects of biology (in particular, the molecular mechanism of ATP synthesis and muscle contraction) using original systems biology approaches. These interdisciplinary problems had proved resistant to solution despite herculean efforts by the scientific community for almost a century. He has pioneered application of the tools and concepts of engineering to biological processes at the molecular level. From thermodynamic, kinetic, biochemical, structural, bioinformatic and molecular machine viewpoints [Nath and Jain, 2000; Nath, 2002; Nath, 2003; Nath, 2004; Nath 2006; Nath 2008; Nathand Nath, 2009; Nath 2010; Nath and Elangovan, 2011; Nath and Villadsen, 2015], a unified theory now called Nath‘s Torsional Mechanism of Energy Transduction and ATP Synthesis that goes beyond Mitchell‘s chemiosmotic theory and Boyer's binding change mechanism has been formulated. His work has led to the detailed proposal of the Rotation-Uncoiling-Tilt Energy Storage Mechanism of Muscle Contraction [Nath and Khurana, 2001; Nath, 2003; Nath 2004; Nath 2006; Nath, 2008]. The above processes of ATP synthesis/hydrolysis also occur in apoptosis and cell death, and hence the work has several applications in disease, as highlighted in various Research News Articles on Nath‘s work (starting from Jain, S., Murugavel, R., Hansen, L. D., ―ATP synthase and the torsional mechanism: Resolving a 50-year-old mystery,‖ Current Science 2004, 87, 16-19; enclosed). His research contributions to aspects of protein-polymer interactions, nonlinear inactivation and thermostability of enzymes, spray drying of biologicals, and surface phenomena of aqueous-organic systems have applications in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry.

Proposer : Prof. Seyed E. Hasnain, Seconder : Prof. P. Balaram


1. S. Nath, A Thermodynamic Principle for the Coupled Bioenergetic Processes of ATP Synthesis, Pure and Applied Chemistry 1998, 70, 639-644 (if=3.12, ci=11)

2. S. Nath and G. R. Satpathy, A Systematic Approach for Investigation of Spray Drying Processes, Drying Technology 1998, 16, 1173-1193 (if=2.10, ci=46)

3. S. Nath, Surface Tension of Nonideal Binary Liquid Mixtures as a Function of Composition, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 1999, 209, 116-122 (if=3.58, ci=38)

4. S. Nath and S. Jain, Kinetic Modeling of ATP Synthesis by ATP Synthase and its Mechanistic Implications [BREAKTHROUGHS AND VIEWS], Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 2000, 272, 629-633 (if=2.50, ci=7)

5. S. Jain and S. Nath, Kinetic Model of ATP Synthase: pH Dependence of the Rate of ATP Synthesis, Federation of the European Biochemical Society Letters 2000, 476, 113-117 (if=3.72, ci=9)

6. V. Gupta, S. Nath and S. Chand, Role of Water Structure on Phase Separation in Polyelectrolyte-Polyethyleneglycol Based Aqueous Two-Phase Systems, Polymer 2002, 43, 3387-3390 (if=4.23, ci=28)

7. S. Nath, The Molecular Mechanism of ATP Synthesis by F1F0-ATP Synthase: A Scrutiny of the Major Possibilities, Advances in Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology 2002, 74, 65-98 (if=2.60, ci=17)

8. S. Nath, The New Unified Theory of ATP Synthesis/Hydrolysis and Muscle Contraction, Its Manifold Fundamental Consequences and Mechanistic Implications and Its Applications in Health and Disease, International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2008, 9, 1784-1840 (if=2.72, ci=6)

9. S. S. Nath, S. Nath, Energy Transfer from Adenosine Triphosphate: Quantitative Analysis and Mechanistic Insights, Journal of Physical Chemistry B 2009, 113, 1533-1537 (if=4.10, ci=7)

10. S. Nath, Beyond the Chemiosmotic Theory: Analysis of Key Fundamental Aspects of Energy Coupling in Oxidative Phosphorylation in the Light of a Torsional Mechanism of Energy Transduction and ATP Synthesis ˗ Invited Review Part 2, Journal of Bioenergetics and Biomembranes 2010, 42, 301-309 (if=3.25, ci=6)

91

PANDA, AMULYA KUMAR (b 1961), Scientist VII ( Scientist G), National Instituue of Immunology, New Delhi


Dr. Amulya K. Panda has contributed immensely on developing novel inclusion body protein refolding process and formulations of biologicals using polymeric nanoparticles. His contributions in both the areas of research are well documented with 93 peer reviewed research publications, nine book chapters and 25 patents and one trade mark product. His paper in J. Biosciences and Bioengineering, 2005 on Solubilization and Refolding of Bacterial Inclusion Body Proteins has been cited more than 400 times (Google scholar) in last 9 years. His research work provides fundamental understanding on kinetics of protein aggregation during inclusion body formation (PLOS One, 2012). Novel method of inclusion body solubilization process particularly using organic solvent developed and patented by Dr. Panda opens up new possibilities on high throughput recovery of bioactive protein from inclusion bodies of E. coli. Dr. Panda has also extensively worked on delivery of vaccines, and therapeutic proteins using polymer based particle formulations. Notable innovations of Dr. Panda in this areas are; modulation of immune response using different sized particles, elicitation of immunological memory using single dose polymeric formulation, and memory antibody response against carbohydrate antigens without conjugating to carrier protein (Biomaterials, 2007, 2009 and 2012). These results have implications on novel applications of nanotechnology based formulations for vaccine development (Proceeding of National Academy of Sciences, India, 2012). Dr. Panda is thus eminently suitable to be Fellow of The National Academy of Sciences, India, for his contributions on developing novel processes for refolding of inclusion body proteins and for vaccine delivery using nanoparticles.

Proposer : Dr. Satish K gupta, Seconder : Dr. Chandrima Shaha


1. Anish CK, Khan N, Upadhyay AK, Sehgal D, Panda AK (2014). Delivery of polysaccharides using polymer particles: Implications on size dependent immunogenicity, opsonophagocytosis and protective immunity. Mol Pharmaceutics 11: 922-937. (if=4.87, ci=1)

2. . Anish CK, Goswami DG, Vibhu Kanchan, Simi Mathew and Amulya Kumar Panda (2012). The immunogenic characteristics associated with multivalent display of Vi polysaccharide antigen using biodegradable polymer particles. Biomaterials 33: 6843-57.(if=7.4, ci=5)

3. Arun K. Upadhyay, Aruna Murmu, Anupam Singh and Amulya K. Panda (2012). Kinetics of inclusion body formation and its correlation with the characteristics of protein aggregates in Escherichia coli. PLoS ONE 7(3):e33951. (if=4.02, ci=27)

4. Vibhu Kanchan, Yogesh K. Katare and Amulya K. Panda (2009). Memory antibody response from antigen loaded polymer particles and the effect of antigen release kinetics. Biomaterials 30: 4763-4776. (if=7.4, ci=18)

5. Kanchan V and AK Panda (2007). Interactions of antigen-loaded polylactide particles with macrophages and their correlation with the immune response. Biomaterials 28: 5344-5357. (if=6.2, ci=132)

6. S. M. Singh and Amulya K Panda (2005). Solubilization and refolding of bacterial Inclusion body proteins. Journal of Biosciences and Bioengineering. 99: 303-310 (if=1.00, ci=423)

7. Dhiman H. K, Alok R Ray and Amulya K Panda (2005). Three-dimensional chitosan scaffold based MCF-7 cell culture for the determination of the cytotoxicity of tamoxifen. Biomaterials 26: 979-986. (if=4.7, ci=107)

8. Dhiman H. K., Alok R Ray and Amulya K Panda (2004). Characterization and evaluation of chitosan matrix for in vitro growth of MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. Biomaterials 25: 5147-5154. (if=3.779, ci=58)

9. Ashok K. Patra, G. K Gahlay, BVV Reddy, S.K. Gupta and A. K. Panda (2000). Refolding and structural transition of recombinant bonnet monkey zona pellucida glycoprotein-C expressed in Escherichia coli that binds to spermatozoa. Eur. J. Biochemistry 267: 7075-7081. (if=2.85, ci=26)

10. A. K. Panda., R. H. Khan, Appa Rao, KBC. and S. M. Totey (1999). Kinetics of Inclusion body formation in batch and high cell density fed-batch culture of E. coli expressing ovine growth hormone. J. of Biotechnology 75: 161-172. (if=2.85, ci=64)

92

PANDEY, ANITA (b 1959), Scientist F, GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Almora


The major contribution of the nominee is in the area of microbial diversity of Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) with reference to their biotechnological applications, ecological resilience, and conservation. Rhizosphere microbiology: Rhizosphere studies on ecologically and economically important Himalayan species, including tea plantations, have been performed. Tea rhizosphere was identified for exerting a negative rhizosphere effect (Pandey and Palni 1996); selected microorganisms were developed in bioformulations for supporting organic tea in India (Patent I; Pandey et al. 2013). Bioformulation of an endophytic bacterium was developed for propagation and conservation of Ginkgo biloba (the living fossil) (Patent2; Pandey et al. 2014). Extremophiles: Thermophiles from hot springs and psychrotolerants from cold desert and glaciers were studied with respect to their adaptation to extreme environments and resilience dependant biotechnological applications. Wide temperature and pH tolerance possessed by these microorganisms were considered as indicators of ecological resilience. These characters were attributed to the ability of these microorganisms towards proteome adaptability and the genetic composition carrying the probable reservoir of hidden variations (Dhakar et al. 2014; Pandey et al. 2014). Cold adapted bacteria and fungi were studied for their biodegradation potential under low temperature environments. Dominance and contribution of cold and pH tolerant ascomycota in biodegradation was another remarkable finding (Dhakar and Pandey 2013,2015; Kaira et al. 2015). Conservation: While a "Himalayan microbial culture collection" has been established in the Institute, the microbial cultures are regularly accessioned by the National and International Culture Collections; the gene sequences are accessioned by NCBI.

Proposer : Prof. Sushil Kumar, Seconder : Dr. Manoj Prasad


1. A Pandey, S Kumar 1989. Potential of Azotobacters and Azospirilla as Biofertilizers for Upland Agriculture: A Review. Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research 48, 134-144. (if=0.500, ci=47)

2. A Pandey, LMS Palni 1996. The rhizosphere effect of tea on soil microbes in a Himalayan monsoonal location. Biology and Fertility of Soils 21, 131-137. (if=3.396, ci=48) 3. A Pandey, E Sharma and LMS Palni 1998. Influence of bacterial inoculation on maize in upland farming systems of the Sikkim Himalaya. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 30, 379-384. (if=4.785, ci=90)

4. B Chaurasia, A Pandey, LMS Palni, P Trivedi, B Kumar and N Colvin 2005. Diffusible and volatile compounds produced by an antagonistic Bacillus subtilis strain cause structural deformities in pathogenic fungi in vitro studies Microbiological Research 160 (1), 75-81. (if=2.144, ci=107) 5. B Chaurasia, A Pandey and LMS Palni 2005. Distribution, Colonization and Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi in Rhododendrons of central Himalayan region of India. Forest Ecology and Management 207 (3), 315-324. (if=3.101, ci=28) 6. A Pandey, P Trivedi, B Kumar and LMS Palni 2006. Characterization of a phosphate solubilizing and antagonistic strain of Pseudomonas putida (B0) isolated from a sub-alpine location in the Indian Central Himalaya. Current Microbiology 53 (2), 102-107.(if=1.359, ci=102) 7. B Kumar, P Trivedi and A Pandey 2007. Pseudomonas corrugate: A suitable bacterial inoculants for maize grown under rainfed conditions of Himalayan region. Soil Biology and Biuochemistry 39, 3093-3100. (if=4.785, ci=32) 8. S Singh, A Pandey, B Chaurasia and LMS Palni 2008. Diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with the rhizosphere of tea growing in ‗natural‘ and ‗cultivated‘ ecosites. Biology and Fertility of Soils 44, 491-500. (if=3.396, ci=33) 9. P Trivedi, A Pandey and LMS Palni. 2008. In vitro evaluation of antagonistic properties of Pseudomonas corrugata. Microbiological Research 163, 329-336. (if=2.144, ci=46) 10. Rinu K., A Pandey 2010. Temperature dependent phosphate solubilization by cold and pH tolerant species of Aspergillus isolated from Himalayan soil. Mycoscience 51(4), 263-271. (if=1.167, ci=22)

93

PATEL, ANANT BAHADUR (b 1971), Principal Scientist, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad


Human brain comprises only ~2% of the body weight but it consumes ~20% of total oxygen utilization of the whole body, indicating the overwhelming energy demand of the brain. Anant's has initiated 13C NMR spectroscopy program at CCMB to study neurotransmitter metabolism in different neurological disorders, which is a unique program in the country. In a direct contradiction of astrocyte-to-neuron lactate hypothesis, Anant's study has demonstrated direct uptake and phosphorylation of glucose in neurons. Moreover, he has shown that metabolic activity of excitatory and inhibitory neurons varies across brain. Though Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's (PD) diseases were discovered a century ago, quantitative diagnosis and treatments for these ailments do not exist. Anant's studies have shown that glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission are impaired at preclinical stage of AD. Therefore, assessment of neurotransmitter energetics has potential for preclinical diagnosis of AD. His studies in PD indicated an increase in the level of striatal GABA, and reduced neurotransmitter activity in PD. Hence, neurometabolic analysis together with measurement of GABA level has potential for quantitative diagnosis of PD. Anant's studies have deciphered that activity of excitatory and inhibitory neurons is reduced in depression. His study in nicotine addiction revealed that activity of glutamatergic neurons is enhanced in the majority of brain regions. His analysis in alcoholism indicated that acute ethanol exposure reduces excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission differentially across brain.

Proposer : Prof. Girjesh Govil, Seconder : Prof. Anil Saran


1. Patel AB, Srivastava S, Phadke RS, Govil G (1998) Arginine activates glycolysis of goat epididymal spermatozoa: a NMR study. Biophys J 75:1522-1228. (if=3.668, ci=30)

2. Patel AB*, de Graaf RA, Mason GF, Kanamatsu T, Rothman DL, Shulman RG, Behar KL (2004) Glutamatergic neurotransmission and neuronal glucose oxidation are coupled during intense neuronal activation. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 24:972-985. (if=5.398, ci=99)

3. de Graaf RA, Mason GF, Patel AB, Rothman DL, Behar KL (2004) Regional glucose metabolism and glutamatergic neurotransmission in rat brain in vivo. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 101:12700-12705. (if=9.737, ci=72)

4. Patel AB*, de Graaf RA, Mason GF, Rothman DL, Shulman RG, Behar KL (2005) The contribution of GABA to glutamate/glutamine cycling and energy metabolism in the rat cortex in vivo. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 102:5588-5593. (if=9.737, ci=172)

5. Patel AB*, de Graaf RA, Rothman DL, Behar KL, Mason GF (2010) Evaluation of cerebral acetate transport and metabolic rates in the rat brain in vivo using 1H-[13C]-NMR. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 30:1200-1213. (if=5.398, ci=31)

6. Tiwari V and Patel AB* (2012) Impaired Glutamatergic and GABAergic Function at Early Age in AβPPswe-PS1dE9 Mice: Implications for Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimer's Dis 28:765-769. (if=4.170, ci=12)

7. Tiwari V, Ambadipudi S, Patel AB* (2013) Glutamatergic and GABAergic TCA Cycle and Neurotransmitter Cycling Fluxes in Different Regions of Mouse Brain. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 33:1523-1531. (if=5.398, ci=9)

8. Patel AB*, Lai JCK, Chowdhury GMI, Hyder F, Rothman DL, Shulman RG, Behar KL (2014) Direct Evidence for Activity-Dependent Glucose Phosphorylation in Neurons With Implications for the Astrocyte-to-Neuron Lactate Shuttle. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 111:5385-5390. (if=9.737, ci=12)

9. Veeraiah P, Noronha JM, Maitra S, Bagga P, Khandelwal N, Chakravarty S, Kumar A, Patel AB* (2014) Dysfunctional Glutamatergic and GABAergic Activities in Prefrontal Cortex of Mice in Social Defeat Model of Depression. Biol Psychiatry 76:231-238.(if=9.247)

10. Bagga P, Behar KL, Mason GF, De Feyter HM, Rothman DL, Patel AB* (2014) Characterization of Cerebral Glutamine Uptake from Blood in the Mouse Brain: Implications for Metabolic Modeling of 13C NMR Data. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 34:1666-1672.(if=5.398, ci=1)

94

RAMAKUMAR, SURYANARAYANARAO (b 1949), Professor, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore


Denovo design of secondary and super-secondary structural elements of proteins using the building blocks approach In over 40 years of work with conformationally and biologically important peptides, significant contributions have been made by the nominee (Professor Ramakumar) in the denovo design of peptide secondary and super-secondary structures. The first denovo design of a crystallographically characterized completely folded helical super-secondary motif was achieved by incorporating dehydrophenylalanine into a peptide sequence. Based on the solid state structures of many peptides, a novel shape-complementarity assisted, and weak interaction based design strategy was proposed, and a 21-residue peptide was designed. The observed solid state structure unequivocally supported the proposed strategy (PNAS (USA) 2001). The paper was identified for press release by the National Academy of Sciences (USA). Structure based design of drugs to combat pathogenic organisms The nucleoid associated protein HU plays an important role in maintenance of chromosomal architecture and in global regulation of DNA transactions in bacteria. Although HU is essential for growth in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) there have been no reported attempts to perturb HU function with small molecules. The crystal structure of N-terminal domain of HU from Mtb was determined by the nominee and collaborators. A core region within the HU-DNA interface that can be targeted using stilbene derivatives was identified. These small molecules specifically inhibit HU-DNA binding, disrupt nucleoid architecture and reduce Mtb growth. The results indicate that HU is a potential target for the development of therapies against tuberculosis. (Nature Communications, 2014)

Proposer : Prof. Anil Kumar, Seconder : Prof. N. Suryaprakash


1. Bhowmick T, Ghosh S, Dixit K, GanesanV,Ramagopal U.A., DeyD,SarmaS.P.,Ramakumar S.,Nagaraja V. Targeting Mycobacterium tuberculosis nucleoid-associated protein HU with structure-based inhibitors. Nat. Commun. 2014Jun 11; 5:4124.doi: 10.1038/ncomms5124. (if=10.742, ci=2)

2. Mishra A, Misra A, Vaishnavi T.S.,Thota C, Gupta M, Ramakumar S, Chauhan VS Conformationally restricted short peptides inhibit human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) fibrillization.ChemCommun(Camb),2013 Apr4;49(26):2688-90.doi: 10.1039/c3cc38982k(if=6.718, ci=5)

3. Mondal, S., Bhavna, R., Babu, R.M.,Ramakumar, S.Pseudo amino acid composition and multi-class support vector machines approach for conotoxin superfamily classification.J. Theor Biol. 243(2): 252 - 60. 2006. (if=2.303, ci=110)

4. Manikandan, K., Bhardwaj, A., Gupta, N., Lokanath, N.K., Ghosh, A., Reddy, V.S., Ramakumar, S.Crystal Structures of native and xylosaccharide-bound alkali thermostable xylanase from an alkalophillic Bacillus sp. NG - 27: Structural insights into alkalophilicityand implications for adaptation to polyextreme conditions.Protein Sci. 15(8):1951 60.2006. (if=2.861, ci=30)

5. Rudresh, A.,Ramakumar, S.,Ramagopal, U.A., Inai Y, Goel S, Sahal D, Chauhan, V.S. De novo design and characterization of a helical hairpin eicosapeptide: emergence of an anion receptor in the linker region.Structure. 12, 389 - 96. 2004. (if=6.794, ci=18)

6. Manikandan, K., Ramakumar, S.The occurrence of C--H...O hydrogen bonds in alpha-helices and helix termini in globular proteins.Proteins. 56, 768-81, 2004 (if=2.921, ci=65)

7. Natesh, R., Manikandan, K., Bhanumoorthy, P., Viswamitram M.A., Ramakumar S.Thermostablexylanase from Thermoascusaurantiacus at ultrahigh resolution (0.89A) at 100 K and atomic resolution ( 1.11 A ) at 293 K refined anisotropically to small - molecule accuracy.ActaCrystallogr D BiolCrystallogr. 59 ( Pt 1 ), 105 - 17. 2003 (if=7.232, ci=21)

8. Ramagopal, U.A.,Ramakumar, S.,Sahal, D., Chauhan, V.S.,.De Novo Design and Characterization of an Apolar Helical Hairpin peptide at Atomic Resolution: Compaction Mediated by weak interactions. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci( USA ), 98, 870 - 874. 2001. (if=9.809, ci=54)

9. Rajashankar, K.R.,Ramakumar, S., Jain, R.M., Chauhan, V.S.Schellman Motif indehydrooligopeptides: Crystal and Molecular Structure of Boc - Val -ΔPhe-Leu -Phe - Ala - ΔPhe - Leu - OMe.AngewChemie, English Edition 35, 765, 1996. (if=11.336, ci=15)

10. Rajashankar, K.R.,Ramakumar, S. π - Turns in Proteins and Peptides: Classification, Conformation, Occurrence, Hydrationand Sequence.Protein Science.5, 932 - 946.1996. (if=2.861, ci=64)

http://v.s.de/

95

RAO, DONTHAMSETTY NAGESWARA (b 1951) Professor & Head, Dept. of Biochemistry, AIIMS, New Delhi


Dr D.N. Rao is currently Prof & Head, Dept. of Biochemistry, AIIMS, New Delhi. He is working in AIIMS for the last 37 years. He is a good teacher having brilliant Academic record and honest person. Currently he is the President of lIS & Vice President of FIMSA. He is recipient of many national awards & orations viz AIIMS, ICMR, NAMS, MCL ACBI and SBC. He generated grants from various funding agencies viz ICMR. CSIR, DST. DBT. DRDO and Ministry of Health and AIIMS. He guided large number of students of Ph.D., M.D. & M.Sc. degrees. He is evaluator or projects from many grant giving agencies and selection member for many Medical Colleges. Universities and Institutes. He is a member and chairman of many grant giving agencies. He had published more than 130 papers in peer reviewed National & International journals. He is Ethical Committee member for many organizations. He is evaluator of manuscripts for publication in peel' reviewed journals from India and Abroad. He has arranged few national conferences. We strongly recommend him for Fellowship of National Academy of Sciences (NASI) (India).

Proposer : Prof. Jaya S. Tyagi, Seconder : Prof. Ravinder Goswami Ten Best Publications: 1. Enhanced mucosal and systemic immune response with intranasal immunization or mice with HIV peptides entrapped in PLG.A microparticles in combination with Ulex Europaeus-I lectin as M cell target. M. Manocha. P.C Pal. M. Chitralekha. Beena Elizabeth Thomas. Vinita I ripathi. Sidharrha Dulin Gupra. Ramesh Paranjape. Smita Kulkarni. and Rao D.N. (2005), Vaccine. 23. 5599--5617 (IF =3.6) citation =80. 2. ldentiificauon or immunodominant epitope of FI antigen of Y pestis. L. Sabhnani & Rao D.N. FEMS lmmunol. Med. Microbiol. 2000, 27: 155-162 (IF= 2.5) citation =33. 3. Developing subunit vaccines for plague using Band T cell constructs derived from FI antigen using novel deliver) vehicles Sabhnani L, Sridevi I( . Manocha M, Rayanade Rand Rao D N. 2003. FEMS Immunol.Med. Microbiol. 38, 215-229 (IF =2.5) citation =39. 4. Inducing systemic and mucosal immune responses to B-T construct of F I antigen of Yersinia pestis in microsphere delivery, Vinita Tripathi, I(.T. Chitralekha, Anand R. Bakshi, Deepak Tomar, R.A. Deshrnukh. M.A. Baig and Rao D.N., Vaccine 2006,24 (16),3279-3289 (IF =3.6) citation =35. 5. Identifying Band T epitopes and studying humoral. mucosal and cellular immune response of V antigen of Y. pestis. Arif A. Khan. Jaya P. Babu & Rao D. .. Vaccine 2008. 26(3). 316-332 (IF =3.6) citation =27. 6. Disruption of HLA-DR raft, deregulation of Lck-ZAP-70-Cbl-b switches and miR 181 a towards T cell hyporesponsiveness in leprosy, Sudhir Kumar, Raza Naqvi, Neena Khanna & Rao D.N. 2011, Mol. lmrnun, 48,1178-1190 (IF 3.0) citation 26. 7. Intranasal administration of peptide antigens of HIV with mucosal adjuvant CpG ODN coentrapped in microparticles enhances the mucosal and systemic immune responses, Par Bahadur Pun, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, & Rao D.N., International immunopharmacology 2009. 9,468-477 (IF =3.0) citation =26. 8. Inhibition of apoptosis activation of NKT cells and upregulation of CD40 and CD40L mediated by M. leprae antigen(s) com bi ned with murabutide and Trat peptide in leprosy patients, Vi neeta Chattree. Neena Khanna, Vandana Bisht . and D. .Rao .. Mol Cell Biochcl11. 2008 Feb;309 (1-2):87-97 (IF =2.2) citation =20. 9. Generating neutralizing antibodies, THJ response and MHC non restricted irnmunogenicity of HIV-I env and gag peptides in liposomes and ISCOMS with inbuilt adjuvanticity. L. Aggrawal, W. Haq, C.V. Hanson and D.N. Rao, 2003, J. Immune Based Therapies and Vaccines 1 : 5-37 (IF =3.0) citation =26. 10. Investigation of the kinetics of histidine-rich protein :2 and of the antibody responses to this antigen, in a group of malaria patients from India. S. Biswas. D. Tomar and Rao D. (2005). Annals. Tropical Medicine & Parasitology. 99. 1-10 (IF =1.4) citation =33. 11. Humoral and Cell mediated immune response to cadmium in mice: Dan G. Lall S.B and Rao D.: Drug and Chern. Toxicol. 23, 349-360, 2000 (IF =1.0) citation =53.

96

REDDY SHETTY, PRAKASHAM (b 1960) Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad


-Evaluated the alpha glucans, serralysin as anti-inflammatory, fibrinolytic, anti-microbial and wound-healing agents -Unraveled the involvement of two ammonium transport systems and their regulatory role in inhibition/stimulation of ammonium/glutamate transport -Decoupling of biomass growth and its bioproduct production by modulating cellular metabolism to develop a recycle and reusable biocatalyst and to improve bioethanol process. -Functionalization of biopolymer, ferric/nickel impregnated silica nanoparticles and understanding its robustness as well as evaluation of its role as immobilizing matrix in enantioselective lactic acid production - used in biopolymer production -Evaluating the Taguch methodology as a statistical tool for biotechnological applications for first time. -Unraveling the role of barbital in modulation of metabolism linked to improved production (120%) of rifamycin in Nocardia strain and understanding the alkaline protease production kinetics and developing the a mathematical model -Developed rapid bioprocesses for silver nanoparticles, xylooligosaccharides, fructooligosaccharides, polygalacturonasem, prodigiosin wine, L-asparaginase, L-glutaminasee, proteases, serralysin, L-Iactic acid, rifamycin, actinomycin, epothelon, tyrosinase, xylanase, xylitol and defloridation using untapped agroindustrial materials. -Understanding of, glucose to xylose ratio, high biomass and sweet sorghum juice for effective biohydrogen as well as bioethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass. -Heterologous expression of CYP 1 02A5 variant and its production as well as predicting drug metabolism of human P450 probe substrates and in silico molecular docking of prodigiosin and cycloprodigiosin as COX-2 inhibitors -Evaluating the functionalized polyamide membrane for treating the bulk drug industrial effluent. -Understanding the impact of feed-forward neural network and genetic algorithm in developing a model for regulation of biocatalyst production.

Proposer : Prof. Appa Rao Podile, Seconder : Prof. P.B. Kavi Kishor Ten Best Publications : 1. R S Prakasham, J Sheno Merrie, R Sheela, N Saswathi and S V Ramakrishna. 1999. Biosorption of chromium VI by free and immobilized Rhizopus arrhizus. Environ. Pollution (UK), 104/3, 421-427. IF-3.902: CI = 204 2. R S Prakasham, Ch Subba Rao and P N Sarma. 2006. Green gram husk as innovative and inexpensive support for alkaline protease production by isolated Bacillus sp. under solid-state fermentation. Bioresource Technology, 97, 1449-1454. IF-5.039: CI = 164 3. R S Prakasham, Sarala Devi, K Rajya Laxmi and Ch Subba Rao. 2007. Novel Synthesis of Ferric Impregnated silica nanoparticles and their evaluation as matrix for enzyme immobilization. J Phys. Chern. C. 111,3842-3847. IF-4.835: CI = 38 4. R Sreenivas Rao, C Ganesh Kumar, R S Prakasham and Phil Hobbs. 2008. Taguchi methodology as a statistical tool for biotechnological application: a critical appraisal. J. Biotechnol. 3, 510-523. IF-2.884: CI = 145 5. R S Prakasham, T Sathish, P Brahmaiah, Ch Subba Rao, R Sreenivas Rao and Phil J Hobbs. 2009. Bio-hydrogen production from renewable agri-waste blend: optimization using mixer design. Inti J Hydrogen Energy. 34,6143-6148. IF- 2.390: CI = 23 6. R S Prakasham, T Sathish, P Brahmaiah. 2010. Biohydrogen production process optimization using anaerobic mixed consortia: A prelude study for use of agro-industrial material hydrolysate as substrate. Bioresource Technology. 101, 5708-5711. IF. 5.039: CI = 21 7. P Brahmaiah, Ch Subba Rao, T Satish and R S Prakasham. 2013. Heterologous expression of CYPI02A5 variant from Bacillus cereus CYPPB-l: Validation of model for predicting drug metabolism of human P450 probe substrates. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 97, 8107-8719 -IF 3.811 8. B. VenkataSwamy, M. Madhumala, R.S. Prakash am, S. Sridhar. 2013. Nanofiltrationof Bulk Drug Industrial Effluent using Indigenously Developed Functionalized Polyamide Membrane. Chemical Engineering J. 233,193-200. IF-3.473: CI = 2 9. P Laxmi Bharghavi and R S Prakasham. 2013. A fibrinolytic, alkaline and thermostable metalloprotease from the newly isolated Serratia sp RSPB 11. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 61,479-486. IF - 3.227: CI = 3 10. B Sudheer Kumar, V V N Yaswanth, R S Prakasham. 2015. Fibrinolytic, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties of a-(1-3)-glucans produced from Streptococcus mutans (MTCC497). Carbohydrate Polymers, 115, 152-159. IF-3.916

97

ROY, SIDDHARTHA (b 1954), Senior Professor, Bose Institute, Kolkata


The nominee is internationally known for his contribution in the field of chemical and structural biology. Quality of his lifetime contribution can be judged by his 75 peer-reviewed articles in internationally prominent journals, such as, JACS, JBC, PNAS, Biochemistry, JMB, NAR, EJB, JPC, Gene Dev, EMBOJ, Biophys J, Biochem J, J Virol, Prot Sci and ACS Chem Biol. Some highlights of his contributions are as follows: (1) Development of singly modified peptide models to unravel several important roles of phosphorylations and acetylations of p53. (2) Development of peptide-based protein-protein and protein-DNA interaction inhibitors, using alpha-amino isobutyric acid (aib) as a helix stabilizer. (3) Mechanism of transcription initiation through flip of -11A. (4) Demonstration that DNA sequences induce specific allosteric changes in a transcription factor and as a consequence protein-protein interaction between other regulatory molecules are modulated. (5) Elucidation of distribution of polar and apolar residues in protein structure which formed the basis of widely used Kyte-Doolittle plot. (6) First total assignment of a nucleic acid imino proton spectra and one of the first groups to achieve heteronuclear indirect detection. (7) First methods for incorporating site-specific isotope labels in nucleic acids and used them to study nucleic acids dynamics. Some recognitions that he received for his scientific contributions: Santi Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, Fellow of both INSA and IASc. JC Bose National Fellow, Visiting Professor in Osaka University and a Visiting Scientist in National Institutes of Health, USA. Editorial board of ACS Chem Biol and RSC Advances.

Proposer : Prof. Bhabatarak Bhattacharyya, Seconder : Prof. Pinakpani Chakrabarti


1. Rose, G.D. & Roy, S. (1980) Hydrophobic basis of packing in globular proteins. Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci.(USA) 77, 4643-4647 (if=9.8, ci=>200)

2. Roy, S. & Redfield, A.G. (1983) Assignment of imino proton spectra of yeast phenylalanine transfer ribo-nucleic acid. Biochemistry (ACS), 22, 1386-1390. (if=3.2, ci=75)

3. Massefski, W., Redfield, A.G., Das Sarma, U., Bannerji, A., & Roy, S.* (1990) 15N-guanosine labeled oligonucleotide as probe for protein-nucleic acid interaction in the major groove. J.Am.Chem.Soc., 112, 5350-5351. (if=11.4, ci=38)

4. Roy, S., Garges, S. & Adhya, S. (1998) Activation and repression of transcription by differential contact: Two sides of a coin J Biol Chem, 273, 14059-14062. (if=4.6, ci=>75)

5. Sakaguchi K, Saito S, Higashimoto Y, Roy S, Anderson CW, Appella E. (2000) Damage-mediated phosphorylation of human p53 threonine 18 through a cascade mediated by a casein 1-like kinase. Effect on Mdm2 binding. J Biol Chem. 275, 9278-83. (if=4.6, ci=>200)

6. . Guha S, Sahu K, Roy D, Mondal SK, Roy S*, Bhattacharyya K*. (2005) Slow solvation dynamics at the active site of an enzyme: implications for catalysis. Biochemistry (ACS), 44, 8940-7. (if=3.2, ci=60)

7. Polley S, Guha S, Roy NS, Kar S, Sakaguchi K, Chuman Y, Swaminathan V, Kundu T, Roy S.* (2008) Differential recognition of phosphorylated transactivation domains of p53 by different p300 domains. J Mol Biol. 376, 8-12. (if=3.8, ci=19)

8. A Synthetic Peptide Mimic of lambda-Cro shows Sequence-Specific Binding in vitro and in vivo. (2012) Abhishek Mazumder, Atanu Maiti, Koushik Roy and Siddhartha Roy.* ACS Chem Biol. 7, 1084-94. (if=5.35, ci=3)

9. Mandal AK, Samaddar S, Banerjee R, Lahiri S, Bhattacharyya A, Roy S.* (2003) Glutamate counteracts the denaturing effect of urea through its effect on the denatured state. J Biol Chem. 278, 36077-84. (if=4.6, ci=22)

10. Indirect read-out of the promoter DNA by RNA polymerase in the closed complex. (2013) Debnath S, Roy NS, Bera I, Ghoshal N, Roy S.* Nucleic Acids Res. Jan 7;41(1):366-77. (if=8.38, ci=3)

98

SEKAR, KANAGARAJ (b 1961), Associate Professor, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore


Professor K. Sekar has made significant contributions in the areas of Bioinformatics and computational biology as well as experimental macromolecular crystallography. He is among the few who have combined in themselves expertise of a high order in in-silico approaches as well as experimental studies. A substantial part of his efforts involved development of software (for example, identifying structural repeats in a given protein structure) and databases pertaining to three dimensional structures of proteins. In the post genomic era, he has also made significant contributions in developing software for analyzing sequence data, which includes identification of transmembrane proteins and repeat sequences (direct, inverted, mirror and everted). In the process, he and his group have developed several computing engines and proposed many novel algorithms. All of these are available on the Internet and have received wide attention internationally as evidenced by invitations from the computing commission, International Union of Crystallography and CODATA. Further, his work has been recognized by the Department of Biotechnology, which conferred on him the National Bioscience award. His experimental macromolecular studies have encompassed a wide spectrum. His most important contributions in this area has been concerned with structural studies of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and their complexes with mutants. This effort has, among other things, led to the identification of a hitherto unknown second calcium binding site in PLA2. The structure of the complex of a triple mutant of the protein with a simple organic molecule, anisic acid, opens an avenue for structure-based drug design.

Proposer : Prof. M. R. N. Murthy, Seconder : Prof. R. Sankaranarayanan


1. V. Rajakannan, M. Yogavel, M.-J. Poi, A.A. Jeya prakash, J. Jeyakanthan, D. Velmurugan, M. D. Tsai and K. Sekar. (2002) "Observation of additional calcium ion in the crystal structure of the triple mutant of bovine pancreatic phospholipase A2" J. MOL. BIOL 324(4), 755-762. (if=4, ci=15)

2. K. Sekar, S.V. Mala, M. Yogavel, D. Velmurugan, M.J. Poi, B.S.V. Nath, T.V. Gowda, A.A.J. Prakash and M.D. Tsai. (2003) "Crystal structures of the free and Anisic acid bound triple mutant of phospholipase A2" J. MOL. BIOL 333(2), 367-376. (if=4, ci=24)

3. S.S.Sheik, P.Ananthalakshmi, G.Ramya Bhargavi and K. Sekar. (2003) "CADB: Conformational Angles Database of proteins" NUCL. ACIDS RES 31(1), 448-451. (if=8.8, ci=20)

4. S.A.Fernando, P.Selvarani, Soma Das, Ch.Kiran Kumar, Sukanta Mondal, S.Ramakumar and K. Sekar. (2004) " THGS: A web-based database of Transmembrane Helices in Genome Sequences" NUCL. ACIDS RES 32, D125-D128. (if=8.8, ci=11)

5. S.S.Sheik, S.K.Agarwal, A.Poddar, N.Balakrishnan and K. Sekar. (2004) "A Fast Pattern Matching Algorithm" J. CHEM. INF. and COMP. SCIENCES 44(4), 1251-1256. (if=4.1, ci=40)

6. K. Sumathi, P. Ananthalakshmi, M.N.A.Md. Roshan and K. Sekar. (2006) "3dSS: 3D Structural Superposition" NUCL. ACIDS RES 34, W128-W134. (if=8.8, ci=69)

7. J. Jeyakanthan, S. Rangarajan, P. Mridula, S. P. Kanaujia, Y. Shiro, S. Kuramitsu, S. Yokoyama and K. Sekar. (2008) "Observation of a calcium-binding site in the γ-class carbonic anhydrase from Pyrococcus horikoshii" ACTA CRYST. D64, 1012-1019. (if=7.23, ci=21)

8. S. P. Kanaujia and K. Sekar. (2009) "Structural and functional role of water molecules in bovine pancreatic phospholipase A2: A data-mining approach" ACTA CRYST. D65, 74-84. (if=7.23, ci=8)

9. J. Jeyakanthan, S. P. Kanaujia, Y. Nishida, N. Nakagawa, S. Praveen , A. Shinkai, S. Kuramitsu, S. Yokoyama and K. Sekar (2010) " Free and ATP-bound structures of Ap4A hydrolase from Aquifex aeolicus V5" ACTA CRYST. D66, 116-124. (if=7.23, ci=3)

10. M. Kavyashree and K. Sekar. (2013) "Molecular dynamics perspective on the protein thermal stability: A case study using SAICAR synthetase" JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL INFORMATION AND MODELING, 53(9), 2448-2461. (if=4.1, ci=3)

99

SEN, MALINI (b 1962), Senior Scientist, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Jadavpur, Kolkata


I have the great pleasure to nominate Dr. Malini Sen of the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology for the Fellowship of the National Academy of Sciences, India. Dr. Sen uncovered the role of Wnt signaling in the progression of arthritis and other inflammatory disorders for the first time. Dr. Sen‘s laboratory has shown that Wnt-driven macrophage responses are important for enhanced cell viability and pathogen uptake during infection. These findings have been published in PNAS and Journal of Immunology. In collaboration with my laboratory, Dr. Sen has revealed a potential role of Wnt signaling in Visceral Leishmaniasis. This work is not only novel but also very important for our understanding of disease progression. We expect this work to be published in a top rated journal. Dr. Sen initiated another project related to PPRD (progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia). This project has now delved into solving important questions about the involvement of mitochondrial metabolism in the progression of PPRD. Dr. Sen is about to submit this work to a top rated journal. Dr. Sen‘s works have received wide recognition from scientists around the world as evidenced by the presentation of the same in international conferences and seminars at different institutes in India and abroad. Dr. Sen‘s acumen, sincerity, passion and determination for science are exemplary. She possesses remarkable breadth of knowledge in diverse areas of biology. She also trains her students well to achieve their maximum potential and works hard for their academic wellbeing through effective utilization of available resources.

Proposer : Dr. Syamal Roy, Seconder : Dr. Chitra Dutta


1. Sen M and Marsh L. 1994. Non-contiguous domains of the factor receptor of yeast confer ligand specificity. J.Biol.Chem 269: 968-973. (if=7.25, ci=40)

2. Sen M, Lauterbach K, El-Gabalawy H, Firestein GS, Corr M and Carson DA. 2000. Expression and function of wingless and frizzled homologs in rheumatoid arthritis. PNAS 97: 2791-2796. (if=9.8, ci=242)

3. Sen M, Chamorro M, Reifert J, Corr M, and Carson DA. 2001. Blockade of Wnt-5A / Frizzled 5 signaling inhibits rheumatoid synoviocyte activation. Arthritis Rheumatism 44: 772-781. (if=7.87, ci=145)

4. Sen M, Reifert J, Lauterbach K, El-Gabalawy H, Rubin JS, Wolf V, Corr M and Carson DA. 2002. Regulation of fibronectin and metalloproteinase expression by Wnt signaling in rheumatoid arthritis synoviocytes. Arthritis Rheumatism 46: 2867 – 77. (if=7.87, ci=65)

5. Sen M, Cheng Yu-Ho, Goldring MB, Lotz M and Carson DA. 2004. WISP-3 dependent regulation of type II collagen and aggrecan production in chondrocytes. Arthritis Rheumatism 50: 488 – 97. (if=7.87, ci=59)

6. Sen M. 2005. Wnt Signaling in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Rheumatology 44: 708 – 713. (if=4.5, ci=72)

7. Miller DS and Sen M. 2007. Potential role of WISP3 (CCN6) in regulating the accumulation of reactive oxygen species. BBRC 355: 156 – 61. (if=2.3, ci=11)

8. Maiti G, Naskar D and Sen M. 2012. The Wingless homolog Wnt5a stimulates phagocytosis but not bacterial killing. PNAS 109: 16600 – 5. (if=9.8, ci=11)

9. Repudi S, Patra M and Sen M. 2013. WISP3-IGF1 interaction regulates chondrocyte hypertrophy. J Cell Sci 126: 1650 – 8. (if=6, ci=4)

10. Naskar D, Maiti G, Chakraborty A, Roy A, Chattopadhyay DJ and Sen M. 2014. Wnt5a – Rac1 – NFkB homeotsatic. circuitry sustains innate immune functions in macrophages. J Immunol 192: 4386 – 97. (if=5.5, ci=1 (pubfacts))

100

SHAH, KAVITA (b 1968), Professor, Dean & Head, Institute of Environment & Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi


Prof Kavita Shah has made significant contributions in the area of Biochemistry, Enzymology and Biotechnology. Her understanding of biological catalysts has resulted in 02 patent/process, 63 GenBank submissions, 06 protein-model submissions at PMDB online, 44 publications in peer-reviewed National/International Journals and 16 Book Chapters. She is Member Editorial Board, Brazilian Journal of Botany(Springer), Austin Journal of Environmental Toxicology(USA). She is Life Member of several scientific Societies, writes for science popularization and is active member of NASI. Her publication in Plant Science (2001) is cited <526 times. Her patent on rice-peroxidase enzyme biosensor for dopamine estimation in body fluids much is beneficial to Society, physicians and neurological patients. She standardized a novel process for purification of pectin-binding cationic-peroxidases from rice. She has developed multi-stress tolerant transgenic tomato lines bearing fruits rich in antioxidants, lutein and vitamin-C and abridged our understanding of Cd/Heat/Salt/SA/JA/NO-induced stress-signaling in rice. Dr Shah is recipient of Women Scientist Award-2011 of The Biotech Research Society(I) in recognition of her work on Enzyme Technology and Biosensors, BHU Gold Medal(1992), Best Paper Presentation Award(1995), Young Scientist Merit Award(1996), Science and Technology Fellowship, Japan(1997-99), IUBMB Young Scientist Fellowship Award(2000, U.K.), CSIR-Scientist Pool(2000-2003), Swiss Fellowship, Geneva, Switzerland(2002-2003) and Medhavi Chattra Puraskar (Directorate of Higher Education, Allahabad, 2003). She received popular teacher award by Social organizations in 2009 and 2014, respectively. Prof. Kavita Shah‘s contribution of purified pectin-binding cationic-peroxidase, rice-peroxidase enzyme-biosensor, protein models, gene sequences, transgenic tomato with bioactive compounds, and Cd/Heat/Salt/SA/JA/NO-stress-signaling are much significant for biochemistry, biotechnology,food security and sustainability.

Proposer : Prof. Mahendra Kumar Thakur Seconder : Prof. Arvind Mohan Kayastha


1. Shah, K. and Dubey, R.S. 1995. Effect of cadmium on RNA level as well as activity and molecular forms of ribonuclease in growing rice seedlings. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 33:577-584. (if= 3.051, ci= 74)

2. Shah, K. and Dubey, R.S. 1997/1998. Effect of cadmium on proline accumulation and RNase activity in rice seedlings: Role of proline as a possible enzyme protectant. Biologia Plantarum 40: 121-130. (if= 1.740, ci= 100)

3. Shah, K, Kumar, R.G., Verma, S. and Dubey, R.S. 2001. Effect of cadmium on lipid peroxidation, superoxide anion and activities of antioxidant enzymes in growing rice seedlings. Plant Science 161:1135-1144. (if= 4.114, ci= 526)

4. Shah, K., Penel, C., Gagnon, X. and Dunand, C. 2004. Purification and identification of a Ca2+-pectate peroxidase from Arabidopsis leaves. Phytochemistry 65:307-312. (if= 3.571, ci= 32)

5. Shah, K. and Nongkynrih, J. 2007. Metal Hyperaccumulators and Bioremediation. Biologia Plantarum. 51(4):618-634. (Review) (if= 1.740, ci= 127)

6. Shah, K. and Nahakpam S. 2012. Heat exposure alters the expression of SOD, POD, APX and CAT isozymes and mitigates low cadmium toxicity in seedlings of sensitive and tolerant rice cultivars. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 57:106-113. (if= 3.051, ci= 22)

7. Singh, P., Prakash, R. and Shah, K, 2012. Effect of organic solvents on peroxidases from rice and horseradish: prospects for enzyme based applications, Talanta. 97:204–210. (if= 3.756, ci= 06)

8. Rai A.C., Singh M., Shah K. 2013. Engineering drought tolerant tomato plants over-expressing BcZAT12 gene encoding a C2H2 zinc finger transcription factor. Phytochemistry (U.K.) 85:44-50. (if= 3.571, ci= 15)

9. Singh I. and Shah K. 2014. Evidences for structural basis of altered ascorbate peroxidase activity in cadmium stressed rice plants exposed to jasmonate. Biometals 27:247–263 (if= 2.689, ci= 01)

10. Shah K, Singh M, Rai AC. 2015. Bioactive compounds of tomato fruits from transgenic plants tolerant to drought. LWT-Food Science and Technology, 61(2):609–614 (if= 3.019, ci= 01)

101

SHIRAS, ANJALI SUHAS (b 1962), Scientist-F; National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune


Anjali Shiras is working in frontier areas of biology that includes RNA biology, stem cells and brain tumors. She was one of the first persons in this country to initiate work on non-coding RNAs. Her work led to identification of a novel long non-coding RNA important in inducing and maintaining stemness with role in embryonic development. Further, She developed several in vitro model systems to study tumor progression in Glioblastoma (GBM) (Shiras et.al; 2002, 2003, 2007) and tumor recurrence (under consideration; 2015). Her published papers describing these model systems have received greater than 100 citations. Earlier, Anjali identified Dlxin-1, a unique member of the melanoma associated antigen gene (MAGE) family, as a novel transcription factor that binds homeobox proteins like Dlxin-5 and regulates its transcriptional function (Shiras; 2001) with its role in accelerated neuritogenesis followed by its anti-proliferative role in brain tumors like gliomas (Reddy et.al 2010, 2011). Later, she showed that increased presence of DNA methyl transferases (DNMT) was pivotal in epigenetic silencing of tumor suppressors in glioma (Rajendran eta.l 2011). This was followed by identification of a signature of tumor suppressive microRNAs that was shown by her to down-regulated in GBM and contributed to glioma pathogenesis (Rani et.al 2013; Rathod et.al 2014). Her studies on non-coding RNA, are aiming to amalgamate concepts of stemness and transformation and derive mechanistic insights into these two processes. She has several collaborations with industry (Piramal life sciences, Seagull Bio-solutions and Hi-media) and national and International Institutes (Indo-UK project; NIH-CRM; Wistar Institute, USA).

Proposer : Dr. Shekhar C. Mande, Seconder : Dr. G.C. Mishra


1. Rathod SS, Rani SB, Khan M, Muzumdar D, Shiras A. (2014) Tumor suppressive miRNA-34a suppresses cell proliferation and tumor growth of glioma stem cells by targeting Akt and Wnt signaling pathways. FEBS Open Bio. 2014 May 22;4 :485-95. (if=Not yet disclosed, ci=6)

2. 2).Sandhya B. Rani†, Sachin Shivaji Rathod†, Shanmuganandam Karthik, Navjot Kaur, Dattatraya Muzumdar, and Anjali S. Shiras. MiR-145 functions as a tumor-suppressive RNA by targeting Sox9 and adducin 3 in human glioma cells; Neuro Oncol. 2013 Oct;15(10):1302-16. Epub 2013 Jun 28. (†) Equal Contribution (if=5.8, ci=27)

3. Kaur N, Chettiar S, Rathod S, Rath P, Muzumdar D, Shaikh ML, Shiras A. Wnt3a mediated activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling promotes tumor progression in glioblastoma. Mol Cell Neurosci. 2013 Jan 19;54C:44-57 (if=3.8, ci=15)

4. Dhar S, Reddy EM, Prabhune A, Pokharkar V, Shiras A, Prasad BL. (2011) Cytotoxicity of sophorolipid-gellan gum-gold nanoparticle conjugates and their doxorubicin loaded derivatives towards human glioma and human glioma stem cell lines. Nanoscale. 2011 Feb;3(2):575-80. (if=6.8, ci=24)

5. Polisetty RV, Gupta MK, Nair SC, Ramamoorthy K, Tiwary S, Shiras A, Chandak GR, Sirdeshmukh R (2011) Glioblastoma cell secretome: Analysis of three glioblastoma cell lines reveal 148 non-redundant proteins. (if=4.1, ci= 22)

6. Rajendran G, Shanmuganandam K, Bendre A, Mujumdar D, Goel A, Shiras A. Epigenetic regulation of DNA methyltransferases: DNMT1 and DNMT3B in gliomas J Neurooncol. 2011 Sep;104 (2):483-94. (if=2.8, ci=32)

7. Reddy EM, Chettiar ST, Kaur N, Ganeshkumar R, Shepal V, Shanbhag NC, Shiras A. Dlxin-1, a member of MAGE family, inhibits cell proliferation, invasion and tumorigenicity of glioma stem Cancer Gene Therapy 2011; Mar;18(3):206-18. (if=3.2, ci=12)

8. Reddy EM, Chettiar ST, Kaur N, Shepal V, Shiras A. Dlxin-1, a MAGE family protein, induces accelerated neurite outgrowth and cell survival by enhanced and early activation of MEK and Akt signalling pathways in PC12 cells. Exp Cell Res. 2010 Aug 15;316(14):2220-36. (if=3.552, ci=7)

9. Dhar S, Reddy EM, Shiras A, Pokharkar V, Prasad BL. Natural Gum Reduced/Stabilized Gold Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery Formulations (Cover page article) Chemistry. 2008;14(33):10244-50. (if=5.7, ci=80)

10. Spontaneous transformation of human adult nontumorigenic stem cells to cancer stem cells is driven by genomic instability in a human model of glioblastoma. Shiras A, Chettiar ST, Shepal V, Rajendran G, Prasad GR, Shastry P. Stem Cells. 2007 Jun;25(6):1478-89. (if=7.113, ci=123)

102

SRIKUMAR, KOTTEAZETH (b 1951), Professor, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry


Prof.K.Srikumar is former Head, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Pondicherry University (PU) and a Co-ordinator of Academic and Research programs there. He has established global leadership through his maiden discovery and thermodynamic characterization of purified xerophytic plant thermophilic enzymes in India. Further, he discerned that a phytobrassinosteroid aldomer exhibits antihyperglycemic & prosteroidogenic effect whereas a ketomer yields antilipidemic effect in male rat. He did outstanding research in establishing a novel HMW CSF-1 form causing murine stem cell induction, and alpha-2-Macroglobulin receptor expression in murine Macrophages. Extensive characterization of isoformic rat liver GSH-S-Tx and Sheep lung GSH-Px enzymes involving Leukotriene & Prostaglandin transformations are his other vanguard contributions. His recently coauthored Molecular Biology Reports provide experimental basis for modeling LXR a - b interaction as a prerequisite resulting in steroidogensis. Prof.Srikumar was a Visiting Scientist to two US Universities and recipient of the US Fogarty Fellowship, IABMS National Gold Medal for best research paper and twice Best Teacher Award at PU. He was Asst. Professor, UVA Med Ctr (1988-92) and Research Associate at Penn State University (1983-1988). He was appointed Bioanalytical Chemist at Abbott Labs, Chicago (1988). He has over70 peer reviewed international & 10 national journal publications, co-authored book articles and a book on Homobrassinolide, secured several extra mural funds, and collaborated research work with VCRC, Pondicherry & IOB, B‘lore. A former member of the University Court, he is DBT & UGC nominee to other institutional programs, and Scientific Advisory Member of a Medical Institution and a Biotech Company.

Proposer : Prof.Madhubala Rentala, Seconder : Prof.P.B. Kavi Kishor


1. Tu C-p, Matsushima, A, Li N-q Roads, DM, Srikumar K, Reddy AP, Reddy CC: (1986), Immunological sequence interrelationship between multiple human liver and rat glutathione S – transferases. J Biol Chem 261: 9540-9545 (if=6.315, ci=22)

2. Merkler DJ, Srikumar K, Wedler FC (1987), Synergistic ligand protection and intermediates in the denaturation of extermely thermophilic glutamine synthetase. Biochemistry 26:7805 – 7813 (if=3.029, ci=4)

3. Hong Y, Li C-H, Hurgess JR, Chang M, Salem A, Srikumar K. Reddy CC (1989), The role of Selenium – Dependent and selenium inependent glutathione peroxidases in the formation of prostaglandin F2 – alpha. J. Biol. Chem. 264:13793 – 13800 (if=4.60, ci=36)

4. Hussaini IM, Srikumar K, Quesenberry PJ, Gonias SL(1990), Alpha2 – macroglobulin receptor expression in the plasma membrane of bone marrow marcrophages is modu lated colony stimulating factor – 1. J. Biol, Chem, 265: 19441-19446 (if=4.60, ci=38)

5. Quesenberry PJ, Temeles K, McGrath HE, Lowry PA, Meyer DL, Kittler E, Deacon DH, Kister K, Crittenden R, Srikumar K (1991), Long – term marrow cultures: Human and murine systems. J. Cell Biochem, 45: 273-278 (if=3.659, ci=5)

6. Muthuraman, P and Srikumar K (2010), Induction of hexokinase I expression in normal and diabetic rats by a brassinosteroid isoform. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 41 (1), 1-9 (if=3.291, ci=9)

7. Vikramathithan, J., Ravikumar, S., Muthuraman, P., Nirmalkumar, G., Shyamala, S. and Srikumar, K. (2012) Purification and biochemical characterization of two major thermophilic xylanase isoforms (T70 and T90) from xerophytic Opuntia vulgaris plant spp. Cellulose, 19: 1373-1383 (if=3.6, ci=0)

8. Kumar, G.N. and Srikumar, K. (2013), Biophysical characterization of thermophilic laccase from xerophytes – Cereus pterogonus and Opuntia vulgaris. Cellulose, 20 (1): 115-125 (if=3.6, ci=1)

9. Premalatha, R., Jubendradass, R., Rani, S.J.A., Srikumar, K., Mathur, P.P.(2013), A phytooxysterol 28-homobrassinolide modulates rat testicular steroidogenesis in normal and diabetic rats. Reprod. Sciences, 20 (5), 589-596 (if=2.44, ci=2)

10. Dey, G., Radhakrishnan, A., Syed, A., Thomas, J. K., Nadig, A., Srikumar, K., Mathur, P. P., Pandey, A., Lin, S. K., Raju, R. and Prasad, T. S. K (2013), Signaling Network of Oncostatin M Pathway. Journal of Cell Communication and Signaling, 7(2) 103-108(if=4.67, ci=7)

103

TOLETI, SUBBA RAO (b 1964), Scientist – G, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Department of Atomic Energy, Kalpakkam


Dr. T. Subba Rao‘s research has primarily focused on microbe-metal interactions and basic and practical aspects of industrial cooling water problems originating due to microbial biofilms in power plants and chemical industries. He is a leading expert in microbial corrosion and has elaborated the mechanism of iron and stainless steel corrosion by bacteria. His pioneering work on pitting corrosion of titanium by biogenic sulphide has relevance for the upcoming fast reactor power plant at Kalpakkam. His contributions in microbial corrosion earned him the NACE award 2007 and the S.K. Seshadri Memorial National Award 2013, instituted by The Electrochemical Society of India, IISc. Dr. Rao is one of the architects of the Biofouling Test Loop at Kalpakkam, a national facility to carry out simulation studies for industrial cooling water systems. This contribution was recognized by the Group Achievement Award, of DAE in 2011. This facility served as a nodal centre for the national coordinated research project on Thermal Ecology. His current research interests include molecular microbiology, biofilms and bioremediation of toxic wastes. He has published 75 research papers in reputed international journals and reviewed several papers for national and international journals. He has also supervised 2 Ph.D. scholars and 31 M.Tech/M.Sc project students. He is a senate member of Alagappa University, member board of studies in Biotechnology, Pondicherry University and in Genetics at Sri Ramachandra University. He is a Fellow of The Academy of Sciences, Chennai and the Society for Applied Biotechnology.

Proposer : Prof. S. K. Apte, Seconder : Prof. A.K. Tyagi


1. A. Paraneeiswaran, Sudhir K. Shukla, K. Prashanth and T. S. Rao. (2015). Microbial reduction of [Co(III)-EDTA]- by Bacillus licheniformis SPB-2 strain isolated from a solar salt crystallizer pond. Journal of Hazardous Materials. Vol: 283, 582-590. (if=4.33, ci=45)

2. A.Paraneeiswaran, Sudhir K. Shukla, T. S. Rao and K. Prashanth, (2014). Removal of toxic Co-EDTA complex by a halophilic solar-salt-pan isolate Pseudomonas aeruginosa SPB-1. Chemosphere, Vol:95, 503-510. (if=3.49, ci=34)

3. S. K. Shukla and T. S. Rao. (2013). Effect of Calcium on Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Architecture: A Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopic Study. Colloids & Surfaces B Biointerfaces, Vol: 103, 448-454. (if=: 4.28, ci=30)

4. P. Balamurugan, M. Hiren Joshi, T. S. Rao. (2011). Microbial fouling community analysis of cooling water system of a nuclear test reactor: With emphasis on sulfate reducing bacteria. Biofouling Vol: 27, 967-978. (if=3.7, ci=210)

5. M. Hiren Joshi, P. Balamurugan, V.P. Venugopalan and T.S. Rao. (2011). Dense fouling in acid transfer pipelines by an acidophilic rubber degrading fungus. Biofouling, Vol: 27, 621-629. (if=3.7, ci=96)

6. T.S. Rao, Aruna Jyothi Kora, P. Chandramohan, B.S. Panigrahi and S.V. Narasimhan. (2009). Biofouling and microbial corrosion problem in the thermo-fluid heat exchanger and cooling water system of a nuclear test reactor. Biofouling Vol: 25, 581–591. (if=3.7, ci=144)

7. T.S. Rao, K. Aruna Jyothi, B. Anupkumar, S. V. Narasimhan, R. Feser. (2005). Pitting corrosion of titanium by a freshwater strain of sulfate reducing bacteria (Desulfovibrio vulgaris). Corrosion Science, Vol:47,1071-1084. (if=3.68, ci=36)

8. . S. Rao. (2003). Temporal variations in an estuarine biofilm: with emphasis on nitrate reduction. Estuarine Coastal Shelf Science, 58: 67-75. (if=2.25, ci=17)

9. T.S. Rao, T.N. Sairam, B. Viswanathan and K.V.K. Nair. (2000). Carbon steel corrosion by iron oxidizing and sulfate bacteria in a freshwater cooling system. Corrosion Science, Vol: 42, 1417-1431. (if=3.68, ci=36)

10. T.S. Rao and K.V.K. Nair. (1998). Microbiologically influenced stress corrosion cracking failure of admiralty brass condenser tubes in a nuclear power plant cooled by freshwater. Corrosion Science, Vol:40,1821-1836. (if=3.68, ci=40)

104

TULASI, SATYANARAYANA (b 1951), Professor, University of Delhi, New Delhi


Prof. Satyanarayana and his group have described the role of C-and-N-terminal domains of amylopullulanase of Geobacillus thermoleovorans based on truncation and proteomic studies. The domain C of the α-amylase of G. thermoleovorans has been shown to play a role in raw starch binding. A chimeric α-amylase has been generated with improved thermostability and catalytic efficiency. An ideal starch saccharification process has been developed using thermostable amylases of thermophilic microbes. The native and recombinant phytases of Pichia anomala and Sporotrichum thermophile have been characterized, which are useful in reducing phytate content of feeds and foods. An Indian patent (197593) has been granted to the process for the production of cell-bound phytase of the yeast P. anomala. Yeast-based fermentation process for the manufacture of Asava and Arishta range of Ayurvedic liquid tonics was developed, which was granted an Indian patent (197378) jointly with Dabur Research Foundation. His group has retrieved an endoxylanase from compost-soil metagenome which is useful in generating prebiotic xylooligosaccharides (XOs) from agricultural residues, paper pulp bleaching and deinking of news print. Native and recombinant xylanases of G. thermoleovorans, G. thermodenitrificans and Bacillus halodurans have been characterized. The β-xylosidase of G. thermodenitrificans displays bifunctional behaviour of cleaving β-1,4-glycosidic bonds in XOs and transxylosylation, and thus useful in producing methylxylosides. They have described a novel cold-tolerant bacterium as Bacillus lehensis, which is a source of alkaline protease with multiple applications. Carbonic anhydrase of Bacillus pumilus B. halodurans and Axoxybacillus sp. is useful in carbon sequestration, and thus, in mitigating global warming.

Proposer : Prof. Anil Kumar Tripathi, Seconder : Prof. B.N. Johri


1. Kumar, V. and Satyanarayana, T. 2015. Generation of xylooligosaccharides from microwave irradiated agroresidues using recombinant thermo-alkalistable endooxylanase of the polyextremophilic bacterium Bacillus halodurans expressed in Pichia pastoris. Biores. Technol. 179: 382-389. (if=5.039, ci= 0)

2. Nisha, M. and Satyanarayana, T. 2015. Characteristics of thermostable amylopullulanase of Geobacillus thermoleovorans and its truncated variants. Intern. J. Biol. Macromol. 76: 279-291. (if=3.096, ci= 0)

3. Jain, I., Kumar, V. and Satyanarayana, T. 2014. Applicability of recombinant β-xylosidase from the extremely thermophilic bacterium Geobacillus thermodenitrificans in synthesizing alkylxylosides. Biores. Technol. 170: 462-469. (if=5.039, ci= 01)

4. Mehta, D. and Satyanarayana, T. 2014. Domain C of thermostable α-amylase of Geobacillus thermoleovorans mediates raw starch adsorption. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 98:4503–4519 (if=3.881, ci= 01)

5. Mehta, D. and Satyanarayana, T. 2013. Dimerization mediates thermo- adaptation, substrate affinity and transglycosylation in a highly thermostable maltogenic amylase of Geobacillus thermoleovorans. PLoS One e73612: 1 – 13. (if=3.534, ci= 05)

6. Verma, D. and Satyanarayana, T. 2013. Cloning, expression and characteristics of a novel alkalistable and thermostable xylanase encoding gene (Mxyl) retrieved from compost-soil metagenome. PLoS One 8(1): e52459: 1 – 8. (if=3.534, ci= 19)

7. Nisha, M. and Satyanarayana, T. 2013. Characterization of recombinant amylopullulanase (gt-apu) and truncated amylopullulanase (gt-apuT) 0f the extreme thermophile Geobacillus thermoleovorans NP33 and their action in starch saccharification. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 97: 6279-6292. (if=3.881, ci= 01)

8. Verma, D. and Satyanarayana, T. 2012. Cloning, expression and applicability thermo-alkalistable xylanase of Geobacillus thermoleovorans in generating xylooligosaccharides from agro-residues. Bioresource Technol. 107: 333-338. (if=5.039, ci= 38)

9. Kaur, P., Singh, B., Böer, E., Straube, N., Piontek, M., Satyanarayana, T. and Kunze, G. 2010. Pphy – a cell-bound phytase from the yeast Pichia anomala: molecular cloning of the gene PPHY and characterization of the recombinant enzyme. J. Biotechnol. 149 (2010) 8–15 (if=2.884, ci= 14)

10. Singh, B. and Satyanarayana, T. 2009. Characterization of HAP-phytase from a thermophilic mould Sporotrichum thermophile. Biores. Technol. 100: 2046-2051 (if=5.039, ci= 18)

105

VELMURUGAN, DEVADASAN (b 1955) Professor and Head, University of Madras, Chennai


The applicant has carried out his research in small and macromolecular crystallography. As Prof. H.A.Hauptman, the Nobel Laureate has pointed out in his recommendation letter there are only handful of persons who work on the basic theory of Direct methods in Crystallography which lead to crystal structure determination of about 6 lakhs molecules. Prof. Velmurugan is one among them and he was involved initially in the applications of minimal principle approach proposed by Prof. Hauptman in 1985. Now it has become a macromolecular crystallographic package called Shake and Bake which can locate a maximum of 64 Se atom sites at a stretch. Prof'velmurugan has also worked on ab initio phasing of macromolecules and applications of lab source anomalous scattering method and has published several original papers. Prof. Velmurugan's main achievement is in the popularization of X-ray crystallography and structure based drug design through the workshops and hands on sessions. He had been doing this for many years not only in various colleges and universities in Tamil Nadu but also in 4 states of North Eastern Region. He is actively working on the cure of Dengue and Chikungunya using herbal medicines. He has been cited in 8th position among the scientists who have maximum research publications. He has so far published about 500 international research publications and had guided 35 Ph.Ds and many of them are faculty members in Universities in India/abroad. He has successfully convened 6 international conferences on "Recent trends in Macromolecular Structure and Function" which were attended by many foreign scientists and Indian research scholars .. He was also the convenor of two workshops on "Molecular structure determinationusing PHENIX" by inviting the two Professors who released the software. Prof D'velmurugan has now come out with two compounds which are anti-diabetic and anti-cancer. Initial tests undertaken at Ramachandra Medical University confirm the above said properties. He is at present working on many more herbals from North eastern region. Based on his scientific achievements only the UGC has awarded him with Career award and the Tamil Nadu Govt., the TANSA award.

Proposer : Prof. T.P.Singh, Seconder : Dr. V.Subramanian Ten Best Publications: 1. Sivasubramanian Suhitha, Seenivasan Karthiga Devi, Krishnasamy Gunasekaran, H. Carehome Pakyntein, Atanu Bhattacharjee and Devadasan Velmurugan. (2015). Phytochemical Analyses and Activity of Herbal Medicinal Plants of North-East India for Anti-Diabetic, Anti-Cancer and Anti-tuberculosis and their Docking Studies. Curro Top. Med. Chem., 15( 1), 21-36. (I.F 3.4) 2. Narayanan, Sibi; Velmurugan, D; Modeling, ADME screening & QSAR studies on factor-xa inhibitors. International Journal of Ph arm a & Bio Sciences 5(2) (2014). (I.F 2.9) 3. Ramakrishnan, Chandrasekaran; Joshi, Vikram; Joseph, Joseph Mavelithuruthel; Vishwanath, Bannikuppe S; Velmurugan, Devadasan; Identification of Novel Inhibitors of Daboia russelli Phospholipase A2 Using the Combined Pharmacophore Modeling Approach. Chemical biology & drug design (20 14).(I.F 2.5) 4. Velmurugan, Devadasan; Mythily, U; Rao, K; Design and Docking Studies of Peptide Inhibitors as Potential Antiviral Drugs for Dengue Virus NS2BINS3 Protease. Protein and peptide letters (2013) (I.F 1.84) 5. Velmurugan, Devadasan; Malar Selvi, Udhayasuriyan; Mythily, Udhayakumar; Rao,Kutumba; Rajarajeshwari, Ramaiah; Structure-Based Discovery of Anti-Viral Compounds for Hepatitis B & C, Human Immunodeficiency, and Dengue Viruses. Curro Bioinfo. 7(2)(2012) 187-211 (I.F 2.0). 6. Ramakrishnan, C; Subramanian, V; Balamurugan, K; Velmurugan, D; Molecular dynamics simulations of retinoblastoma protein. J. Biomol. Structure and Dynamics 31 (11 )(20 11) 1277-1292 (I.F 2.98). 7. Ramakrishnan, C; Subramanian, V; Velmurugan, D; Molecular Dynamics Study of Secretory Phospholipase A2 of Russell's Viper and Bovine Pancreatic Sources The Journal of Physical Chemistry B 114(42)(2010) 13463-13472. (I.F 4.8) 8. Nirmal, Nithya; Praba Om, G; Velmurugan, D; Modeling studies on phospholipase A2 inhibitor complexes. Ind. J. Biochemistry & Biophysics. 45(4)(2008) 256. (LF 1.07) 9. Velmurugan, D; Rajakannan, V; Gayathri, D; Banumathi, S; Yamane, T; Dauter, Z; Dauter, M; Sekar, K; Ab initio structure determination of the triple mutant (K53, 56,121 M) of bovine pancreatic phospholipase A- 2 at atomic and high resolution using ACORN. Current Science (8)(2006) 1091. (I.F 0.8) 10. Velmurugan, D; Hauptman, Herbert A; On integrating the techniques of direct methods with anomalous dispersion: The one-phase structure seminvariants in the monoclinic and orthorhombic systems. 1. Theoretical background Acta Crystallographica Section A: Foundations of Crystallography 45(2) (1989) 158-163. (I.F 2.06)

106

BORA, TARUN CHANDRA (b. 1955) Chief Scientist & Head Biotechnology Division, Professor AcSIR;

CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat-785006, Assam. Member of the NASI: No (YON 2014, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology including)

Prof. T. C. Bora, Chief Scientist (Scientist G) & Head, Biotechnology Division. CSIR-North East Institute of Science & Technology, Jorhat and Professor, ACSIR has done pioneering research in the field of Microbiology, especially on exploration and documentation of Microbial diversity of the North East Gene pool. He along with his team isolated more than 5000 microbial strains, and did bioprospecting, bio-profiling and screening for targeted functions. He supplemented novel bacterial genus: Aquimoas voraii and species Microbacterium assamensis, Kocuria assamensis, Paenibacillus assamensis, Aeromonas sharmana, Flavobacter indicum. He isolated a novel antibiotic from indigenous Streptomyces sp 201 from Jorhat, Assam, did molecular modeling on this lead molecule. One of the derivatives isolated by him was more promising than the lead molecule against Mycobaterium tuberculosis Hrv37, in in-vitro assay. Prof. Bora also isolated more than 260 endophytic strains in his stock cultures of which one of the biomolecules exhibited promising activities against prostrate cancer. He was awarded 1. AMI-Luis Pasteur Award (2004); 2. Dr. R. S. Rana Memorial Award (1999); Dr. B. M. Das Memorial Award (2001) awarded by Dr. B. M. Das Memorial Committee, Guwahati, Assam. He has one US Patent, two Indian Patents and three peer review publications based on this novel antibiotic. He is a reviewer of several journals 1. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology; 2. J. Biochem. Biotechnol.; 3. Microbiological Insights Dr. Bora delivered more than 60 popular lectures on Biodiversity Conservation highlighting the endemic plants and animals of North East and on popularization of science in national and international fora.

Proposer : Prof. P. Das, Secondary : Professor G.R. Rout Ten Best Publications: 1. G. Bordoloi, B. Kumari, A. Guha, M.J. Bordoloi, and M.K.Roy and T.C. Bora (2001): Isolation, and Structure Elucidation of a New Antifungal and Antibacterial antibiotic produced by Streptomyces sp. 201: Biosci. Biotech. Biochem. 65(8): 1856-1858, Impact factor of journal 1.32 Citation Index 25 2. J. Boruwa, B. Kalita, N. C. Barua, J. C. Borah, S. Majumder, D. Thakur, D. K. Gogoi and T. C. Bora (2004): Synthesis, absolute stereochemistry and molecular design of the new antifungal and antibacterial antibiotic produced by Streptomyces sp. 201.. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters. 14: 3571-3574, Impact factor of journal 2.42 Citation Index 24 3. Abhisek Goswami, Partha P. Saikia, Nabin C.Barua, Manabjyoti Bordoloi, Archana Yadav, Tarun C. Bora, Binod K. Gogoi, Ajit K. Saxena, Nithasa Suri, Madhunika Sharma (2010):Bio-transformation of artemisinin using soil microbe: Direct C-acetoxylation of artemisinin at C-9 by Penicillium simplisimum, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letter, 20 359-361, Impact factor of journal 2.42 Citation Index 10 4. P. Saha, S. Krishnamurthi, S. Mayilraj, G.S. Prasad, T.C. Bora and T. Chakraborti (2005): Aquimonas voraii, gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel gammaproteobacterium isolated from warm spring of Assam, India.: Intl. J. Syst. & Evol. Microbiol. 55,1491-1495, Impact factor of journal 2.24 Citation Index 24 5. Gojen N Bordoloi, Babita Kumari, Arijit Guha, Debajit Thakur, Manabjyoti. Bordoloi, Monoj K Roy and Tarun C. Bora (2002): Potential of a novel antibiotic, 2-methylhepty lisonicotinate as a biocontrol agent against fusarial wilt of crucifers: Pest Manag. Sci. 58:297-302, Impact factor of journal 2.59 Citation Index 13 6. Chandandeep Kaur, Ishwinder Kaur, Revti Raic hand, Tarun Chandra Bora and Sanmugam Mayilraj (2011):Description of a novel actinobacterium Kocuria assamensis, sp.nov., isolated from water s ample collected from the river Brahmaputra, Assam, India. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek Journal of Microbiology, 99:721-726, Impact factor of journal 2.07 Citation Index 5 7. R. Saikia, D.K. Gogoi, S. Maz under, A. Yadav, R. K. Sarma, T. C. Bora, B.K. Gogoi (2011): Brevibacillus laterosporus strain BPM3, a potential biocontrol agent isolated from a natural hot water spring of Assam, India, Microbiological Research,166 216-225, Impact factor of journal 2.22 Citation Index 15 8. D. Thakur, T. C. Bora, G.N Bordoloi and S. Maz umder (2009): Expandas e-like activity mediated cell-free conversion of ampic illin to cephalexin by Streptomyces sp. DRS I., Biotechnol. Lett., 31:1059-1064. Impact factor of journal 1.69 Citation Index 25, 9. Aparajita Duarah, Amrit Goswami, Tarun C. Bora, Madhumita Talukdar, Binod K. Gogoi (2013): Enantioc onvergent Biohydrolysis of Racemic Styrene Oxide to R-phenyl-1, 2-ethanediol by a Newly Isolated Filamentous Fungus Aspergillus tubingensis TF 1; Appl Biochem Biotechnol 170:1965-1973, Impact factor of journal 1.80 Citation Index 10. Rajal Debnath, Ratul Saikia, Rupak K.Sarma, Archana Yadav, Tarun C. Bora, Pratap J. Handique (2013): Psychrotolerant antifungal Streptomyces isolated from Tawang, India and the shift in chitinase gene family, Extremophiles, 17(6), 1045-1059, Impact factor of journal 2.9 Citation Index

107

DASGUPTA, SWAGATA (b 1962), Professor, Department of Chemistry, IIT Kharagpur


The foremost contribution of the nominee is in the development of research activities in the field of Protein Chemistry. She has been instrumental in the setting up of a well-equipped laboratory in the initiation of new research in the Institute. She has been involved in a large number of funded research projects. Her interdisciplinary research activities have led to several ongoing national and international research collaborations. She has contributed to manpower training in areas of emerging interest that has led to the dissertation of 14 doctoral students under her sole and joint supervision. The doctoral students are now well placed both in India and abroad. Currently she has 7 students conducting doctoral research in her laboratory with 7 more under joint supervision. Many M.Sc. projects have originated from the laboratory with these students pursuing higher studies in India and abroad. She is an active member of the academic community and has served as a member of the Women Scientist Committee (WOS-A) in Chemical Sciences, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India (2008- 2012) apart from other Interview boards. She is also actively involved as a reviewer in many journals. Her contributions have been recognized recently by the Darshan Ranganathan Memorial Lecture Award of Chemical Research Society of India and the nomination as a Member, National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad, India 2013. Her online Biochemistry course available through NPTEL has been appreciated globally and received many accolades and has been placed alongside those of renowned Universities of the world.

Proposer : Prof. Pratim Kumar Chattaraj, Seconder : Prof. Amit Basak


1. Dasgupta, S., Bell, J. A. (1993), Design of helix ends. Amino acid preferences, hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions, Int. J. Pept. Protein Res. 41 (5), 499-511. (Now Chemical Biology and Drug Design) (if=2.507, ci=108)

2. Dasgupta, S., Iyer, G. H., Bryant, S. H., Lawrence, C. E., Bell, J. A. (1997), Extent and nature of contacts between protein molecules in crystal lattices and between subunits of protein oligomers, Proteins 28 (4), 494-514. (if=3.337, ci=127)

3. Maiti, T. K., Chatterjee, J., Dasgupta, S. (2003), Effect of green tea polyphenols on angiogenesis induced by an angiogenin-like protein, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 308 (1), 64-67. (if=2.406, ci=21)

4. Maiti, T. K., Ghosh, K. S., Dasgupta, S. (2006), Interaction of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate with human serum albumin: Fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared, circular dichroism, and docking studies, Proteins 64 (2), 355-362. (if=3.337, ci=62)

5. Bera, R., Sahoo, B. K., Ghosh, K. S., Dasgupta, S. (2008), Studies on the interaction of isoxazolcurcumin with calf thymus DNA, Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 42 (1), 14-21. (if=2.596, ci=77)

6. Ghosh, K. S., Sahoo, B. K., Jana, D., Dasgupta, S. (2008), Studies on the interaction of copper complexes of (-)-epicatechin gallate and (-)-epigallocatechin gallate with calf thymus DNA, J. Inorg. Biochem. 102 (9), 1711-1718. (if=3.197, ci=31)

7. Pandey, N. K., Ghosh, S., Dasgupta, S. (2010), Fibrillation in human serum albumin is enhanced in the presence of copper(II), J. Phys. Chem. B 114 (31), 10228-10233. (if=3.607, ci=20)

8. Tripathy, D. R., Singha Roy, A., Dasgupta, S. (2011), Complex formation of rutin and quercetin with copper alters the mode of inhibition of ribonuclease A, FEBS Lett. 585 (20), 3270-3276. (if=3.582, ci=6)

9. Debnath, J., Dasgupta, S., Pathak, T. (2012), Dinucleosides with non-natural backbones: A new class of ribonuclease A and angiogenin inhibitors, Chem. Eur. J. 18 (6), 1618-1627. (if=5.831, ci=5)

10. Ghosh, S., Pandey, N.K., Bhattacharya, S.,Roy, A.,Dasgupta, S. (2012) Fibrillation of Hen Egg White Lysozyme triggers reduction of Copper(II) Intl. J. Biol. Macromol. 51, 1-6. (if=2.596, ci=11)

108

DWIVEDI, VED PRAKASH (b 1984), Post-Doctoral Research Scientist, Nelson R Mandela School of

Medicine, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa


It would be my pleasure to nominate Dr. Ved Prakash Dwivedi for the NASI Young Scientist Fellowship. Dr. Dwivedi‘s productivity and training in the area of tuberculosis is outstanding. He is studying the development of vaccine for tuberculosis by using bioactive compounds from medicinal plant. His study is to be of considerable interest and expect that these studies will contribute important data to the field of translational research, with many clinical applications to Tuberculosis. Dr Dwivedi received the training in my laboratory in ICGEB, New Delhi and received Ph.D from Department of Biochemistry, University of Calcutta. During his Ph. D.; he has published several papers in international recognized peer reviewed journals. He has gained in depth expertise in studying immunology of tuberculosis. He is presently working as post-doc research fellow in Kwazulu-Natal-Research Institute of Tuberculosis and HIV (K- RITH), Durban, South Africa. In brief, Dr. Ved Prakash Dwivedi has made significantly intellectual contribution on research related to infectious diseases and reached a scientific maturity and independent and creative thinking that is fully consistent with his own independent funding. This fellowship will certainly help his realize his career aspirations in research and significantly impact TB scientific community. I trust that committee will favorably consider his application.

Proposer : Prof. Gobardhan Das, Seconder : Prof. Chinmoy K Mukhopadhyay Ten Best Publications: 1. Durbadal Ojha, Hemanta Mukherjee, Aditya Jena1, Supriya Mondal, Ved Prakash Dwivedi, Keshab C Mondal, Amalesh Samanta, Debprasad Chattopadhyay. In vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of Odina wodier Roxb, an Indian folk medicine, through inhibition of toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathway. (Accepted with minor revision in PLoS One). (if=3.7, ci=0) 2. Debapriya Bhattacharya, Ved Prakash Dwivedi, Mamoudou Maiga, Mariama Maiga, Luc Van Kaer, William R Bishai & Gobardhan Das. Small molecule-directed immunotherapy against recurrent infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis . J Biol Chem. 2014 Apr 7.(if=4.651, ci=0) 3. Swagata Ghosh, Hanumantha Rao Kongara, Neel Sarovar Bhavesh, Gobardhan Das, Ved Prakash Dwivedi and Asis Datta. N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) inducible gene, GIG2, is a novel component of GlcNAc metabolism in Candida albicans. Eukaryot Cell. 2013 Nov 1. (if=3.586, ci=0) 4. Yogesh Singh, Samit Chatterjee, Vandana Kaul, Sultan Tousif, Ved Prakash Dwivedi, Alka Mehra, Luc Van Kaer, Gobardhan Das. Mycobacterium tuberculosis controls microRNA-99b (miR-99b) expression in infected murine dendritic cells to modulate host immunity. J Biol Chem. 2013. Feb 15;288(7):5056- 61. (if=4.651, ci=15) 5. Ved Prakash Dwivedi, Ramesh Chandra Rai, Samit Chatterjee, Durbaka Vijaya Raghava Prasad and Gobardhan Das. Early secretory antigenic target-6 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: enigmatic factor in pathogen-host interactions. Microbes Infect. 2012 Nov;14(13):1220-6. (if=2.920, ci=0) 6. Ved Prakash Dwivedi, Debapriya Bhattacharya, Samit Chatterjee, Luc Van Kaer, Debprasad Chattopadhyay, William R. Bishai, and Gobardhan Das. Mycobacterium tuberculosis directs T helper 2 cell differentiations by inducing interleukin-1beta production in dendritic cells. J Biol Chem. 2012 Sep 28;287(40):33656-63. (if=4.651, ci=5) 7. Ved Prakash Dwivedi, Sultan Tousif, Debapriya Bhattacharya, Durbaka Vijaya Raghava Prasad, Luc Van Kaer, Jyoti Das, and Gobardhan Das. Transforming growth factor-β protein inversely regulates in vivo differentiation of interleukin-17 (IL-17)-producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. J Biol Chem. 2012 Jan 27;287(5):2943-7. (if=4.651, ci=5) 8. Ved Prakash Dwivedi, Mohd Moin Khan, Samit Chatterjee, Nishant Kumar Pandey, Yogesh Singh, Sultan Tousif, Neel Sarovar Bhavesh, Luc Van Kaer, Jyoti Das, and Gobardhan Das. CD4+T Cell-derived Novel Peptide Thp5 Induces Interleukin-4 Production in CD4+T Cells to Direct T Helper 2 Cell Differentiation. J Biol Chem. 2012 Jan 20: 287(4) 2830–2835. (if=4.651, ci=3) 9. Ved Prakash Dwivedi, Samit Chatterjee, Yogesh Singh, Imran Siddiqui, Pawan Sharma, Luc Van Kaer, Debprasad Chattopadhyay and Gobardhan Das. Early secreted antigen ESAT-6 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis promotes protective T helper 17 cell responses in a toll-like receptor-2-dependent manner. Plos Pathogen. 2011 Nov; 7(11):e1002378. (if=8.136, ci=36) 10. Tarun Kumar Bhatt, Sameena Khan, Ved Prakash Dwivedi, Mudassar Meraj Bandey and Amit Sharma. Malaria parasite tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase secretion triggers pro-inflammatory responses. Nature Communications. 2011 Nov 8;2:530. doi: 10.1038/ncomms 1522. (if=10.015, ci=8)

109

GUPTA, SARITA SHARADCHANDRA (b 1958) Professor & Head, Dept. of Biochemistry, The MS University of Baroda, Vadodara


Prof. Sarita Gupta has been working in the area of disease pathogenesis from basic understanding to evidence based clinical studies. Besides establishing the stem cell research lab in the university she has done original research on basal expression of oct, nanog, sox to be sufficient for stemness in NIH3T3. Prof. Gupta demonstrated for the first time an association of cadmium with benign prostatic hyperplasia in Indian population. She has characterized human prostate-derived pluripotent stem cells and established one of the rarest cell lines to be used as a potential tool for research, and successfully developed BPH animal model. In the field of reproductive endocrinology she has demonstrated deleterious effects of endocrine disruptors at subclinical level on HPG axis. She has explored molecular mechanisms using granulosa cells as model system. And currently involved in understanding role of insulin resistance in female infertility. In addition to the establishment of disease pathogenesis Prof. Gupta has also carried out work on Enicostemma littorale for the treatment of diabetes. She established its antidiabetic action both in diabetic animal models and patients. She also proved the efficacy of this herb in amelioration of diabetic complications like nephropathy, neuropathy and cardiomyopathy in various animal models. Exploring further, she isolated active compounds--swertiamarin to act as potent insulin sensitizer and adipogenic inhibitor whereas, another compound swertisin as potent inducer of islet differentiation from stem/progenitors. Thus both these compounds can be developed as excellent therapeutic tool for diabetes.

Proposer : Prof. Alok Dhawan, Seconder : Prof. Ramesh Goyal Ten Best Publications: 1. J Maroo, VT Vasu, R Aalinkeel, Sarita Gupta (2002), Glucose lowering effect of aqueous extract of Enicostemma littorale Blume in diabetes: a possible mechanism of action Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 81 (3), 317-320. IF=3.32, CI=124 2. J Maroo, VT Vasu, Sarita Gupta (2003), Dose dependent hypoglycemic effect of aqueous extract of Enicostemma littorale Blume in alloxan induced diabetic rats Phytomedicine,10 (2), 196-199. IF=3.2, CI=77 3. A Pillai, L Priya, Sarita Gupta (2003), Effects of combined exposure to lead and cadmium on the hypothalamic–pituitary axis function in proestrous rats. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 41 (3), 379-384. IF=3.2, CI=59 4. R Vijayavargia, M Kumar, Sarita Gupta (2000), Hypoglycemic effect of aqueous extract of Enicostemma littorale Blume (chhota chirayata) on alloxan induced diabetes mellitus in rats Indian Journal of Experimental Biology 38 (8), 781-784. IF=1.195, CI=62 5. VT Vasu, H Modi, JV Thaikoottathil, Sarita Gupta (2005), Hypolipidaemic and antioxidant effect of Enicostemma littorale Blume aqueous extract in cholesterol fed ratsJournal of Ethnopharmacology,101 (1), 277-282. IF=3.22, CI=56 6. LP Nampoothiri, Sarita Gupta (2006) Simultaneous effect of lead and cadmium on granulosa cells: a cellular model for ovarian toxicity. Reproductive Toxicology,21 (2),179-185. IF=3.94, CI=43 7. A Prajapati, S Gupta, R Bhonde, Sarita Gupta (2014), Pluripotent Stem Cell within the Prostate could be Responsible for Benign Prostate Hyperplasia in Human J Stem Cell Res Ther,4 (164), 2. IF=5.88, 8. N Dadheech, S Soni, A Srivastava, S Dadheech, S Gupta, R Gopurappilly, RR Bhonde and Sarita Gupta (2013), A small molecule swertisin from Enicostemma littorale differentiates NIH3T3 cells into Islet-Like clusters and restores normoglycemia upon transplantation in diabetic balb/c mice Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2013) Article ID: 280392.20 pages. IF=4.77, CI=3 9. N Dadheech, A Srivastava, M Belani, S Gupta, R Pal, RR Bhonde, AS Srivastava, Sarita Gupta (2013), Basal Expression of Pluripotency-Associated Genes Can Contribute to Stemness Property and Differentiation Potential Stem Cells and Development, 22 (12), 1802-1817. IF=4.67, CI=2 10. TP Patel, S Soni, P Parikh, J Gosai, R Chruvattil, Sarita Gupta. (2013), Swertiamarin: An Active Lead from Enicostemma littorale Regulates Hepatic and Adipose Tissue Gene Expression by Targeting PPAR-γ and Improves Insulin Sensitivity in Experimental NIDDM Rat ModelEvidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2013) Article ID:358673, 11 pages. IF=4.77, CI=1

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110

KAUR, JAGDEEP (b 1961), Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigarh


Dr Kaur is working on various aspects of biotechnology and made significant contributions. She purified/characterized industrially important enzymes and cloned these genes from metagenome. Production of a lipase showing synthesis of corresponding esters by the transesterification of Naphthyle-ethanol was upscaled. She used directed-evolution to probe the temperature adaptation and generated highly thermostable/cold-adaptive/highly active variants from a mesophilic lipase and deciphered the structure–function correlation(6-18,35,36,42,43,45,52,54,59,62,70,71). To understand the role of lipases in Mycobacterium biology, she purified/characterized several mycobacterium lipases. The expression of these genes was studied during in-vitro/ex-vivo growth conditions by microarray/qPCR. The LipD, LipV were induced during oxidative and acidic stress respectively. LipQ decreased NO production in macrophages through inhibition of TNFα/iNOS expression. She is carrying out transcriptome analysis to identify and compare the expression of these genes during dormant and actively growing stage(63,64,66,68). She studied the pattern of aberrant hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes in patients of ALL/cervical cancer among north-Indian population and screening the natural products for anticancer activity/reversal of epigenetic changes(19,24,29,30,33,34,41,44,47,48,5167). She reported p16INK4a/p15INK4b/p73/p53 promoter methylation in cervical cancer patients. She demonstrated for the first time the reversal of hypermethylation/reactivation of rarβ2 by natural compounds(22) and the role of ER stress induced calcium permeability/mitochondria-dependent signaling in low pH induced apoptosis(72). She is working on epigenetic regulation of cell-cycle genes. In plant biotechnology the goal is to develop nutritionally enhanced crops by high-throughput transcriptome sequencing and sRNA deep-sequencing to analyze global gene expression/regulation in cell(31,39,53,55,57,58,61,69). She is also collaborating on microbial degradation of explosives waste and organophosphate pesticides (23,28,37,38,50,56,60,65).

