National bio-science awards presented

New Delhi, Mar 12 (UNI) As many as 23 scientists, including 10 women, received the national bio-science awards today.

The awards, presented by Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal, were given in three different categories.

Addressing the function to mark the foundation day of the Department of Biotechnology, Mr Sibal called upon venture Capitalists, financial institutions, large industries and other Ministries to join the efforts to boost investments through local, regional and global partnerships.

On the occasion, Mr Sibal also commercially launched the kit for Detection of Filariasis.

Prof T P Singh, former head of the Biophysics Department at AIIMS, received the 'Distinguished Biotechnologist Award' for his contribution to structural biology.

He discovered a novel antifungal decapeptide whose excellent potency against bacterial infections has been established.

Seven young scientists were presented with the National Bio-science Awards for Career Development. Each award carries a cash prize of Rs one lakh, a research grant of Rs three lakh per annum for a three years, and a citation.

The awardees are: -- Dr Pradeep Kumar, Scientist-F at Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram.

-- Dr Sanjeev Galande, a Scientist D at the National Centre for Cell Science, Pune.

-- Dr Kumaravel Somasundaram, an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

-- Dr Javed Agrewala, scientist E I at the Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh.

-- Dr G Taru Sharma, Senior Scientist at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar.

-- Dr Pramod P Wangikar, Associate Professor at Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.

-- Dr Ajay Kumar Parida, Programme Director (Biotechnology) at the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai.

The Rs 1 lakh National Award for Senior Woman Bioscientist was given to Dr Manju Sharma, former secretary, Department of Biotechnology.

Dr Gagandeep Kang and Dr Ramanathan Sowdhamini received the National Award for Young Women Scientists, which carries a cash prize of Rs 50,000.

Dr Gagandeep Kang, a Professor of Microbiology in the Department of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, was awarded for her work in rotaviral diarrhoeal diseases in children particularly on molecular epidemiology.

Dr Sowdhamini, Associate Professor at National Centre for Biological Sciences (TIFR), Bangalore, was awarded for her contribution to the development of sensitive tools for accurate structure and function of proteins.

Twelve scientists received the Innovative Young Biotechnologist Awards.

They are Dr Yamuna Krishnan, Dr Mrinalini Jayant Puranik, Dr Manjula Kalia, Dr V Sriram (all NCBS, Bangalore); Dr Madhusudan R.Nandineni, Dr Rupinder Kaur (all CDFD, Hyderabad); Dr T R Santhosh Kumar, RGCBT, Thiruvananthapuram; Dr Sneh Lata Singla-Pareek, ICGEB, New Delhi; Dr Mukesh Jain, University of Delhi (South Campus); Dr Madhulika Dixit, Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF), Chennai; Dr Samudrala Gourinath, JNU, New Delhi; and Dr S.

Swaminathan, SASTRA, Thanjavur UNI