Senior scientist of Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) Rajan Sankaranarayanan has bagged the prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar award for Science and Technology this year. The annual award, considered to be a top prize for science in India, recognises the scientist's research in the field of translation of the genetic code and tuberculosis.
“Our team has done research in the translation of genetic code and Mycobacterim tuberculosis, the bacteria which causes tuberculosis. We are glad that our work has been recognised,” Dr. Rajan said during an interactive session with presspersons here on Monday.
The research by CCMB scientists on tuberculosis could well pave the way for a drug to fight the Mycobacterium tuberculosis. “The TB bacteria has an outer lipid layer that helps it stay in the host's body for a long time. And when persons lose immunity, the bacteria simply becomes active. In a way, the lipid layer plays an important role in protecting the bacteria. During our course of research, we have come across certain inhibitors that could prevent the formation of the outer lipid layer of the bacteria,” Dr. Rajan said.
The CCMB scientists said that already the inhibitors have been supplied to a pharmaceutical company for subsequent research and in due course development of a drug to fight tuberculosis. “We strongly feel that our research could pave the way for a breakthrough. Any drug discovery process is a long drawn process and we hope a positive result will come out eventually,” the CCMB Director Ch. Mohan Rao said. The award comprises a citation, a plaque and a cash award of Rs. 5 lakh. The recipients also get Rs. 15,000 per month up to the age of 65 years.
Chemical research
G. Narahari Sastry, a scientist at CSIR- Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, won the 2011 Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar award in chemical sciences, a press release said on Monday. Dr. Sastry was selected for this coveted award for his contributions towards understanding the manifestation of non-bonded interactions in controlling the structure and function of molecules and computer-aided drug design. Several of his theoretical predictions were verified experimentally, the release said.
Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar award is the country's highest science prize given every year to scientists below 45 years of age for their outstanding contribution to scientific research, the release said.