Proposer: Prof. R.C. Sobti, Seconder: Prof.R. K. Kohli


1. Sharma Vishal, Ramandeep Kaur, Archana bhatnagar, Jagdeep Kaur (2015) Low-pH-induced apoptosis: role of endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced calcium permeability and mitochondria-dependent signaling. Cell Stress and Chaperones DOI: 10.1007/s12192-014-0568-6 (if=2.55)

2. Kumar R, Singh R, Kaur J (2014) Combinatorial reshaping of a lipase structure for thermostability: Additive role of surface stabilizing single point mutations. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm- 447(4):626-32 (if=2.5, ci=2)

3. Gurpreet Singh, Stuti Arya, Dominic Narang, Dipendrasinh Jadeja, Gurdyal Singh, U. D. Gupta, Kashmir Singh & Jagdeep Kaur (2014) Characterization of an acid inducible lipase Rv3203 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. Molecular Bio Reports-accepted DOI 10.1007/s11033-013-2861-3 (if=2.5, ci=2)

4. Shikha Kalra, Bhanwar Lal Puniya, Deepika Kulshreshtha, Sunil Kumar, Jagdeep Kaur, Srinivasan Ramachandran, Kashmir Singh. De Novo Transcriptome Sequencing Reveals Important Molecular Networks and Metabolic Pathways of the Plant, Chlorophytum borivilianum. PLos One DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083336 (ci=3)

5. Kumar R, Singh R, Kaur J (2013) "Characterization and molecular modelling of an engineered organic solvent tolerant, thermostable lipase with enhanced enzyme activity" Journal of Molecular Catalysis B: Enzymatic. 97, 15 : 243–51 (if=2.82, ci=3)

6. Mandhan V, Kaur J, Singh K (2013) smRNAome sequencing to identify conserved and novel microRNAs in Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni. BMC plant biology, 12:197 doi:10.1186/1471-2229-12-197. (if=3.447, ci=2)

7. Sharma PK, Mohammad O, Singh R, Kaur J (2012) Engineering of a metagenome derived lipase towards thermal tolerance: effect of asparagine to lysine mutation on the protein surface, Gene, 491: 264–271. (if=2.266, ci=18)

8. Jha AK, Nikbakht M, Jain V, Sehgal A, Capalash N, Kaur J (2012) Promoter hypermethylation of p73 and p53 genes in cervical cancer patients among north Indian population. Mol Biol Rep, 39(9):9145-57. (if=2.929, ci=6)

9. Sharma PK, Singh K, Singh R, Capalash N, Ali A, Mohammad O, Kaur J (2012) Characterization of a thermostable lipase showing loss of secondary structure at ambient temperature. Mol Bio Reports, 39: 2795-2804. (if=2.929, ci=10)

10. Sharma L, Kaur J, Shukla G (2012) Role of Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in the Placental Pathology of Plasmodium berghei Infected Mice. Plos One, 7(3):e32694. (if=4.4, ci=8)

111

KAZA, SUGUNA (b 1955), Professor, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore


Prof. K. Suguna has made outstanding contributions pertaining to the structural biology of microbial pathogens. She is perhaps the only one in the country who has dealt with a parasite, a virus and a bacteria, all highly pathogenic. She has collaborated extensively, but the structural work has been led wholly by her. Her work on proteins involved in P. falciparum fatty acid biosynthes (3,6) led to the charaterization of several inhibitors including those which bind directly to the catalytic residues and inactivation through pH dependent cis to trans flips (4). Her observation, first of its kind, of the plasticity of the nonstructural protein NSP4 of rotavirus (7,9), has been noteworthy. Specific residues involved in substrate regulation and oligomerization in M. tuberculosis adenylyl cyclases (5) have been identified by

Prof. Suguna and her colleagues. The identification, for the first time in mycobacteria, of a putative aspartic proteinase domain (10) in M. tuberculosis and studies on it by her group provided an evolutionary link between retroviral and eukaryotic enzymes through a bacterial enzyme. The efforts outlined above provide a platform for drug development. She has also carried out studies on heat shock protein 90 and more extensively on lectins. The work on lectins (1,2,8), which was the main stay of her research during the early phase of her career, included the identification of structural determinants of carbohydrate recognition, blood group specificity and oligomerization and the elucidation of the effect of glycosylation on three-dimensional structure. (Reference numbers as given in 8)

Proposer : Prof. M. Vijayan, Seconder : Prof. M.R.N. Murthy Ten Best Publications: 1. Manoj, N., Srinivas, V. R., Surolia, A., Vijayan, M. & Suguna, K.* (2000) Carbohydrate specificity, salt

bridge mediated conformational change and structural basis of change in pI in acidic winged bean

agglutinin. J Mol Biol. 302,1129-37. (if=3.888, ci=2) 2. Manoj, N. & Suguna, K.* (2001) Signature of quaternary structure in the sequence of legume lectins.

Protein Engg. 14, 735-45.(if=2.59, ci=5) 3. Pidugu, L.S., Kapoor, M., Surolia, N., Surolia, A. & Suguna, K.* (2004) Structural basis for the variation

in triclosan affinity to enoyl reductases. J Mol Biol. 343,147-55. (if=3.888, ci=13) 4. Lakshmi Swarna Mukhi, P., Sharma, S. K., Bajaj, P., Surolia, N., Surolia, A. & Suguna, K.* (2006)

Crystal structure of dimeric FabZ of Plasmodium falciparum reveals conformational switching to active

hexamers by peptide flips.FEBS Letters 580, 2653-60. (if=3.582, ci=10) 5. Ketkar, A. D., Shenoy, A.R., Ramagopal, U.A., Visweswariah, S.S.* & Suguna, K.* (2006) A structural

basis for the role of nucleotide specifying residues in regulating the oligomerization of the Rv1625c

Adenylyl Cyclase from M. tuberculosis. J Mol Biol. 356, 904-16.(if=3.888, ci=2) 6. Pidugu, L.S., Maity, K., Ramaswamy, K., Surolia, N. & Suguna, K.* (2009) Analysis of proteins with the

'Hot dog' fold: Prediction of function and identification of catalytic residues of hypothetical proteins. BMC

Struct Biol. 9, 37. (if=2.10, ci=9) 7. Chacko, A.R., Arifullah, M., Sastri, N.P., Jeyakanthan, J., Ueno, G., Sekar, K., Read, R.J., Dodson,

E.J., Rao, C.D.* & Suguna, K.* (2011) Novel pentameric structure of the diarrhea-inducing region of the

rotavirus enterotoxigenic protein NSP4. J Virol. 85, 12721-32.(if=5.076, ci=2) 8. Shetty, K.N., Bhat, G.G., Inamdar, S.R., Swamy, B.M. & Suguna, K.* (2012) Glycobiology. 22, 56-69.

Crystal structure of a beta-prism II lectin from Remusatia vivipara. (if=3.537, ci=1) 9. Chacko, A.R., Zwart, P.H., Read, R.J., Dodson, E.J., Rao, C.D. & Suguna, K.* (2013) Severe

diffraction anisotropy, rotational pseudosymmytry and twinning complicate the refinement of a pentameric

coiled-coil structure of NSP4 of rotavirus. Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr. 68, 1541-8 (if=14.1) 10.Barathy, D.V. & Suguna, K.* (2013) Crystal structure of a putative aspartic proteinase domain of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis cell surface antigen PE_PGRS16. FEBS Open Bio. 3, 256-62. (if=4.25)

112

KHARE, SUNIL KUMAR (b 1960), Professor of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi


Prof. Khare was trained in the area of applied enzymology and has went on to make several major contributions in the upstream, downstream and application aspects of enzymes from solvent-tolerant and halophilic microorganisms. In the current year he has made a significant contribution by establishing role of porins through proteomic studies in imparting solvent tolerance to bacterial cells. I would rate him as a leading worker in India in this area whose work is recognised internationally. He has spent some time in Prof. Nakajima‘s lab in Japan as an United Nations Kirin awardee and continued exploiting non-aqueous media for biotransformations. He is an honorary member of International Bioencapsulation Research Group, France, since 1996. He is a fellow of Biotech Research Society of India since 2012 and member of NASI from 2008. He has an h-index of 27 at present. For his work providing further understanding of structural and molecular basis of stability of enzymes from halophiles etc. and some noteworthy applications of these enzymes, I am pleased to nominate him for this fellowship.

Proposer : Prof. M.N. Gupta, Seconder : Prof. B.N. Johri


1. Anshu Gupta, Ipsita Roy, S. K. Khare and M.N. Gupta (2005). Purification and characterization of a solvent stable protease from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PseA, J. Chromatogr. A, 1069: 155-161. (if=4.25, ci=106)

2. Ruchi Gaur, Hema Pant, Ruchi Jain and S. K. Khare (2006) Galacto-oligosaccharide synthesis by immobilized Aspergillus oryzae β -galactosidase. Food Chem. 97:426-430 (if=3.33, ci=108)

3. Anshu Gupta and S. K. Khare (2007) Enhanced production and characterization of solvent stable protease from solvent tolerant Pseudomonas aeruginosa PseA. Enzyme Microb. Technol. 42:1-16 (if=2.99, ci=43)

4. Nilkamal Mahanta, Anshu Gupta and S. K. Khare (2008) Production of protease and lipase by solvent tolerant Pseudomonas aeruginosa PseA in solid-state fermentation using Jatropha curcas seed cake as substrate. Bioresour. Technol. 99:1729-35 (if=5.039, ci=153)

5. Anshu Gupta and S. K. Khare (2009) Enzymes from solvent tolerant microbes: Useful biocatalysts for non-aqueous enzymology. Crit. Rev. Biotechnol. 29:44-54 (if=7.837, ci=53)

6. Rajeshwari Sinha, Ram Karan, Arvind Sinha and S. K. Khare (2011) Interaction and Nanotoxic effect of ZnO and Ag nanoparticles on mesophilic and halophilic bacterial cells. Bioresour. Technol. 102:1516–1520 (if=5.039, ci=41)

7. Arvind Sinha, Vidya Nand Singh, Bodh Raj Mehta and S.K. Khare, (2011) ―Synthesis and characterization of monodispersed orthorhombic manganese oxide nanoparticles produced by Bacillus sp. cells simultaneous to its bioremediation‖. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 192: 620–627. (if=4.33)

8. Arvind Sinha, Amit Singh, Sumit Kumar, S.K. Khare and A. Ramanan (2014), ―Microbial mineralization of struvite: A promising process to overcome phosphate sequestering crisis‖. Water Research, 54:33-43 (if=5.32)

9. R. Hemamalini and S.K. Khare, (2014) ―A proteomic approach to understand the role of the outer membrane porins in the organic solvent-tolerance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PseA‖. PLoS ONE 9 (8): e103788, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103788 (if=3.53)

10. Rajeshwari Sinha and S.K. Khare (2014) ―Effect of organic solvents on structure and activity of moderately halophilic Bacillus sp. EMB9 protease‖. Extremophiles, 18 (6):1057-1066 (if=2.17)

113

KUNDU, MANIKUNTALA (b 1958), Senior Professor, Bose Institute, Kolkata Member of the NASI: No (YON 2014, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology including) Manikuntala Kundu‘s ground-breaking work has centred around understanding the regulation of the stress response in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and relating it with persistence. The highlight has been elucidating the central role of the enzyme polyphosphate kinase 1 (PPK1) as a regulator of the stress response (Microbiology 2013, 159: 2074-2086; Mol. Microbiol. 2007, 65, 261-276). She has also uncovered the mechanism and role of proteolytic degradation of anti-Sigma E (RseA) in surface stress-regulated control of Sigma E in mycobacteria (Mol. Microbiol. 2010, 75, 592-606), again deciphering novel regulatory networks linked to system properties which give mycobacteria a survival advantage in the host (PLoS One, 2008, 3, e1771). The importance of her work was highlighted in two microcommentaries in Molecular Microbiology. She has also contributed significantly towards understanding how the gastric pathogen H. pylori remodels the gastric epithelium focusing on the moonlighting functions of a secreted peptidyl prolyl isomerase, HP0175 in regulating cell signaling in gastric epithelial cells and macrophages. She has shown using exogeneous protein as well as a knockout mutant that this secreted protein regulates proapoptotic and angiogenic signaling by regulating both cell death and the release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (J. Biol. Chem. 2008 283, 32369– 32376; J. Immunol. 2005 174, 5672-5680), in addition to its ability to regulate the release of the cytokine IL-6 from macrophages (J. Immunol. 2006, 177, 7950-7958). HP0175 also drives a Th17 inflammatory response in gastric adenocarcinoma (Intern. Emerg. Medicine 2014, 9, 303-309; Eur. J. Inflammation 2013, 11, 261-268).

Proposer : Prof. Pinakpani Chakrabarti, Seconder : Prof. Indrani Bose Ten Best Publications: 1. Sanyal, S., Banerjee, S.K., Banerjee, R., Mukhopadhyay, J., and Kundu M.(2013) Polyphosphate kinase 1, a central node in the stress response network of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, connects the two-component systems MprAB and SenX3-RegX3 and the extracytoplasmic function sigma factor, sigma E. Microbiology. 159:2074-2086 9 (if=2.85, ci=1) 2. Amedei, A., Munari, F., Della Bella, C., Niccolai, E., Benagiano, M., Bencini, L., Cianchi, F., Farsi, M., Emmi, G., Zanotti, G., de Bernard, M., Kundu, M., and D'Elios, M. M. (2014) Helicobacter pylori secreted peptidyl prolyl cis,trans-isomerase drives Th17 inflammation in gastric adenocarcinoma. Internal and Emergency Medicine 9, 303-309 (if=2.34, ci=3) 3. Barik, S., Sureka, K., Basu, J., and Kundu, M. (2009) RseA, the SigE specific anti-sigma factor of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is inactivated by phosphorylation-dependent ClpC1P2 proteolysis. Mol. Microbiol. 75, 592-606 (if=4.96, ci=27) 4. Sureka, K., Sanyal, S., Basu, J. and Kundu, M. (2009) Polyphosphate kinse 2: a modulator of nucleoside diphosphate kinase activity in mycobacteria. Mol. Microbiol. 74, 1187-1197 (if=4.96, ci=13) 5. Sureka, K., Ghosh, B., Dasgupta, A., Basu, J., Kundu, M. and Bose, I. (2008) Positive feedback and noise activate the stringent response regulator Rel in mycobacteria. PLoS One, 3: e1771 (if=3.4, ci=45) 6. Basu, S., Pathak, S.K., Chatterjee, G., Pathak, S., Basu, J., and Kundu, M. (2008) Helicobacter pylori protein HP0175 transactivates EGFR through TLR4 in gastric epithelial cells. J. Biol. Chem. 283, 32369-32376 (if=4.65, ci=19) 7. Sureka, K., Dey, S., Datta, P., Singh, A.K., Dasgupta, A., Rodrigue, S., Basu, J., and Kundu, M. (2007) Polyphosphate kinase is involved in stress-induced mprAB-sigE-rel signalling in mycobacteria. Mol. Microbiol. 65, 261-276 (if=4.96, ci=56) 8. Basak, C., Pathak, S.K., Bhattacharyya, A., Pathak, S., Basu, J. and Kundu, M. (2005) The secreted peptidyl prolyl cis,trans-isomerase HP0175 of Helicobacter pylori induces apoptosis of gastric epithelial cells in a Toll-like receptor 4 and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1(ASK1)-dependent manner. J. Immunol. 174, 5672-5680 (if=5.5, ci=36) 9. Basak, C., Pathak, S., Bhattacharyya, A., Mandal, D., Pathak, S., and Kundu, M. (2005) NF- B- and C/EBP driven interleukin-1 gene expression and PAK1-mediated caspase 1 activation play essential roles in interleukin-1 release from Helicobacter pylori lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. J. Biol. Chem. 280, 4279-4288 (if=4.65, ci=52) 10. Bhattacharyya, A., Pathak, S., Datta, S., Chattopadhyay, S., Basu, J. and Kundu, M. (2002) Mitogen-activated protein kinases and NF- B regulate Helicobacter pylori-mediated interleukin-8 release from macrophages. Biochem. J. 368, 121-129 (if=4.65, ci=75)

114

PADHY, RABINDRA NATH (b 1954), CSIR Emeritus Scientist, Professor and Head, Central Research

Laboratory, Institute of Medical Science and Sum Hospital, Siksha ‗O‘ Anusandhan University,

Bhubaneswar


Professor R. N. Padhy reported antimicrobial activity of a large number of plant species used by tribals against infectious diseases. Through screening of more than 200 species for their antimicrobial activity, he identified 6 species for possible drug development to be used in complementary/supplementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) for control of multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria causing urinary tract infection (UTI). He concomitantly studied infection dynamics of 11 species of MDR uro-pathogens in hospitalized and OPD patients to assess the magnitude of the problem. Specifically, MDR strains of 3 notorious bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli were

monitored for their infectious shenanigans in the hospital environments. He also reported isolation of a metallo-β-lactamase producing strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae from a neonate causing grievous infection

than imagined earlier and could not be controlled with available antibiotics. Professor R. N. Padhy has large number of publications in highly reputed journals including Nature. He is active in research, guiding and mentoring many students in different universities at Doctoral and Post Doctoral levels.

Proposer : Prof. P. Das, Seconder : Prof. Gyana Ranjan Rout Ten Best Publications: 1. Dubey D, S Rath, MC Sahu, Nayak N, NK Debata, RN Padhy (2013). Status of multidrug resistance in

tubercle bacillus and phytochemicals for the control. J. Publ. Health, 21:115-119. (Springer). IF: 2.06

(if=2.06)

2. Dubey D, RN Padhy (2013). Antibacterial activity of Lantana camara L. against multidrug resistant

pathogens from ICU patients of a teaching hospital. J Herb Med. 3: 65-75. (Elsevier). IF: 0.701

(if=0.701)

3. Sahu MC, S Rath, D Dubey, NK Debata, RN Padhy (2013). Evaluation of two microbiological

diagnostic methods for the pulmonary tuberculosis based on Bayes rule. J. Publ. Health, 21:123-130.

(Springer).IF 2.06 (if=2.06)

4. Rath S, RN Padhy (2013). Monitoring in vitro antibacterial efficacy of Terminalia alata Heyne ex. Roth,

against multidrug resistant enteropathogenic bacteria. J Acute Med: 3; 93-103. (Elsevier). IF: 0.653

(if=0.653)

5. Sahu MC, S Rath, D Dubey, NK Debata, RN Padhy (2012). Multidrug resistance of Pseudomonas

aeruginosa as known from surveillance of nosocomial and community infections in an Indian teaching

hospital. J. Publ. Health, 20: 413-423. (Springer).IF: 2.06(if=2.06)

6. Mishra M, RK Sahu, RN Padhy (2007). Growth, yield, metabolism and elemental status of rice (Oryza

sativa L.) grown in fly ash amended soils. Ecotoxicology 16: 271–278. (Springer). IF: 2.773 (if=2.773)

7. Panigrahi S, SN Padhy, RN Padhy (2003). Toxicity of methyl parathion to cells, heterocysts and

akinetes of cyanobacterium Cylindrospermum sp. and probit analysis of toxicity. Ann. Appl. Biol. 143:

195-202. (Wiley, UK). IF: 2.147 (if=2.147)

8. Padhy RN, F Hotat, MM Coene, PP Hoet (1988). Restriction analysis and quantitative estimation of

methylated bases of filamentous and unicellular cyanobacterial DNAs. J. Bacteriol. 170: 1934-1939.

(ASM, USA). IF: 3.586 (if=3.586)

9. Padhy RN (1985). Agriculture and Environment: Cyanobacteria employed as fertilizers and waste

disposers. Nature (London), 317: 475-476. (UK). IF: 38.59 (if=38.59)

10. Padhy RN (1985). Cyanobacteria and pesticides. Residue Rev. 95:1- 44. (Springer). IF: 2.477

(if=2.477)

115

PAL, RAHUL (b 1960), Staff Scientist VI, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi


The nominee‘s earlier work contributed towards the development of a fertility control vaccine for women. For the first time, the immune system was specifically primed towards human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which induced extended periods of infertility in fertile women (American Journal of Reproductive Immunology 22:124-126, 1990; Fertility and Sterility 76: 332-336, 2001; Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA) 91:8532-8436, 1994). Such an approach can have a significant bearing on human health by offering women an alternative method of contraception. Studies the world over have demonstrated the expression of hCG in a wide variety of cancers and its association with poor prognosis. The nominee‘s subsequent work has revealed the benefits of anti-hCG immunization in animal models of cancer (PLoS ONE, 7(11): e51125. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0051125, 2012; PLoS ONE, 8(4): e61288. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0061288, 2013), while his current work seeks to enumerate the pathways by which hCG contributes to tumorigenesis. The understanding of the biology of hCG in the context of cancer and the efficient targeting of the molecule (possibly in conjunction with standard chemotherapeutic protocols) offers hope of more efficient treatment of hard-to-treat malignancies. The nominee has also made significant contributions towards the understanding of the biology of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (The Journal of Immunology, 175: 7669-7677, 2005; Cell Death and Differentiation, 13: 1715-1726, 2006; European Journal of Immunology, 38: 3561-3574, 2008; European Journal of Immunology, 41: 537-548, 2011). His current work is focussed on the enumeration of new pathways and targets which contribute to determinant spreading to enhance disease kinetics.

Proposer : Dr. Chandrima Shaha, Seconder : Dr. Sher Ali Ten Best Publications: 1. Pal R, Singh O, Rao LV, Talwar GP 1990. Bioneutralization capacity of the antibodies generated in women by the beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin hCG and hCG associated with the alpha subunit of ovine luteinizing hormone linked to carriers. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology 22:124-126. (if=3.3) 2. Talwar GP, Singh O, Pal R, Chatterjee N, Sahai P, Dhall K, Kaur J, Das SK, Suri SK, Buckshee K, Saraya L, Saxena BN 1994. A vaccine that prevents pregnancy in women. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA) 91:8532-8436. (if=9.7) 3. Giri DK, Pal R, Wadhwa SN, Talwar GP 1995. Immunohistochemical localization of transforming growth factor epidermal growth factor receptor and c-erbB-2 protein in hyperplastic human prostates. Carcinogenesis 16:729-733. (if=5.6) 4. Pal R, Singh O 2001. Absence of corpus luteum rescue by chorionic gonadotropin in women

immunized with a contraceptive vaccine. Fertility and Sterility 76: 332-336. (if=4.1) 5. Pal R, Deshmukh U, Ohyama Y, Fang Q, Kannapell CC, Gaskin F, Fu SM 2005.Evidence for multiple shared antigenic determinants within Ro60 and other lupus-related ribonucleoprotein autoantigens in human autoimmune responses. The Journal of Immunology, 175: 7669-7677. (if=5.5) 6. Gandhi R, Hussain E, Das J, Handa R, Pal R 2006. Anti-idiotype mediated epitope spreading and diminished phagocytosis by a human monoclonal antibody recognizing late-stage apoptotic cells. Cell Death and Differentiation, 13: 1715-1726. (if=8.3) 7. Das J, Arora P, Gracias D, Praveen A, Raj BPJ, Martin E, Pal R 2008. Endogenous humoral autoreactive immune responses to apoptotic cells: Effects on phagocytic uptake, chemotactic migration and antigenic spread. European Journal of Immunology, 38: 3561-3574. (if=4.9) 8. Bhatnagar H, Kala S, Sharma L, Jain S, Kim KS, Pal R 2011. Serum and organ-associated anti-hemoglobin humoral autoreactivity: Association with anti-Sm responses and inflammation. European Journal of Immunology, 41: 537-548. (if=4.9) 9. Sachdeva R, Bhardwaj N, Huhtaniemi I, Aggrawal U, Jain SK, Zaidi R, Singh O, Pal R 2012. Transgenesis-mediated reproductive dysfunction and tumorigenesis: Effects of immunological neutralization. PLoS ONE, 7(11): e51125. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0051125.(if=4.2) 10. Bose A, Huhtaniemi I, Singh O, Pal R 2013. Synergistic activation of innate and adaptive immune mechanisms in the treatment of gonadotropin-sensitive tumors. PLoS ONE, 8(4): e61288. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0061288. (if=4.2)

116

PARMAR, DEVENDRA (b 1961), Chief Scientist, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR), Lucknow


Dr. Devendra Parmar has made significant contributions in the area of i) extrahepatic metabolism, with particular reference to the expression of drug metabolizing cytochrome P450s (CYPs) in brain, and ii) identification and validation of CYPs as biomarkers. His studies have demonstrated the role of gene-environment interactions and association of SNPs in drug metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) with tobacco induced head & neck and lung cancer. He has developed non-invasive methods that use monitoring of CYPs in freshly prepared blood lymphocytes to assess the effects of exposure to toxicants. Studies in rodent model have demonstrated similarities in the regulation of blood lymphocyte CYPs with the tissue enzymes and that these assays have the potential to be developed as a bed side tool to monitor the effects of the drugs. Further, by integrating expression profiles of blood lymphocyte CYPs with the genotyping data, he showed that DMEs could be used as a biomarker to monitor the environment induced diseases and chemotherapeutic response. Dr. Parmar has also demonstrated that the distribution and regulation of CYPs in brain is cell-specific. His studies have demonstrated the role of CYPs in neurobehavioral toxicity of environmental chemicals and their possible association with physiological process within the brain. He also showed perhaps for the first time that prenatal exposure to pesticides imprints the expression of CYPs in brain and liver in offsprings leading to deleterious effects in the adulthood. His efforts have further resulted in international collaborations with leading institutions in US (NIEHS) and Germany (GSF, IFADO).

Proposer : Dr. K.C. Gupta, Seconder : Prof. Y.K. Gupta


1. Parmar, D., Srivastava, S.P., Srivastava, Sri.P and Seth, P.K. (1985). Hepatic mixed function oxidases and cytochrome P 450 contents in rat pups exposed to di(2 ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) through mother's milk. Drug Metabolism & Disposition 13, 368 370.(if=3.33, ci=24)

2. Johri, A., Dhawan, A., Singh, R.L. and Parmar, D (2008): Persistence in alterations in the ontogeny of cerebral and hepatic cytochrome P450s following prenatal exposure to low doses of lindane. Toxicological Sciences 101, 331-340. (if=4.478, ci=12)

3. Singh M., Shah, P Singh, A.P., Rawali, M., Mathur, M., Pant, M.C. and Parmar, D. (2008). Effect of polymorphic GST genes on susceptibility to oral cancer. Mutation Research. Fundamental and Molecular Mutagenesis 638, 184-194 (if=4.44, ci=54)

4. Shah, P., Singh, A.P., Madhu, S., Mathur, N., Buters, J.T.M., Pant, M.C and Parmar, D. (2008) Interaction of cytochrome P4501A1 genotypes with other risk factors and susceptibility to lung cancer. Mutation Research. Fundamental and Molecular Mutagenesis 639, 1-10. (if=4.44, ci=44)

5. Shah, P.P., Singh, A.P., Singh, M., Mathur, N., Mishra, B.N., Pant, M.C and Parmar, D. 2008: Association of functionally important polymorphisms in Cytochrome P4501B1 with lung cancer. Mutation Research. Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis 643, 4-10. (if=4.44, ci=29)

6. Yadav, S.S., Ruwali, M., Pant, M.C., Shukla, P., Singh, R.L and Parmar, D (2010): Interaction of drug metabolizing cytochrome P450 2D6 poor metabolizers with cytochrome P450 2C9 and 2C19 genotypes modify the susceptibility to head & neck cancer and treatment response. Mutation Research. Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis 684, 49-55. (if=4.44, ci=12)

7. Shah, P.P., Kumar Saurabh, Pant, M.C., Mathur, N and Parmar, D. (2009). Evidence for increased cytochrome P4501A1 expression in blood lymphocytes of lung cancer patients. Mutation Research. Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis 670, 74-78(if=4.44 , ci=29)

8. K. Saurabh, Sharma, A., Yadav, S and Parmar, D. (2010). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolizing cytochrome P450s in freshly prepared uncultured peripheral rat blood lymphocytes. Biochem. Pharmacol. 79, 1182-88. (if=4.576, ci=15)

9. Singh, A., Yadav, S., Srivastava, V., Kumar, R., Singh, D., Sethumadhavan, R and Parmar, D. (2013): Imprinting of cerebral and hepatic cytochrome P450s in rat offsprings exposed prenatally to low doses of cypermethrin. Molecular Neurobiol. 48 (1), 128-140.(if=5.29, ci=5)

10. Srivastava, A., Sharma, A., Yadav S, Flora, S.J.S., Dwivedi, UN & Parmar, D.(2014). Gene expression profiling of candidate genes in peripheral blood lymphocytes for predicting toxicity of diesel exhaust particles. Free Rad. Biol. Med. 34, 60-75, 2014 (if=5.71, ci=-)

117

PATI, UTTAM (b 1952), Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi


Uttam Pati is a chemist & Molecular biologist. His PhD thesis in University of New Brunswick includes synthesis of cardiovascular drug without cardio-toxicity (patent: Hoffman La Roche; Pati, Heterocycles 1989; Steroids 1990). During his post-doctoral years at MIT and Yale University of School of medicine, USA, he contributed in to synthesis of cancer drug bruceantin (Ziegler, J Org Chem 1996 & JACS 1995). After switching to molecular biology he was first to clone human RNA polymerase II subunits and hypothesized its assembly (Pati, JBC 1989; JBC 1990, Gene 1994 J. Clin. Invest 1993). As a Professor at JNU he discovered paraoxonase gene polymorphism (Pati, Int Jour Cardiology 1998); role of apolipoprotein(a) gene regulation (Pati, Mol Genet Metab 2000;2002; Sarita, Biochem Jour 2004); CHIP, a new chaperone of p53 (Tripathy, JBC 2007); developed p53 chaperone-therapy for hypoxic tumor regression (Sharma PloS One 2009; Gogna JBC 2012). His recent contributions include p53-genetic programming for necrosis (Gogna, Antioxidant Redox Signalling 2011), DNA repair in hypoxia (Madan, Biochem Jour 2012), p53-mediated cancer therapy through gallium group of cancer drug (Gogna, British Jour Pharmacol 2012), oxygen therapy for hypoxic tumor (Gogna, Cell Death & Disease 2012), new gene therapeutics through SCO2 and TIGAR (Madan 2013 Mol Cell Biol; British jour cancer 2012; Oncotarget 2012), p53-mediated oxygen sensing (Gogna, EMBO Mol Med 2013), p53-mediated calcium signaling (Gogna, PloS One 2013), synthesis of binuclear zinc complexes as cancer drug (Azam, Inorganic Chemistry, 2014) and role of CHIP in preventing amyloid in Alzheimer disease (Singh, Aging Cell 2015).

Proposer: Prof Rakesh Bhatnagar, Seconder:Dr. Dwipayana Bharadwaj


1. Amir Kumar Singh and Uttam Pati 2015,CHIP stabilizes amyloid precursor protein via proteasomal degradation and p53-mediated trans-repression of b-secretase, 1-10 (if=Aging Cell, IF 6.2, ci=0)

2. E Madan, R Gogna, P Kuppusamy, M Bhatt, A Ali Mahdi, U Pati.2013, SCO2 Induces p53-Mediated Apoptosis by Thr845 Phosphorylation of ASK-1 and Dissociation of ASK-1-TRX Complex, 33, No 7, 1285-1302 (if=Mol Cell Biol, IF 5.4, ci=6)

3. R Gogna, E Madan, P Kuppusamy, U Pati. 2012, P53 core domain modifications determine apoptotic and necrotic death in cancer cells.16, 400-412 (if=Antioxi Redox signal IF 8.2, ci=12)

4. R Gogna, E Madan, P Kuppusamy, U Pati.2012, Chaperoning of Mt p53 by Wt p53 causes hypoxic tumor regression.287, No.4, 2907-2914 (if=Jour Biol Chem IF 4.8, ci=16)

5. 32. U.K. Pati and S. Weissman.1990 The amino acid sequence of human RNA polII subunit hRPB33 is highly conserved in eukaryotes, 265, 8400-8403 (if=Jour BIol Chem IF 4.8, ci=31)

6. R Gogna, E Madan, P Kuppusamy, U Pati.2012, Re-oxygenation causes hypoxic tumor regression through restoration of p53 wild type conformation and post-translational modifications, 3, eK; doi:10.1038/cddis.2012 (if=Cell Death &Disease, IF 5.2, ci=12)

7. 26. N. Pati and U. Pati. 1998 Paraoxanase gene polymorphism and coronary artery disease in Indian subjects, 66, 165-168. (if=Int Jour Cardiology IF 6.4, ci=60)

8. R Gogna, E Madan, P Kuppusamy, U Pati.2012, Chaperoning of Mt p53 by Wt p53 causes hypoxic tumor regression. 287, No.4, 2907-2914 (if=Jour Biol Chem, IF 4.8, ci=13)

9. F. E. Ziegler, S. I. Klein, U.K. Pati, and T.F. Wang. 1985 Acylic Diastereoselection as a synthetic route to quassinoids : A claisen rearrangment based strategy for bruceantin. 107, No. 9, 2730-2737. (if=Jour Am Chem Soc IF 12.0, ci=48)

10. R Gogna, E Madan, M Khan, U Pati, P Kuppusamy. 2013, p53‘s choice of myocardial death or survival: Oxygen protects infarct myocardium by recruiting p53 on NOS3 promoter through regulation of p53Lys162acetylation. 5, 1-22 (if=EMBO Mol Med IF 8.6, ci=3)

118

POLASA, KALPAGAM (b 1952), Scientist F & Director Incharge, National Institute of Nutrition,

Hyderabad Member of the NASI: No (YON 2014, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology including) Dr.Kalpagam Polasa has brilliant academic record and since 33 years has been involved in conducting research in nutrition related to public health. Dr.Polasa‘s contribution to food safety studies conducted during the past 10 years have resulted in establishing three important National Databases on the following aspects : 1. a) Knowledge, Attitude, Belief and Practices with respect to food study in India based on which IEC intervention has been initiated by the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). b) Total Diet Study in Andhra Pradesh which was done for first time in India The study revealed the level of human exposure to contaminants (pesticides, toxic metals, fluoride and mycotoxins) present in diet based on actual food intake and were within the provisional tolerable weekly intakes. c) Consumption of processed and non-processed foods in India This report is now the base document to fix the regulatory levels for chemicals in foods. 2. Diet and Cancer Dr.Polasa has made significant contributions to understand and identify several chemopreventors present in diet. These include turmeric/curcumin, alliums/DAS and ginger. 3. Drug Nutrient Interactions Pharmacokinetics of Rifampicin done in undernourished tuberculosis patients have yielded valuable results having therapeutic implications. Dr.Polasa has carried out risk assessment of trans fats exposure to our population through diet and is instrumental for the trans fats regulation by FSSAI. Labelling of packaged foods for TFA has been notified in Gazette recently (July, 2013).

Proposer : Dr.G.Bhanuprakash Reddy, Seconder : Prof.U.C.Srivastava Ten Best Publications: 1. Betsy A, Sudershan Rao V. and Kalpagam Polasa, 2012. Evolution of approaches in conducting total diet studies. Journal of Applied Toxicology 32(10):765-776. (IF – 2.597) (if=2.597, ci=As per enclosure) 2. Sudershan Rao V, Naveen Kumar R. and Kalpagam Polasa, 2012. Food borne diseases in India – A Review. British Food Journal 114 (5): 661-680. (if=0.614, ci=As per enclosure) 3. Rao V. Sudershan, Kumar R. Naveen, L.Kashinath, V. Bhaskar and Kalpagam Polasa 2012. Microbiological Hazard Identification and Exposure Assessment of Poultry Products sold in various localities of Hyderabad, India. The Scientific World Journal Article ID 736040, doi:10, 1100/2012/236040. (if=1.730, ci=As per enclosure) 4. Subba Rao GM, Sudershan Rao V, Pratima Rao, Vishnu Vardhana Rao M. and Kalpagam Polasa 2009. Focus Group studies on Food Safety Knowledge Perceptions and Practices of School going Adolescent Girls in South India. Journal of Nutrition Education & Behaviour 41(5): 340-347 (if=1.549, ci=As per enclosure) 5. Sudershan R.V., G.M. Subba Rao, Pratima Rao, Vishnu Vardhana Rao M. and Kalpagam Polasa 2008. Knowledge and practices of food safety regulators in Southern India. Nutrition and Food Science 38(2): 110-120 (if=Nil, ci=As per enclosure) 6. Sudershan Rao V, Subba Rao GM, Pratima Rao, Vishnu Vardhana Rao M. and Kalpagam Polasa 2008. Food safety related perceptions and practices of mothers – A case study in Hyderabad, India. Food Control 19: 506-513 (if=2.738, ci=As per enclosure) 7. Subba Rao GM, Sudershan Rao V, Pratima Rao, Vishnu Vardhan Rao M. and Kalpagam Polasa 2007. Food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices of mothers – Findings from focus group studies in South India. Appetite 49: 441-449 (if=2.541, ci=As per enclosure) 8. Sudershan Rao V, Pratima Rao and Kalpagam Polasa 2009. Food safety research in India : A Review. Asian Journal of Food and Agro-Industry 2(03): 391-412 (IF - Nil). (if=Nil, ci=As per enclosure) 9. Sudershan Rao V, Subba Rao GM and Kalpagam Polasa 2009. Women and Food Safety – Some perspectives from India. WHO Regional Health Forum, WHO, SEARO 13(2): 11-13 (if=Nil, ci=As per enclosure) 10. Sudershan Rao V, Naveen Kumar R, Kashinath L, Bhaskar V. and Kalpagam Polasa 2011. Anti-microbial activity of lactic acid on the growth of selective foodborne pathogens in raw chicken. Intl J Food Safety 13: 124-130 (if=Nil, ci=As per enclosure)

119

SA, GAURISANKAR (b 1960), Senior Professor, Division of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, Kolkata


Professor Gaurisankar Sa, whom I have nominated for consideration of Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, has made significant contribution in the field of cancer biology and tumor immunology. His work, for the first time, demonstrated that the critical signaling events for cell cycle progression take place during G1-phase in normal cells and G2-phase in cancer cells. Thus G2-phase plays a critical role in controlling hyper-proliferative status of cancer cell and is susceptible to chemotherapy. His work is unique in establishing the ―missing link‖ between mitogenic and apoptogenic signaling triggered by oncogenic RAS. The Nominee has contributed substantially to understand the mechanisms of cancer-induced immune-dysfunction that includes loss of effector/activated T-cells, type-2 cytokine bias and T-regulatory cell expansion. He identified a novel population of FoxP3-positive IL10-producing T-regulatory cell which contributes to type-2 cytokine biasness in cancer patients. Prof. Sa convincingly established the well-known transcription factor FoxP3 as a co-transcription factor of locus-specific transcription factor STAT3. Prof. Sa‘s current interest is to understand micro-RNA-mediated regulation of T-regulatory cell circuit. His findings are highly recognized by various National and International Scientific Communities as is evident from (a) his publications in high-impact journals like Immunity, Oncogene, Cancer Research, J Biological Chemistry etc. (b) receiving various National/International awards, and (c) granting of two patents. In my opinion Prof. Sa has contributed extraordinarily in the field of cancer research and is one of the most productive scientists in the field. I strongly recommend his candidature for Fellowship of the National Academy of Sciences, India.

Proposer : Prof. Parimal C. Sen, Seconder : Dr. Hemanta K. Majumder


1. Hossain DMS. Panda A, Mohanty S, Bhattacharjee P, Bhattacharyya S, Manna A, Kar RK, Chatterjee S, Das T & Sa G. (2013) Novel function of FoxP3 as a co-transcription factor of STAT3 in tumor-induced Treg cells. Immunity 39: 1-13 (if=21.64 , ci=14)

2. Sen GS, Mohanty S, Hossain DM, Bhattacharyya S, Banerjee S, Chakraborty J, Saha S, Ray P, Bhattacharjee P, Mandal D, Bhattacharya A, Chattopadhyay S, Das T, Sa G. (2011) Curcumin enhances the efficacy of chemotherapy by tailoring p65NFκB-p300 cross-talk in favor of p53-p300 in breast cancer. J. Biol. Chem. 286: 42232-42247 (if=5.49 , ci=42)

3. Chakraborty J, Banerjee S, Ray P, Hossain DMS, Bhattacharyya S, Adhikary A, Chattopadhyay S, Das T & Sa G. (2010) Gain of cellular adaptation due to prolong p53 impairment leads to functional switch-over from p53 to p73 during DNA damage in acute myeloid leukemia cells. J. Biol. Chem. 285: 33104-33112 (if=5.49 , ci=18)

4. 5. Chakraborty S, Das K, Saha S, Mazumdar M, Manna A, Chakraborty S, Mukherjee S, Khan P, Adhikary A, Mohanty S, Chattopadhyay S, Sa G and Das T. Nuclear matrix protein SMAR1 represses c-Fos-mediated HPV18 E6 transcription through alteration of chromatin histone de-acetylation. J Biol Chem. 289:29074-29085, 2014 (if=5.49, ci=-)

5. Sa G, Das T, Moon C, Hilston CM, Rayman PA, Rini BI, Tannenbaum CS, & Finke JH. (2009) GD3, an Overexpressed Tumor-Derived Ganglioside, Mediates the Apoptosis of Activated but not Resting T Cells. Cancer Research. 69:3095-104 (if=8.65, ci=34)

6. Sa G & Das T. (2008) Anti cancer effects of curcumin: cycle of life and death. Cell Div. 3:14 (if=3.90, ci=151)

7. Bhattacharyya S, Mandal D, Saha B, Sen GS, Das T & Sa G. (2007) Curcumin prevents tumor-induced T cell apoptosis through Stat-5a-mediated Bcl-2 induction. J Biol Chem. 282:15954-64 [Press-released by American Society of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology](if=5.49 , ci=66)

8. Bhattacharyya S, Mandal D, Sen GS, Pal S, Banerjee S, Lahiry L, Finke JH, Tannenbum CS, Das T & -mediatedB activity augmenting TNFSa G. (2007) Tumor-induced oxidative stress perturbs NF T cell death: Protection by curcumin. Cancer Research. 67:362-70 (Published as Leading Edge Analysis in Cell 130:766-768, 2007) (if=8.65, ci=64)

9. Choudhuri T, Pal S, Das T & Sa G. (2005) Curcumin selectively induces apoptosis in deregulated cyclin D1 expressed cells at G2 phase of cell cycle in a p53-dependent manner. J. Biol. Chem. 280:20059-20068, [with front page cover citing the work] (if=5.49 , ci=222)

10. Choudhuri T, Pal S, Agwarwal ML, Das T & Sa G. (2002) Curcumin induces apoptosis in human breast cancer cells through p53-dependent Bax induction. FEBS Lett 512: 334-340 (if=3.58, ci=317)

120

SAINI, NEERU (b 1971), Senior Scientist, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mall Road, Delhi


miRNAs have emerged as potential endogenous regulators of gene expression and Dr Neeru Saini has made significant contributions to the current understanding of miRNA mediated regulation of apoptosis. Her research suggests that over expression of certain miRNAs (hsa-miR-128, hsa-miR-195, hsa-miR-365, and hsa-miR-24-2*) not only could lead to novel cancer therapeutics but also alter denovo lipogeneeis. She has carried out excellent work during the last decade, has > 40 international papers to her credit. 25 papers (Total Impact factor = 102; Total Citations = 883) in the past ten years in International Journals of high impact factors including Journal of Cell Science and Journals of Nature Publishing Group. She received National Bioscience Award for Career Development 2013 by the Department of Biotechnology elected as member of National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) in 2014. Two of her students have got DST inspire Faculty Award. She is a member of several professional societies.: an Active member of American Association for Cancer Research, life member of Indian Association of Cancer Research etc. What impresses me most is the fact that her work not only belongs to a very high order in terms of intellectual input but is also very relevant in terms of its translational value. The mimics of miRNAs that she has characterized hold a great promise for their use as effective therapeutic agents for the treatment of cancer to fulfill the highest expectation that one can have from a good researcher work i.e, ―use for the betterment of human life.‖

Proposer: Prof. Anil Kumar Tyagi, Seconder: Dr. V C kalia


1. Reddy VG, Khanna N, Singh N. 2001. Vitamin C augments chemotherapeutic response of cervical carcinoma HeLa cells by stabilizing P53. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. Mar 30; 282(2):409-415. (if=2.946, ci=84)

2. Khanna N, Sen S, Sharma H, Singh N. 2003 S29 ribosomal protein induces apoptosis in H520 cells and sensitizes them to chemotherapy. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. Apr 25; 304(1):26-35. (if=3.0, ci=84)

3. Patnaik S, Aggarwal A, Nimesh S, Goel A, Ganguli M, Saini N, Singh Y, Gupta KC. 2006. PEI-alginate nanocomposites as efficient in vitro gene transfection agents. J Control Release. Sep 12; 114 (3):398-409. Epub 2006 Jun 28. (if=4.012, ci=73)

4. Anita Goel, Ashok K. Prasad, Virinder S. Parmar, Balaram Ghosh, Neeru Saini*. 2007. 7, 8-Dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin induces apoptosis of human lung adenocarcinoma cells by ROS-independent mitochondrial pathway through partial inhibition of ERK/MAPK signaling. FEBS Letters, Volume 581, Issue 13, 29 May , Pages 2447-2454. (if=3.264, ci=40)

5. Ravindresh Chhabra, Yogita K Adlakha, Hariharan M, Scaria V, Neeru Saini*. 2009 Upregulation of miR-23a~27a~24-2 Cluster Induces Caspase-Dependent and --Independent Apoptosis in Human Embryonic Kidney Cells. PLoS One. Jun 9; 4(6):e5848 (if=4.351, ci=88)

6. Chhabra R, Dubey R, Saini N*. 2010. Cooperative and individualistic functions of the microRNAs in the miR-23a~27a~24-2 cluster and its implication in human diseases. Mol Cancer Sept, 9, 232 (if=3.779, ci=107)

7. Yogita K Adlakha and Neeru Saini* 2011. MicroRNA-128 downregulates bax and induces apoptosis in human embryonic kidney cells. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. Apr 68:1415–1428. (if=6.57, ci=43)

8. Richa Singh and Neeru Saini*. 2012 Downregulation of BCL2 by miRNAs augments drug induced apoptosis: Combined computational and experimental approach. J of Cell Science. Mar 15; 125(Pt 6):1568-78. Epub 2012 Feb 10. (if=6.111, ci=32)

9. Yogita K. Adlakha and Neeru Saini*. miR-128 exerts pro-apoptotic effect in a p53-dependent and -independent manner via PUMA-Bak axis. Cell Death Dis. (NPG). 2013 Mar 14;4:e542. doi: 10.1038/cddis.2013.46. (if=6.04, ci=15)

10. 10. YK Adlakha, S Khanna, R Singh, VP Singh, A Agrawal, N Saini*. Pro-apoptotic miRNA-128-2 modulates ABCA1, ABCG1 and RXRα expression and cholesterol homeostasis.Cell Death Dis. (NPG). 2013 Aug 29;4:e780. doi: 10.1038/cddis.2013.301. (if=6.04, ci=17)

121

SARKAR, SAGARTIRTHA (b 1966), Associate Professor, University of Calcutta, Kolkata


Dr. Sarkar‘s focus of research is to delineate development and progression of heart diseases viz. cardiac hypertrophy and myocardial infarction (MI) which are major lifestyle related health problems of this decade. His laboratory has developed animal models for each of these cardiac disease forms that mimic true disease conditions in humans. His work on analysis of comparative cardiac proteome profiles of MI and hypertrophy models revealed role of the novel candidate protein CRYAb which acts as a switch for modulation of apoptotic signaling in diseased heart. Dr. Sarkar‘s work on myocyte death and regeneration during heart failure has highlighted the capacity of terminally differentiated cardiomyocytes to reenter cell cycle as a feedback mechanism to compensate cell loss In addition, regulatory role of STAT3, p53 and NFB during cardiac fibrosis and failure has been established by his laboratory. In a translational breakthrough, his laboratory has successfully developed and tested nanoparticle based cardiomyocyte targeted delivery system for delivering drugs or siRNAs directly to heart tissues in active form without any bystander effect. This will have a significant impact in designing proper drug regimens required during treatment of heart failure in human. It has been patented in India and future planning of clinical trials in humans is underway. His involvement in several national projects not only translated into high impact publications but he has also trained several young researchers and has developed a vibrant research group in the field of cardiovascular pathophysiology. Combination of these unique skills has helped him to standout form his contemporary scientists in a very challenging field in animal sciences.

Proposer : Prof. Rakesh K. Tyagi, Seconder : Prof. Chinmay K. Mukhopadhyay


1. Rana, S., Datta, K., Reddy, T.L.,Chatterjee, E., Sen, P., Pal-Bhadra, M., Bhadra, U., Pramanik, A., Pramanik, P., Chawla-Sarkar,M., Sarkar, S. A Spatio-temporal Cardiomyocyte targeted vector system for efficient delivery of therapeutic payloads to regress cardiac hypertrophy abating bystander effect. J. Control Release, 2015; Jan 7; 200C:167-178 (if=7.76, ci=New)

2. Mir S.A., Chatterjee A, Mitra A., Pathak K., Mahata S.K., Sarkar S. Inhibition of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) attenuates Interleukin-6 (IL-6) induced collagen synthesis and resultant hypertrophy in rat heart. J. Biol. Chem. 2012 Jan 20; 287(4):2666-77. (if=4.65, ci=35)

3. Mitra A., Basak T., Datta K., Naskar S., Sengupta S., Sarkar S. Role of Alpha Crystallin B as a regulatory switch in modulating cardiomyocyte apoptosis via mitochondria or endoplasmic reticulum during cardiac hypertrophy and myocardial infarction. Cell Death and Diseases. 2013 Apr 4;4:e582 (if=6.04, ci=13)

4. Mitra, A., Basak, T., Ahmad, S ., Datta, K., Datta, R., Sengupta, S., Sarkar, S. Comparative proteome profiling during cardiac hypertrophy and myocardial infarction reveals altered glucose oxidation by differential activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 component subunit β. J. Mol Biol. 2014, Nov 8. pii: S0022-2836(14)00581-6. (if=3.959, ci=1)

5. Naskar, S., Datta, K., Mitra, A., Pathak ,K., Datta, R., Bansal ,T., Sarkar S. Differential and conditional activation of Pkc-isoforms dictates cardiac adaptation during physiological to pathological hypertrophy . Plos One; 2014, Aug 12; 9 (8):e104711. (if=4.2, ci=New)

6. Mitra A, Ray A, Datta R, Sengupta S, Sarkar S. Cardioprotective role of P38 MAPK during myocardial infarction via parallel activation of α-Crystallin B and Nrf2. J.Cell Physiol. 2014 (if=4.22, ci=4)

7. Chatterjee A, Mir S.A, Dutta D., Mitra A., Pathak K., Sarkar S. Analysis of p53 and NF-κB signaling in modulating the cardiomyocyte fate during hypertrophy. J.Cell Physiol. 2011 Oct; 226(10):2543-54. (if=4.22, ci=17)

8. Sarkar S., Leaman D.W., Gupta S., Sil P., Young D., Moorehead A., Ratliff N., Rayborn M., Hollyfield J.G., Sen S. Cardiac overexpression of myotrophin triggers myocardial hypertrophy and heart failure in transgenic mice. J.Biol.Chem. 2004, 279 (19):20422-20434. (if=4.65, ci=50)

9. Sarkar S., Chawla-Sarkar M., Young D., Nishiyama K., Hollyfield J.G., Sen S. Myocardial cell death and regeneration during progression of cardiac hypertrophy to heart failure. J.Biol.Chem.2004, 279(50):52630-52642.ISSN 1083-351X (if=4.65, ci=24)

10. Pathak M*, Sarkar S*, Vellaichamy E., Sen S. Role of myocytes in myocardial collagen production. Hypertension. 2001.37(3):833-40. (if=6.873, ci=55)

122

SENGUPTA, SAGAR (b 1968), Staff Scientist VI, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi


The nominee‘s research interests broadly involve understanding the molecular basis of the regulation of eukaryotic signal transduction cascades and the process of recombinational DNA repair to correct damage to the DNA molecules and restore the lost information. The members of RecQ helicase family, exemplified by BLM and RECQL4 helicase, play crucial roles in DNA repair, replication and recombination. He has shown that BLM helicase negatively regulates homologous recombination (Tripathi et al., J. Cell Biol. 2007; Tripathi et al., Carcinogenesis 2008) and can also stimulate the ATPase and chromatin remodelling during DNA damage (Srivastava et al., J. Cell Sci. 2009). His research has also revealed the different signaling pathways which regulate the functions of BLM helicase. These include the phosphorylation (Kaur et al., Mol Cancer Res. 2010) and ubiquitylation (Tikoo et al., EMBO J. 2013) cascades, which are required by BLM to function as a DNA damage sensor protein. He has provided evidence that BLM can enhance the degradation of multiple oncoproteins (Chandra et al., J. Cell Sci. 2012), thereby delaying the onset of tumour initiation. Finally, the nominee has discovered how RECQL4 acts as a mitochondrial helicase (De et al., J. Cell Sci. 2012). He has demonstrated that RECQL4 can affect mitochondrial DNA replication by enhancing the polymerization and proof reading activities of the mitochondrial polymerase (Gupta et al., Carcinogenesis 2014). In conclusion, the nominee has made seminal contributions to our understanding of the mechanisms leading to chromosome instability in normal and human cancer cells.

Proposer : Prof. K. Muniyappa, Seconder : Prof. P.N. Rangarajan


1. Gupta S, De S, Srivastava V, Hussain M, Kumari J, Muniyappa K, Sengupta S (2014) RECQL4 and p53 potentiate the activity of polymerase and maintain the integrity of the human mitochondrial genome. Carcinogenesis 35(1): 34-45. (if=5.266, ci=6)

2. Chandra S, Priyadarshini R, Madhavan V, Tikoo S, Hussain M, Mudgal R, Modi P, Srivastava V, Sengupta S (2013) Enhancement of c-Myc degradation by BLM helicase leads to delayed tumor initiation. J Cell Sci. 126(Pt 16): 3882-3795. (if=5.3, ci=2)

3. Tikoo S, Madhavan V, Hussain M, Miller ES, Arora P, Zlatanou A, Modi P, Townsend K, Stewart GS, Sengupta S (2013) Ubiquitin-dependent recruitment of the Bloom Syndrome helicase in response to replication stress is required to suppress homologous recombination. EMBO J. 32(12): 1778-1792 (if=10.748, ci=5)

4. Jadav RS, Chanduri MV, Sengupta S, Bhandari R (2013) Inositol Pyrophosphate Synthesis by Inositol Hexakisphosphate Kinase I is Required for Homologous Recombination Repair. J Biol Chem. 288(5): 3312-3321. (if=4.6, ci=9)

5. De S, Kumari J, Mudgal R, Modi P, Gupta S, Futami K, Goto H, Lindor NM, Furuichi Y, Mohanty D, Sengupta S (2012) RECQL4 is essential for the transport of p53 to mitochondria in normal human cells in the absence of exogenous stress. J Cell Sci. 125(Pt 10): 2509-2522. (if=5.3, ci=29)

6. Kaur S*, Modi P*, Srivastava V*, Mudgal R*, Tikoo S, Arora P, Mohanty D, Sengupta S (2010) Chk1-dependent constitutive phosphorylation of BLM helicase at Serine 646 decreases after DNA damage. Mol Cancer Res. 8(9): 1234-1247 (if=4.502, ci=9)

7. Larrieu D, Ythier D, Binet R, Brambilla C, Brambilla E, Sengupta S, Pedeux R (2009) ING2 controls DNA replication forks progression to maintain genome stability. EMBO Rep. 10(10): 1168-1174. (if=7.858, ci=21)

8. Srivastava V*, Modi P*, Tripathi V, Mudgal R, De S, Sengupta S (2009) BLM helicase stimulates the ATPase and chromatin remodeling activities of RAD54. J Cell Sci. 122(Pt 17): 3093-3103 (if=5.3, ci=22)

9. Tripathi V, Kaur S, Sengupta S (2008) Phosphorylation-dependent interactions of BLM and 53BP1 are required for their anti-recombinogenic roles during homologous recombination. Carcinogenesis 29(1): 52-61. (if=5.266, ci=25)

10. Tripathi V, Nagarjuna T, Sengupta S (2007) BLM helicase-dependent and independent roles of 53BP1 during replication stress mediated homologous recombination. J. Cell Biol. 178(1): 9-14. (if=9.688, ci=29)

123

SHARMA, YOGENDRA (b 1959), Chief Scientist (Scientist G) and Group Leader, Professor AcSIR, CCMB, Hyderabad


The major scientific contribution of Yogendra Sharma is the discovery of a novel calcium-binding motif which is present in a large set of proteins widely prevalent in nature. He has pursued research on the proteins of the human eye lens for over two decades. As a consequence of ground-breaking work in his laboratory, this group of proteins has grown from a handful of lens proteins to a major superfamily of Ca

2+ binding proteins with hundreds of current members. A study by Sharma demonstrated the

binding of Ca2+

with lens β-crystallins (J. Biol. Chem. 1989; J. Biol. Chem. 1989), was also observed in bovine γ-crystallin (J. Biol. Chem. 2001) and bacterial proteins (J. Biol. Chem. 2005, Biochemistry, 2007). The distinct motif responsible for Ca

2+ binding was identified in βγ-crystallins by his group with

the demonstration, in 2009, that the presence of a universal N/DN/DXXS/TS motif in βγ-crystallins was responsible for their Ca

2+ binding (Biochemistry 2009, J. Mol. Biol., 2012). This double-clamp

N/DN/DXXS/TS motif identified by him appears to be the most abundant Ca2+-binding motif surpassing even the EF-hand (invited for reviews in J. Biol. Chem. 2014, Progress in Biophys and Mol Biol, 2014). The nature of the motif is not uniform in all the organisms, and both the evolutionary significance of degeneracy in lenticular members and the effects of recreating these motifs on domain properties of the protein have been decoded by his group (J. Biol. Chem. 2011; Biochemistry, 2013).

Proposer : Dr Ch Mohan Rao, Seconder : Dr R Sankaranarayanan


1. Srivastava, S.S., Mishra, A., Krishnan, B., Sharma, Y. (2014) Ca2+

-binding motif of βγ-crystallins. J. Biol. Chem. 289(16), 10958-10966. doi:10.1074/jbc.O113.539569. Authors profile: http://www.jbc.org/content/289/16/10958/suppl/DCAuthor_profile_YS (if=4.651)

2. Mishra, A., Suman, S.K., Srivastava, S.S., Sankaranarayanan, R., Sharma, Y. (2012) Decoding the molecular design principles underlying Ca2+-binding to βγ-crystallin motifs. J. Mol. Biol., 415, 75-91. (if=3.905)

3. Suman, S. K., Mishra, A., Ravindra, D., Yeramala, L., Sharma, Y. (2011) Evolutionary remodelling of the βγ-crystallins for domain stability at the cost of Ca2+-binding. J. Biol. Chem. 286, 43891-43901. (if=4.651)

4. Aravind, P., Mishra, A., Suman, S. K., Jobby, M. K., Sankaranarayanan, R., Sharma, Y. (2009) The βγ-crystallin superfamily contains a universal motif for binding calcium. Biochemistry 48, 12180–12190. (if=3.377)

5. Aravind, P., Chandra, K., Reddy, P. P., Jeromin, A., Chary, K. V., and Sharma, Y., (2008) Regulatory and structural EF-hand motifs of neuronal calcium sensor-1: Mg2+ modulates Ca2+ binding, Ca2+-induced conformation and equilibrium unfolding transitions. J. Mol. Biol. 376, 1100-1115. (if=3.905)

6. Krishnan, K., Kathiresan, T., Raman, R., Rajini, B., Dhople, V.M., Aggrawal, R.K., and Sharma, Y. (2007) Ubiquitous lens α-, β- and γ-crystallins accumulate in anuran cornea as corneal crystallins. J. Biol. Chem. 282, 18953-18959. (if=4.651)

7. Muralidhar, D., Jobby, M. K., Kannan, K., Annapurna, V., Chary, K. V. R., Jeromin, A. and Sharma, Y. (2005) Equilibrium unfolding of neuronal calcium sensor-1: N-terminal myristoylation influences unfolding and reduces the protein stiffening in the presence of calcium. J. Biol. Chem. 280, 15569-15578. (if=4.651)

8. Jobby, M.K. and Sharma, Y. (2005) Calcium-binding crystallins from Yersinia pestis: Characterization of two single betagamma-crystallin domains of a putative exported protein. J. Biol. Chem. 280, 1209-1216. (if=4.651)

9. Jeromin, A., Muralidhar, D., Parameswaran, M.N., Roder, J., Fairwell, T., Scarlata S., Dowal, L, Mustafi, S.M., Chary, K.V.R., Sharma, Y. (2004) N-terminal myristoylation regulates calcium-induced conformational changes in neuronal calcium sensor-1. J. Biol. Chem. 279, 27158-27167. (if=4.651)

10. Rajini, B., Shridas, P., Sundari, C. S., Muralidhar, D., Chandani, S., Thomas, F., Sharma, Y. (2001) Calcium-binding properties of gamma-crystallin: calcium ion binds at the Greek key betagama-crystallin fold. J. Biol. Chem. 276, 38464-38471. (if=4.651)

124

SIL, PARAMES CHANDRA (b 1959), Senior Professor & Head, Division of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, Kolkata


Prof. Sil‘s research is focused on several major areas of organ pathophysiology. Unraveling the mechanisms of drugs, environmental pollutants and nanostructure induced cell injury and death in multiple vital target organs and exploration of the antitoxic/antioxidant potentials of natural and man-made antioxidants in the prevention and/or amelioration of the organ dysfunction was his major contribution in this field. He made many breakthroughs while studying on natural active compounds like arjunolic acid, taurine, mangiferin, etc. Specifically, Prof. Sil holds a pioneer position in studying the broad spectrum activity of arjunolic acid and that of the non-essential amino acid, taurine. Detail studies on the mechanism of the protective actions of these molecules clearly suggest their excellent hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, antidiabetic and renoprotective activities without any detectable side effects and could provide a new promising solution to very serious and potential pathophysiological situations. Prof. Sil has also contributed excellent quality of research on the environmentally exposed nanostructure-induced organ pathophysiology. Applying detail mechanistic approach, he showed that nano copper particles could induce liver and kidney dysfunctions and cellular damage and I think, these findings will help the researchers further to assess the worse impact of these nano materials and also help to find suitable remedies. Prof. Sil‘s research has been highly accepted in the scientific community worldwide as evidenced from the high citations (3,774), H-index (39) and i-10-index (95) of his publications (122) in high impact journals (Google Scholar Citation Report).

Proposer : Prof. Kali Pada Das, Seconder : Prof. Parimal C. Sen


1. Rashid K, Sil PC* (2015) Curcumin ameliorates testicular damage in diabetic rats by suppressing cellular stress mediated mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum dependent apoptotic death. Biochim. Biophys. Acta [Molecular Basis of Disease] 1852:70-82(if=5.089, ci=0)

2. Manna P, Ghosh M, Das J, Ghosh J, Sil PC* (2012) Contribution of nano copper particles to in vivo liver dysfunction and cellular damage: Role of IκBα/NF-κB, MAPKs and mitochondrial signal. Nanotoxicology 6(1):1-21 (if=7.336, ci=17)

3. Ghosh J, Das J, Manna P, Sil PC* (2011) The protective role of arjunolic acid against doxorubicin induced intracellular ROS dependent JNK-p38 and p53 mediated cardiac apoptosis. Biomaterials 32(21):4857-4866 (if=8.312, ci=40)

4. Das J, Ghosh J, Manna P, Sil PC* (2011) Taurine suppresses doxorubicin-triggered oxidative stress and cardiac apoptosis in rat via up-regulation of PI3-K/Akt and inhibition of p53, p38-JNK. Biochem Pharmacol 81(7):891-909 (if=4.650, ci=64)

5. Manna P, Das J, Ghosh J, Sil PC* (2010) Contribution of type 1 diabetes to rat liver dysfunction and cellular damage via activation of NOS, PARP, IκBα/NF-κB, MAPKs, and mitochondria-dependent Prophylactic role of arjunolic acid. Free Radic Biol Med 48:1465-1484(if=5.710, ci=75)

6. Ghosh J, Das J, Manna P, Sil PC* (2010) Hepatotoxicity of di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate is attributed to calcium aggravation, ROS-mediated mitochondrial depolarization, and ERK/NF-κB pathway activation. Free Radic Biol Med 49:1779-1791 (if=5.710, ci=25)

7. Ghosh J, Das J, Manna P, Sil PC* (2010) Arjunolic acid, a triterpenoid saponin, prevents acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver and hepatocyte injury via the inhibition of APAP bioactivation and JNK-mediated mitochondrial protection. Free Radic Biol Med 48:535-553(if=5.710, ci=46)

8. Ghosh J, Das J, Manna P, Sil PC* (2010) Acetaminophen induced renal injury via oxidative stress and TNF-alpha production: Therapeutic potential of arjunolic acid. Toxicology 268:8-18 (if=3.745, ci=64)

9. Ghosh J, Das J, Manna P, Sil PC* (2009) Taurine prevents arsenic-induced cardiac oxidative stress and apoptotic damage: Role of NF-kappaB, p38 and JNK MAPK pathway. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 240:73-87 (if=3.630, ci=74)

10. Das J, Ghosh J, Manna P, Sinha M, Sil PC* (2009) Taurine protects rat testes against NaAsO2-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis via mitochondrial dependent and independent pathways. Toxicol Lett 187:201-210 (if=3.355, ci=92)

125

SINGH, SURYA SATYANARAYANA (b 1960), Professor and Chairman Board of Studies, Dept of

Biochemistry, UCS, Osmania University, Hyderabad Member of the NASI: No (YON 2014, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology including) Prof. Surya S. Singh‘s work on protein kinase C and PI3-Kinase, important signal transducers involved in variety of cellular functions is well recognized. Some important contributions in this direction are; Prof. Singh is the first to show that PIP3,4,5P3 activates PKC (Biochem. Biophys. Res Common. 195, 104-112) and PI3-Kinase by profilin and gelsolin (Biochemistry 35, 16544-16549). He did extensive study on profilin an actin binding protein involved in PI3-K activation. His contribution in the area of profilin is well cited such as PKC δ dependent phosphorylation of profilin (Cell Signaling 13, 1-7) and phosphoprofilin exhibiting higher affinity to actin (Cell signaling 16, 589-596). Prof. Singh has demonstrated that tyrosine nitration of profilin affects actin binding (J Biochem 138, 687-695). By exploring bioinformatics tools he has shown that profilin phosphorylation is regulated by oligomerization where tetramers are not phosphorylated due to steric hindrance indicating phosphorylation depended regulation of profilin activities (Internat J Biol Macromolecules 45, 265-273). Apart from this work his contribution in the area of neurolathyrism is worth mentioning: he experimentally proved that toxicity of L-ODAP is due to activation of PKC and HIF1α leading to hypoxic stress (J Neurochem 118, 176-186). This property of L-ODAP is explored for high altitude acclimatization and human performance enhancement and wound healing (patent approved for filing from DRDO). Apart from teaching and very active research he is also actively participated in development of biochemistry curriculum in various universities in Andhra Pradesh and also participated in science awareness programs sponsored by various scientific bodies.

Proposer : Dr. G. Bhanuprakash Reddy, Seconder : Prof. Dayananda Siddavattam Ten Best Publications: 1. Surya S. Singh, Abha Chauhan, Hans Brockerhoff and Ved P.S. Chauhan (1993). Activation of protein

kinase C by phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate. Biochem. Biophys. Res Common. 195, 104- 112 (if=3.312, ci=72) 2. Noriko Murakami, Marshall Elzinga, Surya S. Singh, and V. Chauhan (1994). Direct binding of myosins

II to phospholipid vesicles via tail region and phosphorylation of the heavy chains by protein kinase C J.

Biol. Chem, 269, 16082-16090. (if=7.717, ci=48) 3. Surya S Singh., Abha C., Noriko M., Chauhan V.P.S. (1996). Profilin and gelsolin stimulate

phsophatidylinositol 3-kinase activity Biochemistry 35, 16544-16549 (if=4.818, ci=73) 4. V. Bhargavi and Surya S. Singh (2001) PKC Isozyme specific phosphorylation of profilin. Cell Signal

13, 1-7 (if=3.4, ci=36) 5. M. Raghuveer Singh, M.P. Prathap Rudhra,S.L.N. Rao and Surya. S. Singh . (2004). In vitro activation

of protein kinase C by β-N-oxalyl-L-α, β-diaminopropionic acid, the Lathyrus sativus neurotoxin.

Neurochemical Research 29 (7), 1343-1348 (if=2.22, ci=7) 6. Sathish. K, Padma. B, Bhargavi. V, Wasia. R, K.V.N. Radhika, Sairam. M and Surya S. Singh. (2004)

Phosphorylation of profilin regulates its interaction with actin and poly (L-proline). Cell. Signal. 16 (5), 589- 596 (if=4.74, ci=38) 7. K.Satish, R. Wasia, K.V.N.Radhika and Surya S.Singh (2005). Nitration of profilin effects its interaction

with poly (L-proline) and actin. Journal of Biochemistry 138 (6), 687-95 (if=2.158, ci=7) 8. Satish Kasina, R.Wasia, Aneesa Fasim, K.V.N.Radhika, Surya S.Singh (2006). Phorbol ester mediated activation of inducible nitric oxide synthase results in platelet profilin nitration. Nitric oxide 14, 65-71 (if=3.127, ci=11) 9. Adhikarla Haritha, Korripally Prem Sagar, Anand Tiwari, Patnala Kiranmayi, Agnes Rodrigue, Pamarthi Maruthi Mohan, and Surya S. Singh (2009). MrdH, a novel metal resistance determinant of Pseudomonas

putida KT2440 is flanked by metal-inducible mobile genetic elements. J. of Bacteriology 191, pp5976 – 5987 (if=3.94, ci=15) 10. Nalini Jammulamadaka, Sandeepta Burgula, Rajesh Medisetty, Govindan Ilavazhaga, Rao S.L.N and Surya S Singh (2011) L-ODAP (β-N-oxalyl-L-α,β-diaminopropionic acid) Regulates Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling by Downregulation of Phosphatidylethanolamine Binding Protein 1. J. Neurochem. 118(2):176-86 (if=4.06, ci=3)

126

SONAWANE, AVINASH (b 1976), Associate Professor, School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubabaneswar


Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) kills about 2 million people annually. The propectus to manage tuberculosis has worsened by the emergence of multidrug resistant mycobacteria.In view of this, Dr. Sonawane's work has identified new mycobacterial glycoproteins responsible for biofilm formation, drug resistance and virulence properties of Mtb. For the effective treatment of drug-resistant Mtb, Dr. Sonawane's group has synthesized novel anti-TB composite molecules, including some antimicrobial peptides which showed atleast 50-fold more anti-TB activity as compared to conventional TB drugs. To improve drug delivery, he has developed a quantum dot based technology which specifically delivers drugs to infected macrophages.

Proposer : Prof. Tapas K. Kundu, Seconder : Prof. Chitra Mandal


1. Mohanty S, Jagannathan L, Ganguli G, Padhi A, Roy D, Alaridah N, Saha P, Nongthomba U, Godaly G, Kumar GR, Banerjee S and Avinash Sonawane. 2015. A mycobacterial phosphoribosyltransferase promotes bacillary survival by inhibiting oxidative stress and autophagy pathways in macrophages and zebrafish. J Biol Chem. (Accepted) (if=5.328)

2. Mehta RK, Verma S, Pati R, Sengupta M, Khatua B, Jena RK, Sethy S, Kar SK, Mandal C, Roehm KH, Sonawane A. 2014. Mutations in subunit interface and B-cell epitopes improve antileukemic activities of Escherichia coli asparaginase-II: evaluation of immunogenicity in mice. J Biol Chem. 7; 289(6):3555-70. (if=5.328, ci=1)

3. Pati R, Mehta RK, Mohanty S, Padhi A, Sengupta M, Vaseeharan B, Goswami C, Sonawane A. 2014. Topical application of zinc oxide nanoparticles reduces bacterial skin infection in mice and exhibits antibacterial activity by inducing oxidative stress response and cell membrane disintegration in macrophages. Nanomedicine ; 10(6):1195-208 (if=7.013, ci=4)

4. Mohanty S, Jena P, Mehta R, Pati R, Banerjee B, Patil S, Sonawane A. 2014. Cationic antimicrobial peptides and biogenic silver nanoparticles kill mycobacteria without eliciting DNA damage and cytotoxicity in mouse macrophages. Antimicrob Agents Chemother ;57(8):3688-98. (if=4.451, ci=9)

5. Jena P, Mohanty S, Mohanty T, Kallert S, Morgelin M, Lindstrøm T, Borregaard N, Stenger S, Sonawane A *, Sørensen OE *. 2012. Azurophil granule proteins constitute the major mycobactericidal proteins in human neutrophils and enhance the killing of mycobacteria in macrophages. PLoS One; 7(12):e50345. (if=3.534, ci=10)

6. Mohanty S, Mishra S, Jena P, Jacob B, Sarkar B, Sonawane A. 2011. An investigation on the antibacterial, cytotoxic, and antibiofilm efficacy of starch-stabilized silver nanoparticles. Nanomedicine; 8(6):916-24. (if=7.013, ci=67)

7. Sonawane A, Santos JC, Mishra BB, Jena P, Progida C, Sorensen OE, Gallo R, Appelberg R, Griffiths G.2011. Cathelicidin is involved in the intracellular killing of mycobacteria in macrophages. Cell Microbiol; 13(10):1601-17. (if=4.816, ci=53)

8. Jena P, Mishra B, Leippe M, Hasilik A, Griffiths G, Sonawane A. 2011. Membrane-active antimicrobial peptides and human placental lysosomal extracts are highly active against mycobacteria. Peptides; 32(5):881-7. (if=2.614, ci=14)

9. Sonawane A, Jyot J, During R, Ramphal R. 2006.Neutrophil elastase, an innate immunity effector molecule, represses flagellin transcription in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Infect Immun ;74(12):6682-9. (if=4.156, ci=32)

10. Sonawane A, Jyot J, Ramphal R. 2014. Pseudomonas aeruginosa LecB is involved in pilus biogenesis and protease IV activity but not in adhesion to respiratory mucins. Infect Immun ; 74(12):7035-9. (if=4.156, ci=23)

127

SUNDAR, DURAI (b 1973), DuPont Young Professor, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, New Delhi


The nominee has been working on several important aspects of molecular and computational biology. He has made significant contribution in understanding zinc finger protein-DNA interactions and in developing novel approaches for understanding its structure and function. He is credited for developing a reporter system, which is arguably the quickest and accurate method for evolving novel and highly specific zinc finger proteins to target unique sites in any plant or mammalian genome. Because the recognition specificities of zinc fingers can be altered experimentally, his approach holds great promise for inducing targeted recombination in a variety of organisms. His studies have given a new direction for the successful implementation of zinc finger protein-mediated gene targeting for various biological and biomedical applications. Another pioneering contribution of the nominee is in the investigation of the anticancer and neuro-regenerative activities of the Ayurvedic plant Ashwagandha. He has reported the active metabolites in the leaves that possess both anticancer and neuro-regenerative activities. Molecular and target analyses using bioinformatics and biochemical approaches carried out by him suggested that the combination has high potential as a candidate natural drug for metastatic cancer therapy. He has won numerous awards including the DBT National Bioscience Award, DBT IYBA Award, NASI Swarnajayanti Award, INSA Young Scientist Medal and has been recently selected as one of the 14 successful Professors from around to world to be recognized with DuPont Young Professor Award. The cumulative impact factor and citation index of his published work is 148+ and 1179+, respectively, and H-index of 17.

Proposer : Prof. Narayanaswamy Srinivasan, Seconder : Dr. Garikapati Narahari Sastry


1. Sundar, D., K. Kandavelou, M. Mani, Wu, J., M.H. Porteus and S. Chandrasegaran (2005). Zinc finger nucleases: custom-designed molecular scissors for genome engineering of plant and mammalian cells. Nucleic Acids Research 33(18) 5978-5990. (if=8.278, ci=277)

2. Gowthaman, U., Jayakanthan, M. and Sundar, D (2008). Molecular docking studies of dithionitrobenzoic acid and its related compounds to protein disulfide isomerase: computational screening of inhibitors to HIV-1 entry. BMC Bioinformatics 9 (12):14. (if=3.02, ci=28)

3. Jayakanthan, M., Muthukumaran, J., Chandrasekar, S., Chawla, K, Punetha, A. and Sundar, D. (2009). Zif-BASE: a database of zinc finger proteins and associated resources. BMC Genomics 10(1): 421. (if=4.40, ci=12)

4. Grover, A., Shandilya, A., Punetha, A., Bisaria, V.S. and Sundar, D. (2010). Inhibition of the NEMO/IKKβ association complex formation, a novel mechanism associated with the NF-κB activation suppression by Withania sominifera‘s key metabolite withaferin-A. BMC Genomics 11(4): 25. (if=4.40, ci=39)

5. Grover, A., Shandilya, A., Bisaria, V.S. and Sundar, D. (2010). Probing the anticancer mechanism of prospective herbal drug Withaferin A on mammals: a case study on human and bovine proteasomes. BMC Genomics 11(4): 15. (if=4.40, ci=28)

6. Grover, A., Priyandoko, D., Gao, R., Shandilya, A., Widodo, N., Bisaria, V.S., Kaul, S.C., Wadhwa, R. and Sundar, D. (2012). Withanone binds to mortalin and abrogates mortalin-p53 complex: computational and experimental evidence. International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology 44(3): 496-504. (if=4.152, ci=14)

7. Grover, A., Singh, R., Shandilya, A., Priyandoko, D., Agrawal, V., Bisaria, V.S., Wadhwa, R., Kaul, S.C., and Sundar, D. (2012). Ashwagandha-derived withanone targets TPX2-Aurora A complex: computational and experimental evidence to its anticancer activity. PLoS One 7(1): e30890. (if=3.73, ci=13)

8. Grover, A., Shandilya, A., Agrawal, V., Bisaria, V.S. and Sundar, D. (2012). Computational evidence to inhibition of human acetyl cholinesterase by withanolide A for Alzheimer treatment. Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics 29(4): 651-662. (if=4.986, ci=18)

9. Grover, A., Katiyar, S.P., Singh, S.K., Dubey, V. and Sundar, D. (2012). A Leishnmaniasis study: structure-based screening and molecular dynamics mechanistic analysis for discovering potent inhibitors of spermidine synthase. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - BBA: Proteins and Proteomics 1824(12): 1476-1483. (if=3.733, ci=02)

10. Roy, S., Dutta, S., Khanna, K., Singla, S. and Sundar, D. (2012). Prediction of DNA-binding specificity in zinc finger proteins. Journal of Biosciences 37(3): 483-491. (if=1.759, ci=02)

128

VENKATASUBRAMANIAN, PADMAVATHY (b 1963), Professor, Institute of Transdisciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (IHST), Bangalore


Padmavathy Venkatasubramanian‘s work focuses on the low-cost healthcare solutions based on traditional knowledge (TK), authenticating Ayurvedic drugs using modern tools and contemporising both of them for today‘s needs. She has devised and tested extensively a low-cost, point of use copper contraption that can kill water borne pathogens in drinking water, which is currently under field study in rural households in India and Kenya under an International collaborative project funded by Grand Challenges Canada. Her research also focuses on low-cost herbal dietary supplements that help in the management of anemia using the principles of Ayurvedic Rasayanas. Through integrating Sastra (TK) and Western Science, for transdisciplinary research, she has legitimised the Abhava Pratinidhi Dravya concept of Ayurveda to suggest valid substitutes for the rare herbs using morphological, histological, histochemical, phytochemical, DNA marker and pharmacological protocols. While resolving the controversy about the identity of an Ayurvedic anthelmintic drug, Vidanga (Embelia ribes), a new Quinone named ‗Kiritiquinone‘ has been isolated from Measa indica, which is often used as a substitute for Vidanga and effectively tested it using C.elegans as a model helminth. She does a lot of extension work bridging the laboratory discoveries with practical applications through training programs for the Ayurvedic and herbal industry, small scale manufacturing units, non-government organisations and Gramavaidyas (traditional healers). She has developed 26 herbal products for the industry on consultancy basis and holds a patent for a diagnostic kit to authenticate medicinal plants.

Proposer : Prof. Kulithalai V Krishnamurthy, Seconder : Prof. Anupam Dikshit


1. Balasubramani SP, Mohan J, Chatterjee A, Patnaik E, Kukkupuni SK,Nongthomba U and Venkatasubramanian P. 2014. Pomegranate juice enhances healthy lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster: an exploratory study. Front. Public Health 2:245. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2014.00245

2. Venkatasubramanian P, Koul IB, Varghese RK, Koyyala S, Shivakumar A. 2014. Amla (Phyllanthus emblica L.) enhances iron dialysability and uptake in in vitro models. Current Science 107(11): 1859 – 1866

3. Seethapathy GS, Balasubramani SP, Venkatasubramanian P. 2014. nrDNA ITS sequence based SCAR marker to authenticate Aconitum heterophyllum and Cyperus rotundus in Ayurvedic raw drug source and prepared herbal products. Food Chem. 145:1015-20.(if=3.334)

4. Adams SJ, Gina R. Kuruvilla, Krishnamurthy K. V, Nagarajan M, Padma V. 2013. Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies on Ayurvedic drugs Ativisha and Musta. Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia. 23(3): 398-409 (if=0.68 )

5. Venkatasubramanian, P., Godbole, A., Vidyashankar, R., Kuruvilla, G. 2013. Evaluation of traditional anthelmintic herbs as substitutes for the endangered Embelia ribes, using Caenorhabditis elegans model. Curr Sci. 105(11), 1593-1598 (if=0.905 )

6. Preethi Sudha V.B, Sheeba Ganesan, Pazhani G.P, Ramamurthy T, Nair GB, Venkatasubramanian P. 2012. Storing drinking water in copper pots kills contaminating diarrhoeagenic bacteria. J Health Popul Nutr. 30 (1): 17-21 (if=1.121, ci=2)

7. Preethi Sudha VB, Ojit Singh K, Sasirekha Ramani, Anu Paul, Venkatasubramanian P. 2011. Inactivation of rotavirus in water by copper pot. Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development. 1(3): 165-169

8. Balasubramani SP, Venkatasubramanian P, Kumar SK, Patwardhan B. 2011. Plant-Based Rasayana drugs from Ayurveda. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine. 17(2): 88 – 94 (if=1.059, ci=14)

9. Balasubramani SP, Murugan R, Ravikumar K, Venkatasubramanian P. 2010. Development of ITS sequence based molecular marker to distinguish, Tribulus terrestris L. (Zygophyllaceae) from its adulterants. Fitoterapia. 81(6): 503-508 (if=2.231 , ci=12)

10. Sudha VBP, Ojit Singh K, Prasad SR, Venkatasubramanian P. 2009. Killing of Enteric Bacteria by a Copper Device for Use in the Home: Laboratory Evidence. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 103: 819-822 (if=2.162, ci=17)

129

AGGARWAL, RAMESH K (b 1958), Professor and Chief Scientist (Group Leader), Centre for Cellular &

Molecular Biology (CSIR), Taranaka, Hyderabad Member of the NASI: Yes (YON 2013, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology including) Dr. Aggarwal‘s major research interest has been the ‗development and application of DNA markers/tools‘ for wildlife conservation, crop improvement and disease diagnosis. He contributed significantly in the development of first ‗multi -locus DNA fingerprinting‘ technology in India, especially in demonstrating its ‗universality‘, and potential in population/ phylogenetics studies. His work on wildlife conservation has brought new perspectives to the origin/evolution/phylogeography of wolves, olive ridleys, and anurans in the Indian subcontinent. Most notably, he has shown that the two Indian wolf populations are two ancient species. He has done significant DNA typing work on characterization of primary/secondary genepool of rice, coffee and mulberry. Notably, he described two new genomes of rice, identified rice germplasm sources for nodulin, suggested Gondwanaland origin of Oryza, and genetic uniqueness of traditional Basmati varieties. His pioneering work on coffee and mulberry has resulted in large genomic resources and molecular linkage maps (first tree species maps from India). He is presently coordinating the National effort on Apple genomics. In the area of biomedical research, he established Acanthamoeba as causative protozoan of keratitis in non-contact lens users, developed a simple diagnostic assay for its clinical testing, and identified biomarkers for psoriasis in Indians. His other major interest is to understand the molecular basis of temperature-dependent sex-determination, which is an enigmatic/unsolved problem of vertebrate development. Using Indian mugger as model system, he has created large genomic resources, and his work has led to significant leads that are expected to be seminal in unraveling the TSD.

Proposer : Dr Ch Mohan Rao, Seconder : Dr Amitabha Chattopadhyay Ten Best Publications: 1. Aggarwal R K., D. S. Brar, G. S. Khush (1997). Two new genomes in the Oryza complex identified on the basis of molecular divergence analysis using total genomic DNA hybridization. Molecular and General Genetics, 254: 1-12. [now it has become the text book information) (if=2.88, ci=161) 2. Aggarwal, R. K., K. C. Majumdar, J. W. Lang, L. Singh (1994). Generic affinities among crocodilians: as revealed by DNA fingerprinting using a Bkm-derived probe. Proceedings National Academy of Sciences (USA), 91: 10601-10605 (if=9.73, ci=53) 3. Aggarwal R K., D. S. Brar, S. Nandi, N. Huang, G. S. Khush (1999). Phylogenetic relationships among Oryza species as revealed by high resolution DNA fingerprinting using AFLPs. Theoretical & Applied Genetics, 98: 1320-1328 (if=3.85, ci=200+) 4. Aggarwal, R. K., Toomas Kivisild, Jetty Ramadevi, Lalji Singh (2007) Mitochondrial DNA coding region sequences support the phylogenetic distinction of two Indian wolf species. Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research. 45(2): 163-172. (in this paper, the status of Indian wolves is revised from sub-species to new Canid species) (if=1.85, ci=22) 5. Shanker K., J. Ramadevi, B. C. Chaudhury, L. Singh, R. K. Aggarwal (2004) Phylogeography of olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) on the east coast of India: implications for conservation theory. Molecular Ecology 13 (7), 1899-1909 (if=6.275, ci=51) 6. Joshi S.P., V. S. Gupta, R. K. Aggarwal, P. K. Ranjekar, D. S. Brar (2000). Genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships as revealed by inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) polymorphism in the genus Oryza. Theoritical & Applied Genetics, 100 (8): 1311-1320(if=3.85, ci=377) 7. Amit Anand, Minarbha Patel, Albert Lalremruata, Ajeet Pratap Singh, Raman Agrawal, Lalji Singh, Ramesh K. Aggarwal (2008). Multiple alternative splicing of Dmrt1 during gonadogenesis in Indian mugger, a species exhibiting temperature-dependent sex-determination. Gene, 425: 56-63 (if=2.7, ci=17) 8. Aggarwal R. K., P. S. Hendre, R. K. Varshney, P. R. Bhat, V. Krishnakumar and L. Singh (2007) Identification, characterization and utilization of EST-derived genic microsatellite markers for genome analyses of coffee and related species. Theoretical & Applied Genetics, 114:359-372 (if=3.85, ci=125) 9. Savitri, S., G. Pasricha, D. Das, R. K. Aggarwal (2004). Acanthamoeba keratitis in non-contact lens wearers in India: DNA typing based validation and a simple multiplex PCR- assay for diagnosis. Archives of Opthalmology, 122: 1430-1434. (the paper was highlighted on the journal‘s cover page paper) (if=3.86, ci=26) 10. Aggarwal, R. K., V. V. Shenoy, J. Ramadevi, R. Rajkumar, L. Singh (2002). Molecular characterization of some Indian Basmati and other elite rice genotypes using fluorescence-AFLP. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 105: 680-690 (if=3.85, ci=53)

130

ASHISH, (b 1971), Senior Scientist, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh - 160036

Member of the NASI: No (YON 2013, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology)

Primary contribution of Ashish, to global and Indian science is to extensively practice and promote use of small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) data to interpret shape-function relationship of biomolecular complexes, particularly multi domain systems whose structures cannot be studied otherwise. His SAXS data analysis and unique model reconstruction approach revealed a critical intermediate step in the HIV entry mechanism that binding of HIV-1 gp120 induces bi-fold collapse in human receptor CD4 (1,4). Extending on this finding, today his group in IMTECH is using this shape change information to design therapeutic molecules which will block HIV entry in strain independent and non-immunosuppressive manner (5,9). Alongside, his own (and now his group‘s) extensive SAXS and molecular modeling studies provided first look into how an important therapeutic protein, plasma gelsolin achieves functionally active shape. The tracking of large scale shape rearrangements has led to rational design of bonsai versions of this protein (3,7). Last year, his group‘s SAXS studies provided first structural model of human kidney protein Neph1 and its complex with PDZ ZO-1 (8). Prowess of his scientific approach can be seen in addressing different biologically important problems simultaneously, e.g.: 1) shape change based design of anti-influenza peptides (patent), 2) first structure of commercially relevant glycoprotein, tissue plasminogen activator (9), and 3) how intracellular domain of TLRs relay signals (2, 10). His unique work on integrating biomolecular SAXS with other biochemical and combinatorial/computational chemistry has been recognized as trend-setter.

