He
is a member of several editorial boards and serves on a range of
national and international scientific committees. Currently, he is
President of the Indian Academy of Sciences, and Secretary General of
the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS), Trieste,
Italy.Prof.
Balasubramanian’s Academic Training: M. Sc. Chemistry, BITS,
Pilani, 1959, Ph. D. Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, 1965,
Postdoctoral Fellow: Univ. Minnesota Medical School, 1965-66Research Interests: Molecular and
Cellular Approaches to Understand and Treat Diseases of the Eye. (Published over 170 research
papers and 2 books)
His
earlier work was in the areas of the biochemistry and photochemistry
of cataract, oxidative etiology of cataract and attempts to delay its
progression, and their role in keeping the eye lens transparent. He
showed how photochemical (direct and sensitized) damage to these
proteins compromise lenticular transparency and lead to cataract. The
major finding of these studies is that continual oxidative stress
imposed on the lens, causing covalent chemical changes in the
constituent molecules of this slow-turn-over tissue, leading to
cataract.
During
the last 12 years, Dr. Balasubramanian has joined a group of
ophthalmic clinicians, and extended his research to genetics and cell
biology of the eye, which has been of direct clinical application.
His more recent research has extended to the molecular genetic
analysis of inherited forms of blindness such as primary congenital
glaucoma. Work by his group on over 400 families revealed as many as
15 mutations in the gene CYP1B1. Genotype-phenotype correlation has
been done, as also the study of the structural changes that occur in
the mutated protein, thus offering a clue to possible functional
change. This has allowed (a) help to the clinician to intervene early
and offer surgical care to save the sight of the infant, and (b)
genetic counseling to the parents and the family.
He
has also been studying the functional properties of the
glaucoma-associated protein optineurin and its mutants. His work
shows the importance of optineurin in regulating the process of
endocytic recycling, and how mutation affect this important
homeostatic process, leading to arrested cell proliferation and
development- leading to the pathogenesis of glaucoma.More
recently, his group has vigorously pursued the field of adult stem
cell biology as well. With the discovery of adult stem cells in the
limbus, surrounding the cornea of the eye, they have isolated these
stem cells, explants cultured them on human amniotic membrane to
produce transparent, stitchable corneal epithelia. These have been
successfully transplanted to over 700 needy patients who had lost
their vision due to chemical or fire burns, and restored vision to
these eyes in significant measure. Many of these patients have not
needed any subsequent corneal grafts, while others have successfully
accepted a subsequent donor corneal transplant, to regain 20/20
vision. This work is perhaps the largest successful human trial of
adult stem cell therapy anywhere.
He
is currently a Visiting Professor at the University of New South
Wales, Sydney, Australia, Senior Fellow at the University of
Melbourne, Australia, and Adjunct
Professor, BITS Pilani, India.
He has published 170 research papers.
He
chairs the Biotechnology Advisory Committee to the Government of the
State of Andhra Pradesh, India. This committee produced the vision
document enabling the government to invest in and frame its policy in
the area of biotechnology, and makes technical evaluation of
proposals made by biotech firms which want to start their activities
in the State.
As
the Director the Hyderabad - based research laboratory Centre for
Cellular & Molecular Biology during 1992-98, he incubated a
vaccine company at the centre and helped it produce and manufacture
its vaccine, and also enabled the government’s sericulture
department laboratory in its quality improvement program.He
is married to Shakti (ETV producer) with two daughters – Katyayani
(research analyst) and Akhila (public health professional).
(A
note on the 'Speaking of Science' ColumnHe
has been writing a newspaper column since the 1980s. Simple of
language but deep in their meaning, the contents of this column have
ranged from explanations to questions that children may ask to
philosophical observations of the affects of Science on
Society.
Taking science into every home and to every
thinking mind, Prof. Balasubramanian appears
frequently on Television shows on science and education, including
Doordarshan's Turning Point and on the Discovery channel. He has a
long association with a grassroots people's science movement, Jana
Vignana Vedika. And he has been writing a newspaper column since the
1980s. Simple of language but deep in their meaning, the contents of
this column have ranged from explanations to questions that children
may ask to philosophical observations on the affects of science on
society.The
column, 'Speaking of Science', first appeared in the Hyderabad
daily, NewsTime, and later was moved to a leading National newspaper,
The Hindu, where it continues to appear in the Science Section, about
twice every month.)
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