Ranbaxy Science Foundation (RSF), a non-profit organization set-up by Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited (RLL), announced its 21st Annual Research Awards for the year 2008 to Indian scientists in recognition of their outstanding research contributions made in the fields of medical and pharmaceutical sciences. The foundation also announced its third Annual Science Scholar Awards to the young and brilliant upcoming new generation of scientists.
The Awards were presented by renowned scientist professor Peter C Doherty (Nobel Laureate) laureate professor, Department of Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Australia, at a special function held at the National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi.
Medical Sciences – Basic Research was presented to Anindya Dutta, Byrd professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, professor of Pathology, Jordan Hall 1240, Box 800733, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville, VA 22908, for identifying several regulators and pathways that normally prevent cells from over-replicating their DNA, and how these molecules are disrupted in cancers to lead to genomic instability
Medical Sciences – Medical Research is bagged by Dr Inder J Chopra, distinguished professor of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 900 Veteran Ave, Warren Hall rm. 24-130, Los Angeles, California, 90095 USA, for his original contributions in developing and characterizing the metabolism of thyroid hormones including nonthyroid disease effects and its therapeutic implications.
Dr Narmada P Gupta, professor & chairman, Department of Urology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India, got Medical Sciences – Clinical Research award for his outstanding contributions in advancing the management of various urologic diseases
Dr Amod Gupta, professor of Ophthalmology, Advanced Eye Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India, for his outstanding contributions in the management of several blinding diseases and for providing initial evidence for the use of statins in patients with diabetic retinopathy
In Pharmaceutical Sciences category Dr G V Madhava Sharma, scientist F (deputy director), head Organic Chemistry Division III, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India, for his innovative contributions in developing novel routes for synthesis of lead molecules in the areas of anti-asthma (PDE-4, ICAM-1 inhibitors), anti-HIV (NNRT inhibitors) and Proton Pump inhibitors
Professor Prasad V Bharatam, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research NIPER, Sector 67, SAS Nagar (Mohali), Punjab, India, for his innovative contributions in designing new anti-diabetic and anti-malarial lead compounds.
Ranbaxy Science Scholars 2009 awards were given to Ruthrotha Selvi B, student, Transcription and Disease Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, India, for her research work in the area of 'Histone arginine methylation and acetylation in global gene regulation, probed by small molecule modulators'.
Teena Mohan, student, Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India, for her research work in the area of “Developing defensins as a mucosal adjuvant/microbicide with peptide antigens of HIV”
Hardeep Kaur, senior research fellow, Microbial Physiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India, for her research work in the area of 'Glutathione degradation pathway and identifying a novel Cys-Gly specific dipeptidase in S.cerevisiae- Dug1p. Glutathione (GSH) is considered as a major cellular redox buffer and is present in almost all eukaryotic systems'.
Gaurav Vadnerkar, National Doctoral Fellow of AICTE, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Poona College of Pharmacy, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Erandwane, Pune, India, for his research work 'Synthesis, Kinetic studies and Pharmacological Screening of Prodrugs for Colon-specific Drug Delivery in Inflammatory Bowel Disease'.
Alok Nahata, National Doctoral Fellow- AICTE, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doctor Hari Singh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar for his research work on 'Memory boosting effects of Canscora decussata Schult. in albino rats'.
The Ranbaxy Research Awards carries a citation, trophy and a cash incentive of Rs 1 lakh.
Beginning 2007, the Foundation also instituted Ranbaxy Science Scholar Awards with an aim to recognize and reward the brilliant and young science scholars in order to stimulate their interest in research. Each Science Scholar Award carries a certificate and a scholarship of Rs 50,000.