Proposer : Dr. Girish Sahni, Seconder : Dr. Pradip Chakraborti Ten Best Publications: 1. Ashish, Garg, R., Anguita, J., and Krueger, J. K. (2006) Biophys J 91, L69-L71 (IF=3.65, CI=6) 2. Gautam, J. K., Ashish, Comeau, L. D., Krueger, J. K., and Smith, M. F. (2006) J Biol Chem 281, 30132-30142 (IF=4.77, CI=41) 3. Ashish, Paine, M. S., Perryman, P. B., Yang, L., Yin, H. L., and Krueger, J. K. (2007) J Biol Chem 282, 25884-25892 (IF=4.77, CI=20) 4. Ashish, Juncadella, I. J., Garg, R., Boone, C. D., Anguita, J., and Krueger, J. K. (2008) J Biol Chem 283, 2761-2772 (IF=4.77, CI=10) 5. Ashish*, Solanki, A. K., Boone, C. D., and Krueger, J. K. (2010) Biochem Bioph Res Co 391, 947- 951 (IF=2.48, CI=3) 6. Dongre, M., Singh, N. S., Dureja, C., Peddada, N., Solanki, A. K., Ashish*, and Raychaudhuri, S. (2011) J Biol Chem 286, 15043-15049 (IF=4.77, CI=-) 7. Garg, R., Peddada, N., Sagar, A., Nihalani, D., and Ashish*. (2011) J Biol Chem 286, 20387-20397 (IF=4.77, CI=2) 8. Mallik, L., Arif, E., Sharma, P., Rathore, Y. S., Wong, H. N., Holzman, L. B., Ashish*, and Nihalani, D. (2012) J Biol Chem 287, 9441-9453 (IF=4.77, CI=-) 9. Rathore, Y. S., Rehan, M., Pandey, K., Sahni, G., and Ashish*. (2012) The journal of physical chemistry. B 116, 496-502 (IF=3.70, CI=1) Singh, S.; Pandey, K.; Rathore, Y.S.; Sagar, A.; Pattnaik, B.; Ashish* Journal of Biomolecular Structural

Dynamics In press(IF=4.98, CI=-)

131

BHADRA, RUPAK KUMAR (b 1960), Senior Principal Scientist, Infectious Diseases & Immunology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata


Dr. Rupak K. Bhadra is working for a long time in the field of diarrhoeal disease research with special reference to the cholera pathogen Vibrio cholerae. He has contributed significantly on the molecular aspect of nutritional deficiency related stringent response carried out by the intracellular small signaling molecule ppGpp and functionally characterized several genes involved in the regulation and maintenance of cellular ppGpp level in V. cholerae. His major achievement is the discovery of a gene, designated relV, which codes for a novel ppGpp synthetase in V. cholerae. RelV belongs to Rel_Spo domain family of small proteins and activated under glucose or fatty acid starvation. He has also characterized relA, spoT and cgtA genes through extensive mutational analyses and these genes are necessary for intracellular metabolism of ppGpp of V. cholerae. He has also functionally characterized an RNA polymerase binding unusual transcription factor DksA, which acts as a cofactor for ppGpp action. DksA is involved in fine-tuning of certain important virulence phenotypes of V. cholerae. Dr. Bhadra has also contributed substantially to understand rapid evolution of pathogenic V. cholerae strains mediated by cholera toxin genes carrying diverse CTX phage. In fact, he first demonstrated that CTX phage could integrate in the small chromosome of current seventh pandemic strain of V. cholerae of serogroup O1 biotype El Tor and genesis of variants may happen by frequent change of integration either in the large or in the small chromosome of El Tor vibrios by diverse CTX phages. (245 words)

Proposer : Dr. Hemanta K Majumder, Seconder : Dr. Pijush K Das


1. Pal, R. R., Bag, S., Dasgupta, S., Das, B., Bhadra, R. K*. 2012. Functional characterization of the stringent response regulatory gene dksA of Vibrio cholerae and its role in modulation of virulence phenotypes. Journal of Bacteriology. 194: 5638-5648. (if=3.3, ci=8)

2. Halder, K., Das, B., Nair, G. B., Bhadra, R. K*. 2010. Molecular evidence favouring step-wise evolution of Mozambique Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor hybrid strain. Microbiology. 156(Pt 1): 99-107. (if=2.84, ci=15)

3. Das, B., Pal, R. R., Bag, S. and Bhadra, R. K*. 2009. Stringent response in Vibrio cholerae: genetic analysis of spoT gene function and identification of a novel (p)ppGpp synthetase gene. Molecular Microbiology. 72: 380-398. (if=5.06, ci=25)

4. Shah, S., Das, B. and Bhadra, R. K*. 2008. Functional analysis of the essential GTP-binding protein coding gene cgtA of Vibrio cholerae. Journal of Bacteriology. 190: 4764-4771. (if=3.3, ci=11)

5. spoT double mutants. Archives of Microbiology. 189: 227-238.relA Das, B. and Bhadra R. K*. 2008. Molecular characterization of Vibrio cholerae (if=1.7, ci=14)

6. Maiti, D., Das, B., Saha, A., Nandy, R. K., Nair, G. B. and Bhadra, R. K*. Genetic organization of pre-CTX and CTX prophages in the genome of an environmental Vibrio cholerae non-O1, non-O139 strain. 2006. Microbiology. 152: 3633-3641. (if=2.84, ci=41)

7. Datta, P. P. and Bhadra, R. K*. 2003. Cold shock response and major cold shock proteins of Vibrio cholerae. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 69: 6361-6369. (if=3.95, ci=33)

8. Haralalka, S., Nandi, S. and Bhadra, R. K*. 2003. Mutation in the relA gene of Vibrio cholerae affects in vitro and in vivo expression of virulence factors. Journal of Bacteriology. 185: 4672-4682. (if=3.3, ci=79)

9. array and its position in the genome. Microbiology. 149: 89-97.Nandi, S., Maiti, D., Saha, A. and Bhadra, R. K*. 2003. Genesis of variants of Vibrio cholerae O1 biotype El Tor: role of the CTX (if=2.84, ci=37)

10. Chakraborty, S., Mukhopadhyay, A. K., Bhadra, R. K., Ghosh, A. N., Mitra, R., Shimada, T. Yamasaki, S. S. M. Faruque, Takeda, Y., Colwell, R. R., and Nair, G. B. 2000. Virulence genes in environmental strains of Vibrio cholerae. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 66: 4022-4028. (if=3.95, ci=167)

132

DHAWAN, DEVINDER KUMAR (b 1955), Professor, Department of Biophysics and Co-ordinator, Center for Nuclear Medicine and Medical Physics, Panjab University, Chandigarh


I am pleased to nominate Prof. D. K. Dhawan for the election of a fellow of The National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI). He has contributed immensely in understanding the metabolic role of Zinc and has published many papers only on Zinc, which are widely cited. His research work has highlighted the prophylactic role of this essential dietary element in preventing different diseased conditions. The research work carried out by Prof. Dhawan and his team has unravelled the molecular basis of Zinc as a hepatoprotective, radioprotective and neuroprotective agent under various adverse conditions as well as its protective role in other toxic conditions induced by metals such as lithium, aluminium, nickel and lead. Further, Prof. Dhawan, while working in the field of cancer, has shown that prophylactic treatment with Zinc shall lead to delaying the onset of molecular events leading to colon carcinogenesis. Prof. Dhawan has also developed 99mTc labeled Albumin cisplatin radiopharmaceutical for the early detection of cancer and the patent has been filed by DST. Recently, Prof. Dhawan has initiated research work to explore the role of Zinc in containing the onset of Alzheimer‘s like conditions in experimental animals. He has also been instrumental in starting a new course at the Master's level in Nuclear Medicine at Panjab University and the course is generating human resource to run Nuclear Medicine centres across India. Based on the significant contribution of Prof. Dhawan in science, I strongly recommend his candidature for the fellowship of The National Academy of Sciences, India.

Proposer : Dr G.P.S. Raghava, Seconder : Prof. R.K. Kohli


1. Dhawan D, Goel A. (1995). Further evidence of zinc as a hepatoprotective agent in rat liver toxicity Exp. Mol. Pathol. 63, 110-117(if=2.88, ci=40)

2. Tandon, A., Dhawan, D.K., Nagpaul, J.P. (1998). Effect of lithium on hepatic lipid peroxidation and antioxidative enzymes under different dietary protein regimens. J Appl Toxicol. 18, 187-190 (if=3.17, ci=33)

3. Goel A, Chauhan D.P, Dhawan D.K. (2000). Protective effects of zinc in chlorpyrifos induced hepatotoxicity: A biochemical and trace elemental study. Biol Trace Elem Res 74, 171-183 (if=1.60, ci=44)

4. Sidhu Pardeep,.Garg M.L, Dhawan D.K (2004). Protective role of zinc in nickel induced hepatotoxicity in rats: Chem Biol Interact 150, 199-209 (if=2.98, ci=53)

5. Goel A, Dani V, Dhawan D.K. (2005). Protective effects of Zinc on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes and hepatic histoarchitecture in chlorpyrifos induced toxicity. Chem Biol Interact 156, 31-140 (if=2.98, ci=154)

6. Dani V., Goel, A., Vaiphei, K., Dhawan, D.K. (2007). Chemopreventive potential of zinc in experimentally induced colon carcinogenesis Toxicol Lett 171, 10-18 (if=3.35, ci=35)

7. Dani V, Bhalla P, and Dhawan D.K. (2008) Zinc modulates lithium-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Liver Int. 28:558-65 (if=4.44, ci=10)

8. Malhotra A, Nair P, Dhawan D.K. (2011) Curcumin and resveratrol synergistically stimulate p21 and regulate cox-2 by maintaining adequate zinc levels during lung carcinogenesis. Eur J Cancer Prev 20, 411-416 (if=2.76, ci=14)

9. Singla N, Dhawan DK (2014). Zinc modulates aluminium-induced oxidative stress and cellular injury in rat brain. Metallomics 6, 1941-1950 (if=3.98, ci=2)

10. Singla N, Dhawan DK. (2014) Influence of Zinc on Calcium-Dependent Signal Transduction Pathways During Aluminium-Induced Neurodegeneration Mol Neurobiol 50:613-625 (if=5.28, ci=1)

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DUDEJA, SURJIT SINGH (b 1953), Professor, Department of Microbiology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar


Prof Dudeja has outstanding research contribution in the field of Microbiology for the past 36 years. He has served as HOD of Microbiology and PI of AICRP Chickpea Microbiology group. He is Senior Editor of Journal Basic Microbiology. He has served Association of Microbiologists of India (AMI) as President, Joint Secretary and Treasurer at National level. Dr Dudeja has attended about 50 National/International conferences including four in Germany & Czeck Republic and was member of National advisory committee of more than 10 conferences. Dr Dudeja is recipient of several awards and is Fellow of AMI and Indian Society of Pulses Research & Developments. He is member of selection/promotion committees of several universities, ASRB and RAC member of NBAIM, Mau (ICAR). Dr Dudeja has been external examiner for M. Sc, M. Phil and PhD students of Microbiology and Biotechnology. He has published more than 115 papers in National and International journals. His contributions in plant – microbe interactions are of high practical importance. He has done pioneering work in the area of enhancing nodule occupancy by selecting molecularly predominant rhizobia. He has developed 25 biofertilizers strains being used for mass scale production. He has developed easy technique for screening of rhizobia. He has molecularly characterized rhizobia infecting chickpea, field pea, mung bean, pigeon pea; root and nodule endophytes. Changes in microbial communities in chickpea and wheat were assessed using DGGE after inoculation with gfp tagged rhizobia. He assigned reasons for poor nodulation of pigeon pea, and attempted to improve nodulation.

Proposer : Prof B.L. Jalali, Seconder : Prof Tapan Adhya


1. Dudeja, S.S. and Khurana, A.L. 1989. Persistence of Bradyrhizobium sp. (Cajanus) in a sandy loam. Soil Biol. Biochem. 21: 709-713.(if=4.410, ci=47)

2. Dudeja, S.S., Giri, R., Saini, R., Suneja-Madan, P. and Kothe E. 2012. Interaction of endophytic microbes with legumes. J. Basic Microbiol. 52, 248–260. (if=1.822, ci=31)

3. Kumar, R, Bhatia, R, Kukreja,K., Behl, R.K., Dudeja, S.S. and Narula, N. 2007. Establishment of Azotobacter on plant roots: Chemotactic response, development and analysis of root exudates of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). J Basic Microbiol 47: 436-439. (if=1.822, ci=26)

4. Chaudhary, Poonam, Dudeja, S.S. and Kapoor, K.K.2004. Effectivity of host-Rhizobium leguminosarum symbiosis in soils receiving sewage water containing heavy metals. Microbiol. Res. 159:121-127 (if=1.939, ci=18)

5. Duhan, J.S. Dudeja, S.S. and Khurana, A.L. 1998. Siderophore production in relation to N2 fixation and iron uptake in pigeonpea-Rhizobium symbiosis. Folia Microbiol. 43: 421-426. (if=1.145, ci=18)

6. Bhardwaj, S. Dudeja, S.S. and Khurana, A.L. 1997. The distribution of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the natural ecosystem. Folia Microbiol. 42: 589-594. (if=1.145, ci=17)

7. Dudeja, S.S. and Khurana, A.L. 1989. The pigeonpea-Rhizobium symbiosis as affected by high root temperature. Effect on nodule formation. (if=5.794, ci=14)

8. Dudeja, S.S. and Khurana, A.L. 1988. Survival and competitiveness of Bradyrhizobim spp. in the rhizosphere of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan). Biol. Fertil. Soils. 7: 63-67. (if=3.396, ci=12)

9. Raghuwanshi, A. Dudeja, S.S. and Khurana, A.L. 1994. Effect of temperature on flavonoid production in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] in relation to nodulation. Biol. Fertil. Soil. 17: 314-316. (if=3.396, ci=8)

10. Sheoran, A. Khurana, A.L. and Dudeja, S.S. 1997. Nodulation competitiveness in the Rhizobium-chickpea nodulation variants symbiosis. Microbiol. Res.152:407-417. (if=1.939, ci=7)

GHOSH, SANJAY (b 1967), Associate Professor, Dept. of Biochemistry, University of Calcutta, Kolkata

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Dr. Sanjay Ghosh shares the global vision of extending research on Nitric Oxide biology in cellular systems because of its immense physiological and pathological roles. His work on the detailed characterization of mammalian Nitric Oxide Synthases (NOS) and Drosophila NOS contributed to the understanding of their function to the evolution of NOS in vertebrates and invertebrates (JBC, 1998, 1999, Biochemistry 2007 a, b). Excess or deregulated production of nitric oxide yields various reactive nitrogen species (RNS) which in turn modify cellular proteins, alter cellular redox status and redox active enzymes. For evaluating the effect of nitrosative stress created by RNS, Dr. Ghosh has established yeast as a precious tool for determining the exact mechanism that protects cells against the deleterious effects (BBRC 2003, 2009 a, b, FRBM 2006, 2012, ABB 2010). He showed a novel role of catalase in peroxynitrite detoxification in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (BBRC 2009). His investigations on Schizosaccharomyces pombe first time indicated the inactivation of glutathione reductase through protein nitration and the involvement of transcription factor Pap1 against nitrosative stress (FRBM 2006). He also showed that exposure to an NO donor results in mitotic delay through G2/M checkpoint activation, S-nitrosylation of Cdc25 and initiates rereplication which is a novel molecular mechanism of cell cycle control in S. pombe (FRBM 2012). Dr. Ghosh also demonstrated first time towards understanding the functional significance of nitric oxide in compatible plant pathogen interaction (Plant signaling and Behavior, 2010, 2011) and S-nitrosothiol formation in functional nodules of crack entry legume (PLoS ONE, 2012).

Proposer : Prof. Dhrubajyoti Chattopadhyay, Seconder : Prof. Hemanta K. Majumder


1. R. Sahoo, T. Dutta, A. Das, S. Sinha Ray, R. Sengupta, Sanjay Ghosh (2006) Effect of nitrosative stress on S. pombe: Inactivation of GR by peroxynitrite. Free Radical Biology and Medicine 40(4), 625-631. (if=6.081 , ci=24)

2. Sougata Sinha Ray, Rajib Sengupta, Mauro Tiso, Mohammad MahfuzulHaque, Rupam Sahoo, David W. Konas, KulwantAulak, Michael Regulski , Tim Tully, Dennis J. Stuehr*, and Sanjay Ghosh*(2007). The Reductase Domain of Drosophila melanogaster Nitric-Oxide Synthase: Redox Transformations, Regulation, and Similarity to Mammalian Homologs. Biochemistry. Oct 23;46(42):11865-73. Epub 2007 Sep 27. * Corresponding Authors. (if=3.422, ci=05)

3. Rupam Sahoo, Arindam Bhattacharjee, Uddalak Majumdar, Sougata Sinha Ray, Tanmay Dutta, and Sanjay Ghosh (2009) A novel role of catalase in detoxification of peroxynitrite in S. cerevisiae yhb1- and sfa1- mutants. Biochem Biophys Res Commun.(BBRC) Aug 7;385(4):507-11. Epub 2009 May 20. (if=2.823, ci=14)

4. Arindam Bhattacharjee, Uddalak Majumdar, Debasis Maity, Tuhin Subhra Sarkar, Achintya Mohan Goswami, Rupam Sahoo, Sanjay Ghosh (2009) In vivo protein tyrosine nitration in S. cerevisiae: Identification of tyrosine-nitrated proteins in mitochondria. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. (BBRC) Oct 23;388(3):612-7. Epub 2009 Aug 18. (if=2.823, ci=21)

5. Arindam Bhattacharjee, Uddalak Majumdar, Debasis Maity, Tuhin Subhra Sarkar, Achintya Mohan Goswami, Rupam Sahoo, and Sanjay Ghosh (2010) Characterizing the effect of nitrosative stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics (ABB) 496, 109-116. doi:10.1016/j.abb.2010.02.003 (PMID: 20153714) (if=3.046, ci=05)

6. Uddalak Majumdar, Pranjal Biswas, Tuhin Subhra Sarkar, Debasis Maiti, Sanjay Ghosh (2012) Regulation of cell cycle and stress responses under nitrosative stress in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. PMID:22561704 Free Radical Biology and Medicine Jun 1-15; 52(11-12):2186-200. doi:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2012.03.026. Epub 2012 Apr 17. (if=5.71, ci=03)

7. Debasis Maiti, Tuhin Subhra Sarkar and Sanjay Ghosh (2012) Detection of S-nitrosothiol and nitrosylated proteins in Arachis hypogaea functional nodule: Response of the nitrogen fixing symbiont PLOS ONE DOI No. 10.1371/journal.pone.0045526 September 7 (9) e45526 (if=4.092, ci=02)

8. Chiranjit Panja and Sanjay Ghosh (2014) Detection of in vivo protein tyrosine nitration in petite mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Consequence of its formation and significance. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 451 (2014) 529–534. (if=2.281, ci=Not yet available)

9. Tuhin Subhra Sarkar, Pranjal Biswas, Subrata Kumar Ghosh and Sanjay Ghosh (2014) Nitric Oxide production by necrotrophic pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina and the host plant in charcoal rot disease of Jute: Complexity of the interplay between necrotroph-host plant interactions. PLoS ONE 9(9): e107348. doi:10.1371/journal.pone. 0107348 (if=3.53, ci=Not yet available)

10. Pranjal Biswas and Sanjay Ghosh (2015) Global transcriptomic profiling of Schizosaccharomyces pombe in response to nitrosative stress. Gene 558, 241-253. (if=2.082, ci=Not yet available)

KHAN, ASAD ULLAH (b 1972), Professor, Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh

135


Hence, Dr Khan‘ lab is actively engaged in designing new inhibitors against NDM-1 and CTX-M ―superbug‖. Recently he has discovered a novel variant, NDM-4 group as a first report from India. which is a new drug-resistance mechanism. This research has brought changes in the health policies of our country to adopt infection control measures to save lives of millions of poor patients. Dr Khan‘ lab is actively engaged in designing new inhibitors against NDM-1/NDM-4 and CTX-M ―superbug‖. These enzymes have been characterized for kinetics and structural studied in order to map the target site of newly identified lead molecules. A good number of inhibitor molecules have been so far screened and tested against these purified enzymes and proved to be potential drug candidates against multi-drug resistant bacteria. This is truly an original contribution to the medical science since not much antibiotics are left to treat infection caused by NDM-1 producing bacteria. His group has also elucidated mode of action of natural and synthetic molecules including, several Nano-composite preparations against infections in general and dental caries in particular which is a predominant cause of tooth decay and endocardiatis, a serious heart problem. Dr. Khan has explored the area of Yeast Genetics and Transcription Biology and studied genetic interaction between transcription initiation and mRNA 3‘processing machinery. He has also identified role of drugs on Basal Transcription Machinery with special reference to anti-cancer drugs and a hypothesis was proposed whether anticancer drugs interact transcriptional machinery via interfering with histone modulation.

Proposer : Prof. Yagya Dutta Sharma, Seconder : Prof. Mohammad Shamim Jairajpuri


1. Kulshrestha S, Khan S, Meena R, Singh BR, Khan, AU. ―Graphene/Zinc Oxide nanocomposite film protects dental implant surface against cariogenic Streptococcus mutans‖ Biofouling ( 2015) 30(10):1281-94. (if=3.7)

2. Rehman, MT, Shamsi, H and Khan AU ― An insight into the binding mechanism of imipenem to human serum albumin by spectroscopic and computational approaches‖ Mol. Pharmaceutics ( 2014) 11(6):1785-97 (if=4.7)

3. Khan, SN, Danishuddin, M, Varshney, B, Lal, SK and Khan, AU ―Inhibition of N-terminal lysines acetylation and transcription factor assembly by epirubicin induced deranged cell homeostasis‖ PloS ONE (2012) 7(12): e51850. (if=3.7)

4. Fahim M, Rehman MT, Danishuddin, M and Khan AU. ―Biochemical characterization of CTX-M-15 from Enterobacter cloacae and designing a novel non-beta-lactam-beta-lactamase inhibitor‖ PloS ONE (2013) 8(2):e56926. (if=3.7)

5. Hasan S, Danishuddin M, Adil M, Singh K, Verma PK, Khan AU.Efficacy of E. officinalis on the Cariogenic Properties of Streptococcus mutans: A Novel and Alternative Approach to Suppress Quorum-Sensing Mechanism. PLoS One. 2012;7(7):e40319.(if=3.7, ci=24)

6. Khan SN, Islam B, Yennamalli R, Sultan A, Subbarao N,Khan AU. Interaction of mitoxantrone with human serum albumin: spectroscopic and molecular modeling studies. Eur J Pharm Sci. 2008 Dec 18;35(5):371-82. (if=3.5, ci=79)

7. Raffaele Zarrilli, Domenico Vitale, Anna Di Popolo, Maria Bagattini, Ziad Daoud, Asad U. Khan, and Maria Triassi ―A plasmid-borne blaOXA-58 gene confers imipenem resistance to Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from a Lebanese hospital‖ Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (2008) 52: 4115-4120 (if=4.8, ci=48)

8. Barira Islam, Shahper N. Khan, Irfanul Haque, M. Alam, M. Mushfiq and Asad U. Khan* ‖Novel anti-adherence activity of Mulberry Leaves: Inhibition of Streptococcus mutans Biofilm by 1-Deoxynojirimycin isolated from Morus alba‖ Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (2008) 62: 751-757 (if=5.4, ci=62)

9. Akram M, Shahid M, Khan AU. Etiology and antibiotic resistance patterns of community-acquired urinary tract infections in J N M C Hospital Aligarh, India. Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob. 2007 Mar 23;6:4 (if=1.7, ci=327)

10. Xiaoyuan He, Asad U Khan, Hailing Cheng, , Donald Papas , Michael Hampsey, and Clair moore ― Functional Interaction between the Transcription and mRNA 3‘-end Processing Machineries mediated by Ssu72 and Sub1‖ Genes & Development (2003) 17: 1030-1042. (if=15, ci=123)

KHANNA, MADHU (b 1964) Associate Professor, Department of Respiratory Virology, V. P. Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India


136

Dr Madhu Khanna has extensively worked on various post-transcriptional gene silencing strategies that has shown the successful down regulation of vital genes of influenza A viruses. siRNA strategy has been well established by her laboratory with proven results and awards. She has also designed a wild-type (wt) chimeric construct, that consisted of siRNA joined by a short intracellular cleavable linker to a known hammerhead ribozyme (Rz), both targeted against M1 genome segment of influenza A virus which gave an impressive (>80%) protection against the virus challenge ex vivo. The study based on such chimerical constructs was done for the first time by her with successful results. Recently She has used DNAzymes in combination of several antisense DNA molecules to achieve post transcriptional gene silencing in influenza viruses. She also gave the first results on the effect of a flavonoid, Quercetin, on the lung antioxidants after IAV infection in mice. DNA vaccine is yet another strategy developed by her using single matrix epitope to generate immune response against influenza A viruses. Her laboratory has extensively been working on influenza surveillance, under her guidance, and has provided rapid diagnostic services, in concern to public health, to thousands of patients infected with pandemic influenza viruses during the recent 2009 influenza pandemic. She has published several research articles in national and international journals of repute. She has also received awards and honor‘s at international level.

Proposer : Prof. B.C. Das, Seconder : Prof. U. C. Chaturvedi Ten Best Publications: 1. Rajput R, Khanna M, Kumar P, Kumar B, Sharma S, Gupta N, Saxena L.(2012) siRNA targeting the nonstructural gene (NS1) transcript inhibits influenza A virus replication in experimental mice. Nucleic Acid Ther. (DOI: 10.1089/nat.2012.0359) (IF: 2.9; Cited by:10,Corresponding author: M Khanna) 2. Kumar B, Kumar P, Rajput R, Saxena L, Daga MK and Khanna M (2013). Sequence specific cleavage of BM2 gene transcript of influenza B virus by 10-23 catalytic motif containing DNA-enzymes significantly inhibits viral RNA translation and replication. Nucleic Acid Ther. 23: 355-62. (IF: 2.9; Cited by:4,Corresponding author: M Khanna) 3. Kumar P, Kumar B, Rajput R, Saxena L, Banerjea AC and Khanna M (2013). Cross-protective effect of antisense oligonucleotide developed against the common 3‘ NCR of influenza A virus genome. Mol. Biotechnol. 55(3):203-11. (IF: 2.2; Corresponding author: M Khanna) 4. Srivastava V, Khanna M, Sharma S and Kumar B (2012). Resolution of Immune Response by recombinant transforming growth factor-beta (rTGF-β) during influenza A virus infection. IJMR 136: 641-648. (IF:1.84; Corresponding author: M Khanna) 5. Kumar P, Khanna M, Kumar B, Rajput R, Banerjea A.C (2012).A conserved matrix epitope based DNA vaccine protects mice against influenza A virus challenge. Antiviral Res. 93:78-85. (IF: 4.3; Cited by: 5, Corresponding author: M Khanna) 6. Kumar B, Khanna M, Kumar P, Sood V, Vyas R, Banerjea A.C(2012). Nucleic Acid Mediated Cleavage of M1 Gene of Influenza A Virus Is Significantly Augmented by Antisense Molecules Targeted to Hybridize Close to the Cleavage Site. Mol. Biotechnol, 51:27-36.(IF: 2.2; Cited by:7; Corresponding author: M Khanna) 7. Kumar P, Vyas R, Sood V, Gupta N, Banerjea A &Khanna M (2010). Potent inhibition of influenza virus replication with novel siRNA-chimeric-ribozyme constructs. Antiviral Res. 87: 104-112. (IF: 4.3; Cited by:12; Corresponding author: M Khanna) 8. Kumar P, Khanna M, Sharma S and Raj HG. (2003).Effect of Quercetin on lipid peroxidation and changes in lung morphology in experimental influenza virus infection. Int. J. Exp. Path. 84; 1-7.(IF:2.57; Cited by:42; Corresponding author: M Khanna) 9. Khanna M, Chaturvedi UC and Mathur A. (1990). Increased capillary permeability mediated by dengue virus-induced cytokine. Immunology. 69; 449-453. (IF: 3.7; Cited by: 47) 10. Khanna M, Chaturvedi UC, Dhawan R, Tekwani BL and Pandey VC. (1991). Presence of calcium is obligatory for the cytotoxic activity of dengue virus-induced cytotoxic factor. Immunology. 72; 73-78. (IF:3.7; Cited by:11)

137

KHUSHU, SUBASH (b 1958), Scientist-'G' & Associate Director, Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied

Sciences(INMAS), Delhi Member of the NASI: No (YON 2013, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology including) Dr Subash Khushu has contributed significantly towards the development and application of NMR based techniques to study the effect of mental and environmental stressors (like High Altitude, Anxiety,Radiation, isolation and thermal stress) on the metabolism, structure and cognitive functions in armed force personnel. These stressors pose a serious problem on their physical and mental health leading to degradation in their performance and quality of life. His major contributions in the field are development and optimization of techniques like functional MRI, VBM, DTI,resting fMRI and Dynamic causal modeling (DCM) and their applications in Thyroid disorders ( Journal of Biosciences, 2006, Journal of Biosciences, 2001, Journal of Neuroendocrinology 2013), Alcoholism ( European Journal of Radiology, 2009), Meditation (Biomedicine, 2005), Camouflage detection and anxiety ( Behavioural Brain Research 2012). He has also established NMR based metabonomics and developed experimental models for Radiation, thermal, chemical and CMS model of depression for identification of metabolic finger prints/biomarkers for these stressors and has obtained important leads towards development of metabolic/imaging fingerprints of radiation stress in animal model for development of high throughput bio-dosimeter to assess radiation injuries. (Metabolomics 2011, Int. J. Radiation Biology 2011, Journal of Neuroscience Research 2012) and heavy metal toxicity (Journal of Applied Toxicology 2011, Metabolomics 2012,, J. of Applied Toxicology 2013) Besides Demonstrating the restorative and mitigation action of Adaptogenic herb Tinospora Cordifloia against cold stress in animal model.( Metabolomics 2011). The quality and number of publications is significantly increasing year by year, which is a testimony of his recognition of his research work in the fields of NMR imaging and spectroscopy.

Proposer : Prof. N R Jaganaathan, Seconder : Prof. T P Singh Ten Best Publications: 1. A Dutta, N Kambi, P Raghunathan, S Khushu (2013): Large-scale reorganization of the somatosensory cortex of adult macaque monkeys revealed by fMRI, Brain Structure and Function (if=7.837, ci=Recently published) 2. S Singh, S Modi, D Bagga, P Kaur, LR Shankar, S Khushu (2013) : Voxel-based morphometric analysis in hypothyroidism using DARTEL approach, Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 25: 235-243 (if=4.65, ci=03 (Recently Published)) 3. S Koundal, S Gandhi, T Kaur, S Khushu (2014):Neurometabolic & sturctural alterations in rat brain due to acute hypobaric hypoxia: An in vivo 1H MR Spectroscopy at 7T, NMR in Biomedicine, DOI: 10.1002/nbm.3068 (if=3.446, ci=Recently published) 4. BSH Kumar, SK Mishra, P Rana, S Singh, S Khushu. (2012): Neurodegenerative evidences during early onset of depression in CMS rats as detected by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 7 Tesla, Behavioural Brain Research, 232: 53-59 (if=3.22, ci=06) 5. AR Khan, P Rana, R Tyagi, IP Kumar, M Devi, S Javed, RP Tripathi, S Khushu. (2011): NMR Spectroscopy Based Metabolic Profiling of Urine and Serum for investigation of Physiological Perturbations during Radiation Sickness, Metabolomics, 7: 583-92 (if=4.50, ci=06) 6. S Khushu, P Rana, T Sekhri, G Sripathy, RP Tripathi.(2010): Bio-Energetic Impairment in Human Calf Muscle in Thyroid Disorders: A 31P NMR Spectroscopy Study, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 28: 683- 9. (if=2.03, ci=16) 7. AR Khan, P Rana, M Devi, S Chaturvedi, S Javed, RP Tripathi, S Khushu (2011): Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy-based metabonomic investigation of biochemical effects in serum of γ-irradiated mice, International Journal of Radiation Biology, 87(1): 91-7,(if=2.12, ci=13) 8. S Khushu, SS Kumaran, RP Tripathi, A Gupta, PC Jain, V Jain. (2001):Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Primary motor Cortex in humans: Response to increased functional demands, Journal of Biosciences, 26(2):205-15. (if=1.8, ci=33) 9. A Jena, PC Sanchetee, RK Gupta, S Khushu, R Chandra, N Lakshmipathi (1988): Cysticercosis of the Brain shown by Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Clinical Radiology, 39(5): 542-6 (if=1.952, ci=47) 10. RK Gupta, A Jena, A Sharma, DK Guha, S Khushu, A Gupta.(1988) : MR Imaging of Intracranial

Tuberculomas, Journal of Computed Assisted Tomography, 12(2): 280-5 (if=1.383, ci=153)

138

KRISHNASWAMY, SANKARAN (b.1959) Professor, Department of Genetic Engineering, School of

Biotechnology, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai - 625021 Member of NASI: No (2013 Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology) The nominee and his group at Madurai Kararaj University have been working on structural biology and bioinformatics of membrane proteins-specifically porins from S. typhi, proteins from prophages and protein aggregation. In membrane protein work, he has developed a method to purify the integral membrane protein OmpC from S. typhi and for the first time in the country crystallized a membrane protein. Subsequently, through a series of trials he has obtained the structure of OmpF 0f S. typhi, at 2.79A resolution, which showed for the first time the asymmetric pore occupancy in such porins. He developed a functional assay system for S. typhi OmpC as a general method for characterization of outer membrane proteins. He has also obtained at low resolution the crystal structure of a loop deletion mutant of S. typhi OmpC and a structure of the full length S. tyjphi OmpC. These structures can pave the way for structure based functional understanding of the role of these porins. These are the only membrane protein structures, so far, from India. He has also made contributions to the computational identification and analysis of beta barrel membrane proteins. In the area of prophages, he has done the first annotation of the lambdoid prophage e14 element in E.coli, He also devised methods to detect prophages in genomes and initiated a prophage database and structural genomics initiative with a group in Israel. The initiative led to the identification of a biological and biochemical role for the prophage encoded YagE protein from the DLP12 prophage.

Proposer : Prof. K. Dharmalingam Seconder : Prof. K. Veluthambi Ten Best Publications : 1. D. Balasubramaniam, Arulandu Arockiasamy, P.D. Kumar, Amit Sharma, S. Krishnaswamy (2012). Asmmetric pore occupancy in crystal structure of OmpF porin from Salmonella typhi. Journal of Structural Biology. 178:233-244. (IF:3.805,citations 2) 2. Anne-LaureTodeschini, Aurelie Dipietromaria, David L‘Hote, Fatima Zohr Boucham, Adrien B.Georges, P.J. Eswari Pandaranayaka, S. Krishnaswamy, Isabelle Rivals, Claude Bazin, Reiner A. Veitia (2011). Mutational probing of the forkhead domain of the transcription factor FOXL2 provides insights into the pathogenicity of naturally occurring mutations. Human Molecular Genetics, 20: 3376-3385, (IF:7.636, citations 4) 3. K V Srividhya, V. Alaguraj, G.Poornima, Dinesh Kumar, G.P. Singh, L Raghavenderan, A V S K Mohan Katta, Preeti Mehta and S. Krishnawamy (2007). Identification of prophages in bacterial genomes by dinucleotide relative abundance difference. PLoS ONE 2: e1193. Doi:10.1371/ journal.pone.0001193. (IF:4.092, citations 21) 4. A. Arockiasamy, G.S.Murthy, M.R. Rukmini, N.Sundara Baalaji, Umesh Chandra Katapally and S.Krishnaswamy (2004). Conformational epitope mapping of OmpC, a major cell surface antigen from salmonella typhi. J. Struct. Biol. 148: 22-33. (IF:3.805, citations 16) 5. T.V. Ganasekaran, Suraj Peri, A. Arockiasamy and S. Krishnaswamy (2000). Profiles from structure based sequence alignment of porins can identify beta stranded integral membrane proteins. Bioinformatics. 16,839-842. (IF:5.468, citations 38) 6. A. Arockiasamy and S. Krishnaswamy (1999). Crystallisation of the immunologically important Outer membrane protein OmpC; the first protein crystals from the human pathogen S. typhi FEBS Lett 453, 380-382, (IF:3.538, citations 20) 7. G.Felcy Fabiola, S. Krishnaswamy, V. Nagaraj and Vasantha Pattabhi (1997).An analysis of C-H.O hydrogen bonds in beta sheets. Acta Cryst D 53:316-320.(IF:12.619, citations 111) 8. R. McKenna, Di Xia, P. Willingmann, L.L. Ilag, S. Krishnaswamy, M.G. Rossmann, N.H.Olson, T.S. Baker, and N.L. Incardona (1992) The atomic structure of the single stranded DNA Bacteriophage Phix 174 and its functional implications. Nature 355, 137-143. (IF:36.28 citations 7) 9. M. Ruff, S. Krishnaswamy, M. Boeglin, A.Poterszman, A. Mitschler, A. Podjarny , B.Rees, J.C. Thierry, D. Moras (!991) Class II Aminoacyl tRNA synthetases: Crystal structure of the complex tRNNAAsp Aspartyl tRNA synthetase from yeast Science 252, 1682-1718. (IF:31.201 citations 586) 10.S. Krishnawamy and M.G. Rossmann (1990) Refinement and structural analysis of Mengo virus J. Mol. Biol.211, 803-844 (IF:3.981 citations 55)

139

PARIDA, MANMOHAN (b 1967), Scientist 'F', Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior


Dr Manmohan Parida, is working in the field of advanced molecular diagnostics and molecular epidemiology of emerging viruses for the last 20 years. He has contributed significantly for the rapid and real time detection of emerging viruses viz; Dengue, JE, West Nile, Chikungunya, SARS, Swine Flu, EBOLA etc through RTPCR/ Multiplex PCR/Real-Time PCR and the most advanced innovative RT-LAMP technology. He is one of the LAMP experts in India and has indigenized the LAMP technology for field application as a point of care testing without requirement of any expensive equipment. He has also made significant contributions in Chikungunya R & D in the form of comprehensive diagnostics (IgM ELISA, Antigen ELISA, Duplex RTPCR and RTLAMP), vaccine (Formalin inactivated and recombinant subunit) and antiviral drugs (Chloroquine and Mycophenolic acid, SiRNA). He has also established a permissive mouse model for Chikungunya induced arthritis and encephalopathy and studied the mechanism of pathogenesis through differential proteome analysis. His publications and products for Chikungunya virus are the testimony of the hard work put for the R & D solutions.He has published all his research papers in peer reviewed journals with very high impact factors and has filed nine patents to his credit.The sincere efforts put by Dr. Parida have been appreciated by researchers in the field in the country as well as abroad. Keeping these facts in view, I strongly recommended his candidature for the Fellow of National Academy of Sciences.

Proposer : Prof. U. C. Chaturvedi, Seconder : Dr. Sudhanshu Vrati


1. Nga P., Carmie P, Lauber, c., Parida M M, Itami K, Fuxun, Yu, Thuy, N, Inoue, S, Snidjer E. j., Morita K. 2011. Discovery of First Insect Nidovirus, a missing evolutionary link in the emergence of the largest RNA virus genome. PLOS Pathogen. 7(9): e1002215. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1002215. (if=8.6, ci=22)

2. M. M. Parida*, S. R. Santhosh, P. K. Dash, P. V. Lakshmana Rao and Kouichi Morita. 2008. Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP): A New generation of Innovative Gene Amplification Technique; Perspectives in Clinical Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases. Reviews in Medical Virology. 18: 407- 421. (if=5.6, ci=200)

3. M.M.Parida*, P. K. Dash, N. K. Tripathi, Ambuj, P. Saxena, S. R. Santhosh, , S. Agarwal, A. K. Sahni, R. Bhargava, A. Abhyankar, S. K. Verma, P. V. L. Rao and K. Sekhar. 2006. Japanese Encephalitis Outbreak, India, 2005. Emerging Infectious Disease. Vol-12, No- 9, September, 2006: 1427-1430. (if=6.8, ci=90)

4. Rekha Dhanwani, Mohsin Khan, S.I. Alam, P.V. L Rao, M. M. Parida*. 2011. Differential proteome analysis of Chikungunya virus infected mice tissues reveals implication of stress, Inflammatory and Apoptotic pathways in disease pathogenesis. Proteomics. 11:1936-1951. (if=4.8, ci=19)

5. Rekha Dhanwani, Mohasin Khan, Lomash Vinay, P. V. L. Rao, Hinh Ly and M. M Parida*. 2014. Characterization of Chikungunya virus induced host response in a mouse model of viral myositis. PLOS One; 9(3): e92813 (1-12) doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0092813.(if=4.4, ci=4)

6. Shashi Sharma, Gaurav Joshi , P.K. Dash, Maria Thomas ,T.N. Athmaram,Jyoti S Kumar , Anita Desai, V. Ravi, I.K. Patro, P.V.Lakshmana Rao and M. M. Parida*. 2013. Molecular epidemiology and complete genome characterization of H1N1pdm virus from India. PLOS ONE. ): e56364. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0056364. (if=4.4, ci=5)

7. M. M. Parida*, Jyoti Shukla, Shashi Sharma, Sanna Ranghia Santhosh, Vasanthapuram Ravi , Rita Mani , Maria Thomas , Shasi Khare,Arvind Rai, Radha Kant Ratho, Sujit Pujari, Bijayanti Mishra, Putcha Venkata Lakshmana Rao and Rajagopalan Vijayaraghavan. 2011. Development and Evaluation of Reverse Transcription Loop Mediated Isothermal Gene Amplification (RTLAMP) Assay for Rapid and Real-Time Detection of Swine origin influenza A H1N1 Virus (S-OIV). J Mol Diagnostics. 13 (1): 100-107. (if=4.2, ci=17)

8. M. Khan, R. Dhanwani, I. K. Patro, P. V. L. Rao, M.M. Parida*. 2011. Cellular IMPDH enzyme activity is a potential target for the inhibition of Chikungunya virus replication and virus induced apoptosis in cultured mammalian cells. Antiviral Research. 89; 1-8. (if=4.4, ci=24)

9. M. M. Parida*, Guillermo Posadas, Shingo Inoue, Futoshi Hasebe, and Kouichi Morita. 2004. Real-time Reverse Transcription Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (RT-LAMP) for Rapid Detection of West Nile Virus. J. Clinical Microbiology. 42(1): 257-263.(if=4.1, ci=300)

10. M. M. Parida*, S. R. Santhosh, P. K. Dash, N. K. Tripathi, V. Lakshmi, N. Mamidi, Ambuj1, N. Gupta, P. Saxena, P. V. Lakshmana Rao and Kouichi Morita. 2007. Rapid and real-time detection of chikungunya virus by RTLAMP. J. Clin. Microbiol. 45 (2) : 351-357. (if=4.1, ci=113)

140

PATRA, SAMIR KUMAR (b 1966), Associate Professor, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela


Dr. Samir K. Patra has been working in the areas of Biochemistry, Epigenetics, Cell Signaling and Cancer Biology. His significant innovative contributions are: (i) the existence of bilirubin as liquid crystal in circulation during jaundice (Patra and Pal, 1997, Patra et al. 1999). (ii) Dynamic nano-domains made of sphingolipids and cholesterol in membrane is proven essential for cell-signalling, chaperoning cell-division, and organising cell movement. Stability of these nano-domains largely depends on fattyacyl-chain length and hydrogen bonding between cholesterol and sphingomyelin (iii) Dr. Patra‘s work has revealed two types of membrane domains (rafts), Cholestrol-rafts and Ceramide-rafts (Patra SK, 2008a). (iv) Discovery of over expression and role for DNA methyltransferases (DNMT1, DNMT3A and DNMT3B), histone-deacetylases (HDAC1 and HDAC2) and MBD proteins in human prostate cancer. (v) Characterization of MBD1 and Bcl2 function and over-expression in prostate cancer metastasis, and (vi) proposition of the mechanism of Michael retrogression type DNA demethylation reaction important for gene expression during development (Patra SK, 2008b; Patra et al. 2001, 2002, 2008, 2009). (vii) His research group at NIT-Rourkela currently explored the epigenetics of stem cell in developmental and disease biology with special emphasis on DNA demethylation, histone H3 methylation and chromatin dynamics. He further developed some epigenetic drugs targeting DNA methyltransferase and showed that Genes like CLU and CAV1 are mostly regulated by histone modifications (Patra and colleagues 2011, 2012 and 2014). Looking at the continued quality publications I strongly recommend that Dr Patra deserves the fellowship of the academy by this year, 2015.

Proposer : Prof. D. Chattopadhyay, Seconder : Prof. D. Chatterji


1. Deb M, Kar S, Sengupta D, Shilpi A, Parbin S, Rath, SK, Londhe V and Patra SK (2014) Chromatin dynamics and cancer: H3K4 methylation and H3 variants. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 71(18): 3439–3463. (if=5.615, ci= 01)

2. Kar S, Sengupta D, Deb M, Shilpi A, Parbin S, Rath SK, Pradhan N, Rakshit M and Patra SK (2014) Expression profiling of DNA methylation mediated epigenetic gene-silencing factors in breast cancer.Clin. Epigenet. 6:20 (if=6.22, ci=02)

3. Deb M, Sengupta D, Kar S, Rath, SK, Parbin S, Shilpi A, Roy S, Das G,, and Patra SK (2014) Elucidation of Caveolin 1 both as a tumour suppressor and metastasis promoter in light of epigenetic modulator. Tumor Biology, 35: 35:12031–12047. (if=2.8, ci=---)

4. Kar S, Parbin S, Deb M, Shilpi A, Sengupta D, Rath SK, Rakshit M, Patra A and Patra SK (2014) Epigenetic Choreography of Stem Cells: the DNA demethylation episode of development. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences (CMLS). 71(6): 1017- 1032. (if=5.615, ci=09)

5. Deb M, Sengupta D and Patra SK (2012) Integrin-Epigenetics: A system with imperative impact on cancer. Cancer Metast. Rev. 31:221–234. (if=6.449, ci=15)

6. Patra A, Deb M, Dahiya R and Patra SK (2011) 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine stress response and apoptosis in prostate cancer. Clin Epigenet, 2: 339-348 (if=6.22, ci=17)

7. Patra SK (2008a) Dissecting lipid raft facilitated cell signaling pathways in cancer. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. Rev on Cancer 1785:182-206 (if=9.14, ci=153)

8. Patra SK (2008b) Ras regulation of DNA-methylation and cancer. Exp Cell Res 314(6): 1193-1201 (if=3.552)

9. Patra SK, Patra A, Zhao H and Dahiya R (2002) DNA methyltransferase and demethylase in human prostate cancer. Molecular Carcinogenesis, 33(3): 163-171. (if=4.77, ci=103)

10. Patra SK, Patra A and Dahiya R (2001) Histone deacetylase and DNA methyltransferase in human prostate cancer. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 287: 705-713. (if=2.474, ci=105)

141

PHALE, PRASHANT SITAKANT (b 1965), Professor, Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay, Mumbai Member of the NASI: Yes (YON 2013, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology including) Dr. Phale has made significant contributions in the area of microbial metabolism of alternate carbons, especially the aromatic compounds. He initiated this work while was pursuing his doctoral studies under the tutelage of Prof. Vaidyanathan, IISc, Bangalore. Dr. Phale got fascinated with this area of research and continued to work on these aspects even after completing his doctoral and post-doctoral studies and assuming a faculty position at IIT- Bombay. During two decades long academic journey he made significant contributions in the field of ‗Microbial degradation of aromatics and metabolic engineering‘ with respect to preferential utilization of aromatics over glucose1; discovered ABC-glucose transporter1-5, enzymes- 1-naphthol-2-hydroxyalse6,7 and 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid hydroxylase8, carbon-source dependent modulation of GDH9,10. He has isolated several robust microbes capable of degrading aromatic pollutants and pesticides at a higher concentrations, elucidated catabolic pathways and regulatory mechanisms governing these unusual properties. The major bottleneck in the bioremediation is repression of the catabolic pathways in presence of preferred carbon source. Dr. Phale‘s research leads to the discovery of a novel regulatory mechanism, where he has shown aromatics repressing outer membrane protein, periplasmic glucose-binding protein and ABC-glucose transporter1- 5. This discovery means degradation of aromatics even in the presence of preferred carbon source, a gateway towards successful implementation of bioremediation technologies for cleaning the environment polluted with aromatics. His publication record and citation index stands as testimony of his original contributions. Considering his pioneering contributions to the field of environmental microbiology, I strongly nominate his candidature for the fellowship of National Academy of Sciences India.

Proposer : Prof. S. Dayananda, Seconder : Prof. AS Raghavendra Ten Best Publications: 1. Modak A, Bhaumik P & Phale PS (2014) Periplasmic glucose binding protein from Pseudomonas putida CSV86: Identification of the glucose binding pocket by homology-model-guided site-specific mutagenesis. FFEBS J 281:365-375. (IF 4.7, citation 0) (if=IF 4.7, ci=-) 2. Shrivastava R, Basu B, Godbole A, Mathew MK, Apte SK & Phale PS (2011) Repression of glucose inducible outer membrane protein, OprB, during utilization of aromatic compounds and organic acids in Pseudomonas putida CSV86. Microbiology 157:1531-1540. (IF 3.068, citation 5) (if=IF 3.068, ci=5) 3. Deveryshetty J, & Phale PS (2009) Biodegradation of phenanthrene by Pseudomonas sp., strain PPD: purification and characterization of 1-hydroxy 2-naphthoic acid dioxygenase. Microbiology 155:3083-3091. (IF 3.068, citation 4) (if=IF 3.068, ci=4) 4. Vamsee-Krishna C & Phale PS (2008) Carbon source dependent modulation of NADP-glutamate dehydrogenases in isophthalate degrading Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PP4, Pseudomonas strain PPD and Acinetobacter lwoffii strain ISP4. Microbiology 154:3329-3337. (IF 3.061, citation 2) (if=IF 3.061, ci=2) 5. Basu A, Shrivastava R, Basu B, Apte SK & Phale PS (2007) Modulation of glucose transport causes preferential utilization of aromatic compounds in Pseudomonas putida CSV86. J Bacteriol 189:7556-7562. (IF 3.825, citation 8) (if=IF 3.825, ci=8) 6. Swetha VP, Basu A & Phale PS (2007) Purification and characterization of 1-naphthol-2-hydroxylase from carbaryl degrading Pseudomonas strain C4. J Bacteriol 189:2660-2666. (IF 3.825, citation 10) (if=IF 3.825, ci=10) 7. Basu A & Phale PS (2006) Inducible uptake and metabolism of glucose by the phosphorylative pathway in Pseudomonas putida CSV86. FEMS Microbiol Lett 259:311-316. (IF 1.92, citation 12) (if=IF 1.92, ci=12) 8. Basu A, Apte SK & Phale PS (2006) Preferential utilization of aromatic compounds over glucose by Pseudomonas putida CSV86. Appl Environ Microbiol 72:2226-2230. (IF 3.829, citation 27) (if=IF 3.829,, ci=27) 9. Swetha VP & Phale PS (2005) The metabolism of carbaryl via 1,2-dihydroxy naphthalene by soil isolates, Pseudomonas sp. strain C4, C5 and C6. Appl Environ Microbiol 71:5951-5956. (IF 3.83, citation 19) (if=IF 3.83, ci=19) 10. Prabhu Y & Phale PS (2003) Biodegradation of phenanthrene by Pseudomonas sp. strain PP2: novel metabolic pathway, role of biosurfactant and cell surface hydrophobicity in hydrocarbon assimilation. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 61:342-351. (IF 3.245, citation 102)(if=IF 3.245, ci=102)

142

PONNURAJ, KARTHE (b 1967), Professor, Centre of Advanced Study in Crystallography & Biophysics, University of Madras, Chennai


Professor Karthe is a structural biologist working at Madras University, Chennai. I have known him ever since he was a graduate student at the Crystallography and Biophysics Department of the same University. I have followed his academic progress as a student, post doctoral fellow and now as an independent investigator. Karthe is already one of the most successful young crystallographers of the country. His initial training in the famous department established by late Prof. G.N. Ramachandran has turned him into an accomplished crystallographer and computational biologist. He has initiated and successfully completed several novel structural projects. His elucidation of the structure of a plant urease was a remarkable achievement as its structure had eluded its secrets for nearly a century. He has been remarkably successful in elucidatingthe structures and understanding the binding properties of bacterial adhesins. His projects on adhesins are comprehensive and have provided insights on the interactions with host proteins such as fibrinogen, laminin and collagen. Karthe has demonstrated his independence as an original scientist in the choice of research projects he has selected. They are novel inthe field of host-microbe interaction. The accomplishments of Prof. Karthe during the short period he has been working as an independent investigator and the promise of several more exciting discoveries that would certainly be made by him in the future has been the motivation for me to nominate him forthe fellowship of the Academy. I would be delighted if the fellowship committee finds my nomination worthy of support.

Proposer: Prof. M. R. N. Murthy, Seconder:Prof. N. Srinivasan


1. Ponnuraj Karthe, & Jedrzejas, M. J. (2000). Mechanism of hyaluronan binding and degradation: Structure of Streptococcus pneumoniae hyaluronate lyase in complex with hyaluronic acid disaccharide at 1.7 Å resolution. J. Mol. Biol. 299, 885-895. (if=3.95, ci=77)

2. Ponnuraj Karthe, Bowden, G., Davis, S. L., Gurusiddappa, S., Moore, Choe, D., Xu, Y., Hook, M. & Narayana, S. V. L. (2003). A "dock, lock and latch" structural model for a staphylococcal adhesin binding to fibrinogen. Cell 115, 217-228. (if=33.11, ci=153)

3. Ponnuraj Karthe, Xu, Y., Macon, K., Moore, D., Volanakis, J. E. & Narayana, S. V. L. (2004). Structure analysis of engineered Bb fragment of complement factor B: Insights into the activation mechanism of the alternative pathway C3-convertase. Mol. Cell. 14, 17-28. (if=15.32, ci=52)

4. Liu Q, Ponnuraj Karthe, Xu Y, Ganesh VK, Sillanpää J, Murray BE, Narayana SV, Höök M. (2007). The Enterococcus faecalis MSCRAMM ACE binds its ligand by the Collagen Hug model. J. Biol. Chem. 282, 19629-19637. (First two authors have equal contribution) (if=4.65, ci=44)

5. M. Gabriela Bowden, Alejandro P. Heuck, Karthe Ponnuraj, Elena Kolosova, Damon Choe, S. Gurusiddappa, S. V. L. Narayana, Arthur E. Johnson and Magnus Höök. (2008). Evidence for the ―Dock, Lock and Latch‖ ligand Binding Mechanism of the Staphylococcal MSCRAMM SDRG. J. Biol. Chem. 283, 638-647. (if=4.65, ci=52)

6. Preethi Ragunathan, Barbara Spellerberg and Karthe Ponnuraj. (2009). Crystal structure of laminin-binding adhesin (Lmb) of Streptococcus agalactiae. Acta Crystallographica D65, 1262-1269. (if=7.23, ci=17)

7. Anuradha Balasubramanian and Karthe Ponnuraj. (2010). Crystal structure of the first plant urease from jack bean: 83 years of journey from its first crystal to molecular structure. J. Mol. Biol. 400, 274-283. (if=3.95, ci=88)

8. Devi AS, Ogawa Y, Shimoji Y, Balakumar S, Ponnuraj, Karthe. (2012). Collagen adhesin-nanoparticle interaction impairs adhesin's ligand binding mechanism. (if=3.82, ci=2)

9. Preethi Ragunathan, Divya Sridaran, Anja Weigel, Sarah Shabayek, Barbara Spellerberg and Karthe Ponnuraj (2013). Metal binding is critical for the folding and function of laminin binding protein, Lmb of Streptococcus agalactiae – PLoS ONE - Jun 24;8(6):e67517. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0067517. (if=3.53, ci=2)

10. Beulin DS, Yamaguchi M, Kawabata S and Karthe Ponnuraj. (2014). Crystal structure of PfbA, a surface adhesin of Streptococcus pneumoniae, provides hints into its interaction with fibronectin. Int J Biol Macromol. 64,168-173. (if=3.09, ci=1)

143

SAMUDRALA, GOURINATH (b 1972), Associate Professor, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi-110067


Dr. S. Gourinath initiated his scientific career at AIIMS by studying the structural and functional aspects of novel bi-functional trypsin/amylase inhibitor (Acta Cryst D, 2000; Biochemistry 2001). During his post-doctoral studies at Brandeis University, he illustrated the myosin motor mechanism and domain movement in it‘s contractile cycle (PNAS 2001, Structure 2003; PNAS 2004; Structure 2007). He joined School of Life Sciences at JNU in 2003 and established his own research group with focus on investigating the structural aspects of significant critical pathways important for pathogenesis of gastric infectious microorganisms. His group has reported the structures of Calcium binding proteins with novel arrangement of EF-hand motifs (Proteins, 2007, PLoS Pathogens, 2014), involved in endocytosis of E.histolytica. They also showed that one domain can do almost all functions of the protein and it exists in equilibrium between monomeric-trimeric state (PLos ONE, 2009; Biophy J, 2010). His group also reported the structures of crucial cysteine biosynthetic pathway enzymes explaining how the regulation in this pathway is different in E. histolytica compared to all known organisms and plants (Proteins, 2008; J. Biol. Chem, 2011; Acta Crys D, 2012, FEBS J, 2014). His group is also involved in exploring the domain structure and functions of H. pylori helicase and explained that dimerization of N-terminal domains is crucial for primase C-terminal domain binding (Nucleic Acid Research, 2007; PLoS ONE, 2009, J. Bact, 2013). These original contributions from Gourinath‘s laboratory may lead to finding new targets and guide the development of new drugs against these parasites.

Proposer : Prof. T. P. Singh, Seconder : Prof. Rajendra Prasad


1. Sanjeev Kumar, Saima Aslam, Mohit Mazumder, Pradeep Dahiya, Aruna Murmu, Babu A. Manjasetty, Rana Zaidi, Alok Bhattacharya and S. Gourinath (2014) Crystal Structure of Calcium Binding Protein-5 from Entamoeba histolytica and its involvement in initiation of phagocytosis of human erythrocytes. PLoS Pathogens. 10(12):e1004532. (if=8.5, ci=0)

2. Singh RK, Raj I, Pujari R, Gourinath S. (2014) Crystal Structures and Kinetics of Type III 3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase reveal Catalysis by Lysine. FEBS J. doi: 10.1111/febs.13091. (if=3.98, ci=0)

3. Kumar N, Somlata, Mazumder M, Dutta P, Maiti S, and Gourinath S (2014). EhCoactosin stabilizes actin filaments in the protist parasite Entamoeba histolytica. PLoS Pathogens. 10(9):e1004362. (if=8.5, ci=1)

4. Rehman, S. A. A., Verma, A., Mazumder, M., Dhar, S. K., Gourinath, S. (2013) Crystal structure and mode of helicase binding of the C-terminal domain of primase from Helicobacter pylori. J. Bacteriology, 195(12):2826-38. (if=3.6, ci=2)

5. Isha Raj, Sudhir Kumar and Gourinath, S. (2012). The narrow active site cleft of O-acetyl serine sulfhydrylase from Leishmania donovani allows complex formation with serine acetyl transferases having a range of C-terminal sequences. Acta. Crystallogr. D68, 909-19. (if=7.3, ci=9)

6. Sudhir Kumar, Isha Raj, Isha Nagpal, N. Subbarao and S. Gourinath (2011). Structural and biochemical studies of Serine Acetyltransferase reveal why the parasite Entamoeba histolytica cannot form Cysteine Synthase complex. J. Biol. Chem. 286 (14), 12533-41. (if=4.77, ci=16)

7. Shivesh Kumar, Ejaz Ahmad, M. Shahid Mansuri, Sanjeev Kumar, Ruchi Jain, Rizwan Hasan Khan, S. Gourinath (2010). Crystal structure and trimer-monomer transition of N-terminal domain of EhCaBP1 from Entamoeba histolytica. Biophys. J. (98). 2933-2942.(if=3.8, ci=6)

8. Krishna Ch, Kumar M, Kumar S, Jain S, Alam N, Gourinath S. (2008) Crystal structure of native O-acetyl-serine sulfhydrylase from Entamoeba histolytica and its complex with cysteine: Structural evidence for cysteine binding and lack of interactions with Serine acetyl transferase. Proteins.72 ,1222-1232. (if=3.3, ci=18)

9. Gourinath, S#., Yuting, Y., Kovács M, Nyitray L, Reutzel R, Himmel DM, O'Neall-Hennessey E, Reshetnikova L, Szent-Györgyi AG, Brown JH, Cohen C. (2007) Rigor-like states in muscle myosins reveal key mechanical elements in the transduction pathways of this allosteric motor. Structure, 15, 553 – 564. (if=6.79, ci=77)

10. Gourinath S#, Risal D., Himmel, D. M., Szent-Gyorgyi, A. G. & Cohen, C. (2004) Myosin subfragment1 structures reveal a partially bound nucleotide and a complex salt bridge that helps couple nucleotide and actin binding. Porc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 101, 8930-8935.(if=9.8, ci=34)

144

SHARMA, RAKESH KUMAR (b 1958), Scientist ‗G‘, Additional Director, Head of Division of CBRN Defence, Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (INMAS), Defence Research & Development Organisation, Brig. S.K. Mazumdar Marg, Delhi


Dr. Sharma has made commendable contributions in successful commercialization of technologies of ‗Shudhika‘ radio-decontamination kit, REMOCON- a self-usable radioactive decontamination wipes, an integrated Protective Suit for QRMT, and pilot plant production of 2-deoxy-D-glucose and N, N‘-Diethylphenylacetamide (introduced in Defence). Patents filed 11, Technologies transferred = 5. His laboratory has developed Novel Drug Delivery Systems and also devised & applied pharmacoscintigraphic procedures for their preclinical evaluation in various experimental models of disease. Nanoparticles of chitosan were coated with Polysorbate 80 for brain targeting. These hydophilic nanoparticles resisted opsonisation that helps attain higher targetability in brain (~5 times). Intranasal Mucoadhesive Microemulsions drug delivery systems for targeting drug molecules for rapid drug delivery to the brain, is another landmark discovery, for which his team was awarded in USA. He is spearheading a programme on development of radioprotective and biothreat mitigation efficacy of bioactivity guided fractionated extracts of promising plants. While evaluating radiomodifiers, he isolated and characterised a promising endophyte and a bacteria from desiccated environment. Two new biomolecules 3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside of quercetin from high altitude Podophyllum hexandrum and 1,3-Dicapryloyl-2-linoleoylglycerol from berries of Hippophae rhamnoides were discovered. He instituted technique for MR Spectroscopy of perfused intact cells as tumor model for rapid screening of potential drugs in normal and simulated hypoxic conditions. Using this technique, he improved bioavailability of 2-deoxy-D-glucose - a radiosensitizer, by using metabolic modulators. Dr. Sharma has advanced the understanding of mechanism of action of innovative radioprotectors by carrying out basic studies in Biochemistry, Biophysics and, Biotechnology at cellular and molecular level.

Proposer : Prof NR Jagannathan, Seconder : Prof.. TP Singh

Ten Best Publications: 1. Rajesh Arora Damodar Gupta, Raman Chawla, Ravinder Sagar, Ashok Sharma, Raj Kumar, Jagdish Prasad, Surinder Singh, Namita Samanta, and Rakesh Kumar Sharma (2005). Radioprotection by Plant Products: Present status and Future Prospects. Phytotherapy Research 19(1), 1-22. (if=Impact Factor: 2.397, ci=263) 2. Tanima Banerjee, Susmita Mitra, Ajay Kumar Singh, Rakesh Kumar Sharma and Amarnath Maitra (2002). Preparation, characterization and biodistribution of ultrafine chitosan nanoparticles. International J Pharmaceutics, 243(1-2), 93-105. (if=Impact Factor: 3.785, ci=250) 3. L. Harivardhan Reddy, Rakesh Kumar Sharma, A.K. Mishra, K.Chuttani and R.S.R. Murthy (2005). Influence of administration route on the uptake and biodistribution of etoposide loaded tripalmitin nanoparticles in Dalton‘s Lymphoma tumor bearing mice. J Controlled Release 105(3), 185-198. (if=Impact Factor: 7.261, ci=146) 4. Tushar K Vyas, A K Babbar, Rakesh Kumar Sharma, Shashi Singh, Ambikanandan Misra (2006). Intranasal Mucoadhesive Microemulsions of Clonazepam: Preliminary studies on Brain Targetting. J Pharm Sci 95(3), 570-580. (if=Impact Factor: 3.007, ci=133) 5. Satish Chandra Puri, Asiya Nazir, Raman Chawla,Rajesh Arora, S. Riyaz-ul-Hasan, Touseef Amna, Bilal Ahmed, Vijeshwar Verma, Shikha Singh, Ravinder Sagar, Ashok Sharma, Raj Kumar, Rakesh Kumar Sharma, Ghulam Nabi Qazi (2006). The endophytic fungus Trametes ccurri as a novel alternative source of podophyllotoxin and related aryl tetralin lignans. J Biotech 122(4), 494-510. (if=Impact Factor: 2.884, ci=124) 6. J. Ali, S. Arora, A. Ahuja, A.K. Babbar, Rakesh Kumar Sharma, R. K. Khar and S. Baboota (2007). Formulation and development of hydrodynamically balanced system for metformin: In vitro and in vivo evaluation. Euro J Pharmaeutics Biopharm 67(1), 196-201. (Impact Factor 3.826) (if=Impact Factor: 4.245, ci=112) 7. L. Harivardhan Reddy, Rakesh Kumar Sharma, A.K. Mishra, K.Chuttani and R.S.R. Murthy. (2004). Etoposide incorporated Tripalmatin Nanoparticles with different surface charge: Formulation, Characterization and Biodistribution studies. The AAPS Journal.Oct 7, 6 (3), 55-64. (Impact Factor 4.386) (if=Impact Factor 3.905, ci=95) 8. Tushar K. Vyas, A. K. Babbar, Rakesh Kumar Sharma, Shashi Singh, Ambikanandan Misra (2006). Preliminary Brain Targeting Studies on Intranasal Mucoadhesive Microemulsions of Sumatriptan. The AAPS PharmSciTech 7(1), Article 8, 49-57. (Awarded 2008 AAPS Outstanding Manuscript Award in PharmSciTech by American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists., USA) (if=Impact Factor 1.776,, ci=91) 9. G.U. Gangenahalli, V.K. Singh, Y.K. Verma, P. Gupta, Rakesh Kumar Sharma, R. Chandra, and PM Luthra (2006). Hematopoietic stem cell antigen CD34: role in adhesion or homing. Stem Cells Dev 15(3), 305-313 (if=Impact Factor 4.202 , ci=68) 10. Hetal Thakkar, Rakesh Kumar Sharma, Anil Kumar Mishra, Krishna Chuttani and Rayasa Ramchandra Murthy (2005). Albumin microspheres as carriers for the antiarthritic drug celecoxib. The AAPS PharmSciTech 6(1), E65-73. (if=Impact Factor 1.776,, ci=62)

SHOUCHE, YOGESH (b 1960), Scientist F, National Centre for Cell Science, Pune University Campus,

145

Pune – 411007 Member of the NASI: No (YON 2013, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology) Dr. Yogesh Shouche is known for his contributions to Microbial Diversity, Ecology and Taxonomy. He has been actively working on the use DNA sequences for practical applications

1. He developed a novel

technique for authentication and detection of cross contamination in insect cell lines that was based on sequence variation in mitochondrial 12S rRNA sequences

2. Dr. Shouche was the first one to use 16S

rRNA based approach to understand the microbial community structure of mosquitoes3. He has recently

started looking at the microbial communities in human gut and their variation in relation to diet, age, ethnicity, disease and environmental factors

4,. All this work has been published in journals of international

repute. It would be appropriate to state that he is one of the first scientists contributing extensively on human microbiome studies in India. His work has underlined the fact that gut microbiome in Indians is different from the Western population. He is known for his description of several new microbial taxa from diverse ecosystems

5,6,7. In the recognition for his contributions to this field he was invited to contribute a

chapter to Bergey‘s Manual which is a ―reference‖ for microbial taxonomists8. His work on ecology of

Lonar lake has led to the understanding of metabolism of single carbon compounds in the hyper-saline and hyper-alkaline environment of the only meteor impact crater in basalt rock in the world

9,10.

Considering the impact of his contributions to these areas, I strongly recommend Dr. Shouche for the fellowship of The National Academy of Sciences, India.

Proposer : Dr. Shekhar Mande, Seconder : Dr. Surendra A. Ghaskadbi Ten Best Publications: 1. Nachiket Marathe, Sudarshan Shetty, Vikram Lanjekar, Dilip Ranade and Shouche YS. Changes in Human gut flora with age: An Indian Familial study. BMC MICROBIOLOGY 12: 222- 230 (IF=3.04) 2. Salunke, BK; Salunkhe, RC; Dhotre, DP; Walujkar, SA; Khandagale, AB; Chaudhari, R; Chandode, RK; Ghate, HV; Patole, MS; Werren, JH; Shouche, YS. (2012). Determination of Wolbachia Diversity in Butterflies from Western Ghats, India, by a Multigene Approach. APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY 78(12):4458-4467 (IF=4.453) 3. Parikh, RY; Ramanathan, R; Coloe, PJ; Bhargava, SK; Patole, MS; Shouche, YS; Bansal, V. (2011). Genus-Wide Physicochemical Evidence of Extracellular Crystalline Silver Nanoparticles Biosynthesis by Morganella sp. PLOS ONE 6(6) doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0021401. I (IF=4.411) 4. Antony, CP; Kumaresan, D; Ferrando, L; Boden, R; Moussard, H; Scavino, AF; Shouche, YS; Murrell, JC. (2010). Active methylotrophs in the sediments of Lonar Lake, a saline and alkaline ecosystem formed by meteor impact. ISME JOURNAL 4(11):1470-1480 (IF=7.735) 5. Parikh, RY; Singh, S; Prasad, BLV; Patole, MS; Sastry, M; Shouche, YS. (2008). Extracellular synthesis of crystalline silver nanoparticles and molecular evidence of silver resistance from Morganella sp.: Towards understanding biochemical synthesis mechanism. CHEMBIOCHEM 9(9):1415-1422 (IF=3.3944, CI=53) 6. Wani, AA; Surakasi, VP; Siddharth, J; Raghavan, RG; Patole, MS; Ranade, D; Shouche, YS. (2006). Molecular analyses of microbial diversity associated with the Lonar soda lake in India: An impact crater in a basalt area. RESEARCH IN MICROBIOLOGY 157(10):928-937 (IF=2.865, CI=32) 7. Pidiyar, VJ; Jangid, K; Patole, MS; Shouche, YS. (2004). Studies on cultured and uncultured microbiota of wild Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito midgut based on 16s ribosomal RNA gene analysis. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE 70(6):597-603 (IF=2.59, CI=74) 8. Pidiyar, VJ; Jangid, K; Dayananda, KM; Kaznowski, A; Gonzalez, JM; Patole, MS; Shouche, YS. (2003). Phylogenetic affiliation of Aeromonas culicicola MTCC 3249(T) based on gyrB gene sequence and PCR-Amplicon Sequence Analysis of cytolytic enterotoxin gene. SYSTEMATIC AND APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 26(2):197-202: 3.590 (IF=3.590, CI=24) 9. Pidiyar, V; Kaznowski, A; Narayan, NB; Patole, M; Shouche, YS. (2002). Aeromonas culicicola sp nov., from the midgut of Culex quinquefasciatus. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY 52():1723-1728 (IF=3.250, CI=94) 10. Rastogi, G; Ranade, DR; Yeole, TY; Patole, MS; Shouche, YS. (2008). Investigation of methanogen population structure in biogas reactor by molecular characterization of methyl-coenzyme M reductase A (mcrA) genes. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 99(13):5317-5326 (IF=5.352, CI=34)

146

AHMED, NIYAZ (b 1971), Head of the Department, Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad


Dr Niyaz Ahmed has seminal contribution to the development and progress of molecular epidemiology of bacterial pathogens, particularly in unraveling the population genetic structure, evolution and virulence potentials of the two major human pathogens, Helicobacter pylori and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. His work based on adaptive evolution of single H. pylori strains inhabiting individual stomachs has given wheels to the new field of ‗chronological evolution‘ (Prouzet-Mauleon et al., 2005, J Clin Microbiol; Alvi et al., 2007, J Clin Microbiol; Avasthi et al., 2011, J Bacteriol ). Recently, Dr Ahmed deciphered biology and evolution of H. pylori isolates hierarchically obtained from a single patient across 10 years (Devi et al., 2010 J Bacteriol; Avasthi et al., 2011 J Bacteriol). This contribution strengthened the ‗replicative genomics‘ of pathogens in single patients and in multiethnic settings (Kumar and Ahmed, 2015 Nucleic Acis Res). His another work, demonstrating population structure of M. tuberculosis in India (Ahmed et al., 2004 J Clin Microbiol) and that the ancestral strains of M. tuberculosis are predominant in India (Gutierrez+Ahmed et al., 2006 Emerg Infect Dis) has led to the observation that these strains could be more responsive to therapy due to adaptive evolution. Ahmed has authored 120 international publications in high impact journals with 3500 citations (H-index 34). Ahmed has won National Bioscience Award in 2013 and is elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (UK) in 2015. Ahmed is Editor-in-Chief of an important society journal, Gut Pathogens (London) and an executive member of the PLOS International Advisory Board.

Proposer : Prof. Seyed E. Hasnain, Seconder : Prof. Siddavattam Dayananda


1. Kumar N, Mariappan V, Baddam R, Lankapalli AK, Shaik S, Goh KL, Loke MF, Perkins T, Benghezal M, Hasnain SE, Vadivelu J, Marshall BJ, Ahmed N. 2015. Comparative genomic analysis of Helicobacter pylori from Malaysia identifies three distinct lineages suggestive of differential evolution. Nucleic Acids Res. 43:324-35 (corresponding author from India co-authored with Nobel Laureate)(if=9.0, ci=New article)

2. Baddam R, Kumar N, Shaik S, Lankapalli AK, Ahmed N. 2014. Genome dynamics and evolution of Salmonella Typhi strains from the typhoid-endemic zones. Scientific Reports 4:7457 (Nature Publishing Group). (if=5.0, ci=New article)

3. Hussain A, Ranjan A, Nandanwar N, Babbar A, Jadhav S, Ahmed N. 2014. Genotypic and phenotypic profiles of Escherichia coli isolates belonging to clinical sequence type 131 (ST131), clinical non-ST131, and fecal non-ST131 lineages from India. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 58:7240-9. (if=5.0, ci=12)

4. Rani PS, Babajan B, Tulsian NK, Begum M, Kumar A, Ahmed N. 2013. Mycobacterial Hsp65 potentially cross-reacts with autoantibodies of diabetes sera and also induces (in vitro) cytokine responses relevant to diabetes mellitus. Mol Biosyst. 9:2932-41.(if=3.5, ci=15)

5. Hussain A, Ewers C, Nandanwar N, Guenther S, Jadhav S, Wieler LH, Ahmed N. 2012. Multiresistant uropathogenic Escherichia coli from a region in India where urinary tract infections are endemic: genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of sequence type 131 isolates of the CTX-M-15 extended-spectrum-β-lactamase-producing lineage. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 56:6358-65. (if=5.0, ci=22)

6. Jadhav S, Hussain A, Devi S, Kumar A, Parveen S, Gandham N, Wieler LH, Ewers C, Ahmed N. 2011. Virulence characteristics and genetic affinities of multiple drug resistant uropathogenic Escherichia coli from a semi urban locality in India. PLoS One. 6:e18063.(if=3.5, ci=40)

7. Ahmed N, Dobrindt U, Hacker J, Hasnain SE. 2008. Genomic fluidity and pathogenic bacteria: applications in diagnostics, epidemiology and intervention. Nat Rev Microbiol. 6:387-94. (if=23, ci=106)

8. Rizwan M, Alvi A, Ahmed N. 2008. Novel protein antigen (JHP940) from the genomic plasticity region of Helicobacter pylori induces tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-8 secretion by human macrophages. J Bacteriol. 190:1146-51. (if=3.0, ci=25)

9. Alvi A, Devi SM, Ahmed I, Hussain MA, Rizwan M, Lamouliatte H, Mégraud F, Ahmed N. 2007. Microevolution of Helicobacter pylori type IV secretion systems in an ulcer disease patient over a ten-year period. J Clin Microbiol. 45:4039-43. (if=4.23, ci=35)

10. Devi SM, Ahmed I, Francalacci P, Hussain MA, Akhter Y, Alvi A, Sechi LA, Mégraud F, Ahmed N. 2007. Ancestral European roots of Helicobacter pylori in India. BMC Genomics. 20;8:184. (if=4.04, ci=45)

147

BHATTACHARYYA, NITAI PADA (b 1954), Senior Professor, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata Member of the NASI: No (YON 2012, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology) Professor Nitai Bhattacharyya is an internationally renowned researcher on neurodegenerative diseases caused by expansion of triplet repeats in the DNA. In India, he has pioneered this field of research. His own contributions, and those of other subsequent researchers, have provided very useful insights into the genetics of these diseases and on the biology of triplet expansions in causing these diseases. He has made sustained contributions on understanding genetics of Myotonic Dystrophy, Huntington‘s Disease (HD), various Spinocerebellar Ataxia subtypes, Dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy and Friedreich's Ataxia. He provided leadership and developed a formidable network with neurologists throughout India. His genomic work on these diseases have provided useful genetic epidemiological information on the origins of the genomic alterations causing these diseases and reliable estimates of their prevalence in India, which have been published in high-impact journals. Subsequently, to understand the biology of triplet repeat expansions in HD, Professor Bhattacharyya discovered the transcription regulator HIPPI, transported by HIP1 to the nucleus, and binds (R393) with the upstream motif AAAGA[CG]A[TAC][GT] of many genes. Functional analysis revealed that HIPPI-HIP1 regulated genes participate in HD pathology. He also discovered that HYPK, a HTT interacting protein, is intrinsically unstructured, possesses chaperone like activity and reduces the aggregates of mutant HTT. He identified the contribution of gene deregulation by altered micro RNA (miRNA) expressions in models of HD. The important observation that miRNAs target the HTT gene, whose mutation causes HD, alter aggregates of mutant HTT, toxicity and BDNF expression have opened the possibility of targeting the HTT for therapy.

Proposer : Prof. Partha Pratim Majumder, Seconder : Prof. M. Vijayan Ten Best Publications: 1. Bhattacharyya NP, Basu P., Das M., Pramanik S., Banerjee S., Roy B. Roychoudhury S. and Majumder P. P. ( 1999) Negligible male gene-flow across ethnic boundaries in India, revealed by analysis of Y-chromosomal DNA polymorphisms. Genome Research, 9, 711 – 719 (IF=13.608, CI=41) 2. Basu P., Chattopadhyay B., Gangopadhaya P.K Mukherjee S.C., Sinha K.K., Das.S.K., Roychoudhury S. and Majumder P. P. and Bhattacharyya N.P. (2000) Analysis of CAG repeats in SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, SCA6, SCA7 and DRPLA loci among spinocerebellar ataxia patients and distribution of CAG repeats at the SCA2 and SCA6 loci in nine ethnic populations of eastern India, Human Genetics, 106, 597- 604 (IF=5.069, CI=40) 3. Pramanik S. Basu P., Gangopadhaya P.K., Sinha K. K., Jha D.K., Sinha S., Das S.K., Maiti B. K., Mukherjee S.C., Roychoudhury S. and Majumder P. P. and Bhattacharyya N.P. (2000) Analysis of CAG and CCG repeats in Huntingtin gene among HD patients and normal populations of India, European Journal of Human Genetics, 8, 678-682 (IF=4.4, CI=17) 4. Chattopadhyay, B., Gangopadhyay, PK, Das SK, Roy T, Sinha SK, Jha DK, Mukherjee SC, Chakraborty, A, Singhal BS, Bhattacharya, AK and Bhattacharyya N.P. (2003) Modulation of age of onset in Huntington‘s disease and spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 patients originated from eastern India, Neuroscience Letters, 345, 93-96 (IF=2.268, CI=27) 5. Majumder P, Chattopadhyay B, Mazumder A, Das P, Bhattacharyya NP (2006), Induction of apoptosis in cells expressing exogenous Hippi, a molecular partner of huntingtin-interacting protein Hip1.Neurobiol Dis. 22, 242-56. (IF=5.271, CI=20) 6. Bhattacharyya NP, Banerjee M, Majumder P (2008) Huntington's disease: roles of huntingtin-interacting protein 1 (HIP-1) and its molecular partner HIPPI in the regulation of apoptosis and transcription, FEBS J, 275, 4271-4279 (IF=3.79, CI=12) 7. Raychaudhuri S, Sinha M, Mukhopadhyay D, Bhattacharyya NP (2008) HYPK, a Huntingtin interacting protein, reduces aggregates and apoptosis induced by N-terminal Huntingtin with 40 glutamines in Neuro2a cells and exhibits chaperone-like activity, Hum Mol Genet. 17, 240-255. (IF=7.636, CI=14) 8. Banerjee M, Datta M, Majumder P, Mukhopadhyay D, Bhattacharyya NP (2010) Transcription regulation of caspase-1 by R393 of HIPPI and its molecular partner HIP-1, Nucleic Acids Res. 38, 878- 892 (IF=8.026, CI=3) 9. Ghosh U, Bhattacharyya NP (2005) Benzamide and 4-amino 1,8 naphthalimide treatment inhibit telomerase activity by down-regulating the expression of telomerase associated protein and inhibiting the poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of telomerase reverse transcriptase in cultured cells. FEBS J. 272 4237-4248. (IF=3.79, CI=13) 10. Sinha M, Ghose J and Bhattacharyya NP (2011) Micro RNA -214,-150,-146a and-125b target Huntingtin gene, RNA Biology, 8, 1005-1021 (IF=5.6, CI=2)

148

CAMEOTRA, SWARANJIT SINGH (b 1959), Professor, Sr. Prin. Scientist, IMTECH, Chandigarh


Dr. Swaranjit worked in the field of Biosurfactants, Nanotechnology, Biodiversity and Culture Collection. He demonstrated the potential applications of microbial biosurfactants in Biomedical, biological and immunological fields. Using inexpensive substrates Biosurfactant synthesis in thermophilic, mesophilic and psychrophilic conditions was reported. He delivered lectures to students of Schools and Colleges and interacts with them to popularize science. Many interesting popular articles appeared in newspapers and websites. Dr. Swaranjit is Organizing Committee Member of many National/International Conferences. Hydrocarbon uptake by Pseudomonas aeruginosa by pinocytosis was demonstrated for the first time. A field study was successfully carried out on the degradation of crude oil sludge by use of a bacterial consortium. It was found that addition of a Rhamnolipids enhanced the degradation of oil sludge and Endosulfan/Uron degradation. Three novel species from the coal fields of Asansol have been reported. Nanoparticles of Se and the biotransformation/biosorption of the metalloid were reported in MCF IF 4.54. The synthesis and Anticancer Evaluation of Novel 2-Cyclopropylimidazo[2,1-b][1,3,4]-thiadiazole Derivatives was reported in Eur. J. Med. Chem. (IF 3.2) Synthesis of silver nanoparticles and evaluation of its synergistic potential in combination with antimicrobial agents was published (IF 5.0). Two of his publications were included in the 70 best CSIR papers on the 70th Foundation Day of CSIR basing on his high Citation Index (h index is 28, CI ~ 4400). He was a Judge in the DST INTEL-IRIS International selections in 2011, 2012 & 2013. One Book chapter on Hydrocarbons and Metal bioremediation was downloaded more than 4500 times.

Proposer : Dr. Girish Sahni, Seconder : Dr. Javed N. Agrewala


1. Potential applications of Microbial Surfactants in Biomedical Sciences. Pooja Singh and Swaranjit Singh Cameotra. Trends Biotechnol. 22(3): 142 – 146, 2004. (if=10.04, ci= 355)

2. Recent applications of biosurfactants as biological and immunological molecules. Swaranjit Singh Cameotra and Randhir S. Makkar. Current Opinion in Microbiology, 7(3): 262-266, 2004. (if=7.216, ci= 270)

3. Improved extraction of intracellular biogenic selenium nanoparticles and their specificity for cancer chemoprevention. Praveen Sonkusre, Ravikanth Nanduri, Pawan Gupta Swaranjit Singh Cameotra. J. Nanomed. Nanotechnol. 5:194, 2014 (if=5.18)

4. Aerobic biogenesis of selenium nanospheres by Bacillus cereus isolated from coalmine soil. Soniya Dhanjal and Swaranjit Singh Cameotra. Microb. Cell Fact. 9(1): 52, (2010). (if=4.25, ci= 45)

5. Enhanced production of biosurfactant through cloning of three genes and role of esterase in biosurfactant production. Kamaljeet Kaur Sekhon, Sunil Khanna, Swaranjit Singh Cameotra. Microb. Cell Fact. 10 (1):1-10. 2011. (if=4.25, ci= 19)

6. Synthesis of Rhamnolipid Biosurfactant and mode of Hexadecane Uptake by a Pseudomonas sp. Cameotra, Swaranjit Singh and Singh, Pooja. Microb. Cell Fact. 8:16, 2009. (if=4.25, ci= 45)

7. Potential commercial applications of microbial surfactants. I.M. Banat, Randhir S. Makkar, and Swaranjit S. Cameotra. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 53:495-508, 2001. (if=3.811, ci= 1065)

8. Synthesis of biosurfactants in extreme conditions. Cameotra SS, Makkar RS. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 1998 Nov; 50(5):520-9.(if=(IF: 3.811, ci= 260)

9. An Update on the use of unconventional substrates for the Biosurfactant production and their new applications. Randhir S. Makkar and Swaranjit S. Cameotra. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 58: 428-434, 2002. (if=3.811, ci=320)

10. Matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry of lipopeptide biosurfactants in whole cells and culture filtrates of Bacillus subtilis C-1 Isolated from Petroleum Sludge. Joachim Vater, Bärbel Kablitz, Christopher Wilde, Peter Franke, Neena Mehta, and Swaranjit Singh Cameotra. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 68(12): 6210-6219, 2002. (if=3.952, ci= 188)

149

CHAKRABARTI, TAPAN (b 1949), Chair Professor Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur Member of the NASI: No (YON 2012, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology including) Considering bioreactor as a single dynamic system, the nominee demonstrated that a multi-substrate matrix (eg.wastewater) composed of biodegradable compounds (substituted aromatic and phenolics), induces qualitative shock load (QSL) leading to malfunctioning of the wastewater treatment plant. He established the role of cyclic AMP in reducing the lag period in a diauxic response with m-nitrobenzene sulphonic acid and catechol and explained that the sequential and preferential substrate utilization are governed by the growth kinetics of substrates present. These observations justifies use of sequential batch reactors where QSL is conspicuous. He has also successfully demonstrated endosulphan biodegradation. The nominee extensively worked on waste to wealth projects extracting polyhydroxide butyrate, cellulase bioethanol and algal biofuels and is now in the process of scaling-up with a distillery. His research on algal carbon dioxide sequestration is documented in a number of peer reviewed journals and book chapters. The nominee‘s contribution to technology transfer pertaining to full scale ecorestoration of acrylonitrile, arsenic and mercury contaminated sites is noteworthy. He established a battery of protocols for molecular toxicity evaluation and extrapolation of these to test the efficacy of remediation, studied vitellogenin emergence in fish challenged with environmental endocrine disruptive chemicals and established exposure, effect and susceptible biomarkers for manganese and polyaromatic hydrocarbon exposed human population. The genotype frequency of detoxifying genes such as GSTM1, GSTT1 and NQO1 were evaluated by the nominee in Maharashtrian population and showed their distinct nature from other Asian and Caucasian population. All have been published in peer reviewed international journals.

Proposer : Dr. P. K. Seth, Seconder : Dr. V. P. Kamboj Ten Best Publications: 1. Raju R.Yadav, Kanan Krishnamurthi, Ajam Y.Shekh, Sandeep N. Mudliar, Saravana S.Devi, Tapan Chakrabatir1 (2014) Activity enhancement of carbonic anhydrase in Chlamydomonas sp. for effective CO2 sequestration Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy (available online) (if=5 year impact factor 1.86, ci=Not yet received) 2. S Banerjee, S Mudliar, R Sen, B Giri, D Satpute, T Chakrabarti, RA Pandey(2009) Commercializing lignocellulosic bioethanol: technology bottlenecks and possible remediesBiofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining 4 (1), 77-93 (if=Impact Factor 4.885, ci=Cited by 73) 3. AA Khardenavis, M Suresh Kumar, SN Mudliar, T Chakrabarti (2007) Biotechnological conversion of agro-industrial wastewaters into biodegradable plastic, poly β-hydroxybutyrate Bioresource Technology 98 (18), 3579-3584 (if=5 Year Impact Factor: 4.901, ci=Cited by 56) 4. MP Raut, SPM Prince William, JK Bhattacharyya, T Chakrabarti, S Devotta(2007) Microbial dynamics and enzyme activities during rapid composting of municipal solid waste–a compost maturity analysis perspectiveBioresource technology 99 (14), 6512-6519 (if=5 Year Impact Factor: 4.901, ci=Cited by 40) 5. K Kumar, S Saravana Devi, K Krishnamurthi, S Gampawar, N Mishra, GH Pandya, T.Chakrabarti (2006) Decolorisation, biodegradation and detoxification of benzidine based azo dye Bioresource technology 97 (3), 407-413 (if=5 Year Impact Factor: 4.901, ci=Cited by 47) 6. M Suresh Kumar, SN Mudliar, KMK Reddy, T Chakrabarti (2004) Production of biodegradable plastics from activated sludge generated from a food processing industrial wastewater treatment plant Bioresource technology 95 (3), 327-330 (if=5 Year Impact Factor: 4.901, ci=Cited by 47) 7. S Godbole, S Gote, M Latkar, T Chakrabarti (2003) Preparation and characterization of biodegradable poly-3-hydroxybutyrate–starch blend films Bioresource technology 86 (1), 33-37 (if=5 Year Impact Factor: 4.901, ci=Cited by 116) 8. EI Atuanya, HJ Purohit, T Chakrabarti (2000) Anaerobic and aerobic biodegradation of chlorophenols using UASB and ASG bioreactors World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology 16 (1), 95-98 (if=Impact factor 2.37, ci=Cited by 69) 9. A Kapley, HJ Purohit, S Chhatre, R Shanker, T Chakrabarti, P Khanna (1999) Osmotolerance and hydrocarbon degradation by a genetically engineered microbial consortium Bioresource technology 67 (3), 241-245 (if=5 Year Impact Factor: 4.901, ci=Cited by 41) 10. NJ Gadgil, HF Daginawala, T Chakrabarti, P Khanna (1995) Enhanced cellulase production by a mutant of Trichoderma reesei Enzyme and Microbial Technology 17 (10), 942-946 (if=5 year impact factor 3.040, ci=Impact Factor : 2.367)

150

COUTINHO, EVANS CLIFTON (b 1961), Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Bombay College of

Pharmacy, Mumbai Member of the NASI: No (YON 2012, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology including) Professor Evans Coutinho is a distinguished Pharmaceutical Scientist who has made significant contributions in molecular modeling and drug design over the past three decades. His outstanding contributions are in the area of 3D-QSAR. Some of the pioneering methodologies in 3D-QSAR such as Comparative Residue Interaction Analysis (CoRIA) and its variants, rCoRIA and mCoRIA. The highlights of the method are that by including the thermodynamics of binding in the QSAR formalism one can identify important energetic components responsible for modulating activity. This would help optimizing molecules for activity.The other significant technique name LISA (Local indices for Similarity Analysis) is a formalism that addresses local similarity in the context of QSAR. This approach can fine tune molecules at the local level to improve activity. HomoSAR, the third technique, addresses issues related to QSAR of peptides, which is a daunting proposition. The method uses an integrated approach of homology modeling and QSAR and simplifies the problem by moving from 3D to 1D space. By this method it is comparatively easy to predict and design new peptide sequences with improved activity. The technique eQSAR developed by Coutinho and his group, is an attempt to tackle the dogma of one chemical-one structure-one parameter value in QSAR. The use of ensembles in 3D-QSAR has shown to improve the robustness as well as the prediction capability of 3D-QSAR models. Finally fragment based QSAR named CoOAn has been designed to partner with methods in structure-based drug design.

Proposer : Prof. R. V. Hosur, Seconder : Prof. S. K. Kulkarni Ten Best Publications: 1. Mahesh R Borkar, Raghuvir R. S. Pissurlenkar and Evans C Coutinho, 2013, HomoSAR: Bridging Comparative Protein Modeling with Quantitative Structural Activity Relationship to design new peptides. J. Comput Chem. Vol. 34, pg. 2635. (if=3.835, ci=ISSN: 0192-8651) 2. Richa Bhatia, Jitender Madan, Raghuvir Pissurlenkar, Evans Coutinho, 2014, Telmisartan complex augments solubility, dissolution and drug delivery in prostate cancer cells CarboPol (In Press). (if=3.479, ci=ISSN: 0975-8585) 3. Raghuvir Pissurlenkar, Vijay Khedkar, Radhakrishnan Iyer and Evans Coutinho, 2011, Ensemble QSAR (eQSAR): A QSAR method based on conformational ensembles and metric descriptors. J. Comput Chem. Vol. 32, pg. 2204. (if=3.835, ci=ISSN: 0192-8651) 4. Verma Jitender, Malde Alpeshkumar, Khedkar Santosh, Iyer Radhakrishnan, Coutinho Evans, 2009, Local Indices for Similarity Analysis (LISA) – a 3D-QSAR formalism based on local molecular similarity J. Chem. Inf. Model. 49, 2695. (if=4.304, ci=ISSN: 1549-9596) 5. Charlotte D'Souza, Meena Kanyalkar, Mamata Joshi, Evans Coutinho and Sudha Srivastava, 2009, Probing molecular level interaction of oseltamivir with H5N1-NA and model membranes by molecular docking, multinuclear NMR and DSC methods BBA – Biomembranes Vol. 1788, pg.484. (if=3.389, ci=ISSN: 0005-2736) 6. Jitender Verma, Vijay Khedkar, Santosh Khedkar, Alpeshkumar Malde, Arati Prabhu and Evans Coutinho, 2008, A Comprehensive Analysis of the Thermodynamic Events involved in Ligand-Receptor Binding using CoRIA and its variants J. Comput Aided Mol. Des. 22, 91. (if=3.172, ci=ISSN: 0920-654X) 7. Alpeshkumar Malde, Santosh Khedkar and Evans Coutinho, 2007, The B(OH)-NH Analog is a

Surrogate for the Amide Bond (CO-NH) in Peptides: An Ab Initio Study J. Chem. Theory Comput. 3, 619. (if=5.389, ci=ISSN:1549-9618) 8. Alpeshkumar Malde, Santosh Khedkar and Evans Coutinho, 2006, Stationary points on the PES of N-

methoxy Peptides and their Boron Isosteres: An Ab Initio Study J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2, 1664. (if=5.389, ci=ISSN:1549-9618) 9. Meena Kanyalkar, Sudha Srivastava, and Evans Coutinho, 2001, Conformation of a model peptide of

the tandem repeat decapeptide in mussel adhesive protein by NMR and MD Simulations Biomaterials 23, 389. (if=7.604, ci=ISSN:0142-9612) 10.Shantaram Kamath, Evans Coutinho and Prashant Desai, 1999, Calculation of Relative Binding Free

Energy Difference of DHFR Inhibitors by a Finite Difference Thermodynamic Integration (FDTI) Approach.

