Biography
Asis Datta, Indian molecular biologist (Kolkata, West Bengal 02 February 1944 –
ACHIEVEMENTS
Discovered the role of allosteric enzymes in the regulation of amino sugar metabolism in animal tissues (1970)
First to report the presence of an enzyme inside the bacterial virus (RNA polymerase in bacteriophage PM2) in 1971-2
With S. Ochoa first to report the role of a new initiation factors for protein synthesis in eukaryotic cells (1977)
First to report the presence of 2 translational inhibitors during plant embryogenesis
Unravelled two molecular determinants of virulence in Candida albicans
Discovered a N-acetylglucosamine catabolic pathway in highly pathogenic Candida albicans (1979-93)
First to demonstrate the involvement of calcium, calmodulin and protein phosphorylation in morphogenesis of Candida albicans (1990)
First reported the existence of a signal transduction pathway in Candida albicans (1994)
With E.W. Nester clearly demonstrated for the first time the role of virulence gene (Vir C) in Ti plasmid processing in Agrobacterium sp. (1988-9)
Isolated AmA1, a lysine-methionine rich storage protein gene from Amaranthus sp. that is one of three plant gene worldwide used for development of genetically modified crops (1992)
PATENTS
Indian
1. A process for the preparation of fragmented nucleic acid useful for diagnosis Candidosis (No.177707 dated 15.2.97)
2. A process for the preparation of DNA encoding Oxalate decarboxylase from Collybia velutipes (No. 425/Del/92 dated 18.5.92).
3. A process for the isolation of DNA encoding a seed specific protein with nutritionally balanced amino acid composition from Amaranthus (No. 227/Del/93 dated 10.03.93).
4. Polynucleotide sequence of fruit softening associated α-mannosidase and its uses for enhancing fruit shelf life ((1647/DEL/2008 dated July 9, 2008)
5. Polynucleotide sequence of fruit softening associated β-D-N-acetyhexosaminidase and its uses for enhancing fruit shelf life ((1648/DEL/2008 dated July 9, 2008).
6. A process for production of anti-diabetic compound in root culture of “Catharanthus roseus” (1649/DEL/2008 dated July 9, 2008)
7. Mutant microorganisms and uses thereof (622/DEL/2012 dated March 2, 2012)
United States and other countries
8.Oxalate decarboxylase (US Patent No 5547870 issued on 20.8.96)
9. Seed storage protein with nutritionally balanced amino acid composition (US Patent
No.5670635 issued on 23.9.97)
10. AmA1 protein and presumably a composition containing same (US Patent
No.5849352 issued on 15. 12. 98)
11. Method of making seed specific DNA (US Patent No.5846736 issued on (8.12.98).
12. Polynucleotide sequence of fruit softening associated β-D-N-acetylhexosaminidase and its uses for enhancing fruit shelf life [IPA-1647/DEL/2008].
13. Polynucleotide sequence of fruit softening associated α-mannosidase and its uses for
enhancing fruit shelf life (PCT/IN2009/000387). Published by WIPO on 14.01.2010 (Pub. No.WO/2010/004582) and by the Indian patent office on 16.04.2010 (1647/DEL/2008).
14. Process for production of ant-diabetic compound in root culture of Catharanthus roseus) PCT000389). Published by WIPO on 15.01.2010 (Pub. No. WO/2010/004584) and the Indian patent office on 23.04.2010 (1649 DEL/2008).
15. Polynucleotide sequence of fruit softening associated β-D-N-acetyhexosaminidase and its uses for enhancing fruit shelf life (PCT/IN2009/000388). Published by WIPO on 14.01.2010 (Pub. No.WO/2010/004583) and the Indian patent office on 23.04.2010 (1648/DEL/2008).
16. Extra-cellular matrix localized ferritin-1 for iron uptake, storage and stress tolerance
(International application No. PCT/IN2007/000231).
17. Recombinant microorganisms and uses thereof [US Patent 13/451,481]
