Shankar Balasubramanian, an Indian-origin British professor of chemistry and DNA expert at Cambridge University, has received a Knighthood along with Olympic stars Andy Murray and Mo Farah among others by Queen Elizabeth II for their contributions.
DNA sequencing
Mr. Balasubramanian (50), Herchel Smith Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at Cambridge University, has been recognised for his work as a co-inventor of Next Generation DNA sequencing, described as the most transformational advance in biology and medicine for decades.
“Solexa sequencing, as it is now known, allows an individual genome to be sequenced in a day or two at less than 1,000 pounds; previously, sequencing the human genome took years of work and cost billions,” his citation reads. — PTI
