Dr lalji singh

11. Mystery of Our Own Origins

India represents 1/6^th of the world population and largest human biodiversity in the world. Dr Singh and his group at the Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology, Hyderabad undertook the genetic biodiversity study of human populations with special emphasis on the vanishing tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, using Y-chromosomal markers and mitochondrial DNA sequencing. Their study has revealed that two tribes in Andamans are the descendants of the people who migrated 70,000 years ago from Africa. This is considered to be the path breaking work showing that Onge and Great Andamanese (negreto tribes) have evolved in the Andaman Islands in genetic isolation independently. For the first time, they provided genetic evidence in support of out-of-Africa theory and proposed that there was only one wave of migration out of Africa through the Southern sea route via India. It looks likely that the first humans crossed the Red sea and spread to Australia via India and Southeast Asia through the Southern Coastal route. This is in contrast to the prevailing concept of Northern route of migration. It is really the first time that in less than a year of the original finding by Dr Singh and his group, the world has accepted a novel finding as possible answer to how humans migrated. It is indeed a major breakthrough rewriting the history of human migration. Most recent findings by Dr Singh and his group indicate that Indian mtDNA pool consists of several deep rooting lineages of macrohaplogroup ‘M’ suggesting in situ origin of these haplogroups in India and its subsequent migration to Southeast Asia. These studies further support one wave of rapid dispersal theory of modern humans along the Asian Coast.

These findings will have deeper implications in relation to disease susceptibility and individualized medicine. Very rarely such breakthroughs are made which change the course of history and find immediate international acceptance. Their above finding has been published in the most prestigious journal, ‘Science’ (with Impact Factor 30) in the year 2005 and there is a write-up on his work in News and Views of many journals including Science, New Scientist and many papers published by scientists abroad have supported his findings. The latest finding in support of his work is titled “Going East” appeared in Science in 2006.

G. TEACHING EXPERIENCE
1. Took B.Sc. and M.Sc. classes in the Zoology Department, Banaras Hindu University, India, during 1966-1971.
2 Took in situ hybridization practical classes of honours students with Dr K W Jones, in the Institute of Animal Genetics, University of Edinburgh from 1978-1987.
H. ORGANIZATION OF CONFERENCES & TRAINING COURSES
1. European Molecular Biology course on in situ hybridization with (Dr J O Bishop and Dr K W Jones), September 1978, University of Edinburgh, UK.
2. International Workshop on Molecular techniques in cytogenetics, with Dr K W Jones and Prof T Sharma. February-March, 1986, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.
3. The 3rd International Conference on DNA Fingerprinting, December 13-16, 1994, Hyderabad.
4. A one-day symposium on 'Genome Analysis: Recent Trends and Applications' on 16th January and 3 weeks hands-on training course on DNA Fingerprinting from 17th January to 4th February, 1996, Hyderabad.
5. 1^st ADNAT Convention “DNA Fingerprinting” on 12th and 13th April, 1997, Hyderabad
6. A two-week International Hands-On Training Course on DNA Fingerprinting from 6-19 November, 1997, Hyderabad.
7. Guha Research Conference, Dec., 1998, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.
8. 2nd ADNAT Convention - two-day symposium and a two-week hands-on training course on "DNA Technologies: Forensic and Other Applications", 23rd February - 10th March, 1998, Hyderabad.

9. 3rd ADNAT Convention - one-day symposium on "Emerging DNA Technologies for the next Millennium" on 23^rd February, 1999 and two-week hands-on training course on "Emerging Trends in DNA-based Diagnosis", February 24 to March 7, 1999, Hyderabad.

