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Professor Dr

Dorairajan Balasubramanian

Year of election: 2009
Section: Ophthalmology, Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Stomatology
City: Hyderabad
Country: India
CV Dorairajan Balasubramanian - English (PDF)
CV Dorairajan Balasubramanian - German (PDF)

Research

Research Priorities: Eye diseases, biochemical and photochemical principles of cataracts, molecular-genetic analysis of various congenital eye diseases

Dorairajan Balasubramanian is an Indian chemist. The scientist has made significant contributions to the understanding of the basic biological processes involved in some eye diseases, notably cataract and glaucoma.

His expertise in biophysics, biophysical chemistry and molecular biology have enabled him to identify the origin and chemical identities of several chromophores and pigments that accumulate in the lens of the human eye during the ageing process prior to cataracts. The accumulation of these chromophores and pigments can damage the lens proteins via oxidation and cross-linking. Balasubramanian’s team also investigated substances in terms of their ability to delay or even prevent the forming of a cataract. With the help of a molecular functional analysis, the team also investigated the structure of mutant crystallins that are seen in congenital cataracts in children and were able to show how these molecules form scattering particles in situ in lens cells. Balasubramanian then extended his research to the protein optineurin, which plays a role in the forming of glaucoma and identified the mutations that can lead to retinal ganglion cell death.

Balasubramanian and his working group were further able to isolate and cultivate adult stem cells from the cornea region. Corneal epithelial cells were later obtained from these.

In addition, the scientist is committed to public health information. He has contributed to the public’s improved understanding of chemistry and biochemistry with his popular science articles. Dorairajan Balasubramanian has worked to ensure that as many people as possible have access to scientifically sound ophthalmology.

Career

  • 2007-2010 President, Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore, India
  • since 1998 Director of Research, L.V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
  • 1982-1998 Deputy Director and Director, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India
  • 1977-1982 Professor and Dean, School of Chemistry, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
  • 1967-1977 Lecturer and Adjunct Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India
  • 1965-1966 Research Postdoctoral Fellow (Jane Coffin Foundation Fellow), Department of Biochemistry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, USA
  • 1965 PhD in Chemistry, Columbia University, New York City, USA

Functions

  • 2019-2021 Vice President, Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), Italy
  • Council Member, Indian Academy of Sciences, India
  • Secretary General, TWAS, Italy
  • Member, International Human Rights Network of Academies and Scholarly Societies
  • Member, International Basic Sciences Panel, UNESCO
  • Member, International Chapter Affiliate Committee, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), USA

Projects

  • Project Coordinator, Champalimaud Foundation’s Translational Centre in Eye Diseases (CTRACER), LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
  • Project Coordinator “R & D For Affordable Healthcare (Project on the use of scaffolds for cultivating stem cells)”, Wellcome Trust, London, UK

Honours and Memberships

  • 2015 Indira Ghandi Prize, Indian National Science Academy (INSA), India
  • 2015 Jawaharlal Nehru Centenary Award for Achievement in Science, Indian Science Congress Association, India
  • since 2009 Member, German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, Germany
  • 2002 National Order of Merit “Chevalier de l’Ordre National de Merite”, France
  • 2002 “Padma Shiri” Award, India
  • 2002 National Prize for Popularization of Science, Department of Science and Technology, India
  • 1997 Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science, UNESCO
  • Elected Member, Indian Academy of Sciences, India
  • Elected Member, INSA, India
  • Elected Member, The National Academy of Sciences India, Allahabad, India
  • Elected Member, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), USA
  • Elected Member, Academy of Sciences of the Developing World (formerly known as: Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS)), Italy
  • Elected member, Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology (MAST), Mauritius

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