J. Biomol. Str. Dyn. 16, 1239. (if=4.99, ci= ISSN 0739-1102)

151

DEOBAGKAR, DEEPTI DILEEP (b 1957), Professor and Director, Bioinformatics Centre, University of Pune, Pune


Dr. Deepti Dileep Deobagkar has made significant contributions in the area of molecular genetics and epigenetics by designing novel high throughput immunochemical approaches for detection of DNA methylation. Her innovative and original approach utilises existing microarray technology to identify the methylation and gene expression profile using a single platform and leads to identification of modulators of methylation with speed, sensitivity and specificity. She has generated methylome map of 19,500 genes in human and extensively analysed the phenomenon of X chromosome inactivation in the context of evolution, sequence composition and activity states. She has examined the role of sequence motifs as way stations in spread and maintenance of X chromosome inactivation. Her contributions imply that misregulation of methylation is a pivotal regulatory factor for phenotype modulation, variation in the Turner syndrome phenotype. She has also identified transcripts, miRNAs and lnc-RNA related to pathophysiology (thyroid, bone and growth defects) of Turner syndrome for the first time. Her work has unravelled the relationship between epigenetic processes in genotype-phenotype modulation using high throughput technologies. This analysis provides molecular genetic foundation for a better understanding of diseases due to chromosomal imbalances and in evolving possible therapeutic intervention strategies using modulators of methyl-transferases and non-coding RNAs. She has investigated the role of stress and adaptation in epigenetic processes. Her work identifies molecular basis of anti-venom action of a therapeutic peptide and paves way for the development of innovative strategies for antidiabetic and antimalarial drugs

Proposer : Prof. Kasturi Datta , Seconder : Prof. Sudha Bhattacharya


1. An In Silico insight into novel therapeutic interaction of LTNF peptide-LT10 and design of structure based peptidomimetics for putative anti-diabetic activity. Sonali Chavan, Deepti Deobagkar PLoS ONE (2015) in press (if=4.56)

2. Comparative study of Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1-DBLα domain variants with respect to antigenic variations and docking interaction analysis with glycosaminoglycans. Agrawal MR, Ozarkar AD, Gupta S, Deobagkar DN, Deobagkar DD. Molecular Biosystems (Royal Society of Chemistry). (2014) 10, 2466-2479 (if=3.183)

3. Evidence for Epigenetic Alterations in Turner Syndrome opens up feasibility of new Pharmaceutical Interventions. Shriram Rajpathak and Deepti Deobagkar. Current Pharmaceutical Design (2014), 20 (11):1778-85. (if=3.85, ci=3)

4. Human 45, X Fibroblast Transcriptome Reveals Distinct Differentially Expressed Genes Including Long Noncoding RNAs Potentially Associated with the Pathophysiology of Turner Syndrome SN Rajpathak, SK Vellarikkal, A Patowary, V Scaria, S Sivasubbu, ...PloS one 9 (6), (2014) e100076 (if=4.56, ci=2)

5. Methylation profile of genes on the human X chromosome A Kelkar, D Deobagkar Epigenetics 5 (7), 612-618 (if=4.56, ci=8)

6. (6) Characterisation of inactivation domains and evolutionary strata in human X chromosome through Markov segmentation. Kelkar A, Thakur V, Ramaswamy R, Deobagkar D. PLoS ONE. (Methylation profile of genes on the human X chromosome. Kelkar A, Deobagkar D. (2010) Epigenetics 5 .612-618 (if=4.56, ci=2)

7. l method to assess the full genome methylation profile using monoclonal antibody combined with the high throughput based microarray approach. Kelkar A, Deobagkar D. Epigenetics. (2009) 4 :415-420. (if=4.56, ci=4)

8. (8) Optical detection of antibody using silica–silver core–shell particles SA Kalele, SS Ashtaputre, NY Hebalkar, SW Gosavi, DN Deobagkar, ...Chemical Physics Letters 404 (1), 136-14 (maximum downloaded in 6 months 312 times) (if=2.280, ci=76)

9. Rapid Detection of Escherichia coli by Using Antibody-Conjugated Silver Nanoshells. Suchita A. Kalele, Anita A. Kundu, Suresh W. Gosavi, Dileep N. Deobagkar, Deepti D. Deobagkar, Sulabha K. Kulkarni. Small (2006) Volume 2, Issue 3, 335-338 (if=7.333, ci=59)

10. Hemimethylation of DNA prevents chromatin expression. Deobagkar D D, Graessmann M, and Graessmann A. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA. (1990) 87: 1691-1695 (if=9.771, ci=17)

152

GHOSH, ANANTA KUMAR (b 1957), Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Indian institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal


Dr. Ghosh has been working on the molecular characterization of cypovirus infecting tasar silkworm Antheraea mylitta. His group has purified the virus, examined its structure by electron microscopy and showed by molecular analysis that it is a cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus belongs to Reoviridae family containing eleven (S1-S11) double stranded segmented RNA in its genome (Acta Virol, 2000). Functional analysis of these genome segments has been done by cloning, sequencing and expression in E. coli and insect cells to understand their role in viral replication and pathogenesis. It has been shown that S10 encodes polyhedrin to form polyhedra (BBRC, 2005), S9 encodes a non-structural protein having RNA binding property to help viral packaging (JGV, 2002), S8 and S7 encodes viral structural proteins (Virus Genes, 2007), S6 encodes a protein having ATP binding and ATPase activity (Virology, 2008), S5 encodes guanylyltransferase (VJ 2014) and S4 methyl transferase for capping 5‘ end each genome segments (JGV, 2015), S2 encodes viral RNA dependent RNA polymerase (Virology, 2010), S1 and S3 encodes viral minor and major capsid proteins (VJ, 2010). They have also established an EST database of this silkworm for functional analysis of genes involved in silk gland development (CFG, 2010). In addition, they have purified a fungal protease inhibitor from this silkworm, cloned, characterized it molecularly and determined its structure by X-ray crystallography (IBMB, 2002; JSB, 2009; ABB, 2012), and Identified of RAPD and SCAR markers associated with yield components of this silkworm (GMB, 2012) for the improvement of tasar sericulture in India.

Proposer : Prof. Debi P. Sarkar, Seconder : Prof. Prahlad C. Ghosh


1. Qanungo, K.R., Kundu, S.C., Mullins J.I and Ghosh, A.K. 2002. Molecular cloning and characterization of Antheraea mylitta cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus genome segment 9. Journal of General Virology, 83: 1483-1491 (if=3.35, ci=12)

2. Shrivastava, B. and Ghosh, A. K. 2003. Protein purification, cDNA cloning and characterization of a novel protease inhibitor from the Indian tasar silkworm, Antheraea mylitta. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 33: 1025-1033 (if=3.84, ci=12)

3. Sinha-Datta, U., Venkata Ramana Murthy Chavali, and Ghosh, A.K. 2005. Molecular cloning and characterization of Antheraea mylitta cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus polyhedrin gene and its variant forms. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communication. 332:710-718. (if=2.5, ci=7)

4. Chavali V.R.M. and Ghosh A. K. 2007. Molecular cloning, sequence analysis and expression of genome segment 7 (S7) of Antheraea mylitta cypovirus (AmCPV) that encodes a viral structural protein. Virus Genes, 35, 433-441. (if=1.7, ci=3)

5. Chavali, V.R.M., Madhurantakam, C., Ghorai, S., Roy, S., Das, A. K., and Ghosh, A.K. (2008). Genome segment 6 of Antheraea mylitta cypovirus encodes a structural protein with ATPase activity. Virology, 377, 7-18. (if=3.29, ci=3)

6. Roy, S., Arvind, P., Madhurantakam, C., Ghosh, A.K., Sankaranarayanan, R. and Das, A. K. (2009). Crystal structure of silkworm protease inhibitor reveals the structural determinants of its inhibition. Journal of Structural Biology, 166, 79-87 (if=4.1, ci=2)

7. Ghorai, S., Chakrabarti, M., Roy, S., Chavali V. R. M., Bagchi, A., and Ghosh A. K. (2010) Molecular characterization of genome segment 2 encoding RNA dependent RNA polymerase of Antheraea mylitta cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus. Virology, 404, 21-31.(if=3.29, ci=4)

8. Chakrabarti, M., Ghorai, S., Mani, S.K.K. and Ghosh A.K. (2010) Molecular characterization of genome segments 1 and 3 encoding two capsid proteins of Antheraea mylitta cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus. Virology Journal, 7:181-192. (if=2.55, ci=3)

9. Biswas P., Kundu, A and Ghosh A.K (2014). Genome segment 5 of Antheraea mylitta cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus encodes a bona fide guanylyltransferase. Virology Journal, 11: 53-64 (if=2.55, ci=2)

10. Biswas, P., Kundu, A. and Ghosh A.K. (2015). Genome segment 4 of Antheraea mylitta cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus encodes RNA triphosphatase and methyltransferase. Journal of General Virology, 96: 95-105 (if=3.35, ci=0)

153

GUPTA, PAWAN (b 1975), Scientist E1 (CSIR), Assistant Professor (AcSIR), Institute of Microbial

Technology (CSIR), Chandigarh – 160036 Member of the NASI: No (YON 2012, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology) Dr. Pawan Gupta has been investigating host-pathogen (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) interaction with a bottom up approach, where in he has being trying to look for the possibility of host Lipid Sensing Nuclear Receptor (LSNRs) in playing combat and cohorts to M. tuberculosis survival. He has recently reported (Journal of Immunology 2012 PMID: 22544925) that M. tuberculosis lipids can interact with host LSNRs: PPAR and TR4 to ensure survival of the pathogen by modulating macrophage function: foamy niche, phagolysosomal maturation block; alternative polarization of the macrophages etc. His work suggests M. tuberculosis lipids as possible heterologus ligands for PPAR and TR4. He has also been able to identify LXR and Rev-erb as combats that ameliorates M. tuberculosis clearance (Journal of Immunology 2012 PMID: 22544925; Journal of Biological Chemistry 2013 PMID: 23449984). While LXR antimicrobial activities are primarily attributed to its role as a reactive oxygen specie generator; Rev-erb binds to the proximal promoter of IL-10, a cytokine that blocks phago-lysosome maturation and represses its expression and as such impedes M. tuberculosis in human macrophages. Thus so far his group has been able to identify two cohorts and two combats host factors to M. tuberculosis. Considering prevailing tuberculosis (TB) threats because of emerging MDR and XDR TB, identifying new host factors amenable to pharmacological modulation as therapeutic target is next generation and progressive. Dr. Pawan Gupta has also made significant scientific contributions in addressing structure & function of a phytotherapeutical protein bromelain (IJBCB 2010 PMID: 20156582; ABB 2010 PMID: 20494823; IJBM 2011 PMID: 21736896).

Proposer : Dr. Girish Sahni, Seconder : Dr. Javed N. Agrewala Ten Best Publications: 1. Chandra, V., Mahajan, S., Saini, A., Dkhar, H.K., Nanduri, R., Raj, E.B., Kumar, A., Gupta P* (2013). Human IL10 repression by Reverb alpha ameliorates Mycobacterium tuberculosis clearance. Journal of Biological Chemistry (Impact factor 4.77) Feb 28. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 23449984. * Corresponding Author (IF=4.77) 2. Bhat, S.A., Singh, N., Trivedi, A., Kansal, P., Gupta, P., Kumar, A. (2012) The mechanism of redox sensing in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Free Radic Biol Med. (Impact factor 6.0). 53(8); 1625-1641. Cited by: 1. (IF=6.0, CI=1) 3. Mahajan, S., Dkhar H.K., Chandra, V., Dave, S., Nanduri, R., Janmeja, A.K., Agrewala, J.N., Gupta P.* (2012). M. tuberculosis modulate macrophage lipid-sensing nuclear receptors PPARγ and TR4 for survival. Journal of Immunology (Impact factor 5.75). 188 (11) 5593-5603. Cited by: 5. * Corresponding Author (IF=5.75, CI=5) 4. Trivedi, A., Singh, N., Bhat, S.A., Gupta, P., Kumar, A. (2012) Redox biology of tuberculosis pathogenesis. Advances in Microbial Physiology (Impact factor 9.86). 60C 263-324. Cited by: 4. (IF=9.86, CI=4) 5. Mahajan, S., Chandra, V., Dave, S., Nanduri, R., Gupta, P*. (2012). Stem Bromelain-induced macrophage apoptosis and activation curtail M. tuberculosis persistence. Journal of Infectious Disease (Impact factor 6.4). 206(3):366-76. * Corresponding Author (IF=6.4) 6. Gupta, P., Ho, P.C., Ha, S., Lin Y.W., Wei, L.N. (2009) HDAC3 as a molecular chaperone for shuttling phosphorylated TR2 to PML: A novel deacetylase activity-independent function of HDAC3. PLoS One (Impact factor 4.4). 4 (2); e4363. Cited by:8 (IF=4.4, CI=8) 7. Dave, S., Dkhar, H.K., Singh, M.P., Gupta, G., Chandra, V., Mahajan S., Gupta, P*. (2010) Hexafluoroisopropanol-induced nonnative conformation of stem bromelain: correlation to function. International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (Impact factor 4.8). 42; 938-947. Cited by: 4. * Corresponding Author (IF=4.8, CI=4) 8. Dave, S., Mahajan S., Chandra, V., Dkhar, H.K., Sambhavi, Gupta, P*. (2010) Specific molten globule conformation of stem bromelain at alkaline pH. Archives Biochemistry Biophysics (Impact factor 3.02). 499 (1-2); 26-31. Cited by: 1. * Corresponding Author(IF=3.02, CI=1) 9. Dave, S., Mahajan S., Chandra, V., Gupta, P*. (2011) Trifluoroethanol stabilizes the molten globule state and induces non-amyloidic turbidity in stem bromelain near its isoelectric point. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules (Impact factor 2.6). 49 (4); 536-542. Cited by: 1. * Corresponding Author (IF=2.6, CI=1) 10. Ho, P.C., Lin, Y.W., Tsui, Y.C., Gupta, P., Wei, L.N. (2009) A negative regulatory pathway of GLUT4 trafficking in adipocytes: new function of RIP140 in the cytoplasm via AS160. Cell Metabolism (Impact factor 20). 10 (6); 516-523. Cited by: 23 (IF=20, CI=23)

154

IRSHAD, MOHAMMAD (b 1954), Professor, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi – 110029

Member of the NASI: No (YON 2012, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology)

I am pleased to propose the name of Dr. M. Irshad, Professor in Laboratory Medicine, AIIMS as the candidate for election to fellowship of National Academy of Sciences (India)(FNASc). Based on my personal knowledge about his professional competence, I may assure that Prof. M. Irshad has an excellent academic career with more than 135 scientific publications in indexed medical journals, several abstracts published in proceedings of international conferences and a long teaching and research experience. He could make a significant contribution in medical sciences by conducting several research projects, guiding more than 45 MD/Ph.D. thesis in various capacities and writing chapters in some books. He is a member of board of advisers in UPSC, board of reviewers for several journals and reviewer of projects submitted to ICMR and DBT. He also attended and organized international scientific conferences on several occasions. For his contribution in viral hepatitis, he was honored with national orations award by ICMR in 1990, Rashtriya Gaurav Award by India International Friendship Society (IIFS) in 2010 and Best Citizen of India award by International Publishing House (IPH) in 2011. Besides, he has several other achievements to his credit including his biography inducted in several reputed directories of the world. Therefore, I find him to be a competent candidate and strongly recommend his candidature for the election of fellow of National Academy of Medical Sciences (FNASc).

Proposer : Prof. Jaya S. Tyagi, Seconder : Prof. N.K. Mehra Ten Best Publications: 1. Irshad M, Sharma CB.Purification and properties of an alpha-amylase protein-inhibitor from Arachis hypogaea seeds. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta. (1981) ; 659 : 326 - 333. (IF=2.773, CI=10) 2. Irshad M, Gandhi BM, Acharya SK, Joshi YK, Tandon BN. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of IgG and IgM anti-idiotypes directed against anti-HBs molecules. Journal of Immunological Methods. (1987) ; 96 : 211 - 217. (IF=2.34, CI=2) 3. Irshad M, Gandhi BM, Chawla TC, Acharya SK, Joshi YK, Tandon BN. Studies on HBsAg binding with polymerised human serum albumin by ELISA. Journal of Virological Methods. (1987) ; 16 : 75 - 85. (IF=2.139, CI=5) 4. Irshad M, Acharya SK, Joshi YK, Tandon BN. Role of fibronectin and complement in

immunopathogenesis of acute and subacute hepatic failure. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. (1994) ; 9 : 355 – 360. (IF=2.41, CI=6) 5. Irshad M, Acharya SK. Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection in severe forms of liver diseases in north India. Europ J Gastroenterol Hepatology. (1996) ; 8 : 995 - 998. (IF=1.598, CI=8) 6. Irshad M, Agarwal SK. HCV infection in Delhi, India. Hepatology Research. (1998) ; 11 : 129 - 132. (IF=1.857, CI=2) 7. Irshad M. Hepatitis E Virus : An update on its molecular, clinical, and epidemiological characteristics. Intervirology. (1999) ; 42 : 252 - 262. (IF=1.756, CI=35) 8. Irshad M, Sharma Y, Dhar I, Singh J, Joshi YK. Transfusion-transmitted virus (TTV) association with hepatitis A-E viral infections in various forms of liver diseases in India. World J Gastroenterology (2006); 12 : 2432 - 2436 (IF=2.092, CI=13) 9. Irshad M, Joshi YK, Sharma Y, Dhar I. Transfusion transmitted virus (TTV) : A review on its molecular characteristics and role in medicine. World J Gastroenterology. (2006) ; 12 : 5122 – 5134. (IF=2.092, CI=30) 10.Irshad M, I Khushboo, Singh Shiwani, S Sukhbir. Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) : Review of Immunological

Aspects. International Reviews of Immunology. (2008) ; 27 : 497 - 517. (IF=4.935, CI=20)

155

KASBEKAR, DURGADAS PRABHAKAR (b 1956), Haldane Chair, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting & Diagnostics, Hyderabad


In the past year, Durgadas Kasbekar and colleagues have made [Dp + Df] heterokaryotic strains of Neurospora with complementary Dps (duplications) and Dfs (deficiencies) in their constituent nuclei, and screened for ―nucleus-limited‖ genes. A gene is nucleus-limited when nuclei bearing a null allele (delta) fail to be complemented by neighboring wild-type (WT) nuclei in a [delta + WT] heterokaryon. Although evidence for nucleus-limited genes dates back >43 years, none has as yet been identified. Kasbekar‘s results suggested that the deficiency Df(B362i) deletes a nucleus-limited gene essential for packaging nuclei into vegetative spores. A revised manuscript describing this work is under consideration in ―G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics‖ since 22 Feb 2015 (BioRxiv http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/013482). Also in the past year Kasbekar published a book chapter, entitled ―What have we learned by doing transformations in Neurospora tetrasperma?‖ in ―Genetic Transformation Systems in Fungi, Volume 2‖, edited by M. A. van den Berg and K. Maruthachalam, Springer, Switzerland. Previously, Kasbekar showed that (1) RIP, a sexual-phase-specific mutational process of fungi, is competed out by ~300 kb of duplicated DNA; (2) RNAi-based meiotic gene silencing is partially muted in crosses with wild-isolated Neurospora strains, (3) mapped and defined the fmf-1 and dow genes; (4) discovered that LBR, a vertebrate nuclear membrane protein has sterol biosynthetic activity, and analyzed it via site-specific mutations; and (5) elucidated the response of Dictyostelium amoebae to isoflavonoid phytoalexins produced by leguminous plants, possibly to induce them to continue foraging for pathogenic soil bacteria, and thereby disinfecting root lesions.

Proposer : Prof. Amitabha Chattopadhyay, Seconder : Dr. R. Nagaraj


1. Papavinasasundram, K.G. and Kasbekar, D.P. (1994). The Neurospora crassa erg-3 gene encodes a protein with sequence homology to both yeast sterol C-14 reductase and chicken lamin B receptor. J. Genet. 73 : 33-41. (if=1.013, ci=16)

2. Prakash, A., Sengupta S., Aparna, K., and Kasbekar, D.P. (1999) The erg-3 (sterol 14,15-reductase) gene of Neurospora crassa: generation of null mutants by repeat-induced point mutation and complementation by proteins chimeric for human lamin B receptor sequences. Microbiology 145: 1443-1451. (if=2.852, ci=33)

3. Noubissi, F.K., McCluskey, K. and Kasbekar, D.P. (2000). Repeat-induced point mutation (RIP) in crosses with wild-isolated strains of Neurospora crassa : Evidence for dominant reduction of RIP. Fungal Genet. Biol. 31 : 91-97. (if=3.263, ci=15)

4. Bhat, A. and Kasbekar, D.P. (2001) Escape from repeat-induced point mutation of a gene-sized duplication in Neurospora crassa crosses that are heterozygous for a larger chromosome segment duplication. Genetics 157: 1581-1590. (if=4.389, ci=20)

5. Bhat, A., Noubissi, F. K., Vyas, M. and Kasbekar, D. P. (2003). Genetic analysis of wild-isolated Neurospora crassa strains identified as dominant suppressors of repeat-induced point mutation (RIP). Genetics 164: 947-961. (if=4.389, ci=12)

6. Bhat, A., Tamuli, R. and Kasbekar, D. P. (2004) Genetic transformation of Neurospora tetrasperma, demonstration of repeat-induced point mutation (RIP) in self-crosses, and a screen for recessive RIP-defective mutants. Genetics 167: 1155-1164. (if=4.389, ci=12)

7. Vyas, M., Ravindran, C. and Kasbekar, D. P. (2006) Chromosome segment duplications in Neurospora crassa and their effects on repeat-induced point mutation (RIP) and meiotic silencing by unpaired DNA. Genetics 172: 1511-1519. (if=4.389, ci=12)

8. Kasbekar, D. P., Singh, P. K., Ramakrishnan, M. and Kranthi Raj, B. (2011) Carrefour Mme. Gras: A wild-isolated Neurospora crassa strain that suppresses meiotic silencing by unpaired DNA and uncovers a novel ascospore stability defect. Fungal Genet. Biol. 48: 612-620. (if=3.263, ci=4)

9. Ramakrishnan, M., Nagasowjanya, T., Kranthi Raj, B. and Kasbekar, D. P. (2011) Meiotic silencing by unpaired DNA is expressed more strongly in the early than the late perithecia of crosses involving most wild-isolated Neurospora crassa strains and in self-crosses of N. tetrasperma. Fungal Genet. Biol. 48: 1146-1152. (if=3.263, ci=3)

10. Nagasowjanya, T., Kranthi Raj, B., K. Sreethi Reddy, and Kasbekar, D. P. (2013) An apparent increase in meiotic silencing strength in crosses involving inbred Neurospora crassa strains. Fungal Genet. Biol. 56: 158-162. (if=3.263, ci=1)

http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/013482

156

KUHAD, RAMESH CHANDER (b 1955), Professor, Department of Microbiology, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi


Prof. R. C. Kuhad has made pioneering contribution in the field of microbial conversion of lignocellulosic materials, using microorganisms and their enzymes, into value added products. He has developed processes for production of xylanase (Patent: IN984/DEL/2008) and laccase, which have been evaluated in bleaching of paper pulp at pilot scale. The patent of paper pulp bleaching has been filed (Patent: IN2944/DEL/2013). He has developed process for production of a high level alkaline pectinase for application in bioretting of plant fibers. Moreover recently his group has developed a tri-cistronic assembly of bacterial laccase, pectate lyase and endoxylanase in a single vector for their simultaneous heterologous expression in E. coli. Prof. Kuhad after a long effort could succeed in developing a process for bioconversion of wheat straw in nutritionally rich and digestible animal feed by solid-state fermentation. The fermented feed produced has been evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. The evaluation of the feed revealed that the fermented feed was able to replace almost 50% of the concentrate and resulted in higher body weight gain (Patent: IN4039/DEL/2012). His laboratory has also been concentrating on bioconversion of plant materials into bioethanol. Among several interventions during the development of the bioethanol production process, the important one is the generation of high concentration sugar syrup. Using the designed process, his group was able to increase the sugar concentration up to 5 folds (Patent: IN1348/DEL/2011) In view of his accomplishments, I strongly recommend his candidature for the fellowship of the National Academy of Sciences, India

Proposer : Prof.B.N.Johri, Seconder : Prof. J.P.Khurana


1. Shrivastava, B., Jain, K.K., Kalra, A., Kuhad R.C. (2014). Bioprocessing of wheat straw into nutritionally rich and digested cattle feed. Scientific Reports. doi:10.1038/srep06360 (if=5.078, ci=0)

2. Sharma KK, Shrivastava B, Sastry VRB, Sehgal N and Kuhad RC (2013). Middle redox potential laccase from Ganoderma sp: its application in imrovement of feed from monogastric animals. Scientific Reports. 3:1299 (if=5.078, ci=2)

3. Gupta R, Kumar S., Gomes J. and Kuhad R.C. (2012). Kinetic study of batch and fed-batch enzymatic saccharification of pretreated substrate and their subsequent fermentation to ethanol. Biotechnology for Biofuels 5:16 (if=6.22, ci=11)

4. Kidwai, M., Poddar, R., Diwanian S. and Kuhad, R. C. (2009). Laccase from basidiomycetous fungus catalyzed synthesis of substituted 5-deaza-10-oxaflavin via Domino reaction. Advance Synthesis and Catalysis. 351:589-595. (if=5.542, ci=29)

5. Gupta, R., Sharma, K.K., Kuhad, R.C. (2009). Separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) of Prosopis juliflora, a woody substrate, for the production of cellulosic ethanol by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia stipitis-NCIM 3498. Bioresource Technology 100: 1214-1220. (if=5.039, ci=80)

6. Ninawe, S., Kapoor M., Kuhad, R.C. (2008). Purification and characterization of extracellular xylanase from Streptomyces cyaneus SN32. Bioresource Technology 99:1252-1258. (if=5.039, ci=65)

7. Chandel, A.K., Kapoor, R.K., Singh, A., Kuhad, R.C. (2007). Detoxification of sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate improves ethanol production by Candida shehatae NCIM 3501. Bioresource Technology 98:1947-1950 (if=5.039, ci=136)

8. Vasdev, K., Dhawan, S.,Kapoor, R.K., Kuhad, R.C. (2005). Biochemical characterization and molecular evidence of a laccase from the bird's nest fungus Cyathus bulleri Fungal Genetics and Biology 42:684-693 (if=3.262, ci=37)

9. Kuhad, R. C., Singh, A. and Eriksson, K. E. L., (1997). Microorganisms and enzymes involved in the degradation of the plant fibre cell walls. Special issue on ‗Biotechnology in pulp and paper industry‘ for Advances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology. 57: 45-125. (if=2.6, ci=112)

10. Kuhad, R. C. and Singh, A. (1993). Lignocellulose Biotechnology: Current and Future Prospects. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology. 13: 151-172. (if=7.837, ci=176)

157

KUMAR, ANIL (b 1962), Professor & Head, Department of Molecular Biology & Genetic Engineering, College of Basic Sciences & Humanities, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar (263 145)-India.


I am interacting with Dr Anil Kumar as colleague and assessed him through excellent Pantangar Biotechnology Programme maintaining high academic standards in both teaching and research. He has made significant contributions towards signal transduction research in plant-pathogen interaction and also used three pronged molecular approaches-genomics, proteomics and molecular marker for studying complex traits such as calcium nutrition, nitrogen use efficiency, seed protein quality of finger millet for proving it as nutraceutical crop. It is evident through his 165 publications in national and international journals besides several articles, chapters, books and manuals in his credit. The impact of Dr Anil‘s work can be judged by ~600 citations (h index-11, i10 index-19) and his work on development of various immunological formats in the form of lateral flow kit and immuno-sensing system for quick detection of teliospores in wheat lots has been cited in several books and magazines. His teaching experience of > 28 years in medical and agricultural institutions has helped him to make good interface between medical and plant sciences. His commitment to teaching and research is self-evident by guiding 37 students for their PhD, MSc and MVSc in Biotechnology who are now well placed in various national and international institutes and he conferred recently INSA-Teacher‘s Award-2014. In short, Dr. Anil is truly an excellent professor and human being, and with his background I feel he is a valuable asset to Pantnagar University in particular and Nation in general and it is without hesitation that I recommend Dr. Anil Kumar for NASI fellowship.

Proposer : Dr. P.K. Gupta, Seconder : Dr. Shelly Praveen


1. B. Kalyana Babu, Dinesh Pandey, P.K. Agarwal, S. Sood, C. Chandrashekara, J.C. Bhatt and Anil Kumar (2014) Comparative genomics and association mapping approaches for blast resistant genes in finger millet accessions using genic and genomics SSRs. PLOS one, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0099182. (if=3.53)

2. Uma M. Singh, Muktesh Chandra, S.C. Shankhdhar and Anil Kumar (2014). Transcriptome wide identification and validation of Calcium sensor gene family in the developing spikes of Finger millet genotypes for elucidating its role in grain Calcium accumulation. PLOS one, 9(8), e103963. (if=3.53, ci=1)

3. Sadhna Singh, Atul Kumar Gupta, Supriya Gupta, Sanjay Gupta and Anil Kumar (2014) Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) and cyclic voltametery based immunosensor for determination of teliosporic antigen and diagnosis of Karnal Bunt of wheat using anti-teliosporic antibody. Sensors and Actuators, B: Chemical. DOI.org/10.1016/j.snb.2013.10.049. (if=3.84)

4. Rahul Kumar, Ravindra Taware, Vikram S. Gaur, S.K. Guru and Anil Kumar (2009) Influence of nitrogen inputs on the expression of Dof transcription factor in wheat and its relationship with photo synthetic and ammonium assimilating efficiency. Molecular Biology Reports, 36, 8: 2209-2220. (if=2.91, ci=22)

5. Vikram Singh Gaur, U.S. Singh and Anil Kumar (2011) Transcriptional profiling and in silico analysis of Dof transcription factor gene family for understanding their regulation during seed development of rice Oryza sativa L. Molecular Biology Reports, 38: 2827-2848.(if=2.91, ci=18)

6. Alok Kumar Gupta, Vikram Singh Gaur, Sanjay Gupta and Anil Kumar (2013). Molecular characterization and co-expression analysis of genes involved in nitrogen uptake and assimilation in finger millet genotypes grown under the influence of varying nitrate signals for understanding their regulation. Functional and Integrative Genomics, DOI 10.1007/s10142-13-0311-x. (if=2.69)

7. Anil Kumar, Vikram Singh Gaur, Anshita Goel and Atul Kumar Gupta (2014). De Novo Assembly and Characterization of Developing Spikes Transcriptome of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana): a Minor Crop Having Nutraceutical Properties. Plant Molecular Biology Reporter, 10.1007/s11105-014-0802-5. (if=2.37)

8. Anil Kumar, Pooja Kanwal, Alok Kumar Gupta, B. R. Singh and Vikram Singh Gaur (2013). A Full-Length Dof1 Transcription Factor of Finger Millet and its Response to a Circadian Cycle. Plant Molecular Biology Reporter, DOI 10.1007/s11105-013-0653-5. (if=2.37, ci=2)

9. B. Kalyana Babu, P.K. Agarwal Dinesh Pandey, Anil Kumar (2014) Comparative genomics and association mapping approaches for opaque2 modifer genes in finger millet accessions using genic, gemomic and candidate gene based SSR markers. Molecular Breeding, DOI: 10.1007/s11032-014-0115-2. (if=2.28, ci=1)

10. Mihir K. Mandal, Dinesh Pandey, Shalini Purwar, U.S. Singh and Anil Kumar (2006) Influence of jasmonic acid as potential activator of induced resistance against Karnal bunt in developing spikes of wheat. J. Bioscience 31(50): 607-616. (if=1.93, ci=16)

158

MANGAMOORI, LAKSHMI NARASU (b 1957), Professor, Centre for Biotechnology Institute of Science

and Technology, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, Kukatpally Campus, Hyderabad – 500085, Andhra Pradesh

Member of the NASI: No (YON 2012, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology including) Dr.M.Lakshminarasu is a Ph.D.degree holder from the IISc, Bangalore. After a brief stint at CCMB, she had joined the Centre for Biotechnology as an Asst.Prof. at JNTUH. After establishing the basic laboratory facilities for the students, she had initiated research. Her scientific contributions cover the areas of applied microbiology, plant biotechnology, cancer biology and genetics. Her contribution to applied microbiology includes her work in larvicidal protein and other important industrial enzymes. Apart from this she also worked on cloning and production of hormones and important bio-pharmaceuticals. She has also developed a process for L-Arginine production for an industry with Sponsorship form DST TIFAC. Her contribution to plant biotechnology includes studies of Artemisinin Biosynthesis which is an important antimalarial and invitro production of secondary metabolites and work on crop plants like rice and groundnut. Her contributions in the areas of human diseases, cancer biology and genetics include mechanisms of cataractogenesis, studies on stem cell nature and properties of prostate cancer derived cells CD 133+ MDR1+ cells. Most importantly she has carried out in depth studies on modulation of gene activity by dietary phytochemicals that could be used in chemoprevention. Studies from her lab have thrown new light on the role of phytochemicals in prevention of carcinogenesis. This will enable doctors to combine dietary modifications along with chemotherapy for effective cancer treatment in future. She has shown association between 102 T/C polymorphism of serotonin receptor gene and Schizophrenia among South Indians and also Micro-satellite mutation in the maternally/paternally transmitted D18S51 locus leading to allele mismatch in the offspring.

Proposer : Prof. Kalluri Subba Rao, Seconder : Prof. P. B. Kavi Kishor Ten Best Publications: 1. Lakshmi Narasu. M and Gopinathan K.P., (1986) ―Purification of larvicidal protein from B.sphaericus 1593‖. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 141, 756-760 (IF=2.548, CI=54) 2. Sharma Y, Rao Ch, Lakshmi Narasu. M, Rao SC, Somasundaram T, Gopalakrishna A & Balasubramanian D., (1989). "Calcium ion binding to and crystallins the presence of "EF-HAND" motif in crystallin that aids in Calcium ion binding". J. Biol. Chem. 264, 12794-12799 and ― (IF=5.3, CI=40) 3. Vikas Dhingra and M. Lakshmi Narasu, (2001) Purification and characterization of enzyme involved in biochemical transformation of arteannuin B to artemisinin from Artemisia annua. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 281, 558-561 (IF=2.4, CI=18) 4. Udayshankar.A and Lakshmi Narasu. M., (2002) Association between the 102 T/C polymorphism of Serotonin –2A Receptor gene and Schizophrenia among South Indians, Molecular Psychiatry 7 (6), 540- 541. (IF=15, CI=9) 5. Kiran Kumar Doddapaneni, Radhika Tatineni, Ravi Nagaraj Vellanki, Bharat Gandu, Nagender Reddy Panyala, Balumaddileti Chakali, Lakshmi Narasu Mangamoori ―Purification and characterization of two novel extra cellular proteases from Serratia rubidaea‖ Process Biochemistry, 42, 1229-1236, 2007 (IF=3.4, CI=11) 6. Venkanna Narkuti, Ravi N Vellanki, Gandhi Kpc; Kiran K Doddapaneni; Pramila D Y; Lakshmi narasu Mangamoori, (2007) ―Microsatellite mutation in the maternally/paternally transmitted D18S51 locus: Two cases of allele mismatch in the child‖. Clinica Chimica Acta, Volume 381, Issue 2, June 2007, Pages 171- 175. (IF=2.5, CI=5) 7. Beevi SS, Mangamoori LN, Subatra M, Edula JR (2010) Hexane Extract of Raphanus sativus L., Root Inhibits Cell Proliferation and induces apoptosis in human cancer cells by modulating genes related to apoptotic pathway. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition DOI 10.1007/s11130-010-0178-0 (IF=2.4, CI=4) 8. Vengaldas Rajaram, Thirunavukkarasu Nepolean, Senapathy Senthilvel, Rajeev K Varshney, Vincent Vadez, Rakesh K Srivastava, Trushar M Shah, Ambawat Supriya, Sushil Kumar, Basava Ramana Kumari, Amindala Bhanuprakash, Mangamoori Lakshmi Narasu, Oscar Riera-Lizarazu and Charles Thomas Hash. ―Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] consensus linkage map constructed using four RIL mapping populations and newly developed EST-SSRs‖ BMC Genomics 2013, 14:159 doi:10.1186/1471-2164-14-159(IF=4.07, CI=-) 9. Sathish K, Sriraman R, Subramanian BM, Rao NH, Balaji K, Narasu ML, Srinivasan VA, Plant expressed EtMIC2 is an effective immunogen in conferring protection against chicken coccidiosis, Vaccine. 2011 Nov 15;29(49):9201-8 (IF=3.5, CI=4) 10. M.Madanmohan, S.B.Nagendrakumar, M.Lakshmi Narasu and V.A.Srinivasan (2009) ―Effect of FMD vaccine antigen payload on protection, sub-clinical infection and persistence following needle challenge in sheep‖ Comparitive Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 2009 Feb;100(3):1214-20. (IF=3.6, CI=-)

159

MISRA, HARI SHARAN (b 1962), Head, Molecular Genetics, Mol. Biol. Div., Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai


Dr. H. S. Misra has made outstanding contributions in the area of molecular and cellular response to radiations and DNA damage. He identified a novel antioxidant and a radioprotector pyrroloquinoline-quinone, and demonstrated its role in radiation resistance and DSB repair, through activation of a eukaryotic type Ser/Thr protein (eSTPK) kinase in Deinococcus radiodurans. For the first time, his group demonstrated the involvement of eSTPKs in radiation resistance and DSB repair in any prokaryote. They have characterized a number of proteins including a multiprotein DNA repair complex and ascertained the essentiality of complex components being together for radioresistance and DSB repair. More recently, they elucidated a mechanism that partly explains how bacteria also can maintain the multipartite genome system, and elaborated a pleiotropic protein involvement in such process through interaction with topoisomerases. Dr. Misra has developed constructs and bacterial strains, and provided to other laboratories in India and abroad under materials transfer agreements. He delivered invited lectures and co-chaired scientific sessions in several international and national meetings. In last 5 years, he published 30 papers with aggregate IF of ~86.532. Dr. Misra is recipient of prestigious national awards including Homi Bhabha Science and Technology Award-2013, Sarma Memorial Award (SBCI), DAE Scientific and Technical Excellence Award and INS Young Scientist Award. He is an elected member of Guha Research Conference and Fulbright-Nehru Senior Fellow. For his excellent contributions to scientific, research and human resource development, Dr. Misra is strongly recommended for election to the Fellowship to National Academy of Sciences India, Allahabad.

Proposer : Dr. S. K. Apte, Seconder : Dr. K. B. Sainis


1. Rajpurohit YS and *Misra HS (2013) Structure-function study of deinococcal serine/threonine protein kinase implicates its kinase activity and DNA repair protein phosphorylation roles in radioresistance of Deinococcus radiodurans. Int. J. Biochem. Cell Biol.45:2541-2552 (if=4.152 (Publication Year), ci=02)

2. Juby, K.A., Dwivedi, Charu, Kumar, Manmohan, Kota Swathi, Misra, H. S., *Bajaj, P.N. (2012) Silver nanoparticle-loaded PVA/gum acacia hydrogel: Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial study. Carbohydrate Polymers 89:906-913. (if=3.987 (Publication Year), ci=34)

3. *Misra, H.S., Rajpurohit, Y.S. and Khairnar, N.P. (2012) Pyrroloquinoline-quinone and its versatile roles in biological processes. J. Biosci. 37:313-325 (if=1.887 (Publication Year), ci=29)

4. Rajpurohit YS, Gopalakrishnan R and *Misra HS (2008) Involvement of protein kinase activity inducer in DNA double strand break repair and radioresistance of Deinococcus radiodurans. J. Bact. 190: 3948-3954. (if=3.636 (Publication Year), ci=29)

5. Kharinar NP, Kamble VA and *Misra HS (2008) RecBC enzyme overproduction affects UV and gamma radiation survival of Deinococcus radiodurans. DNA Repair 7: 40-47. (if=5.093, ci=24)

6. Khairnar NP, Kamble VA, Mangoli, SH, Apte SK and *Misra HS (2007) Involvement of a periplasmic protein kinase in DNA strand break repair and homologous recombination in Escherichia coli. Mol. Microbiol. 65:294–304. (if=5.462 (Publication year), ci=18)

7. *Misra HS, Khairnar NP, Kota S, Shrivastava S, Joshi VP and Apte SK (2006) An Exonuclease I sensitive DNA repair pathway in Deinococcus radiodurans: a major determinant of radiation resistance. Mol. Microbiol. 59:1308-1316. (if=5.634 (Publication year), ci=41)

8. Kota, S. and *Misra, H. S. (2006). PprA: a protein implicated in radioresistance of Deinococcus radiodurans stimulates catalase activity in Escherichia coli. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 72:790-796. (if=3.811 (Publication year), ci=23)

9. *Misra HS, Khairnar NP, Barik A, Priyadarsini KI, Mohan H and Apte SK (2004) Pyrroloquinoline- quinone: a reactive oxygen species scavenger in bacteria. FEBS Lett. 578:26-30. (if=3.843 (Publication year), ci=58)

10. Khairnar, N.P., *Misra, H. S. and Apte, S. K. (2003) Pyrroloquinoline-quinone synthesized in Escherichia coli by pyrroloquinoline-quinone synthase of Deinococcus radiodurans plays a role beyond mineral phosphate solubilization. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 312: 303-308. (if=2.836 (Publication year), ci=27)

160

PARNAIK, VEENA KRISHNAJI (b 1953), Chief Scientist, Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology, Uppal

Road, Hyderabad - 500007 Member of the NASI: No (YON 2012, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology)

Dr. Veena K Parnaik has made outstanding contributions towards understanding the functional role of the nuclear lamina, an essential component of nuclear architecture in metazoan cells. In pioneering studies, she has identified lamin domains that colocalize with RNA splicing factor compartments (JCS, 1999) and are involved in the spatial organization of transcription and pre-mRNA splicing (JCB, 2002). Her demonstration that rearrangements in the internal lamina are mediated by cyclin D3 and pRb and occur specifically during muscle differentiation (JCS, 2001; MBC, 2005) has significant implications for understanding why most mutations in the human lamin A gene cause muscular dystrophies. Her studies have established that lamin A mutations impair DNA repair pathways (JCS, 2006) and upregulate specific proteasomal degradation pathways (PLoS ONE, 2010), and have given important insights into the cellular basis of laminopathies. She was invited to write a review on lamins in a prestigious series (IRCMB, 2008). She has earlier identified novel nuclear pore proteins involved in transport (MCB, 1990; BBA, 1991; ECR 1994), and shown that protein phosphorylation is essential for nuclear transport (ECR, 1995). She has analysed the key determinants of lamin A promoter activity (DNA CB, 1998; EJB, 2001). Her papers have received over 1000 citations. She is a fellow of the Indian National Science Academy and Indian Academy of Sciences, and Sir JC Bose national fellow. She has received the Prof SP Ray-Chaudhuri award of the Indian Society of Cell Biology, and is currently President of the Indian Society of Cell Biology.

Proposer: Dr Ch Mohan Rao, Seconder : Dr Ramesh V. Sonti Ten Best Publications: 1. V K Parnaik and P K Kennady, Mol. Cell. Biol. 10, 1287-1292 (1990). (IF=6.19, CI=16) 2. S Pandey and V K Parnaik, Biochim. Biophys. Acta (Biomembranes)1063, 81-89 (1991). (IF=4.65,

CI=19) 3. K Mishra and V K Parnaik, Exp. Cell Res. 216, 124-134 (1995). (IF=3.61, CI=23) 4. G Jagatheesan, S Thanumalayan, Bh Muralikrishna, N Rangaraj, A A Karande and V K Parnaik, J. Cell

Sci. 112, 4651-4661 (1999).(IF=6.30, CI=104) 5. Bh Muralikrishna, J Dhawan, N Rangaraj and VK Parnaik , J. Cell Sci. 114, 4001-4011 (2001).

(IF=6.30, CI=37) 6. RI Kumaran, Bh Muralikrishna and VK Parnaik,J. Cell Biol. 159, 783-793 (2002). (IF=9.92, CI=83) 7. I Mariappan and VK Parnaik, Mol. Biol. Cell 16, 1948-1960 (2005) (IF=5.86, CI=45) 8. K Manju, Bh Muralikrishna, VK Parnaik, J. Cell Sci. 119, 2704-2714 (2006). (IF=6.30, CI=58) 9. VK Parnaik, Int. Rev. Cell Mol. Biol. 266, 157-206 (2008). (IF=4.95, CI=29) 10.P Chaturvedi, VK Parnaik, PLoS ONE 5(5) e10620 (2010) (IF=4.41, CI=4)

161

SANKARARAMAKRISHNAN, RAMASUBBU (b 1964), Professor, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur


Dr. R. Sankararamakrishnan‘s lab at IIT-Kanpur has been investigating several basic biology problems using diverse computational techniques. Dr. Sankar‘s lab has been studying the protein-protein interactions among the pro- and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family of proteins. His lab has carried out comparative molecular dynamics simulations of several mammalian Bcl-2 proteins and the Bcl-2 homolog from C. elegans. Although Bcl-2 family members share the same fold, their simulation studies demonstrated that the hydrophobic binding pocket is rigid in C. elegans compared to their mammalian counterparts. The flexibility in the binding pocket is linked to the individual member‘s ability to bind multiple binding partners. This study highlighted the limitations of drug screening studies using model organisms. Dr. Sankar‘s group has been working on sequence-structure-function relationship of major intrinsic proteins, a superfamily of aquaporins. Using bioinformatics approach, his group analyzed fungal genomes and identified a new subfamily of aquaporins in fungi which shares some characteristic features with a plant aquaporin subfamily. This is the second such family they have identified that is common between the kingdoms of plants and fungi. Using molecular dynamics simulations, his group has unraveled the role of helix destabilizing residues found to be highly conserved in functionally important half-helical regions in regulating the MIP channel transport. Dr. Sankar‘s group has analyzed high-resolution DNA structures to investigate some of the novel non-covalent interactions involving aromatic residues and oxygen atoms. His group has earlier identified and characterized such interactions in protein structures and also between protein and water molecules.

Proposer : Prof. Saraswathi Vishveshwara, Seconder : Prof. M. R. N. Murthy


1. A. Bansal and R. Sankararamakrishnan* (2007) Homology modeling of major intrinsic proteins in rice, maize and Arabidopsis: comparative analysis of transmembrane helix association and aromatic/arginine selectivity filters. BMC Struct. Biol. 7, Art. No. 27 (17 pages). Highly Accessed Article. (if=2.22, ci=68)

2. D. Lama and R. Sankararamakrishnan* (2008) Anti-apoptotic Bcl-XL protein in complex with BH3 peptides of pro-apoptotic Bak, Bad and Bim proteins: Comparative molecular dynamics simulations. Proteins: Struct. Func. Bioinf. 73, 492-514. (if=2.921, ci=38)

3. A. Jain, V. Ramanathan and R. Sankararamakrishnan* (2009) Lone pair ... pi interactions between water oxygens and aromatic residues: Quantum chemical studies based on high-resolution protein structures and model compounds. Protein Science 18, 595-605.(if=2.861, ci=56)

4. A. B. Gupta and R. Sankararamakrishnan* (2009) Genome-wide analysis of major intrinsic proteins in the tree plant Populus trichocarpa: Characterization of XIP subfamily of aquaporins from evolutionary perspective. BMC Plant Biol. 9, Art. No. 134 (28 pages).(if=3.94, ci=85)

5. D. Lama and R. Sankararamakrishnan* (2010) Identification of core structural residues in sequentially diverse and structurally homologous Bcl-2 family of proteins. Biochemistry 49, 2574-2584. (if=3.194, ci=16)

6. A. B. Gupta, R. K. Verma, V. Agarwal, M. Vajpai, V. Bansal and R. Sankararamakrishnan* (2012) MIPModDB: A central resource for the superfamily of major intrinsic proteins. Nucleic Acids Res. 40 D362-D369. (if=8.808, ci=18)

7. V. Modi and R. Sankararamakrishnan* (2014) Anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 homolog CED-9 in Caenorhabditis elegans : Dynamics of BH3 and CED-4 binding regions and comparison with mammalian anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. Proteins: Structure, Function, and Bioinformatics 82, 1035-1047. (if=2.921, ci=1)

8. A. Jain, R. N. V. Krishna Deepak and R. Sankararamakrishnan* (2014) Oxygen-aromatic contacts in intra-strand base pairs: Analysis of high-resolution DNA crystal structures and quantum chemical calculations. Journal of Structural Biology 187, 49-57. (if=3.369, ci=1)

9. R. K. Verma, N. D. Prabh and R. Sankararamakrishnan* (2014) New subfamilies of major intrinsic proteins in fungi suggest novel transport properties in fungal channels: Implications for the host-fungal interactions. BMC Evolutionary Biology 14, Art. No. 173 (16 pages). Highly Accessed Article. (if=3.407, ci=2)

10. R. K. Verma, N. D. Prabh and R. Sankararamakrishnan* (2015) Intra-helical salt-bridge and helix destabilizing residues within the same helical turn: Role of functionally important loop E half-helix in channel regulation of major intrinsic proteins. Biochimica et Biophysia Acta (BBA) – Biomembranes 1848, 1436-1449. (if=3.431, ci=1)

162

SESHADRI, VASUDEVAN (b 1968), Scientist E, National Centre for Cell Science, Pune Member of the NASI: No (YON 2012, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology including)

Rapid, regulated synthesis of insulin in response to increased glucose concentration is necessary for maintaining the glucose levels in a narrow physiological range. Alterations to this process lead to impaired glucose homeostasis resulting in metabolic disorders including diabetes. The initial response to glucose includes an increase in translation and secretion with nominal alterations in the mRNA levels of insulin gene. Research done at Dr. Seshadri‘s laboratory has shown that the 5‘UTR of insulin mRNA plays an important role in glucose stimulated insulin biosynthesis. They show that specific factors in the β-islets bind to the insulin 5‘UTR and regulate its translation. A minimal 29-nucleotide element in the 5‘UTR of insulin mRNA was identified that is sufficient to confer glucose mediated translation and activation (Muralidharan et al. 2007). The importance of the insulin 5‘UTR was also highlighted by the identification of insulin mRNA splice variants with altered 5‘UTR resulting in altered efficiency of translation and glucose responsiveness (Panda et al. 2010). They further characterized the mechanism of the regulation by identifying Protein disulfide isomerase and Poly A binding protein as the proteins that associate with the 5‘UTR of insulin mRNA and elucidated the oxido-reductive switch mechanism that controls the insulin biosynthesis (Kulkarni et al. 2011). Although it has been known for several decades that glucose activates insulin synthesis this is the first successful attempt to characterize the molecular mechanism of insulin biosynthesis. Identification of the players involved in this regulation has resulted in better understanding of diabetes and its correlation with cellular stress.

Proposer : Dr. Shekhar C. Mande, Seconder : Prof. J. K. Pal Ten Best Publications: 1. Venkatesan V, Madhira SL, Malakapalli VM, Chalasani M, Shaik SN, Seshadri V, Kodavalla V, Bhonde RR, Nappanveettil G., (2013) Obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome: a study in WNIN/Ob rats from a pancreatic perspective. Biomed Res Int. 2013;2013:617569. doi: 10.1155/2013/617569. PMID: 24455710 (if=2.880, ci=new) 2. Mitnala Sasikala, Guduru Venkat Rao, Venkateshan Vijayalakshmi, Rebala Pradeep, Suresh Pothani, Pondugala Pavan Kumar, Radhika Gaddipati, Ganneru Sirisha, Ramji Cheemalakonda, Manu Tandan, Chivukula Subramanyam, Seshadri Vasudevan, and D. Nageshwar Reddy (2013) Long-Term Functions of Encapsulated Islets Grafted in Nonhuman Primates Without Immunosuppression Transplantation 96(7):624-632 (if=3.781, ci=new) 3. Sangeeta Chatterjee, Amaresh C. Panda, Sunil K. Berwal, Sreejith, R.K, Charu Ritvika, Vasudevan Seshadri and Jayanta K. Pal (2013) Vimentin is a component of complex that binds to the 5′-UTR of human heme-regulated eIF2α kinase mRNA and regulates its translation. FEBS Lett. 587(5):474- 80 (if=4.25, ci=new) 4. Pabitra K. Sahoo, Prayag Murawala, Pravin T. Sawale, Manas R. Sahoo, Mukesh M. Tripathi, Swati R. Gaikwad, Vasudevan Seshadri and Jomon Joseph (2012) Wnt signalling antagonizes stress granule assembly through a Dishevelled-dependent mechanism. Biology Open 1(2):109-19. (if=new Journal, ci=-) 5. Shardul D. Kulkarni*, Bhavana Muralidharan*, Amaresh C. Panda, Baskar Bakthavachalu, Arya Vindu and Vasudevan Seshadri (2011) Glucose-stimulated Translation Regulation of Insulin by the 5′ UTR-binding Proteins. J. Biol. Chem. 286: 14146-14156 (if=4.651, ci=11) 6. Amaresh C. Panda, Shardul D. Kulkarni, Bhavana Muralidharan, Baskar Bakthavachalu and Vasudevan Seshadri (2010) Novel splice variant of mouse insulin2 mRNA: Implications for insulin expression. FEBS Lett. 584: 1169–1173 (if=4.25, ci=3) 7. Baskar B, Sarmishtha Kalanke, Sanjeev Galande, Ramanamurthy B., Kalidas Kohale and Vasudevan Seshadri (2010) Dense Cataract and Microphthalmia (dcm) in BALB/c Mice is caused by mutations in the GJA8 locus. J. Genetics 89: (2) 147-154 (if=0.876, ci=2) 8. Muralidharan B, Bakthavachalu B, Pathak A, Vasudevan Seshadri. (2007) A minimal element in 5'UTR of insulin mRNA mediates its translational regulation by glucose. FEBS Lett.; 581(21): 4103-8 (if=4.25, ci=12) 9. Sampath P, Mazumder B, Vasudevan Seshadri, Gerber CA, Chavatte L, Kinter M, Ting SM, Dignam JD, Kim S, Driscoll DM, Fox PL. (2004) Noncanonical Function of Glutamyl-Prolyl-tRNA Synthetase; Gene-Specific Silencing of Translation. Cell 119: (2) 195-208(if=31.957, ci=125) 10.Barsanjit Mazumder, Prabha Sampath, Vasudevan Seshadri, Ratan K. Maitra, Paul E DiCorleto and Paul L. Fox, (2003) Regulated Release of L13a from 60S Ribosomal subunit: Mechanism of transcript-specific translational control. Cell 115: (2) 187-198 (if=31.957, ci=169)

163

SHARMA, RAKESH (b 1970), Principal Scientist, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi - 110007

(YON 2012, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology including)

Member of the NASI: No

Dr. Rakesh Sharma is known to me for almost a decade as a young and very enthusiastic microbiologist always eager to use modern technologies to unravel bacterial diversities of contaminated habitats and also understand the molecular basis of survival of life forms under conditions not conducive for the survival. His most significant contributions are with respect to role of microorganisms in conversion of arsenate to arsenite. Genes involved in this process have been characterized and a novel arsenic resistant gene has been identified. His contributions to microbiology also involve bioremediation studies using fungal strains, characterization of bacterial enzymes of biotechnological potential, metagenome analysis of various contaminated sites and identification of heavy metal resistance genes. More recently, he was the first from the country to report genome sequence of two bacteria Idiomarina sp. and Rheinheimera sp. from Pangong Lake, India. The above credentials make him highly suitable to be elected as a fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India.

Proposer: Dr S Shivaji, Seconder : Dr. Dwaipayan Bharadwaj Ten Best Publications: 1. Gupta HK, Singh A, Sharma R. 2011. Genome Sequence of Idiomarina sp. Strain A28L, Isolated from Pangong Lake, India. J. Bacteriol. 193(20):5875-5876. (IF=3.723, CI=0) 2. Gupta HK, Gupta RD, Singh A, Chauhan NS, Sharma R. 2011. Genome Sequence of Rheinheimera sp. Strain A13L, Isolated from Pangong Lake, India. J. Bacteriol. 193(20):5873-4. (IF=3.723, CI=0) 3. Singh A., Chauhan NS, Thulasiram HV, Taneja V, Sharma R. 2010. Identification of two flavin monooxygenases from an effluent treatment plant sludge metagenomic library, Bioresource Technology, 101(21):8481-8484. (IF=4.25, CI=5) 4. Kapardar R.K., Ranjan R., Grover A., Puri M., Sharma R. 2010. Identification and characterization of genes conferring salt tolerance to Escherichia coli from pond water metagenome. Bioresour. Technol. 101: 3917-3924. (IF=4.25, CI=1) 5. Chauhan NS, Ranjan R, Purohit HJ, Kalia VC and Sharma R 2009. Identification of Genes Conferring Arsenic Resistance to Escherichia coli from an Effluent Treatment Plant Sludge Metagenomic Library, FEMS Microbiol. Ecol. 67: 130-139. (IF=3.598, CI=7) 6. Rawal P, Veera BRK, Jinoy R, Kumar N, Halder K, Sharma R, Mukerji M, Das SK and Chowdhury S. 2006. Genome-wide Prediction of G4 DNA as Regulatory Motifs: Role in Escherichia coli Global Regulation, Genome Research. 16: 644-655. (IF=10.256, CI=66) 7. Ranjan R, Grover A, Kapardar RK and Sharma R. 2005. Isolation of novel lipolytic genes from uncultured bacteria of pond water, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 335: 57-65. (IF=3.0, CI=35) 8. Mitra B and Sharma R. 2001. The cysteine-rich amino-terminal domain of ZntA, a Pb(II)/Zn(II)/Cd(II)-translocating ATPase from Escherichia coli, is not essential for its function, Biochemistry, 40(25): 7694-7699. (IF=4.114, CI=59) 9. Sharma R, Rensing C, Rosen BP and Mitra B. 2000. The ATP hydrolytic activity of purified ZntA, a Pb(II)/Cd(II)/Zn(II)-translocating ATPase from Escherichia coli, J. Biol. Chem. 275(6): 3873-3878. (IF=7.368, CI=95) 10.Rensing C, Fan B, Sharma R, Mitra B and Rosen BP. 2000. CopA: an Escherichia coli Cu(I)-translocating P-type ATPase, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 97(2): 652-656. (IF=10.789, CI=184)

SIDDAVARAM, NAGINI (b 1958), Professor & Head, Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar

164


The research group led by the nominee has made significant contributions in the areas of comparative oncology and cancer chemoprevention. Comparative evaluation of human cancer and experimentally induced tumors in animal models has served to unravel the molecular pathogenesis of cancer and enabled development of chemointervention strategies to modulate aberrant signaling pathways. Their work has provided insights into the intricate chain of events including carcinogen activation, oxidative stress, cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and angiogenesis as well as epigenetic modifications that eventually culminate in neoplastic transformation. Over the past two decades, Nagini‘s group has established chemoprevention systems based on medicinal plants and dietary phytochemicals. In particular, activity-guided fractionation and phytochemical identification have convincingly demonstrated the chemopreventive efficacy of neem, a medicinal treasure of the Indian subcontinent. They have used a wide range of techniques and approaches to screen putative chemopreventive agents including in silico bioinformatics tools, cell-based in vitro assays, in vivo studies, whole-genome expression microarrays, and validation of gene expression profile to identify key molecular targets. Their work has revealed that phytochemicals that target transcription factor driven oncogenic signaling pathways and upstream kinases abrogate are promising chemopreventive agents. Besides teaching and mentoring, Nagini is an Editorial Board member of two international journals and referee for various international journals and funding agencies. She has written text books and chapters in edited research volumes. She has successfully completed several research projects and is currently the Coordinator for the Indian side of the Indo-EU Collaborative Project under the 7th Framework programme on FUNCFOOD.

Proposer : Dr. K. Dharmalingam, Seconder : Dr. G. Marimuthu


1. Mishra R, Nagini S, Rana A. (2015) Expression and inactivation of glycogen synthase kinase 3 alpha/ beta and their association with the expression of cyclin D1 and p53 in oral squamous cell carcinoma progression. Mol Cancer.14:20. (if=5.397 , ci=-)

2. Kavitha K, Kranthi Kiran Kishore T, Bhatnagar RS, Nagini S. (2014) Cytomodulin-1, a synthetic peptide abrogates oncogenic signaling pathways to impede invasion and angiogenesis in the hamster cheek pouch carcinogenesis model. Biochimie 102: 56-67.(if=3.346 , ci=10)

3. Kavitha K, Kowshik J, Kranthi Kiran Kishore T, Baba AB, Nagini S. (2013) Astaxanthin inhibits NF-kB and Wnt/b-catenin signaling pathways via inactivation of Erk/MAPK and PI3K/Akt to induce intrinsic apoptosis in a hamster model of oral cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta 1830:4433-4444. (if=4.204 , ci=18)

4. Vidya Priyadarsini R, Neeraj Kumar, Imran Khan, Thiyagarajan, P, Kondaiah, P, Nagini S. (2012) Gene expression signature of DMBA-induced hamster buccal carcinomas: Modulation by chlorophyllin and ellagic acid. PLoSOne 7:e34628. (if=4.41 , ci=19)

5. Manikandan P, Ramalingam SM, Vinothini G, Ramamurthi VP, Singh IP, Anandan R, Gopalakrishnan M, Nagini S. (2012) Investigation of the chemopreventive potential of neem leaf subfractions in the hamster buccal pouch model and phytochemical characterization. Eur J Med Chem. 56:271-281. (if=4.071, ci=16)

6. B inhibition. Eur J Pharm 649: 84-91.Vidya Priyadarsini R, Senthil Murugan S, Maitreyi S, Ramalingam K, Karunagaran D, Nagini S. (2010) The flavonoid quercetin induces cell cycle arrest and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells through p53 induction and NF- (if=2.778 , ci=122)

7. Chandra Mohan KVP, Devaraj H, Prathiba D, Hara Y, Nagini S. (2006) Antiproliferative and apoptosis inducing effect of lactoferrin and black tea polyphenol combination on hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1760:1536-1544. (if=5, ci=44)

8. Subapriya R, Nagini S. (2005) Medicinal properties of neem leaves: a review. Curr Med Chem Anticancer Agents. 5:149-146. (if=3.14 , ci=238)

9. Nunn J, Nagini S, Risk JM, Prime W, Maloney P, Liloglou T, Jones AS, Rogers SR, Gosney JR, Woolgar J, Field JK. (2003) Allelic imbalance at the DNA mismatch repair loci, hMSH2, hMLH1, hPMS1, hPMS2 and hMSH3, in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Oral Oncol. 39:115-129. (if=3.278, ci=40)

10. Nunn J, Scholes AG, Liloglou T, Nagini S, Jones AS, Vaughan ED, Gosney JR, Rogers S, Fear S, Field JK. (1999) Fractional allele loss indicates distinct genetic populations in the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Carcinogenesis. 20:2219-2228. (if=5.702, ci=27)

SIKDAR, SUJIT KUMAR (b 1957), Professor, Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science,

165

Bangalore. Member of the NASI: No (YON 2012, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology including) Sujit Sikdar successfully pioneered the establishment of the electrophysiological technique of patch-clamp, and related methodologies in India. His contriibutions are in the biophysics, physiology and pharmacology of ion channels, exocytosis, cellular neurophysiology and biophysics, and live neuronal networks. He characterized the detailed biophysical properties of the brain voltage gated Na channels heterologously expressed in CHO cells and showed that increasing the duration of a conditioning depolarization induces pseudo- periodic oscillation in the channel kinetics at the whole-cell and single channel level with a periodicity that matches the theta rhythm in the brain. Further, voltage gated ion channel targets for 3 conopeptides isolated from the Indian cone snails were discovered. Modulation of neuron-astrocyte and astrocyte-neuron communication by the steroid hormone 17 estradiol was demonstrated. Caffeine, theophylline, chloral hydrate (used clinically as a sedative), and its active breakdown product, trichloroethanol were shown to target human brain TREK1 channels that maintain the neuronal resting membrane potential. Agonist (trichloroethanol) induced ‗dynamic disorder‘ was demonstrated by extracting the time series of ion transport events from single hTREK1 channel recordings. Using autocorrelation analysis the possible existence of molecular memory was suggested in voltage gated Na and leak K channel. In an in vitro model of epileptogenesis, a protective mechanism through a Ca extrusion mechanism in the distal dendrites of subicular pyramidal neurons was discovered that might protect dendrites from pruning. Loss of ‗small world‘ network property in cultured hippocampal neuronal networks on a multielectrode array was also demonstrated in vitro using a glutamate injury model of epilepsy.

Proposer: Prof. M. Vijayan, Seconder: Prof. M.R.N. Murthy Ten Best Publications: 1. Nayak, T.K., Harinath, S., Nama, S., Somasundaram, K. and Sikdar, S.K. Inhibition of human two-pore domain K+ channel TREK1 by local anesthetic lidocaine: negative cooperativity and half-of-the-sites saturation kinetics. Mol. Pharmacol. 76: 903-917, 2009. (IF=4.725, CI = 3) 2. Srinivas, K.V., Jain, R., Saurav, S. and Sikdar, S.K. Small-world network topology of hippocampal neuronal network is lost, in an in vitro glutamate injury model of epilepsy. Eur J Neurosci. 25: 3276-3286, 2007. (IF=3.658, CI = 27) 3. Nayak, T.K. and Sikdar, S.K. Time dependent molecular memory in single voltage gated sodium

channel. J. Membrane Biol. 219: 19-36, 2007. (IF=1.653, CI = 5) 4. Rao, S.P. and Sikdar, S.K. Acute treatment with 17-estradiol attenuates astrocyte-astrocyte and

astrocyte-neuron communication. Glia 55: 1680-1689, 2007. (IF=5.186, CI = 5) 5. Rao, S.P. and Sikdar, S.K. Astrocytes in 17-estradiol treated mixed hippocampal cultures show

attenuated calcium response to neuronal activity. Glia 53:817-26, 2006. (IF=5.186, CI = 10) 6. Padmashri, R., Ganguly, A., Mondal, P.P., Rajan, K. and Sikdar, S.K. Kynurenate treatment of autaptic hippocampal microcultures affect localized voltage-dependent calcium diffusion in the dendrites. Cell Calcium, 39: 247-58, 2006. (IF=3.553, CI = 4) 7. Harinath, S. and Sikdar, S.K. Trichloroethanol enhances the activity of recombinant human TREK-1

and TRAAK channels. Neuropharmacology 46: 750-760, 2004. (IF = 3.901, CI = 12) 8. Tiwari, J.K. and Sikdar, S.K. Temperature dependent conformational changes in a voltage gated

potassium channel. Eur. Biophys. Jl. 28: 338-345, 1999. (IF=2.387, CI = 13) 9. Sikdar, S.K., Kreft, M. and Zorec, R. Modulation of the unitary exocytic event amplitude by cAMP in rat melanotrophs. Journal of Physiology 511: 851-859, 1998 (IF=5.139, CI= 13) 10. Sarkar, S.N., Adhikari, A. and Sikdar, S.K. Kinetic characterization of rat brain type IIA sodium channel alpha-subunit stably expressed in a somatic cell line. Journal of Physiology 488: 633-645, 1995. (IF=5.139, CI= 24)

166

VEGESNA, RADHA (b 1958), Chief Scientist, CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad


Dr. Radha focuses on functional identification of regulatory molecules that signal to cytoskeletal remodeling, differentiation and survival. Salient findings have been, identification of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor, C3G as a regulator of actin dynamics in the context of filopodia formation, neuronal differentiation and apoptosis. Discovery of C3G as a suppressor of beta-catenin, and identification of novel mechanisms of c-Abl and Bcr-Abl regulation have provided leads to understanding embryonic development, and reversing the malignant phenotype of some human cancers. A caspase-1 activator, Ipaf, was shown to activate caspase-8, providing evidence for cross talk in apoptotic signaling pathways. Studying disease associated mutants of optineurin, novel molecular players in autophagic cell death have been described. Results showing that the tyrosine phosphatase, TC45 induces cell death dependent on p53, lead to the discovery of caspase-1 as a transcriptional target of p53 and provided a direct link between an anti-oncogene and cell death. Identification of DNA binding and chromatin association of TC45, its role in cell cycle control, and p73 (a p53 family member), as a substrate of Src family kinases, are some of Dr. Radha's earlier contributions. When all signaling events were thought to take place in the cytoplasm, her unique observations on the presence of a tyrosine kinase and tyrosine phosphatase in the nucleus, opened up investigations into signal transduction in the nucleus. She has contributed extensively to understanding molecular control of cellular functions required to maintain tissue integrity and how their deregulation causes disease.

Proposer : Prof. Amitabha Chattopadhyay, Seconder : Dr. S. Shivaji


1. Mitra A, Sasikumar K, Parthasaradhi BV, Radha V*. (2013). The tyrosine phosphatase TC48 interacts with and inactivates the oncogenic fusion protein BCR-Abl but not cellular Abl. Biochim Biophys Acta. Mol.Basis of Dis. 1832: 275-284. (if=4.94, ci=3)

2. Sirohi, K., Chalasani, M.L.S., Sudhakar, Ch., Kumari, A., Radha, V*. and Swarup, G*. (2013). M98K-optineurin induces transferrin receptor degradation and Rab12-mediated autophagic death in retinal ganglion cells. Autophagy 9:510-527. (if=11.423, ci=7)

3. Dayma, K., Ramadhas, A., Sasikumar, K. and Radha, V*. (2013). Reciprocal negative regulation between the guanine nucleotide exchange factor C3G and β-catenin. Genes & Cancer 3, : 564-577, (if=4.41, ci=4)

4. Mitra A, Kalayarasan S, Gupta V, Radha V*. (2011). TC-PTP dephosphorylates the guanine nucleotide exchange factor C3G (RapGEF1) and negatively regulates differentiation of human neuroblastoma cells. PLoS One 6: e23681. (if=3.7, ci=8)

5. Dayma K, Radha V*. (2011). Cytoskeletal remodeling by C3G to induce neurite-like extensions and inhibit motility in highly invasive breast carcinoma cells. Biochim Biophys Acta. Mol. Cell Res. 1813:456-465. (if=5.3, ci=11)

6. Mitra, A. and V. Radha* (2010). F-actin binding domain of c-Abl regarding localized phosphorylation of C3G: Role of C3G in c-Abl mediated cell death. Oncogene 29:4528-4542 (if=8.56, ci=14)

7. Kumar, Y., V. Radha* and G. Swarup* (2010). Interaction with Sug1 enables Ipaf ubiquitination leading to caspase-8 activation and cell death. Biochem. J. 427: 91-104. (if=4.78, ci=9)

8. Radha, V*., Rajanna A, Gupta RK, Dayma K, Raman T. (2008) The guanine nucleotide exchange factor, C3G regulates differentiation and survival of human neuroblastoma cells. J. Neurochem. 107: 1424-35. (if=4.24, ci=19)

9. Radha, V*., Rajanna, A., Mitra, A., Rangaraj, N. and Swarup, G. (2007). C3G is required for c-Abl induced filopodia and its overexpression promotes filopodia formation. Exp. Cell Res 313: 2476-2492. (if=3.6, ci=27)

10. Gupta, S., Radha, V*., Furukawa, Y. and Swarup, G. (2001). Direct transcriptional activation of human caspase-1 by tumor suppressor p53. J. Biol. Chem. 276: 10585-10588. (if=4.6, ci=77)

167

DATTA, SALIL C (b 1947), Adjunct Professor, Deptt. of Biotechnology, West Bengal University of

Technology, Kolkata - 700064 Member of the NASI: No (YON 2011, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology) Dr Salil C. Datta, former Deputy Director of Indian Institute of Chemical Biology is presently an Adjunct Professor at West Bengal University of Technology, Kolkata. He was also awarded Emeritus Scientistship. Dr Datta has conducted research of innovative ideas. His major research interest points mainly to search for new chemotherapeutics against visceral leishmaniasis. Some of his pioneering contribution in the area of neurochemistry is also worth mentioning. He has published sizable number of good papers and book chapters. Some of the notable contributions provided by Dr Datta in the area of his major research interest are summarized below. 1. Dr Datta has devised a novel method to purify glycosome, a unique organelle present in Leishmania spp. He has shown for the first time that glycosome contains key enzymes of oxidative burst system and also calcium to mediate cellular function of the parasite. He has provided evidences to propose Leishmania glycosomes as a good chemotherapeutic target. 2. He has envisioned that host peroxisome plays a major role during host-parasite interaction. This organelle is a reservoir of calcium and plays an important role in calcium homeostasis. He has also shown that peroxisomal properties are impaired in leishmania infection. Its normal function can not be retrieved with existing drugs and may have direct impact to cause Post Kala-azar dermal Leishmaniasis. 3. Dr Datta has patented Momordicatin purified from Momordica charatia (Karela) and established its mode of action to act against kiala-azar. I strongly recommend Dr Datta for the award of NASI Fellowship.

Proposer: Dr. Mukul K. Basu, Seconder : Dr. Gopal C. Majumdar Ten Best Publications: 1. Raychaudhury B., Gupta S, Banerjee S., Datta S. C.. (2006) Peroxisome is a reservoir of calcium. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1760, 989-92 (IF=2.5, CI=2) 2. Dey R. and Datta, S. C. (1994) Leishmanial glycosome contain superoxide dismutase. Biochem. J. 301, 317-19. (IF=4.1, CI=15) 3. Bhattacharya R., Dey R and Datta, S. C. (1993) Calcium dependent thiol protease caldononoipain and its specific endogenous inhibitor in Leishmania donovani. Mol. Cell. Biochem. 126, 9-16 (IF=2, CI=9) 4. Datta S. C., Ghosh, M. K. and Hazra, A. K. (1990) Purification and properties of acyl/alkyl dihydroxyacetone phosphate reductase from guineapig liver peroxisome. J. Biol. Chem. 265. 8268 – 74 (IF=5.5, CI=30) 5. Roychaudhury, B., Banerjee, S., Gupta, S., Singh,R.V. and Datta, S. C. (2005) Antiparasitic activity of a triphenyl tin complex against Leishmania donovani. Acta Trop. 94, 1-8. (IF=2, CI=6) 6. Raychaudhury B, Banerjee S, Datta S. C. (2003) Peroxisomal function is altered during Leishmania infection. Med. Sci. Monit. 125 – 9. (IF=1.5, CI=3) 7. Gupta, S., Roychaudhury, B. and Datta, S. C. (2009) Host peroxisomal properties are not restored to normal after treatment of visceral Leishmaniasis with sodium antimony gluconate. Exp. Parasitol. 123, 140-145. (IF=1.8) 8. Datta S. C. (1988) Reevaluation of taurine levels and distribution of cysteic acid decarboxylase in developing human fetal brain regions. J. Nerochem. 50, 999-1002. (IF=4.5, CI=4) 9. Raychaudhury B., Gupta S., Banerjee S., Das B. and Datta S. C. (2004) Isolation of Leishmania glycosomes by a rapid method. Anal. Biochem. 332, 404-8. (IF=1.8) 10. Gupta, S., Roychaudhury, B., Banerjee, S., Das, S., Mukhopadhaya, S. and Datta, S. C. (2010) Momordicatin purified from fruits of Momordica charantia is effective to act as a potent antileishmania agent. Parasitol. Int. 59, 192-197. (IF=2.0)

168

DUBEY, VIKASH KUMAR (b 1975), Professor, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati


Dr. Dubey has made original contribution towards understanding redox metabolism in Leishmania parasite. Dr. Dubey has likewise made cutting edge contributions to the general knowledge of the scientific community regarding protein folding and amyloid formation. Using integrated computational and biochemical approaches, Dr. Dubey has provided fundamental insight into redox metabolism of the pathogen. He has identified novel lead drug candidates that disrupt redox homeostasis of the parsite. His studies have also provided better understanding of miltefosine resistance in Leishmania. Similar, his work towards understanding of protein amyloid is appreciated. He has been aggressively investigating- can it be possible to develop a common mode of therapy for all amyloid forming diseases? Dr. Dubey provided stunning new insights in the development of a stable mutant form of human acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1) for developing a new treatment for patients suffering from degenerative heart disease. Dr. Dubey, has made scientific advances that at last offer hope to these patients (US patents numbers: 8119776; 7,659,379; 7595296; 7696171; 7776825; 8119776 and 8153770). Dr. Dubey has published approx. 90 publications in high impact peer-reviewed journals. He has guided nine PhD student and eleven M.Tech students. He has been awarded by several reputed awards (BM Birla science prize (Biology), Prof. Umakant Sinha Memorial Award of the Indian Science Congress Association, DBT-Innovative Young scientist award, Malviya Memorial Award by BRSI and several other awards) and editorial board member of journals like BMC Biotechnology, Protein and Peptide letters, ISRN Structural Biology (Hindawi Journal) etc.

Proposer : Prof. Arvind M. Kayastha, Seconder : Prof. S.N. Upadhyay


1. Shalini Singh, Shyamali Sarma , Shashank P Katiyar , Mousumi Das , Ruchika Bhardwaj , Durai Sundar Vikash Kumar Dubey*. Probing molecular mechanism of hypericin induced parasitic death: An insight into role of spermidine beyond redox metabolism of Leishmania. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 2015, In 59, 15-24. [*Corresponding author; Publisher: American Society of Microbiology] (if=IF: 4.598 (five years); IF: 4.451, ci=185 (H index of journal))

2. Saudagar Prakash Pipas Saha, Anil K. Saikia and Vikash Kumar Dubey*. Molecular mechanism underlying antileishmanial effect of oxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonanones: Inhibition of key redox enzymes of the pathogen. European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics. 2013, 85(3 Pt A):569-77 (if=IF: 4.689 (five years); IF: 3.826 , ci=82 (H index of journal))

3. Mousumi Das,↕ Saudagar Prakash↕ Shuam Sundar and Vikash Kumar Dubey*. Miltefosine unresponsive Leishmania donovani has better ability of resist reactive oxygen species. FEBS Journal, 2013, 280, 4807–4815 (if=IF:4.25 , ci=139 (H index of journal))

4. Nandini Sarkar; Manjeet Kumar; Vikash Kumar Dubey*. Rottlerin dissolves pre-formed protein amyloid: A study on hen egg white lysozyme. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta-General Subjects, 2011,1810, 809-814 (if=IF: 4.205 (five years); IF: 3.848, ci=91 (H index of journal))

5. Nandini Sarkar, Manjeet Kumar and Vikash Kumar Dubey*. Effect of sodium tetrathionate on amyloid fibril: Insight in to the role of disulfide bond in amyloid progression. Biochimie, 2011, 2011. 93, 962-968 (if=IF: 3.555 (five years); IF: 3.142 , ci=89 (H index of journal))

6. Anil K Shukla, Sanjukta Patra and Vikash Kumar Dubey*. "Evaluation of selected antitumor agents as subversive substrate and potential inhibitor of trypanothione reductase: An alternative approach for chemotherapy of Leishmaniasis". Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, 2011, 352, 261-70 (if=IF: 2.329 , ci=85 (H index of journal))

7. Santhosh Kannan, Anil Kumar Shukla and Vikash Kumar Dubey*. Molecular docking studies of selected tricyclic and quinone derivatives on trypanothione reductase of Leishmania infantum. Journal of Computational Chemistry, 2010, 31, 2463-2472 Research Highlight of the article published in Nature India. (if=IF: 3.835, ci=122 (H index of journal))

8. Vikash Kumar Dubey, Jihun Lee, Thayumana Somasundaram, Sachiko Blaber and Michael Blaber. Spackling the crack: stabilizing human fibroblast growth factor-1 by targeting the N- and C-termini b-strand interactions. Journal of Molecular Biology, 2007, 371, 256-268. [ (if=3.905, ci=89 (H index of journal))

9. Vikash K. Dubey, Jihun Lee, and Michael Blaber. Redesigning Symmetry-Related "Mini-Core" Regions of FGF-1 to Increase Primary Structure Symmetry: Thermodynamic and Functional Consequences of Structural Symmetry. Protein Science, 2005, 14, 2315-2323(if=IF:2.735 , ci=125 (H index of journal))

10. Vikash Kumar Dubey and M.V. Jagannadham. Differences in the unfolding of procerain induced by pH, GuHCl, urea and temperature. Biochemistry (ACS), 2003, 42, 12287-12297 (if=IF: 3.377 , ci=177 (H index of journal))

169

FULEKAR MADHUSUDAN (b.1954), Professor, Department of Life Sciences, University of Mumbai,

Santacruz (E), Mumbai - 400098 Member of the NASI: No (YON 2011, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology) Dr. Madhusudan H. Fulekar has done M.Sc. (Chemistry) from Nagpur University and M.Phii & Ph.D in Environmental Sciences from J.N.U. He has submitted the proposal for registration of D.Sc. in Microbial Technology from Amity Uhiversity. Since 2002, He is working as Professor, Environmental Biotechnology in Department of Life Sciences, University of Mumbai. He has completed 7 Industrial projects and R&D projects funded by UGC [2006-2009]; DAE-BRNS [2007-2010]; CSIR [2006-2009] and presently working on the research projects funded by UGC -SAP [2009-2014]; UGC [2010-2013] and DBT [2011-2014]. He has developed his expertise in environmental biotechnology with special reference to Phytoremediation/ Bioremediation of hazardous industrial waste. He has in credit 7 Ph.D awarded, 10 Ph.D students working, Post Doctoral Fellows-2 and Research Associate-1. He has carried out 37 Environmental Studies on chemical industries/ pesticides/Thermal power plants and published the research work in peer reviewed journals. He has developed Bioremediation Technology for remediation of Hazardous Wastes in designed and developed Bioreactors. He has to his credit 150 numbers of research papers and articles published in international and national journals of repute. He is author of nine Books. He has achieved the inclusion of his Biography in "The Marquis Who's Who" in Science and Engineering USA in 1998; and "2000 outstanding Scientist of the

20th

Century" in 2000, International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, England, UK. He is also a member of New York Academy of Sciences, USA. He is well known nationally and internationally for his work on environment sciences / life sciences/ environmental biotechnology.

Proposer: Prof. R. V. Hosur, Seconder: Prof. S. M. Chitre Ten Best Publications: 1. S. Sharma, M.H.Fulekar and C.P.Jayalakshmi "Fly-Ash Dynamics in Soil-Water System;' CRC Critical Reviews in Environmental Control (U.S.A.) 19 (3), pp: 251-275, (1989). (IF: 7.02). 2. M.H. Fulekar, and J.M. Dave "Heavy Metals Release from Ash-Pond to Soil-Water Environment: A Simulated Technique" Environment International (U.S.A.), 18,pp: 283-295, (1992). (IF: 4.79). 3. Dipty Singh and M.H.Fulekar, Benzene bioremediation using cow dung microflora in two phase partitioning bioreactor, Journal of Hazardous Material. 175: 336-343,2010. (IF: 4.14). 4. Deepali Korade and M.H.Fulekar, Rhizosphere Remediation of Chlorpyrifos in Mycorhizospheric soil using Ryegrass, Journal of Hazardous Material, 172: 1344-1350,2009. (IF: 4.14). 5. Anjali Janbandhu, M.H. Fulekar. Biodegradation of phenanthrene using adapted microbial consortium isolated from petrochemical contaminated environment, Journal of Hazardous Material, Pages 333-140, 2011. (IF: 4.14). 6. Dipty Singh and M.H.Fulekar, Bioremediation of phenol by Novel partitioning Bioreactor using Cow dung microbial consortium. Biotechnology Journal, Wiley, 4: 423-431,2009. (IF: 2.1). 7. M. H. Fulekar "Occupational Exposure to Dust in Quartz Manufacturing Industry". Annals of Occupational Hygiene, (U.K.) VoI47 No4 pp: 269-273,1999. (IF: 1.93). 8. M.H. Fulekar and M.M.Alamkhan "Occupational Exposure to Dust in Slate Pencil Manufacture". The Annals of Occupational Hygiene (UK), 39(1), pp: 107-114 (1995). (IF: 1.93). 9. Dipty Singh and M. H Fulekar. Biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons by Pseudomonas putida strain MHF 7109 isolated from cow dung microbial consortium. Clean Soil, Air, Water, 38 (8)1781-786,2010.(IF:1.412). 10. Anamika Singh and M.H.Fulekar, Phytoremediation techniques for remediation of radiostrntium (

90Sr)

and radiocesium (137

Cs) in aquatic environment by Catharanthus roseus (L.) G Don, Environment Engineering and Management Journal, Romania, 8 (3): 527-532,2009. (IF: 1).

170

GAUTAM, SANT PRASAD (b 1956), Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board Delhi


Prof. S. P. Gautam M.Sc., Ph.D., F.I.B.S., N.P.D.R.F. (USA), B.O.A. (USA), I.I.T.C. (Portugal) an awardee of Pitambar Pant National Environment Fellowship award 2008 and Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award 2010,successfully completed more than two dozen of research Projects worth Rs.200 crores and submitted final technical reports. Main Contribution of Prof. Gautam are as follows: - Biodegradation of diazonium compounds of dyes by mutant yeasts,

- Bioremediation of gelatin effluents by yeasts - Ameliorated the tailing dams of Hindustan Copper Ltd; Malazkhand and NCL mine over dumps applying mycorrhiza & nitrogen fixing bacteria in Singraoli M.P. - In situ Bioremediation of sewage Khandari drain bacteria before confluence of river Narmada in Jabalpur M.P. - Use of bacteriophage in sewage treatment plant by reducing microbial activity and thus pollution load of tanneries effluent. - Co-processing of spent wash from distilleries in cement kilns to achieve zero effluent discharge. - Zero discharge paradigm in pulp and paper industry. - Developed comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index with IIT‘s and 29 premier institutions. - Source apportionment studies done on pollutants speciation. - Given scientific input for pollution control in 45 committees of 17 Ministries, Govt. of India. Prof. Gautam served R.D. University, Jabalpur in various capacities. As Dean Faculty of Life Sciences he improved the curricula in Microbiology, Biotechnology and other subjects falling in preview and ensured implementation of the syllabus as Rector and Vice Chancellor. Recently the book entitled "Ramcharitmanas, Ocean of Science" has been published by Ayodhya Research Institute through Lokbharti Publication,vide ISBN Number 978-81-8031-741-5. The book entitled"Vande Vishudha Vigyanam, Ramcharimanas" in hindi in under publication.

Proposer : Prof. Asis Dutta, Seconder : Prof. Krishna Misra Ten Best Publications: 1. Production and properties of alpha and beta amylases from Phaffia rhodozyma and Brettanomyces

naardensis. Indian J. Microbiology, 31(4), 431-434, 1991. (CI=5) 2. Production of raw starch digestive amylases by Pichia anomala & Pichia holestii. Biomedical Lett., 47,

61-66, 1992 (CI=4) 3. Extracellular and mycelial amylases of the thermophilic fungus Malbranchea sulfurea. Mycopath,

119(2), 77-82, 1992 (CI=2) 4. Production of extracellular amylases by thermophilic and thermotolerant fungi. Crypt. Bot., 3, 303-306,

1993 (CI=4) 5. Hybrid construction by fusion of protoplasts of Endomycopsis fibuligera & Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Cytobios, 73, 183-188, 1993(CI=4) 6. Impact of Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi on growth of Dendrocalamus strictus. Mycorrhizae : Biofertilizers for the future, Published by Tata Energy Research Institute, New Delhi 400-402. 1995. (CI=1) 7. Effect of a detergent Triton X-100 on growth, alpha and alpha-glucosidase production by the thermophilic fungus Malbranchea sulfurea. Microbios, 84: 127-130, 1995 (CI=1) 8. Improvement in the medicinal plants through VAM fungi.J. Phytol.Res., 9: 135-37. 1996. 9. The D1/D2 domain of the large-submit rDNA of the yeast species Clavispora luistainiae is unusually polymorphic. FEMS Yeast Research 151-156, 2003 (CI=21) 10. Therapeutic Efficacty of Chloroquine and Sequence Variation in Pfcrt Gene among patients with Falciparum Malaria in Central India. Trop. Medicine & Int. Health 15(I) 33-40. 2010.

171

GUPTA, UMESH DATTA (b 1956), Scientist E, NJIL&OMD, Tajganj, Agra-282001 Member of the NASI: No (YON 2011, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology including ) Dr.Umesh Gupta, Scientist E at National JALMA Institute for Leprosy & Other Mycobacterial Diseases , Agra has been undertaking various studies related to use of different animal models in leprosy & tuberculosis. The work carried by him and his collaborators /Co-Workers has shown that viable M.leprae persist in the body for a long time after therapy which can be detected by normal mouse foot pad.the work has shown that this method is comparatively less sensitive than many modern molecular techniques and bioluminescent techniques. The information is thus clinically relevant. He has contributed significantly on assessing the effect of different types of new & conventional regimens designed for treatment of leprosy on viability of lepra bacillus.During recent years he and his group has been active in understanding the growth kinetics of drug sensitive as well as drug resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in animals ,specially with treatment with various chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The work of his group has shown that MRD strains of tuberculosis have normal growth kinetics in experimental animals, suggesting their capability to cause disease with same potential as drug sensitive organisms. His work is highly cited and also awarded by agencies like ICMR. Keeping his achievements of Dr Gupta, I am nominating him for Fellowship of National academy of Sciences(India),Allahabad.

Proposer: Dr.V.M.Katoch, Seconder : Dr Javed N Agrewala Ten Best Publications: 1. Katoch K, Katoch VM, Natrajan M, Sreevatsa, Gupta UD, Sharma VD, Shivanavar CT (2004). 10-12 years follow-up of highly bacillated BL/ LL leprosy patients on combined chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Vaccine 22 (27-28): 3649-57. (IF=3.3, CI=3) 2. Singh P, Wesley C, Jadaun GP, Malonia SK, Das R, Upadhyay P, Faujdar J, Sharma P, Gupta P, Mishra AK, Singh K, Chauhan DS, Sharma VD, Gupta UD, Venkatesan K, Katoch VM (2007). Comparative evaluation of Lowenstein-Jensen proportion method, BacT/ALERT 3D system, and enzymatic pyrazinamidase assay for pyrazinamide susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. J Clin Microbiol 45(1):76-80. (IF=3.945, CI=4) 3. Jain, R , Dey B, Dhar N, Rao V, Singh R, Gupta UD, Katoch VM, Ramanathan VD, Tyagi AK. (2008) Modulation of cytokine milieu in lungs by recombinant BCG over expressing Ag85C confers enhanced and long lasting protection against tuberculosis. PLoS One. 3(12): 1-11 (IF=4.0, CI=7) 4. Gupta A, Mol N, Mani J, Upadhyay P, Katoch VM, Natrajan M, Gupta UD, Bhaskar S. (2009). Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of M.w against M.tuberculosis in mice immunized with live M.w by aerosol or parenteral route and compared with killed M.w. Infect. Immun 77: 223-231 (IF=4.0, CI=2) 5. Saraogi GK, Gupta P, Gupta UD, Jain NK, Agrawal GP. (2009) Gelatin nano-carriers as potential

vectors for effective management of tuberculosis. Int J Pharmaceutics 385(1-2): 143-149 (IF=3.061, CI=1) 6. Dey B, Jain R, Khera A, Rao V, Dhar N, Gupta UD, Katoch VM, Ramanathan VD and Tyagi AK (2010). Boosting with a DNA vaccine expressing ESAT-6 obliterates the protection imparted by recombinant BCG against aerosol Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in guinea pigs. Vaccine 28: 63-70 (IF=3.3) 7. Singh V, Gowthaman U, Jain S, Parihar P, Banskar B, Gupta P, Gupta UD and Agrewala JN. (2010). Coadministration of Interleukins 7 and 15 with Bacille Calmette-Gue´rin Mounts Enduring T Cell Memory Response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. J Infect Dis 202 (1 August) Early Online• 000 (IF=6.0) 8. Singh V, Jain S, Gowthaman U, Parihar P, Gupta P, Gupta UD and Agrewala JN. (2011). Co-administration of IL-1+IL-6+TNF-α with Mycobacterium tuberculosis infected macrophages Vaccine Induces Better Protective T cell Memory than BCG. PLoS One; 6(1): e16097 (1-12 (IF=4.1) 9. Gowthaman U, Singh V, Zeng W, Jain S, Siddiqui KF, Gurram R, Sathibabu C, Parihar P,Gupta P, Gupta UD, Jackson DC, Agrewala JN.(2011). Promiscuous peptide of 16 kDa antigen linked to Pam2Cys protects against M.tuberculosis by evoking enduring memory T cells response. J Infect Dis 204(9):1328- 38 (IF=6.288) 10. Dey B, Jain R, Khera A, Gupta UD, Katoch VM, Ramanathan VD, Tyagi AK (2011). Latency Antigen α-crystalline based vaccination imparts a robust protection against TB by modulating the dynamics of pulmonary cytokines. PLoS ONE April 2011 |Volume 6 | Issue 4 | e18773 (IF=4.414, CI=NIL)

172

HABIB, SAMAN (b 1968), Principal Scientist & Head, Division of Molecular & Structural Biology, Central

Drug Research Institute, Lucknow – 226001 Member of the NASI: No (YON 2011, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology) Habib‘s early work as an independent researcher helped understand activation of DNA replication or i in the baculovirus AcMNPV (J. Virol, 2000). At CDRI, she investigated housekeeping and metabolic functions of an intriguing organelle, the plastid (apicoplast) of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. The apicoplast is essential for parasite survival and offers avenues for exploration of proteins and pathways for drug intervention against malaria. Her group has made very significant contributions to understanding apicoplast function. Dissection of the mechanism of DNA replication and organization of the apicoplast genome by her group led to the identification of specific ori elements, ori -binding proteins and gyrase subunits as well as establishment of the latter as drug targets (Mol. Biochem. Parasitol., 2003, 2005, 2007; Nucleic Acids Res., 2008; Mol. Microbiol., 2010). Her group established that the apicoplast is translationally active thus providing rationale for the use of prokaryotic translation inhibitors against malaria (Mol. Microbiol., 2005) and investigated molecular interactions between apicoplast translation factors and inhibitors (Int. J. Parasitol., 2011a; Trends Parasitol., 2011). Recent work from her lab has provided evidence for the existence of a unique SUF pathway for [Fe-S] cluster biogenesis in the apicoplast (Int. J. Parasitol., 2011b). In addition, comparative profiling of Indian populations and case-control studies under Habib‘s leadership have helped understand the role of human genetic variation in host molecules involved in immune regulation, adhesion and rosetting of the malaria parasite in susceptibility/resistance to falciparum malaria in India (Malar J, 2008a, 2008b; Hum. Immunol., 2009, Evolution, 2011; Infect. Genet. Evol., 2011).

