IISER, Pune prof bags Infosys Prize 2024 in Life Sciences

His research, using advanced methods to understand the function of lipids, a key component of cells, has important implications for understanding the role of these molecules in a range of cellular functions and human diseases.

The Infosys Science Foundation instituted the prize in 2009 in six categories to recognise the accomplishments of individuals whose research and scholarship significantly impact India. The prize for each category comprises a gold medal, a citation, and a prize amount of USD 100,000 (or its equivalent in INR).

Dr Kamat’s research group works on the biological mechanisms of lipid signalling pathways in the mammalian nervous and immune systems. A focus area is to annotate enzymes and receptors that regulate the biology of the lipid signalling pathways and provide new insights and therapeutic paradigms.

When contacted, Dr Kamat told The Indian Express that the award was a recognition for the work done by the entire team in the lab. “The aim is to provide new insights and therapeutic paradigms for orphan and/or emerging human neurological and immunological diseases,” he said.

Dr Kamat completed his BTech from the din 2007 and a PhD from the Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University in 2012. He was the 9th Irving S. Sigal Postdoctoral fellow of the American Chemical Society at the Department of Chemical Physiology, the Scripps Research Institute. He joined IISER, Pune in 2016.