10. XXIII All India Cell Biology Conference during November 27-29, 1999.
11. 4^th ADNAT Convention – A Two-day symposium on “DNA Technologies in the Management of Biodiversity” on 20^th and 21^st February, 2000 at MSSRF, Chennai and hands-on residential training course on “Microsatellite Markers in Genome Diversity” from 23^rd February to 5^th March, 2000 at CCMB, Hyderabad.
12. ISHG 2001 – XXVI Annual Conference of the Indian Society of Human Genetics – “Human Genome and Beyond” from 20^th to 22^nd February 2001 in CCMB, Hyderabad
13. 5^th ADNAT Convention – A Two-day Symposium on “Perspectives in Genome Analysis” on 23^rd and 24^th February 2001 and A Hands-on Residential Training Course on “Bioinformatics: The Hand-Maiden of Future Biology” from 25^th February to 11^th March 2001 in CCMB, Hyderabad.
14. 6^th ADNAT Convention – A Two-day Symposium on “Functional Genomics” on 23^rd and 24^th February 2002 and an International Hands-on Training Course on DNA Sequencing and Genotyping from 25^th February to 10^th March 2002 in CCMB, Hyderabad.
15. Silver Jubilee Celebrations (1977-2002 of CCMB – A Six-day Symposium on “The Current Excitement in Biology” from 24^th to 29^th November 2002 in CCMB, Hyderabad on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of CCMB.
16. 7^th ADNAT Convention – A Two-day Symposium on Proteomics on 23^rd and 24^th February 2003 and Two Simultaneous Hands-On Training Courses on Proteomics and DNA Microarrays from 25^th February to 10^th March 2003.

17. 
    8^th ADNAT Convention – A Two-day Symposium on Comparative and Functional Genomics Febraury 23 & 24, 2004 and Two Simultaneous Hands-On Training Courses on DNA Markers: Development and Applications February 25 to March 12, 2004 and Transgenic and Gene Knockout Mice Technologies February 25 to March 16, 2004.
    

17. 
    9^th ADNAT Convention & 30^th ISHG – A Two day Symposium on Molecular Medicine & Health during 20-23 February 2005 and Hands-on Training Course on Chromosomal & Molecular Diagnostics February 24 – March 10, 2005.
    

17. 
    71^st Anniversary General Meeting of Indian National Science Academy – Symposium on “Stem Cell Research: Technological, Ethical and Social Issues” during 26-28 December 2005 jointly organized by CCMB, IICT and NGRI at IICT Auditorum.
    

17. 
    10^th ADNAT Convention – A Two day Symposium on RNAi and microRNA in Development and Health during February 23 & 24, 2006 and Hands-on Training Courese on RNAi in Gene Knockdown & Viral Resistance during February 25 – March 10, 2006.
    

17. 
    The dedication of LaCONES to the Nation by Bharat Ratna, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, The Hon’be Presidnet of India on 1^st February 2007.
    

17. 
    11^th ADNAT Convention - A three-day Symposium on Advances in Structural Biology & Structure Prediction February 23, 24 & 25, 2007 and Hands-on Training Course on Protein Structure Prediction & Structure Determination February 26 – March 8, 2007.
    

17. 
    The Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of: Clinical Research Facility for Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine (CRF) and National Bio-Safety Level 4 Containment Facility for Human Infectious Diseases (NBCF) by Shri Kapil Sibal, Hon’ble Union Minister for Science & Technology & Earth Sciences, Government of India.
    

17. 
    12^th ADNAT Coonvention – A two-day Symposium on Biology of Embryonic and Adult Stem Cells February 23 & 24, 2008 and Hands-on Training Course on Basic Techniques in Stem Cell Biology: Isolation, Maintenance, and Differentiation February 25 – March 10, 2008.
    

I. ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE

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  Has been the First In-Charge Officer on Special Duty for the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad, since its inception in 1995 and has been closely involved in planning and setting it up.
  

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  Since July 1998, has been working as the Director of the Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India
  

J. SPONSORED RESEARCH/COLLABORATIONS

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  Laboratory for conservation of endangered species (LaCONES)
  
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  Molecular genetic analysis of Archaeological human specimens: Taxonomic and health perspectives.
  