Proposer : Dr. C. M. Gupta, Seconder : Dr. Tushar K. Chakraborty Ten Best Publications: 1. Jha P, Sinha S, Kanchan K, Qidwai T, Narang A, Singh PK, Pati SS3, Mohanty D, Mishra SK, Sharma S, Awasthi S, Venkatesh V, Jain S, Basu A, Xu S, Indian Genome Variation Consortium, Mukerji M*, Habib S* (2012). Deletion of the APOBEC3B gene strongly impacts susceptibility to falciparum malaria. Infection, Genetics & Evolution 12:142-148. (IF=3.128, CI= 2) 2. Penman B, Habib S, Kanchan K, Gupta S (2011) Negative epistasis between + thalassaemia and sickle cell trait can explain inter population variation in South Asia. Evolution 65-12: 3625-3632. (IF= 5.146, CI=4) 3. Kumar B, Chaubey S, Shah P, Tanveer A, Charan M, Siddiqi MI and Habib S* (2011) Interaction between SufB and SufC: evidence for an iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis pathway in the apicoplast of Plasmodium falciparum. International Journal for Parasitology 41: 991-999.(IF=3.393, CI=4) 4. Biswas S, Lim EE, Gupta A, Saqib U, Mir SS, Siddiqi MI, Ralph SA and Habib S* (2011) Interaction of apicoplast-encoded elongation factor (EF) EF-Tu with nuclear-encoded EF-Ts mediates translation in the Plasmodium falciparum plastid. International Journal for Parasitology 41: 417-427. (IF=3.393, CI=4) 5. Ambrish Kumar, Aiman Tanveer, Subir Biswas, EVS Raghu Ram, Ankit Gupta, Bijay Kumar and Habib S* (2010) Nuclear-encoded DnaJ homolog of Plasmodium falciparum interacts with replication ori of the apicoplast genome. Molecular Microbiology 75(4): 942-956.(IF=5.01, CI=9) 6. Raghu Ram EVS, Naik R, Ganguli M and Habib S* (2008) DNA organization by the apicoplast-targeted bacterial histone-like protein of Plasmodium falciparum. Nucleic Acids Research 36 (15): 5061-5073. (IF=8.026, CI=15) 7. Sinha S, Mishra SK, Sharma S, Patibandla PK, Mallick PK, Sharma SK, Mohanty S, Pati SS, Mishra SK, Ramteke BK, Bhatt RM, Joshi H, Dash AP, Ahuja RC, Awasthi S, Indian Genome Variation Consortium, Venkatesh V and Habib S* (2008) Polymorphisms of TNF-enhancer and gene for FcγRIIa correlate with the severity of falciparum malaria in the ethnically diverse Indian population. Malaria Journal 7:13. (IF=3.19, CI=35) 8. Raghu Ram EVS, Kumar A, Biswas S, Kumar A, Chaubey S, Siddiqi MI & Habib S* (2007) Nuclear gyrB encodes a functional subunit of the Plasmodium falciparum gyrase that is involved in apicoplast DNA replication. Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 154:30-39. (IF=2.551, CI=23) 9. Chaubey S, Kumar A, Singh D and Habib S* (2005) The apicoplast of Plasmodium falciparum is

translationally active. Molecular Microbiology 56(1): 81-89. (IF=5.01, CI=33) 10. Habib S* and Hasnain SE (2000) Differential activity of two non-hr origins during replication of the

baculovirus AcMNPV genome. Journal of Virology (2000) 74:5182-5189. (IF=5.402, CI=23)

173

KOMATH, SNEHA SUDHA (b 1968), Associate Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi


Dr. Komath has contributed significantly to the discipline of glycobiology. Of her 46 research publications, 25 were published as an independent faculty at the School of Life Sciences, JNU (20 as corresponding author). She has been studying glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor biosynthesis in human pathogens. These anchors secure a variety of proteins to the external cell surface in eukaryotes, several of which are important for cell-cell interaction. Many pathogens use specific GPI-anchored proteins for infection and virulence. Dr. Komath‘s studies have focused on understanding species-specific variations in the pathway in order to specifically target pathogens. Her contributions include • Revealing the delicate balance of regulations amongst members of the first enzyme complex in Candida albicans and explaining their cross-talk with sterol biosynthesis and Ras signaling. This has important ramifications for controlling Candida infection and countering drug-resistance. • Elucidating a novel catalytic mechanism involving a general acid-base pair for de-N-acetylation of N-acetylglucosaminyl-PI at the second step of GPI biosynthesis. • Establishing that C-terminal GPI attachment signal sequence is not merely a flag for GPI addition but also controls functionality of Als5 adhesin in C. albicans. • Generating several new mutant strains, reagents and assays protocols for research on GPI biosynthesis. • Setting-up productive collaborations with several research groups to explore GPI biosynthetic steps; to develop antifungal compounds; to study DNA-dependent ATPases; to study fungal multidrug-pumps. • Generating skilled human resources for scientific research and teaching in the fields of biophysical chemistry and glycobiology. • She was awarded the National Women Bioscientist Award, 2010.

Proposer : Prof. Debi Sarkar, Seconder : Prof. Birendra Nath Mallick


1. Yadav B, Bhatnagar S, Ahmad MF, Jain P, Pratyusha VA, Kumar P, Komath S.S. * 2014. First step of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) biosynthesis cross-talks with ergosterol biosynthesis and Ras signaling in Candida albicans. J Biol Chem. 289(6):3365-82. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M113.528802. Epub 2013 Dec 19. (if=5.1, ci=4)

2. Victoria G.S., Yadav B., Hauhnar L., Jain P., Bhatnagar S.and Komath S.S.*. 2012. Mutual Co-Regulation Between GPI-N-acetylglucosaminyl Transferase and Ergosterol Biosynthesis in Candida albicans. Biochem. J. 443(3):619-25. (if=4.7, ci=3)

3. Ashraf M., Yadav B., Sreejith, Kumar K. S., Vats D., Muthuswami R. and Komath S. S.*. 2011. The N-Acetyl-D-glucosaminyl phosphatidylinositol de-N-acetylase from Entamoeba histolytica: Metal alters catalytic rates but not substrate affinity. J. Biol. Chem. 286: 2543-2549. doi: 10.1074/jbc.C110.178343. Epub November 30, 2010. (if=5.1, ci=3)

4. Ashraf M, Sreejith P., Yadav U. and Komath S. S. *. 2013 Catalysis by N-acetyl-D-glucosaminylphosphatidylinositol de-N-acetylase (PIG-L) from Entamoeba histolytica: New roles for conserved residues. 2013. J. Biol. Chem. 288:7590-7595. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M112.427245. Epub 2013 Jan 22. (if=5.1, ci=2)

5. Ahmad M. F., Yadav B., Kumar P., Puri A., Mazumder M., Ali A., Samudrala S., Muthuswami R., and Komath S. S. *. 2012. The GPI anchor signal sequence dictates the folding and functionality of the ALS5 adhesin from Candida albicans. PLoS One 7(4):e35305.(if=4.54, ci=5)

6. Komath S. S.*, Kavitha M., Swamy M. J.* 2006. Beyond carbohydrate binding: New directions in plant lectin research. Org Biomol Chem. 4(6):973-88. (Review article; Most downloaded paper of the month in the journal) (if=3.65, ci=76)

7. Victoria G. S., Kumar P.and Komath S. S. *. 2010. The Candida albicans homolog of PIG-P: Gene dosage and role in growth and filamentation. Microbiology. 156, 3041-3051. (if=3.3, ci=8)

8. Oswal N, Sahni NS, Bhattacharya A, Komath S.S.*, Muthuswami R.* 2008. Unique motifs identify PIG-A proteins from glycosyltransferases of the GT4 family. BMC Evol Biol. Jun 4;8:168. (if=4.6, ci=3)

9. Nongkhlaw, M., Jha, D. K., Hockensmith, J.W., Komath, S.S.* and Muthuswami, R.* 2009. Elucidating the mechanism of DNA-dependent ATP hydrolysis mediated by DNA-dependent ATPase A, a member of the SWI2/SNF2 protein family. Nucleic Acid Research. 37(10):3332-41. Epub 2009 Mar 26. (if=7.4, ci=4)

10. Rai V, Gaur M, Kumar A, Shukla S, Komath S.S.* and Prasad R.* 2008. A novel catalytic mechanism for ATP hydrolysis employed by the N-terminal nucleotide-binding domain of Cdr1p, a multidrug ABC transporter of Candida albicans. Biochim Biophys Acta. (Biomembranes) 1778(10):2143-53. 5-Yr Impact factor of journal: 4.1 Citation Index: 7 (if=4.1, ci=7)

174

KUKRETI, SHRIKANT (b.1963), Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi -110007 Member of the NASI: No (YON 2011, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology) The nominee, Dr Kukreti is an established investigator in the field of Nucleic acid Structural Biology. He has established that palindromic/quasipalindromic sequences, and tracts of polypurine/polypyrimidine sequences which often occur at genomic regulatory regions, exhibit structural polymorphism. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) site present in a quasipalindromic sequence of -globin locus control region (LCR), containing G allele associated with occurrence of -thallessemia, exhibited a hairpin-duplex equilibrium. This possibility facilitates an architectural switching at quasipalindromic region between linear duplex to a cruciform structure. Such DNA structural variations are likely to be found in the mechanics of molecular recognition and manipulation by transcription factors/proteins possibly playing a role in gene regulation. Further, study at the polypurine stretch of human c-jun protooncogene has shown that near physiological pH and with a delicate balance of Na+ / K+ with Mg++ the duplex is destabilized/disproportionated, resulting in strand mediated structural transitions to the C- and G quadruplex species. One of the alternate DNA conformations known as triple helix provides sequence specific recognition of double helix DNA by oligonucleotides. Candidate has extensively worked on the stabilization feature of these exotic DNA structures and contributed to the development of triplex specific ligands. Reporting for the first time the structure of 3'-overhang of telomere DNA, he demonstrated the capacity of double repeat of human telomere sequence, to form G-quartet dependent antiparallel G quartet structures involving four telomeric ends.

Proposer: Prof. K. Muralidhar, Seconder: Prof. S. C. Bhatla Ten Best Publications: 1. Presence of divalent cation is not mandatory for the formation of intramolecular purine-motif triplex containing human c-jun protooncogene target. S. Kaushik, M. Kaushik, F. Svinarchuk, C. Malvy, S. Fermandjian, S. Kukreti ., Biochemistry (2011), Mar 7. In Press. (IF: 3.226). 2. Structural Diversity and Specific Recognition of four stranded G-quadruplex DNA. M. Kaushik, S. Kaushik, A. Bansal, S. Saxena, and S. Kukreti ., Current Molecular Medicine (2011), In Press. (IF: 5.096). 3. Structural polymorphism at LCR and its role in beta-globin gene regulation. S. Kukreti, H. Kaur, M. Kaushik, A. Bansal, S. Saxena, S. Kaushik, R. Kukreti., Biochimie, (2010), 92, 1199-206. (IF: 3.489; CI : 05). 4. Structural polymorphism exhibited by a homopurine.homopyrimidine sequence found at the right end of human c-jun protooncogene. S. Saxena, A. BansetS. Kukreti ., Arch Biochem Biophys. (2008),47,95-108. (IF: 3.046). 5. Possibility of an Antiparallel (Tetramer) Quadruplex Exhibited by the Double Repeat of the Human Telomere. M. Kaushik, A. Bansal, S. Saxena, S. Kukreti., Biochemistry. (2007),46,7119-7131. (IF : 3.226; CI : 12). 6. Structural polymorphism exhibited by a quasipalindrome present in the locus control region (LCR) of the human D-globin gene cluster. M. Kaushik and S. Kukreti., Nucleic Acids Research (2006), 34, 3511-3522. (IF; 7.479; CI : 7.479). 7. 'Hairpin-Duplex equilibrium reflected in AOB transition in an undecamer quasi-palindrome present in locus control region (LCR) of Human O-globin gene cluster. M. Kaushik, R. Kukreti, D. Grover, S. K. Brahmachari, and S. Kukreti ., Nucleic Acids Research (2003),31,6904-6915. (IF: 7.479; CI : 13). 8. Rational design of a triple helix specific intercalating ligand. C. Escude, C. Nguyen, S. Kukreti, J. S. Sun, E. Bisagni, T. Garestier and C. Helene. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA (1998), 95, 3591-3596. (IF: 9.432; CI: 33). 9. Triple helices formed at oligopyrimidine oligopurine sequences with base pair inversions: effect of a triplex-specific ligand on stability and selectivity. S. Kukreti, J.S.Sun, 'D.Loakes, D.M. Brown, C.H.Nguyen, E.Bisagni, T.Garestier, C. Helene. Nucleic Acids Res. (1998), 26, 2179-83. (IF: 7.479; CI : 23). 10. Extension of the range of DNA sequences available for triple helix formation: Stabilization of mismatched jriplexes by Acridine-containing oligonucleotides. S. Kukreti, J. S. Sun, T. Garestier and C. Helene. Nucleic Acid Research (1997), 25, 4264-4270. (IF: 7.497; CI: 32).

175

MANDE, SHARMILA SHEKHAR (b 1962), Principal Scientist and Head, Bio-Sciences R&D Division, Innovation Labs, TATA Consultancy Services Ltd., Pune


• Her recently published papers on gut microbiome have indicated abundance of enteric pathogens, known to cause intestinal inflammation, in malnourished children. These studies have identified ‗taxonomic and functional markers‘ that positively/negatively influence nutritional status of children. • Her work on comprehensive analyses of antibiotic resistance genes in the gut microflora of 275 individuals has indicated not only geography/country-specific patterns, but also four distinct clusters of individuals (referred to as ‗Resistotypes‘) that exhibit similar antibiotic resistance profiles in their gut microbiota. • She has performed extensive computational work to understand bacterial Type VI (T6SS) and VII (T7SS) secretion systems. Her published paper on characterization of gene components T6SS has received close to 100 citations. The analysis for the first time was able to assign functional roles to most of the T6SS components. She could also propose a functional model of the T6SS. Her work on T7SS in M. tuberculosis has thrown lights on the probable novel functions of some of its components, including the role of a few proteins in the initial activation and formation of mycomembrane translocon. Based on this study, she was able to propose a working model of T7SS involving ESX-1 secretion pathway. • She has developed, published and patented a number of algorithms for analyzing metagenomic data. A number of research groups worldwide not only have used these methods as benchmark for validating their algorithms, but also utilized the same for analyzing their own metagenomic datasets.

Proposer : Dr J Gowrishankar, Seconder : (Late) Dr J Nagaraju


1. Issaac Rajan, Sarang Aravamuthan and Sharmila S Mande* (2007) ―Identification of compositionally distinct regions in genomes using the centroid method‖ Bioinformatics, 23, 2672–2677 (2007) (if=4.621, ci=30)

2. Sakshi Shrivastava and Sharmila S Mande* (2008) ―Identification and functional characterization of gene components of Type VI Secretion System in bacterial genomes.‖ PLoS ONE 3 (8), e2955. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0002955 (2008) (if=3.53, ci=98)

3. Monzoorul Haque M, Tarini Shankar Ghosh, Dinakar Komanduri and Sharmila S Mande* (2009) ―SOrt-ITEMS : Sequence Orthology based approach for Improved Taxonomic Estimation of Metagenomic Sequences.‖ Bioinformatics 25 (14), 1722-1730 (2009) (if=4.621, ci=94)

4. Chandrani Das, Tarini Shankar Ghosh and Sharmila S. Mande* (2011) Computational Analysis of the ESX-1 Region of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Insights into the Mechanism of Type VII Secretion System. PLoS ONE, 6 (11): e27980 (2011) (if=3.53, ci=15)

5. Monzoorul Haque M, Tarini Shankar Ghosh, Nitin Kumar Singh and Sharmila S Mande* (2011) ―SPHINX- An algorithm for taxonomic binning of metagenomic sequences.‖ Bioinformatics, 27 (1), 22-30 (2011) (if=4.621, ci=35)

6. Sourav Sen Gupta, Monzoorul Haque Mohammed, Tarini Shankar Ghosh, Suman Kanungo, G. Balakrish Nair and Sharmila S. Mande* (2011) ―Metagenome of the gut of a malnourished child.‖ Gut Pathogen, 3 (7), (2011) (if=2.07, ci=38)

7. Monzoorul Haque Mohammed, Anirban Dutta, Tungadri Bose, Sudha Chadaram and Sharmila S Mande* (2012) ―DELIMINATE – A fast and efficient method for loss-less compression of genomic sequences.‖ Bioinformatics, 8 (19), 2527-2529 (2012) (if=4.621, ci=4)

8. Sharmila S Mande*, Monzoorul Haque Mohammed, Tarini Shankar Ghosh (2012) ―Classification of Metagenomic Sequences: Methods and Challenges.‖ Briefings in Bioinform (if=5.919, ci=30)

9. Tarini Shankar Ghosh, Sourav Sen Gupta, G Balkrish Nair and Sharmila S Mande* (2013) "In silico analysis of antibiotic resistance genes in the gut microflora of individuals from diverse geographies and age-groups." PLoS ONE, 8:e83823. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0083823 (2013) (if=3.53, ci=5)

10. Tarini Shankar Ghosh, Sourav Sen Gupta, Tanudeep Bhattacharya, Deepak Yadav, Anamitra Barik, Abhijit Chowdhury, Bhabatosh Das, Sharmila S Mande*, G. Balakrish Nair* (2014) ―Gut Microbiomes of Indian Children of Varying Nutritional Status‖ PLOS ONE, 9 (4) e95547 (2014) (if=3.53, ci=2)

176

MAYILRAJ, SHANMUGAM (b 1966), Principal Scientist, MTCC, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology,

Chandigarh Member of the NASI: No (YON 2011, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology including) It gives me great pleasure in writing this recommendation letter testifying to the capabilities and potential of Dr. S. Mayilraj who is an applicant for Election of Fellows of The National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI). I know him for the past twenty years since he joined as a Scientist at Microbial Type Culture Collection (MTCC). His strong foundations in theoretical and practical aspects of bacteriology and microbiology supported his keenness in microbial diversity related work and so for his PhD he selected the research group of Dr. Tapan Chakrabarti at IMTECH, Chandigarh, who was pursuing study of bacterial diversity from various niches of India and Prof. Harvinder Singh Saini of GNDU, Amritsar. In his tenure as a PhD student the focus was ―Polyphasic approaches to study bacterial diversity of cold Himalayan desert‖. For the past twelve years his group has been studying the bacterial diversity of the Lahaul-Spiti valley, marine niches and described lot of novel bacterial taxa. His group also having collaboration with NASA and described few novel bacteria isolated from a clean room where the Phoenix spacecraft was assembled; So far he has proposed more than 60 novel bacterial taxa of Indian origin. Recently he has started working on comparative genomic analysis of novel taxa and completed eighteen whole genome sequencing and analysis and papers has been published in Genome announcement, Genomics data and Standards in genomic sciences. For his contributions he has been awarded the following awards: • MIRCEN-UNESCO Fellow (1998); • DFG-INSA Fellow (2005); • NASA Technical Brief Award (2008); • Raman Research Fellow (2009); • CSIR-DAAD Fellow (2012); • JSPS Fellow (2012)

Proposer : Dr. Javed N Agrewala, Seconder : Dr. G P S Raghava Ten Best Publications: 1. Praveen Kaul, Anirban Banerjee, S.Mayilraj & Uttam C. Banerjee* (2004). Screening for

enantioselective nitrilases: kinetic resolution of racemic mandelonitrile to (R) – (-)-mandelic acid by new

bacterial isolates. Tetrahedran: Asymmetry, 15, 207- 211. (if=2.143, ci=83) 2. Parag Vaishampayan, Alexander Probst, Srinivasan Krishnamurthi, Sudeshna Ghosh, Shariff Osman,

Alasdair McDowall, Arunachalam Ruckmani, Shanmugam Mayilraj & Kasthuri Venkateswaran* (2010).

Bacillus horneckiae sp. nov., isolated from a clean room where the Phoenix spacecraft was assembled.

Int J Syst Evol Microbiol, 60: 1031-1037. (if=2.1, ci=24) 3. Land, M.; Lapidus, A.; Mayilraj, S.; Chen, F.; Copeland, A.; Del Rio, T.G.; Nolan, M.; Lucas, S.; Tice,

H.; Cheng, J.; Chertkov, O; Bruce, D; Goodwin, L; Pitluck, S.; Rohde, M.; Göker, M; Pati, A.; Ivanova, N.;

Mavromatis, K; Chen, A; Palaniappan, K.; Hauser, L.; Chang, Y.; Jeffries, C.C.; Brettin, T.; Detter, G.C.;

Han, C.; Chain, P.; Tindall, B.J.; Bristow, J.; Eisen, J.A.; Markowitz, V.; Hugenholtz, P.; Kyrpides, N.C. &

Hans-Peter Klenk (2009). Complete genome sequence of Actinosynnema mirum type strain (101T).

Standards in Genomic Sciences, 1: 46-53. (if=2.01, ci=20) 4. Bajaj, Abhay; Pathak, Ashutosh; Mudiam, Mohankrishna; Mayilraj, Shanmugam; Manickam,Natesan

(2010). Isolation and characterization of a Pseudomonas sp. strain IITR01 capable of degrading α-

endosulfan and endosulfan sulfate. Journal of Applied Microbiology; 109: 2135–2143. (if=2.1, ci=13) 5. Pankaj Kumar Arora, Archana Chauhan, Bhawana Pant, Suresh Korpole, Shanmugam Mayilraj and

Rakesh Kumar Jain (2011). Description of Chryseomicrobium imtechense gen. nov., sp. nov., a new

member of the family Planococcaceae. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 61: 1859-1864 (if=2.1, ci=2.1) 6. Revti Raichand., Siddhika Pareek., Nitin Kumar Singh and Shanmugam Mayilraj* (2012).

Exiguobacterium aquaticum sp. nov., a new member of the genus Exiguobacterium. Int J Syst Evol

Microbiol; 62: 2150-2155 (if=2.1, ci=7) 7.Kurt LaButti, Shanmugam Mayilraj, Alicia Clum, Susan Lucas, Tijana Glavina Del Rio, Matt Nolan, Hope

Tice, Jan-Fang Cheng, Sam Pitluck, Konstantinos Liolios, Natalia Ivanova, Konstantinos Mavromatis,

Natalia Mikhailova, Galina Ovchinnikova, Amrita Pati, Lynne Goodwin, Amy Chen, Krishna Palaniappan,

Miriam Land, Loren Hauser, Yun-Juan Chang, Cynthia D. Jeffries, Manfred Rohde, Stefan Spring,

Markus Göker, Tanja Woyke, James Bristow, Jonathan A. Eisen, Victor Markowitz, Philip Hugenholtz,

177

Nikos C. Kyrpides, Hans-Peter Klenk* & Alla Lapidus (2010). Permanent draft genome sequence of

Dethiosulfovibrio peptidovorans type strain (SEBR 4207T). Standards in Genomic Sciences, 3: 85-92.

(if=2.01, ci=7) 8. Soniya Dhanjal, Ishwinder Kaur, Suresh Korpole, Peter Schumann, Swaranjit Singh Cameotra, Rüdiger

Pukall, Hans-Peter Klenk and Shanmugam Mayilraj* (2011). Agrococcus carbonis sp. nov., a novel

species of the genus Agrococcus isolated from coal mine soil sample. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol; 61: 1253-

1258. (if=2.1, ci=6) 9. Hope Tice, Shanmugam Mayilraj, David Sims, Alla Lapidus, Matt Nolan, Susan Lucas, Tijana Glavina

Del Rio, Alex Copeland, Jan-Fang Cheng, Linda Meincke, David Bruce, Lynne Goodwin, Sam Pitluck,

Natalia Ivanova, Konstantinos Mavromatis, Galina Ovchinikova, Amrita Pati, Amy Chen, Krishna Palaniappan, Miriam Land, Loren Hauser, Yun-Juan Chang, Cynthia D. Jeffries, John C. Detter, Thomas

Brettin, Manfred Rohde, Markus Göker, Jim Bristow, Jonathan A. Eisen, Victor Markowitz, Philip

Hugenholtz, Nikos Kyrpides, Hans-Peter Klenk* and Feng Chen (2010). Complete genome sequence of Nakamurella multipartita type strain (Y-104 T). Standards in Genomic Sciences, 2: 168-175. (if=2.01,

ci=6) Shanmugam Mayilraj, Anna H. Kaksonen, Ralf Cord-Ruwisch, Peter Schumann, Cathrin Spröer, Brian J.

Tindall & Stefan Spring* (2009). Desulfonauticus autotrophicus sp. nov., a novel thermophilic sulfate-

reducing bacterium isolated from oil-production water and emended description of the genus

Desulfonauticus. Extremophiles. 13 (2), 247-255. (if=2.2, ci=6)

178

NAIR, SUDHA (b.1959), Senior Director, JRD Ecotechnology Centre, MS Swaminathan Research

Foundation, 3rd Cross St, Taramani Industrial Area, Chennai - 600032 Member of the NASI: No (YON 2011, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology) She heads a team, which is one of the Nationally and Internationally recognized groups, which probes the microbial diversity of the rhizosphere organisms especially PGPR's tolerant to stressed conditions like increased salinity and drought - the areas of concerns with climate change implications. The research results have been taken to the field and have been adopted in the INM and IPM practices. The technology thus developed has been de mystified and Self Help Group members have set small-scale units to manufacture and deliver them at the farmer's fields. Seven such units have been established. She has several publications in peer-reviewed journals. As the head of the JRD Tata Ecotechnology Centre she leads a multidisciplinary team in coordinating action research and capacity building programmes at grass roots (farmers/women and youth) under the "Biovtaqe" (people centered paradigm of sustainable development) programme to strengthen livelihoods and works with more than 10,000 women and 8,000 farmers. This approach has been scaled to a watershed level through the Bio-industrial Watershed approach. She set up the first Women's Biotechnology Park in Chennai for Women Entrepreneurs. Post Tsunami she also coordinated the setting up of the Fish for All training Centre at Poompuhar in 2009, a coastal village, to help in the value chain approach for strengthening the livelihoods of the fishing communities with a special focus on women. She works at the Policy level to improve the visibility of women in science and science for women both at the National and International level.

Proposer: Prof. M. S. Swaminathan, Seconder: Prof. Ajay Parida Ten Best Publications: 1. Chinnaswamy Appunu, Vaiyapuri Ramalingam Prabavathy and Sudha Nair 2010. Phylogenetic diversity of rhizobia associated with horsegram [Macrotyloma uniflorurn (Lam.) Verdc.] grown in South India based on glnll, recA and 16S-23S intergenic sequence analyses, Current Microbiology 2011,62,1230--1238. (IF :7.5). 2. N. Rameshkumar, Elke Lang and Sudha Nair 2010. Mangrovibacter plantisponsor gen., nov., sp. nov., a novel diazotrophic bacterium associated with wild rice (Porteresia coarctata Tateoka). Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol.Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 60 , 179-186. (IF: 2.113). 3. N. Rameshkumar and Sudha Nair. 2009. Isolation and molecular characterization of antagonistic diazotrophic red-pigmented vibrios from different mangrove rhizospheres FEMS Microbiol Ecol. 67: 455- 467. (IF: 3.598). 4. Chinnaswamy Appunu, Narayanasamy Sasirekha, Vaiyapuri Ramalingam Prabavathy and Sudha Nair, 2009. A significant proportion of indigenous rhizobia from India associated with soybean (Glycine max L.) distinctly belong to Bradyrhizobium and Ensifer genera. Biology and Fertility of Soils BioI. Fertil. Soils 46: 57-63. (IF: 1.757). 5. Rameshkumar, N., Youhei Fukui, Tomoo Sawabe, and Sudha Nair. 2008. Vibrio porteresiae sp. Nov., a Novel Diazotrophic Bacterium isolated from a Mangrove Associated Wild Rice (Porteresia coarctata Tateoka). International Journal of Systematic Evolutionary Microbiology 58:1608-1615. (IF: 2.113). 6. Diby Paul and Sudha Nair. 2008. Stress adaptations in plant growth promoting Rhizobacterium (PGPR) with increasing salinity in the coastal agricultural soils. Journal of Basic microbiology. 48: (5); 378-384. (IF: 1.32). 7. Bharath Kumar, S., Diby Paul and Sudha Nair. 2008. Microbial Diversity of Culturable Heterotrophs in the Rhizosphere of Salt Marsh Grass, Porteresia Coarctata. Journal of Basic Microbiology. 48: 10-18. (IF: 1.32). 8. Bharath Kumar, S., N. Rameshkumar, Diby Paul, V. R. Prabavathy and Sudha Nair. 2008. Characterisation of the Predominant Bacterial Population of Different Mangrove Rhiozsphere Soils Using 16S rRNA Gene-based Single-Stranded Confirmation Polymorphism (SSCP). World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology. 24: 387-394. (IF: 1.08). 9. Rameshkumar, N., Sudha Nair, Stefan Langer, Hans-Jurgen Busse and P. Kampfer. 2008. Altererythrobacter indicus sp. nov., Isolated from Wild Rice (Porteresia coarctata Tateoka). International Journal of Systematic Evolutionary Microbiology. 58: 839-844. (IF: 2.113). 10. Rameshkumar, N. and Sudha Nair. 2007. Vibrio rhizosphaerae sp. nov., a Red-pigmented Bacterium that Antagonizes Phytopathogenic Bacteria. Intemational Journal of Systematic Evolutionary Microbiology. 57: 2241-2246. (IF=: 2.113).

179

PANCHANADHAM, SACHDANANDAM (b 1952), Professor, Dept. of Medical Biochemistry, Dr ALM P.G

IBMS, University of Madras,Sekkizhar Valaaham, Taramani, Chennai – 600 113 Member of the NASI: No (YON 2011, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology)

Chronic diseases are among the most prevalent and most costly, yet they are the most preventable. Professor Dr P. Sachdanandam, has been working on these issues by treating chronic diseases with the use of Siddha drugs. Herbal formulations prepared in his laboratory and also on the role of supplementary drugs, thereby lending scientific credentials for the use of such drugs. He has carried out extensive research in the field of Cancer, Arthritis and Diabetes and through his meticulous research work he has proved the anti cancer, anti diabetic and anti arthritic potential of these drugs which have helped him bring about 114 publications to his credit. He has written a chapter with the title ―Various pharmacological effects of Kalpaamruthaa‖ in an International book entitled " Phyllanthus species: Scientific Evaluation and Medicinal Applications" published by CRC Press, USA - Edited by Dr. Roland Hardman, University of Bath, UK. He has also worked on supplemental therapy of Coenzyme Q10, Riboflavin and Niacin (CoRN) and Selenium supplementation thereby nullifying the deleterious consequences of prolonged use of Tamoxifen. It is a pleasure to mention that his constant search and contribution for research has gained him recognition from Tamil Nadu Academy of Science and Technology in the form of TANSA AWARD for Basic Medical Sciences for the year 2011, conferred on him. Presently he is working in the field of Type 2 Diabetes mellitus induced cardiovascular complications

Proposer: Prof. S. P. Thyagarajan, Seconder : Prof. M. Santappa Ten Best Publications: 1. Umarani M, Shanthi P, Sachdanandam P. Antioxidant activity of Kalpamruthaa might mediate its anticancer effects. Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 5, 238-239 May 2008 (IF=4.520, CI=5) 2. Yuvaraj S, Premkumar V G, Shanthi P, Vijayasarathy K, Gangadaran S G, Sachdanandam P. Effect of Coenzyme Q10, Riboflavin and Niacin on Tamoxifen treated postmenopausal breast cancer women with special reference to Blood chemistry profiles. Breast Cancer Res Treat, 2008 Apr 22: 377-84 (IF=4.859 , CI= 7) 3. Premkumar V.G, Yuvaraj S, Shanthi P, Sachdanandam P. CoenzymeQ10, riboflavin and niacin supplementation on alteration of DNA repair enzyme and DNA methylation in breast cancer patients undergoing tamoxifen therapy. Br J Nutr 2008 Apr 1:1-4. (IF=3.072, CI=6) 4. Mythilypriya, R., Shanthi, P., Sachdanandam, P. Efficacy of Siddha formulation Kalpaamruthaa in

ameliorating joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis in rats. Chem Biol Interact, 2008 Aug 3:176:243- 251. (IF=2.832, CI= 4) 5. Yuvaraj S, Premkumar VG, Vijayasarathy K, Gangadaran SG, Sachdanandam P. Augmented antioxidant status in Tamoxifen treated postmenopausal women with breast cancer on co-administration with Coenzyme Q10, Niacin and Riboflavin. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2008 May; 61(6):933- 41 (IF=2.759, CI=4) 6. Thangaraju, M., Ramesh Babu, J., Vasavi, H., Illanchezhian, S., Vinitha, R. and Sachdanandam, P. The salubrious effect of tamoxifen on serum marker enzymes glycoprotein and lysosomal enzymes level in Breast cancer women. Mol Cell Biochem. 1998;185:85-94. (IF=2.168, CI=4) 7. Babu, J.R., Sundaravel,S., Arumugam, G., Renuka, R., Deepa, N. and Sachdanandam, P. Salubrious effect of vitamin C and vitamin E on tamoxifen treated women in breast cancer with reference to plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels. Cancer letters 2000;151: 1-5(IF=4.864, CI=8) 8. Thangaraju, M., Kumar, K., Gandhirajan, R. and Sachdanandam, P. Effect of Tamoxifen on Plasma Lipids and Lipoproteins in Postmenopausal Women with Breast Cancer. Cancer1994; 73: 659-663. (IF=2.88, CI=4) 9. Ramprasath VR, Shanthi P, Sachdanandam P. Therapeutic effects of Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nut milk extract on the changes associated with collagen and glycosaminoglycan metabolism in adjuvant arthritic Wistar rats. Chem Biol Interact. 2006 Jul 25;162(1):43-52 (IF=2.832, CI=5) 10. Arulkumaran S, Ramprasath VR, Shanthi P, Sachdanandam P. Restorative effect of Kalpaamruthaa, an indigenous preparation, on oxidative damage in mammary gland mitochondrial fraction in experimental mammary carcinoma. Mol Cell Biochem. 2006 Oct; 291(1-2):77-82. (IF=2.168, CI=5)

180

RAYCHAUDHURI, SAUMYA (b 1967), Principal Scientist and CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology,

Chandigarh Member of the NASI: No (YON 2011, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology including) Dr. Saumya is known to me for almost 13 years. He joined IMTECH way back in 2001 after completing his three years (1997-2000) in two different US labs. In US, he got an exposure in the field of RNA biology and Gene therapy with Late Prof. James (Jim) Ofengand and Richard L Hurwitz respectively. After joining IMTECH, he started working in the field of molecular microbiology using Vibrio cholerae as a model organism. His first project was to examine the outcome of an interaction between a protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica (Eh) and Vibrio cholerae (Vc). While doing the interactive project on Eh and Vc, he got interested in a fundamental phenomenon of microbial world known as quorum sensing. Currently, his lab focuses on the structural and functional evaluation of quorum sensing regulatory proteins and their natural variants. In addition, his lab also focuses on the development and utilization of Sacchromyces cerevisiae, the budding yeast a model system to gain functional insight of known virulence factors and use this system to define and identify new virulence determinants from Vibrios and other pathogenic bacteria. Recently, he has developed an interest in understanding the biology of commesal E.coli with respect to gut microbiome. Collectively, he has initiated many new areas in Imtech to understand the biology of commensal and pathogenic bacteria. Until now, he has published 19 publications in reputed peer reviewed international journals. The 10 best research publications are included here covering various areas of his work.

Proposer : Dr. Pradip K Chakraborti, Seconder : Dr. Girish Sahni Ten Best Publications: 1. Raychaudhuri S, Conrad J, Hall BG, Ofengand J. A pseudouridine synthase required for the formation

of two universally conserved pseudouridines in ribosomal RNA is essential for normal growth of Escherichia coli. RNA. 1998 Nov; 4(11): 1407-17. (if=6.05, ci=117) 2. Raychaudhuri S, Niu L, Conrad J, Lane BG, Ofengand J. Functional effect of deletion and mutation of the Escherichia coli ribosomal RNA and tRNA pseudouridine synthase RluA. J Biol Chem. 1999 Jul; 274(27): 18880-6. (if=7.66, ci=80) 3. Gutgsell NS, Del Campo MD, Raychaudhuri S, Ofengand J. A second function for pseudouridine

synthases: A point mutant of RluD unable to form pseudouridines 1911, 1915, and 1917 in Escherichia coli 23S ribosomal RNA restores normal growth to an RluD-minus strain. RNA. 2001 Jul; 7(7): 990- 8. (if=4.50, ci=60) 4. Saumya Ray Chaudhuri, Joshua N Mallam, Patricia Chévez-Barrios, Lalita Wadhwa1,Philip Ng, Mary

Y. Hurwitz, and Richard L. Hurwitz: Modulation of Adenoviral Transduction In Vitro and In Vivo by Hyaluronan and its receptor CD44. Molecular Therapy 2007 Mar;15(3):566-70. (if=5.64, ci=8) 5. Saumya Raychaudhuri*, Vibhu Jain and Mitesh Dongre: Identification of a constitutively active variant

of LuxO that affects production of HA/protease and biofilm development in a non-O1, non- O139 Vibrio cholerae O110. Gene, 2006 Mar 15; 369:126-33.(if=2.72, ci=22) 6. Ranjana Tripathi, Chetna Dureja, Swati Haldar, Alok K Mondal, and Saumya Raychaudhuri*. VopF, a

type III effector protein from a non-O1, non-O139 V. cholerae strain demonstrates toxicity in

Saccharomyces cerevisiae model. J Med Microbiol 2010 Jan; 59(Pt 1):17-24. (if=2.38, ci=5) 7. Dongre M, Singh NS, Dureja C, Pedda N, Solanki AK, Ashish, Raychaudhuri S*. Evidence on how a

conserved glycine in the hinge region of HapR regulates its DNA binding ability: lessons from a natural variant. J Biol Chem. 2011 Apr 29; 286 (17):15043-9.(if=4.77, ci=1) 8. Khatri N, Khatri I, Subramanian S, Raychaudhuri S*. Ethanolamine utilization in Vibrio alginolyticus.

Biol Direct. 2012 Dec 12; 7 (1):45. [Epub ahead of print] (if=4.017, ci=1) 9. Singh R, Rathore YS, Singh NS, Peddada N, Ashish, Raychaudhuri S*. Substitution of Glutamate Residue by Lysine in the Dimerization Domain Affects DNA Binding Ability of HapR by Inducing Structural Deformity in the DNA Binding Domain. PLoS One. 2013 Oct 14;8(10):e76033. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076033. (if=4.0) 10.Tripathi R, Kaithwas V, Dureja C, Raychaudhuri S*. Alanine-scanning mutagenesis of WH2 domains

of VopF reveals residues important for conferring lethality in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae model. Gene.

2013 Aug 1; 525(1):116-23. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2013.04.071. Epub 2013 May 13. (if=2.37, ci=1)

181

RISHI, PRAVEEN (b 1958), Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology Panjab University, Chandigarh


In view of emerging drug resistance in pathogens, exploiting various biocompatible agents, Prof. Rishi‘s work indicates (i) the efficacy of Cryptdin-2, (a Paneth cell antimicrobial peptide) as a potential biotherapeutic agent. Her finding on Nisin-antibiotic combination(s) is a blueprint for the development of new class of efficient antibiotics against Gram-negative pathogens which are otherwise not sensitive to either agent alone. The combination therapy reduces the dose of antibiotic required thereby reducing the possibility of drug resistance besides conferring health benefits to the host. (ii) Her work on polyphenolic compounds and probiotics/synbiotics reflects their potential to ameliorate an array of signaling molecules involved in endotoxin mediated liver injury. (iii) She has also developed immuno-fluorescence and gold nano based immunobiosensors to detect typhoid fever for which the patent has been filed. Dr. Rishi has 103 research publications and has several completed/ongoing research projects, all of which are in the direction of meeting the societal needs. She has been the recipient of INSA Visiting Fellowship and DBT Overseas Associateship. She is the Fellow of Association of Microbiologists of India (FAMI) and Indian Association of Biomedical Scientists (FABMS). In view of her consistent outstanding work in the field of Microbiology, Prof. Rishi has been conferred Dr. Y.S Narayana Rao Oration Award by Indian Council of Medical research (ICMR). Besides this, she is actively involved in (i) e-pathshala programme, (ii) public awareness programmes and (iii) also associated with National rehabilitation Institute foundation, Karuna Sadan.

Proposer : Dr. Javed N. Agrewala, Seconder : Prof. K.K. Bhasin


1. Singh AP, Preet S, Rishi P (2014) Nisin/β-lactam adjunct therapy against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium: a mechanistic approach. J Antimicrob Chemother. 69(7):1877-87. (if= 5.43, ci=--)

2. Pandey SK, Vinayaka AC, Rishi DB, Rishi P, Suri CR (2014) Immuno-fluorescence based Vi capsular polysaccharide detection for specific recognition of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi in clinical samples. Anal Chim Acta. 841:51-7. (if= 4.51, ci= 5)

3. Singh AP, Prabha V, Rishi P (2013) Value addition in the efficacy of conventional antibiotics by nisin against Salmonella. PloS One. 8(10): e76844. (if= 3.53, ci= 5)

4. Pandey SK , Suri RC , Chaudhry M , Tiwari RP and Rishi P (2012). A gold nanoparticles based immune- bioprobe for detection of Vi capsular polysaccharide of Salmonella entrica serovar Typhi. Mol Biosyst 8: 1853-1860 (if= 3.18, ci= 3)

5. Preet S, Bharati S., Shukla G., Koul A and Rishi P (2011) Evaluation of amoebicidal potential of Paneth cell cryptdin-2 against Entamoeba histolytica. PLoS Neg Trop Dis 5(12): e1386. (if= 4.41, ci= 5)

6. Bharrhan S, Koul A, Chopra K and Rishi P (2011) Catechin suppresses an array of signalling molecules and modulates alcohol-induced endotoxin mediated liver injury in a rat model. PLoS One 6(6): e20635 (if= 3.53, ci= 29)

7. Rishi P, Preet S, Bharrhan S and Verma I (2011) In vitro and in vivo synergy of cryptdin-2 and ampicillin against Salmonella. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 55(9): 4176-4182. (if= 4.67, ci= 14)

8. Preet S, Verma I and Rishi P (2010) Cryptdin-2: a novel therapeutic agent for experimental Salmonella infection. J Antimicrob Chemother 65 (5): 991-994. (if= 5.43, ci= 17)

9. Rishi P, Mavi SK, Bharrhan S, Shukla G, Tewari R (2009) Protective efficacy of probiotic alone or in conjunction with prebiotic in Salmonella-induced liver damage. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 69(2): 222-230. (if= 3.88, ci= 48)

10. Kaur G, Tirkey N, Bharrhan S, Chanana V, Rishi P and Chopra K (2006) Inhibition of oxidative stress and cytokine activity by Curcumin in amelioration of Endotoxin-induced experimental hepatotoxicity in rodents. Clin Exp Immunol 145(2): 313-321. (if= 3.27, ci= 86)

182

SARKAR, DIBYENDU (b 1968), Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR- Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh


It is my great pleasure to propose Dr. Dibyendu Sarkar as a nominee for the fellow of National Academy of Science India. During past eleven years Dr. Sarkar and his group has been contributing towards mechanism of functioning of the M. tuberculosis (Mtb) PhoP-PhoR system which impacts on numerous aspects of mycobacterial physiology including virulence, complex lipid biosynthesis, hypoxic response, secretion of the major T-cell antigen, and a robust adaptive response of the tubercle bacilli. Dr. Sarkar‘s group for the first time showed residue-specific phosphotransfer between PhoP and PhoR proteins, suggesting it as a bona fide two-protein regulatory system. Their work on (a) identifying the genetic determinants of PhoP with an unusual head-to-head orientation of the protomers on the target DNA, (b) establishing mechanism of transcription auto-regulation, and (c) probing affinity and specificity determinants of PhoP-DNA interactions provided a basic framework of understanding of how the regulator functions. Their observation that phosphorylation switch the transactivation domain to a different conformation, which specify additional protein-protein contacts between PhoP protomers coupled with their work on high-resolution domain structure explain how unusual structural features of PhoP contribute to its expanded regulatory capabilities. More recent work by his group shows how PhoP via novel protein-protein interactions with another regulator contributes to heat-shock response of Mtb by indirect regulation of alpha-crystallin 2 expression. Together, his independent research represents a significant body of work with fundamental insights into how PhoP functions as a global regulator of the tubercle bacilli.

Proposer : Dr. Girish Sahni, Seconder : Dr. Pradip Chakraborti


1. Sarkar, D., Radman-Livaja, M. and Landy, A. (2001) The small DNA binding domain of λ-Integrase is a context-sensitive modulator of recombinase functions. EMBO Journal 20, 1203-1212 (if=10.75, ci=53)

2. *Wojciak,J.M., *Sarkar, D., Landy,A. and Clubb, R.T. (2002) Arm-site binding by λ-Integrase: Solution structure and functional characterization of its amino-terminal domain. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 99, 3434-3439 (* contributed equally to the work) (if=9.809, ci=60)

3. Sarkar, D., Azaro, M.A., Aihara, H., Papagiannis, C., Tirumalai, R., Nunes-Duby, S.E., Johnson, R.C., Ellenberger, T., and Landy, A. (2002) Differential affinity and cooperatives functions of the amino-terminal 70 residues of λ Integrase. Journal of Molecular Biology 324, 775-789 (if=4.89, ci=29)

4. Gupta, S., Sinha, A. and Sarkar, D. (2006) Transcriptional autoregulation by Mycobacterium tuberculosis PhoP involves recognition of novel direct repeat sequences in the regulatory region of the promoter. FEBS Letters 580, 5328-5338 (if=3.372, ci=43)

5. Sinha, A., Gupta, S., Bhutani, S., Pathak, A., and Sarkar, D. (2008) PhoP-PhoP Interaction at Adjacent PhoP Binding Sites Is Influenced by Protein Phosphorylation. Journal of Bacteriology 190, 1317-1328 (if=3.68, ci=22)

6. Gupta, S., Pathak, A., Sinha, A., and Sarkar, D. (2009) Mycobacterium tuberculosis PhoP recognizes two adjacent direct-repeat sequences to form head-to-head dimers. Journal of Bacteriology 191, 7466-7576 (if=3.94, ci=13)

7. Das, A., Pathak, A., Sinha, A., Datt, M., Singh, B., Karthikeyan, S., and Sarkar, D. (2010) A single amino acid substitution in the C terminus of PhoP determines DNA-binding specificity of the virulence-associated response regulator from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Journal of Molecular Biology 398, 647-656 (if=3.871, ci=6)

8. Pathak, A., Goyal, R., Sinha, A. and Sarkar, D. (2010) Domain structure of virulence-associated response regulator PhoP of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: role of the linker region on regulator-promoter interaction(s). Journal of Biological Chemistry 285, 34309-34318 (if=5.328, ci=2)

9. Goyal, R., Das, A. K., Singh, R., Singh, P. K., Korpole, S., and Sarkar, D. (2011) Phosphorylation of PhoP protein plays direct regulatory role in lipid biosynthesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Journal of Biological Chemistry 286, 45197-45208 (if=5.328, ci=15)

10. Singh, R., V., Anil Kumar., Das, A. K., Bansal, R. and Sarkar, D. (2014) A transcriptional co-repressor regulatory circuit controlling the heat-shock response of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Molecular Microbiology 94, 450-465 (if=5.05, ci= Not cited yet)

183

SINGH, RAMA KANT (b.1957), Senior Assistant Director, Division of Toxicology, Central Drug Research Institute, Chattar Manzil Palace, Lucknow - 226001 Member of the NASI: Yes (YON 2011, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology) A new simple occlusive and non-invasive male contraceptive method has been developed. It is first method which is developed by Dr. Singh in India i.e. RISUG. RISUG composed of styrene maleic anhydride (SMA) which is injected in vas deferens of male for attain a contraceptive effect. Before a new drug is released, clinical trials in humans the sub acute and chronic safety evaluation studies are done' in at least two species of rodents and one species of non-rodents i.e. monkeys. Dr. Singh did the sub acute and chronic safety evaluation studies in rats and rhesus monkeys. Male mediated teratogenic potential of SMA was conducted in rats and rabbits. A new contraceptive, SMA was selected for study;' being in contact with water the acid anhydride component was hydrolyzed. The time required for hydrolysis in experimental studies was one week. The polymer after injection with cellular secretion and forms a stable precipitate within the lumen and makes the environment such that the spermatozoa passing through were killed. SMA a temporary means of contraception to be used with either the percutaneous or non-scalped techniques uses the new polymer styrene maleic anhydride, When injected into the Vas deferens this polymer lowers the pH of the vas deferens enough SMA was injected to coat the vas but riot block it. The polymer immediately attaches itself to the walls of the vas in a thin film and then kills the sperm passing by 'it instead of blocking all sperm passage. This method not occlusive and keeps the vas in an essentially undamaged and natural state. In subacute and chronic toxicity studies, RISUG was safe. No male mediated teratogenic potential was seen in animals. He also evaluated for carcinogenic and Multigeneration teratogenic potential of RISUG and no such potential was proved in his studies. Even at molecular toxicity level, no adverse effect was found (R K. Singh, 2009; '2010 a, b). On the basis of his conclusions, clinical trials on RISUG were successfully completed and it is likely to come very soon in the GLOBAL MARKET FOR HUMAN USE. " ON THE BASIS OF RESEARCH WORK ON "RISUG", DR R K. SINGH DESERVES FOR THE NOMINATION FOR ELECTION AS FELLOW OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, INDIA, ALLAHABAD.

Proposer: Dr. Vinod Bhakuni, Seconder: Dr. Tushar Kanti Chakraborty Ten Best Publications: 1. N. Sethi, R K. Srivastava and R K. Singh, 1998, Safety evaluation of a male injectable antifertility agent, styrene maleic anhydride in rats. Contraception, 39:217-226. 2. N. Sethi, R K. Srivastava, R K. Singh and D. Nath, 1990, Long-term toxicity studies of styrene maleic anhydride in rats. Biomed Environ Sci, 3:452-457, 3. N. Sethi, R K. Srivastava and R K. Singh, 1990, Histological changes in the vas deferens of rats after injection of a new male antifertility agent "SMA" and its reversibility. Contraception, 41 :333- 339. 4. N. Sethi, R K. Srivastava and R K. Singh, 1990, Male mediated teratogenic potential evaluation of new antifertility compound SMA in rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Contraception, 42:215-223. 5. N. Sethi, R K. Srivastava, R K. Singh, G. S. Bhatia and N. Sinha, 1990,Chronic toxicity of styrene maleic anhydride, a male contraceptive, in rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta). Contraception, 42:337-347. 6. N. Sethi, R K. Srivastava, D. Nath and R K. Singh, 1992, Teratological evaluation of an injectable male antifertility agent, styrene maleic anhydride in rats. Int J Fertil, 37: 183-188. 7. N. Sethi, R K. Srivastava, R K. Singh and S. Srivastava, 1990, Safety evaluation of a potent tetanus vaccine (250 Lf) in guinea pigs (Cavia procellus), Biomed Environ Sci, 3:1-8. 8. N. Sethi, R K. Srivastava and R K. Singh, 1991, Teratological evaluation of a new potent vaccine (250 Lf) in Charles Foster rats. Pharmacol Toxicol, 68:226-227. 9. N. Sethi, R K. Srivastava and R K. Singh, 1991, Teratogenicity studies of a new potent tetanus vaccine in rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Biomed Environ Sci, 4:327-331. 10. N. Sethi, K. Agarwal, R K. Singh and V. K. Bajpai, 1988, Effect of 24 mm levonorgestrel IUD on uterine endometrium of female rhesus monkey, Macaca mulatta. Contraception, 37:99-108.

184

SURI, C. RAMAN (b 1958), Chief Scientist, Nanobiotechnology Deptt., CSIR-IMTECH, Chandigarh


Dr. C. Raman Suri is Chief Scientist and head-Nanobiotechnology group at Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh. He was awarded PhD in Biotechnology from Panjab University, Chandigarh. His research aims to be the driving force for bioanalysis oriented applications of current nanobiotechnology science. His work focused mainly on the development of bioreceptor molecules, integration of these molecules into nanostructures, and developing ultra-sensitive biosensing platforms for various applications in clinical and environmental sciences. He has made a significant contribution in this frontier area, and has developed successfully a few immunosensing techniques (Optical, BIOMEMS, and Electrochemical) for ultra-sensitive detection of different analytes of interest. Rapid immunochromatographic based biosensors for pesticides, drugs and pathogens are the products of this integration with great interest for several applications that aim at a significant improvement of the quality of citizen‘s life. He has recently published many refereed papers in reputed international journals having high impact factor. Some of his very recent works on Electrochemical detection using bio-functionalized graphene nanostructured electrodes have been published in Nature Scientific Report, Chemical Comunication and Anal. Chem. Following of his work, a low cost LASER ablated immunosensor kit for pesticide analysis, has got wide publicity in all leading newspapers and magazines, and has conferred many nominations to his team (DST-Lockhead award 2013, MIT TR35 award-2013). Dr. Suri has been member of project task forces of DBT (Bioengineering)/DST (Mol. Electronics/Biosensors)/ICMR (low cost glucose diagnosis), members-editorial board of a few national and International journals, and also visiting fellow/scientist in several European and USA universities/Institutes.

Proposer : Dr Javed Agrewala, Seconder : Dr G P S Raghava


1. K V S Singh, Jasdeep Kaur, Grish C Varshney, Manoj Raje and C Raman Suri* . (2004). Synthesis and characterization of hapten-protein conjugates for antibody production against small molecules. Bioconjug. Chem. 377, 220-224. (if=4.82, ci=143)

2. Jasdeep Kaur, K V S Singh, Robin Boro Grish C Varshney, Manoj Raje and C Raman Suri. (2007) Immunochromatographic Dipstick Assay Format using Gold Nanoparticles Labeled Protein-Hapten Conjugate for the Detection of Atrazine. Environ. Science & Technology 41, 5028 –5036. (if=5.48, ci=68)

3. Nishima Wangoo, K K Bhasin and C. Raman Suri* (2008). Synthesis and capping of water-dispersed gold nanoparticles by an amino acid: Bioconjugation and binding studies. J Collidal & Inter. Sci. 323, 247-254 (if=3.55, ci=101)

4. C raman Suri*, Y. Nangia, S. Gandhi, P. Sharma, N Wangoo and G S Shekhawat (2009). Immunoanalytical techniques for analyzing pesticides in the environment . Trends in Anal. Chem. 28, 29- 39 (if=6.61, ci=67)

5. Sonu Gandhi, Neena Caplash, Prince Sharma, C. Raman Suri* (2009). Strip-based immunochromatographic assay using specific egg yolk antibodies for rapid detection of morphine in urine samples. Biosensor & Bioelectronics 25, 502–505. (if=6.45, ci=34)

6. Nishima wangoo, Jyotsna Kaushal, K K Bhasin and C Raman Suri* (2010) Zeta potential based colorimetric immunoassay for the direct detection of diabetic marker HbA1c using gold nanoprobes . Chem. Commun. 46, 5755 - 5757. (if=6.38, ci=21)

7. Priyanka, V Dravid, G Shekhawat, ES Prasad, CR Suri*.(2012) Enhancing electrochemical detection on graphene oxide-CNT nanostructured electrodes using magneto-nanobioprobes. Nature Scientific Report. 2, 877. doi:10.1038/srep00877 (if=5.08, ci=15)

8. Priyanka Sharma, Satish K. Tuteja, Vijayender Bhalla,G. Shekhawat, Vinayak P. Dravidb, C.Raman Suri*(2013). Bio-functionalized graphene–graphene oxide nanocomposite based electrochemical immunosensing. Biosensors and Bioelectronics 39, 99-105. (if=6.45, ci=25)

9. Priyanka, Munish Shorie,Vijayender Bhalla, Preeti Pathania and C. Raman Suri* (2014). Nanobioprobe mediated DNA aptamers for explosive detection. Chem. Commun. 50, 1080-1082 (if=6.38, ci=2)

10. Satish K Tuteja, Priyanka Sabherwal, Akash Deep, Richa Rastogi,Ashok K Paul, C Raman Suri* (2014) Bio-functionalized rebar graphene for label free detection of cardiac marker troponin I. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 8, DOI: 10.1021/am503524e (if=5.90, ci=Most recent paper)

185

PLANT SCIENCES (Structural, Developmental, Functional, Genetical, Ecological,

Taxonomical and Evolutionary Aspects)

ADHIKARY, SIBA PRASAD (b 1954), Vice-Chancellor, Fakir Mohan University, Balasore, Odisha

Member of the NASI: No (YON 2015, Plant Sciences)

Prof. Adhikary has worked extensively on the cyanobacteria biofilms colonizing on stone temples and monuments of India, their survival under extreme temperature and desiccation of the tropics and consequent weathering the sculptures, and also methods to control for restoration of the artistic treasures. He demonstrated through conventional and molecular approach that the microorganisms colonizing the stone monuments of India are different from those of colonizing monuments of Europe and elsewhere, and also their mode of weathering, hence the control methods are also different from those recommended by UNESCO. This aspect is his pioneering contribution in the field of social relevance. Besides, Prof. Adhikary has standardized the technology of cyanobacteria biofertilizer for rice cultivation in Odisha state using region specific and environmental stress compatible species and demonstrated its efficacy in several farmer‘s fields through lab-to-land programmes. He also developed the technology of liquid fertilizer using seaweeds occurring in the coast of Odisha and West Bengal and the cost-benefit in organic farming. Being a collaborator of the All India Coordinated Project on Taxonomy of algae from 2003 to 2012, he has documented freshwater algae of eastern and north-eastern region of India and recorded more than 100 new species. Also reported the marine algal diversity of Odisha coast showing the changes in pattern with time, and use of the potential species for production of agar-agar and UV-sunscreen pigments. Further, he has established a germplasm collection of cyanobacteria from rice fields, fresh and brackish waters and several stressed habitats comprising of > 250 species/strains.

Proposer : Prof. Lal Chand Rai, Seconder : Prof. Baishnav Charan Tripathy


1. Tirkey,J. and Adhikary,S.P.2005. Cyanobacteria in the Biological soil crusts of India. Current Science 89:515-521. (if=0.935, ci=45)

2. Rath,J. and Adhikary,S.P. 2007. Response of the estuarine cyanobacterium Lyngbya aestuarii to UV-B irradiation. Journal of Applied Phycology. 19: 529-536. (if=2.492, ci=21)

3. Rath, J., Mandal, S. and Adhikary, S.P. 2012.Salinity induced synthesis of UV-screening compound scytonemin in the cyanobacterium Lyngbya aestuarii. Journal of Photochemistry. Photobiology B. Biology, 115:5-8 (if=2.892, ci=7)

4. Rossi, F., Micheletti, E., Bruno, L., Adhikary,S.P. 2012. Albertano, P. and DePhilippis, R. Characteristics and role of exocellular polysaccharides produced by five cyanbobacteria isolated from phototrophic biofilms growing on stone monuments. Biofouling, 28: 215-224. (if=3.701, ci=21)

5. Keshari, N. and Adhikary, S.P. 2013. Characterization of cyanobacteria isolated from biofilms on stone monuments at Santiniketan, India. Biofouling 29: 525-536. (if=3.701, ci=4)

6. Rath, J., Mandal, S. and Adhikary,S.P. 2013. Ecophysiology of the estuarine cyanobacteria Lyngbya aestuarii to varying salinity in vivo. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum. DOI 10.1007/s1738-013-1422-7. (if=1.732, ci=2)

7. Jena, M., Bock, C., Behera, C., Adhikary, S.P. and Krienitz, L. 2014. Strain survey on three continents confirms the polyphyly of the genus Pediastrum (Hydrodictyaceae, Chlorophyceae), Fottea, Olomouc, 14: 63-76. (if=1.627, ci=2)

8. Keshri, N. and Adhikary, S.P. 2014. Diversity of cyanobacteria on stone monuments and building facades of India and their phylogenetic analysis. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation. 90:45-51. (if=2.444, ci=3)

9. Mishra, S., Bhargava, P. , Adhikary, S.P., Pradeep, A. and Rai, L.C. 2014. Weighted morpohology: a new approach towards phylogenetic assessment of Nostocales (Cyanobacteria). Protoplasma (Springer) DOI10.1007/s00709-014-0629-9 (if=3.171, ci=1)

10. Kumar, D. and Adhikary, S.P. 2014. Diversity, molecular phylogeny and metabolic activity of cyanobacteria in biological soil crusts from Santiniketan (India). Journal of Applied Phycology (Springer), DOI 10.1007/s 10811-014-0328-0. (if=2.492, ci=2)

186

ANIS, MOHAMMAD (b 1952), Professor & Former Chairman, Dept. of Botany, AMU, Aligarh


Dr M Anis currently a Professor & Former Chairman Department of Botany at the Aligarh Muslim University, has 30 years of teaching and research experience. His research interest centre in the field of Morphogenesis and Tissue Culture particularly the aspect of in vitro regeneration, propagation and conservation of medicinal plants including woody species. A number of protocols emanated from tissue culture studies using different morphogenetic pathways in in vitro regeneration and multiplication of several medicinal plants belonging to different categories for rapid production of cloned and clean stocks of intractable-to-multiply elite plants have been developed. Dr Anis has established a Molecular Biology & Tissue Culture Laboratory and study Programme in Biotechnology in the Department of Botany, for pursuing Basic and Applied Research. Introduced one year Advanced Diploma (Post MSc) course in Micropropagation and Plant Tissue Culture in the Department from the session 2009. He has fruitfully completed several research projects sponsored by DBT, DST, UGC, CSIR and UP CST. Professor Anis has been a recipient of ―VIGYAN RATAN SAMMAN -2010‖ of the Council of Science & Technology, UP, ― Eminent Scientist of the Year award- 2007‖ of the NESA, New Delhi and ―Professor P Maheshwari Medal-2013‖ of Indian Botanical Society for his significant contribution in the field of Plant Morphogenesis and Biotechnology. He holds life memberships of many learned academic societies, including the Plant Tissue Culture Association (India) and is a Fellow of Indian Botanical Society (FBS), Indian Society of Genetics & Plant breeding (FISG) and International Society of Plant Morphologists (FISPM). The efforts made by Dr Anis during the last 30 years have resulted in about 180 research papers, 19 PhDs, 10 MPhils and scores of PG Dissertations.

Proposer : Prof.C.P. Malik, Seconder : Prof.S. L. Kothari


1. Fatima N., Ahmad N. ad Anis M. (2011). Enhanced in vitro regeneration and change in photosynthetic pigments, biomass and proline content in Withania somnifera L. (Dunal) induced by copper and zinc ions. Plant Physiol Biochem. 49: 1465-1471 (if=3.0, ci=10)

2. Fatima N, Ahmad N, Anis M and Ahmad I (2013) An improved in vitro encapsulation protocol, biochemical analysis and genetic integrity using DNA based molecular markers in regenerated plants of Withania somnifera L. Ind Crop Pro 50: 468– 477. (if=3.0, ci=05)

3. Hazel C.B., Klein T.M., Anis M., Wilde H.D. and Parrott W.A. (1998). Growth characteristics and transformability of soybean embryogenic cultures. Plant Cell Reports 17: 765-772. (if=2.9, ci=50)

4. Faisal M. and Anis M. (2003). Rapid mass propagation of Tylophora indica Merrill via leaf callus culture. Plant Cell Tiss Organ Cult 75: 125-129. (if=2.6, ci=80)

5. Faisal M., Ahmad N. and Anis M. (2005). Shoot multiplication in Rauvolfia tetraphylla using thidiazuron. Plant Cell Tiss Organ Cult 80: 187-190 (if=2.6, ci=108)

6. Faisal M. and Anis M. (2009). Changes in photosynthetic activity, pigment composition, electrolyte leakage, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzymes during ex vitro establishment of micropropagated Rauvolfia tetraphylla plantlets. Plant Cell Tiss Organ Cult 99: 125-132. (if=2.6, ci=22)

7. Javed SB and Anis M (2015) Cobalt induced augmentation of in vitro morphogenic potential in Erythrina variegate L.: a multipurpose tree legume. Plant Cell Tiss Org Cult. 120:463–474 (if=2.6, ci=-)

8. Faisal M., Alatar A.A., Ahmad N., Anis M. and Hegazy A.K. (2012). Assessment of genetic fidelity in Rauvolfia serpentina plantlets grown from synthetic (encapsulated) seeds following in vitro storage at 4°C. Molecules 17:5050-5061 (if=2.6, ci=16)

9. Faisal M., Siddique I and Anis M. (2006). In vitro rapid regeneration of plantlets from nodal explants of Mucuna pruriens – a valuable medicinal plant. Ann Appl Biol 148: 1-6 (if=1.95, ci=43)

10. Shahzad A., Faisal M. and Anis M. (2007). Micropropagation through excised root culture of Clitoria ternatea L., and comparison between in vitro regenerated plants and seedlings. Ann Appl Biol. 150: 341-349. UK (if=1.95, ci=38)

187

BANDOPADHYAY, RAJIB (b 1974), Associate Professor, Department of Botany, The University of Burdwan, Bardhaman


Dr. Bandopadhyay is currently working on marine biotechnology from microalgae and micro-organism from Southern Ocean (Gupta et al, 2015 – two papers are under acceptance in Acta Oceanologica Sinica and Current Science). Also he has seen some anticancerous activity from microalgae (Gupta et al, 2014, International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences) and their biological potential. One of his life time achievements is that he had participated in Southern Ocean Expedition in 2011 as a Botanist (Plant Scientist) (Ref. No. MoES/NCAOR/SOS/1/2007-PC-I; dated Jan 04, 20011). He has made significant contributions towards understanding the genome content of wheat using different techniques and comparative genomic studies (Bandopadhyay et al, 2011, JGG). He worked on plant pathogen interactions on wheat rust diseases (Dhariwal et al, 2014, Functional & Integrative Genomics; Singh et al, 2012, MBR). He has studied the transferability of microsatellite (EST-SSR) markers in Triticum-Aegilops complex (Bandopadhyay et al, 2004, Plant Science). He has developed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and microsatellite markers for wheat (Rustgi et al, 2009, Czech J Genet Plant Breed). He worked on cereal (like wheat and sorghum), castor (Ricinus communis), medicinal plant [like Guggul (Commiphora wightii and tulsi (Ocimum tenuifloram)], and bamboo genomics for more than a decade. He published more than 64 research papers in journals of International and national repute and authored a number of reviews, book chapters and manuals. He has edited one international book (Agricultural Bioinformatics) from Springer with other two editors. He has good command in plant sciences with cutting edge technology and bioinformatics knowledge which reflects in his publications. He is also recipient of BOYSCAST fellowship from DST< GOI.

Proposer : Prof. PK Gupta, Seconder : Prof Sampa Das


1. Chiranjib Banerjee, Sandipta Ghosh, Gautam Sen, Sumit Mishra, Pratyoosh Shukla, Rajib Bandopadhyay*. 2014. Study of algal biomass harvesting through cationic cassia gum, a natural plant based biopolymer. Bioresource Technology, 151(1):6-11 (if=5.039, ci=4)

2. Chiranjib Banerjee, Sandipta Ghosh, Gautam Sen, Sumit Mishra, Pratyoosh Shukla and Rajib Bandopadhyay*. 2012. Study of algal biomass harvesting using cationic guar gum from the natural plant source as flocculant. Carbohydrate Polymers, 675-681 (if=3.916, ci=10)

3. Dharmendra Singh, Govindraj Bhaganagare, Rajib Bandopadhyay, Kumble Vinod Prabhu, Pushpendra Kumar Gupta and Kunal Mukhopadhyay. 2012. Targeted spatio-temporal expression based characterization of state of infection and time-point of maximum defense in wheat NILs during leaf rust infection. Mol Biol Rep. 39 (10): 9373-9382 (if=1.958, ci=5)

4. Chiranjib Banerjee, Pratibha Gupta, Sumit Mishra, Gautam Sen, Pratyoosh Shukla, Rajib Bandopadhyay*. 2012. Study of polyacrylamide grafted starch based algal flocculation towards applications in algal biomass harvesting. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 5194): 456–461 (if=3.096, ci=16)

5. Rajib Bandopadhyay, Sachin Rustgi, Rajat K Chaudhuri, Paramjit Khurana, Jitendra P Khurana, Akhilesh K Tyagi, Harindra S Balyan, Andreas Houben, Pushpendra Kumar Gupta. 2011. Use of methylation filtration and Cot fractionation for analysis of genome composition and comparative genomics in bread wheat. Journal of Genetics and Genomics 38(7):315-325 (if=2.924, ci=2)

6. Sheela Chandra, Rajib Bandopadhyay, Vijay Kumar and Ramesh Chandra. 2010. Acclimatization of tissue cultured plantlets: from laboratory to land. Biotechnology Letter, 32(9):1199–1205 (if=1.736, ci=33)

7. Inamul Haque, Rajib Bandopadhyay and Kunal Mukhopadhyay. 2010. Population genetic structure of the endangered and endemic medicinal plant Commiphora wightii. Molecular Biology Reports, 37 (2):847-854 (if=1.958, ci=12)

8. Singh R, Kumar N, Bandopadhyay R, Rustgi S, Sharma S, Balyan HS, Gupta PK. 2005. Development and use of anchored-SSRs to study DNA polymorphism in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Mol Ecol Notes (Now known as Molecular Ecology Resources), 6(10: 296-299 (if=5.626, ci=6)

9. Aakash Goyal, Rajib Bandopadhyay, Pierre Sourdille, Takashi R. Endo, Harindra S. Balyan and Pushpendra K. Gupta. 2005. Physical molecular maps of wheat Chromosomes.Func. Int. Genomics, 5(4): 260-263 (if=2.691, ci=26)

10. Rajib Bandopadhyay, Shailendra Sharma, Sachin Rustgi, Ravinder Singh, Ajay Kumar, Harindra Singh Balyan, Pushpendra Kumar Gupta. 2004. DNA polymorphism among 18 species of Triticum-Aegilops complex using wheat EST- SSRs. Plant Science, 166: 349-356 (if=4.114, ci=65)

188

BARIK, SAROJ KANTA (b 1965), Professor and Head, Department of Botany, North-Eastern HilL University, Shillong


Prof. Saroj Kanta Barik did pioneering work on plant diversity conservation, disturbance ecology and regeneration of forest trees in north-eastern India. Using a quantitative disturbance index, he demonstrated that plant diversity and community structure as well as tree population structure and regeneration are negatively affected with increasing intensity of disturbance (Rao et al. 1990, Barik et al. 1996). He established that gap size mediated micro-environmental heterogeneity plays an important role in segregation of forest tree species into different guilds during gap phase regeneration that contributes to rich tree diversity in subtropical forests (Barik et al. 1992, Rao et al. 1997). He studied the relationship between tree diversity and ecosystem function and established through experimental evidences that certain functional groups have greater role in ecosystem functioning than others (Kamei et al. 2009a, 2009b). He discovered several new populations of threatened plants such as Ilex khasiana Purk., Ceropegia hookeri Clarke ex. Hook. f., Pterocymbium tinctoriu Merrill, Streblus ilicifolius (S.Vidal) Corner, and Cornus kousa F. Buerger ex Hance subsp. Kousa based on ecological niche modelling and used habitat distribution modelling for reintroduction of these species (Adhikari et al. 2012, Chettri et al. 2009, Chettri et al. 2012, Singh et al. 2012, Singh et al. 2013). His works on ecosystem-level carbon estimation through biomass models, and development of species-specific biomass models for tropical and sub-tropical tree species hold great promise for estimation of carbon sequestration by tropical and sub-tropical forests in future (Baishya et al. 2009, Baishya and Barik 2011, Upadhaya et al. 2015)

Proposer : Prof Radhey Shyam Tripathi, Seconder : Prof Pramod Tandon


1. Community composition and tree population structure in a sub-tropical broad-leaved forest along a disturbance gradient (if=1.640, ci=119)

2. Microenvironmental variability and species diversity in treefall gaps in a sub-tropical broadleaved forest (if=1.640, ci=81)

3. Tree regeneration in a subtropical humid forest: effect of cultural disturbance on seed production, dispersal and germination (if=4.754, ci=68)

4. Dynamics of tree seedling populations in a humid subtropical forest of northeast India as related to disturbance (if=1.657, ci=17)

5. Tree seed germination and seedling establishment in treefall gaps and understorey in a subtropical forest of northeast India (if=1.724, ci=30)

6. Biodiversity value, status, and strategies for conservation of sacred groves of Meghalaya, India (ci=60)

7. Tree species distribution and its impact on soil properties, and nitrogen and phosphorus mineralization in a humid subtropical forest ecosystem of northeastern India (if=1.657, ci=11)

8. Changes in microbial biomass and activity in relation to shifting cultivation and horticultural practices in subtropical evergreen forest ecosystem of north-east India (if=1.841, ci=23)

9. Estimation of tree biomass, carbon pool and net primary production of an old-growth Pinus kesiya Royle ex. Gordon forest in north-eastern India (if=1.536, ci=10)

10. Habitat distribution modelling for reintroduction of Ilex khasiana Purk., a critically endangered tree species of northeastern India(if=3.041, ci=20)

189

BHARDWAJ, RENU (b 1961), Professor Incharge Examinations, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar


The nominee took leads at national level by initiating research work on brassinosteroids, a novel group of plant steroids hormones. Their biosynthetic pathway (early/ late C6 oxidative pathway) was identified in various plants like Camellia sinensis136, Brassica juncea, Centella asiatica, Aegle marmelos120. Various brassinosteroids like epibrassinolide, homobrassinoslide, castasterone etc. have been isolated from plants/crops of medicinal/commercial importance54,71,75. The bioactivities of brassinosteroids revealed antigenotoxic/antimutagenic/anticancer/antioxidant activities87. Their stress protective properties were studied in plants under various stresses like heavy metal, salinity, temperature, pesticides and nematodes1,28,34,64,53,78,93. The exogenous application of brassinosteroids mitigate various stresses through redox homeostasis managers, osmoprotectants, plant growth regulators, pigment system and Asada-Helliwel pathway37,76,86. A crosstalk of brassionsteroids with other plant hormones like polyamines, polyphenols, abscisic acid and auxins was explored during stress protection.70,77,92. A significant influence of BRs on development of root knot nematode (M. incognita) was also reported.40,55,131,146. The phytoremediation potential of hyperaccumulators under the influence of BRs showed regulation of synthesis of phytochelatins and metallothionins77. Gene expression studies through RT-PCR revealed up-regulation of transcripts of Fe SOD, Mn SOD, Cu/Zn SOD, APOX, GR, CAT.1,39. Expression of various brassinosteroids and salt responsive genes (OsBRI1, OsDWF4, SalT) revealed down-regulation (OsDWF4) with application of EBL and up-regulation of SalT in plants under salt stress64. Expression of 20 different genes like COPT, HMAs, MTs, CCHs, ADCs, SAMDs, SPDSs, PAOs, CYTOCHROME P450-79B3, YUCCA, ABA3, NCEDI, AAO3 revealed altered expression of genes implicated in stress homeostasis under influence of brassinosteroids.77 The nominee has 3 patents to her credit (2 published and 1 filed).

Proposer : Prof. R.K. Kohli, Seconder : Prof. Narpinder Singh


1. Sharma, I., E, Ching, E., S, Saini., R, Bhardwaj and Pati, P.K. (2013). Exogenous application of brassinosteroid offers tolerance to salinity by altering stress responses in rice variety Pusa Basmati-1. Plant Physiology & Biochemistry. 69: 17-26. (if=2.352 , ci=12)

2. Choudhary, S.P., Bhardwaj, R., Yu., J. Q., Phan Tran, L.S. (2012). Interaction of brassinosteroids and polyamines enhances copper stress tolerance in Raphanus sativus L. Journal of Experimental Botany. 63(15): 5659-5675. (if=5.794, ci=36)

3. Choudhary, S.P., Bhardwaj, R., Kanwar, M., Gupta B.D., Yu, J.Q. and Tran, L.P. (2012). Chromium Stress Mitigation by Polamine- Brassinosteroid application involves phytohormonal and physiological Strategies in Raphanus sativus L. PLoS ONE. 7(3): 1-11.(if=3.534, ci=38)

4. Kanwar, M.K., Bhardwaj, R., Choudhary, S.P., Arora, P., Sharma, P. and Kumar, S. (2012). Plant steroid hormones produced under Ni stress are involved in the regulation of metal uptake and oxidative stress in Brassica juncea L. Chemosphere. 86: 41-49. (if=3.499, ci= 15 )

5. Sharma, I., Bhardwaj, R. and Pati, P.K. (2012). Mitigation of adverse effects of chlorpyrifos by 24-epibrassinolide and analysis of stress markers in a rice variety Pusa-Basmati-1. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 85:72-81. (if=2.482 , ci=7)

6. Choudhary, S.P., Bhardwaj, R., Gupta, B., Biondi, S., Kanwar, M., Dutt, P. (2011). Epibrassinolide ameliorates Cr (VI) stress via influencing the levels of indole-3-acetic acid, abscisic acid, polyamines and antioxidant system of radish seedlings. Chemosphere. 84(5):592-600. (if=3.499, ci=24)

7. Sharma, I., Bhardwaj, R. and Pati, P.K. (2011). Effect of 28-homobrassinolide on antioxidant defence system in Raphanus sativus L. under metal stress. Ecotoxicology. 20 (4): 262-274. (if= 2.50, ci=29 )

8. Choudhary, S.P., Bhardwaj, R. Gupta, B. D., Dutt, P., Gupta, R.K., Biondi, S. and Kanwar, M. (2010). Epibrassinolide induces changes in indole-3-acetic acid, abscisic acid and polyamine concentrations and enhances antioxidant potential of radish seedlings under copper stress. Physiologia Plantarum. 140: 280-296. (if= 3.262, ci=21)

9. Arora, N., Bhardwaj, R., Sharma, P. and Arora, H.K. (2008). Effects of 28-homobrassinolide on growth, lipid peroxidation and antioxidative enzyme activities in seedlings of Zea mays L. under salinity stress. Acta Physiol. Plant. 30: 833-839. (if=1.732, ci=49)

10. 10. Sharma, P. and Bhardwaj, R. (2007). Effects of 24-epibrassinolide on growth and metal uptake in Brassica juncea L. under copper stress. Acta Physiol. Plantarum. 29: 259-263. (if=1.732, ci=57)

190

CHAUDHURY, ASHOK (b 1961), Professor, Department of Bio & Nano Technology, Bio & Nano Technology Centre, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, Hisar


Extensive efforts have been devoted towards establishing primary cell cultures across a diverse range of cell types: initiation, maintenance of cell suspension cultures of recalcitrant varieties of rice, direct plant regeneration, micropropagation of Bermudagrass, Poplars, Cape Prime Rose, and medicinal plants: Arnebia, Glcyrrhiza and Lawsonia inermis. Protocols have been developed for high frequency direct plant regeneration, induction of hairy root cultures for secondary metabolites production of industrially useful compounds such as Shikonin, Glcyrrhizin and Lawsone in my laboratory. One Indian patent Applications and one European Patent on 'Protocols for High frequency direct plant regeneration and Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of an important medicinal plant' have been granted and One Indian Patent Application ‗‘Method for Direct Plant Regeneration and Shikonin Induction in callus of Arnebia species‘ is under process and is likely to be granted soon. Genetic diversity studies on Macrophomina phaseolina and Xanthomonas axonopodis causing charcoal rot and bacterial blight of cluster bean have been carried out in my laboratory. Molecular Approaches for the Development of SCAR Assay as a Diagnostic Tool for the Detection and Distribution of dsRNA Among Isolates of Macrophomina phaseolina infecting cluster bean has been carried out. Molecular characterization of elite genotypes of Azadirachta indica, Commiphora wightii, Tinospora cordifolia, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba and Trigonella using DNA based molecular markers have also been carried out. Expression analysis of starch biosynthesis pathway genes and their effects on starch quality in wheat and Expression analysis of galactomannan biosynthesis pathway genes in cluster bean through transcriptome sequencing are in progress.

Proposer : Prof Jitendra P Khurana, Seconder : Prof Kailash C Bansal


1. Singh Anuradha, Mantri Shrikant, Sharma Monica, Chaudhury Ashok, Tuli Rakesh and Roy Joy (2014). Genome-wide transcriptome study in wheat identified candidate genes related to processing quality, majority of them showing interaction (quality x development) and having temporal and spatial distributions. BMC Genomics 15:29. ISSN: 1471-2164. doi: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-29. (if=4.04, ci=01)

2. Arora Pooja, Sindhu Annu, Dilbaghi Neeraj and Chaudhury Ashok (2011). ―Biosensors as innovative tools for the detection of food borne pathogens‖ Biosensors and Bioelectronics 28:1-12. doi:10.1016/j.bios.2011.06.002 (if=6.541 , ci=88)

3. Chaudhury Ashok, Pal Minakshi (2010). Induction of Shikonin production in hairy root cultures of Arnebia hispidissima via Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated genetic transformation. Journal of Crop Science & Biotechnology 13:(2) 99-106 (DOI No. 10.1007/s12892-010-0007-x). (if=NA, ci=09)

4. Yadav Rakesh, Arora Pooja, Kumar Dharmendar, Katyal Dinesh, Dilbaghi Neeraj Chaudhury Ashok (2009). High Frequency Direct Plant Regeneration from Leaf, Internode and Root Segments of Eastern Cottonwood (Populus Deltoides). Plant Biotechnology Reports 3:175-182. (DOI 10.1007/s11816-009-0088-5). (if=1.59, ci=21)

5. Purkayastha Sharmishtha, Kaur Bhavneet, Dilbaghi Neeraj and Chaudhury Ashok (2006). Characterizations of Macrophomina phaseolina, the charcoal rot pathogen of cluster bean using conventional techniques and PCR-based molecular markers. Plant Pathology 55:106-116. (if=2.969, ci=47)

6. Singh, A. Chaudhury A, Srivastava PS and Lakshmikumaran M (2002). Comparison of AFLP and SAMPL markers for assessment of intra-population genetic variation in Azadirachta indica A. Juss. Plant Science 162:17-25. (if=4.114, ci=45)

7. Chaudhury A and Qu Rongda (2000). Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration of turf-type Bermudagrass: Effect of 6-benzyladenine in callus induction medium. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture 60:113-120. (if=2.612 , ci=114)

8. Tyagi AK, Mohanty A, Bajaj S, Chaudhury A and Maheshwari SC (1999). Transgenic rice: A valuable monocot system for crop improvement and gene research. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology 19:41-79. (if=7.837, ci=66)

9. Chaudhury A, Maheshwari SC and Tyagi AK (1995). Transient expression of gus gene in intact seed embryos of indica rice after electroporation-mediated gene delivery. Plant Cell Reports 14:215-220. (if=2.936, ci=24)

10. Chaudhury A, Maheshwari SC and Tyagi AK (1993). Transient expression of electroporated gene in leaf protoplasts of indica rice and influence of template topology and vector sequences. Physiol. Plant. 89:842-846. DOI 10.1111/j.1399-3054.1993.tb05294x(if=3.262, ci=14)

DHAL, NABIN KUMAR (b 1967), Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-IMMT, Bhubaneswar

191


• Contributions towards quantitative assessment, biological spectrum, and phytosociology (Eastern Ghats of Odisha) for the conservation of targeted threatened taxa. His work has led establishment of herbal gardens and development of a state-of-art of Herbarium (15,000 plant specimen) for sustainable development of Biodiversity Conservation. • Contributions on removal of toxic heavy metals using selected hyper accumulating plants (Schleichera oleosa, Calophyllum inophyllum and Bixa orellana) highlight significant steps towards green technology for mining areas of Odisha. • Contributions towards applied and industrial microbiology through utilization of potent actinobacterial and fungal strains (Streptomyces sampsonii and Penicillium citrinum) from sediments of mangroves which led to development of various valuable industrial and pharmaceutical products. • Contribution towards bioremediation of hexavalent chromium through indigenous fungal and bacterial strain such as Aspergillus fumigatus Trichoderma viride ,Rhizopus oryzae and Bacillus cereus, B. subtilis and Streptomyces sp. • Utilization of industrial solid wastes like fly ash and red mud as substrate in agriculture for fast growing species like Acacia mangium, Dalbergia sisso and Jatropha curcas for wasteland reclamation. • Reported the occurrence of Corallodiscus Batalin (Gesneriaceae), a new generic record for Easternghats, Orissa and rediscovered three species i,.e Tephrosia tinctoria Aniseia martinicensis Anodendron paniculatum from Orissa. • An Orchid sp. Zeuxine longilabris and another dicot sp. anisomeles var. mollissima collected from the Chitrakonda and Mudulipada (Bonda Hills) respectively are two new records to the flora of the state. • Reported Microsorum zippelii, Exacum tenue new distributional record for Peninsular India from Odisha • Documentation of medicinally important species Eastern Ghats of Odishaindicates a vast repository of Herbal Crude Drug Centre creating ample scope for earning revenue.

Proposer : Prof. G B N Chainy, Seconder : Prof. S K Dutta


1. Nilima Chaturvedi, N.K. Dhal & H.K. Patra (2014) ―EDTA and citric acid-mediated phytoextraction of heavy metals from iron ore tailings using Andrographis paniculata: a comparative study‖ International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment, DOI: 10.1080/17480930.2014.955328 (if=0.503, ci=0)

2. Sahoo K. Dhal, N.K and Das R (2014) ―Production of amylase enzyme from mangrove fungal isolates‖ African journal of Biotechnology vol 13(46): pp 4338-4346 (if=0.57, ci=0)

3. Patra J.K, Dhal N.K. and Thatoi H.N. (2014) ― Free radical scavenging potential of four ethnomedicinally important mangrove plants along Odisha coast, Indian Journal of Geo- Marine Sciences Vol 43 (12) (if=0.313, ci=0)

4. Chaturvedi Nilima, Ahmed Jamir and Dhal N.K. ( 2013) Effects of Iron ore tailings on growth and physiological activites of Tagetes patula L Journal of Soils and Sediments DOI- 10.1007/s 11368-013-0777-0 (if=2.107, ci=1)

5. Sahu S.C, Baul A., Dhal N.K. and Rout N.C. (2013). Microsorum zippelii ( Bl.) Ching (Polypodiaceae) a new distributional record for Peninsular India Annals of Plant Sciences Vol 02(04) pp 114-11 (if=2.5, ci=0)

6. Sahu S.C. Sahoo K., Jee P.K. and Dhal N.K. (2013) Floral and Microbial dynamics in relation to the Physico-chemical constitutents of the Devi-estuary of Odisha Coast of the Bay of Bengal , Indian Journal of Geo- Marine Sciences Vol 42 (1) pp 90-96 (if=0.422, ci=0)

7. Chaturvedi N., Dhal N.K. and Reddy P.S.R (2012) Comparative Phytoremediation potential of Calophyllum inophyllum L. Bixa orellana L. and Schleichera oleosa (lour) Oken on iron ore tailings. International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment; pp 1-15 (if=1.9, ci=1)

8. Chaturvedi N., Dhal N.K. and Reddy P.S.R ( 2012) Phytostabilization of Iron ore tailings through Calophyllum inophyllum L. International Journal of Phytoremediation Vol-14 pp 996-1009 (if=1.936, ci=2)

9. Mohanty M.,Dhal N.K., Patra P, Das B. and Reddy P.S.R. (2010) Phytoremediation: A Novel Approach for Utilisation of Iron ore Wastes Reviews of Environmental Contamination and ToxicologyVol-206 pp29-47 (if=3.32, ci=5)

10. Rout N.C. Dhal N.K. Dash P.K. and Biswal A.K. (2008) Corallodiscus Batalin (Gesneriaceae) A New generic record for Easternghats,Orissa. Current Science Vol 95 No-1.pp 23-24 (if=0.825, ci=2)

192

MUKHOPQADHYAY, KUNAL (b 1963), Professor and Head, BioEngineering, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi


Dr. Kunal Mukhopadhyay is known to me for the last ten years when we entered into a multi-institutional DBT-sponsored collaborative research programme on transcriptome studies during wheat- leaf rust interactions. He had identified and characterized several genes involved in compatible and incompatible leaf rust-wheat interactions (Singh et al.2012 Molecular Biology Report; Kumar et al.2014 Functional Plant Biology; Satapathy et al. 2014; Molecular Genetics and Genomics; Dhariwal et al. 2015 Functional Integrative Genomics). Kunal has also contributed towards identification and characterization of genes involved in biosynthesis of medicinally/pharmaceutically important flavonoids including anthocyanins from Ocimum tenuiflorum (Vyas et al. 2014 Acta Physiologiae Plantarum; Sarkar et al. 2014 Natural Product Research; Renu et al. 2014 Molecular Biology Reports; Chaudhary et al. 2013 J Food Sciences and Nutrition). His research on population dynamics and genetic variation of the rare, endangered and threatened (RET category) plant Commiphora wightii was considered by the Rajasthan State Medicinal Plant Board for ex-situ conservation of the plant at Mangaliawas in Ajmer District, Rajasthan (Haque et al. 2010 Molecular Biology Reports; Haque et al. 2009 Chromatographia; Haque et al. 2009 Diversity; Haque 2008 Asian Journal of Plant Sciences). As a Rockefeller Foundation sponsored Post-doctoral fellow in the Dept of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, USA, he isolated, identified and characterized 11 bacterial endophytes from rice, four having chitinolytic antifungal activity against fungal pathogens of rice (Mukhopadhyay et al. 1996 Mycopathologia).

