Dr. Mohan Rao

Dr. Ch. Mohan Rao is currently CSIR-Distinguished Scientist; he was the Director of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad. He combines Biophysical, Molecular Biological and Cell Biological approaches to investigate problems of biomedical importance. He is known for his contributions in the area of molecular chaperones and heat shock proteins in health and disease. Utilizing molecular biology tools, he has engineered chimeric proteins with several-fold higher activity with potential therapeutic applications. His later studies showed the possibility of alpha-crystallin’s role in stabilizing the nuclear matrix, transcriptional apparatus, gene expression, apoptosis, and cytoskeletal organization. A DNA-based diagnostic chip developed by his team, commercialized by Xcyton Diagnostics Ltd, was recognized as the “Product of the Year” in 2008 and received a biotechnology award in the Asia Pacific region for meeting a major unmet need. He has developed a smart, condition-responsive nanoparticle-based drug delivery system for fungal keratitis.  The system is more than a carrier – it uses an intricate array of cooperative effects to target the site of an infection and administer medication in response to its severity. His scientific contributions are well recognized nationally and internationally; he is an elected fellow of all three major science academies of our country; he is FNA, FNASc, FASc, elected fellow of the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), council member of International Union of Pure and Applied Biophysics (IUPAB), Federation of Asian and Oceanian Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (FAOBMB), etc. He has been a visiting professor/scientist in the USA, Japan, France, and Australia. He was the president of the Society of Biological Chemists (India), President of the Indian Biophysical Society, President of the Andhra Pradesh Academy of Sciences, and the Telangana Academy of Sciences. Recipient of many awards including the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award. The University of Hyderabad conferred upon him its first “Distinguished Alumnus” award. In addition to his contributions to basic science, product innovation, and science administration, he plays a significant role in science popularization among school and college students and the public through various activities