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Indian Express
5 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
A father-son legacy of Padma honors and pioneering scientific research
Written by Siddhi Patil, Dr Chetan Eknath Chitnis, a globally renowned Indian scientist, has dedicated his life to combating malaria, a persistent global health challenge claiming countless lives annually. His groundbreaking work in malaria vaccine development has earned him the prestigious Padma Shri this year, alongside awards like the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award and the Infosys Prize. Remarkably, Dr. Chitnis shares a rare distinction with his father, Eknath Vasant Chitnis, a Padma Bhushan recipient (1985) and a founding member of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This rare father-son duo's Padma honors reflect a deep family legacy of scientific excellence, with both making transformative contributions to their respective fields. Dr. Chitnis's journey in medical research is deeply rooted in his upbringing. His father, a distinguished space scientist and former director of ISRO's Space Application Centre, instilled a passion for dedicated work. 'My father taught me that true commitment means loving what you do, no matter the hours,' Dr. Chitnis recalls. While he initially pursued physics, inspired by his father's rigor, it was his mother, a biochemist focused on cancer research, who steered him toward biology. This pivot led him to lead the Malaria Parasite Biology and Vaccines Unit at Institut Pasteur in Paris, where he drives innovative vaccine research to curb malaria's devastating impact. Pune holds a special place in Dr. Chitnis's heart. Childhood summers spent at his grandparents' home in Deccan Gymkhana, exploring nearby hills with cousins, evoke memories of a serene, green Pune. His parents' decision to settle in the city post-retirement deepened his connection. Today, as Pune evolves into a bustling hub of innovation, Dr. Chitnis is eager to engage with its academic and research communities, blending personal nostalgia with professional aspirations. From IIT Bombay to UC Berkeley, the National Institutes of Health, and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) in Delhi, Dr. Chitnis's career spans continents. His work at ICGEB, supported by robust government backing, laid the foundation for his current efforts in Paris. A significant breakthrough came during the COVID-19 pandemic when delayed vaccine trials at Oxford revealed that a 14-month gap between doses reduced malaria parasite growth—an unexpected finding inspired by similar COVID-19 vaccine insights. This discovery, coupled with advancements in mRNA technology, fuels his cautious optimism for future malaria solutions. The Padma Shri holds deep significance for Dr. Chitnis. 'Being recognised by my homeland, even after a decade abroad, is humbling,' he says. He views the award as a tribute to his team's collective efforts and a call to continue serving society.
United News of India
28-04-2025
- Science
- United News of India
ISRO to conduct 7 microgravity experiments in Axiom-4 Mission
Chennai, Apr 28 (UNI) The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will conduct seven microgravity research experiments during the upcoming Axiom-4 AX-4 Axiom International Space Station (ISS) mission to be piloted by Indian astronaut Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla. The mission is scheduled for next month. ISRO on Monday said the field of microgravity research with potential applications in diverse areas such as human health, physical/ life sciences, material research, novel pharmaceutical development and biotechnology offers significant opportunities to the national scientific community. ISRO has shortlisted seven microgravity research experiments proposed by Indian Principal Investigators (PIs) from various national R&D laboratories/ academic institutions for implementation on International Space Station (ISS) during the upcoming Axiom-4 mission with ISRO's Gaganyatri. The seven experiments are Impact of Microgravity Radiation in ISS on Edible Microalgae; Sprouting Salad Seeds in Space: Relevance to Crew Nutrition; Survival, revival, reproduction and transcriptome of the eutardigrade Paramacrobiotus sp. BLR strain in space; Effect of metabolic supplements on muscle regeneration under microgravity; Analyzing Human Interaction with Electronic Displays in Microgravity; Comparative growth and proteomics responses of cyanobacteria on urea and nitrate in microgravity and Impact of Microgravity on Growth and Yield Parameters in Food Crop Seeds. The institutes involved in the research experiments are the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) and National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR) ; Department of Biotechnology (DBT); University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad; Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc); Institute of Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (InStem), DBT; International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (ICGEB); DBT and the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Department of Space and College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala Agricultural University. These experiments will utilise available research facilities onboard ISS. Considering the safety driven operational philosophy as well as other mission constraints of human spaceflight missions, these shortlisted microgravity experiments are undergoing stringent evaluations and reviews on ground before launch. The experience gained through this effort in implementation of these experiments will nurture a microgravity research ecosystem in the country resulting in induction of advanced microgravity experiments in various disciplines in Indian Space Programme. ISRO since its inception is involved in science, engineering and technology to harvest the benefits of outer space for India and the humankind. Through 4000 sounding rockets and 236 missions achieved till date, ISRO has endeavored to build as well as enhance national capabilities in critical areas such as remote sensing, communication, navigation, disaster management and space sciences. With the approval of Gaganyaan Programme, ISRO envisages to undertake human spaceflight missions to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and to lay the foundation of technologies needed for an Indian human space exploration programme in the long run. The vision for space in the Amrit kaal envisages including other things, creation of an operational Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035 and Indian Crewed Lunar Mission by 2040. Human space flight missions provides a strong opportunity to pursue international collaborations. The first Indian to travel to space, Wing Commander (Retd.) Rakesh Sharma undertook his iconic mission in 1984 through such a collaborative effort. The official state visit of Prime Minster Narendra Modi to USA in June,2023 has led to another defining chapter in Indian space programme, in terms of a collaborative international human space mission. This mission with ISRO's Gaganyatri marks the visit of first Indian ever to the International Space Station (ISS) and during this mission, ISRO's Gaganyatri will carry out seven shortlisted Indian microgravity research experiments onboard ISS. MORE UNI GV 1800
NDTV
28-04-2025
- Science
- NDTV