Proposer : Prof Harindra Singh Balyan, Seconder : Prof Pushpendra Kumar Gupta


1. Dhariwal R, Gahlaut V, RG Bhaganagare, Singh D, Mathur S, Vyas S, Bandopadhyay R, Khurana JP, Tyagi AK, Prabhu KV, Mukhopadhyay K, Balyan H S, Gupta P K (2015) Stage-specific reprogramming of gene expression characterizes Lr48-mediated adult plant leaf rust resistance in wheat. Functional & Integrative Genomics 15:233–245 DOI 10.1007/s10142-014-0416-x (if=2.691)

2. Kumar D, Kapoor A, Singh D, Satapathy L, Singh A K, Kumar M, Prabhu KV, Mukhopadhyay K (2014) Functional characterization of a WRKY Transcription Factor of wheat and its expression analysis during leaf rust pathogenesis Functional Plant Biology 41: 1295–1309 http://dx.doi.org/10.107/FP14077 The figure # 11 was accepted as cover page figure of Volume 41 Issue 12 of Functional Plant Biology. (if=2.57, ci=01)

3. Satapathy L, Singh D, Ranjan P, Kumar D, Kumar M, Prabhu KV, Mukhopadhyay K (2014) Transcriptome-wide analysis of WRKY transcription factors in wheat and their leaf rust responsive expression profiling. Molecular Genetics and Genomics 289 (6) 1289-1306. DOI: 10.1007/s00438-014-0890-9 (if=2.831)

4. Kumar D, Singh D, Kanodia P, Prabhu K V, Kumar M, Mukhopadhyay K (2014) Discovery of novel leaf rust responsive microRNAs in wheat and prediction of their target genes. Journal of Nucleic Acids Article ID 570176 (ci=01)

5. Sarkar B, Kumar D, Sasmal D, Mukhopadhyay K (2014) Antioxidant and DNA damage protective properties of anthocyanin rich extracts from Hibiscus and Ocimum: a comparative study. Natural Product Research. 28(17):1393-1398 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2014.904309 (if=1.225, ci=02)

6. Vyas P, Haque I, Kumar M, Mukhopadhyay K (2014) Photocontrol of differential gene expression and alterations in foliar anthocyanin accumulation: a comparative study using red and green forma Ocimum tenuiflorum. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum 36:2091-2102 DOI: 10.1007/s11738-014-1586-9 (if=1.524, ci=04)

7. Renu IK, Haque I, Kumar M, Poddar R, Bandopadhyay R, Rai A, Mukhopadhyay K (2014) Characterization and functional analysis of Eugenol O-methyltransferase gene reveal metabolite shifts, chemotype specific differential expression and developmental regulation in Ocimum tenuiflorum L. Molecular Biology Reports 41 (3): 1857-1870 DOI 10.1007/s11033-014-3035-7-7 (if=1.958)

8. Singh D, Bhaganagare G, Bandopadhyay R, Prabhu KV, Gupta PK, Mukhopadhyay K (2012) Targeted spatio-temporal expression based characterization of state of infection and time-point of maximum defense in wheat NILs during leaf rust infection. Molecular Biology Reports 39:9373–9382 DOI 10.1007/s11033-012-1801-y (if=1.958, ci=05)

9. Haque I, Bandopadhyay R, Mukhopadhyay K (2010) Population genetic structure of the endangered and endemic medicinal plant Commiphora wightii. Molecular Biology Reports 37 (2), 847-854 DOI 10.1007/s11033-009-9661-9 (if=1.958, ci=13)

10. Haque I, Bandopadhyay R, Mukhopadhyay K (2009) Intraspecific variation in Commiphora wightii populations based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) sequences of rDNA. Diversity 1: 89-101; doi:10.3390/d1020089 (if=1.353, ci=12)

http://dx.doi.org/10.107/FP14077

193

NANJIAN, RAAMAN (b 1955), Professor & Director, Centre for Advanced Studies in Botany, University of Madras, Chennai


Prof. N. Raaman has carried out extensive research in the areas of Mycorrhizal Biotechnology, Environmental Microbiology, Phytochemistry and Tissue Culture. Prof. N. Raaman has been working on the biotechnological aspects of mycorrhizal fungi. He has standardized the mass multiplication techniques of these group of biofertilizers and developed efficient technologies for the application of them in improvement of crops and trees, tissue cultured plants and reclamation of wastelands. He has generated excellent data on the mechanisms of induced resistance brought out by these fungi in control of plant pathogens. He has successfully developed the technology of use of enzymes with yeast and bacterial consortium for treatment of tannery effluents and removal of chromium. Prof. Raaman has focused the importance of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi in human healthcare and designed the technique of enhanced uptake and conversion of selenium in garlic bulbs by these fungi and utilized selenium enriched garlic bulbs for anticancer treatment. He has published 6 books and 130 research articles. Prof. Raaman has developed the best techniques for the isolation of many compounds from plants and tested these compounds for various human diseases. He has used these phytochemicals for drug designing to get the best drugs from plants. He is the inventor of a new flavonoid compound from plant , which has both anticancer as well as antidiabetic activities and for which he has one process patent and one product patent. Dr.Raaman is the Inventor of Herbal drugs for Swine flu, Chickenguniya and Dengue fever.

Proposer : Prof. Gnanam, Arumugham, Seconder : Prof. Ramamurthy, Perumal


1. Raman, N., N. Nagarajan., S. Gopinathan and K. Sambandan.1993. Mycorrhizal status of plant species colonizing a magnesite mine spoil in India. Biol. Fertil. Soils 16: 76 78 (if= 2.61, ci=43)

2. Raman, N. and K. Sambandan. Distribution of VAM fungi in Tannery effluent polluted soils of Tamil Nadu, India. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 60: 142 150. (if=1.105, ci=25)

3. Amal Raj, A., R. Raghunathan, M.R. Sridevikumari and N. Raman. 2003. Synthesis, antimicrobial and antifungal activity of a New class of Spiro Pyrrolidines. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry 11: 407-419. (if=2.92, ci=12)

4. Mahendran, B., N. Raman and D.J. Kim. 2006. Purification and Characterization of tannase from Paecilomyces variotii: Hydrolysis of tannic acid using immobilized tannase. App.Microbiol. and Biotechnol. 70: 444-450. (if=3.28, ci=48)

5. Selvakumar, P., S. Rajasekar, K. Periasamy and N. Raaman. 2008. Isolation and characterization of melanin pigment from Pleurotus cystidiosus (telomorph of Antromycopsis macrocarpa).World J. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 24: 2125-2131. (if=3.613, ci=18)

6. Nagararaj, S., T. Mohan Das, P. Arjun and N. Raaman. 2009. Design, synthesis and gelation studies of 4,6-O-butylidene-α,β-unsaturated- β-C-glycosidic ketones: application to plant tissue culture. Journal of Materials Chemistry 19:4587-4596 (if=5.968, ci=21)

7. Raaman, N., B. Mahendran, C. Jaganathan, S. Sukumar and V. Chandrasekaran.2010. Optimisation of extracellular tannase production from Paecilomyces variotii. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 26: 1033-1039. (if=3.613, ci=7)

8. Hariprasath, L.. R. Jagadeesh and N.Raaman. 2012. Gastroprotective effect of Senecio candicans DC on experimental ulcer models. Journal of ethnopharmacology ; 140 :145-150. (if=2.32, ci=8)

9. Raaman, N., B. Mahendran, C. Jaganathan, S. Sukumar and V. Chandrasekar. 2012. Removal of chromium using Rhizobium leguminosarum. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology 28 : 627-636. (if=3.613, ci=2)

10. S. Selvarajan , V. Gayathri Devi , Anitha John , J. Jeyakannan , D. Balakrishnan and N. Raaman. 2014. Pharmacognostical identification of Asparagus racemosus Willd. (root) with the help of HPTLC method. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research 6 : 486-498. (if=5.045, ci=Recent)

194

PAL, RUMA (b 1958), Professor, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, Kolkata


Prof. Pal‘s research work is focused on morphological and molecular diversity of microalgae and to explore their biotechnological potential in relation to bioremediation, aquaculture, bio-fuel production, CO2 sequestration and nanotechnology. Exploration of Sunderbans under all India ‗New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative Program(NIMTLI)‘ of CSIR enabled her to develop a valuable document of more than 300 algal taxa from Sunderbans with a record of potential strains as lipid feedstock (Satpati et.al.2012,2013;Satpati and Pal 2014;Barman et.al.2012). DST, New Delhi has also identified her lab to work on CO2 sequestration net work program. Bioremediation study includes metals and radio-nuclides removal, understanding the cellular chemistry for nano-metal formation and to design the algae based Bio-filter (Pariel and Pal2014;Pariel et.al.2011,Chakroborty et.al 2011). Cyanobacterial hypothetical protein for metal remediation is also characterized from arsenic contaminated area. In aquaculture non-conventional algal mix are found to be suitable for prawn larval transformation, growth and nutraceutical properties of carp fishes and as color elicitor for colored fishes. Photobioreactor and Open race way Pond based production of microalgae of biotechnological interest was initiated since 1990 and regular training of the villagers for mass cultivation and feed production through NGO is their Lab to Land program. During her PhD work she also studied on algal cytogenetics, and reported the evolutionary trend among the members of characeae on the basis of polyploidization and nuclear DNA content. The orcein banding pattern of chromosome of Chara and Nitella also reported by her– till date which are the only report (Pal and Chatterjee 1986,a,b,c).

Proposer : Prof. A.K. Sharma, Seconder : Prof. Sumitra Sen


1. Pal R and Chatterjee P. 1986b. Feulgen cytophotometric determination of nuclear DNA in species of Chara (Charophyta) from India. Cryptogamie Algologie. 7(4):86-91. (if=0.6, ci= ciited (GCoogle) - 3)

2. Pal R and Chatterjee P. 1986c. Localisation of heterochromatic segments in Chara braunii. Curr Sci. 55(16):794. (if=0.833, ci=Cited (Google) - 1)

3. Nayak D, Lahiri S, Mukhopadhyay A, Pal R. 2002. An Eco – friendly Novel Separation of carrier free Thallium Radio-nuclides from Mercury and Lead radio-nuclides using algae as bio-reagent. Green Chemistry ( Royal Society of Chemistry). 4:581-583 (if=6.828, ci=Cited (Scopus) -7, Cited (Google) - 6)

4. Nayak D, Lahiri S, Mukhopadhyay A, Pal R. 2003. Application of tracer packet technique of the studies on biosorption of heavy and toxic metal radionuclides by algae. J of Radio-analytical and Nuclear Chemistry ( Kluwer Academic Publisher ) 256 (3):535-539.(if=1.467, ci=Cited (Scopus)-15)

5. Choudhury AK and Pal R. 2010. Variations in seasonal phytoplankton assemblages as a response to Environmental Changes in the surface waters of a hypo saline coastal station along the Bhagirathi Hooghly estuary. Env Monitoring and assessment (Springer). 44:55-71 (if=1.592, ci=Cited (Google) - 8)

6. Choudhury AK and Pal R. 2010. Phytoplankton and nutrient dynamics of shallow coastal stations at Bay of Bengal, Eastern Indian Coast. Aquatic Ecology (Kluwer Acad. Publ.). 44:55-71. I.F -1.378 (if=1.378, ci=Cited (Scopus)-15, Cited (Google) - 24)

7. Chakraborty N, Banerjee A and Pal R. 2011. Accumulation of Lead by free and immobilized Cyanobacteria with special reference to accumulation factor and recovery. Bioresource Technology (Elsevier). 102: 4191-4195. (if=4.750, ci=Cited (Scopus) – 8, Cited (Google) - 10)

8. Parial D, Patra HK, Roychoudhury P, Dasgupta AK, Pal R. 2012. Gold nanorod production by cyanobacteria- a green chemistry approach. J of Appl Phycol (Springer). 21:145-152. (if=2.326, ci=Cited (Scopus) – 9, Cited (Google) - 18)

9. Parial D and Pal R. 2014. Biosynthesis of monodisperse gold nanoparticles by green alga Rhizoclonium and associated biochemical changes J of Appl Phycol. (Springer) DOI 10.1007/s10811-014-0355-x. (if=2.326, ci=Cited (Google) - 1)

10. Satpati GG and Pal R. 2014. Rapid detection of neutral lipid in green microalgae by flow cytometry in combination with Nile red staining-an improved technique. Ann Microbiol (Springer). DOI 10.1007/s13213-014-0937-5. (if=1.5, ci=Cited - 0)

http://et.al/

195

PANDEY, GIRDHAR KUMAR (b 1972), Associate Professor; University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi


Dr. Girdhar K. Pandey is an accomplished scientist in the area of plant biology. He has contributed immensely in the area of signal transduction in relation to abiotic stresses (especially salt and drought stress responses) in plants. With the tools of genomics and functional genomics, Dr. Pandey is working towards establishing the connection of calcium signaling pathways with other key signaling networks such as lipid signaling and phytohormone ABA under abiotic stress using Arabidopsis as a model and rice as crop system. Some of his major contributions relate to i) calcium signaling mediated by calcineurin B-like protein (CBL) and CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs), ii) identification and functional characterization of phosphatase gene family in Arabidopsis and rice, iii) identification of novel calcium transport elements in rice, iv) identification and characterization of lipid signaling enzymes such as phospholipases A, C and D in rice, v) development of transcriptomic database in relation to calcium and potassium deficiency in rice, vi) establishment of role of Aramadillo domain (ARM) containing proteins and AP2-domain containing transcription factors (ERF) in rice. He has published more than 40 research papers in journals of International repute, edited a number of books and authored several book chapters. Some of his research is also patented for enhancement of stress tolerance in plants and could be utilized in the Agri-biotech sector for mitigation of crop loss due to abiotic stresses. He is aiming for candidate key-signaling genes that can provide stress tolerance to crops.

Proposer : Prof. Anil Grover, Seconder : Prof. Jitendra P. Khurana


1. Kanwar K, Sanyal SK, Tokas I, Yadav AK, Pandey A, Kapoor S, Pandey GK (2014) Comprehensive structural, interaction and expression analysis of CBL and CIPK complement during abiotic stresses and development in rice. Cell Calcium, 56: 81–95. (if=4.3, ci=03)

2. Shankar A, Srivastava AK, Yadav AK, Sharma M, Pandey A, Raut VA, Das MK, Suprasanna P, Pandey GK (2014) Whole genome transcriptome analysis of rice seedling reveal alterations in Ca2+ ion signaling and homeostasis in response to Ca2+ deficiency. Cell Calcium, 55: 155-165. (if=4.3, ci=0)

3. Sharma M, Singh A, Shankar A, Pandey A, Baranwal V, Kapoor S, Tyagi AK, Pandey GK (2014) Comprehensive expression analysis of rice Armadillo gene family during abiotic stress and development. DNA Research, 21:267-83. (if=4.4, ci=01)

4. Singh A, Kanwar P, Yadav AK, Mishra M, Jha SK, Baranwal V, Pandey A, Kapoor S, Tyagi AK, Pandey GK (2014) Genome-wide expressional and functional analysis of calcium transport elements during abiotic stress and development in rice. FEBS Journal, 281, 894–915. (if=4.2, ci=01)

5. Shankar A, Singh A, Kanwar P, Srivastava AK, Pandey A, Suprasanna P, Kapoor S, Pande GK (2013) Gene expression analysis of rice seedling under potassium deprivation reveals major changes in metabolism and signaling components. PLoS ONE, 8(7): e70321.(if=3.7, ci=06)

6. Mishra M, Kanwar P, Singh A, Pandey A, Kapoor S, Pandey GK (2013) Plant Omics: Genome-wide analysis of ABA Repressor1 (ABR1) related genes in rice during abiotic stress and development. OMICS: Journal of Integrative Biology, 17: 439-450. (if=2.7, ci=03)

7. Singh A, Kanwar P, Pandey A, Tyagi AK, Sudhir K. Sopory SK, Kapoor S, Pandey GK (2013) Comprehensive genomic analysis and expression profiling of phospholipase C gene family during abiotic stresses and development in rice. PLoS One, 8(4): e62494. (if=3.7, ci=10)

8. Singh A, Baranwal V, Shankar A, Kanwar P, Ranjan R, Yadav S, Pandey A, Kapoor S, Pandey GK (2012). Rice phospholipase A superfamily: organization, phylogenetic and expression analysis during abiotic stresses and development. PLos One, 7(2). (if=3.7, ci=24)

9. Singh A, Giri J, Kapoor S, Tyagi AK, Pandey GK (2010) Protein phosphatase complement in rice: genome-wide identification and transcriptional analysis under abiotic stress conditions and reproductive development. BMC Genomics, 11(1): 435. (if=4.4, ci=40)

10. Das R and Pandey GK (2010) Expressional analysis and role of calcium sensing kinases in abiotic stress signaling. Current Genomics, 11: 2-13. (if=2.9, ci=46)

196

RAGHUBANSHI, AKHILESH SINGH (b 1963), Professor and Director, Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi


Professor A.S. Raghubanshi has made outstanding contributions in the field of tropical forest ecology particularly to our understanding of patterns of plant diversity ecology of plant invasions, mechanisms of nutrient dynamics, greenhouse gas emissions, restoration of degraded ecosystems, and ecophysiology of tropical trees. His work established the role of soil microbial biomass as a source and sink of plant nutrients in the tropical ecosystems. His work established leaf nutrient translocation as a nutrient conserving strategy and as support mechanism for summer time leaf flush in seasonally dry environment. His group for the first time reported that agro- and natural ecosystem soils of India are substantial sink for methane. Raghubanshi analysed impact of forest fragmentation and plant invasion on plant communities and species diversity which led to identification of most threatened and vulnerable communities. He has contributed immensely to the understanding of the ecology of plant invasion by analysing functional traits of invasive plant species, especially by exploring ecological dynamics of Lantana camara and by comparing performance of native and invasive plant species under elevated CO2 regime. His current research focus on plant functional traits and its role in explaining carbon sequestration potential of forests has contributed significantly to the understanding of the ecophysiology of tropical dry forest species.

Proposer : Professor S.P. Singh, Seconder : Professor J.P. Khurana


1. Singh, J. S., A. S. Raghubanshi, R. S. Singh, and S. C. Srivastava. 1989. Microbial biomass acts as a source of plant nutrients in dry tropical forest and savanna. Nature 338:499–500. (if=42.351, ci=328)

2. Raghubanshi, A. S., S. C. Srivastava, R. S. Singh, and J. S. Singh. 1990. Nutrient release in leaf litter. Nature 346:227–227.(if=42.351, ci=28)

3. Singh, R. S., S. C. Srivastava, A. S. Raghubanshi, J. S. Singh, and S. P. Singh. 1991. Microbial C, N and P in dry tropical savanna - Effects of burning and grazing. Journal of Applied Ecology 28:869–878. (if=4.754, ci=53)

4. Singh, R. S., A. S. Raghubanshi, and J. S. Singh. 1991. Nitrogen-mineralization in dry tropical savanna - Effects of burning and grazing. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 23:269–273. (if=4.41, ci=45)

5. Raghubanshi, A. S. 1992. Effect of topography on selected soil properties and nitrogen mineralization in a dry tropical forest. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 24:145–150. (if=4.41, ci=52)

6. Singh, J. S., S. Singh, A. S. Raghubanshi, S. Singh, and A. K. Kashyap. 1996. Methane flux from rice/wheat agroecosystem as affected by crop phenology, fertilization and water level. Plant and Soil 183:323–327. (if=3.235, ci=54)

7. Horz, H.-P., A. S. Raghubanshi, J. Heyer, C. Kammann, R. Conrad, and P. F. Dunfield. 2002. Activity and community structure of methane-oxidising bacteria in a wet meadow soil. FEMS Microbiology Ecology 41:247–257. (if=3.875, ci=62)

8. Singh, A. K., A. S. Raghubanshi, and J. S. Singh. 2002. Medical ethnobotany of the tribals of Sonaghati of Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh, India. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 81:31–41. (if=2.939, ci=63)

9. Sagar, R., A. S. Raghubanshi, and J. S. Singh. 2003. Tree species composition, dispersion and diversity along a disturbance gradient in a dry tropical forest region of India. Forest Ecology and Management 186:61–71. (if=2.667, ci=91)

10. Sharma, G. P. and A. S. Raghubanshi. 2009. Lantana invasion alters soil nitrogen pools and processes in the tropical dry deciduous forest of India. Applied Soil Ecology 42:134–140. (if=2.206, ci=13)

197

SAHOO, DINABANDHU (b 1961), Director,Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development, A National Institute under Department of Biotechnology, Govt.of India, Imphal, Manipur


Professor Dinabandhu Sahoo has significantly contributed to our knowledge of biology of algae especially the seaweeds and their sustainable utilization for industrial application and societal benefits. His work on diversity ,biology and utilization of Indian algal species of Porphyra, Gracilaria, Sargassum, Kappapycus , Anabaena etc. is well known internationally. His pioneering contributions involve introduction of sea farming as an alternate and additional source of livelihood through large scale seaweeds cultivation and processing of four economically important seaweeds at different parts of the Indian coasts. His pioneering work on effects of seaweed liquid fertilizer on growth and yield of wheat is well recognized. His path breaking work on use of waste pulp of Gracilaria verrucosa for production of bioethanol through integrated biorefinery approach is first of it‘s kind which has not only led to opening of a new research area in the field of Bioenergy but also encouraged seaweeds industries across the world to utilize their industrial waste. His efforts to use algae to combat climate change led to invention of ― World‘s First Carbon Dioxide Capture Box‖ for which he received international recognition .He was the First Indian student to take part in the 7th Indian Scientific expedition to Antarctica and part of the team laying the foundation for India‘s second permanent scientific research station ―Maitri‖ in the frozen continent. Besides his outstanding contributions in the field of algae, Professor Sahoo has started several new initiatives in the North East India for conservation and sustainable utilization of it‘s unique Bioresources.

Proposer : Professor B.C.Tripathy, Seconder : Professor Neera Sarin


1. Kumar, S., Sahoo, Dinabandhu and Levine, I. 2015. Assessment of nutritional value in a brown seaweed Sargassum wightii and their seasonal variations. Accepted manuscript in Algal Research http://dxdoi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2015.02.024. ISSN 2211-9264(if=4.095)

2. Kumar, S., Gupta, R., Kumar, G., Sahoo Dinabandhu, Kuhad, R.C. 2013. Bioethanol production from Gracilaria verrucosa, a red alga in a biorefinery approach. Bioresour. Technol. 135: 150-156 (if= 5.039 , ci=: 26)

3. Roy Ansuman , Sahoo Dinabandhu and Tripathy B. C 2013.Involvement of Phytochrome A in Suppression of Photomorphogenesis in Rice Seedling Grown in Red Light. Plant, Cell & Environment. 36(12):2120-34 (if= 5.906, ci=: 2)

4. Kumar, G. and Sahoo Dinabandhu 2011. Effect of seaweed liquid extract on growth and yield of Triticum aestivum var. Pusa Gold. J.Appl.Phycol 23:251-255 (if= 2.492, ci=: 29)

5. Chung, I.K., Beardall, J., Mehta, Sahoo Dinabandhu, D. and Stojkovic, S. 2011. Using Marine Algae for Carbon Sequestration: a critical appraisal J. Appl. Phycol. 23:877-886 (if= 2.492, ci=: 41)

6. Baweja.P, Sahoo Dinabandhu, Pilar GJ and Robaina.R. 2009. Seaweed tissue culture as applied to biotechnology: problems, achievements and prospects. Phycological Research 57:45-58 (if=Impact factor 0.955, ci=Total citations: 29)

7. Nayak S, Prasanna R,Prasanna BM and Sahoo Dinabandhu. 2008. Genotypic and phenotypic diversity of Anabaena isolates from diverse Rice agro-ecologies in India. J. Basic Microbiol. 48: 1-13 (if= 1.822, ci=: 20)

8. Yang EC, Kim MS, Geraldino PJ, Sahoo Dinabandhu, Shin JA and Boo SM. 2008. Mitochondrial cox 1 and plastid rbcL genes of Gracilaria vermiculophylla (Gracilariaceae,Rhodophyta) J. Appl. Phycol.20:161-168 (if= 2.492, ci=: 52)

9. Nayak S, Prasanna R, Prasanna BM and Sahoo Dinabandhu. 2007. Analysing diversity among Indian isolates of Anabaena (Nostocales,Cyanophyta) using morphological, physiological and biochemical characters. World. J. Microbiol. Biotechnol.23:1575-1584(if=Impact factor 1.353, ci=Total citations: 16)

10. Sahoo Dinabandhu, Baweja, P. and Kushwah, N., 2006. Developmental studies in Porphyra vietnamensis-a high temperature resistant species from Indian coast. J. Appl. Phycol.18: 279-286 (if=Impact factor 2.492, ci=Total citations: 15)

198

SINGH, RANA PRATAP (b 1959), Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar (Central) University, Lucknow


Professor Singh has made significant contribution in understanding of ammonia assimilation and N- metabolism in plants (Singh and Srivastava, 1982, 1983, 1986; Srivastava and Singh, 1987;; Bharti and Singh, 1993; Singh et al., 1994; Bharti et al., 1996; Singh et al., 1997-98). His research work is well received by pears (Google Citation Indices; Total citation: 1794, H-index: 22 and i10: 47) and one of his paper (Srivastava and Singh 1987), which established role of GDH in ammonia assimilation in plants, received 247 citations. His findings reveal role of different aminating pathways of ammonia assimilation in normal and stresses. To replace the toxic chemical fertilizers which are impacting the soil fertility, Prof Singh has developed organic matrix based slow release organic formulations by immobilizing microbes and demonstrated their efficacy in rice, wheat and mustard (Kumar et al. 2012 a,b 2013, 2014). Besides, he has contributed new knowledge on remediation of toxic metals from soil and water ecosystems and demonstrated that caster is a batter value added phytoremediator than Indian mustard in semi arid Indian conditions. (Bauddh and Singh, 2011, 2012 a,b; Pandey et al., 2012, Singh et al., 2010, 2012, Sainger et al., 2011).

Proposer : Dr. P.K. Seth, Seconder : Dr. R. D. Tripathi


1. Singh, R.P., and Srivastava H.S (1983). Regulation of glutamate dehydrogenase activity by amino acids in maize seedlings. Physiol Plant. 57:549-564. (if=3.076, ci=28)

2. Singh, R.P., and Srivastava H.S (1986). Increase in glutamate synthase activity in maize seedlings in response to nitrate and ammonium nitrogen. Physiol. Plant. 66:413-416. (if=3.076, ci=98)

3. Srivastava H.S., and Singh R.P., (1987).Role and regulation of L-glutamate dehydrogenase in higher plants. Phytochemistry.26:597-610 (if=3.150, ci=247)

4. Bharti N. Singh, R.P. (1993). Growth and nitrate reduction by Sesamum indicum L.cv PB-1respond differently to lead. Phytochemistry. 33: 531-534. (if=3.150, ci=36)

5. Singh, RP, Dabas, S., Choudhary, A. and Maheshwari, R. (1997-98). Effect of lead on nitrate reductase activity and alleviation of lead toxicity by inorganic salts and 6-benzylaminopurine. Biol. Plant. 40:339-404. (if=1.582, ci=29)

6. Pandey V.C., Singh, K., Singh J.S., Kumar A., Singh B. and Singh R.P., (2012). Jatropha curcas: A potential biofuel plant for sustainable environmental development. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 16, 2870-2883 (if=6.018, ci=61)

7. Bauddh, K. and Singh R.P. (2012). Cadmium tolerance and its phytoremediation by two oil yielding plants Ricinus communis (L.) and Brassica juncea (L.) from the contaminated soil. International Journal of Phytoremediation. 14: 772-785. (if=1.466, ci=20)

8. Bauddh, K. and Singh R.P. (2012). Growth, tolerance efficiency and phytoremediation potential of Ricinus communis (L.) and Brassica juncea (L.) in salinity and drought affected cadmium contaminated soil. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 85,13-22.(if=2.482, ci=20 )

9. Kumar, S., Bauddh, K., Barman, S.C., Singh, R.P. (2014). Amendments of microbial biofertilizers and organic substances reduces requirement of urea and DAP with enhanced nutrient availability and productivity of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Ecological Engineering, 71, 432-437 (if=3.136, ci=1)

10. Bauddh, K. and Singh, R.P. (2014). Effect of organic and inorganic amendments on bioaccumulation and partitioning of Cd in Brassica juncea and Riccinus communis. Ecological Engineering, 74, 93-100 (if=3.136, ci=1)

199

SINGLA-PAREEK, SNEH LATA (b 1969), Research Scientist, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi


Abiotic stresses pose a major threat to crop productivity. Nominee has been actively engaged in understanding the mechanism of high temperature, salinity and drought tolerance in plants. She identified a novel HSP 104 responsible for high temperature tolerance in rice (PMB, 1993). She discovered that plants accumulate higher levels of a cellular toxin - methylglyoxal under any stressful condition (BBRC, 2005), which can be detoxified by metabolic engineering of glyoxalase pathway in plants (PNAS, 2003). Her work towards understanding the role of ‗methylglyoxal-glyoxalase pathway‘ in cellular detoxification has led to discovery of several fundamental aspects in the area, as evident from her published work (Plant Physiol., 2006; Scientific reports, 2014; Plant Journal, 2014 a&b). Continuing her efforts, she has discovered and functionally validated a dozen of ―so far uncharacterized‖ stress responsive genes/proteins which have a strong potential for generating transgenic plants with improved tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses. In this regard, her work on novel rice proteins such as CBS (BMC Genomics, 2009; Mol. Biotech. 2012) and MPG (PMB, 2012) is very well cited. She has also concisely put her efforts towards developing a simple, rapid and highly efficient transformation and regeneration protocol for a range of rice cultivars (Plant Methods, 2012). Her efforts towards identifying the key genes responsible for yield trait (Rice, 2014) and gene pyramiding has led to ―Translational Research‖ focused towards raising salinity and drought stress tolerant rice plants and the products are in the hands of Industry under DBT, SBIRI and BIPP programs.

Proposer : Prof Paramjit Khurana, Seconder : Prof Sudhir K Sopory


1. Singla-Pareek SL, Reddy MK and Sopory SK (2003). Genetic engineering of glyoxalase pathway in tobacco leads to enhanced salinity tolerance. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 100(25): 14672-14677. (if=10.58 , ci=219)

2. Yadav SK, Singla-Pareek SL*, Reddy MK and Sopory SK (2005). Transgenic tobacco plants overexpressing glyoxalase enzymes resist an increase in methylglyoxal and maintain higher reduced glutathione levels under salinity stress. FEBS Letters 579(27): 6265-6271. (if=3.470, ci=108)

3. Singla-Pareek SL*, Yadav SK, Pareek A, Reddy MK and Sopory SK (2006).Transgenic tobacco overexpressing glyoxalase pathway enzymes grow and set viable seeds in zinc spiked soils. Plant Physiology 140(2):613-623 (if=7.908, ci=111)

4. Pareek A, Singh A, Kumar M, Kushwaha HR, Lynn AM and Singla-Pareek SL (2006). Whole genome analysis of Oryza sativa L. reveals similar architecture of two-component-signaling machinery with Arabidopsis. Plant Physiology 142(2): 380-397 (if=7.908, ci=75)

5. Kushwaha HR, Singh AK, Sopory SK, Singla-Pareek SL and Pareek A (2009) Genome wide expression analysis of CBS domain containing proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh and Oryza sativa L. reveals their developmental and stress regulation. BMC Genomics 10: 200 (if=4.04, ci=46)

6. Singh AK, Kumar R, Pareek A, Sopory SK and Singla-Pareek SL* (2012). Overexpression of Rice CBS Domain Containing Protein Improves Salinity, Oxidative, and Heavy Metal Tolerance in Transgenic Tobacco. Molecular Biotechnology 52(3): 205-216. (if=2.23, ci=22)

7. Kumar R, Mustafiz A, Sahoo KK, Sharma V, Samanta S, Sopory SK, Pareek A and Singla-Pareek SL* (2012). Functional screening of cDNA library from a salt tolerant rice genotype Pokkali identifies mannose-1-phosphate guanyl transferase gene (OsMPG1) as a key member of salinity stress response. Plant Molecular Biology 79(6):555-568. (if=4.4, ci=9)

8. Mustafiz A, Ghosh A, Tripathi AK, Kaur C, Ganguly AK, Bhavesh NS, Tripathi JK, Pareek A, Sopory SK, and Singla-Pareek SL* (2014a). A unique Ni2+-dependent and methylglyoxal-inducible rice glyoxalase I possesses a single active site and functions in abiotic stress response. The Plant Journal, 78(6), 951-963. (if=7.11, ci=1)

9. Ghosh A, Pareek A, Sopory SK, and Singla-Pareek SL* (2014b). A glutathione responsive rice glyoxalase II, OsGLYII-2, functions in salinity adaptation by maintaining better photosynthesis efficiency and anti-oxidant pool. The Plant Journal, 80(1):93-105. (if=7.11, ci=2)

10. Tripathi AK, Singh K, Pareek A, Singla-Pareek SL* (2015). Histone chaperones in Arabidopsis and rice: genome-wide identification, phylogeny, architecture and transcriptional regulation. BMC Plant Biology 15:42 (if=3.942, ci=just accepted)

200

RAJAGOPAL, SUBRAMANYAM (b 1970), Associate Professor, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad


Dr. Subramanyam Rajagopal has made significant contributions in Plant Biology, particularly in the area of Chloroplast Bioenergetics (Photosynthesis). His research focus was on the activity and components of photosynthetic apparatus in cyanobacteria, algae and higher plants during abiotic stress adaptation. His group studied in detail the structural organizational dynamics of photosystems (PS) and their light harvesting complexes (LHC) of PSII-LHCII and PSI-LHCI of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Arabidopsis thaliana under moderate stress like light, temperature and salt. Dr. Rajagopal‘s group discovered that under fluctuating light, the light harvesting complex II-LHCB2 undergoes phosphorylation triggering dissociation of the entire LHCII from PS II and eventual migration to PSI. The temperature and salt stress induced state transitions (balancing energy transfer between PS II and PSI) in both C. reinhardtii and A. thaliana, constituting an important protective strategy under those stress conditions. Similarly, his group studied the influence of iron deficiency on the organization of photosynthetic apparatus and proposed a structural model of photosystem I from C. reinhardtii. Further, overexpression of ferredoxin NADP reductase in chloroplast of C. reinhardtii conferred protection against abiotic stress. His group has applied modern biophysical, biochemical, molecular and bioinformatics tools, to detect and unravel the changes in photosystems. In addition, Dr. Rajagopal‘s lab has used proteomics and metabolomics-based approaches to identify the abiotic stress responsive signaling events in chloroplasts of higher plants, as well as model algal systems. The findings of Dr. Rajagopal provide a fundamental understanding of abiotic stress tolerance and can help in sustenance of photosynthesis in plants/algae.

Proposer : Prof. Agepati S. Raghavendra, Seconder : Prof. Podile Apparao


1. S. Nellaepalli, N. Rao Mekala, O. Zsiros, P. Mohanty, R. Subramanyam (2011) Moderate heat stress induces state transitions in Arabidopsis thaliana. Biochim. Biophys. Acta (bioenergetics) 1807: 1177–1184. (if=5.13, ci=15)

2. V. Yadavalli, C. Malleda, R. Subramanyam (2011) Protein-protein interactions by molecular modeling and biochemical characterization of PSI-LHCI supercomplexes from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Mol Biosyst. 7: 3143–3151. (if=3.2, ci=4)

3. V. Yadavalli, S. Neelam, A.S.V.C. Rao, A.R. Reddy, R. Subramanyam (2012) Differential degradation of photosystem I subunits under iron deficiency in rice. J. Plant. Physiol. 169: 753– 759. (if=2.7, ci=8)

4. S. Kodru, R. Balaga, K. S. Pilla, S. Nellaepalli, R. Subramanyam, P. Mohanty, J. S.S. Prakash (2012) RNA helicase, CrhR is indispensable for the energy redistribution and the regulation of photosystem stoichiometry at low temperature in Synechocystis sp. PCC6803, Biochim. Biophys. Acta (bioenergetics) 1817: 1525–1536. (if=5.13, ci=7)

5. V. Yadavalli, B. Thangaraj, C. Jolley, S. Neelam, P. Fromme, R. Subramanyam (2012) Alterations in protein and pigment influence the function of photosystem I under iron deficiency from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. PLoS One 7(4): e35084. (if=3.53, ci=10)

6. S. Nellaepalli, S. Kodru, R. Subramanyam (2012) Anaerobiosis induced state transition: a non-photochemical reduction of PQ pool mediated by NDH in Arabidopsis thaliana. PLoS One. 7(11): e49839. (if=3.53, ci=2)

7. S. Nellaepalli, S. Kodru, R. Subramanyam (2012) Effect of cold temperature on regulation of state transitions in Arabidopsis thaliana J. Photochem. Photobiol (Biol). 112: 23-30. (if=3.1, ci=17)

8. S. Nellaepalli, S. Kodru, T. Malavath, R. Subramanyam (2013) Change in fast Chl a fluorescence transients and pigment protein interactions in state transitions from Arabidopsis thaliana. J. Photochem. Photobiol (Biol). 128: 27-34. (if=3.1, ci=7)

9. S. Kodru, T. Malavath, E. Devadasu, S. Nellaepalli, A. Stirbet, R. Subramanyam, Govindjee (2015) The slow S to M rise of chlorophyll a fluorescence induction reflects transition from state 2 to state 1 in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Photosynth. Res. DOI 10.1007/s11120-015-0084-2. (if=3.2)

10. S. Nellaepalli, S. Kodru, R. Agepati, R. Subramanyam (2015) Antimycin A sensitive pathway independent from PGR5 cyclic electron transfer triggers non photochemical reduction of PQ pool: state transitions at 40 oC in Arabidopsis thaliana J. Photochem. Photobiol (Biol). 146: 24-33. (if=3.1)

201

NOORUDDIN, THAJUDDIN (b 1962), Professor & Head, Department of Microbiology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli


The contributions made by Prof. N.Thajuddin to the field of algology are quite inimitable. His taxonomical research in 1990s on marine cyanobacterial diversity revealed a handful of new reports from the east coast of India (Thajuddin and Subramanian, 1990 - 1995). He is responsible for establishment of marine cyanobacterial germplasm collections at National Facility for Marine Cyanobacteria (NFMC). He established an array of novel applications like bioremediation, enzymes, pigment, biodiesel and nanoparticles synthesis from microalgae. Further he has explored the cyanobacterial diversity from extreme environments like salt pans and Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica (Thajuddin et al, 2002 and Singh et al, 2008). For the first time, he has shown evidence on the presence of tRNAfmet group I introns in the marine cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus made a significant contribution in intron research (Muralitharan and Thajuddin; 2008). Recently he has developed new strategies in synthesis of various nanoparticles from microalgae (MubarakAli et al 2011, 2012). His research on biodiesel production from microalgae (Indo-UK, DBT project) is highly significant in green technology. I have been keenly observing the research of Prof. N. Thajuddin for many years, and marveled at his continued contributions to cyanobacteria and microalgae. In view of his long, successful and distinguished career, it would be most appropriate to award the Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy to Prof. N. Thajuddin. In fact, I cannot imagine a more worthy candidate than him. All required documents are attached to accompany this nomination for Prof. N. Thajuddin.

Proposer: Dr. S K Apte, Seconder:Dr. P. V. Subbarao Rao


1. Thajuddin, N. and Subramanian (1992) Survey of cyanobacterial flora of the southern east coast of India. Botanica Marina, 35: 305-314. (if=1.0, ci=43)

2. Thajuddin, N. and Subramanian, G (2005) Cyanobacterial Biodiversity and potential applications in biotechnology. Current Science, 89(1): 47 – 57. (if=0.833, ci=150)

3. Satheeshkumar, M., Muralitharan, G. and N. Thajuddin (2009) Screening of a hypersaline cyanobacterium Phormidium tenue for the degradation of aromatic hydorcarbons: naphthalene and anthracene. Biotechnology Letters, 31:1863 – 1866. (if=1.736, ci=13)

4. Muralitharan, G. and Thajuddin, N (2010) M13-based genotyping of marine cyanobacterial strains from the Indian subcontinent and maintained in the NFMC germplasm collection. Journal of Applied Phycology, 22(6): 709 – 716. (if=2.326, ci=6)

5. Mubarak Ali D., Thajuddin, N., K. Jaganathan and Gunasekaran, M (2011) Plant extract mediated synthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles and its antibacterial activity against clinically isolated pathogens. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 85:360 -365.(if=4.287, ci=152)

6. Mubarak Ali D., Sasikala, M., Gunasekaran, M. and Thajuddin, N (2011) Biosynthesis and characterization of Silver nanoparticles using marine cyanobacterium Oscillatoria willei NTDM01. Digest Journal of Nanomaterials and Biostructures. 6(2): 415 – 420. (if=1.75, ci=42)

7. Praveenkumar, R. Shameera, K., Mahalakshmi, G., Akbarsha, M.A. and N. Thajuddin (2012) Influence of nutrient deprivations in a dominant indigenous microalga Chlorella sp. BUM11008: Evaluation for biodiesel production. Biomass and Bioenergy, 37: 60 – 66.(if=3.931, ci=43)

8. MubarakAli, D., Gopinath, V., Rameshbabu, N. and N. Thajuddin (2012) Synthesis and characterization of CdS nanoparticles using c-phycocyanin from the marine cyanobacteria. Materials letters, 74: 8 – 11. (if=2.24, ci=22)

9. MubarakAli D., Praveen- Kumar R., Shenbagavalli T., MariNivetha T., Parveez -Ahamed A., Al-Dhabi N A. and Thajuddin N (2012) New reports on anti-bacterial and anti-candidal activities of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) obtained from Scenedesmus bijugatus var. bicellularis biomass RSC Advances, 2: 11552 – 11556. (if=2.562, ci=2)

10. Baldev, E, MubarakAli, D, Ilavarasi, A, Pandiaraj, D, Sheik Syed Ishack, K.A, and N. Thajuddin (2013) Degradation of synthetic dye, Rhodamine B to environmentally non-toxic products using microalgae. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 105: 207– 214.(if=4.287, ci=11)

202

VANGA, REDDY SIVA (b 1955), Group Leader, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi


Dr. Reddy made significant contributions in plant molecular biology in general and in chloroplast biology, in particular. His work on genetic transformation of crop plants, regulation of transgene expression, genomics and proteomics of cotton fiber cell development and bioenergy programs have been highly appreciated. He developed novel chloroplast vectors to avoid genome deletions/reorganization that arise due to undesirable homologous recombination(s), a serious issue in this field. He uniquely demonstrated how chloroplast based vectors can be engineered to incorporate features of T7 Pol expression system so that these could be used for molecular farming to produce high value industrial enzymes at low costs with tremendous applications in biofuel industry. He also made significant contributions to our basic understanding on how nuclear and chloroplast genomes interact for a coordinated expression of chloroplast related genes, revealed the role of simultaneous communication through both retrograde and anterograde signaling mechanisms. Dr.Reddy also contributed in the genetic transformation of cotton to improve insect resistance and fiber quality. Initiated and coordinated a major genomics consortium in cotton and put India in the internal map of cotton genomics. Identified key genes and pathways involved in fiber cell initiation, elongation and maturation. Dr. Reddy is a key person in our scientific community whose presence is sought after in many important decision-making bodies at the national level. Internationally, he is also well-known, gets invited in important meetings and is presently serving as an editorial board member of ―Plant Molecular Biology‖, a journal of high repute.

Proposer : Dr. Amit Ghosh, Seconder : Dr Sunil K Mukherjee


1. Kumar, S., Kumar, K., Pandey, P., Rajamani, V., Padmalatha, KV., Dhandapani, G., Kanakachari, M., Leelavathi, S., Kumar, PA.,Reddy, VS. 2013 Glycoproteome of elongating cotton fiber cells. Mol Cell Proteomics 12, 3677-89. (if=7.254, ci=4)

2. Chugh, M., Sundararaman, V., Reddy, VS., Siddiqui, WA., Stuart KD., Malhotra, P. 2013. A protein complex directs hemoglobin to hemozoin formation in Plasmodium falciparum. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 110, 5392-97. (if=9.809, ci=33)

3. Biswal, AK., Pattanayak, GK., Pandey, SS., Leelavathi, S., Reddy, VS., Govindjee, Tripathy, BC. 2012. Light Intensity-Dependent Modulation of Chlorophyll b Biosynthesis and Photosynthesis by Overexpression of Chlorophyllide a Oxygenase in Tobacco. (if=7.908, ci=9)

4. Padmalatha, KV., Patil, DP., Kumar, K., Dhandapani, D., Kanakachari, M., Phanindra, MLV., Kumar, S., Mohan, TC., Parkas, AH., Hiremath, HV., Ishwarappa SK., Leelavathi, S., Kumar, PA., Reddy, VS. 2012. Functional genomics of fuzzless-lintless mutant of Gossypium hirsutum cv. MCU5 reveal key genes and pathways involved in cotton fibre initiation and elongation. BMC Genomics 13:624 doi:10.1186/1471-2164-13-624. (if=4.041, ci=13)

5. Leelavathi, S., Bhardwaj, A., Kumar, S., Das, A., Pathak, R., Pandey, SS., Tripathy, BC., Padmalatha, KV., Dhandapani, G., Kanakachari, M., Kumar, PA., Cella, R., Reddy, VS. 2011. Genome-wide transcriptome and proteome analyses of tobacco psaA and psbA deletion mutant. Plant Mol. Biol 76, 407-23. (if=4.072, ci=6)

6. Padmalatha, KV., Dhandapani, G., Kanakachari, M., Kumar, S., Dass, A., Patil, DP., Rajamani, V., Kumar, K., Pathak, R., Rawat, B., Leelavathi, S., Reddy, PS., Jain, N., Powar, KN., Hiremath, V., Katageri, IS., Reddy, MK., Solanke, AU., Reddy, VS., Kumar, PA. 2011. Genome-wide transcriptomic analysis of cotton under drought stress reveal significant down-regulation of genes and pathways involved in fibre elongation and up-regulation of defense responsive genes. Plant Mol Biol 78, 223-246. (if=4.072, ci=34)

7. Bharadwaj, A., Leelavathi1, S., Mazumdar-Leighton, S., Ghosh, A., Ramakumar, S., Reddy, VS. 2010.The Critical Role of N- and C-Terminal Contact in Protein Stability and Folding of a Family 10 Xylanase under Extreme Conditions. PLOS One 5(6) e11347.(if=3.534, ci=14)

8. Nguyen, HT., Leelavathi, S., Reddy, VS. 2004. Bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase directed inducible and tissue specific overexpression of foreign genes in transgenic plants. Plant Biotechnol J. 2, 301-10. (if=5.677, ci=13)

9. Leelavathi, S., Gupta, N., Maiti, S., Ghosh, A., Reddy, VS. 2003. Overproduction of an alkali and thermostable xylanase in tobacco chloroplasts and efficient recovery of the enzyme. Mol Breed 11, 59-67. (if=2.281, ci=69)

10. Veena, Reddy, VS., Sopory, SK. 1999. Glyoxalase I from Brassica juncea: molecular cloning regulation and its over-expression confer tolerance in transgenic tobacco under stress. Plant J 17, 385-96 (if=6.815, ci=163)

203

D'SOUZA, JACINTA SERAPHINA (b 1964), Reader 'F' and UM-DAE Center for Excellence in Basic Sciences, Mumbai


After BSc, the nominee joined TIFR (July 1985) and worked on the moss, Funaria hygrometrica (Prof. M. M. Johri, Dept. Biological Sciences). She unequivocally established the role of two signaling proteins (Calcium-dependent- and Mitogen-Activated- Protein Kinases) in the stress-induced phenomenon (D‘Souza & Johri, 1999; 2002; 2003; Johri & D‘Souza, 1990; 2003; Johri et al, 2001). This expertise (Physiology and Molecular Biology) translated to major contributions during her Post-Doctoral work (Prof. B. J. Rao, TIFR) and the current laboratory at UM-DAE CBS. 1) In vitro DNA-Protein interaction of Rad52 and translin proteins from humans and frutiflies (Gupta et al, 2005; Sengupta et al, 2006; D‘Souza et al, 2006; Surendranathan et al, 2007). 2) Stress-induced apoptosis-like process in the unicellular alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (Moharikar et al, 2006; 2007). Unambiguously established that the flagella are the first organelles to sense stress, hours before the process of apopotosis ensues (Gudipati et al, 2005; Dharmadhikari et al, 2006). 3) First to show that Chlamydomonas reinhardtii responds differentially to various stressors; forms palmelloids with NaCl (Khona et al, in preparation), is apoptosed with Menadione (Sirisha et al, 2014), KCl, H2O2, and high NaCl concentrations induce necrosis (Sirisha et al, 2015). The molecular mechanism of caspase-induced, PARP-activated DNA laddering, a hallmark of apoptosis is being pursued using an in vitro model (D‘Souza et al, 2011; Dharmadhikari et al, 2014). 4) A novel protein molecular complex from the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii flagella has been identified, isolated and is being characterized (Khona et al, 2013; Rao et al, in preparation).

Proposer : Prof. S. M. Chitre, Seconder : Prof. B. J. Rao


1. Jacinta S. D‘Souza and Johri M. M. (1999) Ca2+dPKs from the protonema of the moss Funaria hygrometrica. Effect of indole-acetic acid and cultural parameters on the activity of a 44 kDa Ca2+dPK. Plant Science 144: 23-32. (if=2.922, ci=10)

2. Jacinta S. D‘Souza and Johri M. M. (2002) ABA and NaCl activate myelin basic protein kinase in the chloronema cell of the moss Funaria hygrometrica. Plant Physiol. & Biochemistry 40: 17-24. (if=2.775, ci=13)

3. M. Gudipati, J. S. D‘Souza, J. A. Dharmadhikari, A. K. Dharmadhikari, B. J. Rao and D. Mathur. (2005) Optically-controllable, micron-sized motor based on live cells. Optics Exp. 13: 1555-60. (if=3.9, ci=14)

4. Swati Moharikar, Jacinta D‘Souza, Atul B. Kulkarni, and B. J. Rao, (2006) UV-C induced apoptotic-like cell death process in the unicellular chlorophyte Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (2006) Journal of Phycology, 42: 423-433. (if=2.8, ci=89)

5. Swati Moharikar, Jacinta D‘Souza and B. J. Rao. (2007) A homolog of the defender against apoptotic death gene (DAD1) is down regulated prior to the onset of apoptosis-like cell death in UV-exposed Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells. (2007) Journal of BioScience 32: 261-270. (if=1.7, ci=26)

6. Jacinta S. D‘Souza, Mohanram Gudipati, Jayashree A. Dharmadhikari, Aditya K. Dharmadhikari, *Abhishek Kashyap, *Manaswini Aiyer, Usha Rao, Deepak Mathur and Basuthkar Jagadeeshwar Rao, (2009) Flagella-generated forces reveal gear-type motor in single cells of the green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 380: 266–270 (*Equal contribution). (if=2.855, ci=4)

7. J. S. D‘Souza, J. A. Dharmadhikari, A. K. Dharmadhikari, B. J. Rao, and D. Mathur, (2011) Effect of intense, ultrashort laser pulses on DNA plasmids in their native state: Strand breakages induced by in situ electrons and radicals. Physics Review Letters 106: 118101.(if=6.875, ci=12)

8. Dolly K. Khona, Dongre Shounak, Cecelia M. Aarraino, and Jacinta S. D‘Souza, (2013) BolA-like protein from the green chlorophyte Chlamydomonas reinhardtii induces biofilm formation in E. coli (FEMS Microbiology Letters 339: 39–47). (if=2.044, ci=3)

9. Aditya K. Dharmadhikari, Harish Bharambe, Jayashree A. Dharmadhikari, Jacinta S. D‘Souza and Deepak Mathur, (2014) Ultrafast laser induces both single stranded and double stranded breaks in plasmid DNA. Physical Review Letters, 112 (13), 138105. (if=6.875, ci=3)

10. Sirisha V. L., Mahuya Sinha and Jacinta S. D‘Souza (2014) Menadione-induced caspase-dependent programmed cell death in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Journal of Phycology 50 (3), 587-601. (if=2.34, ci=1)

204

DHAR, MANOJ KUMAR (b 1964), Professor/Director, School of Biotechnology, University of Jammu, Jammu


Dr. Manoj Kumar Dhar is a highly trained Cytogeneticist, which is exemplified by his excellent publications in frontline journals. However, over the years he has very efficiently amalgamated his expertise in chromosome research with the modern Molecular Biological tools. His pioneering research on novel B chromosome of Plantago has provided the first ever-experimental proof on the de novo origin of these enigmatic chromosomes. The model proposed by Dr. Dhar during 2002 (Chromosoma) has been widely accepted as the most convincing model. During the last decade Dr. Dhar has enhanced the level of understanding of application of B chromosomes in developing the Plant Artificial Chromosomes (Plant Cell Reports 2011). Internationally, his proposal that B chromosomes have the potential of being the excellent vectors, which can transfer genes into unrelated plants, has been widely referred and authenticated. This technology can revolutionize plant breeding in future. Dr. Dhar‘s group is the pioneer in developing genomic resources of Plantago ovata – source of Isabgol. They have cloned the genes involved in mucilage synthesis and are involved in engineering this pathway for enhancing the mucilage production. His group is working on Carotenoid biosynthesis in tomato and saffron and has presented an interesting view on colour development in fruits (BFG 2014). Besides, search on novel Bioactive molecules from other medicinal plants and their endophytic fungi is also ongoing.During the last few years Dr. Dhar has also contributed towards understanding the genetic basis of a complex disorder, Diabetes, in humans (Human Genetics, 2007; PLOS one 2013).

Proposer : Prof. J.P. Khurana, Seconder : Dr. Sanjay Kapoor


1. B. Friebe, R. G. Kynast, P. Zhang, L. Qi, Manoj Dhar and B. S. Gill (2001) Chromosome healing by addition of telomeric repeats in wheat occurs during the first mitotic divisions of the sporophyte and is a gradual process. Chromosome Research 9 : 137-146. (if=2.63, ci=37)

2. M. K. Dhar, B. Friebe, A. K. Koul and B. S. Gill (2002) Origin of an apparent B chromosome by mutation, chromosome fragmentation and specific DNA sequence amplification. Chromosoma 111: 332-340. (if=IF: 3.26, ci=70)

3. G. Kour, S. Kaul and M. K. Dhar (2014) Molecular characterization of repetitive DNA sequences from B chromosome in Plantago lagopus L. Cytogenetic and Genome Research 142: 121-128 (if=1.905, ci=0)

4. M. K. Dhar, B. Friebe, S.on and physical mapping of 18S-5.8S-25S and 5S ribosomal RNA gene families in Plantago species. Annals of Botany 97: 541-548. (if=3.29 , ci=15)

5. M. K. Dhar, J. Fuchs and A. Houben (2009) Distribution of eu- and heterochromatin in Plantago ovata. Cytogenetic and Genome Research 125: 235-240. (if=1.905, ci=05)

6. Gurmeet Kour, Balbir Kour, S. Kaul and M. K. Dhar (2009) Genetic and epigenetic instability of amplification prone sequences of a novel B Chromosome induced by tissue culture in Plantago lagopus L. Plant Cell Reports 28: 1857-1867. (if=2.93, ci=09)

7. M. K. Dhar, S. Kaul and J. Kour (2011) Towards the development of better crops by genetic transformation using Plant Artificial Chromosome vectors. Plant Cell Reports 30: 799 – 806. (if=2.93, ci=10)

8. M. K. Dhar, A. Koul and S. Kaul (2013) Farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase: A key enzyme in isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway and potential molecular target for drug development. New Biotechnology 30:114-123. (if=2.106, ci=11)

9. S. Kaul, S. Gupta, M. Ahmed and M. K. Dhar (2013) Endophytes from medicinal plants: A treasure hunt for bioactive metabolites. Phytochemistry Reviews 11: 487-505. (if=4.14, ci=21)

10. M. K. Dhar, R. Sharma, A. Koul and S. Kaul (2014) Development of fruit color in Solanaceae: a story of two biosynthetic pathways. Briefings in Functional Genomics. Doi:10.1093/bfgp/elu018 (if=3.42, ci=0)

205

DUBEY, RAMA SHANKER (b 1955), Vice-Chancellor, TM Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur


Dr. Dubey has carried out extensive studies on soil salinity, water stress and metal toxicity induced key metabolic alterations in rice plants. He has shown that these stresses impair proteolysis, nitrogen assimilation and photosynthate partitioning by selectively modulating the activities of many enzymes. He has shown that salinity and drought cause oxidative damage to rice plants by overproducing reactive oxygen species. The roles of individual components of antioxidative defense mechanism in combating drought and metals induced oxidative damage have been well established by him. Using proteomics approaches he has characterized the constitutive and inducible tolerance mechanisms like molecular isoforms of enzymes ribonucleases, peroxidases, superoxide dismutases and many novel proteins associated with stressful conditions of soils salinity, water stress and metal toxicity. A direct role of osmolytes as enzyme protectant under stresses and involvement of oxidative stress in the expression of Cd, Pb, Al and Ni toxicity in rice plants has been shown by him (Plant Science 2001,161, 1135-1144, Plant Cell Reports 2007, 26, 2027-2038). He has suggested that specific inducible peroxidase isoforms can be used as markers for screening salt tolerant rice varieties (Rice Biotechnology Quarterly, USA 1991, 8, 8-9) and a novel 18kDa protein with four -SH groups is synthesized under Cd toxicity that sequesters Cd. A cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase isoform associated with Al tolerance in rice plants has been isolated and well characterized by him. His novel observations have revealed that the enzyme isoform Fe SOD is uniquely present in Al tolerant varieties of rice and not in the sensitives (Plant Growth Regulation 71(3),235-252).

Proposer : Prof. B. C. Tripathy, Seconder : Prof. A. K. Rai


1. Mittal, R, and Dubey, R.S. 1991. Behaviour of peroxidases in rice: Changes in enzyme activity and isoforms in relation to salt tolerance. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry (Paris) 29, 31-40. (if= 2.352 , ci= 89 )

2. Mishra, S.P., Tiwari, D., Dubey, R.S. and Mishra, M. 1998. Biosorptive behaviour of casein for Zn2+, Hg2+, and Cr3+: Effects of physico-chemical treatments. Bioresource Technology 63, 1-5. (if= 5.039, ci=36)

3. Singh, A. Pandey, K.D. and Dubey, R.S. 1999. Enhanced hydrogen production by coupled system of Halobacterium halobium and chloroplast after entrapment within reverse micelles. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 24, 693-698. (if= 2.930, ci= 27)

4. Shah, K., Kumar, R.G., Verma, S. and Dubey, R.S. 2001. Effect of cadmium on lipid peroxidation, superoxide anion generation and activities of antioxidant enzymes in growing rice seedlings. Plant Science 161, 1135-1144. (if= 4.114, ci= 523)

5. Verma, S. and Dubey, R.S. 2003. Lead toxicity induces lipid peroxidation and alters the activities of antioxidant enzymes in growing rice plants. Plant Science, 164, 645-655. (if= 4.114 , ci= 465)

6. Sharma, P. and Dubey, R.S. 2004. Ascorbate peroxidase from rice seedlings: properties of enzyme isoforms, effects of stresses and protective roles of osmolytes. Plant Science, 167, 541-550. (if= 4.114, ci= 61)

7. Sharma, P. and Dubey, R.S. 2005. Modulation of nitrate reductase activity in rice seedlings under aluminium toxicity and water stress: role of osmolytes as enzyme protectant. Journal of Plant Physiology, 162, 854-864 (if= 2.770 , ci= 125)

8. Sharma, P., Dubey, R.S. 2007. Involvement of oxidative stress and role of antioxidative defense system in growing rice seedlings exposed to toxic concentrations of aluminum. Plant Cell Reports. 26, 2027-2038. (if= 2.936, ci= 153)

9. Kumar, S., Asif, M.H., Chakrabarty, D., Tripathi, R.D., Dubey, R.S., Trivedi, PK. 2013.Differential expression of rice lambda class GST gene family members during plant growth, development, and in response to stress conditions Plant Molecular Biology Reporter 31, 569-580. (if= 2.374, ci= 16)

10. 10. Mishra, P., Bhoomika, K. and Dubey, R.S. 2013.Differential responses of antioxidative defense system to prolonged salinity stress in salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive Indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings. Protoplasma 250 (1), 3-19. (if= 3.171, ci= 22)

206

GARG, ARTI (b 1965), Scientist 'D', Botanical Survey of India, Allahabad


The scientific accomplishments of Dr. Arti Garg are multidisciplinary. She has expertise in pollen identification and has palynologically elucidated the plant-pollinator co-relationship and role of honeybees in pollination. Her contributions on reproductive biology studies of endangered Eremostachys superba L. (Lamiaceae) are remarkable. She has established causes of rarity of this species revealing prevalence of inbreeding depression and pollinator limitation with oligophilic, monolectic pollination syndrome within the only surviving population in type locality (Taiwania 49: 237-249. 2004). Dr. Garg‘s contributions in revision of the genus Berberis L. in India are significant and has Palynologically traced the species‘ evolution (Rheedea 9: 115-146. 1999). She has also completed revision of the alpine genus Pedicularis L. and portrayed the survival strategies and adaptations of this genus in the process of speciation from 9 Linnaean species to 600 species world wide and 83 in India (Curr. Sci. 99: 733-736. 2010). Her observations on the strategies evolved by Pedicularis for surviving in cold deserts and Alpine Himalayas are noteworthy (Curr. Sci. 85: 1413-1414. 2003). She has also completed Taxonomic studies of the families Asteraceae and Lamiaceae for State Flora of West Bengal along with few other small families. The stagnated work on Pollen Atlas of India also gained impetus through her palynological investigations on families Thymelaeaceae and Lauraceae in India. She also redefined the concept of Sacred Groves (Curr. Sci. 104: 596-99. 2013) and is presently working on floristic diversity of Upper Ganga Ramsar Site in U.P. She has published 85 Research papers and 2 books.

Proposer : Dr. R.R. Rao, Seconder : Prof. K.R. Shivanna


1. Agarwal, A. and Nair, P.K.K. 1989. Free and protein bound amino acids of pollen of Acacia auriculaeformis A. Cunn. (Mimosaceae). Grana 28 : 155 - 157. (5 year Impact factor – 1.034) (if= 1.034, ci= 10)

2. Garg, A. and Rao, R.R. 1996. Pollination ecology of endangered Eremostachys superba (Labiatae). Taiwania 41 (4) : 309 - 321. (if= ---, ci= 7)

3. Garg, A. and Husain, T. 2003. Strategies adopted by the alpine genus Pedicularis L. (Scrophulariaceae) to overcome environmental stress. Current Science 85: 1413-1414. (if= 0.69, ci= 7)

4. Garg, A. 2004. Reproductive Behaviour and Inbreeding depression in endangered Eremostachys superba Royle ex Benth. (Labiatae) in Dehra Dun population, India. Taiwania 49(4): 237-249. (if= --, ci= 6)

5. Garg, A. 2009. Critical Taxonomic Appraisal of Some Taxa of Pedicularis L. from Indian Himalayas Belonging to Section Siphonanthae Taiwania 54(2): 122-133. (if= --, ci= 8)

6. Garg, A. and Husain, T. 2010. Sikkim Himalaya, the Megadiversity centre of Pedicularis in India. Taiwania 55(2): 186-191 (if= --, ci= 10)

7. Garg, A. 2010. Adaptive responses underpinning speciation in Pedicularis L. (Scrophulariaceae) Current Science 99(6): 733-736. 2010. (if= 0.90, ci= 6)

8. Garg, A. and Rogers, Zachary, S. 2011. A Palynological investigation of Daphne papyracea and Daphne bholua (Thymelaeaceae) in India. J. Botanical Res. Inst. Texas 5 (2): 635-641. (if= --, ci= 7)

9. Garg, A. 2013. Typology of Sacred Groves and their discrimination from Sacred Sites. Current Science 104 (5): 596-99 (Also summarised on page 566 ‗In this issue‘. (if= 0.94, ci= 14)

10. Singh, R. Kr., Garg, A. and Singh, P. 2015. Lectotypification and a new synonym of Ceropegia kachinensis (Apocynaceae). Phytotaxa 197(3): 215-221.(IF-1.7). (if= 1.797, ci= --)

207

GIRI, ASHOK PRABHAKAR (b 1967), Senior Scientist, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune


Dr. Ashok Giri has made outstanding contributions in two important areas in plant sciences, viz., (i) plant defense mechanisms and (ii) plant metabolic pathway analysis and engineering. Unlike pathogen resistance, insect resistant crop varieties are rarely spotted in the primary or secondary gene pool. The scientific potential of such intriguing problem is pursued by Dr. Giri over last 20-years. His efforts have evident in identifying novel plants defense molecules and mechanisms in chickpea, capsicum, winged bean, wild tobacco etc. and these discoveries have found place in high-ranking peer reviewed journals including, Plant Cell, Plant Physiology, Functional Ecology, Phytochemistry, PLoS One. Furthermore, his has been highlighted in top-ranking Entomology journals, elaborating digestive and detoxification mechanisms of Lepidopteran insect pests. Interestingly, studies on plant defenses have resulted in identification and functional characterization of novel genes (plant protease inhibitors and insect proteases) having realistic application in crop improvement. Dr. Giri‘s pioneering work on plant terpenoid and alkaloid metabolism and their pathway engineering has gained wide attention and is published in very reputed journals, including Science, Plant Cell and Plant Physiology and Biochemistry. Especially, his work on mango fruit flavors and their biosynthesis is indeed exemplary. In particular, metabolic profiling of popular mango cultivars revealed specialty of Alphonso flavor and potential reasons for their variability across geographic locations. His ongoing work on biosynthetic pathways of mango flavor and Ocimum metabolites is considered to be pioneering by plant science community. In my opinion, his multidisciplinary approach and ability to address relevant research questions has been a key in his excellent academic accomplishments of national scientific endeavour.

Proposer : Prof. Anil Kumar Tripathi , Seconder : Prof. Prabhakar K. Ranjekar


1. Itkin M, Heinig U, Tzfadia O, Bhide AJ, Shinde B, Cardenas P, Bocobza SE, Unger T, Malitsky S, Finkers R, Tikunov Y, Bovy A, Chikate Y, Singh P, Rogachev I, Beekwilder J, Giri AP, Aharoni A (2013) Biosynthesis of antinutritional alkaloids in Solanaceous crops is mediated by clustered genes. Science 341, 175-179. (if=31.02, ci=37)

2. Kang J, Wang L, Giri AP, Baldwin IT (2006) Silencing threonine deaminase and the JAR1 homologue in Nicotiana attenuata impairs JA-isoleucine-mediated defenses against the specialist herbivore, Manduca sexta. The Plant Cell 18, 3303-3320. (if=9.25, ci=161)

3. Giri AP, Wünsche H, Mitra S, Zavala J, Muck A, Svatos A, Baldwin IT (2006) Molecular interactions between the specialist herbivore Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae) and its natural host Nicotiana attenuata. VII. Changes in the plant‘s proteome. Plant Physiology 142, 1621-1641 (if=6.55, ci=111)

4. Aharoni A, Giri AP, Verstappen FWA, Bertea C, Sevenier R, Sun Z, Jongsma MA, Schwab W, Bouwmeester H. (2004) Gain and loss of fruit flavor compounds produced by wild and cultivated strawberry species. The Plant Cell 16, 3110-3131 (Cover page picture). (if=9.25, ci=237)

5. Aharoni A, Giri AP, Deuerlein S, Griepink F, Verstappen FWA, Verhoeven HA, Jongsma MA, Schwab W, Bouwmeester H (2003). Terpenoid metabolism in wild type and transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants. The Plant Cell 15, 2866-2884 (if=9.25, ci=347)

6. Giri AP, Harsulkar AM, Ku MSB, Deshpande VV, Gupta VS, Ranjekar PK, Franceschi VR (2003) Identification of potent inhibitors of Helicoverpa armigera gut proteinase in winged bean seeds. Phytochemistry 63, 523-532 (Cover page). (if=4.14, ci=111)

7. Patankar AG, Giri AP, Harsulkar AM, Sainani MN, Deshpande VV Ranjekar PK, Gupta VS (2001) Complexity in specificities and expression of Helicoverpa armigera gut proteinases explains polyphagous nature of the insect pest. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 31, 453-464. (if=3.23, ci=111)

8. Harsulkar AM, Giri AP, Patankar AG, Gupta VS, Sainani MN, Ranjekar PK, Deshpande VV (1999) Successive use of non-host plant proteinase inhibitors required for effective inhibition of Helicoverpa armigera gut proteinases and larval growth. Plant Physiology 121, 497-506. (if=6.55, ci=123)

9. Giri AP, Harsulkar AM, Deshpande VV, Sainani MN, Gupta VS, Ranjekar PK (1998) Chickpea defensive proteinase inhibitors can be inactivated by pod borer gut proteinases. Plant Physiology 116, 393-401. (if=6.55, ci=161)

10. Giri AP, Kachole MS (1998) Amylase inhibitors of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.) seeds. Phytochemistry 47, 193-201. (if=4.14, ci=85)

208

GUPTA-BHATTACHARYA, SWATI (b 1956) Senior Professor and Prof. in Charge, Division of Plant iology, Bose Institute (Main Campus), 93/1 Acharya PC Road, Kolkata


Currently the clinical diagnosis and immunotherapy of allergy and asthma rely upon purified allergens and hypoallergen vaccines having non-functional IgE-epitopes. Gupta-Bhattacharya‘s lab is particularly interested on molecular characterization of plant and fungal allergens. Her research started with aerobiological identification of allergenic pollen and molds triggering respiratory allergy in Indian subcontinent using statistical correlation modeling among allergy related hospitalization, biopollutants and meteorological factors. She prepared allergenic pollen and spore calendar in different biozones which are clinically exploited by practicing allergologists for diagnosis. Using immunobiochemical and proteomic tools, she has identified and purified natural IgE-reactive antigens from different allergy eliciting pollen grains and fungi. She has cloned the cDNA of some important allergens such as a fungal aspartic protease and cyclophilin and a pollen cyclophilin-A. These were expressed and purified as recombinant allergens. Her recent findings include determination of NMR structure of Cat r 1 from periwinkle pollen, which is the first solution structure of plant cyclophilin. The antigenic surface of pollen cyclophilin was analyzed globally with other reported cyclophilins and conserved immuno-reactive region was identified which has elucidated the structural basis of extensive cross IgE-reactivity among cyclophilin allergens. She performed structural bioinformatic analysis to understand the role of critical residues in IgE epitopes influencing the antigenic propensity an allergen using the birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 as model. Her most recent work includes the molecular characterization of a fungal aspartic protease allergen and identification of its conformational as well as linear IgE epitopes to understand the molecular basis of immunoreactivity.

Proposer : Prof. Sampa Das, Seconder : Prof. Bharati Ghosh Ten Best Publications : 1. Ghosh, D., Mueller, G. A., Schramm, G., Edwards, L. L., Petersen, A., London, R. E., ... & Bhattacharya, S. G. (2014). Primary identification, biochemical characterization, and immunologic properties of the allergenic pollen cyclophilin Cat r 1. Journal of Biological Chemistry (ASBMB, USA), 289(31), 21374-21385. (Impact factor – 4.6 Citation- 1) 2. Sircar G, Chakrabarti HS, Saha B and Gupta-Bhattacharya S. 2012. Identification of Aero-allergens from Rhizopus oryzae : An Immunoproteomic Approach. Journal of Proteomics, Elsevier. 77 (2012): 455-468. (Impact factor -4.088 Citation- 3) 3. Mandal J, Manna P, Chakraborty P, Roy I and Gupta-Bhattacharya S. 2009. Clinical and immunobiochemical characterization of airborne Delonix regia (Gulmohar tree) pollen and cross reactivity studies with Peltophorum pterocarpum pollen: Two dominant avenue trees from Eastern India. Annals of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. Elsevier. 103(6); 515-524 .( Impact factor - 3.449 Citation- 6) 4. Chakraborty P., Mandal J., Sarkar, E., Chowdhury I., & Gupta-Bhattacharya S. 2009. Clinico-immunochemical studies on airborne Areca catechu L. Pollen, a probable risk factor in emergency asthma hospitalization from Eastern India. International archives of allergy and immunology, Blackwell Publishing. 149(4), 305-314. (Impact Factor - 2.5. Citation – 14) 5. Ghosh D and Gupta- Bhattacharya, S. 2008. Structural insight into protein T1, the non-allergenic member of the Bet v 1 allergen family - an in silico analysis. Molecular Immunology, Elsevier, UK. 45, 456-462. (Impact factor - 2.645. Citation – 9) 6. Das S., & Gupta-Bhattacharya S. 2008. Enumerating outdoor aeromycota in suburban West Bengal, India, with reference to respiratory allergy and meteorological factors. Ann Agric Environ Med,Poland. 15(1), 105-112. Impact Factor - 3.4 Citation – 16 7. Chakraborty, P., Ghosh, D., Chowdhury, I., Roy, I., Chatterjee, S., Chanda, S., & Gupta‐Bhattacharya, S. 2005. Aerobiological and immunochemical studies on Carica papaya L. pollen: an aeroallergen from India. Allergy, John Wiley & Sons Ltd. 60(7), 920-926.( Impact Factor - 6.2 Citation – 11) 8. Adhikari,A. Sen, M.M. Gupta-Bhattacharya S. and Chanda,S. 2004. Volumetric assessment of airborne fungi in two sections of a rural indoor dairy cattle Shed. Environment International. 29, 1071-1078. Elsevier, UK (Impact Factor - 6.248 Citation – 63) 9. Roy D, Ghosh D and Gupta-Bhattacharya. S, 2003. Homology Modeling of Allergenic Cyclophilins: IgE binding site and structural basis of cross reactivity. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 307, 422-429. Elsevier, UK .( Impact factor - 2.406 Citation -12) 10. Chowdhury, I., Chakraborty, P., Gupta Bhattacharya, S. and Chanda, S. 1998. Allergenic relationship among four common and dominant airborne palm pollen grains from Eastern India. Clinical and Experimental Allergy 28:977-983. Blackwell Science Ltd., UK. (Impact Factor - 5.0 Citation – 23)

209

HUSAIN, TARIQ (b 1958), Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow-226001


Dr. Tariq Husain‘s significant contributions spread over a period of 34 years in the field of Angiosperm Systematics, Biodiversity & Conservation have resulted in 4 books/monograph and 104 research papers in peer reviewed journals. Among many others, he has successfully completed the taxonomic monograph of complex genera, Berberis, Ixora and Pedicularis and at present revising Aconitum and Delphinium, also added 12 taxa new to science. His noteworthy contributions on assessment of Himalayan flora, impact of climate change on it, discovery of 14 sacred groves and in-vitro propagation of some critically endangered medicinal plants for their conservation, studies on molecular phylogeny of the genus Pedicularis and DNA bar coding of Berberis, critical enumeration of 1150 taxa under 167 genera of Legumes of India are credible. He has developed several data-bases of national importance such as data-base on 500 medicinal plants used in ISM, species data-base ‗PADAP‘, digitized data-base of NBRI herbarium and CTKDL from India. So far, he has successfully completed 13 projects of national importance. It is no wonder that his scientific accomplishments have received International recognitions also, he received Robert O' Bass Fellowship from FMNH, Chicago, USA to conduct studies on Indian Pedicularis and also expert member in III meeting of treeBOL in NYBG, New York, USA. He has been awarded the B.A.Razi Medal (2013) by Association for Plant Taxonomists and G. Panigrahi Memorial Lecture Award (2013) by Indian Botanical Society for his contributions to Angiosperm Taxonomy. He is Fellow of several scientific societies like FES, FAPT and FIAAT.

Proposer : Dr. Raghvendra Ramchandra Rao, Seconder : Dr. Dalip Kumar Upreti


1. Tariq Husain and S.R. Paul, 1984. A new species of Ixora (Rubiaceae) from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Blumea 30: 153 - 156.(if= )

2. Tariq Husain, 1989. Lectotypification of South Indian Ixora monticola Gamble and Ixora saulierei Gamble (Rubiaceae). Taxon 38: 296.(if= 2.36)

3. Tariq Husain and A. Garg. 2002. The sanctity of Pedicularis bicornuta Kl. ex Kl. & Garcke (Scrophulariaceae) in the Indian cold deserts of Lahaul-Spiti. Curr. Sci. 83(8): 929-930. (if= 0.8, ci= 1)

4. Tariq Husain and A. Garg. 2003. A new species of Pedicularis (Scrophulariaceae) from Spiti valley, Himachal Pradesh, India. J. Jap. Bot. 78: 162-166.

5. Tariq Husain and A. Garg. 2003. A new subspecies of Pedicularis zeylanica (Scrophulariaceae) from Western Ghats of south India. Systematics and Biodiversity 1 (2): 173-175. (if= 1.884)

6. Tariq Husain and A. Garg. 2004. Trachycarpus takil Becc. is not a ‗rare‘ palm. Curr. Sci. 86(5): 633-634. (if= 0.8, ci= 3)

7. H. Singh, Tariq Husain and P. Agnihotri. 2010. Haat Kali sacred grove, Central Himalaya, Uttarakhand. Curr. Sci. 98 (3): 290. (if= 0.8, ci= 1)

8. S.Roy, A.Tyagi, V. Shukla, A. Kumar, U. M. Singh, L. B. Chaudhary, B. Datt, S.K. Bag, P. K. Singh, N. K. Nair, Tariq Husain and R. Tuli. 2010. Universal Plant DNA Barcode Loci may not work in Complex Groups: A Case Study with Indian Berberis species. PLoS ONE 5(10): 1-14. (if= 3.73, ci= 44)

9. 9. *H. Singh, Tariq Husain and P.Agnihotri, P.C. Pande and S. Khatoon. 2014. An Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used in sacred groves of Kumaon Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 154: 98-108. (if= 2.955, ci= 1)

10. P. Agnihotri, D. Husain and Tariq Husain. 2014. A new species of the genus Delphinium (Ranunculaceae) from Lahul valley of Himachal Pradesh, India. Phytotaxa. 186 (5)- 287-291. (if= 1.79)

210

JAIN, ASHOK KUMAR (b 1952), Professor, School of Studies in Botany, Jiwaji University, Gwalior


Prof. Ashok K. Jain is a well known academician in the field of plant sciences. He has travelled a good number of tribal inhabited localities and collected information on medicinal and other uses of plants. He has specifically contributed in the field of Ethnobotany and documented over 1500 plant species from different tribal dominated localities of central India. Recipient of V.Puri and Harshberger & PH Gregory medals, Prof. Jain is the fellow of various international & national academic societies including the Linnean society London, Indian Botanical Society, Society of Ethnobotanists and many others. Publication of five books and over 90 research papers goes to his credit. He has been the regional coordinator of International Ethnobiology Society for South East Asia. Prof. Jain has completed over 15 research projects sponsored by several national and international funding agencies like BGCI, UK, US International Conservation Fund, Ministry of Environment & Forests, ICMR, Biodiversity Board, Bhopal, Ministry of Culture etc. He has assessed the threat status of a good number of species as per the IUCN criteria. He has also organized a good number of seminars/ conferences/ workshops etc. He has established a ―Medicinal Plants Garden‖ known as ―Charak Garden‖ in the university campus. The garden shelters over 250 plant species including approximately 25 threatened ones. The garden also comprises a ―Nakshatra Vatika‖ a ―Griha Vatika‖ a ―Panchvati Vatika‖ along with several other attracting features. He has also developed a museum in Institute of Ethnobiology. The museum comprises a large number of tribal exhibits.

Proposer : Prof. R. Raghvendra Rao, Seconder : Prof. D. K. Upreti

Ten Best Publications: 1. Ashok K. Jain, 2000, Survey of bioaerosol in different indoor working environments in central India.

Aerobiologia 16: 221-225 (if=1.33, ci=) 2. Ashok K. Jain and Santosh N. Patole, 2001, Some threatened plants of Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve

of Madhya Pradesh. J. Indian Bot. Soc. 80:151-155. (if=0.00, ci=) 3. Ashok K. Jain and Mudasir Bashir, 2010, Efficient micropropagation protocol for Portulaca grandiflora

Hook. using shoot tip explants. New York Science Journal 3(10) 112-116. (if=Not Yet (Evaluating), ci=) 4. Ashok K. Jain, Mohan G. Vairale and Rajdeo Singh, 2010, Folklore claims on some medicinal plants

used by Bheel tribe of Guna district Madhya Pradesh. Ind. J. of Traditional Knowledge 9(1) 105-

107. (if=0.492, ci=) 5. Ashok K. Jain, Preeti Tiwari Barua and Mudasir Bashir, 2010, Nutritive aspects of Oxalis corniculata L.

used by tribals of Central India during scarcity of food. J. American Science. 6 (11) 435-437. (if=Not yet

(Evaluating), ci=) 6. Ashok K. Jain and Mudasir Bashir, 2010, In-vitro propagation of a medicinal plant Portulaca grandiflora

Hook. World J. of Agricultural Research 6(3): 327-330. (if=0.00, ci=Not Indexed) 7. Vijay V. Wagh and Ashok K. Jain, 2010, Traditional herbal remedies among Bheel and Bhilala tribes of

Jhabua district Madhya Pradesh. Int. J. Biol. Technology 1(2): 20-24 (if=0.00, ci=) 8. Ashok K. Jain, Vijay V. Wagh and Chitralekha Kadel, 2011, Conservation status of some miniature

sacred grove in Jhabua district (MP). J. Ethnobotany, 23: 106-115. (if=0.00, ci=) 9. Ashok K. Jain and Preeti Tiwari, 2012, Nutritional value of some traditional edible plants used by tribal

communities during emergency with reference to Central India. Ind. J. Traditional Knowledge, 11(1): 51- 57. (if=0.492, ci=) 10. Vijay V. Wagh and Ashok K. Jain, 2013, Status of threatened medicinal plants of Jhabua distrcit,

Madhya Pradesh, India. Annals of Plant Sciences 395-400. (if=2.5 (Index Copernicus), ci=)

211

JAIN, MUKESH (b 1978), Staff Scientist, National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), New Delhi


Dr. Mukesh Jain has made outstanding contributions in the area of plant genomics relevant to crop improvement. He has been working in the area of rice and chickpea genomics for more than a decade, initially as an active member of team at University of Delhi and subsequently as an independent scientist and group leader at NIPGR. He has been instrumental in the genome and transcriptome sequencing, annotation and analysis of chickpea and rice, and identification/development of functional molecular markers. He has made significant contributions in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying abiotic stress response and developmental processes in rice, and identified several candidate genes involved. He has demonstrated the novel role of few genes in abiotic stress responses. His pioneering work on transcriptome characterization and identification of genetic variations in chickpea has become an important example in knowledge generation for non-model plants. His leadership has led to discovery of several promising target genes involved in abiotic stress responses and reproductive development in rice, annotation and characterization of chickpea transcriptome and genome sequences, discovery of molecular markers (microsatellites, SNPs, and InDels) in chickpea and rice, development of chickpea linkage map and identification of functionally relevant microsatellite markers for seed related traits in chickpea. His work has brought global recognition to plant genomics work being carried out in India. His research work has been published in 70 research papers/reviews in leading international journals with high impact factor. The cumulative impact factor and citation index of his published work is 230+ and 2500+, respectively, and H-index of 22.

Proposer : Prof. Jitendra P. Khurana, Seconder : Prof. Sudhir K. Sopory


1. Jain M†, Chevala VVSN, Garg R. (2014) Genome-wide discovery, analysis and implications of differential regulation of conserved and novel miRNAs in chickpea via deep sequencing. Journal of Experimental Botany 65, 5945-5958. †Corresponding author. (if=5.794, ci=1)

2. Jain M†, Moharana KC, Shankar R, Kumari R, Garg R†. (2014) Genome-wide discovery of DNA polymorphisms in rice cultivars with contrasting drought and salinity stress response and their functional relevance. Plant Biotechnology Journal 12, 253-264. †Joint corresponding authors. (if=5.677, ci=2)

3. Garg R. Verma M, Agarwal S, Shankar R, Majee M, Jain M. (2014) Deep transcriptome sequencing of wild halophyte rice, Porteresia coarctata, provides novel insights into salinity and submergence tolerance factors. DNA Research 21, 69-84. (if=4.975, ci=10)

4. Singh VK, Garg R, Jain M. (2013) A global view of transcriptome dynamics during flower development in chickpea by deep sequencing. Plant Biotechnology Journal 11, 691-701. (if=5.677, ci=17)

5. Jain M, Mishra G, Patel RK, Priya P, Jhanwar S, Khan AW, Shah N, Singh VK, Garg R, Jeena G, Sharma P, Kant C, Yadav M, Yadav G, Bhatia S, Tyagi AK, Chattopadhyay D. (2013) Draft genome sequence of the pulse crop chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). The Plant Journal 74, 715-729. (Featured and cover photo article) (if=6.815, ci=48)

6. Jhanwar S, Priya P, Garg R, Parida SK, Tyagi AK, Jain M (2012). Transcriptome sequencing of wild chickpea as a rich resource for marker development. Plant Biotechnology Journal 10, 690-702. (if=5.677, ci=35)

7. Garg R, Patel RK, Jhanwar S, Priya P, Bhattacharjee A, Yadav G, Bhatia S, Chattopadhyay D, Tyagi AK, Jain M (2011). Gene discovery and tissue-specific transcriptome analysis in chickpea with massively parallel pyrosequencing and web resource development. Plant Physiology 156, 1661-1678. (if=7.394, ci=95)

8. Garg R, Patel RK, Tyagi AK, Jain M (2011). De novo assembly of chickpea transcriptome using short reads for gene discovery and marker identification. DNA Research 18, 53-63. (if=4.975, ci=206)

9. Nijhawan A, Jain M, Tyagi AK, Khurana JP (2008). A genomic survey and gene expression analysis of basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor family in rice. Plant Physiology 146, 333-350. (if=7.394, ci=135)

10. Jain M, Nijhawan A, Arora R, Agarwal P, Ray S, Sharma P, Kapoor S, Tyagi AK, Khurana JP (2007). F-box proteins in rice: genome-wide analysis, classification, temporal and spatial gene expression during panicle and seed development, and regulation by light and abiotic stress. Plant Physiology 143, 1467-1483. (if=7.394, ci=277)

212

MUKHERJEE, PULOK KUMAR (b 1968), Director, School of Natural Product Studies, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata


Dr. Pulok K. Mukherjee has made significant contributions in the area of medicinal plant research. He has been working on evidence based validation of medicinal plants and related metabolomic studies to make them available from 'Farm to Pharma'. Dr Mukherjee‘s works on chemo profiling, marker and biomarker analysis of herbs for quality evaluation and their exploration for Alzheimer‘s diseases, anti-HIV potential is very significant. He has also made significant contribution on development of safety profile of herbs and formulation through metabolism mediated herb-drug interaction. Dr. Mukherjee has been working for promotion of Indian medicinal plants to a great extent by dissemination of knowledge particularly on promoting national/international collaboration and cooperation. His work has been appreciated by several industries, products developed are being marketed, and technology has been transferred. His research career has been outstanding, including globally acclaimed contributions on integrated approaches for promotion and development of traditional medicine inspired drug discovery and development from medicinal plants. Based on these works, he has published above 170 publications in peer reviewed impact journals, several patents and 21 books/book chapters on evaluation of botanicals. His research publications have cumulative Impact factor of 186. His works has been cited over 8124 times in reputed journals and documents and has h-index- 43, i10-index - 132. The research contribution of Dr Mukherjee on evidence based scientific claims of Indian medicinal plants is very significant, which may be useful as bio-prospecting tools for their development and to put them in national healthcare program.

Proposer : Prof. Akhilesh Kumar Tyagi, Seconder : Prof. Paramjit Khurana


1. Mukherjee PK, Maiti K, Mukherjee K, Houghton PJ. 2006. Leads from Indian medicinal plants with hypoglycemic potentials. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 106 (1), 1-28. (if=2.939, ci=303)

2. Rai S, Wahile A, Mukherjee K, Saha BP, Mukherjee PK. 2006. Antioxidant activity of Nelumbo nucifera (Sacred lotus) seeds. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 104 (3), 322–327 (if=2.939, ci=187)

3. Maiti K, Mukherjee K, Gantait A, Saha BP, Mukherjee PK. 2007. Curcumin-phospholipid complex: Preparation, therapeutic evaluation and pharmacokinetic study in rats. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 330 (1), 155-163. (if=3.785, ci=377)

4. Mukherjee PK, Ahamed N, Kumar V, Mukherjee K, Houghton PJ. 2007. Protective effect of biflavones from Araucaria bidwillii Hook in rat cerebral ischemia/reperfusion induced oxidative stress. Behavioural Brain Research, 178 (2), 221-228. (if=3.391, ci=53)

5. Venkatesh M, Maiti K, Mukherjee K, Mukherjee PK. 2009. Enhanced oral bioavailability and antioxidant profile of Ellagic acid by phospholipids. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 57 (11), 4559–4565. (if=3.017, ci=30)

6. Kumar NS, Mukherjee PK, Bhadra S, Saha BP. 2010. Acetylcholinesterase enzyme inhibitory potential of standardized extract of Trigonella foenum graecum L and its constituents. Phytomedicine, 17 (3), 292-295. (if=2.877 , ci=40)

7. Mukherjee PK, Maity N, Nema NK, Sarkar BK. 2011. Bioactive compounds from natural resources against skin aging. Phytomedicine, 19 (1), 64-73. (if=2.877, ci=59)

8. Pandit S, Mukherjee PK, Mukherjee K, Gajbhiye R, Venkatesh M, Ponnusankar S, Bhadra S. 2012. Cytochrome P450 inhibitory potential of selected Indian spices-possible food drug interaction. Food Research International, 45 (1), 69–74. (if=3.005, ci=14)

9. Mukherjee P K, Nema NK, Maity N, Sarkar BK. 2013. Phytochemical and therapeutic potential of Cucumber, Fitoterapia, 84, 227–236. (if=2.216, ci=10)

10. Bhattacharyya S, Majhi S, Saha BP, Mukherjee P K. 2014. Chlorogenic acid-phospholipid complex improve protection against UVA induced oxidative stress. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 130, 293–298. (if=2.803, ci=02)

213

MUNSHI, ABID HUSSAIN (b 1950), Professor (Scientist Emeritus), Department of Botany, University

of Kashmir, Srinagar Member of the NASI : No (YON 2014, Plant Sciences) I am pleased to write a testimony for Prof (Dr) Abid Hussain Munshi who was my M.Sc. student in 1970. After completing his degree he joined Junior Research Fellow under CSIR project in 1973 and got registered for his Ph.D programme in Department of Botany, University of Kashmir. He worked on Systematic Studies of family Polygonaceae of Kashmir Himalaya in which he identified 4 new species and 30 new combinations of genera and species published in his book. He guided 12 scholars for their Ph. D degrees in Plant sciences, Aerobiology and Bioresource. 5 M.Phils have also been completed under his guidance. He successfully completed 10 research projects sponsored by University Grants Commission (UGC), DBT, DST, MOEF, UNDP and, DFRI and five research projects are in progress. Prof Munshi has designed a unique innovative Post Graduate Programme in Bioresource being first of its kind. He has four collaborative research programs with Cornel University USA, University of Cambridge UK, Lund University, Sweden and University of Bedfordshire on plants being potential resources for bioethanol. He also raised five new cultivars in Salix, commercially used for bionergy and biofuel. 20 National and International awards including top Scientist of the world, 2013 are at his credit. He is recipient of 10 fellowships from reputed scientific organization of the world and India. Besides his academic and research activities he prove to be a good administrator in University and other institutions of the country. Presently he is working as sabbatical visiting Professor in University of Cambridge and, UK.

