Biography
Arun Kumar Sharma, Indian plant cytogeneticist (Kolkata, West Bengal State 31 December 1924 – Kolkata, West Bengal State 06 July 2017)
Developed new research techniques for the study of chromosome structure of plants such as orcein banding technique for repeated DNA sequences and multiple DNA analysis
Chromosome banding and repeated DNA. J. Ind. Bot. Soc. 54:1-8, 1975
With his wife Archana Mookerjea developed novel methods of pre-treatment and staining cells to visualize chromosomes structure used throughout the world
Both authored the textbook Chromosome techniques – theory and practice (1965), a standard reference book worldwide used
Enunciated a new concept of speciation in vegetatively reproducing plants and/or asexual organisms
With A. Sharma. Fixity in chromosome numbers of plants. Nature 177:335-6, 1956
A new concept of means of speciation in plants. Caryologia 9:93-103, 1956
Introduced a new protocol to induce division in adult nuclei through the chemical application
Proposed the concept of dynamic DNA
Proposed new concepts about structure dynamics and behavior of chromosomes
Dynamicity of chromosomes – understanding and application. Jour. Sci. Ind. Res. 31:545-6, 1972
Evidence of dynamism as a basis for chromosomal control of genetic reactions. Nucleus 20:4-10, 1977
Showed that chemical composition of chromosomes varies along organogenesis, differentiation and reproduction
Suggested the use of embryo irradiation and in vitro cultures for the generation of variability (1970s)
Papers in Nature
With A. Gupta. Chromosome breakage with plant pigments. Nature 184:821, 1959
With C. Talukdar. Structural heterozigosity of Cipura paludosa Aublet. Nature 180:662-3, 1957
With A.K. Sharma. Fixity in chromosome numbers of plants. Nature 177:335-6, 1956
With S.K. Sarkar. A new technique for the study of chromosomes of palms. Nature 176:261, 1955
With D. Bhattacharjee. Effect of trichloracetic acid on nuclear proteins. Nature 169:417, 1952
Trichloracetic acid and Feulgen staining. Nature 167:441-2, 1951
Methods
With D. Chattapadhyay. A new technique for orcein banding with acid treatment. Stain Techn. 63(5):283-9, 1988
With A.K. Kundu. A rapid screening technique for detection of Diosgenin through in situ cytophotometry, Stain’s Techn. 63:369-72, 1988
With M. Chaudhuri & D.P. Chakraborty. Isopsoralene and its use in karyotype analysis. Stain Techn. 37:95-7, 1962
With S. Mukhopadhyay. A new technique for karyotype study of Oryza. Rice News Letter (1959)
Improvements in chromosome fixation. Sci. Cult. 21:648-50, 1956
With S.K. Sarkar. A new technique for the study of chromosomes of palms. Nature 176:261, 1955
With C. Ghosh. Oxyquinoline – as an ingredient in a new fixative for chromosome analysis. Sci. Cult. 16:268-9, 1950
Others
With U.C. Lavania. An interphase model for mitotic chromosome organization in Eukaryota. Biosystems 14:171-9, 1981
With A. Sharma. A theory regarding the stability of chromosome complement in a species. Naturwiss. 44:1-17, 1957
HONORS
Sharmastachys Banerjee & D’Rozario 1999 (Fossil Plantae)
LINKS
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324753466_In_Memoriam_Prof_Arun_Kumar_Sharma_1924-2017 (bibliography)
His wife, Archana Mookerjea Sharma, Indian cytogeneticist and cytotoxicologist (Pune, Maharashtra State 16 February 1932 – Kolkata, West Bengal State 14 January 2008)
Authored over 300 research and review papers besides 10 books
With her husband Arun Kumar Sharma developed novel methods of pre-treatment and staining cells to visualize chromosomes structure used throughout the world
Both authored the textbook Chromosome techniques – theory and practice (1965), a standard reference book worldwide used
Enunciated a new concept of speciation in vegetatively reproducing plants and/or asexual organisms
With A.K. Sharma. Fixity in chromosome numbers of plants. Nature 177:335-6, 1956
Published the paper Tumor production in plants by plant extract. Nature 184:1083-4, 1959
Presented relevant studies on cytotaxonomy of flowering plants with new findings and concepts