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  Genomic diversity in the caste, tribal and religious populations of Andhra Pradesh and its border areas in the broader context of the peopling of India
  
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  Genetic diversity in primitive Indian tribes
  
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  Genome diversity in the caste and tribal populations of Himalayan region
  
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  Identification of susceptibility genes associated with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus in Indian population
  
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  Genome diversity in the tribal population of Kumaon region
  
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  Molecular epideomiology of alcoholism: The Kota tribe in Niligiri Hlls. The unique opportunity to study total population.
  
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  Cytogenetic and molecular evaluation of infertile males
  
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  DNA profiling of tribal populations of Andhra Pradesh
  
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  Genome diversity in the selected tribal populations of Maharashtra
  
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  Setting up a clinical research facility to develop Stem Cell Technologies and Regenerative Medicine
  
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  National Facility for Real time Imaging of live samples.
  
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  Conservation of Endangered Big cats
  

K. INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS ATTENDED AFTER RETURNING TO INDIA IN 1987
1. First International Conference on DNA Fingerprinting, University of Berne, Switzerland, 1-3 October, 1990
2. Boden Conference on Mammalian Sex Chromosomes and Sex Determination Genes, Sydney, Australia, 3-5 February, 1992
3. Technology Showcase-1995, Singapore, 12-16 September, 1995
4. 4th International DNA Fingerprinting Conference, Melbourne, Australia, 2-7 December, 1996
5. Visit to CNRS, Paris, France, 11-18 May, 1997 to develop a collaboration in Genome sequencing and analysis including bioinformatics
6. International meeting on Ethics and Human Genome, UNESCO, Paris, France, 22-25 July, 1997
7. Meeting of European Centre for Control of Infectious Diseases (ECCID), Montpellier, France, 10-13 September, 1998
8. 5th International Conference on DNA Fingerprinting, Port Elizabeth, South Africa, 13-23 January, 1999.

9. 
   Participated in the Scientific & Technical Advisory Panel of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) workshop on “Green Certifiers” under United National Environment Programme at Unidad de Seminarios “Ignacio Chavez” UNAM, Cd. Universitaria, Mexico on 13^th and 14^th October, 1999.
   

9. 
   To participate in the Twenty-sixth session of the WHO South-East Asia Advisory Committee on Health Research (WHO/SEA/ACHAR), as a special invitee, at Thimphu, Bhutan during 18-21 April 2001.
   

9. 
   To participate in the in the Joint WHO-THAI Health Research Forum Multi-Regional Consultative meeting on “Genomics & Health” during 23-25 July 2001, at Bangkok, Thailand.
   

9. 
   To participate in the PAHO-WHO sponsored Conference on “Biotechnology & Genomics for Improvement of Health in Developing Countries” during 25-27 March 2002 at Havana, Cuba
   

9. 
   To participate in the 4^th HUGO Pacific Meeting and 5^th Asia-Pacific Conference of Human Genetics during October 27^th to 30^th, 2002 at Pattaya, Thailand.
   

9. 
   To visit various institutions in Germany as a Leader of the CSIR delegation during 13-21 September 2003.
   

9. 
   To have discussions on possible collaborations and to deliver lectures in different institutions in UK during 22 August to 7 September 2004 under INSA-Royal Society International Collaboration Exchange Programme.
   

9. 
   Visit to Lyon, France to see their P4 facility during 16^th to 20^th October 2004.
   
10. 
    Visit to USA and Canada to see the BSL4 facilities along with CSIR-DST-ICMR Delegation during 24 July to 4^th August 2005.
    

9. 
   Visit to USA to see the Stem Cell facilities along with CSIR CCMB)-DST-NIMS during
   

4^th to 13^th August 2006.

9. 
   To participate and deliver a lecture at the Symposium on “New Challenges in the Life Sciences: Prioritizing European Research in Molecular Systems Biology, Florence, Italy during October 18-19, 2007.
   

L. MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES
1. Member (Past President) of Indian Society of Cell Biology

2. Member of Society of Biological Chemists of India

3. Past President of Indian Society of Human Genetics

4. Member (Past President) of P M Bhargava Foundation

5. Founder Member and President (formerly Secretary) of the Association for the Promotion of DNA Fingerprinting and Other DNA Technologies

6. 
   Member, Indian Academy of Social Sciences
   
7. 
   Member, Professor S P Ray-Chaudhuri Memorial Foundation
   
8. 
   Secretary, The Medically Aware and Responsible Citizens of Hyderabad (MARCH)
   
9. 
   Member, Guha Research Conference
   

M. FELLOWSHIP OF INDIAN/FOREIGN ACADEMIES
1. Fellow of Indian Academy of Sciences, elected in 1989

2. Fellow of National Academy of Sciences, elected in 1991

3. Fellow of Indian National Science Academy, elected in 1993

4. 
   Fellow of Andhra Pradesh Akademi of Sciences, elected in 2000
   
5. 
   Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, elected in 2001
   
6. 
   Fellow of the National Academy of Medical Sciences, elected in 2002
   
7. 
   Fellow of the Third World Academy of Sciences, elected in 2002
   

N. MEMBERSHIP OF THE EDITORIAL BOARDS

1. Journal of Biosciences (former member)

2. Journal of Basic & Applied Biomedicine

3. Journal of Genetics

4. Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology

5. International Journal of Human Genetics

6. Indian Journal of Biotechnology

7. 
   Proceedings of Andhra Pradesh Akademi of Sciences
   

8. ICFAI Journal of Science & Technology

9. Journal of Intellectual Property Rights

O.MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL COMMITTEES

Scientific Advisory Committees

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  General Body of Bihar Council on Science & Technology (BCST), Patna
  
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  Osmania University, Hyderabad
  
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  Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi
  
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  Institute of Cytology & Preventive Oncology (ICMR), New Delhi
  
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  National Institute of Virology, Pune
  
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  Dr B R Ambedkar Centre for Biomedical Research, New Delhi
  
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  Institute of Immunohaemotology (ICMR), Mumbai
  
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  National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR), Hyderabad
  
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  Genome Research Centre, M S University, Baroda
  
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  C-MMACS, Bangalore
  
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  Dabur Research Foundation
  

Research Advisory Committees

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  National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (ICAR), Lucknow
  
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  National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (ICAR), Karnal, Haryana
  
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  Seribiotech Research Laboratories, Bangalore
  
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  A.P. State Sericulture Research and Development Institute, Hindupur, A.P.
  
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  Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi (2001-2004)
  
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  Chairman, Research Advisory Committee, Biomedical Research Unit, Manovikas Kendra, Calcutta.
  

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  Member, Research Council of Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Delhi (2004-2007)
  
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  Member, Animal Sciences and Biotechnology Research Committee of HRDG, CSIR (2004-2007)
  
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  Member, Committee on Gene Patenting, DBT
  
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  Member, Advisory Committee of MAGENE Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd.
  

National-level Committees

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  Member, Research & Development Advisory Committee for Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission, Gujarat
  
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  Member, Academic Council, Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE) (2006-2008)
  
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  Co-Chairman, DBT Task Force on Animal Biotechnology
  
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  Member, CSIR Sectoral Group on Biology and Biotechnology
  
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  Member, Sub-Group of Experts on Jarawa Tribes, Planning Commission.
  
