Scientific community all praise for new CSIR chief

The low-profile and affable Brahmachari, who was until now director of the Delhi-based Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), is known for his landmark contributions in studying the human genome of Indian population and continued fight to make knowledge in some key areas such as human health and agriculture free from the inhibitions of patents and intellectual property rights.

At 56, he is still young by comparative standards and brimming with confidence — “a big idea man” as Dr M K Bhan, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, calls him. “He is an out-of-the-box thinker, and someone who is not afraid to take risks. The way he has completely transformed IGIB speaks of his foresightedness,” says Dr Bhan, who is one of the two persons who held the additional charge of CSIR DG in the 11 intervening months since Dr Mashelkar’s departure from the scene last December.

A PhD in Molecular Biophysics from IISc, Bangalore, Brahmachari was a professor in the same unit when he was asked to take charge as director of IGIB. Only 45 then, Brahmachari was quick to realise the possibilities of genome research and gave a completely new direction to the institute, including a new name for it. “IGIB is a wonderful example of how an institution can be developed in public-private partnership,” says Dr Bhan.

Distinguished scientist Prof C N R Rao remembers his years at the Indian Institute of Science. “I have known him when he was a student. Though I have not taught him, I remember him as one of the sharpest minds on the campus,” he says.

Brahmachari has also excelled in his individual research which focused on preparing gene sequence of Indian population. A member of Human Genome Organisation (HUGO), he has made significant contributions towards mapping the sequence variation in human genes which is very helpful in learning about the genetic causes to susceptibility of diseases and developing targeted drugs for population groups.

Winner of the prestigious Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Award in 1990, Brahmachari has published more than a hundred papers in national and international journals.

Prof M R S Rao, President of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research in Bangalore, calls him a brilliant scientific mind. “With the kind of leadership qualities he has, coupled with his scientific brilliance, I am sure he will do well in his new assignment,” he says.