CSIR Scientist Bags Infosys Prize 2013

Introduction

The Infosys Prize 2013 in Life Sciences is awarded to Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Director, CSIR-Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology, for his work in the field of lipid metabolism in tubercle bacilli. 

Each year two million people are infected and die of tuberculosis (TB) and there will be 10 million new patients every year. Dr. Gokhale discovered biochemical networks and new paradigms necessary for the synthesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) cell envelope coat that makes these bacteria escape host immune systems. 

This discovery opens up new avenues to develop new therapy against TB. 

As per the announcement of Infosys Science Foundation the winners of the Infosys Prize 2013 for outstanding research contributions across six categories: Engineering & Computer Science, Humanities, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Social Sciences. 

Last year, Dr. AshishLele, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune and Dr. Ayyappanpillai Ajayaghosh, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram were among the winners of the Infosys Prize 2012, in the categories of Engineering & Computer Sciences and Physical Sciences, respectively. Earlier, Dr. Imran Siddiqi, a scientist from CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad, was honoured with Infosys Prize 2011 in the category of Life Sciences. 

The Infosys Prize, comprising a 22-karat gold medallion, a citation certificate and prize money of 55 lakh, ranks among the highest monetary awards in India that recognizes scientific research. The prize endeavors to elevate the prestige of scientific research in India and inspires young Indians to choose a vocation in the scientific research. 

Prof Samir K Brahmachari, DG,CSIR, said that this prestigious award to four CSIR scientists in consecutive three years after the inception of the award in 2009 exhibit that internationally competitive scientific research is being carried out in CSIR and CSIR has an outstanding young scientific leadership in position. 

Source

Press Information Bureau, November 13, 2013