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  Member, Life Sciences Research Development Board (LSRDB), Department of Science & Technology, New Delhi
  

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  Member, National Advisory Committee for establishing the National Repository on Human Genetic Resources and Data, Anthropological Survey of India, Kolkata
  

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  Steering Committee for Establishment of National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi
  

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  The Scientific Advisory Group, the Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi
  
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  Programme Advisory Committee, DST, New Delhi
  
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  NABL Technical Committee for Accreditation of DNA Fingerprinting Laboratories, DST, New Delhi
  
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  Sectional Committee, Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi
  
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  Management Council, Centre for Biotechnology (CSIR), New Delhi
  
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  Biotechnology Research Promotion Committee, DBT, New Delhi
  
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  Task Force on Human Genetics, DBT, New Delhi
  
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  Academic Council, Central Institute of Fisheries Education (ICAR), Mumbai
  
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  ICAR-NATP Project, New Delhi
  
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  Committee on Plant Genetic Resources, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi
  
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  Task Force on New Initiative in Genome Analysis, ICMR, New Delhi
  
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  Central Ethical Committee on Human Research of ICMR
  
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  Scientific Panel on Horticulture Division of ICAR
  
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  Animal Sciences and Biotechnology Research Committee, HRDG, CSIR
  
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  Member, CSIR Governing Body (2004-2007)
  
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  Member, CSIR Society (2004-2007)
  
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  Member, National Advisory Committee of the Anthropological Survey of India
  
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  Member, Gujarat Council of Biotechnology (2005-)
  
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  Member, National Advisory Committee for establishing a National Repository on Human Genetic Resource and Data (October 2005-)
  
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  Member, National Police Mission, Home Secretary, Govt. of India
  
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  Member, National Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of DBT
  
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  Chairman, Advisory Committee on Biological Toxins, Ministry of Environment of Forests.
  
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  Chairman, Setting up of a World Class Drug Research Institute of CSIR
  
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  Member, General Body of the Bihar Council on Science & Technology, Bihar
  

State-level Committees

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  Academic Senate, Osmania University, Hyderabad
  
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  Advisory Committee of Andhra Pradesh Technology Development & Promotion Centre (APTDC)
  
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  School Board of School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad
  
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  Biotechnology Committee, Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad
  
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  Governing Body, Osmania University, Hyderabad
  
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  State Biotechnology Co-ordination Committee, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad
  
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  Chief Minister’s Pharma Task Force, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad
  
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  District Level Advisory Committee, Hyderabad District for Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act-1994
  
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  Chairman, Governing Body for the Osmania University College of Science, OU, Hyderabad.
  
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  Honorary Advisor of the Center for Stem Cells Sciences, Hyderabad
  

Other Committees

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  FICCI Working Group on Knowledge Trade Initiative: Sub-Group on New Bio Technology
  
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  Executive Committee, All India Biotech Association, New Delhi.
  
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  Scientific Review Committee, National Institute of Biologicals (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare), New Delhi
  
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  Board of Trustees, Hyderabad Eye Research Foundation, Hyderabad
  
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  Advisory Council (for setting up a research centre for stem cells and tissue engineering), Reliance Industries Limited, Mumbai
  
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  Member, National Committee for establishing Molecular Medicine, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow
  
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  Advisory Committee, Biotechnology Dept., University of Pune
  
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  Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBSC), (Transgene Vaccine Limited, Hyderabad), M/s Serum Institute of India Limited (SIIL), Pune
  
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  Council of the Society of Biosciences, Muzaffarnagar, U.P
  
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  Advisory Committee, UGC-Special Assistance to MCB Department of IISc, Bangalore
  
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  Amity Science and Technology Congress Foundation, New Delhi
  
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  FICCI Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology Committee
  
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  President, Indian Society of Cell Biology (2001-2003)
  
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  President, Indian Society of Human Genetics (2003-2006)
  
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  Vice-Chairman, Advisory Committee of the Avanthi Group of Institutions
  
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  DBT Representative of the Institutional Biosafety Committee of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Limited, Hyderabad
  
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  Date Safety Monitoring Board, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Limited, Hyderabad
  
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  Member of the Board of Management of the Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education & Research, Kolar, Karnataka (2007-2009)
  
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  Member of the Executive Council of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) (2007-2010)