Water Bears To Space Farming: India's 7 Experiments On Space Station
New Delhi: On his fortnight-long mission to the International Space Station next month, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India's 'gaganyatri', will conduct seven India-specific experiments in space, the Indian Space Research Organisation said today. These include studying 'water bears' - microscopic organisations - to understand how living things adapt to microgravity. According to ISRO, the experience will nurture a microgravity research ecosystem back home, leading to the induction of advanced experiments that make up India's space programme. India does not, at this time, have any deep experience of research in microgravity. In fact, this will be the first time an Indian will be working in an highly advanced space laboratory, one in which many complex experiments have been undertaken over the last 25 years. Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said Mr Shukla will focus on 'space technology, space bio-manufacturing, and bio-astronautics' during his mission. Mr Shukla, an officer with the Indian Air Force, will grow the water bear, also called tardigrade and which can reach just 0.5mm in length, during his time on the football field-sized space station. He will also grow special bacteria and study the effect of space on muscle cells, including trying to understand why astronauts face muscle loss in space. All in all, he will conduct seven experiments across the fields of agriculture, food, and human biology, when he becomes the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station. The field of microgravity research has potential applications in diverse areas such as human health, physical and life sciences, material research, novel pharmaceutical development, and biotechnology, and offers significant opportunities to the national scientific community. ISRO has shortlisted seven microgravity research experiments proposed by Indian Principal Investigators (PIs) from various national R&D laboratories or academic institutions for implementation on ISS during the Axiom-4 mission. The experiments are: 1. Impact of microgravity radiation on edible microalgae, for the International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (ICGEB) and the National Institute of Plant Genome Research. 2. Sprouting salad seeds in space, which is relevant to crew nutrition and which will be monitored by the University of Agricultural Sciences in Dharwad in Karnataka. 3. Survival, revival, reproduction, and transcriptome of the Eutardigrade Paramacrobiotus sp. BLR strain in space by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). 4. Effect of metabolic supplements on muscle regeneration under microgravity by the Institute of Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine. 5. Analysing human interaction with electronic displays in microgravity by the IISc. 6. Comparative growth and proteomics responses of cyanobacteria on urea and nitrate in microgravity by the ICGEB. 7. Impact of microgravity on growth and yield parameters in seeds by the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology and the Kerala Agricultural University's College of Agriculture. Earlier Axiom Space Inc. said the Ax-4 research will comprise 60 scientific studies and activities from 31 countries, including also Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, and Europe. This will be the most research-oriented, science-related activity conducted during an Axiom Space mission aboard the ISS to date, underscoring the mission's global significance and collaborative nature to advance microgravity research in low Earth orbit, the company said. Mr Shukla will be accompanied by Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut and mission commander, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Experiments India's Shukla will conduct at ISS are diverse, taking tardigrades to sprouts and built by institutes from Dharwad to Delhi
BENGALURU: India's Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will perform seven experiments developed by scientists in Bengaluru, Dharwad, Thiruvananthapuram and New Delhi at the International Space Station (ISS), where he is expected to reach in the next few weeks as part of the Axiom-4 mission (Ax4). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Weeks after initial details of the scientific experiments Shukla will perform at ISS were made public by Axiom Space, the US-based firm implementing Ax-4, Isro Monday gave details of the institutions involved in developing these experiments. TOI had reported that Shukla will be performing seven experiments on April 3, while few other details had been reported earlier than that. The selected experiments represent diverse scientific fields and come from leading Indian research institutions. These experiments have been carefully chosen to advance knowledge in areas such as human health, agriculture, biotechnology, and physical sciences under microgravity conditions. The University of Agricultural Sciences in Dharwad will investigate the sprouting of salad seeds in space, with particular relevance to crew nutrition. This research could provide valuable insights for sustaining astronauts during extended missions. The Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc) will conduct two separate investigations—one studying the survival and reproduction of tardigrades in space , and another analysing human interaction with electronic displays in microgravity. The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), headquartered in Trieste, Italy with a centre in New Delhi, in collaboration with India's National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR) in New Delhi, will examine the impact of microgravity and radiation on edible microalgae. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In a separate experiment, ICGEB will study the comparative growth and proteomics responses of cyanobacteria when using urea versus nitrate in microgravity. Other selected research includes a study by Bengaluru's Institute of Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (InStem), investigating the effect of metabolic supplements on muscle regeneration under microgravity conditions. Isro's Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram, together with the College of Agriculture at Kerala Agricultural University, will study the impact of microgravity on growth and yield parameters in food crop seeds. 'These experiments are currently undergoing stringent evaluations and reviews before launch, adhering to the safety-driven operational philosophy of human spaceflight missions,' Isro said. It added that the scientific initiative stems from collaborative efforts established during PM Narendra Modi's state visit to the US in June 2023. '...It follows in the footsteps of Wing Commander (Retd.) Rakesh Sharma, who became the first Indian to travel to space in 1984 through international collaboration,' Isro said. It reiterated that the experience gained through implementing these experiments will help nurture a microgravity research ecosystem within India, potentially leading to more advanced space experiments across various disciplines in the future. 'This mission aligns with Isro's ambitious long-term vision for space exploration, which includes the establishment of an operational Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035 and an Indian crewed lunar mission by 2040,' the space agency said.