Proposer : Prof. A.K. Koul, Seconder : Prof. Ashok K. Bhatnagar Ten Best Publications : 1. Munshi, A. H., 1976, Rumex palustris Sm A new record for Indian Geobios 3:72. (if=1.05) 2. Munshi, A. H. and G. N. Javied, 1976, Polygonum maritium L. A new record for India. Indian Forester 102(6) (if=0.56) 3. Munshi, A. H., 1977, On correct identify of Polygonum hagei Ex Bab, Geobios 4:81. (if=1.05) 4. Munshi, A. H., 1983, Rumex alveolatus loss. An addition to Indian Rumex Geobios New rep. 2:147- 148. (if=1.05) 5. Munshi, A. H., 1983, IOBP Chromosomes Number Reports l.XXIX (Polygonaceae) Taxon 32(2):322. (if=2.78) 6. Munshi, A. H., 1992, Airborne pollen of Parthenium hysterophorus in the temperate climate of Kashmir valley Ind. J. Aerobiol. Sp. Vol. 61-62. (if=2.9) 7. Munshi, A. H., 1994, Pollen calendar of Kashmir University campus, Srinagar Kashmir Proc. Of 5th International conference on Aerobiology 381-388, Banaglore, India. (if=2.9) 8. Munshi, A. H., 2000, Gene expression in allergic pollen, Aerobiologia: 16(3&4): 331-334. (if=1.33) 9. Munshi, A. H., 2000, Flowering calendar of grasses in Srinagar Kashmir (India) Aerobiologia: 16(3&4):449-452. (if=1.33) 10.Munshi, A.H, et al 2011,Genetic Diversity in Salix viminalis in the Kashmir Valley, India. American journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,1: 178-184. (if=2.467)

214

PANDEY, ARUN KUMAR (b 1953), Professor, Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi


Prof. Pandey has made outstanding contributions to taxonomy and reproductive biology of angiosperms. He has done taxonomic revision of Tricholepis, Inula, Aralia and Panax. His first ultrastructural work on development of phytomelanin in Asteraceae has given new insights in understanding morphological nature of this layer and its systematic, evolutionary and adaptive significance. He has published exhaustive checklist of Indian Cucurbitaceae, and important papers on molecular phylogeny of Cucurbitaceae. He has remarkable papers on molecular phylogeny of Aralia-Panax complex (Araliaceae), Nassauvia (Asteraceae) and phylogeography of Panax bipinnatus. He has published a new species, Indigofera himachalensis from Himachal Pradesh, and published molecular systematics and pod evolution in Indian Indigofera. Duhaldea nervosa and Taverniera cuneifolium have been published by him as new records to flora of Himachal Pradesh. His work on molecular systematics of Indian Crotolaria is first phylogenetic study based on morphological and molecular makers. Dr Pandey has done extensive research on reproductive biology of Schima species (Theaceae), Sterculia urens (Sterculiaceae), Trichosanthes dioica (Cucurbitaceae), Carthamus tinctorius and Guizotia abyssinica (Asteraceae). Ethnobotanical studies carried out by him have helped to record important, useful traditional knowledge from among different tribal groups in Santhal Paragana (Jharkhand), Similipal (Odisha) and Chothe tribe (Manipur). Dr Pandey has carried out extensive work on medicinal plant wealth of Similipal Biosphere Reserve (Odisha), and on impact of mining on the flora of Rajmahal hills (Jharkhand). Prof. Pandey is well known for promoting plant sciences in India through his books, popular articles and by organizing symposia and workshops on taxonomy.

Proposer : Prof. A.K. Bhatnagar, Seconder : Prof. S.C. Bhatla


1. Khanduri, P., Tandon, R., Uniyal, P.L., Bhat, Vishnu and Pandey, A.K. 2015. Comparative morphology and molecular systematics of Indian Podostemaceae. Plant Systematics and Evolution 301: 861-882 (if=1.154)

2. Subramaniam, S. and Pandey, A.K. 2014. Reinstatement of Crotolaria pellita (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae) and a new combination for its variety. Phytotaxa 183(1):051-055. (if=1.376)

3. Chauhan, V. and Pandey, A.K. 2014. Structure and evolution of the pod in Indigofera (Fabaceae) reveals a trend towards small thin indehiscent pods. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 176 (2):260–276. (if=2.699)

4. Pandey, A.K., Stuessy, T.F. and Mathur, R.R. 2014. Phytomelanin and systematics of the Heliantheae alliance (Compositae). Plant Diversity and Evolution 131: 1-21.

5. Subramaniam, S., Pandey, A.K., Geeta, R. and Mort, M.M. 2013. Molecular systematics of Indian Crotalaria (Fabaceae) based on analyses of nr ITS DNA sequences. Plant Systematics and Evolution 299 (6):1089-1106. (if=1.312, ci=2)

6. Renner, S.S. and Pandey, A.K. 2013. The Cucurbitaceae of India: Accepted names, synonyms, geographic distribution and information on images and DNA sequences. Phytokeys 20:53-118. (ci=6)

7. Chauhan, V., Pandey, A.K. and Schaefer, H. 2013. Indigofera himachalensis (Fabaceae: Indigofereae), a new species from Himachal Pradesh. Phytotaxa 112(2):43-49. (if=1.376, ci=1)

8. Shekhar, S., Pandey, A.K. and Anderberg, A.A. 2013. The genus Inula (Asteraceae) in India. Rheedea 23(2) 113-127

9. Maraner, F., Samuel, R., Stuessy, T. F., Crawford, D. J., Crisci, J.V., Pandey, A. K., Mort, M.E. 2011. Molecular phylogeny of Nassuvia (Asteraceae, Mutisieae) based on nrDNA ITS sequences. Plant Systematics and Evolution 298:399-408 (if=1.154)

10. Pandey, A.K.,Wilcox, L.W. and Stuessy, T.F. 1989. Development of phytomelanin layer in fruits of Ageratum conyzoides (Compositae). American Journal of Botany 76:739-746. (if=2.58 , ci=9)

215

RAO, MANDALI VENKATESWARA (b 1954), Honorary Professor, Department of Plant Science, Bharathidasan University, TiruchirappallI


Dr.Mandali Venkateswara Rao is Professor and Head, Department of Plant science, Bharathidasan University. He did his doctoral program at CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow and post Doctoral work with Prof. A. Gnanam, FNA, at Bharathidasan and Madurai Kamaraj University. He has made outstanding contributions in mass propagation and reestablishment of endemic and endangered flora at Eastern and Western Ghats of South India and also has extensively contributed in tissue culture and phyto-pharmacological work on Gymnema sylvestre and many other medicinal plants (>40). He has published 82 research papers in National and International journals. He has so far guided 12 Ph.D and 8 M.Phil students and is guiding 10 Ph.D students. He has visited USA, Israel and Thailand. He has 35 years of research and 25 years of teaching experience; has coordinated M.Sc Life Science (5yr-integrated) program and also established Centre of Excellence in Life Sciences facility. Presently he is contributing on ex situ conservation of endangered flora with special emphasis to tropical orchids. He is also working on in vitro production of secondary metabolites from prominent medicinal plants. He had also carried out Ecological studies on grassland, forest and energy plantation ecosystems on saline and semi-arid regions. He has also conducted pioneering provenance trails of Populus deltoids (clones of different climatic regions of India) on semi-arid regions of South India. During his visit to USA as a visiting Scientist, he has worked on Mycorrhizal symbiosis and screened ecto, endo and orchid mycorrhizal fungi to improve plant Productivity under drought and salt stress conditions.

Proposer: Prof.K.V.krishnamurthy, Seconder:Prof.Anupam Dikshit


1. N.Komalavalli and M.V.Rao*. 2000. In vitro micropropagation of Gymnema sylvestre-A multipurpose medicinal plant. Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture 61:97-105. - Netherlands (if=2.612, ci=170)

2. M.Jeyaseelan and M.V.Rao*. 2005. Biochemical studies of embryogenic and non-embryogenic callus of Cardiospermum halicacabum L. Indian J Exp Biol. 43:555-560.- India (if=0.75, ci=11)

3. G.Siva Kumar, S.Alagumanian and M.V.Rao. 2006. High frequency in vitro multiplication of Centella asiatica: An Important industrial medicinal herb. Eng Life Sci.6 (6):597-601. - Germany (if=1.89, ci=11)

4. S. Arumugam, S. Kavimani, B. Kadalmani, A.A.A. Bakrudeen, M.A. Akbarsha and M.V. Rao*. 2008. Antidiabetic activity of leaf and callus extracts of Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. In Swiss albino rabbit. Science Asia. 34:317-321. - Thailand (if=0.64, ci=37)

5. S. Revathi Lakshmi, J. H. Franklin Benjamin, T. Senthil Kumar, G. V. S. Murthy and M. V. Rao*. 2010. In vitro propagation of Hoya wightii ssp. palniensis K.T. Mathew, a highly vulnerable and endemic species of Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India. African J Biotech.9 (5):620-627. - Kenya (if=0,.69, ci=9)

6. Bakrudeen Ali Ahmed, A.S.Rao, M.V.Rao.2010. In vitro callus and in vivo leaf extract of Gymnema sylvestre stimulate ß-cells regeneration and anti-diabetic activity in Wistar rats. Phytomedicine 17: 1033-1039. - Germany (if=2.877, ci=39)

7. S. Muthukrishnan, J. H. Franklin Benjamin, M. Muthukumar, N. Ahamed sherif, T. Senthil Kumar and M. V. Rao*.2012. In vitro propagation of Ceropegia thwaitesii Hook- an endemic species of Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India. African J Biotec.11 (59): 12277-12285. - Kenya (if=0.69, ci=3)

8. A. Bakrudeen Ali Ahmed, A. S. Rao, M. V. Rao and Rosna Mat Taha. 2012. Production of Gymnemic Acid depends on medium, explants, PGRs, color, lights, temperature, photoperiod, and sucrose sources in Batch Culture of Gymnema sylvestre. The Scientific World Journal, Article ID 897867, 11: doi:10.1100/2012/897867. – United States (if=1.219, ci=2)

9. Sandhya Srikanth, M.V.Rao and Nalini Mallikarjuna. 2013. Interspecific hybridization between Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. and C. lanceolatus (WV Fitgz) van der Maesen. Plant Genetic Resources: Characterization and Utilization: 1-4, doi:10.1017/S1479262113000361. – United Kingdom (if=1.057, ci=2)

10. S. Muthukrishnan, S. Bhakya, T. Senthil Kumar and M.V. Rao. 2015. Biosynthesis, characterization and antibacterial effect of plant-mediated silver nanoparticles using Ceropegia thwaitesii – An endemic species. Industrial Crops and Products. 63: 119-124. (3.208)/0 – Netherlands (if=3.208, ci=0)

216

SHARMA, VINAY (b 1957), Professor, Banasthali University (Vidyapith), Rajasthan


* The nominee‘s work on secondary metabolites established the involvement of vacuoles (considered analogous to lysosomes) in biosynthesis of red-radish sinapic acid derivatives (Sharma and Strack, 1985; Strack and Sharma, 1985; Strack et al. 1985; Strack et al. 1987). * His contributions on tonoplast ATPase enhanced our knowledge of membrane bound ATPases and showed their possible role in abiotic plant stress (Sen and Sharma, 1994, 1996; Bhushan and Sharma, 1995; Srivastava and Sharma, 1998; Kumari and Sharma, 2008; Sharma et al. 2009; Kumari and Sharma, 2010). Further, investigations on natural adaptation in plants under abiotic stress explained efficient water usage and photosynthetic mechanisms in them, and the potential of Butea tree for afforestation and wasteland reclamation (Kumari et al. 2005; Mikosch et al. 2012). Based on MALDI-TOF and 2D-GE analyses combined with novel bioinformatics based approaches, the nominee's contributions identified several salt/ drought tolerant proteins which suggested a distinct mechanism of adaptation in Sorghum (Sharma et al. 2012; Sekhwal et al. 2012, 2013, 2014). * His work on fungal pathogen (Macrophomina phaseolina) attack in important crop species led to elucidation of their defence mechanisms which distinctly advanced our knowledge particularly on the role of PR proteins and expression of their genes as related to disease resistance (Gupta et al. 2012, 2013; Sharma et al. 2013; Pareek et al. 2013). * A filamentous fungi isolated from semi-arid stress conditions showed highly efficient phosphate solubilization in soil with significantly higher plant growth and P uptake (Jain et al. 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014).

Proposer : Prof. A. K. Tyagi, Seconder : Prof. H.S. Balyan


1. Sharma, V. and Banerji, D. 1981. Enhancement of Hill activity by anthocyanins under both white incandescent and green irradiation. Photosynthetica, 15:540-542. (if=1.1.06, ci=7)

2. Sharma, V. and Strack, D. 1985. Vacuolar localization of 1-sinapoylglucose: L- malate sinapoyltransferase in protoplasts from cotyledons of Raphanus sativus. Planta, 163:563-568. (if=3.376 , ci=49)

3. Joshi, G. K., Kumar, S. and Sharma V. 2007. Production of moderately halotolerant, SDS stable alkaline protease from Bacillus cereus MTCC 6840 isolated from lake Nainital, Uttaranchal state, India. Brazilian J. Microbiology, 38: 773-779. (if=0.99, ci=36)

4. Verma, K., Shekhawat, G.S., Sharma, A., Mehta, S.K. and Sharma, V. 2008. Cadmium induced oxidative stress and changes in soluble and ionically bound cell wall peroxidase activities in roots of seedling and 3–4 leaf stage plants of Brassica juncea (L.) czern. Plant Cell Reports, 27: 1261-1269. (if=2.936, ci=35)

5. Kumari, N. and Sharma, V. 2010. Stress mediated alteration in V-ATPase and V-PPase of Butea monosperma. Protoplasma, 245: 125-132 (if=3.171, ci=5)

6. Jain, R., Saxena, J. and Sharma, V. 2010. The evaluation of free and encapsulated Aspergillus awamori for phosphate solubilization in fermentation and soil-plant system. Applied Soil Ecology, 46: 90-94. (if=2.952, ci=22)

7. Kuntal, H. and Sharma, V. 2011. In silico analysis of SSRs in mitochondrial genomes of plants, OMICS, 15(11): 783-789. (if=2.73, ci=8)

8. Gupta, P., Ravi, I. and Sharma, V. 2012. Induction of β-1,3-glucanase and chitinase activity in the defense response of Eruca sativa plants against the fungal pathogen Alternaria brassicicola. Journal of Plant Interactions. 8: 155-161. (if=0.865, ci=8)

9. Sharma, V., Sekhwal, M.K., Swami, A.K. and Sarin, R. 2012. Identification of drought responsive proteins using gene ontology hierarchy. Bioinformation, 8(13): 595-599 (if=0.62, ci=4)

10. Mittal, S., Kumari, N. and Sharma, V. 2012. Differential response of salt stress on Brassica juncea: Photosynthetic performance, pigment, proline, D1 and antioxidant enzymes, Plant Physiol. and Biochemistry, 54: 17-26. (if=3.051, ci=35)

217

BATRA, AMLA (b 1948), Emeritus Scientist (CSIR), Department of Botany, University of Rajasthan,

Jaipur Member of the NASI: Yes (YON 2013, Plant Sciences) The major research focus of Prof. A. Batra has been towards the production of tissue culture raised plants of medicinal, aromatic and economical importance viz., Salvadora persica, Azadirachta indica, Jatropha curcas, Withania somnifera, Stevia rebaudiana, Tylophora indica, Melia azedarach, Murraya koenigii; and oil seed crops viz., Arachis hypogaea, Glycine max, Eruca sativa, etc.; ornamental plant such as Portulaca oleracea, respectively. Direct and indirect micropropagation is the research area in which Dr. Batra successfully established protocols in the above plant species. She and her students have developed novel protocols for direct somatic embryogenesis in various plant species. Besides the above research endeavors, she has made immense contributions in the field of protoplast isolation, culture, fusion and transformation in various mosses growing in fermenter culture. She has also been able to culture Neem and Jojoba protoplasts in her Lab. Her protoplast culture work earned her recognition throughout the globe on account of which, she was awarded foreign fellowships and was twice conferred with GTZ, DAAD award. Dr. Batra also concentrated on the estimations of primary and secondary metabolites with successful estimations through TLC, IR, NMR and GC-MS in Nerium oleander, Thevetia peruviana, Melia azadarach, Phyllanthus amarus, Stevia rebaudiana, Jatropha curcas, Pongamia pinnata and Tylophora indica, respectively. She has also done isolation, purification, identification and authentication of proteins, enzymes and nucleic acids. The major compounds extracted are qurecitine, sitosterol, stigma sterol, rebaudioside etc. and bioassayed against various microbes to see their potency. These compounds have also been tested for their antioxidant activity.

Proposer : Prof. Manchikatla Venkat Rajam, Seconder : Dr. Sunil Kumar Mukherjee Ten Best Publications: 1. Agarwal, R., Sharma, J., Singh, Y., Nandini, D. and Batra, A. 2010. Mixed chlorobis (alkylenedithiophosphates) and heterobinuclear derivatives of antimony (III) and boron (II) containing alkylenedithiophosphates ligands: synthesis and characterization. Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements 185:516-525. (IF= 0.716, CI=2) 2. G.S. Shekhawat, S. Mathur and A. Batra. 2009. Role of phytohormones and nitrogen in somatic embryogenesis induction in cell culture derived from leaflets of Azadirachta indica. Biologia Plantarum 53 (4): 707-710. (IF= 1.974, CI=12) 3. Vajpayee. V., Singh Y.P., Nandini D. and Batra, A. 2007. Mono and heterodi- nuclear complexes of Aluminium: Synthesis, Characterization and antifungal activity. Applied Organometallic Chemistry 25(6):654-71. (IF=2.061, CI=7) 4. Rajore Shilpa and Batra, A. 2005. Efficient plant regeneration via shoot tip explant in Jatropa curcus L.

J. Plant Biochem. And Biotech. 14: 73-75. (IF=0.523, CI=51) 5. Batra, A., Binding, H., Rasmussen, S., Rudolph, H. and Waetzic, G.H. 2003, Efficient regeneration of

Sphagnum fallax from isolated protoplast, In Vitro Cell Dev. Biol. Plant, 39 : 147-150. (IF=1.497, CI=8) 6. Mathur, S., Shekhawat, G.S. and Batra, A. 2002. An efficient in vitro method for mass propagation of Salvadora persica L. via apical meristem, J. Plant Biochemistry & Biotechnology, 11:125-127. (IF=0.523, CI=2) 7. Dave, A. and Batra, A., 1995. Somatic tissues leading to embryogenesis in Cumin. Current Science 68

(7): 754-755. (IF=0.897, CI=4) 8. Batra, A. and Dhingra, M. 1990. A method for the rapid isolation of hypocotyl protoplasts of Eruca

sativa. Current Science 59(5): 277-279. (IF=0.897, CI=-) 9. Dhingra, M. and Batra, A. 1990. High yielding preparation of viable protoplasts from hypocotyls of

Sesamum indicum L. Current Science 59(6): 325-326. (IF=.0897, CI=8) 10. Batra, A. and Abel, W.O. 1981. Development of moss plants from isolated and regenerated

protoplasts. Plant Science Letters 20: 183-189. (IF=2.864, CI=15)

218

BHATNAGAR, SUBODH KUMAR (b 1955), Professor & Head (CELL BIOLOGY) College of

Biotechnology, S V P University OF Agriculture & Technology, Meerut 250 110


Dr S K Bhatnagar worked on cytotaxonomy of macropytic algae, providing a universally accepted system

of phylogeny for Charophyta. He discovered Tolypella as a cytological link between Chara and Nitella and

proposed three tribes for Charophyta. In collaboration with Prof Micheline Guerlesquin, France and Prof C G Vosa, U.K., he also made use of Giemsa C-banding technique to differentiate kinetochore in

charophycean taxa and prepared karyotypes to study the interrelationships and phylogeny of this group.

More recently, Dr Bhatnagar and his co-workers also used RAPD-based molecular markers for

characterization of Charopycean algae and sugarcane virus. Dr Bhatnagar also screened Charophyta for anti-oxidative enzyme Superoxide dismutase viz. Mn-SOD, Cu-Zn SOD and Fe-SOD. Dr Bhatnagar also initiated studies on the conservation of some endangered species like Bambusa wamin and Elaeocarpus (Rudraksh) through micro-propagation. Dr Bhatnagar also suggested that some of the strains of cyanobacteria that are used as bio-fertilizer are actually antagonistic and may hamper the process of nitrogen fixation. Dr Bhatnagar is the Founder of the Society For Plant Research and its journal VEGETOS (International Impact factor 0.04 and NAAS IF 6.02), which has completed 26 years. He has edited many reference books, published in international journals, organized conferences, delivered Keynote and Invited lectures. He has supervised 16 Ph.Ds and 12 M. Tech (Biotech) students.

Proposer : Prof P K Gupta, Seconder : Prof Anupam Varma Ten Best Publications: 1. Ramjee and Bhatnagar S K (1978) Significance of new chromosome number in Nitella mirabilis (Nordst

ex Groves) em RDW. HYDROBIOLOGIA (The Netherlands) 57 (2) : 99-101 (if=1.784, ci=7.6) 2. Ramjee and Bhatnagar S K (1978). Cytotaxonomic studies in Nitella furcata subsp. flagellifera f. patula

Gr. Ex Allen and its comparison with other taxa of N. furcata complex. CARYOLOGIA (ITALY) 31 (6) :

457-462 (if=0.633, ci=6.8) 3. Bhatnagar S K (1983) The concept of basic chromosome numbers in Charophyta : A review.

CRYPTOGAMIE ALGOLOGIE (France) IV (1 & 2) : 111-116 (if=0.636, ci=7.17) 4. Bhatnagar S K and Johri Meenakshi (1986) Some aneuploids in Indian Charophyta. ACTA BOTANICA

NEERLANDICA 35 (4) : 377-381 (if=0.775, ci=6.8) 5. Bhatnagar S K (1988) A karyomorphological approach to phylogeny and interrelationships of

Charophyta. CYTOLOGIA (Japan) 53 : 723-729. (if=0.43, ci=6.29) 6. Bhatnagar S K (1988) Nitella hyalina f. hyalina (Dc.) Ag. R.D.W.: A new chromosome count and its

cytotaxonomy. CURRENT SCIENCE 57 (6): 143-144. (if=0.897, ci=6.91) 7. Bhatnagar S K, Verma Abha and Singh VK (1989) C-banding technique for kinetochore differentiation

in Nitella mirabilis (Div. Charophyta). CURRENT SCIENCE 58(7): 377-378. (if=0.897, ci=6.91) 8. Bhatnagar S K, Abrol Deepika and Kumar Sanjeev (2005) First protocol for genomic DNA isolation in

Indian Charophyta. JOUR BIOL RES (Greece) 3 : 109-111. (if=0.682, ci=6.62) 9. Abrol Deepika and Bhatnagar S K (2005) Biodiversity of few Indian charophyte taxa based on

molecular characterization and construction of phylogenetic tree. AFRICAN JOUR BIOTECHNOLOGY

5(17) 1511-1518 (if=0.57, ci=7.0) 10.Arshad S M, Kumar A and Bhatnagar S K (2005) Micropropagation of Bambusa wamin through shoot proliferation of mature nodal explants. JOUR BIOL RES (Greece) 3 : 59-66. (if=0.682, ci=6.62)

219

CHAND, SURESH (b 1954), Professor & Head, School of Life Science, Devi Ahilya University, Indore


Dr. Suresh Chand has done outstanding work in the field of plant cell and tissue culture and published more than 80 research papers. He has reported for the first time in rice, stimulatory effect of zinc and copper sulphate in enhancing plant regeneration frequency. He reported anthocyanin accumulation in callus cultures of Hyoscyamus muticus. Another significant discovery is on gynogenic haploids in medicinally important plants. He has developed protocols for somatic embryogenesis and differentiation in cereals, medicinal and tree species. His work on somatic embryo development and synthetic seeds is well acknowledged. He has made significant contribution in understanding polar transport of the signaling molecule auxin and distribution between cells and tissues. The work helped in understanding developmental process including patterning and tropisms. He has been recipient of Dr. R. B. Ekbote award (DST-MAS) and several prestigious fellowships (DBT overseas; INSA-DFG, Commonwealth fellowships etc.). Apart from it, he has made available his expertise to UGC, NAAC, ICAR, Council Science and Technology, RDC and BOS of several Universities. In his capacity as Professor and Head of Life Sciences Department, Dr. Chand has shown exceptional leadership qualities. His contribution is acknowledged by management, faculties and students. After taking the responsibility as Dean, he has taken several initiatives and the highlights are introduction of Distinguished Scientists Lecture Series, revision of syllabus and choice based credit system (CBCS) in the University. He has more than 683 citations (410 since 2010). His h index is 15 and i 20 index is (as on 6/2/15; Google Scholar).

Proposer : Professor Akhilesh K. Tyagi, Seconder : Professor Paramjit Khurana


1. J. Mravec, M. Kubes, A. Bielach, V. Gaykova, J. Petrasek, P. Skupa, S. Chand, Benkova, E., Zazimalova, E. & Friml,J. (2008). Interaction of PIN and PGP transport mechanisms in auxin distribution-dependent development.. Development 135 (20), 3345-3354. (if= 10.3, ci= 126)

2. V. Channamallikarjuna, H. Sonah, M. Prasad, G.J.N. Rao, S. Chand, H.C. Upreti, N.K. Singh (2010). Identification of major quantitative trait loci qSBR11-1 for sheath blight resistance in rice. Molecular Breeding 25 (1), 155-166.. (if= 2.28, ci= 50)

3. AK Singh, S Chand, S Pattnaik, PK Chand (2002). Adventitious shoot organogenesis and plant regeneration from cotyledons of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb., a timber yielding tree legume. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ culture 68 (2), 203-209. (if= 2.612, ci= 49)

4. S. Chand, A.K. Singh (2004). In vitro shoot regeneration from cotyledonary node explants of a multipurpose leguminous tree Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology-Plant ,40 (5), 464-466, (if= 1.162, ci= 48)

5. S. Chand, A.K. Singh (2004 ). Plant regeneration from encapsulated nodal segments of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb., a timber-yielding leguminous tree species. ournal of Plant Physiology 161 (2), 237-243, (if= 2.77, ci= 48)

6. S. Chand, A.K. Sahrawat (2002). Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from root segments of Psoralea corylifolia L., an endangered medicinally important plant. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology-Plant 38 (1), 33-38, (if= 1.16, ci= 31)

7. S. Chand, S.C. Roy (1981). Effects of herbicide 2, 4-dinitrophenol on mitosis, DNA, RNA and protein synthesis in Nigella sativa L. Biologia Plantarum 23 (3), 198-202. (if= 1.740, ci= 29)

8. A. Kumar Sahrawat, S. Chand (1999).Stimulatory Effect of Copper on Plant Regeneration in Indica Rice (Oryza sativa L.). Journal of Plant Physiology 154 (4), 517-522, (if= 2.77, ci= 26)

9. A.K. Sehrawat. S. Chand (2001).Continuous somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from hypocotyls segments of Psoralea coryorylifolia Linn., endangered and medically important Fabaceae plant. Current Sciences 81, 1328-1331. (if= 0.83, ci= 23)

10. S. Chand, A.K. Singh (2001). Direct somatic embryogenesis from zygotic embryos of a timber-yielding leguminous tree, Hardwickia binata Roxb. Current Science-- 80 (7), 882-886, (if= 1.93, ci= 23)

220

CHELLAPPAN, SATHISH KUMAR (b. 1957) Scientist E II; Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden &

Research Institute, Trivandrum

Member of the NASI : No (YON 2013, Plant Sciences) The nominee‘s scientific work comprises four areas: (1) Taxonomy — After assisting his mentor Professor K.S.Manilal in exploring the flora of Silent Valley, the nominee chose the family Orchidaceae for specialization. Our current knowledge of the orchid resources of Western Ghats, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Sikkim, Manipur and Andaman & Nicobar Islands is largely due to his tireless efforts. His studies on Myanmar orchids are noteworthy as these have been carried out after the lapse of a century since Grant‘s pioneering work. Discovery of new genera Seidenfadeniella (with 2 species) and Luisiopsis (with one species) and 25 new species are testimony to his excellent field work. Seven species were rediscovered, 7 species newly recorded for India and many as new state records. (2) Conservation — The largest and the finest living collection of orchids in South Asia has been made by the nominee at JNTBGRI with over 600 species in 129 genera and 7665 plants belonging to 190 hybrids. Many rare species of great beauty and value are multiplied and conserved. (3) Reproductive Biology — Studied reproductive biology of three endangered orchids of Western Ghats. He brought to light causes of their rarity by unravelling the mysteries surrounding their pollination. (4) Breeding Programme — Produced one dozen new hybrids with potential bearing on Indian floriculture. The nominee has assembled an excellent collection of carnivorous plants in South Asia at JNTBGRI and

has discovered (along with his team),the blue radiance in Nepenthes, Drosera, Dionaea and Sarracenia

as a potential attractant to lure insects and small animals into their traps and eventually consume them.

Proposer : Prof. H. Y. Mohan Ram Seconder : Prof. M. Sanjappa

Ten Best Publication: 1. C. Sathish Kumar & K. S. Manilal 1987. A synopsis of Ipsea (Orchidaceae). Kew Bull. 42(4):937-943. 2. C. Sathish Kumar 1989. Two novelties in the Trias Lindl. (Orchidaceae) Blumea 34: 103-109. 3. C. Sathish Kumar & P. Pushpangadan 1995. The lost orchid in the Tahr Country. Amer. Orch. Soc.

Bull. 64(7):960-963.

4. C. Sathish Kumar & Finn N. Rasmussen 1997. The reappearance of Odontochilus rotundifolius Blatter

and Its Transfer to Aenhenrya Gopalan (Orchidaceae). Novon 7:81-84.

5. C. Sathish Kumar & P. C. Suresh Kumar 1998. The reappearance of Vanda thwaitesii Hook. f.

(Orchidaceae) in India. Rheedea 8(2): 249-253.

6. M. Dan, C. Sathish Kumar & P. Pushpangadan 1999. Two novelties in Hedychium (Zingiberaceae)

from Manipur, India. Nord. J. Bot. 19(3): 333-335.

7. C. Sathish Kumar, P. C. Suresh Kumar & M. Saleem 2001. A new species of Bulbophyllum Du Petit-

Thouars (Orchidaceae) from Kerala, India. Rheedea 11(2): 97-100.

8. P. Ormerod & C. Sathish Kumar 2003. Orchidaceous Additions to the Flora of Myanmar. Rheedea

13(1-2): 43-50.

9. C. Sathish Kumar & P. C. Suresh Kumar 2005. An Orchid Digest of Manipur, Northeast India. Rheedea

15(1):1-70.

10. C. Sathish Kumar 2006. Orchids of Western Ghats, India. Mal. Orch. Rev. 40: 21-27.

221

DABHADE, GANPAT TRIMBAKRAO (b 1940), Hon. Professor, Birla College, Kalyan - 421304


Dr. Dabhade is Hon. Prof. in Botany in Birla College, Kalyan (Maharashtra). In spite of being in a Post Graduate College, he is deeply interested in research. He is the first Botanist in Maharashtra to have worked on the biodiversity of Bryophytes, particularly of mosses of his area. Bombay University recognized him as research guide for Ph.D. He has successfully supervised 16 Ph.D. Dissertations. He published flora of Ulhasnagar (1906) in which several new finds viz. Pristreple bicalyculata, Mucona prorieta, Urena lobata, Malachra capitata and several others are recorded. His discovery of axillary archegonia in Splachnobryum indicum (1970) is fascinating. Besides this, several other new finds (Archidium indicum, Funaria nutans Calymperes thwaitesii, Garckea phascoides, Fissidens tenaeolatus) and many other mosses are new records from the western Ghats. His discovery of new species, Riccia indiragandhii (1986) is very interesting in respect of single dichotomy of the thallus, large scale and deep sulcus. His work on Jungermanniales yielded 25 taxa from the area, besides 2 new records (Plagiochila choparaii and Cololejeunea himalayensis). His Monograph (1998) provides taxonomic account of 87 moss taxa embracing 48 genera under 27 families. It includes many new records from the area. His other studies include work on the palynology of orchids of Maharashtra. Late Prof. H.C. Gangulee, Late Prof. R.S. Chopra, Late Prof. Ram Udar and Dr. P.K.K. Nair – a Palynologist of repute and Late Mr. A.H. Norkett of British Museum Natural History, London, have been very appreciative of his work and contribution.

Proposer : Prof. S.C. Srivastava, Seconder : Prof. S.S. Kumar Ten Best Publications: 1. Dabhade, G.T. 1974. Archidiaceae from western India. Journ. Bombay Natural Hist. Society 71(1):164- 168. 2. Dabhade, G.T.1975. Axillary Archegonia in Splachnobryum indicum Hamp. et C. Müell. from Bombay.

Journ. Bombay Natural History Society 71 (2): 342-343. 3. Dabhade, G.T. & Akhtar Hasan.1986.New species of Riccia- R. indiragandhii sp. nov. Journ. Bombay

Natural Hist. Society 83(2): 398-401. 4. Dabhade, G.T. & Akhtar Hasan.1988. New record of Calymperes thwaitesii Besch. subsp. fordii from

Maharashtra Journ. Bombay Natural Hist. Society 85(2): 461-463. 5. Dabhade, G.T. & V.D. Manasharamani. 1994. Plagiochila chopraii sp. nov. A new find from

Maharashtra. Res. Bull. of the Punjab University. 44 (I-IV): 179-181. 6. Dabhade, G.T. & U.S. Bhonsle. 2002. Chemical constituents of some mosses of Mahabaleshwar .

Punjab Univ. Res. Bul. (Sci.) 52: 147-150. 7. Dabhade, G.T. & M.S. Mulgaonkar. 2004. Palynological observations of some corticolous orchids from

Maharashtra under SEM. Phytotaxonomy 4: 131-134.

8. Dabhade, G.T. & M.S. Mulgaonkar. 2004. Pollen analysis of three species of Dendrobium Sw. from

Maharashtra Pb. Univ. Res. J. (Sc.) 54: 111-115. 9. Dabhade, G.T. 2007. Genus Riccia from Maharashtra by Current Trends in Bryology pp. 269-277

Bishen Singh & Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun. 10. Handoo, O.N. & G.T. Dabhade et al. 2009. Mosses of Pachmarhi. Ind. J. Applied & Pure Biol. 24 (2): 505-520.

222

DAVIDAR, PRIYA (b 1952), Professor, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry


Dr. Priya Davidar studied the pollination ecology of mistletoes by birds for her doctoral research (Davidar 1983; 1985), and initiated research on the pollination and seed dispersal of rain forest trees in the Western Ghats (Devy and Davidar 2003, 2006; Sinha and Davidar 1992; Ganesh and Davidar 1997, 1999, 2001), and the effects of forest fragmentation on plant reproduction (Nayak and Davidar 2010a, b). Her recent work was examining the potential for spread of transgenes from crop brinjal to wild populations (Davidar et al. 2015; Mutegi et al. 2015), She was a post doctoral researcher in the United States and studied frugivory in migratory birds in the North Eastern US (Davidar and Morton 1986), pollination ecology of Pavonia dasypetala (Davidar 1984) and seed dispersal in Central American mistletoes (Davidar 1983; 1987), the effects of blood parasites on survivorship in the Purple Martin (Davidar and Morton 1993, 2006), and the immune reactions by rodent hosts to ticks vectors of lyme disease (Davidar et al. 1989). In India, Dr. Davidar looked at the processes underlying species distributions: she showed that distributions of birds and butterflies are determined by island size and habitat characteristics in the Andamans (Davidar et al. 2001, 2002); and evergreen trees are limited by seasonality in the Western Ghats (Davidar et al. 2005, 2007, 2008). She works on processes of deforestation (Davidar et al. 2010, 2008, 2007; Puyravaud et al. 2010 a, b), and is interested in women in conservation (Davidar 2007; Sodhi et al. 2010).

Proposer : Dr. G. MARIMUTHU, Seconder : Dr. G. SHANMUGAM


1. Davidar, P., Snow, A. A., Rajkumar, M., Pasquet, R., Daunay, M. C., Mutegi, E. 2015. The potential for crop to wild hybridization in eggplant (Solanum melongena; Solanaceae) in southern India. American Journal of Botany 102: 129-139. (if= 2.463, ci= 1)

2. Puyravaud, J-Ph., Davidar, P., Laurance, W. F. 2010. Cryptic loss of India‘s native forests. Science 329, 32. (if= 31.477, ci= 26)

3. Davidar, P., Rajagopal, B., Mohandass, D., Puyravaud, J. -Ph , Condit, R., Wright, S. J., Leigh, E. G. Jr. 2007. The effect of climatic gradients, topographic variation and species traits on beta diversity of rain forest trees. Global Ecology and Biogeography 15: 213-224.(if= 7.242, ci= 60)

4. Arjunan, M., Holmes, C. M., Puyravaud, J.-Ph., Davidar, P. 2006. Do development initiatives influence local attitudes towards conservation? Journal of Environmental Management 79: 188-197. (if= 3.188, ci= 80)

5. Leigh, E. G. Jr., Davidar, P., Dick, C. W., Puyravaud, J-Ph., Terborgh, J., ter Steege, H., Wright, S. J. 2004. Why do some tropical forests have so many species of trees? Biotropica 36: 447-473. (if= 2.082, ci= 198)

6. Devy, S. Davidar, P. 2003. Pollination systems of trees in Kakachi, a mid-elevation wet evergreen forest in Western Ghats, India.American Journal of Botany 90: 650-657 (if= 2.463, ci= 56)

7. Davidar, P., Yoganand, K., Ganesh, T., Devy, S. 2002. Distribution of forest birds and butterflies in the Andaman islands: Nested patterns and processes. Ecography 25: 5-16. (if= 4.207, ci= 27)

8. Davidar, P., Yoganand, K., Ganesh, T. 2001. Distribution of forest birds in the Andaman islands: Importance of key habitats. Journal of Biogeography 28: 663 - 671. (if= 4.969, ci= 34)

9. Ganesh, T., Ganesan, R., Soubadra Devy, M., Davidar, P., Bawa, K. S. 1996. Assessment of plant diversity at a mid-elevation evergreen forest of Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Western Ghats, India. Current Science 71: 379-392. (if= 0.833, ci= 124)

10. Davidar, P., Morton, E. S. 1986. On the relationship between fruit crop size and fruit removal by birds. Ecology 76: 262 - 265. (if= 5.175, ci= 95)

223

MOHAPATRA, PRAVAT KUMAR (b 1948), Emeritus Scientist, School of Life Science, Sambalpur

University, Sambalpur Member of the NASI: No (YON 2013, Plant Sciences)

Professor P K Mohapatra is an emeritus scientist at School of Life Science, Sambalpur University honoured by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi during 2008 to 2013 after superannuation as faculty member of the University contributing distinguished service in teaching and research for a period of 35 years. He has devoted his entire career to improving rice yield potential by studying spikelet development, source –sink relationship, apical dominance and architecture of panicle in addition to physiology of several other crops. He strived to find possible chemical routes for enhancing grain filling in the inferior spikelets of the rice panicle, which do not produce grains suitable for human consumption. His research ruled out discrimination in photosynthetic carbon supply but identified ethylene as being responsible for variation in grain filling capacity among spikelets. Inferior spikelets produce more ethylene impeding activities of enzymes that manufacture reserve starch for the grain, and grain filling improves when ethylene action or synthesis is inhibited. Regulation of ethylene response holds a key to breaking yield barrier in irrigated rice. Analysis of the poor performance of inferior spikelets and role of ethylene in the process provides guidance to breeders and physiologists in improving rice yield potential. Professor Mohapatra has received Yoshida award for rice physiology research for the year 2010 for his outstanding contributions to research on the yield potential of irrigated rice from International Rice Research Institute, Philippines.

Proposer : Dr. E.A. Siddiq, Seconder : Dr. Y.P. Abrol Ten Best Publications: 1. Mohapatra, P.K. and Sahu, S.K. 1991. Heterogeneity of primary branch development and spikelet survival in rice in relation to assimilate contents of primary branches. Journal of Experimental Botany 42, 871-879. (IF=5.480, CI=50 Google) 2. Patel, R. and Mohapatra, P.K. 1992. Regulation of spikelet development in rice by hormones. Journal of Experimental Botany 43, 257-262. (IF=5.480, CI=32 Google) 3. Mohapatra, P.K., Patel, R. and Sahu, S.K. 1993. Time of flowering affects grain quality and spikelet partitioning within rice panicle. Australian Journal of Plant Physiology 20, 231-241. (IF=2.929, CI=47 Google) 4. Mohapatra, P.K., Naik, P.K. and Patel, R. 2000. Ethylene inhibitors improve dry matter partitioning and development of late flowering spikelets of rice panicles. Australian Journal of Plant Physiology 27, 311- 323. (IF=2.929, CI=25 Google) 5. Naik, P.K. and Mohapatra, P.K. 2000. Ethylene inhibitors enhanced sucrose synthase activity and promoted grain filling of basal rice kernels. Australian Journal of Plant Physiology 27, 997-1008. (IF=2.929, CI=28 Google) 6. Mishra, S.P. and Mohapatra, P.K. 1987. Soluble carbohydrates and floret fertility in wheat in relation to population density stress. Annals of Botany 60, 269-277. (IF=4.030, CI=13 Google) 7. Mohapatra, P.K., Aspinall, D. and Jenner, C.F. 1982. The growth and development of wheat apex: The effect of photoperiod on spikelet production and sucrose concentration in the apex. Annals of Botany 49, 619-626. (IF=4.030, CI=13 Google) 8. Mohapatra, P. K., Sarkar, R. K., Kuanar, S. R. 2009. Starch synthesizing enzymes and sink strength of

grains of contrasting rice cultivars. Plant Science, 176, 256-263. (IF=2.824, CI=16 Google) 9. Patel, R. and Mohapatra, P.K. 1996. Assimilate partitioning within floret components of contrasting rice spikelets producing qualitatively different types of grains. Australian Journal of Plant Physiology 23, 86- 92. (IF=2.929, CI=17 Google) 10. Mohapatra P K, Panigrahi R, Turner N C. 2011. Physiology of spikelet development in rice: is manipulation of apical dominance crucial for grain yield. Advances in Agronomy, 110, 333-359. (IF=5.2, CI=4 Google)

224

PANDA, SANJIB KUMAR (b 1973), Professor, Department of Life Science & Bioinformatics, Assam

University, Silchar-788011, Assam Member of the NASI: No (YON 2013, Plant Sciences)

Prof. Sanjib Kumar Panda is a well acclaimed researcher in Plant Stress Biology with more than hundreds of Publications in reputed international and National Journal. He has done significant work in the area of oxidative stress biology (Choudhury et al., 2013), aluminium stress research and on molecular understanding of the novel aquaporins role in plants. Using various transgenic platforms like tobacco, cowpea, Arabidopsis, Brassica etc. he has established the role of various genes and stress tolerance mechanisms for drought, Aluminium, salt, metals etc. (Panda and Matsumoto, 2007, Panda et al., 2008, Panda et al., 2009, Panda and Matsumoto, 2010, Horie et al., 2011, Panda et al., 2012,). His researches have given new insights into programmed cell death mechanisms in plant cells, tolerance mechanisms to stress in a plant which is absolutely important to generate stress tolerant plants for a sustainable agriculture. Currently he is actively using various functional genomics tools like transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics to understand the role of novel genes/proteins and metabolites in developing stress tolerant plants.

Proposer : Prof. Gyana Ranjan Rout, Seconder : Prof. Somnath Dasgupta Ten Best Publications: 1. Khan,M.H. and Panda, S. K. (2008) Alterations in root lipid peroxidation and antioxidative responses in two rice cultivars under NaCl-salinity stress. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 30: 81-89 (IF=1.65, CI=89) 2. Panda,S.K.,Chaudhury,I. and Khan,M.H. (2003) Heavy metals induces lipid peroxidation and affect antioxidants in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) leaves.Biologia Plantarum, 46 (2):289-294. (IF=1.974, CI=91) 3. Panda, S. K. (2007) Chromium mediated oxidative stress and ultrastructural changes in root cells of developing rice seedlings. J. Plant Physiology, 164 (11):1419-1428. (IF=3.057, CI=39) 4. Panda, S. K. and Matsumoto, H. (2007) Molecular Physiology of Aluminium toxicity and tolerance in

Plants. Botanical Review, 73 (4):326-347. (IF=3.056, CI=33) 5. Solleti,S., Bakshi,S., Purkayastha, J., Panda, S. K. and Sahoo, L. (2008) Transgenic cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seeds expressing a bean α-amylase inhibitor 1 confer resistance to storage pests, bruchid beetles. Plant Cell Reports, 27(12): 1841-1850 (IF=2.274, CI=30) 6. Upadhyaya,H. and Panda,S.K. (2004) Responses of Camelia sinensis to drought and rehydration .

Biol. Plant., 48 (4):597-600.(IF=1.974, CI=27) 7. Panda,S.K.,Yamamoto,Y.,Kondo,H. and Matsumoto,H. (2008) Mitochondrial alterations related to programmed cell death in tobacco cells under aluminium stress. Comptes Rendus Biologies (Elsevier, France) 331:597-610. (IF=1.826, CI=25) 8. Upadhyay, R. and Panda S.K. (2010) Zinc reduces copper toxicity induced oxidative stress by promoting antioxidant defense in freshly grown aquatic duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza L. J Hazardous Materials, Elsevier, 175(1-3):1081-1084, (IF=4.553, CI=22) 9. Panda, S.K. and Matsumoto, H.(2010). Changes in antioxidant gene expression and induction of oxidative stress in pea (Pisum sativum L.) under Al stress. BIOMETALS (Springer), 23(4):753-762. (IF=2.823, CI=17) 10. Tomoaki Horie, Toshiyuki Kaneko, Genki Sugimoto, Shizuka Sasano, Sanjib Kumar Panda, Mineo Shibasaka, Maki Katsuhara (2011). Mechanisms of water transport mediated by PIP aquaporins and their regulation via phosphorylation events under salinity stress in barley roots. Plant & Cell Physiol. Oxford Univ.Press,52(4): 663-675 (IF=4.702, CI=10)

225

PENNA, SUPRASANNA (b 1960), SCIENTIST & HEAD, PLANT STRESS PHYSIOL. & BIOTECH, NUCLEAR AGRICULTRE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY DIV., BHABHA ATOMIC RESEARCH CENTRE, MUMBAI


Dr. Penna Suprasanna‘s contributions are in the field of plant biotechnology, radiation induced mutagenesis and stress tolerance, especially of vegetatively propagated crops like sugarcane and banana and crop plants like maize, rice and brassica. He has developed protocols for somatic embryogenesis and embryogenic cell cultures in sugarcane and banana. A patent on the process for direct somatic embryogenesis from immature inflorescences of sugarcane has been granted (Patent No. 243373). He has successfully conducted radiation-induced mutagenesis and in vitro selection in sugarcane which resulted in 40 agronomically promising superior clones/mutants of which, 11 mutants have been field evaluated in collaboration with agricultural universities and identified promising mutants for cultivation. He has also explored mechanisms of abiotic stress responses using physiological and molecular approaches, and applied bioregulators for alleviating abiotic stress tolerance. His research in halophytic plants has led to understanding the mechanism of adaptation to salinity. His studies on expression profiling of genes related to salinity tolerance have led to isolation and characterization of ―sugarcane shaggy kinase (SuSK)‖ and early responsive to dehydration-4 (ERD4)‖ genes which have been isolated. In brassica, his studies led to the identification of 69 Arsenic-responsive miRNAs associated with sulfur metabolisms, hormone synthesis and root growth . His current experimental findings highlight the central role of redox homeostasis under stressed environment in plants and characterization of induced mutants of sugarcane.

Proposer: Dr. S. F. D’souza, Seconder:Dr. K. B. Sainis


1. Srivastava AK, Suprasanna P, D‘Souza SF (2010) Thiourea mediated regulation in the expression profile of aquaporins and its impact on plant water homeostasis under salinity stress in Brassica juncea roots. Plant Science 178(6): 517-522 (if=3.7, ci=13)

2. Lokhande H V, Nikam T D, Patade VY, Ahire ML, Suprasanna P (2010) Effect of optimal and supra-optimal salinity stress on antioxidative defence, osmolytes and in vitro growth responses in Sesuvium portulacastrum L. Plant Cell Tiss Org Cult. 104(1): 41-49.(if=2.6, ci=43)

3. Srivastava Sudhakar, Ashish Kumar Srivastava, P. Suprasanna and S.F. D‘Souza (2009) Comparative Biochemical and Transcriptional Profiling of Two Contrasting Varieties of Brassica juncea L. Reveals Mechanisms of Arsenic Stress Perception and Tolerance. Journal of Experimental Botany 60(12):3419-3431 (if=5.7, ci=46)

4. Suprasanna P, Rupali C, Desai NS, Bapat VA (2008) Partial desiccation augments plant regeneration from irradiated embryogenic cultures of sugarcane. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture 92 (1), 101-105 (if=3.6, ci=12)

5. Patade V Y, Sujata B, Suprasanna P (2009) Halopriming imparts tolerance to salt and PEG induced drought stress in a sensitive cultivar of sugarcane. Agriculture Ecosystems Environment 134(1-2):24-28. (if=2.8, ci=37)

6. Patade V.Y., P. Suprasanna and V.A. Bapat (2008) Effects of salt stress in relation to osmotic adjustment on sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) callus cultures. Plant Growth Regulation 55:169-173. (if=1.9, ci=42)

7. Desai NS, Suprasanna P and Bapat, VA. (2004). A simple and reproducible method for direct somatic embryogenesis from immature inflorescence segments of sugarcane. Current Science 87(6): 764-768. (if= 1.0, ci= 49)

8. Ganapathi TR, Suprasanna P, Bapat VA and Rao PS. (1992). Propagation of banana through encapsulated shoot tips. Plant Cell Reports 11 : 571-575 (if=2.8, ci=102)

9. Suprasanna P, Rao KV, Reddy GM (1986) Somatic Embryogenesis in Glume Callus Cultures. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 72 (1), 120-122 (if= 4, ci= 40)

10. Ganapathi TR, Suprasanna P, Bapat VA, Kulkarni VM and Rao PS. (1999). Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in male flower bud cultures of banana. Curr. Sci. 76(9): 1228-1231 (if= 1, ci=42)

226

SENGUPTA, DIBYENDU NARAYAN (b 1950), Senior Professor, Division of Plant Biology, Bose Institute, Kolkata


Prof. D.N.Sengupta has contributed immensely to the discipline of Plant Molecular Biology in the last three decades. Some of the examples of his outstanding contributions are as follows : The ddNTP sensitive, single stranded DNA polymerase λ from plant system, homologous to DNA polymerase beta in mammalian system, was purified through column chromatography and then characterized it's DNA polymerase activity. From shoot tips of Oryza sativa. and the developing seeds of Vigna radiata the processivity of the enzyme and it's interaction with other proteins in Base Excision Repair have been identified. (BBRC, 2004; FEBS,2007; Archi. Biochem. Biophys. 2007, 2008). The molecular analysis on the fruit ripening in different cultivars of Banana, common in this area, showed difference in expression of sucrose phosphate synthase gene (Planta, 2008, 2012). On the basis of the cis-acting elements on it's upstream the role of light, ethylene and auxin have been identified. The cDNAs of RIN equivalent MADS-box factor have been amplified from ripe fruits of Banana by EMSA the binding to the CArG box was observed (PLOSONE, 2012). The role of ABA mediated gene expression in rice with relation to salinity stress in the salt sensitive and salt tolerant rice cultivars. were compared and difference in the expression of ABRE-binding factor was identified (Pl. Mol.Biol.,1998; BMC Plant Biol, 2006). By EMSA the factor was found to be regulated by post-translational mechanism. The transgenic tobacco plants overrexpressing rice Rab 16A gene was made and found to be tolerant to salinity stress (Pl. Cell Rep. 2007).

Proposer : Prof A.N.Lahiri Majumder, Seconder : Prof Sampa Das


1. Gupta, S., Chattopadhyay, M.,Chatterjee, P, Ghosh, B., Sengupta,D.N. Expression of Abscisic acid acid responsive element binding protein in salt-tolerant indica Rice (Oryza sative L.cv. Pokakali), Plant Mol. Biol., 37, 629-637, 1998 (if=2.966 )

2. Sarkar,S.N,Bakshi,S.,Sanath,.Mokkapati,Roy,Sujit,Roy.,and Sengupta,D.N,. Dideoxy-nucleoside triphosphate sensitive DNA polymerse from Rice is involved in Base Excision Repair and immunologically similar to mammalian DNA pol bete, Biochemical Biophysical Research Communication, 320, 145-155, 2004 (if=: 2.904 )

3. Mukherjee, Kakali, Roy Choudhury, A., Gupta,Bhaskar, Gupta, Sudhiranjan, and Sengupta, D.N. ( 2006) An ABRE-binding factor, OSBZ8, is highly expressed in salt tolerant cultivars than in salt sensitive cultivars of indica rice, BMC Plant Biology, 6:18, 1-14.(if=3.450) (2011)

4. Roy, Sujit, Sarkar, S.N., Singh, S.K., and Sengupta, D.N. (2007) A dideoxynucleotide sensitive DNA polymerase activity characterized from endoduplicating cells of mungbean (Vigna radiate L.) during ontogeny of cotyledons, FEBS Journal, 274,2005-2023 (if=3.396)

5. RoyChoudhury Aryadeep, Roy Chaitali, Sengupta D.N (2007) Transgenic tobacco plants overexpressing the heterologous lea gene Rab16A from rice during high salt and water deficit display enhanced tolerance to salinity stress, Plant Cell Rep. 26, 1839-1859..(if=1.974)

6. Roy, Sujit., RoyChaudhury, Swarup, Mukherjee,S and Sengupta . D. N. (2007) Tobacco proliferating cell nuclear antigen binds directly and stimulates both activity and processivity of ddNTP- sensitive mungbean DNA polymerase. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Volume 468, 22-31. (if=2.578)

7. Roy, Sujit, Roy Choudhury, Swarup, and Sengupta, Dibyendu N. (2008) Analysis of processivity of mungbean dideoxynucleotide-sensitive DNA polymerase and detection of the activity and expression of the enzyme in the meristematic and meiotic tissues and following DNA damaging agent, Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 475:55-65. (if=2.626)

8. Roy Choudhury. Swarup, Roy. Sujit, Ranjan Das and Sengupta. Dibyendu N. (2008) Differential transcriptional regulation of banana sucrose phosphate synthase gene in response to ethylene, auxin, wounding, low temperature and different photoperiods during fruit ripening and functional analysis of banana SPS gene promoter‖. Planta, 229, 207-223. (if=3.088)

9. Roy Choudhury Swarup, Sujit Roy , Dibyendu N. Sengupta, (2012) A Ser/Thr protein kinase phosphorylates MA-ACS1 (Musa acuminata 1-aminocyclopropane-1 -carboxylic acid synthase 1) during banana fruit ripening, PLANTA, 236,491-511 (if=3.000) (2011)

10. RoyChoudhury Swarup, Roy Sujit, Nag Anish, Singh K. Sanjay, and Sengupta Dibyendu N. ( 2012) Characterization of an AGAMOUS-like MADS Box protein, a Probable Constituent of Flowering and fruit Ripening regulatory System in Banana,PLOS ONE, 2012, Sept, 7: 9, e44361 (if=4.092) (2011)

227

SIKARWAR, RAM LAKHAN SINGH (b 1960) Senior Research Officer, Arogyadham, Deendayal Research Institute, Chitrakoot, Dist. Satna


Contribution in plant taxonomy: The nominee surveyed ―Flora of Gwalior Fort (M.Phil, Dissertation), Flora of Morena District (M.P.), (Ph.D. Thesis), Flora of Chitrakoot, and Floristic Diversity of Vindhyan region of Madhya Pradesh. Voucher specimens collected during the survey were properly identified, mounted and deposited in the Herbarium of Dept. of Botany, Jiwaji University, Gwalior, Deendayal Research Institute, Chitrakoot, Forest Research and Extension Circle, Rewa, BSI Regional Central Circle, Allahabad and NBRI, Lucknow. The nominee also surveyed National Botanical Garden, Lucknow and an inventory of 375 trees species was prepared. He has published several books entitled Package of practices for Organic Cultivation & Utilization of Important Medicinal Plants (Part-1) (Published by NBRI, Lucknow in 2001) ―Biodiversity Concept and its Assessment in Vindhya Region” (Published by Dept of Forest, Govt. M.P. in 2007), “Bharat ke Durlabh Paudhe” (Published by NBT, New Delhi in 2004), and Chitrakoot ke Durlabh Paudhe (DRI Chitrakoot in 2005), foU/; dh vkS‖kf/k;ka ,oe nqyZHk ouLifr; (Published by Dept of Forest, Govt. M.P. in 2008); Plants affecting Human Mind (Deep Publications New Delhi in 2009); “Madhya Pradesh ke Pramukh Van Vriksha” (Published by Shiv Oum Sai Publication, Indore, 2013) Several popular scientific articles on various aspects were published in Hindi megazines. He has established herbal garden of 500 medicinal and rare and endangered plants in Arogyadham, Deendayal Research Institue, Chitrakoot, and which was appreciated by the former President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (visited on 5th October 2005). A critically endangered plant Alectra chitrakutensis has been conserved by his efforts with the financial help of BGCI, UK and MP Council of Science & Technology, Bhopal. His garden received best biodiversity garden award of Madhya Pradesh Stae Biodiversity Board, Bhopal in 2010. A field gene bank of 120 trees of Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal was also established by him at National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow. Several plant species added as new record in the flora of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Delivered several talk on different aspects of biodiversity/taxonomy etc various colleges, universities and institutions. Explored dozen districts of M.P. & Chhattisgarh and published dozen papers on taxonomy/biodiversity. Several talks in AIR were delivered on Vigyan Samachar and attended dozen of conferences/seminars and presented his work. He has received several first prizes in best paper presentation in seminar and conferences. He has Received Gnan Chandra Medal 2010 for his contribution in Plant taxonomy. He is Fellow of Indian Botanical Society (FBS), Society of Ethnobotanists (FES), Indian Association of Angiosperm Taxonomy (FIAT) and Association of Plant Taxonomy (FAPT). He has published 40 Research papers in Taxonomy and Biodiversity. Contribution in Ethnobotany: An extensive study on Sahariya tribe is carried out. More than 84 research papers on different aspects of ethnobotany were published from different tribal communities of India particularly Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Ethnobotany of Chitrakoot is being carried out. Acting as a referee of Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, NISCAIR, New Delhi and Ethnobotany Lucknow. Dr. S.K. Jain Medal for 2004 received for outstanding contribution in field of ethnobotany.

Proposer : Dr. R.Raghavendra Rao, Seconder : Dr. M. Sanjappa Ten Best Publications : 1. Tripathi, Manoj and Sikarwar, R.L.S. 2013. Some Traditional Herbal Formulations of Chitrakoot region, Madhya Pradesh, India. Indian J. Traditional Knowledge 12(2): 315-320. 2. Jain, A.K. and Sikarwar, R.L.S. 2013.Some Important Contributions to Indian Ethnobotany. In Jain, S.K. & Jain, A.K. (eds.) An Introduction to Ethnobotany, Deep Publications, New Delhi (pp.47-62). 3. Sikarwar, R.L.S. 2013. Aquatic Biodiversity of the River Mandakini of Chitrakoot. In Singh, Pratibha and Shrivastava, Ramji (Eds.) Water & Biodiversity. U.P. State Biodiversity Board, Lucknow (pp.70-74). 4. Tomar, Sangeeta and Sikarwar, R.L.S. 2013. General Economic loss caused by Rhesus Monkeys (Macaca mulatta ssp. mulatta) in Chitrakoot Region. National Journal of Life Science 10 (2): 159-163. 5. Sikarwar, R.L.S., Tiwari, Ashok Kumar and Pathak, Bharat 2013. Ethnomedicinal Uses of Van Kareli (Momordica charantia L.) in Chitrakoot Region. Life Science Bulletin 10 (1): 57-59. 6. Sharma, P.P. and Sikarwar, R.L.S. 2014. Floristic Diversity of Diu Island. In Singh, Pratibha, Shrivastava, Ramji and Nayaka, Sanjeeva (Eds.) Island Biodiversity. U.P. State Biodiversity Board, Lucknow (pp.151-154). 7. Sikarwar, R. L.S. 2014. Plant Diversity of Kamadgiri Hill (Chitrakoot). In Krishna, Nanditha (Ed.) Ecological Traditions of India Vol. IX Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh, CPR Environmental Education Centre, Chennai (pp.57-79). 8. Negi, R.S., Pathak, Bharat and Sikarwar, R.L.S. 2014. Rehabilitation of waste lands through Fruit Orchard Plantations. Ind. For. 140 (3): 291-301. 9. Tomar, Sangeeta and Sikarwar, R.L.S. 2014. Feeding Ecology and Diet Composition of Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta ssp. mulatta) in Chitrakoot Region. Ind. For. 140 (10): 970-975. 10. Tiwari, Arjun Prasad; Sikarwar, R.L.S. and Dubey, P.C. 2014.Documentation of Ethnomedicinal Knowledge among the tribes of Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve. Ind. J. Nat. Prod. Resour. 5(4): 345-350

228

SINGH, INDERJIT (b 1963) Professor, University of Delhi, Delhi


The primary goal of Inderjit‘s research is to understand what ecological and evolutionary processes permit or cause changes from pecies diverse communities in the native ranges of some plant species to mono-dominant stands in the non-native ranges of the same species? This goal fuels many of his current projects, which focus on several basic ecological processes that influence the community and ecosystem effects of exotic invasive plants. His work has contributed substantially towards understanding invasion mechanisms by suggesting novel invasion pathwayssuch as: (i) reallocation of resources (nitrogen) from defense to growth resulting in the evolution of the increased competitive ability of invader, (ii) enhanced accumulation of native soil pathogens, and (iii) biogeographic variation of terpenes released by Ageratina, which suggest that Ageratina may be experiencing selection on biochemical composition in its non-native ranges (works published in Ecology, Journal of Ecology, PNAS, PLoS One, AoB Plants). Inderjit has contributed to better understanding of the release of allelochemicals over a range of abiotic and biotic conditions and how those conditions determine the outcomes of allelochemical interactions (published in Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Trends in Plant Science, Plant Physiology and Ecology Letters). Inderjit has worked extensively on the role of soil communities in deciding the fate of allelopathic compounds (PLoS One; Soil Biology & Biochemistry, Plant and Soil, American Journal of Botany). Recently we discussed opportunities for researchers, agribusiness and policy makers to reduce risks of invasion associated with new pasture taxa (PNAS 2014).

Proposer: Prof. J.S. Singh, Seconder: Prof. S. P. Singh


1. Inderjit and Dakshini, K.M.M. 1994. Allelopathic effects of Pluchea lanceolata (Asteraceae) on characteristics of four soils and mustard and tomato growth. American Journal of Botany 81: 799-804. [Impact factor = 2.463; Citation = 55] 2. Inderjit*. 1996. Plant phenolics in allelopathy. Botanical Review62: 186-202. [Impact factor = 2.208; Citation = 241] 3. Inderjit* and Mallik, A. U. 1997. Effect of phenolic compounds on selected soil properties. Forest Ecology & Management92: 11-18. [Impact factor = 2.667; Citation = 53] 4. Inderjit*. 1998. Influence of Pluchea lanceolata on selected soil properties. American Journal of Botany 85: 64-69. [Impact factor = 2.463; Citation = 23] 5. Inderjit*. 2006. Experimental complexities in evaluating the allelopathic activities in laboratory bioassays: a case study. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 38: 256-262. [Impact factor = 4.410; Citation = 47] 6. Mangla, S., Inderjit* and Callaway, R.M. 2008. Exotic invasive plant accumulates native soil pathogens which inhibit native plants. Journal of Ecology, 96: 58-67. [Impact factor = 5.694; Citation = 88] [Judged by the Editors as one of two papers that deserved honourable mention, see Journal of Ecology, 2009, 97: 1-3]. 7. Kaur H., Kaur R., Kaur S., Baldwin I.T., and Inderjit*. 2009 Taking ecological function seriously: soil microbial communities can obviate allelopathic effects of released metabolites. PLoS One4(3): e4700. [Impact factor = 3.730; Citation = 47] 8. Feng YL, Lei, Y, Wang R, Callaway RM, Valiente-Banuet A, Inderjit, Li Y.-P and Zheng Y-L. 2009. Evolutionary tradeoffs for nitrogen allocation to photosynthesis versus cell walls in an invasive plant. Proceedings National Academy of Sciences U.S.A. (PNAS), 106: 1853-1856. [Impact factor = 9.809; Citation = 80] 9. Inderjit* and van der Putten, W.H. 2010. Impacts of soil microbial communities on exotic plant invasion. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 25, 512-519.[Impact factor = 18.987; Citation = 71] 10. Inderjit*. 2012. Exotic plant invasion in the context of plant defense against herbivores. Plant Physiology 158(3): 1107-1114. [Impact factor = 7.908; Citation = 1]

229

EPPURATH, SONIYA VASUDEVAN (b 1965), Scientist E II, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Trivandrum


Dr. E.V. Soniya has contributed significantly in the field of plant molecular biology, genetics and biotechnology of spices especially in black pepper. Eventhough there is lack of genome sequence information, progress has been made in the development of molecular genetics, plant transformation and regeneration techniques and better understanding of the underlying process involved in Phytophthora induced biotic stress against quick wilt disease. Generation of a transcriptome (Acc.No.SRA050094, SAMN03295195) and small RNA profiling using next generation sequencing in both normal as well as P. capsici infected plant provided genome information and their critical biological functions during stress response. Another focus is on the type III polyketide synthases (PKSs) which generate backbones of a variety of plant secondary metabolites of immense therapeutic value. She had identified and characterized novel forms of PKSs from plants like ginger, curcuma and bael. Focus has been primarily on exploiting both the ability of isolated PKSs to synthesize complex chemical scaffolds and the possibility of engineering them to produce novel therapeutic compounds. A novel Type III PKS from A. marmelos that is involved in the biosynthesis of quinolone alkaloid, which has profound medicinal importance for new drug designing was characterized. Database and tools developed for the Type III PKS (www.type3pks.in) is very useful for researchers all over the world. In view of the above achievements stated, I strongly propose that she may be considered for the Fellow of the Academy.

Proposer : Dr K V Peter , Seconder : Dr Kirti Singh


1. Nisha Joy, Z Abraham and E V Soniya (2007) A preliminary assessment of genetic Relationships among agronomically important cultivars of black pepper. BMC Genetics 8:42. (if= 2.6 , ci=20)

2. Resmi M S and E V Soniya (2011) Molecular cloning and differential expressions of two cDNA encoding Type III polyketide synthase in different tissues of Curcuma longa L, Gene. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2011.09.025. (if=2.6 , ci=3)

3. Nisha Joy, V P Prasanth and E V Soniya (2011) Microsatellite based analysis of genetic diversity of popular black pepper genotypes in South India. Genetica. 139 (8): 1033 - 1043 DOI : 10.1007/s10709-011-9605-x (if=2.4 , ci=5)

4. Nisha Joy and E V Soniya (2012) Identification of a miRNA candidate reflects the possible significance of transcribed microsatellites in the hairpin precursors of black pepper. Functional and Integrative Genomics. DOI: 10.1007/s10142-012-0267-2. (if=3.4 , ci=6)

5. Asha S, Nisha Joy and E.V.Soniya (2012). In silico Characterisation and Phylogenetic analysis of two Evolutionarily Conserved miRNAs (miR166 and miR171) from Black pepper (Piper nigrum L.). Plant Molecular Biology Reporter DOI: 10.1007/s11105-012-0532-5.(if=5.3)

6. M. S. Resmi, Priyanka Verma, Rajesh S. Gokhale and E.V. Soniya (2013). Identification and characterization of a Type III polyketide synthase involved in quinolone alkaloid biosynthesis from Aegle marmelos Corr. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 288: 7271-7281.(if=4.8 , ci=4)

7. Nisha Joy, Asha S, Mallika V and Soniya E.V (2013). De novo transcriptome sequencing reveals a considerable bias in the incidence of Simple Sequence Repeats towards the downstream of ‗pre-miRNAs‘ of black pepper. Plos One 03/2013 8(3). (if=4.2 , ci=7)

8. Vivek P J, Narendra Tuteja and E V Soniya (2013). CDPK1 from ginger promotes salinity and drought stress tolerance without yield penalty by improving growth and photosynthesis in Nicotiana tabacum. PLoS ONE 8(10): e76392. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0076392.(if=4.2 , ci=7)

9. EK Radhakrishnan, Smitha V. Bava, Sai Shyam Narayanan, Lekshmi R. Nath, Arun Kumar T. Thulasidasan, Eppurathu VasudevanSoniya, Ruby John Anto (2014). [6]-Gingerol Induces Caspase-Dependent Apoptosis and Prevents PMA-Induced Proliferation in Colon Cancer Cells by Inhibiting MAPK/AP-1 Signaling. PLoS ONE 9(8): e104401. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0104401. (if=3.4)

10. Resmi MS, Vivek PJ, Soniya EV (2015). Over-expression of bael quinolone synthase in tobacco improves plant vigor under favorable conditions, drought, or salt stress. FEBS Letters 589(3):332-341. (if=3.4)

http://www.type3pks.in/

230

TAMANG, JYOTI PRAKASH (b 1961), Professor, Sikkim University (a Central University), Department of

Microbiology, 6th Mike, Tadong 737102, Sikkim


• Nominee is a pioneer researcher in microbiology of ethnic fermented foods and beverages of the Himalayan regions of India, Nepal, Tibet (China) and Bhutan for last 26 years focusing on culture-dependent and culture-independent techniques of microorganisms profiles, their nutritional profiles, biochemistry, technological and functional properties. • Nominee‘s significant contributions towards identification of native microorganisms in ethnic fermented foods, understanding role of microbes for improving functional properties of fermented foods, and health-promoting benefits to consumers and creation of academic and research interest on ethnic foods are remarkable. • Nominee is Fellows of (i) National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (2012), (ii) Association of Microbiologists of India (2010), (iii) Biotech Research Society of India (2006). • Nominee was awarded (i) National Bioscience Award of DBT (2005), (ii) The United Nations University Women Association-Award, Japan (1996), (iii) Gourmand World Cookbook Award- 2010, Paris (2010), and has a patent. • Nominee has more than 109 research publications (with cumulative impact factors of 62.239) and citation index of 585 (SCOPUS, 2013); authored books: (i) Tamang, J.P. (2010). Himalayan Fermented Foods: Microbiology, Nutrition, and Ethnic Values. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, New York, pages 295. ISBN: 9781420093247. (ii) Tamang, J.P. and Kailasapathy, K. (Editors) (2010). Fermented Foods and Beverages of the World. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, New York, pages 448. ISBN: 9781420094954. • Nominee has teaching experience for last 26 years in plant sciences, food microbiology, food sciences, molecular biology, and produced 10 Ph.D. students, guiding several M.Phil, Ph.D. and Post-doc students.

Proposer : Prof. D.J. Bagyaraj, Seconder : Prof. H. Shekar Shetty Ten Best Publications: 1. Oki, K., Rai, A.K., Sato, S., Watanabe, K. and Tamang, J.P. (2011). Lactic acid bacteria isolated from ethnic preserved meat products of the Western Himalayas. Food Microbiology 28: 1308-1315. (if=3.407, ci=08) 2. Tamang, J.P. Tamang, B., Schillinger, U., Guigas, C. and Holzapfel, W.H. (2009). Functional properties of lactic acid bacteria isolated from ethnic fermented vegetables of the Himalayas. International Journal of Food Microbiology 135: 28-33. (if=3.425, ci=12) 3. Tamang, B., Tamang, J.P., Schillinger, U., Franz, C.M.A.P., Gores, M. and Holzapfel, W.H. (2008). Phenotypic and genotypic identification of lactic acid bacteria isolated from ethnic fermented tender bamboo shoots of North East India. International Journal of Food Microbiology 121: 35-40. (if=3.425, ci=20) 4. Thapa, N., Pal, J. and Tamang, J.P. (2006). Phenotypic identification and technological properties of lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditionally processed fish products of the Eastern Himalayas. International Journal of Food Microbiology 107 (1): 33-38. (if=3.425, ci=30) 5. Tamang, J.P., Tamang, B., Schillinger, U., Franz, C.M.A.P., Gores, M. and Holzapfel, W.H. (2005). Identification of predominant lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditional fermented vegetable products of the Eastern Himalayas. International Journal of Food Microbiology 105 (3): 347-356. (if=3.425, ci=42) 6. Tsuyoshi, N., Fudou, R., Yamanaka, S., Kozaki, M., Tamang, N., Thapa, S. and Tamang, J.P. (2005). Identification of yeast strains isolated from marcha in Sikkim, a microbial starter for amylolytic fermentation. International Journal of Food Microbiology 99 (2): 135-146. (if=3.425, ci=31) 7. Thapa, S. and Tamang, J.P. (2004). Product characterization of kodo ko jaanr: fermented finger millet beverage of the Himalayas. Food Microbiology 21: 617-622. (if=3.407, ci=22) 8. Tamang, J.P. and Sarkar, P.K. (1996). Microbiology of mesu, a traditional fermented bamboo shoot product. International Journal of Food Microbiology 29: 49-58. (if=3.425, ci=30) 9. Tamang, J.P. and Nikkuni, S. (1996). Selection of starter culture for production of kinema, fermented soybean food of the Himalaya. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology 12 (6): 629-635. (if=1.532, ci=28) 10. Sarkar, P.K., Tamang, J.P., Cook, P.E. and Owens, J.D. (1994). Kinema - a traditional soybean

fermented food: proximate composition and microflora. Food Microbiology 11: 47-55. (if=3.407, ci=44)

231

THAKUR, INDU SHEKHAR (b 1956), Professor and Dean, School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.


Professor Thakur is working on bioremediation, bioconversion and detoxification of natural and organic compounds in industrial effluent-pulp and paper, distillery, electroplating, tannery and municipal solid waste, and sequestration of carbon dioxide. He developed bacterial consortium by continuous enrichment for sequestration of CO2 and production of biofuel, tested in carburettor type engine, bio-surfactants, bio-insecticides and biomaterials. They worked on cynobacteria and algae for sequestration of carbon dioxide by carboxylating enzymes for biodiesel and biochemicals by biorefinery processes. Lipase enzyme immobilized on activated charcoal and celite for enhanced production of biodiesels from bacteria, cynobacteria and Scendesmus sp. was carried out. In pulp and paper mill, extracted and identified major contaminants, degradation and bioremediation after molecular characterization of fungi and bacteria for preparation of biopulp by decolourization and delignification, treatment of waste water for agriculture and fish cultivation, and enhanced production of bioethanol by lignin removal. In tannery mill effluent, methods developed for biosorption of chromium III by fungi (Aspergillus niger) and degradation of pentachlorophenol by bacterial consortium, tanning and leather preparation by protease and lipase enzymes. Chromium VI removal from electroplating effluent by bacteria (Bacillus sp.) and activated charcoal prepared by carbonification and gasification methods in sequential bioreactor, detoxification of treated effluent tested in human cell lines. The removal of melanoidin-like compounds, by fungi and bacteria from distillery effluent, and formation of methane were carried out. Persistence of pesticides, dioxin-like compounds, ecoestrogens viz. phthalates, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, emerging contaminates in municipal sludge detected for bioremediation and detoxification on human cell lines was performed.

Proposer : Professor Sudhir Kr Sopory, Seconder : Professor Kasturi Datta


1. Srivastava, S., Bharti, R., Verma, P. and Thakur, I.S. 2015. Cloning and expression of gamma carbonic anhydrase from Serratia sp. ISTD04 for sequestrof carbon dioxide and formation of calcite. Bioresource Technology. 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.01.108. (if=5.600, ci=00)

2. Bharti, R.K., Srivastava, S. and Thakur, I.S. 2014. Production and characterization of biodiesel from carbon dioxide concentrating chemolithotrophic bacteria, Serratia sp. ISTD04. Bioresource Technology 153, 189-197 (if=5.600, ci=02)

3. Das, M.D., Ghosh, P. and Thakur, I.S. 2014. Intake estimates of phthalate-esters for South Delhi population based on exposure media assessment Environmental Pollution189, 118-125 (if=4.306, ci=00)

4. Bharti, R.K., Srivastava, S. and Thakur, I.S. 2014. Proteomic analysis of carbon concentrating chemolithotrophic bacteria Serratia sp. for sequestration of carbon dioxide. PLOS ONE Volume 9 | Issue 3 | e91300 (if=4.240, ci=01)

5. Jaishwal, P.K., Srivastava, S., Gupta, Y., Thakur, I.S. 2012. Dibenzofuran induces oxidative stress, disruption of trans-mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and G1 arrest in human hepatoma cell line. Toxicology Letters, 214, 137– 144 (if=3.666, ci=05)

6. Singhal, A. and Thakur, I.S. 2009. Decolourization and detoxification of pulp and paper mill effluent by Emericella nidulans var. nidulans, Journal Hazardous Materials 171, 619-625 (if=4.679, ci=21)

7. Srivastava S. and Thakur I.S. (2006) Isolation and Process Parameter Optimization of Aspergillus sp. for Removal of Chromium from Tannery Effluent. Bioresource Technology, 97, 1167-1173 (if=5.600, ci=96)

8. Srivastava S. and Thakur I.S. 2006. Evaluation of bioremediation and detoxification potentiality of Aspergillus niger for removal of hexavalent chromium in soil microcosm. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 38, 1904-1911 (if=4.785, ci=61)

9. Thakur I.S. 2004. Screening of microorganisms for removal of colour and adsorbable organic halogens from pulp and paper mill effluent. Process Biochemistry, 39, 1693-1699. (if=2.983, ci=43)

10. Thakur, I.S., Verma P. and Upadhaya, K.C. 2001. Involvement of plasmid in degradation of pentachlorophenol by Pseudomonas sp. from a chemostat. Biochemical Biophysical Research Communication, 286, 109-113 (if=2.946, ci=47)

232

ABDIN, MALIK ZAINUL (b 1963), Professor and Head, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India


a. The relative contributions of carbon by mevalonate and Rohmer pathways in artemisinin biosynthesis were established. The overexpression of both hmgr and ads genes in A. annua L. has led to an increase in artemisinin content by 76.5 %. The GC-MS and HPLC analyses of metabolites in the transgenic lines of A. annua L. had shown that major metabolites accumulated were related to the essential oils and chlorophyll biosyntheses (71.33 % in transgenic vs. 61.70% in non-transgenic plants). Further, the transgenic lines accumulated more artemisinin (0.97 to 1.2 %) as compared to the non-transgenic plants (0.63%). Based on these results, we concluded that over-expression of both hmgr and ads in A. annua L. plants results not only increase in artemisinin content, but also enhances synthesis of other isoprenoids. It is also evident from our study that the novel artemisinin rich variety of A. annua L. could be developed by suppressing essential oil bio-synthesis. We have also developed a hairy root culture based system and produced 15.66 mg l-1 artemisinin after 15 days of culture. b. The electrospray-mass spectrometry and HPTLC based methods were developed for the detections of artemisinin (a novel antimalarial drug and a natural herbicide) in pico mol concentration and mevalonate, a precursor of terpenes biosynthesis. The HPTLC based protocols were also developed for simultaneous quantifications of stevioside and rebuadioside-A in Stevia and quantification of esculin in the leaf extract of Chicory.

Proposer : Prof. P.S. Srivastava, Seconder : Prof. Manchikatla Venkat Rajam


1. Naqvi S, Maitra AN, Abdin MZ, Akmal M, Samim M (2011). Calcium phosphate nanoparticle mediated genetic transformation in plants. J. Mat. Chem. 22, 3500-3507 (if=6.626, ci=6)

2. Alam P, Abdin MZ (2011). Over-expression of HMG-CoA reductase and amorpha-4, 11-diene synthase genes in Artemisia annua L. and its influence on artemisinin content. Plant Cell Rep. 30(10): 1919-1928 (if=2.94, ci=33)

3. Nafis T, Akmal M, Ram M, Alam P, Ahlawat S, Mohd A, Abdin MZ (2011). Enhancement of Artemisinin content by constitutive expression of the HMG-CoA reductase gene in high-yielding strain of Artemisia annua L. Plant Biotechnol. Rep. 5:53-60. (if=1.59, ci=24)

4. Abdin MZ, Akmal M, Ram M, Nafis T, Alam P, Nadeem M, Khan MA, Ahmad A (2010). Constitutive expression of High Affinity Sulphate Transporter (HAST) gene in Indian mustard showed enhanced sulphur uptake and assimilation. Protoplasma 248:591-600.(if=3.171, ci=3)

5. Aquil S, Husaini AM, Abdin MZ, Rather GM (2009). Overexpression of HMG-CoA reductase gene leads to enhanced artemisinin biosynthesis in transgenic Artemisia annua L. plants. Planta Med. 75:1-6. (if=2.3, ci=54)

6. Husaini AM, Abdin MZ (2008). Development of transgenic strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) plants tolerant to salt stress. Plant Sci. 174:446-455. (if=3.785, ci=54)

7. M. Z. Abdin, M. Israr, R. U. Rehman and S. K. Jain (2003). Artemisinin, a novel antimalarial drug: Biochemical and molecular approaches for enhanced production. Planta Med 69: 289-299. (if=2.3, ci=178)

8. Ahmad A, Abdin MZ (2000). Photosynthesis and its related physiological variables in the leaves of Brassica genotypes as influenced by sulphur fertilization. Physiol. Plant. 110:144-149. (if=3.262, ci=44)

9. Bharel S, Gulati A, Abdin MZ, Srivastava PS, Vishwakarma RA, Jain SK (1998). Enzymatic synthesis of artemisinin from natural and synthetic precursors. J. Nat. Prod. 61:633-636. (if=3.947, ci=25)

10. Sahai P, Bharel S, Gulati A, Abdin MZ, Srivastava PS, Jain SK, Vishwakarma RA (1998). HPLC-Electrospray lonization mass spectrometric analysis of antimalarial drug artemisinin. Anal. Chem. 70:3084-3087 (if=5.825, ci=22)

233

BERA, SUBIR (b 1962), Professor,Centre of Advanced Study, Department of Botany; Calcutta University, Kolkata


Over the last two decades Prof. Bera is dedicated in teaching and research in different aspects of Palaeobotany. His able guidance has produced many researchers in this field. He is devoted in exploring the cause and effects of past climate dynamics on plant communities especially in monsoon dominated Bengal Basin and Eastern Himalayas since the time of Siwalik sedimentation. For the first time nominee and his group quantified monsoonal variations in Eastern Himalayas over the entire span of Siwalik sedimentation from mid-Miocene to lower Pleistocene using CLAMP (Khan et al., 2014a). His high-resolution multi-proxy research also identified signatures of different climatic events MIS3, MIS2, LGM, 3.5 ka aridity etc. and found to be water availability (rainfall) as the principle driver responsible for even minor floral dynamics over temperature and CO2 (Ghosh et al., 2014, 2015) in the Darjeeling and Arunachal Himalayas. The hypothesis has been further tested and authenticated by his group using a C3 grass along the elevation gradient of Darjeeling Himalayas (De et al., 2015). Another insightful work of the nominee includes tracing the co-evolution of plant-insect interaction and Indian summer monsoon in the Eastern Himalayas (Khan et al. 2014b). The nominee has also attempted to look at man-climate interaction in south and south-east Asia during Holocene (Ghosh et al., 2014; Yao et al., 2012; Ghosh et al. 2008; Mukherjee et al. 2008; Jiang et al., 2006) which focused on the climatic effect behind the rise and fall of the ancient civilizations in this part of the world.

Proposer : Prof (Mrs) Sumita Jha, Seconder : Prof Amita Pal


1. Ruby Ghosh, Bera, Subir, Anindya Sarkar, Dipak Kumar Paruya, Yi-Feng Yao and Cheng- Sen Li. 2015. A ~50 ka record of monsoonal variability in the Darjeeling foothill region, eastern Himalayas. Quaternary Science Reviews 114, 100-115 (if=4.571, ci=0)

2. Mahasin Ali Khan, Robert A. Spicer , Bera, Subir, Ruby Ghosh, Jian Yang, Teresa E.V. Spicer, Shuang-xing Guo, Tao Su, Frédéric Jacques, Paul J. Grote. 2014. Miocene to Pleistocene floras and climate of the Eastern Himalayan Siwaliks, and new palaeoelevation estimates for the Namling–Oiyug Basin, Tibet. Global and Planetary Change 113, 1-10 (if=3.707, ci=08)

3. Ruby Ghosh, Naskar, Madhab and Bera, Subir. 2011. Phytolith assemblages of grasses from the Sunderbans, India and their implications for the reconstruction of deltaic environments. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 311, 93–102 (if=2.752, ci=06)

4. Spicer, R. A., Bera Subir, De Bera, S., Spicer, T. E.V., Srivastava, G., Mehrotra, R. C., Mehrotra, N. C., Yang, J., 2011. Why do foliar physiognomic climate estimates sometimes differ from those observed? Insights from taphonomic information loss and a CLAMP case study from the Ganges Delta. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 302, 381-395 (if=2.752, ci=16)

5. Yao-Yi-Feng, Bera, Subir, Ferguson, D.K., Mosbrugger, V., Paudayal, Khum, N., Jin, Jian-Hua, Li, Cheng-Sen. 2009. Reconstruction of palaeovegetation and palaeoclimate in the Early and Middle Eocene, Hainan Island, China. Climatic Change 92(1-2), 169-189 (if=: 4.622, ci=34)

6. Ethan Russo, Hong-En Jiang, Xiao Li,Alan Sutton, Andrea Carboni, Francesca Del Bianco, Giuseppe Mandolino, David Potter, You-Xing Xiao, Bera, Subir, Yong-Bing Zhang, En-Guo Lu, David Ferguson, Francis Hueber, Liang-Cheng Zhao, Chang-Jiang Liu, Yu-Fei Wang, Cheng-Sen Li. 2008. Phytochemical and genetic analyses of ancient Cannabis from central Asia. Journal of Experimental Botany 59(15), 4171-4182 (if=5.794, ci=35)

7. Ghosh Ruby, Gupta, Sudha, Bera, Subir, Jiang, Hong-en, Li, Xiao and Li, Cheng-Sen. 2008. Ovi-caprid dung as an indicator of Palaeovegetation and Palaeoclimate in northwestn China. Quaternary Research 70, 149-157 (if=2.583, ci=18)

8. Jiang, H. E., Li, X., Zhao, Y. – X., Ferguson, D. K., Hueber, F., Bera Subir, Wang,Y-F., Zhao, L-C., Liu, C.-J., Li. C.S., 2006. A new insight into Cannabis sativa (Cannabaceae) utilization from 2500-year-old Yanghai tombs, Xinjiang, China. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 108, 414-422 (if=2.939, ci=54)

9. Ruby Ghosh, Ashalata D‘ Rozario, and Bera, Subir. 2006. Can palynomorphs occur in burnt ancient potsherds? An Experimental Proof. Journal of Archaeological Science 33 (10), 1445-1451 (if=2.139, ci=10)

10. 80 years BP in the Gangetic West Bengal, India. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology 48 (6), 628-641 400 to 2080 Ruby Ghosh, Bera, Subir, Ashalata D‘ Rozario, Manju Banerjee and Supriyo Chakraborty. 2006. Plant remains from archaeological site as indicators of vegetation and agricultural practice during 3320 (if=3.448, ci=04)

234

BORDOLOI, MANOBJYOTI (b 1960), Senior Principal Scientist, North East Institute of Science and

Technology, Jorhat-785006, Assam


Dr. Manobjyoti Bordoloi has been working for 29 years in the field of structural plant Chemistry. He has investigated plants and micro-organisms and characterized many bioactive molecules with novel skeletons including alkaloids, sesquiterpenoids, steroids, etc. These have exhibited anti-fungal, antibacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-tuberculotic, anti-hyperbilirubinemia and anti-cancer activities. He discovered a very rich source of shikimic acid (upto 18% yield) useful as raw material for swine flu drug. He has 43 publications in peer reviewed journals (total citations 406, h index 11) in addition to 77 symposia papers and invited lectures. 21 patents were filed and granted to him in India, USA and PCT countries. He has completed two projects as PI from DRDO on ―Bioassay Guided phytochemical investigations‖ and is currently running three DBT and Indo-Vietnam projects as PI on bioactive natural products. Further, he has completed, as Project Director, CSIR project entitled ―North East Exploration for Pharmaceuticals‖ with a budget of Rs 9.04 crores for two years. A product, developed under this project, has been transferred for commercialization. He is now coordinating two CSIR mega projects for 12 Five Year Plan. Under these projects, affordable healthcare agents are being developed. He was awarded the prestigious CSIR young scientist award in 1995 and CSIR Technology award in 2013. He is a recognized guide of Gauhati and Dibrugarh Universities. Four students were awarded PhD degree and five more scholars are working under him. He also guided 39 projects submitted to different universities in India for partial fulfillment of M.Sc. degree.

Proposer : Prof. Premananda Das, Seconder : Prof. G R Rout Ten Best Publications: 1. M Bordoloi et al; 1985; Absolute stereochemistry of the insect antifeedant cadinene from Eupatorium

adenophorum; Tetrahedron letters 26 (4), 509-510 (if=2.397, ci=33) 2. M Bordoloi et al, 1989 Naturally Occurring Cadinenes; Phytochemistry, 28(9),3002-2037 (if=3.050,

ci=57) 3. M Bordoloi et al 1996; Artemisinic acid analogue from Tithonia diversifolia Phytochemistry, 41(2), 557- 559 (if=3.050, ci=33) 4. M Bordoloi et al 1993; Meliacin from Chisocheton paniculatus, Phytochemistry, 34(2), 583-584

(if=3.050, ci=25) 5. M Bordoloi et al, 1997; Alkylated Coumarin from Kayea assamica Phytochemistry, 44(5), 939- 942. (if=3.050, ci=15) 6. M Bordoloi et al, 2001; Isolation and Structure Elucidation of a New Antifungal and Antibacterial

Antibiotic Produced by Streptomyces sp.201, Biosc. Biotechnol.Biochem. 65(8), 1856-1858 (if=1.292,

ci=25) 7. R Kundu, S Dasgupta, A Biswas, S Bhattacharya, B C. Pal, S Bhattacharya, P.G. Rao, N.C. Barua, M

Bordoloi, S Bhattacharya; 2011, Carlinoside reduces hepatic bilirubin accumulation by stimulating bilirubin-UGT activity through Nrf2 gene expression; Biochemical Pharmacology; 82, 1186– 1197 (if=4.576, ci=4) 8. a-methylene-g-butyrolactone from Artabotrys odoratissimus fruit, Phytochemistry Letters; 2(1), 22-24

M. Bordoloi et al; 2009; A long chain alkylated (if=1.179, ci=10) 9. M. Bordoloi, et al 2009; Anti-genotoxic hydrazide from Crinum defixum; European Journal of Medicinal

Chemistry; 44(6), 2754-57(if=3.193, ci=12) 10.M Bordoloi et al 2013, ―Antifungal and antioxidant pyrrole derivative from Piper pedicellatum‖; Natural

Product Communications; USA, 8 (10), 1452-1154 (if=0.956, ci=8)

235

CHAUDHARY, LAL BABU (b 1962), Principal Scientist, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow Member of the NASI: No (YON 2012, Plant Sciences) Dr. Lal Babu Chaudhary is the foremost plant taxonomist among the contemporary taxonomists of India. Dr. Chaudhary has revised several difficult and complex tribes like Thermopsideae, Genisteae, Trifolieae and Loteae, and genera like Astragalus and Oxytropis (Leguminosae) of India. Apart from legumes, he has also worked out the taxonomy and diversity of Tricholepis (Asteraceae) and three highly medicinally important plant genera Aconitum (Rananculaceae), Podophyllum (Podophyllaceae), Phyllanthus (Phyllanthaceae) and Ficus (Moraceae). His work on the taxonomy of herbaceous Phyllanthus in India is very widely consulted by most botanists interested in Phyllanthus. Through these revisionary works and floristic investigations, he has very creditably described several new species like Astragalus sanjappae Chaudhary & Khan, Astragalus uttaranchalensis Chaudhary & Khan, Astragalus lachungensis Chaudhary, Astragalus nainitalensis Chaudhary, Astragalus himachalensis Chaudhary & Rana, Astragalus gooraiensis Chaudhary, Trifoliae subtrib. Parochetinae Chaudhary & Sanjappa, Aconitum heterophyllum var. roylei Chaudhary & Rao, Phyllanthus ajmerianus Chaudhary & Rao, Tricholepis raghavendrae Saklani & Chaudhary and Oxytropis sanjappae Chaudhary and brought out many new records to Indian Flora. So far, Dr. Chaudhary has completed 12 research projects on various aspects of taxonomy funded by CSIR, DST, DBT, MOEF and published 75 research papers in refereed journals. He has also visited and worked in some International Herbaria like London (Kew), U. S. A. (New York), Mexico (Mexico City) and Kathmandu (Nepal). The Association for Plant Taxonomists (Dehra Dun) has awarded him S. K. Jain medal for the year 2008. In my opinion, Dr. Chaudhary richly deserves to be elected as a Fellow of The National Academy of Sciences, India.

Proposer : Dr. R. R. Rao, Seconder : Dr. M. Sanjappa Ten Best Publications: 1. Chaudhary, L. B. & Sanjappa, M. 1998. Parochetinae: a new subtribe of Trifolieae (Leguminosae,

Papilionoideae). Taxon. 47: 829 – 831. (if=2.36) 2. Dangi, R. S., Lagu, M. D., Chaudhary, L. B., Ranjekar, P. K. and Gupta, V. S. 2004. Assessment of genetic diversity in Trigonella foenum-graecum and Trigonella caerulea using ISSR and RAPD markers. BMC, Plant Biology 4:13. (if=4.09) 3. Chaudhary, L. B. Rana, T. S., Narzary, D. & Verma, S. 2007. A new species of Astragalus L.

(Leguminosae) from India based on morphological and molecular markers. Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 154: 27 – 34. (if=1.931) 4. Chaudhary, L. B. 2007. Astragalus gooraiensis (Fabaceae), A new species from Jammu and Kashmir

in India. Novon 17(4): 417 - 420. (if=0.224) 5. Chaudhary, L. B. Rana, T. S., Anand. K. K. 2008. Current status of the systematics of Astragalus L.

(Fabaceae) with special reference to the Himalayan species in India. Taiwania 53 (4): 338 – 355. (if=nil) 6. Sribash Roy, Antariksh Tyagi, Virendra Shukla, Anil Kumar, Uma M Singh, Lal Babu Chaudhary, Bhaskar Datt, Sumit K. Bag, Pradhyumna K. Singh, Narayanan K Nair, Tariq Husain and Rakesh Tuli. Universal Plant DNA barcode Loci May Not Work in Complex Groups: A Case Study with Indian Berberis species. PLoS,One October 2010/ Vol. 5/ issue 10/ e13674/ 27October. (if=4.411) 7. Kumar, A., Bajpai, O., Mishar, A. K., Sahu, N. Behera S. K. & Chaudhary, L. B. 2011. Assessment of Diversity in the genus Ficus L. (Moraceae) of Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh, India. American J. Pl. Sci. 2 (1): 78 -92. (if=nil) 8. Behera, S. K. Mishra, A. K. Sahu, N., Kumar, A., Singh, N., Kumar, A., Bajpai, O., Chaudhary, L. B., Khare, P. B. & Tuli, R. 2012. The study of microclimate in response to different plant community association in tropical moist deciduous forest from Northern India. Biodiverse. Conserv. DOI 10.1007/s10531 – 012 – 0230 – 5. (if=2.146) 9. Abhinandan Mani Tripathi, Antariksh Tyagi, Anoop Kumar, Akanksha Singh, Shivani Singh, Lal Babu Chaudhary, Sribash Roy. 2013. The Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) Region and trnhH-psbA are Suitable Candidate Loci for DNA Barcoding of Tropical Tree Species of India. PLoS ONE 8 (2): 1371/journal.pone.0057934 (IF. 4.411). (if=4.411) 10.Lal Babu Chaudhary, Omesh Bajpai, Soumit Kumar Behera & Nayan Sahu. 2013. A new species of

Oxytropis (Fabaceae: Papilionoideae) from India. Phytotaxa 155 (1): 5-58. (if=1.792)

236

MUKHERJEE, ANITA (b 1954), Professor and Head,Dept. of Botany, University of Calcutta, Kolkata


Professor Anita Mukherjee is currently the head of the Department of Botany, at the University of Calcutta. She obtained her PhD in Botany from the University of Calcutta in 1985. Professor Mukherjee pioneered the development of Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis technique (Comet assay and DNA diffusion assay) on plants in India. She developed and validated methods for assessing genotoxicity of chemicals disposed in the environment through natural and anthropogenically mediated processes. Professor Mukherjee initiated the area of nanomaterial toxicology in the country and addressed their concern regarding their fate in biological systems, plants in particular; the challenges were addressed and the genotoxic responses were elegantly demonstrated at different trophic levels (plant and animal systems).Her research on the engineered nano particles for their consequent novel interactions with DNA, have been widely cited in journals of repute and bestowed with the membership of the American Nano Society. She has to her credit over 90 publications in peer reviewed international journals, two reviews/book chapters. She has won several honours and awards, has several collaborations with scientists from the Czech Republic, Korea and Nigeria as well as with in the country. She has successfully supervised 10 PhD students and has been invited to speak at many international meetings and chair symposia. Citations: 1007; H index: 20; i10 index: 36; Google scholar citation

Proposer : Prof Sumitra Sen, Seconder : Prof Sumita Jha Ten Best Publications: 1. Sarkar J, Ghosh M, Anita Mukherjee, Chattopadhyay D, Acharya K. (2014) Biosynthesis and safety

evaluation of ZnO nanoparticles. Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering 37:165–171. (if=1.8, ci=not

available,because recent) 2. Ghosh M, Bandyopadhyay M and Mukherjee A. (2010) Genotoxicity of titanium dioxide (TiO2)

nanoparticles at two trophic levels: plant and human lymphocytes.Chemosphere 81 (10): 1253-1262.

(if=3.15, ci=76) 3. Ghosh M, Manivannan J, Sinha S, Chakraborty A, Mallick SK, Bandyopadhyay M, Mukherjee A. (2012)

In vitro and in vivo genotoxicity of silver nanoparticle. Mutation Research - Genetic Toxicology and

Environmental Mutagenesis 749: 60-69. (if=3.05, ci=22) 4. Ghosh M, Chakraborty A, Bandyopadhyay M and Mukherjee A. (2011) Multi-walled carbon nanotubes

(MWCNT): Induction of DNA damage in plant and mammalian cells. Journal of Hazardous Materials 197:

327-336. (if=3.7, ci=18) 5. Ghosh M, Chakraborty A, Mukherjee A. (2013) Cytotoxic, genotoxic and hemolytic effect of titanium

dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles on human erythrocyte and lymphocyte cells in vitro. Journal of Applied

Toxicology 33: 1097-1110. (if=2.47, ci=4) 6. Gichner T, A Mukherjee, ED Wagner and MJ Plewa. (2005) Evaluation of nuclear diffusion assay to

detect apoptosis and necrosis in plants. Mutation Research 586: 38-46. (if=3.05, ci=16) 7. Gichner T, A Mukherjee and J. Veleminsky. (2006) DNA staining with the fluorochromes Et Br, DAPI,

and YOYO-I in the comet assay with tobacco plants after treatment with ethylmethane sulphonate,

hyperthermia and Dnase-I. Mutation Research 605: 17-21. (if=3.05, ci=29) 8. Mukherjee A and J Chakrabarti. (1997) In vivo cytogenetic studies on mice exposed to acesulphame-

K- a non nutritive sweetener. Food and Chemical Toxicology 35: 1177-1179. (if=3.01, ci=41) 9. Mukherjee A, K Agarwal, M Aguilar and A Sharma (1991) Anticlastogenic activity of beta carotene

against cyclophosphamide in mice in vivo. Mutation Research 263 :41-46. (if=3.05, ci=43) 10. Mukherjee A, AK Giri, A Sharma and G Talukder (1988) Relative efficacy of short-term tests in

detecting genotoxic effects of cadmium chloride in mice in vivo. Mutation Research (Elsevier) 206: 285-

295 (if=3.05, ci=47)

237

PATHAK, PROMILA (b 1963), Professor, Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh


Prof. (Dr.) Promila Pathak known for her dedicated commitment and significant contributions to scientific development and promotion of Indian orchids has been actively persuing researches for the past over 28 years in Diversity, Developmental biology, Micropropagation, and Conservation of orchids. She has successfully bypassed the fungal requirement of orchid seeds during germination, in a large number of commercially significant orchids by providing an appropriate nutrition in vitro. Cost effective and reproducible micropropagation protocols developed by her in several RET species are adopted world over and served as starting point for in depth studies, aimed at conservation and commercialization of orchids. She is actively involved in embryo rescues in wide matings; her efforts in synthesizing mycorrhizal associations in TCPs aimed at replenishing natural stocks in some economically important species are laudable. She has also successfully demonstrated utility of synthetic seeds as an efficient storage and delivery system. She has published a large number of research papers which find frequent citations in high impact periodicals. Her books Orchids: Science and Commerce and Commercial Orchids are excellent referral books. She has delivered Invited Lectures in several academic meets within and outside the country. Dr. Pathak‘s contributions in disseminating advances in orchid research are highly appreciated. As an active member of Expert Panel, she is instrumental in developing strategies for sustainable development of orchids. Besides guiding many research students, she has handled various research projects and imparted training in scientific development and cultivation of orchids to a large number of students, enthusiasts and rural women.

Proposer : Prof. S.P. Vij, Seconder : Prof. S.C. Verma


1. Hossain, M.M., M. Sharma, and Promila Pathak. 2013. In vitro propagation of Dendrobium aphyllum (Orchidaceae)-Seed germination to flowering. J Plant Biochem. Biot., 22(2):157-167 . (if=0.81, ci=11)

2. Pathak, Promila, H. Piri, S P Vij, K C Mahant and Shaveta Chauhan.2011. In vitro propagation and mass scale multiplication of a medicinally important and critically endangered epiphytic orchid, Gastrochilus calceolaris (Buch.-Ham ex J.E.Sm.) D.Don. using immature seeds. Indian J. Exp. Biol.,49:711-716. (if=0.753, ci=3)

3. Hossain, M.M., M. Sharma, Jaine A. Teixeira da Silva and Promila Pathak.2010. Seed germination and tissue culture of Cymbidium giganteum Wall. ex Lindl..Sci.Hortic.,123(4):479-487. (if=1.504 , ci=50)

4. Hossain, M. M., M. Sharma, and Promila Pathak.2009. Cost effective protocol for in vitro mass propagation of Cymbidium aloifolium(L.)Sw.-A medicinally important orchid. Eng. Life Sci.,9 (6):444-453. (if=1.89, ci=23)

5. Sherpa, Ang Rinzing,Vipin Hallan, Promila Pathak, and Aijaz Asghar Zaidi.2007.Complete nucleotide sequence analysis of Cymbidium mosaic virus Indian isolate: Further evidence for natural recombination amongst potexviruses. Journal of BioSciences, 32 (4): 663-69. (if=1.939, ci=10)

6. Sherpa, A. R., V. Hallan, Promila Pathak, and A. A. Zaidi.2006.Characterization of the Coat Protein gene of Cymbidium mosaic virus isolates from India. J PhytoPathology, 154: 275-280. (if=0.921, ci=11)

7. Sherpa, A. R., Vipin Hallan, R. Ram, S. P. Vij, Promila Pathak, I. D. Garg, and A. A. Zaidi. 2003.First report of Cymbidium mosaic virus (CymMV) in orchids from India. Plant Pathology, 52, 788. (if=2.969, ci=6)

8. Vij, S.P. and Promila Pathak. 1990. Micropropagation of orchids through leaf segments. J. Orchid Soc. India,4 :69-88. (if=2.48, ci=21)

9. Vij, S.P. and Promila Pathak. 1989. Micropropagation of Dendrobium chrysanthum Wall. through pseudobulb segments. J. Orchid Soc. India, 3 (1,2): 25-28. (if=2.48, ci=17)

10. Vij. S.P., Promila Pathak, and Madhu Sharma. 1987. On the regeneration potential of Rhynchostytis retusa root segments: A study in vitro. J. Orchid Soc. India, 1 (1,2): 71-74. (if=2.48, ci=17)

http://j.e.sm/

238

PATRA, HEMANTA KUMAR (b 1952), EMERITUS SCIENTIST(CSIR), P.G. DEPT. OF BOTANY,UTKAL UNIVERSITY, BHUBANESWAR


Prof. Hemanta Kumar Patra, Emeritus Scientist (CSIR) made significant research contributions on regulation of leaf and petal senescence during his early research career. Prof. Patra visited USSR and Germany on Post-Doctoral programmes offered by USSR Government Scholarship, DAAD Fellowship (Germany) and UGC-Germany Visiting Scientist Research award with important contributions in Environmental Stress Physiology. During the last decade he was engaged in research work on Environmental Biotechnology with special reference to heavy metal toxicity and its remediation. Bioremediation technology for attenuation of hexavalent chromium developed by Prof. Patra is being used for Indian Bureau of Mines, Department of Coal and Mines, Govt. of India. Besides, he immensely contributed on biodiversity of mangroves and forest ecosystems of Odisha. He successfully guided one D.Sc., Eighteen Ph.D. and Thirty M. Phil. students of Utkal University for award of the above degrees. He is fellow, and life member of many learned Societies. He was the President of Orissa Botanical Society. Now he is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Plant Science Research Published by Orissa Botanical Society. Besides, he is also engaged in editorial assignments of many international and national journals. He has 169 scientific publications to his credit. He is the author/editor of 11 books.

Proposer : Prof. Premananda Das, Seconder : Prof. Gyana Ranjan Rout


1. Thounaojam, T.C., Panda, S.,Choudhury, S., Patra, H. K. and Panda, S.K.(2014) Zinc ameliorates cupper induced oxidative stress in developing rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings. Protoplasma. 251(1)61-69. ISSN: 1615-6102, Springer. Viena (Austria). (if=3.171, ci=5)

2. Mohanty, M. and Patra, H.K. (2011). Attenuation of Chromium Toxicity by Bioremediation Technology. Review of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology., 210:1-34. Springer, USA (if=3.631, ci=18)

3. Bülent, E., Patra, H. K., Khodr, H., Römheld,V., and Wirén, N.V. (2007). Uptake and apoplasmic retention of EDTA and phytosiderophore-chelated chromium(III) in maize. Jour. Plant. Nutr. Soil Sc (Germany).170(6), 788-795 (if=1.663, ci=15)

4. Panda, S.K. and Patra , H.K.( 2007) Effect of salicyclic acid potentiates cadmium-induced oxidative damage in Oryza sativa L. leaves. Acta Physiol. Plant (Poland). Springer 29 (6): 576-575., (if=1.732, ci=34)

5. Sen, N.K., Patra, H.K. and Mishra, D. (1984) Phytochrome regulation of biochemical and enzymatic changes during senescence of excised rice leaves. Zeit. Pflanzenphysiol. (Now J. Plant Physiol., Germany). Elsevier 113:95-103 (if=3.065, ci=4)

6. Sen, N.K., Patra, H.K., Sarangi, C.S. and Mishra, D. (1982). Kinetin effect on some enzyme activities during senescence of excised rice leaves as subjected to water stress. Biochem Physiol Pflanzen (Now Journal of Plant Physiology)(Germany), Elsevier, 177: 577-584. (if=3.065, ci=4)

7. Patra, H.K. and Mishra, D. (1979). Pyrophosphatase, peroxidase and polyphenoloxidase activities during leaf development and senescence. Plant Physiol (USA): (if=7.908, ci=58)

8. Kar, M.; Patra, H.K. and Mishra, D. (1978). Zn+2 -dependent acid inorganic pyrophosphatase activity as relate to other pyrophosphatases in Oryza sativa. Physiol. Plant (Sweden),Wiley, 43:287-291 (if=3.262, ci=7)

9. Patra, H.K., Kar, M. and Mishra, D. (1978). Catalase activity in leaves and cotyledons during plant development and senescence. Biochem Physiol Pflanzen (Now Journal of Plant Physiology)(Germany), Elsevier, 172: 385-390. (if=3.065, ci=86)

10. Mishra, D. Ghose, B.K., Patra, H.K. and Kar, M. (1978).Changes in some enzyme activities during air drying of excised rice leaves. Zeit. Pflanzenphysiol (Now J. Plant Physiol).(Germany) , Elsevier, 90: 189 - 192 (if=3.065, ci=4)

239

RANA, TIKAM SINGH (b 1969), Senior Principal Scientist (Sci.'F'), NBRI, Lucknow


Dr. T.S. Rana is one of our foremost contemporary plant taxonomists whose scientific contributions range from classical taxonomy to modern molecular systematics, which is a unique blend of expertise, rarely found in the country. Flora of Tons Valley in West Himalaya is one of his significant achievements, wherein he has provided a firsthand field information and critical evaluation of plants of Western Himalaya. His work on the analysis of the monotypic flora of India is widely consulted by all phytogeographers and greatly helps in the discussion on distribution of the past and present flora of India. Molecular systematics of taxonomically complex and economically important genera like Astragalus, Murraya, Punica and Sapindus in the country are the maiden attempts of Dr. Rana. Unravelling the genetic diversity and resolving the taxonomic impediments in these genera are the major contributions towards understanding the systematics in broader perspectives. Dr. Rana has published two books and about sixty one research papers in National and International journals of repute which are highly cited. Dr. Rana‘s contributions to Science are already aptly recognized by some science Academies/Societies and also by the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi by bestowing him with the prestigious BOYSCAST Fellowship (2001-2002). In my opinion, Dr. Rana with his extra-ordinary capabilities for accomplishing the research projects richly deserves to be elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad.

Proposer : Dr. R. Raghavendra Rao, Seconder : Dr. M. Sanjappa


1. Verma Sushma and Rana, T. S (2013). Genetic relationships amongst wild and cultivated accessions of curry leaf plant (Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng.), as revealed by DNA fingerprinting methods. Molecular Biotechnology 53: 139-149 (DOI: 10.1007/s12033-012-9500-4) (if=2.275, ci=05)

2. Rana, T. S., Narzary Diganta and Ohri Deepak (2012). Molecular differentiation of Chenopodium album complex and some related species using ISSR profiles and ITS sequences. Gene. 495: 29-35 (DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2011.12.031). (if=2.416, ci=05)

3. Mahar, K.S., Rana, T. S., Ranade, S.A. Meena Baleshwar (2011). Genetic variability and population structure in Sapindus emarginatus Vahl from India. Gene 485 : 32 -39 (if=2.416, ci=08)

4. Mahar, K.S., Rana, T. S. and Ranade, S.A. (2011). Molecular analyses of genetic variability in soap nut (Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn.). Industrial Crops & Products 34 (1): 1111-1118 (if=3.208, ci=12)

5. Verma Sushma and Rana, T. S. (2011). Genetic diversity within and among the wild populations of Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng., as revealed by ISSR analysis. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology (39): 139- 144 (if=1.131, ci=11)

6. Narzary, D., Rana, T.S. and Ranade, S.A. (2010). Genetic diversity in ISSR profiles across natural populations of Indian pomegranates (Punica granatum L.). Plant Biology (12): 806- 813 (if=2.223, ci=25)

7. Rana, T. S. and Ranade, S. A. (2009). The enigma of monotypic taxa and their taxonomic implications. Current Science 96 (2): 219 – 229 (if=0.774, ci=10)

8. Ranade, S. A., Srivastva, Anuj, Rana, T. S., Srivastava, Jyoti and Tuli, Rakesh (2008). Easy assessment diversity of Physic Nut (Jatropha curcas L.) plants using RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) and DAMD (Directed Amplification of Minisatellite DNA) methods. Biomass & Bioenergy 32 (6): 533 – 540 (if=3.411, ci=109)

9. Chaudhary, L.B., Rana, T. S., Narzary, Diganta and Verma, Sushma (2007). A new species of Astragalus L. (Leguminosae) from India based on morphological and molecular markers. Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 154: 27 –34 (if=1.705, ci=04)

10. Guicking Daniela, Rana, T. S., Blattner, Frank, R., Weising, Kurt (2006). Microsatellite markers for the palaeotropic pioneer tree genus Macaranga (Euphorbiaceae) and their cross-species transferability. Molecular Ecology Notes 6: 245-248 (if=1.251, ci=10)

240

SEN MANDI, SWATI (b 1948), Senior Professor and ICMR Emeritus Medical Scientist, Division of Plant Biology,Bose Institute, Kolkata


Swati SenMandi demonstrated acetyl-coA carboxylase, through dual functioning viz. lipid biosynthesis and flavonoid biosynthesis, represents the major gene associated with vigour/viability traits in rice seed. She further demonstrated variation in ACCase gene expression associated with high / low seed vigour manifestation, in spite of same (one) gene copy number in contrasting genotypes is due to promoter methylation of ACCase gene. In preliminary breeding experiments she demonstrated introgression of high seed vigour associated DNA marker into low seed vigour varieties; F1 seeds exhibited high vigour performance. Prof SenMandi initiated AFLP based DNA profiling for documentation of Darjeeling tea clones. Subsequently in a network programme coordinated by P.S Ahuja, she participated in developing genetic profiling and structure and diversity analysis of all tea clones of India. She also developed Trait Related Markers for drought tolerance in tea and cyanogen in bamboo. She demonstrated enhanced flavonoids production (that confers aroma and antioxidant potential) in tea leaf of Darjeeling compared to leaf of same genotypes / clones growing in Assam (low altitude). Tea clones at lower altitude (Kharagpur) exhibited enhanced flavonoid accumulation under supplemental UV. Among landraces of Zingiber officinale collected from different locations of Eastern and North Eastern India she established alteration of one amino acid at the catalytic triad of Chalcone Synthase enzyme correlated with SNP in CHS gene as the cause of variation in 6-gingerol content in contrasting (high / low 6-gingerol containing) genotypes. All this work has been published in History of Science in India (2014) Vol IV Part-I, 293-295.

Proposer : Prof. A.K. Rai, Seconder : Prof. J S Singh


1. Sen,S. and Osborne, D.J., 1974, Germination of rye embryos following hydration dehydration treatments: Enhancement of protein and RNA synthesis and earlier induction of DNA replication, J. Expt. Bot., 25: 1010-19. (if=4.271, ci=45)

2. Sen, S., Payne, P.I. and Osborne, D.J., 1975, Early ribonucleic acid synthesis during the germination of Rye (Secale cereale) embryos and the relationship to early protein synthesis, Biochem. J., 148:-381-87. (if=5.155, ci=40)

3. Sen, S and Osborne, D.J., 1977, Decline in ribonucleic acid and protein synthesis with loss of viability during the early hours of imbibition of Rye (S. cereale L) embryos, Biochem. J., 166: 33-38. (if=5.155, ci=22)

4. Bhattacharyya (Ganguli) S. and Sen-Mandi, S., 1985, Studies into causes of non-germination of aged wheat seed, Ann. Bot., 56: 475-479. (if=3.501, ci=6)

5. Das, G. and Sen-Mandi, S., 1988, Root formation in deteriorated (aged) wheat embryos, Plant Physiol., 88(4): 983-987. (if=6.982, ci=4)

6. Das, G. and Sen-Mandi, S.,1992, Scutellar amylase activity in naturally aged and accelerated aged wheat seeds, Ann. Bot., 69: 497-501. (if=3.501, ci=18)

7. Ganguli, S. and Sen-Mandi, S., 1993, Effects of ageing on amylase activity and scutellar cell structure during imbibition in wheat seed, Ann. Bot., 71: 411-416. (if=3.501, ci=11)

8. -amylase activity as an index for germination potential in rice, Ann. Bot., 75: 463-467Nandi, S., Das, G. and Sen-Mandi, S., 1995, (if=3.501, ci=12)

9. Nandi, S., Subudhi, P. K., Senadhira, D., Manigbas, N. L., Sen-Mandi, S. and Huang, N., 1997, Mapping QTLs for submergence tolerance in rice by AFLP analysis and selective genotyping, Mol. Gen. Genet., 255: 1-8. (if=2.58, ci=101)

10. S. N. Raina P. S. Ahuja R. K. Sharma S. C. Das P. Bhardwaj R. Negi V. Sharma S. S. Singh R. K. Sud R. K. Kalia V. Pandey J. Banik V. Razdan D. Sehgal T. H. Dar A. Kumar S. Bali V. Bhat S. Sharma B. M. Prasanna S. Goel M. S. Negi P. Vijayan S. B. Tripathi B. Bera M. Hazarika A. K. A. Mandal R. R. Kumar D. Vijayan S. Ramkumar B. R. Chowdhury and S. S. Mandi, 2012 Genetic structure and diversity of India hybrid tea Genet Resour Crop Evol 59:1527–1541 (if=1.482, ci=7)

241

SHEKHAWAT, NARPAT SINGH (b 1953), Professor of Botany, Biotechnology Unit, J.N.Vyas University,

Jodhpur. Member of the NASI: No (YON 2012, Plant Sciences) Since 1979 Dr. Shekhawat has been on development of biotechnological tools and methods for conservation, characterization and propagation of plants of the arid regions. He worked on culture and fusion of plant protoplasts at Yale during 1981-83 on National Scholarship for studies abroad awarded by the government of India. During 1985 to date he has been devoted for development of good research laboratory where considerable R and D has been done on various aspects of plant and microbial biotechnology for utilization of bio-resources of the fragile ecosystem. With supports from DBT/DST/UGC, a good center of research and teaching-learning is growing where students/researchers come from various parts of the country and abroad. The work done has been published in journal of good reputation. He has been working in collaboration with users/progressive farmers for cultivation of medicinal plants.

Proposer: Prof. U.C. Srivastava, Seconder: Prof. Krishna Misra Ten Best Publications: 1. Amit Kumar Gupta, Harish, Manoj K. Rai, Mahendra Phulwaria, Narpat S. Shekhawat (2011) Isolation of genomic DNA suitable for community analysis from mature trees adapted to arid environment. Gene, 487(2):156-159 (IF=2.26) 2. Manoj K. Rai, N.S. Shekhawat, Harish, Amit K. Gupta, M. Phulwaria, Kheta Ram, U. Jaiswal. (2011)The role of abscisic acid in plant tissue culture – a review on the recent progress. Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture, 106: 179-190 (IF=1.24; most downloaded for last 5 months)) 3. Rathore, M.S., Rathore, M. S. Rathore and N. S. Shekhawat (2010) Ex vivo implications of phytohormones on various in vitro responses in Leptadenia reticulata (Retz.) Wight. & Arn.—an endangered plant. Environmental and Experimental Botany, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envexpbot.2010.05.009 (IF=3.3) 4. Deora, N.S. and N.S. Shekhawat (1995) Micropropagation of Capparis decidua (Forsk.) Edgew. - A tree of arid horticulture, Plant Cell Reports. 15: 278-281. (IF=2.3) 5. Rathore, T.S., Deora, N.S. and N.S. Shekhawat (1992) Cloning of Maytenus emarginata (Willd.) Ding Hou - a tree of the Indian desert, through tissue culture. Plant Cell Reports. 11: 449-451 (IF=2.3) 6. Kackar, A. and N.S. Shekhawat (1989) Regeneration of Lasiurus scindicus from tissue culture. Annals of Botany. 64: 455-458. (IF=3.84) 7. Dhir, S.K., Shekhawat, N.S., Purohit, S.D. and H.C. Arya (1984) Development of laticifer cells in callus cultures of Calotropis procera (Ait.) R.Br. Plant Cell Reports. 3: 206-209 (IF=2.3) 8. Shekhawat, N.S., and A.W. Galston (1983) Isolation, culture, and regeneration of moth bean Vigna aconitifolia leaf protoplasts. Plant Science Letters. 32: 43-51 (IF=2.2) 9. Bates, G.W., Gaynor, J.J. and N.S. Shekhawat (1983) Fusion of plant protoplasts by electric fields. Plant Physiology. 72: 1110-1113 (IF=6.6) 10.Dumortier, F.M., Flores, H.E., Shekhawat, N.S. and A.W. Galston (1983) Gradient of polyamines and their biosynthetic enzymes in coleoptiles and roots of corn. Plant Physiology. 72: 915-918 (IF=6.6)

242

YADAV, SUDESH KUMAR (b 1976), SENIOR SCIENTIST, Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur


He have published over 100 research papers with more than 3000 citations and cumulative impact factor or >300. Under his guidance, six students have obtained their PhD degrees and five are pursuing. For his outstanding research contributions in the area of plant sciences, he has been honoured with many prestigious awards; INSA-Young Scientist Award-2008, NASI-Platinum Jubilee Young Scientist Award-2009, CSIR-YSA-2010, BOYSCAST Fellowship-2008 by DST, GOI; NAAS-Associate by the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences from 2013; Prof. Hira Lal Chakravarty Memorial Award by ISCA in 2012-2013 and Haryana Yuva Vigyan Ratna Award‖ 2011-12 by HSCST, Govt. of Haryana. He has been working in the area of plant metabolic engineering. His some major achievements are 1. He has deciphered the mechanism of stress tolerance in glyoxalase overexpressing transgenics and first time developed the protocol for methylglyoxal estimation in plants. 2. Reduced caffeine levels of Kangra jat tea through PTGS of caffeine synthase encoding mRNA 3. Developed seed less/ low seeded fruits through PTGS of flavonol synthase mRNA. 4. Provided deep understanding on the regulation of Steviol Glycosides Biosynthesis at biochemical and molecular levels and documented production of steviol in alternate system. 5. Highlighted the importance of F3H, DFR and ANR genes from tea for their role in yield enhancement and stress tolerance of plants 6. Published first time transcriptome and DNA methylation polymorphism for a drought sensitive and a drought responsive horsegram. 7. First report on small RNA/ micro RNAs from Stevia rebaudiana, Camellia sinensis, Macrotyloma uniflorum and Crocus sativus

Proposer : DR P. S. AHUJA, Seconder : DR SANJAY KUMAR


1. Mahajan M, Sudesh Kumar Yadav*. 2014. Overexpression of a tea flavanone 3-hydroxylase gene confers tolerance to salt stress and Alternaria solani in transgenic tobacco. Plant Mol Biol. 85: 551-573 (if=4.41, ci=3)

2. Jyoti Bhardwaj, Rohit Chauhan, Mohit Kumar Swarnkar, Rakesh Kumar Chahota, Anil Kumar Singh, Ravi Shankar and Sudesh Kumar Yadav*. 2013. Comprehensive Transcriptomic Study on horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum): De novo Assembly, Functional Characterization and Comparative Analysis in Relation to Drought Stress. BMC Genomics 14: 647. (if=4.4, ci=12)

3. Praveen Guleria, Sudesh Kumar Yadav*. 2013. Agrobacterium mediated transient gene silencing (AMTS) in Stevia rebaudiana: insights into steviol glycoside biosynthesis pathway. PLoS ONE 8(9):e74731. (if=4.07, ci=5)

4. Vinay Kumar, Gireesh Nadda, Sanjay Kumar, Sudesh Kumar Yadav*. 2013. Transgenic tobacco overexpressing tea cDNA encoding dihydroflavonol 4-reductase and anthocyanidin reductase induces early flowering and provides biotic stress tolerance. PLoS ONE 8(6) e65535 (if=4.07, ci=12)

5. Monika Mahajan, Paramvir Singh Ahuja and Sudesh Kumar Yadav*. 2011. Post-transcriptional Silencing of Flavonol Synthase mRNA in Tobacco Leads to Fruits with Arrested Seed Set. PLoS ONE 6(12):e28315. (if=4.07, ci=18)

6. Prashant Mohanpuria, Vinay Kumar, Paramvir Singh Ahuja and Sudesh Kumar Yadav*. 2011. Producing low-caffeine tea through post transcriptional silencing of caffeine synthase mRNA. Plant Molecular Biology 76: 523-534. (if=4.41, ci=12)

7. Prashant Mohanpuria, Nisha K. Rana and Sudesh Kumar Yadav*. 2007. Cadmium Induced Oxidative Stress Influence on Glutathione Metabolic Genes of Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze. Environmental Toxicology 22: 368-374. (if=3.2, ci=75)

8. S.L. Singla-Pareek, Sudesh Kumar Yadav, A. Pareek, M.K. Reddy and S.K. Sopory, 2006. Transgenic tobacco overexpressing glyoxalase pathway enzymes grow and set viable seeds in zinc spiked soils. Plant Physiology 140: 613-623. (if=7.2, ci=120)

9. Sudesh Kumar Yadav, S.L. Singla-Pareek, M.K. Reddy and S.K. Sopory. 2005. Transgenic tobacco plants overexpressing glyoxalase enzymes resist an increase in methylglyoxal and maintain higher reduced glutathione levels under salinity stress. FEBS Lett. 579: 6265–6271. (if=3.93, ci=117)

10. Sudesh Kumar Yadav, S.L. Singla-Pareek, M. Ray, M.K. Reddy and S.K. Sopory. 2005. Methylglyoxal levels in plants under salinity stress are dependent on glyoxalase I and glutathione. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 337: 61–67. (if=2.94, ci=150)

243

AGRAWAL, VEENA (b 1955), Professor, Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi


Prof. Veena Agrawal has been conducting research and teaching to post-graduates and doctoral students in the area of Plant Biotechnology, since last over two decades at the Department of Botany, University of Delhi. She has developed in vitro technologies in more than 25 commercially important plant taxa for their large-scale plantation and improvement through genetic transformation. She has also published papers on genetic transformation of Tomato for drought tolerance by over expressing bspA (boiling stable protein) gene. Her other significant findings are the generation of sex-specific PCR-based molecular markers; RAPD, ISSR, SSR and STS from male & female Jojoba plants, under the DST funded Major Project. For the first time this work was reported in Jojoba and will be immensely useful in early detection of sex in male biased crop. Besides, she is involved in isolation, elicitation of biomolecules and cloning of biosynthetic pathway genes of psoralen, (psoralen synthase, from Psoralea corylifolia,) and sennosides (isochorismate synthase from Cassia angustifolia). These genes can be over expressed for enhancement of anticancerous compounds as these are proving more potential over synthetics. In collaboration with NCDC, Delhi, she has developed some herbal formulations which have proved effective against malarial, filarial, dengue and Japanese encephalitis vectors. As an outcome of this work, she has filed five Indian patents. She has published over 65 research papers in International/National peer reviewed Journal. She is an elected member of PTCA(I) and was awarded Fellowship (FISPP) by Indian Society of plant physiology in 2013.(Total Impact Factor: 68.539; Citation: 552).

Proposer : Professor S. K. Sopory, Seconder : Professor Sushil Kumar


1. Agrawal, Veena & Gupta, S.C. 1991. In vitro plantlet development from explants of 25-year-old trees of Populus x euramericana, a hybrid poplar. Pl. Sci. 78: 99-105. Elsevier. (if=4.114, ci=10)

2. Agrawal, Veena; Prakash, S. & Gupta, S.C. 2002. Effective protocol for in vitro shoot production through nodal explants of Simmondsia chinensis. Biol. Plant. 45: 449-453. Springer, Czech Republic, Prague (if=1.740, ci=42)

3. Kumar, S.; Agrawal, Veena & Gupta, S.C. 2002. Somatic embryogenesis in the woody legume Calliandra tweedii. Pl. Cell Tiss. Organ Cult. 71: 77-80. (if=2.612, ci=17)

4. Roy, R.; Purty R.S.; Agrawal, Veena & Gupta, S.C. 2006. Transformation of tomato cultivar ‗Pusa Ruby‘ with bspA gene from Populus tremula for drought tolerance. Pl. Cell Tiss. Org. Cult. 84: 55-67. Springer, The Netherlands. (if=2.612, ci=37)

5. Agrawal, Veena; Sharma, K.D.; Kumar, R. & Prashad, M. 2007. Identification of sex using RAPD marker in male and female plants of jojoba. Pl. Biotech Rep. 1: 207-210. Springer, Japan. (if=1.59, ci=34)

6. Pandey, V.; Agrawal, Veena; Raghavendra, K. and Dash, A.P. 2007. Strong larvicidal activity of three species of Spilanthes (Akarkara) against malaria (Anopheles stephensi Liston, Anopheles culicifacies, species C) and filaria vector (Culex quinquefasciatus Say). Parasitol. Res. 102: 171-174. Springer, Germany. (if=2.327, ci=52)

7. Parast, B.M.; Chetri, S.K.; Sharma, K. & Agrawal, Veena. 2011. In vitro isolation, elicitation of psoralen in callus cultures of Psoralea corylifolia and cloning of psoralen synthase gene. Pl. Physiol. Biochem. 49: 1138-1146. Elsevier, U.K. (if=2.352, ci=7)

8. Pandey, V.; Chopra, M. & Agrawal, Veena. 2011. In vitro isolation and characterization of biolarvicidal compounds from micropropagated plants of Spilanthes acmella. Parasitol. Res. 108: 297-304. Springer, Germany. (if=2.327, ci=10)

9. Heikrujam, M.; Sharma , K.; Kumar, J. & Agrawal, V. 2014. Generation and validation of unique male sex- specific sequence tagged sites (STS) marker from diverse genotypes of dioecious Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis).Euphytica 199:363-372. Springer, Netherlands.(if=1.692, ci=1)

10. Sharma, G.; Kapoor, H.; Chopra, M.; Kumar, K. & Agrawal, Veena. 2014. Strong larvicidal potential of Artemisia annua leaf extract against malaria (Anopheles stephensi Liston) and dengue (Aedes aegypti L.) vectors and bioassay-driven isolation of the marker compounds. Parasitol. Res. 113: 197-209. Springer, Germany. (if=2.327, ci=1)

244

BATISH, DAIZY RANI (b 1961), Professor, Department of Botany, Panjab University, CHANDIGARH


The nominee has made some significant contributions to the field of plant ecology and demonstrated the role of allelopathy (a type of chemical-mediated interaction) in the successful spread and establishment of weeds like Parthenium hysterophorus, Ageratum conysoides, Lantana camara, Anisomeles indica, Chenopodium murale, Tagetes minuta and Artemisia scoparia in the natural and manipulated ecosystems. Her pioneer work on volatile essential oils has provided practical solution to the effective weed management that holds immense potential for organic farming. She has chemically characterized secondary metabolites from several plants that may lead to the development of commercially viable herbicides. She has depicted the physiological and biochemical mode of action of several natural plant products like parthenin, α-pinene and BOA (2-benzoxazolinone) of herbicidal interest. Besides, the nominee has explored / is exploring novel molecules for mediating abiotic stress tolerance in the plants. Currently, she is investigating the potential of VOCs in mitigating abiotic stress and conferring tolerance to plants. Her work on natural weed management has been recognized world over as depicted by her quality publications, Scopus citations (2306; h index: 30) and recognitions (Some of the highly cited papers and listed among the top 25 hottest articles by Elsevier).

Proposer : Prof. Ravinder Kumar Kohli, Seconder : Prof. S.S. Kumar


1. D.R. Batish, H.P. Singh, S. Kaur and R.K. Kohli, 2008. Eucalyptus essential oil as a natural pesticide. Forest Ecology and Management. 256: 2166-2174 (if=2.66, ci=163)

2. H.P. Singh, D.R. Batish, G. Kaur, K. Arora and R.K. Kohli. 2008. Nitric oxide (as Sodium nitroprusside) supplementation ameliorates Cd toxicity in hydroponically grown wheat roots. Environmental and Experimental Botany. 63: 158-167 (if=3.003, ci=87)

3. D.R. Batish, H.P. Singh, S. Kaur, R.K. Kohli and S.S. Yadav. 2008. Caffeic acid affects Early growth, and morphogenetic response of hypocotyls cuttings of mungbean (Phaseolus aureus). Journal of Plant Physiology. 165: 297-305. (if=2.770, ci=34)

4. Batish, D.R., Lavanya, K., Singh, H.P., Kohli, R.K. 2007. Root mediated allelopathic interference of Nettle leaved goosefoot (Chenopodium murale) on wheat (Triticum aestivum). Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science. 193: 37-44. (if=2.618, ci=36)

5. H.P. Singh, D.R. Batish, S. Kaur, K. Arora and R.K. Kohli. 2006. α-Pinene inhibits growth and induces oxidative stress in roots. Annals of Botany. 98: 1261-1269 (if=3.295, ci=86)

6. Kohli, R.K., Batish, D.R., Singh, H.P., Dogra, K.S. 2006. Status, invasiveness and environmental threats of three tropical American invasive weeds (Parthenium hysterophorus L., Ageratum conyzoides L., Lantana camara L.) in India. Biological Invasions 8: 1501-1510(if=2.72, ci=52)

7. H.P. Singh, D.R. Batish, and R.K. Kohli. 2003. Allelopathic interactions and allelochemicals: New Possibilities for sustainable weed management. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences. 22: 239-311 (if=5.292, ci= 152)

8. H.P. Singh, D.R. Batish, J.K.Pandher and R.K. Kohli. 2003. Assessment of allelopathic properties of Parthenium hysterophorus residues. Agriculture Ecosystems and Environment. 95: 537-541 (if=3.203, ci=37)

9. D.R. Batish, H.P. Singh, R.K. Kohli, D.B. Saxena and S. Kaur. 2002. Allelopathic effects of parthenin against two weedy species - Avena fatua and Bidens pilosa. Environmental and Experimental Botany. 47: 149-155. (if=3.003, ci=43)

10. H.P. Singh, D.R. Batish and R.K. Kohli. 1999 Autotoxicity: organisms, processes and ecological significance. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences. 18: 757-772 (if=5.292, ci=129)

245

CHAUHAN, DEVENDRA KUMAR (b 1955), Professor, Department off Botany, University, Allahabad, Allahabad


Prof. D. K. Chauhan started his research work on the Lower Gondwana fossil plants. His intensive work on the fossils resulted in the discovery of three new genera Viz. Sagittophyllum, Laceyphyllum, and Handappia which is of the evolutionary importance. In addition to this he also created a number of new species belonging to other genera of Glossopterid. This has established him as a serious researcher in Paleobotany and Morphology. While carrying on his research in Paleobotany, he has given a new dimension to his studies in collaboration with different Departments of Allahabad University. He is working on the dynamics of silica (phytolith) deposition in the plant tissues and correlated with certain modern techniques such as LIBS, EPMA, SEM, TEM and has been able to report the associations of certain elements like Al, Mg, Ca and Fe with that of silica. He has also reported the mechanism of silica alleviative nature against the toxicity of Al, Cd, and Cr in crop plants. Presently he is working on synthesis of silicon nanoparticles using agriculture byproducts to detect their responses in plants. He has also visited Vietnam and Thailand and presented his scientific talk. He is fellows of national and international societies and also the editorial member of national and international journals. Apart from his research inputs; Prof. Chauhan‘s immense contribution in the field of science communication in general and Academy‘s programmes in particular is worth-mentioning, as this has helped the academy in disseminating the scientific temperament among the students and general mass

Proposer : Prof.G.K.Srivastava, Seconder : Prof. K.P.Singh


1. Tripathi DK, Singh VP, Prasad SM, Chauhan DK, Dubey NK, Rai AK (2015). Silicon-mediated alleviation of Cr(VI) toxicity in wheat seedlings as evidenced by chlorophyll florescence, laser induced breakdown spectroscopy and anatomical changes. Ecotoxicology and Environmental safety. 113: 133–144 (if=2.4, ci=0)

2. Kumar D, Singh VP, Tripathi DK, Prasad SM, Chauhan DK (2015). Effect of arsenic on growth, arsenic uptake, distribution of nutrient elements and thiols in seedlings of Wrightia arborea (Dennst.) Mabb., International Journal of Phytoremediation, 17:128-134 (if=1.46, ci=0)

3. Kumar D, Tripathi DK, Chauhan DK (2014). Phytoremediation Potential and Nutrient Status of Barringtonia acutangula Gaerth. Tree Seedlings Grown under Different Chromium (CrVI) Treatments, Biological trace element research 157(2): 164-174 (if=1.60, ci=0)

4. Kumar R, Tripathi DK, Devanathan A, Chauhan DK, Rai AK (2014). In-Situ Monitoring of Chromium Uptake in Different Parts of the Wheat Seedling (Triticum aestivum) using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, Spectroscopy Letters 47(7): 554-563 (if=0.71, ci=1)

5. Mishra S, Tripathi DK, Hroudova Z, Chauhan DK (2014). A potential contribution of achene micromorphology and phytolith analysis in describing the systematics of genus Bolboschoenus from India. Plant Systamatics and Evolution. DOI 10.1007/s00606-014-1128-3(if=1.15, ci=0)

6. Tiwari SP, Kumar P, Yadav D, Chauhan DK (2013). Comparative morphological, epidermal, and anatomical studies of Pinus roxburghii needles at different altitudes in the North-West Indian Himalayas, Turkish Journal of Botany, 37(1): 65-73 (if=1.6, ci=6)

7. Yadav D, Kumar P, Tiwari SP, Chauhan DK (2013) Comparative palynological and wood anatomical studies of Indian Taxus wallichiana Zucc., Cephalotaxus mannii Hook and Cephalotaxus griffithii Hook., Plant Systematics and Evolution, 299: 1231-1242(if=1.15, ci=0)

8. Chauhan DK, Agrawal S, Tiwari SP (2012). Two new species of Belemnopteris Feistmantel from the Lower Gondwana of India, Acta Palaeobotanica 52(1): 193-209 (if=0.662, ci=0)

9. 9. Tripathi DK, Singh VP, Kumar D, Chauhan DK (2012). Impact of exogenous silicon addition on chromium uptake, growth, mineral elements, oxidative stress, antioxidant capacity, and leaf and root structures in rice seedlings exposed to hexavalent chromium. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum. 34: 279-289 (if=1.52, ci=18)

10. 10. Chauhan DK, Tripathi DK, Rai NK, Rai AK (2011). Detection of Biogenic Silica in Leaf Blade, Leaf Sheath, and Stem of Bermuda Grass (Cynodon dactylon) Using LIBS and Phytolith Analysis, Food Biophysics 6 (3), 416-423 (if=1.55, ci=17)

246

J.I., NIRMAL KUMAR (b 1964), Professor & Head, PG Department of Environmental Science & Technology, Institute of Science & Technology for Advanced Studies & Research (ISTAR), Vallabh Vidya Nagar


BIOREMEDIATION AND BIODEGRADATION Bioremediation and biodegradation studies - Heavy metals, pesticides, petroleum products, and PAHs by microbial consortium, cyanobacteria, marine microalgae, aquatic plants, and vegetable crops. ENVIRONMENTAL MOLECULAR TOXICOLOGY Dr. Nirmal investigated molecular and biochemical response of nitrogen fixing cyanobacterial species to different pesticides, petroleum products, and PAHs. ECOLOGY AND WETLAND POLLUTION & MONITORING (LAKES, PONDS, RIVERS, COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS: MANGROVES, ESTUARIES) Dr. Nirmal evaluated trophic status & designed indices based on nutrient status & phytoplankton, zooplankton, macrophytes & birds in wetlands of Gujarat (Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Pariej & Kanewal Community Reserves, Banas & Meshwo Rivers). He evaluated pollution status with reference to phytoplankton, zooplankton, and meiobenthos in Narmada, Tapi & Mahi rivers and estuaries, Vamleshwar mangroves, and marine waters of Gujarat (Okha Coast), in relation to keystone influential parameters (morphometry, nutrients, biotic regime). FOREST ECOLOGY, BIODIVERSITY, AND NUTRIENT DYNAMICS He explored concentration, content, uptake & translocation of nutrients, litter decomposition, carbon stock assessment & fuel wood characteristics, community structure (tree species diversity, density of threatened & rare species in deciduous forests, protected areas of Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Gujarat) along with site-specific conservation and management strategies. AIR POLLUTION AND GREEN HOUSE GAS EMISSIONS from diverse ecosystems like wetlands, forests, plantations, paddy fields, poultry farms, and orchards, and established correlation with environmental variables to GWP, flux and budget of GHGs. Dr. Nirmal Kumar completed ten major research projects from national funding agencies, and awarded ten Ph.Ds. While three more projects are ongoing, and six PhD students are pursuing under his guidance.

Proposer : Kumar Har Darshan, Seconder : Lalit Mohan Manocha


1. Rita N. Kumar, Rajal Solanki & Nirmal Kumar J.I. (2012) "Seasonal variation in heavy metal contamination in water and sediments of river Sabarmati and Kharicut canal Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 185 (1):359-68 (if=1.592, ci=7)

2. J.I. Nirmal Kumar, Kanti Patel, Rita N Kumar and Rohit Kumar Bhoi (2010). An evaluation of fuelwood properties of some Aravally mountain tree and shrub species of Western India. Biomass and Bioenergy 35: 411-414 (if=4.629, ci=13)

3. J.I. Nirmal Kumar, Kanti Patel, Rita N Kumar and RohitKumar Bhoi (2010). An assessment of carbon stock for various land use system in Aravally mountains, Western India. Mitigation and Adaption Strategies for Global Change 15:811–824 (if=1.856, ci=5)

4. Nirmal Kumar, J.I., Anubhuti Bora and Manmeet Kaur Amb (2010) Chronic Toxicity of the Triazole Fungicide Tebuconazole on a Heterocystous, Nitrogen-Fixing Rice Paddy Field Cyanobacterium, Westiellopsis prolifica Janet J. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 20 (7): 1134-1139. (if=2.0689, ci=17)

5. Nirmal Kumar, J.I., Manmeet Kaur Amb, and Anubhuti Bora (2010) Chronic response of Anabaena fertilissima Rao, C. B. on Growth, Metabolites and Enzymatic Activities by Chlorophenoxy Herbicide. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology Elsevier 98:168-174(if=2.064, ci=8)

6. J.I. Nirmal Kumar, Cini Oommen and Rita N Kumar (2009). Biosorption of Heavy Metals from Aqueous Solution by Green Marine Macroalgae from Okha Port, Gulf of Kutch, India. American-Eurasian Journal of Agricultural & Environmental Science. 6 (3): 317-323(if=0.549, ci=20)

7. Nirmal Kumar,J.I and Shailendra Viyol (2009) Short term diurnal and Temporal measurement of Methane emission in relation to organic carbon , sulphate, phosphate contents of two rice fields of central Gujarat, India . Paddy and Water Environment. 7:.11-16(if=1.239, ci=12)

8. J.I Nirmal Kumar, Hiren Soni and Rita N. Kumar (2008). Macrophytes in Phytoremediation of Heavy Metal contaminated Water and sediments in Pariyej Community Reserve, Gujarat, India. Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 8 (2): 193-200 (if=1.07, ci=47)

9. J.I Nirmal Kumar, Hiren Soni and Rita N. Kumar (2006). Biomonitoring of selected freshwater macrophytes to assess lake trace element contamination: A Case Study of Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat, India. Journal of Limnology. 65 (1): 9-16 (if=1.473, ci=30)

10. B.C. Rana and J.I N Kumar. (1995). Observations on the effect of Isoproturon on Aquatic targets and their associated organisms. Bulletin of Environmental Toxicology and Contaminants. USA. 55: 104-110 (Hari Ohm Ashram Award recipient). ISSN Number: Printed: 0007-4861, Online: 1432-0800. (if=1.118, ci=5)

247

JHA, LALIT KUMAR (b. 1954), Professor of Forestry, Dept. of Environmental Studies, NorthEastern Hill University, Shillong. Member of the NASI: No (YON 2011, Plant Sciences) Made pioneer contributions of immense value for environment conservation and sustainable development in northeastern India. Contributed in the area of biodiversity monitoring (bamboo, canes, orchids, earthworms and insect pest). He also evolved the Tree-Green hedge-Crop-Farming system, which has been recognized by the ACAIR, Australia [International Journal of Social Economics, 24 (1-3) : 160-177 ] and the Department of Environment and Forests (Government of India) and included in the M.Sc syllabi of NEHU (ENVC 10. Eco-restoration). Bamboo - based agro forestry systems for sustainability of hills and eco-restoration, especially testing of four edible bamboo species, has been another major focus of his research [e.g. Bamboo Science and Culture 2010, 23 : 1-28; Journal of Bamboo and Rattan 2003, 2 (2):103-109; Indian Forester 2004, 130 (9):1071-1077]. He also made significant contributions in respect of management of Melocannabaccifera, D. hamiltonii, D. longispathus and 'Bambusa tulda [Bamboo Journal Japan 2008, 25: 48-55 and 56-63] and management of edible bamboo species -both are important in the rural ecosystem[Bamboo Science and Culture 2010, 23 : 1-28] Authored and edited twelve books, many of which are text/reference books in the M.Sc. and PhD syllabi developed by ICAR, ICFRI, IARI, and universities. He introduced forestry teaching in three universities and successfully supervised 10 PhD and established a group of researchers in the northeastern states on forestry/agro forestry/environmental studies.

Proposer: Prof. B. Mohan Kumar, Seconder: Dr. Gopal C. Majumder Ten Best Publications : 1. Lalnunmawia, F., Jha, L.K. and Lalengliana (2005) Preliminary observations on ecological and' economic impacts of bamboo flowering in Mizoram (North East India),J. of bamboo and Rattan, Neatherland 4 (4): 317-322 (IF: 1) 2. Jha, L.K., Lalnuntluanga and Marak,C.H (2004) Study on the growth performance of bamboo species Melocanna baccifera and Dendrocalamus longispathus along with crop (Glycine max) in degraded jhum land of Mizoram, Indian Forestor,130(9):1071-"W77. (IF: 3). 3. Jha, L.K. and F. Lalnunmawia (2003) Agroforestry with bamboo and Ginger to rehabilitate degraded areas in North-east India, Journal of Bamboo and Rattan, Netherland, 2(2): 103-109. (IF: 1) 4. Jha, L.K. and Laha, R.C (2002) Study on population changes of Melocanna baccifera, Dendrocalamus hamiltonni and D. longipathus under one, three and five years fallow periods in Mizoram, Journal of Bamboo and Rattan, Netherland, 1(4): 289-299. (IF: 1) 5. Jha, L.K. and Rarnnqhinglova; J.H. (1995) Bamboo resources and its management, Indian Forester, pp 77-79. (IF: 3) 6, Lalramlinglova, J.H. and Jha, L.K.· (1996) Prominent agroforestry system and important Multipurpose trees in farming system of Mizoram, Indian Forester, 102 (7): 604-609 (IF: 3) 7. Upadhyaya, K.K. and Jha, L.K. (1997) Mizoram Agriculture: Financial Viability of agroforestry, Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics, 52 (4): 772-781. (IF: 7.6) 8, Lalramnghiglova, H., Lalnuntulanga and Jha, L.K. (2006). Notes on Ngengpui and Palak wildlife sanctuaries in South M.izQram, Indian Forester, 132(10): 1282-1291 (IF: 3) 9. Mishra, R.K., Jha, L.K. and Maxwell M. Crystal (1984) Histopathological effects of Bisa Zir and' Triphenyl Tin Chloride on the Ovary of Perplaneta Americana.L. Journal of Inver.Path. 44: 349-340 (IF: 8.6) 10. Mishra, R.K. and Jha; L.K. (1980). Effect of Tepa on the free amino acids of ovary in Dysdercus cingulatus, Fabr., Current Science, 49(17): 661-663. (IF: 7)

248

MAIKHURI, RAKESH KUMAR (b 1962), Scientist 'F', G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment And Development, Srinagar Garhwal


Dr. Maikhuri has made significant research contributions in the interface area of environment-natural resource management and sustainable development. The major contributions include: a. Developed an approach to ecological restoration of degraded lands in different agro-eco-zones in central Himalaya; these approaches have been adopted by many individuals/village institutions/NGOs and quoted as a success story in international literature on sustainability science. Long term assessment of growth and carbon stock of mixed species plantations established on degraded land (8 ha) is the first attempt in the Himalaya based on repeated measurements of the same sites over 20 year period. b. Inventoried extensively traditional agro-biodiversity and associated ecosystem functions and identified interventions for promotion of environmental conservation, food security and socio-economic development as an integrated mountain development goal, c. Analyzed issues related to environment- development- policy-people conflicts in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve and few other protected areas of Uttarakhand and recommended priority options for conflicts resolution and biodiversity conservation, and d. Assessed vulnerability of mountain agriculture and forest ecosystem of Alaknanda catchment to climate change and developed mitigation and adaptation strategies; quantified the contribution of pack animals in reducing the CO2 emission in the Central Himalaya. He has received Vishisht Vaigyanik Puraskar in 1999 by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India, Internship Award by ICIMOD, Young Scientist Certificate of Commendation in 2001 by START, USA, and Paryavaran Puraskar by Uttarakhand Govt. in 2005 and has published about 250 research papers in international and national journals of repute and guided 16 Ph.D. students.

Proposer : Prof. A.N. Purohit, Seconder : Dr. G.S. Rawat


1. Maikhuri, R.K. and P.S. Ramakrishnan, 1990, Ecological analysis of a cluster of villages emphasising of land use of different tribes in Meghalaya in north-east India. Agriculture Ecosystems Environment, 31, 17-37. (if=3.203, ci=186)

2. Maikhuri, R.K., 1991. Fuelwood consumption pattern of different tribal communities living in Arunachal Pradesh in northeastern India. Bioresource Technology, 35, 292-296. (if=5.039, ci=229)

3. Maikhuri, R.K., S. Nautiyal, K.S. Rao, K. Chandrasehar, K.G. Saxena and R. Gavali, 2000. Analysis and resolution of protected area-people conflicts in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, India. Environment Conservation, 27, 43-53. (if=2.320, ci=455)

4. Rao, K.S., R.K. Maikhuri, S. Nautiyal and K.G. Saxena, 2002. Crop damage and livestock depredation by wildlife: a case study from Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, India. Journal of Environmental Management, 64, 1-11. (if=3.188, ci=319)

5. Semwal, R.L., R.K. Maikhuri, K.S. Rao, K.K. Sen and K.G. Saxena, 2003. Leaf litter decomposition and nutrient release patterns of six multipurpose tree species of Central Himalaya, India. Journal Biomass and Bioenergy, 24, 3-11. (if=3.840, ci=198)

6. Semwal, R.L., S. Nautiyal, K.K. Sen, U. Rana, R.K. Maikhuri, K.S. Rao and K.G. Saxena, 2004. Patterns and ecological implications of agricultural land-use changes: a case study from Central Himalaya, India. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 102, 81-92.(if=3.203, ci=205)

7. Nautiyal, Sunil, H. Kaechele, K.S. Rao, R.K. Maikhuri and K.G. Saxena, 2007. Energy and economic analysis of traditional versus introduced crops cultivation in the mountains of the Indian Himalayas: A case study. Energy, 32, 2321-2335. (if=4.159, ci=115)

8. Dhyani. D, Maikhuri, R.K., Misra, S. and Rao, K.S., 2010. Endorsing the declining indigenous ethnobotanical knowledge system of Seabuckthorn in Central Himalaya, India. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 127, 329-334. (if=2.939, ci=107)

9. Negi, Vikram, R.K. Maikhuri and Lakhpat Rawat, 2011. Non-timber forest products (NTFPs): a viable option for biodiversity conservation and livelihood enhancement in Central Himalaya. Biodiversity Conservation, 20, 545-559. (if=2.146, ci=231)

10. Dhyani Shalini, Maikhuri R.K. and Dhyani Deepak, Energy budget of fodder harvesting pattern along the altitudinal gradient in Garhwal Himalaya, India. Journal of Biomass and Bioenergy, 35 (5),1823-1832. (if=3.840, ci=86)

249

MALLICK, NIRUPAMA (b 1964), Professor, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, West Bengal-721 302


Prof. Mallick‘s research career began with the development of an algal tool for biomonitoring of metal toxicity in aquatic ecosystem, and demonstration of an ‗exclusion mechanism‘ for Cu-tolerance in the cyanobacterium, Anabaena doliolum. She has also developed a hypothetical mechanistic model to explain the tolerance of microalgae against metals and acidity. While working as principal investigator in DST Young Scientist Scheme, she first time demonstrated the synthesis of ‗phytochelatins‘ in diazotrophic cyanobacteria. She has also studied the metal biosorption potential of various microalgae with reference to recovery of precious metals. Under the Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship, she has explored the ‗nitric oxide biosynthesis pathway‘ in microalgae. At IIT Kharagpur, Prof. Mallick‘s research group has generated excellent data on the production of biodegradable films (polyhydroxyalkanoates) from cyanobacteria. She has also developed a recirculatory aquaculture system (RAS) to treat the aqua-discharges with microalgae and cyanobacteria, and simultaneously producing various value-added products. Her group has successfully developed a low-cost process for extraction of C-phycocyanin, a natural colorant with enormous pharmaceutical properties, from cyanobacterial biomass. Her group is actively engaged in microalgae-biofuel research. Aiming for an ‗Algal Refinery‘, they have developed simultaneous extraction protocols for various high-value products, viz. biodiesel, bioethanol, glycerol, β-carotene, astaxanthin, PUFAs and the protein-rich spent biomass as aqua-feeds. Her research team has been honored with the prestigious General Electric Ecomagination Challenge award 2010 for their unique algal bioreactor model named ‗BioPyramid‘. She has been elected to the fellowship of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) in 2015.

Proposer : Prof. L.C. Rai, Seconder : Prof. J. S. Singh


1. Mallick, N. and Mohn, F. H. (2000) Reactive oxygen species: Response of algal cells. Journal of Plant Physiology 157: 183-193.(if=2.770, ci=173)

2. Mallick, N. (2002) Biotechnological potential of immobilized algae for wastewater N, P and metal removal. BioMetals 15: 377-390.(if=2.689, ci=283)

3. Mallick, N. and Mohn, F.H. (2003) Use of chlorophyll fluorescence in metal-stress research: A case study with the green microalga Scenedesmus. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 55: 64-69 (Elsevier). (if=2.482, ci=161)

4. Sharma, L. and Mallick, N. (2005) Accumulation of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate in Nostoc muscorum: regulation by pH, light-dark cycles, N and P status and carbon sources. Bioresource Technology 96: 1304-1310. (if=5.039, ci=34)

5. Panda, B., Jain, P., Sharma, L. and Mallick, N. (2006) Optimization of cultural and nutritional conditions for accumulation of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Bioresource Technology 97: 1296-1301. (if=5.039, ci=41)

6. Mandal, S. and Mallick, N. (2009) Microalga Scenedesmus obliquus as a potential source for biodiesel production. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 84: 281-291. (if=3.811, ci=227)

7. Mandal, S. and Mallick, N. (2011) Waste utilization and biodiesel production by the green microalga Scenedesmus obliquus. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 77: 374-377. (if=3.952, ci=32)

8. Samantaray, S., Nayak, J. K. and Mallick, N. (2011) Wastewater utilization for poly-β-hydroxybutyrate production by the cyanobacterium Aulosira fertilissima in a recirculatory aquaculture system. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 77: 8735-8743.(if=3.952, ci=5)

9. Mandal, S. and Mallick, N. (2012) Biodiesel production by the green microalga Scenedesmus obliquus in a recirculatory aquaculture system. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 78: 5929-5933 . (if=3.952, ci=7)

10. Bagchi, S.K., Rao, P.S. and Mallick, N. (2015) Development of an oven drying protocol to improve biodiesel production for an indigenous chlorophycean microalga Scenedesmus sp. Bioresource Technology 180: 207-213. (if=5.039, ci=0)

250

NANDI, SHYAMAL KUMAR (b 1958), Scientist ‗G‘ & Group Head, Biodiversity Conservation

Management & Biotechnology Applications, G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment &

Development, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora - 263 643, Uttarakhand. Member of the NASI: Yes (YON 2011, Plant Sciences)

Dr S.K. Nandi made significant R&D contributions in different areas of Plant Science and more than 25 years of working experience. I am personally acquainted with his major contributions, which are broadly categorized below: Phosphate absorption by corn roots confirmed multiphasic mechanism of ion uptake, with a deviation from Michaelis-Menten kinetics observed at the two highest phases. Reported first time that 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP; widely used as a synthetic cytokinin), its riboside and nucleotide occur naturally cytokinins in plant tissues. Embryonic axes of germinating seeds, was for the first time demonstrated to be a site of cytokinin biosynthesis. Identification and quantification of cytokinins in interspecific genetic tumours of tobacco; defined role of cytokinins in the formation and/or maintenance of these tumours Bioprospecting and quantification of active ingredients of several Himalayan medicinal plants to select elites (based on high levels) for further multiplication and/or cultivation. Developed efficient tissue culture and conventional (cuttings, seeds, underground parts) propagation protocols for mass scale multiplication of economically important species for commercial cultivation and/or conservation. The work of nominee not only provided basic information but also contributed to the development of basic and applied science, and human resource development. His publications are very well cited in International journals (high citation value); the relevance of multiphasic model of phosphate uptake, and occurrence of BAP and its glycosides as naturally occurring cytokinins in plants, have filtered down to text book of ‗Plant Physiology‘ (FB Salisbury & CW Ross; Wadsworth Pub., USA, 1992).

Proposer : Prof. L.M.S. Palni, Seconder : Prof. D.C. Uprety Ten Best Publications: 1. Mishra, J., Singh, M., Palni, L.M.S. & Nandi, S.K. (2011) Assessment of genetic fidelity of encapsulated

microshoots of Picrorhiza kurrooa. Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture 104: 181-186. (if=3.633, ci=28) 2. Chandra, B., Palni, L.M.S. & Nandi, S.K. (2006) Propagation and conservation of Picrorhiza kurrooa

Royle ex Benth: an endangered Himalayan medicinal herb of high commercial value. Biodiversity & Conservation 15: 2325-2338 (if=2.264, ci=31) 3. Nadeem, M., Rikhari, H.C., Kumar, A., Palni, L.M.S. & Nandi, S.K. (2002) Taxol content in the bark of

Himalayan yew in relation to tree age and sex. Phytochemistry 60: 627-631. (if=3.575, ci=45) 4. Nadeem, M., Palni, L.M.S., Purohit, A.N., Pandey, H. & Nandi, S.K. (2000) Propagation and conservation of Podophyllum hexandrum Royle: an important medicinal herb. Biological Conservation 92:

121-129. (if=4.241, ci=90) 5. Nandi, S.K., Palni, L.M.S. & Rikhari, H.C. (1996) Chemical induction of adventitious root formation in

Taxus baccata cuttings. Plant Growth Regulation 19: 117-122. (if=1.670, ci=28) 6. Nandi, S.K., Palni, L.M.S. & de Klerk, G.J.M. (1995) The influence of the embryonic axis and cytokinins on reserve mobilization in germinating lupin seeds. Journal of Experimental Botany 46: 329-336. (if=5.542, ci=25) 7. Nandi, S.K., Palni, L.M.S. & Parker, C.W. (1990) Dynamics of endogenous cytokinins during the growth cycle of a hormone-autotrophic genetic tumour line of tobacco. Plant Physiology 94: 1084-1089. (if=7.084,

ci=12) 8. Nandi, S.K., Letham, D.S., Palni, L.M.S., Wong, O.C. & Summons, R.E. (1989) 6-Benzylaminopurine

and its glycosides as naturally-occurring cytokinins. Plant Science 61:189-196. (if=2.997, ci=56) 9. Nandi, S.K., Palni, L.M.S., Letham, D.S. & Knypl, J.S. (1988) The biosynthesis of cytokinins in

germinating lupin seeds. Journal of Experimental Botany 39: 1649-65. (if=5.542, ci=14) 10.Nandi, S.K., Pant, R.C. & Nissen, P. (1987) Multiphasic uptake of phosphate by corn roots. Plant, Cell

& Environment 10: 463-474.(if=5.135, ci=32)

251

PANDE, P.C. (b. 1953), Professor & Head, Department of Botany, Kumaun University, S.S.J. Campus,

Almora. Member of the NASI: No (YON 2011, Plant Sciences) The nominee's scientific carrier embodies teaching and research in Taxonomy of Vescular Plants, Ethnobotany and Traditional Knowledge Systems in Indian Central Himalayan Region for over three decades in Kumaun University, S.S.J.Campus, Almora. Dealing with systematics, he has described eight taxa new to science and recorded many taxa new to India, Nothern India. Western Himalayas and Utlarakhand. Beside this, he has also recorded torsion in fertile fronds of Elaphoglosspm stelfigerum; soriferous nest leaf of Drynaria propinqua; forking in 25 species of ferns and 14 new cryptogamic hosts of Cuscutta reflexa and use of angle of veins in the identification in Araiostegia species for the first time. The floristic work done by the nominee should find its place in major herbaria and the world over. Apart from the above, he has also made an outstanding contribution towards the understanding the role of plants in the life of people and has explored throughout Uttarakhand for this purpose. The ethnobotanical research undertaken by him has made country- wide impact as evinced by the publication like "Folk Medicine and Aromatic plants of Uttaranchal" etc. (For more details see Summary of Bio Data).

Proposer: Prof. Y.P.S. Pangtey, Seconder: Prof. R.D. Gaur Ten Best Publications: 1. Pande, P.C. and M.M. Kandpal (1986). Pteridophytic flora of Didihat (Y. Himalaya). Acta Botanica Indica, 14 (Suppl.): 115-122. (CI: 7) 2. Pande, P.C. and H. C. Pande (1990). Systemetics of the genus Selaginella from Kumaun Himalaya. Indian Fern J., 7 : 5-17. (CI: 5) 3. Pande, P.C. (1990). An annotated check list of the fern-allies of Kumaun Himalaya. Indian Fern J, 7 : 58-65. (CI : 6) 4. Pande, P.C. (1990). A census of Kumaun Ferns (North- Western Himalaya) Indian Fern J., 7: 140-195. (CI : 12) 5. Pande, P.C. and H.C. Pande (199'3). Systematics and distribution of epipbypic Pterodophytic flora of Kumaun Himalaya. Indian Fern J, 10: 17-29. (CI : 3) 6. Pande, P.C. and Kusum Bhandari (1994). Pteridophytic flora of Roopkund (Garhwal Himalaya). Indian Fern J., 11: 20-26. (CI : 5) 7. Pande, P.C. and S.S. Bir, (1994), Present Assessment of rare and threatened vascular cryptogams (Pteridophytes) of Kumaun Himalaya and their conservation strategies. Indian Fern J., 11 : 31-48. (CI : 5) 8. Pande, P.C. and Pragya Joshi (2005). Gymnospermous flora of Kumaon Himalaya- A Census. J Econ. Tax. Bot., 29 (2): 356-353, 2005. (CI : 2) 9. Pande, P.C., Lalit Tiwari and H.C. Pande (2007). Ethnovetenary plants of Uttaranchal. A Review. Indian J Trad. Knowled., 6 (3):444-458. (IF: 6.5; CI : 2) 10. Tiwari, Lalit and P.C.Pande (2010). Himalayan Medicine Systems and its Ayurvedic perspective. Asian Agri-History, 14(3): 261-272. (IF: 3.9; CI : 1)

252

PARVATAM, GIRIDHAR (b 1969), Principal Scientist, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore


Dr. Giridhar Parvatam in 20Y R&D career with 1234 citations of his work, contributed immensely to Plant Sciences, in the area of Biotechnology, functional genomics (caffeine, capsaicin, vanillylamine biosynthetic pathway genes), tissue culture and secondary metabolites. He was awarded with CSIR-CFTRI‘s Best Research Scientist Award for the year 2012 and also awarded prestigious LGSN Award for Best Food Technology Scientist by AFST(I), in 2013. He pursued overseas studies on DAAD & BOYSCAST fellowships, had a total of 149 publications, deposited in NCBI 15 cDNA clones, 40 coffee exon-intron clones, 12 Moringa peroxidases, SOD seq., holding 09 patents including European and U.S., bestowed with three young scientist awards (APSI, IBS and ISMPP), elected Fellow of APSI, IBS, SAB, elected member of NASI and PTCA(I), investigated DBT (07), DST (05) projects, Indo-French, Indo-Bulgarian projects, reviewer for peer reviewed journals and guided 06 students for PhD. Currently investigator of CSIR-BMBF(Germany) project, and DBT&DST projects, guiding 06 students for PhD. He made noteworthy contribution in Plant Tissue Culture of food value plants viz., Coffee, Soybean, Capscium, Moringa, Stevia, Decalepis, Vanilla, Annatto, leafy vegetables, made pioneering efforts in production of vanilla flavour compounds in Decalepis, established the role of indolamines in plant growth and development, developed GM coffee plants with down regulated caffeine through antisense and RNAi. Developed eco-friendly technologies for enhancement of annatto color (4%) in Bixa (patent 1; process 1), RSM for scale up of isoflavones in vitro from soybean cultures. Also made original contributions on Iron and Folate bioavailability from Moringa leaf.

Proposer: Dr. G.A.Ravishankar, Seconder:Dr. Anupam Dikshit


1. Akula Ramakrishana, Parvatam Giridhar, Kadimi Udaya Sankar and Gokare Aswathanarayana Ravishankar. 2012. Melatonin and serotonin profiles in beans of Coffea species. Journal of Pineal Research. 52: 470-476 (if=7.812, ci=31)

2. Gururaj HB, Padma MN, Giridhar P., Ravishankar GA. Functional validation of Capsicum frutescens aminotransferase gene involved in vanillylamine biosynthesis using Agrobacterium mediated genetic transformation studies in Nicotiana tabacum and Capsicum frutescens calli cultures. Plant Science 195, 96-105. (if=4.114, ci=05)

3. Narasimha Prasad BC, Gururaj HB, Vinod Kumar, Parimalan R, Ashwani Sharma, Giridhar P, Ravishankar GA. 2006. Influence of 8-methyl nonenoic acid on capsaicin biosynthesis in in vivo and in vitro cell cultures of Capsicum sp. J. of Agricul. Food Chem. 54: 1854-1859. (if=3.104, ci=25)

4. Giridhar, P*., Indu, E.P., Vinodkumar, Chandrasekar A. and Ravishankar G.A. 2004. Direct somatic embryogenesis from Coffea arabica L. and Coffea canephora P. ex. Fr. Under the influence of ethylene action inhibitor-silver nitrate. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum 26:299-305. (if=1.524, ci=25)

5. Vinodkumar, E.P.Indu, Sarala Itty, P.Giridhar, A. Chandrasekar and G.A.Ravishankar.2006. Stable Transformation and Direct regeneration in Coffea canephora by Agrobacterium rhizogenes mediated transformation without hairy-root phenotype. Plant Cell Reports. 25:214-222. ( (if=2.936, ci=36)

6. Khan Md I., Harsha PSC, Giridhar P., Ravishankar GA. 2012. Pigment identification, nutritional composition, bioactivity, and in vitro cancer cell cytotoxicity of Rivina humilis L. berries, potential source of betalains. LWT-Food Science and Technology 47 (2), 315-323 (if=2.468, ci=21)

7. Sakthivelu G., Akitha Devi M.K., Giridhar P., Rajasekaran T., Ravishankar G.A. 2008. Isoflavone composition , phenol content and antioxidant activity of soybean seeds from India and Bulgaria. J of Agric. Food Chem. 56: 2090-2095. (if=3.104, ci=62)

8. Akitha Devi M.K., Mahendranath Gondi, Sakthivelu G., Giridhar P., Rajasekaran T. and Ravishankar G.A. 2009. Functional attributes of soybean seeds and products, with reference to isoflavone content and antioxidant activity. Food Chemistry 114 : 771-776,(if=3.259, ci=39)

9. Parimalan R., P.Giridhar* and G.A.Ravishankar. 2011. Somatic embryogenesis and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in Bixa orellana L. Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture. 105 (3): 317-328. (if=2.612, ci=25)

10. Parimalan R., P.Giridhar* and G.A.Ravishankar. 2008. Mass multiplication of Bixa Orellana L. through tissue culture for commercial propagation Industrial Crops and Products 28 : 122-127. (if=3.24, ci=12)

253

SAWANT, SAMIR VISHWANATH (b 1972), Principal Scientist and Csir-National Botanical Research Institute, LUCKNOW


Dr. Sawant‘s major contribution is in the area of transcription regulation in plants. Using computational sequence analysis, he developed first completely artificial promoter for expression of transgenes in plants (Sawant et al., 1999, 2001). Dr. Sawant‘s group also developed novel male sterility system (Singh et al., 2010) wherein, they identified a novel use of Beclin 1 gene in introducing male sterility in plants. More recently, his group has been immensely contributing in area of Cotton Genomics. Dr. Sawant‘s group developed large scale genomic resources (genes, miRNAs, promoters, transcription factors) from G. hirsutum (Rai et al., 2013) and made them publically available through a website NBRI- Comprehensive Cotton Genomic database (NCGD; http://www.ncgd.nbri.res.in/). Dr. Sawant‘s group significantly enriched SSRs and SNPs markers (Jena et al., 2011; Rai et al., 2013; Srivastava et al., 2013) and made them available publically. Dr. Sawant‘s group identified several genes responsible for drought tolerance (Ranjan et al., 2012; Ranjan et al., 2013; Pandey et al., 2013) and fibre quality related traits (Nigam et al., 2013) in Cotton. Dr. Sawant‘s group developed first SNP chip for Cotton which has SNPs from Indian genotypes which they are utilizing for tagging QTLs under various national molecular breeding programmes. Dr. Sawant‘s group is also an important part in the international SNP consortium constituted under international Cotton Genome Initiative (CGI).

Proposer : DR. Rakesh Tuli, Seconder : Prof. P.K. Gupta


1. Sawant, S.V.. Kiran. K., Singh, P.K. and Tuli, R. (2001). Sequence architecture downstream of the initiator codon enhances gene expression and protein stability in plants. Plant Physiol., 126, 1630-36. (if=7.9, ci=67)

2. Ranjan A, Ansari SA, Srivastava R, Mantri S, Asif MH, Sawant SV* and Tuli R (2009). A T9G mutation in the prototype TATA-box TCACTATATATAG determines nucleosome formation and synergy with upstream activator sequences in plant promoters. Plant Physiol., 151, 2174-2186. (if=7.9, ci=3)

3. Srivastava R, Rai KM, Srivastava M, Kumar V, Pandey B, Singh SP, Singh BD, Tuli R and Sawant SV* (2014). Distinct role of core promoter architecture in regulation of light mediated response in plant genes. Molecular Plant, doi:10.1093/mp/sst146 (if=6.126, ci=1)

4. Sawant, S.V., Kiran. K., Mehrotra. R., Chaturvedi. C.P., Ansari, S.A., Singh. P.. Lodhi. N. and Rakesh Tuli. (2005). A variety of synergistic and antagonistic interactions mediated by the acting DNA motifs regulate gene expression in plant cells by modulating stability of the transcription complex formed on basal promoter. J. Exp. Bot., 56, 2345-53. (if=5.794, ci=27)

5. Singh SP, Pandey T, Srivastava R, Verma PC, Singh PK, Tuli R and Sawant SV* (2010). BECLIN 1 from Arabidopsis thaliana under the generic control of regulated expression systems, a strategy for developing male sterile plants. Plant Biotechnol. J., 8, 1005-1022.(if=5.677, ci=7)

6. Rai KM, Singh SK, Bhardwaj A, Kumar V, Lakhwani D, Srivastava A, Jena SN, Bag SK, Sawant SV* (2013). Large scale resource development in Gossypium hirsutum L. by 454 sequencing of genic-enriched libraries from six diverse genotypes. Plant Biotechnol. J., 11(8): 953-63. (if=5.794, ci=4)

7. Nigam D, Kavita P, Tripathi RK, Ranjan A, Goel R, Asif M, Shukla A, Singh G, Rana D and Sawant SV* (2014). Transcriptome dynamics during fibre development in contrasting genotypes of Gossypium hirsutum L. Plant Biotechnol J., 12: 204-218 (if=5.794, ci=2)

8. Ranjan A, Pandey N, Lakhwani D, Dubey NK, Pathre UV and Sawant SV* (2012). Comparative transcriptomic analysis of roots of contrasting Gossypium herbaceum genotypes revealing adaptation to drought. BMC Genomics, 13: 680-702. (if=4.04, ci=17)

9. Pandey N. Ranjan A, Pant P, Tripathi RK, Ateek F, Pandey HP, Patre UV and Sawant SV* (2013). CAMTA1 regulates drought responses in Arabidopsis thaliana. BMC Genomics, 14: 216. (if=4.04, ci=15)

10. Sawant, S.V., Singh, P.K.. Kladnala, R. and Tuli. R. (2001). Designing of an artificial expression cassette for the high level expression of transgenes in plants. Theoretical and Applied Genetics. 102. 635-644. (if=3.785, ci=49)

http://www.ncgd.nbri.res.in/

254

SINGH, DEVENDRA KUMAR (b 1954), SCIENTIST G (Retd.), BOTANICAL SURVEY OF INDIA, Kolkata


Dr. D.K. Singh is a foremost plant taxonomist in India and an internationally acclaimed bryologist, who has made seminal contributions to the taxonomy of both non-flowering and flowering plants. Through extensive and intensive explorations and study of flora in different and difficult eco-regions in Himalaya, Northeast India, Western Ghats, Andaman & Nicobar and Antarctica, he has discovered 44 taxa as new to science and six genera and 87 species/infra-specific taxa as new records for India and Antarctica with great bearing on phytogeography of these groups, and published 27 books and 256 papers which are of extraordinary depth and influence and bear ample testimony to his high competence in taxonomy. His noteworthy contributions to science include exhaustive inventorying and documentation of bryophytes of Himalaya; monograph on ‗Notothylaceae of India and Nepal‘ which provides excellent insight into the interrelationship and phytogeography of different taxa; ‗Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of Great Himalayan National Park‘ – first comprehensive taxonomic treatment of liverworts and hornworts of a Protected Area; ‗Epiphyllous Liverworts of Eastern Himalaya‘ – first taxonomic revision of this ecologically significant group of plants in India and ‗Flora of Gangotri National Park‘ presents true picture and composition of ‗Glacial Flora‘ of the Himalaya. His contribution to the compilation of ‗Flora of India‘ and State Floras of ‗Jammu & Kashmir‘, ‗Manipur‘ and ‗Mizoram‘, ‗Floristic Diversity and Conservation Strategies in India‘ and ‗Floristic Diversity of Tiger Reserves of India‘, both as editor and author, is a landmark in documentation and understanding of plant resources of our country and has opened up new avenues for further research.

Proposer : Prof. S.C. Srivastava, Seconder : Dr. S.K. Jain


1. R. Udar & D.K. Singh 1978. Thickened bands in the capsule wall of Notothylas levieri. The Bryologist 81: 575-577. (if= 0.92)

2. D.K. Singh* & S.K. Singh 2007. Hide and seek of Monosolenium tenerum Griff. (Hepaticae: Monosoleniaceae) in Indian bryoflora. Curr. Sci. 92 (11): 1483 – 1485. (if= 0.935)

3. D.K. Singh* & D. Singh. 2007. Rediscovery of Cyathodium acrotrichum (Hepaticae: Cyathodiaceae) – A long-lost liverwort often treated as doubtful taxon. Curr. Sci. 92 (10): 1354 – 1356. (if= 0.935)

4. 4M. Dey, D.K. Singh* & D. Singh 2008. Two new species of Lejeunea Lib. (Hepaticae: Lejeuneaceae) from Sikkim, India. J. Bryol. 30: 126 - 132. (if= 1.222)

5. D.K. Singh* & D. Singh 2008. Rediscovery of Calypogeia aeruginosa Mitt. (Hepaticae: Calypogeiaceae) - a long lost liverwort from Sikkim, India. J. Bryol. 30: 229 - 231. (if= 1.222)

6. D.K. Singh* & D. Singh 2009. Saccogynidium Grolle (Hepaticae: Geocalycaceae) – a new generic record for Indian bryoflora. J. Bryol. 31: 50 – 54. (if= 1.222)

7. P.K. Pusalkar & D.K. Singh* 2005. Proposal to conserve the name Waldhemia against Allardia (Asteraceae - Anthemideae). Taxon 54 (2): 553-554. (if= 2.70)

8. M. Dey & D.K. Singh* 2011. Four foliicolous species of Cololejeunea (Spruce) Schiffn. (Marchantiophyta: Lejeuneaceae) new to India. J. Bryol. 33: 163 – 167. (if= 1.222)

9. 9D. Singh, & D.K. Singh* 2012. A new species of the genus Lepidozia (Marchantiophyta, Lepidoziaceae) from Sikkim, India. Nova Hedwigia 94 (1-2): 221 – 225. (if= 0.65)

10. 10. S. Singh Deo D.K. Singh* 2014. Bazzania bhutanica (Lepidoziaceae, Marchantiophyta) – a critically endangered liverwort recorded in Indian bryoflora. Lindbergia 37: 42 – 46. (if= 0.65)

255

SINGH, KAUSHAL KUMAR (b 1956), Scientist F, G.B Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment &

Development, Gangtok, Sikkim Member of the NASI: No (YON 2011, Plant Sciences)

Dr. K.K. Singh has made significant contributions in different areas of Plant Science possessing more than 35 years of working experience. I am personally acquainted with his major contributions which are broadly categorized below: Research activities have mainly centred on the propagation and mass multiplication of sensitive Rhododendrons and high value species of Sikkim using biotechnological tool to counter the threat on survival of these plants. Developed efficient tissue culture protocols and conventional (Airwet technique, seeds,) for large scale propagation of endangered Rhododendron spp for conservation. It must be mentioned that R. maddenii, R. Dalhousiae and R. niveum (State tree of Sikkim) are the first Rhododendron species in the country which has been mass multiplied using tissue culture technology by him in GBPIHED, Sikkim. The work is also important from the point-of-view of being original and the first of its kind from this region. He has also made significant achievements on environmental impact of N2-fixing actinorhizal tree on the nutrient cycling with particular reference to nitrogen and phosphorus in large cardamom plantations. Extensive use of N2-fixing Alnus nepalensis as shade tree in the large cardamom agroforestry has been found to be highly beneficial in terms of large cardamom yield and nutrient cycling by adopting a rotational cycle of 15 to 20. Studies with the intact chloroplasts of C. reinhardtii and spinach indicate the respiratory electron transport system functioning in the darkened chloroplasts has many properties in common with the electron transport pathway of mitochondria. Three full-length of manuscripts in Plant Physiology (if=6.110), present results of this study.

Proposer : Prof. L.M.S. Palni, Seconder : Prof. D.C. Uprety Ten Best Publications: 1. Rai, L.K. and Singh, K. K. (2013) Phoenix rupicola in the Eastern Himalaya. Current Science.

104(5):572-73. (if=0.935, ci=1) 2. Prakash, D., Upadhyay, G., Singh, B.N., Dhakarey, R., Kumar, S. & Singh, K.K. (2007) Antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of Himalayan Rhododendrons. Current Science 92 (4): 526-532 (if=0.897, ci=17) 3. Singh, K. K., Kumar, S., Rai., L.K. & Krishna, A.P. (2003) Rhododendron Conservation in Sikkim

Himalaya. Current Science 85 (5): 602-606. (if=0.782, ci=20) 4. Sharma, G., Sharma, R., Sharma, E. & Singh, K.K. (2002) Performance of an Age Series of Alnus-cardamom plantations in the Sikkim Himalaya. Productivity, Energetics and Efficiencies. Annals of Botany 89: 261-272 (if=3.388, ci=14) 5. Sharma, G., Sharma, E., Sharma, R. & Singh, K.K. (2002) Performance of an Age Series of Alnus- cardamom plantations in the Sikkim Himalaya. Nutrient dynamics. Annals of Botany 89: 273-282 (if=3.388, ci=20) 6. Singh, K.K., Shyam R. & Sane P.V. (1996) Reactivation of photosynthesis in the photoinhibited green

alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: Role of dark respiration and of light. Photosynthesis Research 49: 11- 20 (if=2.41, ci=15) 7. Singh, K.K., Chen, C., Epstein, D.K. & Gibbs, M. (1993) Respiration of sugars in spinach, maize and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii F-60 chloroplasts with emphasis on the hexokinases. Plant Physiology 102: 587-593 (if=7.016, ci=17) 8. Singh, K.K., Chen, C. & Gibbs, M. (1993) Photoregulation of fructose and glucose respiration in the intact chloroplasts of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii F-60 and spinach. Plant Physiology 101: 1289-1294 (if=(if=7.016, ci=4) 9. Singh, K.K., Chen, C. & Gibbs, M. (1992) Characterization of an electron transport pathway associated with glucose and fructose respiration in the chloroplasts of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and spinach. Plant Physiology 100: 327-333 (if=7.016, ci=18) 10.Pathre, U., Singh, K.K. & Sane, P.V. (1990) Gas exchange and stomatal conductance in Acacia auriculiformis: effect of leaf position. Photosynthetica 24 (1): 151-154 Czech Republic. (if=1.016, ci=6)

256

SINGH, VED PAL (b 1953) Professor & Head, Dept. of Botany, University of Delhi


Ved Pal Singh pioneered a Rapid Turnover Model of thermophily in an obligate thermophile, Thermoactinomyces vulgaris with respect to phosphatases that were highly thermophilic, exhibiting their temperature optima between 65-70

oC, which were much higher than its optimal growth

temperature (50oC). Although, phosphatases were inactivated even at 50

oC, but were replaced by

their rapid turnover. He demonstrated that the nonspecific phosphatases of T. vulgaris were constitutive; and a divalent cation (Mg

2+) decreased Arrhenius energies of activation (EA) for their

high-temperature catalysis, which might be an additional adaptive mechanism for its thermophilic existence. He discovered that Ca

2+/calmodulin-like proteins are involved in Ca

2+-ATPase-mediated

growth dynamics and genetic transformation in this thermophile. His model of thermophily provides the basis for adaptive evolution of thermophiles and their enzymes of industrial interests. Ved Pal has implicated microsomal peroxidase of microbial origin in the bioremediation/biodegradation of hazardous compounds/xenobiotics of health and environmental concern, including aflatoxins produced by Aspergillus flavus, which contaminates most foods, feeds and other agricultural products. He used protein-ligand docking tools to identify target compounds/pollutants, generated by diverse industries that serve as substrates for microbial laccases; and developed strategies for bioneutralization of alkaline industrial wastewater, using Exiguobacterium sp. as a remarkable tool for pollution control. Ved Pal Singh has highlighted the risk of fungal exposure/sensitization to allergic/asthmatic patients, through their seasonal distribution patterns. He demonstrated the decreased incidence of fungal diseases with elevated CO2 in Brassica juncia and the ability of AM fungus, Rhizophagus fasciculatus to improve the yield of steviol glycosides in Stevia rebaudiana.

Proposer : Professor B.B. Chattoo, Seconder : Professor Anupam Varma Ten Best Publications : 1. Rahman Z and Singh VP (2014) Cr(VI) reduction by Enterobacter sp. DU17 isolated from the tannery waste dump site and characterization of the bacterium and the Cr(VI) reductase. International Biodeteririoration & Biodegradation 91: 97-103. Impact Factor: 2.235 Citation Index: 0 2. Sharma R, Gaur SN, Singh VP, Lavasa S and Singh AB (2012) Association between indoor fungi in Delhi homes and sensitization in children of respiratory allergy. Medical Mycology 50: 281-290. Impact Factor: 2.261 Citation Index: 2 3. Kulshreshtha NM, Kumar A, Dhall P, Gupta S, Bisht G, Pasha S, Singh VP and Kumar R (2010) Neutralization of alkaline industrial wastewaters using Exiguobacterium sp. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation 64: 191-196. Impact Factor: 2.235 Citation Index: 9 4. Suresh PS, Kumar A, Kumar R and Singh VP (2008) An in silico approach to bioremediation: Laccase as a case study. Journal of Molecular Graphics and Modeling 26: 845-849. Impact Factor: 2.022 Citation Index: 21 5. Bhatnagar K and Singh VP (2004) Ca

2+ dependence and inhibitory effects of trifluoperazine on

plasma membrane ATPase of Thermoactinomyces vulgaris. Current Microbiology 49: 28-31. Impact Factor: 1.359 Citation Index: 9 6. Bhatnagar K and Singh VP (2003) Ca

2+–dependence and inhibition of transformation by

trifluoperazine and chlorpromazine in Thermoactinomyces vulgaris. Current Microbiology 46: 265-269. Impact Factor: 1.359 Citation Index: 7 7. Singh VP (1997) Interaction of temperature and microsomal peroxidase in aflatoxin degradation by Aspergillus flavus 102566. Current Science 73(6): 529-532. Impact Factor: 0.833 Citation Index: 5 8. Singh VP and Sinha U (1982) Ca

2+ -dependence and metabolic status of an obligate thermophile,

Thermoactinomyces vulgaris, under shake culture conditions. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences/Experientia 38(6): 670-671. Impact Factor: 5.856 Citation Index: 4 9. Singh VP and Sinha U (1982) Thermostability & turnover of phosphatases in the obligate thermophile Thermoactinomyces vulgaris. Indian Journal of Experimental Biology 20: 26-30. Impact Factor: 0.753 Citation Index: 4 10. Sinha U and Singh VP (1980) Phosphate utilization and constitutive synthesis of phosphatases in Thermoactinomyces vulgaris Tsilinsky. Biochemical Journal 190: 457-460. Impact Factor: 4.779 Citation Index: 10

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