RAKESH BHATNAGAR Ph.D., F.N.A,, F.N.A.Sc., F.A.Sc
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References Prof. RAKESH BHATNAGAR Ph.D., F.N.A,, F.N.A.Sc., F.A.Sc. Vice Chancellor, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi J.C. Bose National Fellow Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering Laboratory School of Biotechnology Jawaharlal Nehru University New Delhi - 110067, India Contact info: Phone: 011-26704079, 26704715 Mail: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] one DATE OF BIRTH: 11-07-1951 EDUCATION: Ph.D. (1978), Department of Biochemistry National Sugar Institute, Kanpur, India. ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE: 2018-TILL DATE Vice Chancellor Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 2013 - 2015 Dean School of Biotechnology Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. 2012 – 2013 Vice Chancellor Kumaun University Nainital, Uttarakhand 2011 - 2012 Director Academic Staff College Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. 2009 - 2011 : Director Advanced Instrumentation Research Facility Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. 2007 - 2012 : Chairman Intellectual Property Management Cell Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. 2001 - 2003 : Chairman 1993 - 1995 Centre for Biotechnology Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. 1990 - 1993 : Coordinator Bioinformatics Centre Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: 1997 onwards Professor School of Biotechnology Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. 2010 -2013 Faculty in U.S.-India Joint Research Training Program Seattle Biomedical Research Institute Seattle WA, USA 1989 - 1997 Associate Professor Centre for Biotechnology Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. 1987 - 1989 Senior NRC Associate, USAMRIID, Fredrick MD, USA. 1986 - 1987 Visiting Associate, NHLBI, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA. 1985 - 1986 Visiting Assistant Prof., Lab. Connective Tissue, Biochemistry, CHU, Caen, FRANCE. 1983 - 1985 Assistant Professor of Biochemistry Post Graduate Institute of Med. Education & Research, Chandigarh. 1982 - 1983 Pool Officer, Department of Biochemistry V. P. Chest Institute, University of Delhi. 1979 - 1982 Scientist (Wiessenschaftliecher Angeschtelter) Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Freiburg University, Freiburg, GERMANY. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER We have transferred technology for making “Genetically Engineered Vaccine against Anthrax” to M/s. Panacea Biotec Ltd., New Delhi at a total technology transfer fee of Rs. 2.00 crores and a royalty of 5% for 10 years. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AGREEMENT BETWEEN JAWAHALAL NEHRU UNIVERSITY AND M/S PANACEA BIOTECH LTD. (THROUGH BCIL, NEW DELHI) SIGNED IN PRESENCE OF DR. MANJU SHARMA New Anthrax Vaccine Developed in India Pallava Bagla for National Geographic News November 6, 2001 The war against terrorism may have a new weapon. Indian scientists announced November 5 that they have developed a safer and cheaper anthrax vaccine. The new vaccine is less toxic and longer lasting than the currently available vaccine, said its developers Rakesh Bhatnagar, chairman of the Center for Biotechnology at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and Yogendra Singh, a scientist at the Center for Biochemical Technology, New Delhi. Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It occurs commonly among cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and other herbivores but it can also occur in humans when they are exposed to infected animals or tissue from infected animals. It has recently become a weapon in the arsenal of terrorists. "Four people have died from anthrax infections in the United States over the past several weeks, and in some of these cases, bioterrorism-quality anthrax has been the cause," said Elaine Fuchs, a molecular geneticist at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Chicago and president of the American Society of Cell Biology (ASCB). The human anthrax vaccine on the market today was developed at the behest of the Pentagon, and is only available for use by American troops. The current vaccine requires 18 months to take effect and can have toxic side effects. Many soldiers have opted to face disciplinary action rather than subject themselves to the six-course dose. "The new research by Dr. Bhatnagar is extremely promising, precisely because his newly-engineered anthrax proteins might avoid the side-effects that plagued the previous vaccine," said Katherine Wilson, a biologist at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore. Bhatnagar's work was scheduled to be released at the ASCB annual conference in December. The association decided to break its long tradition of keeping the contents of research papers secret until they have been presented because of the vaccine's potential impact on public health. Developing a Vaccine The vaccine is the result of seven years of work, funded in part by the Indian Department of Biotechnology. Led by Bhatnagar, the research team created harmless mutant forms of the three key proteins that together make anthrax fatal. The genes for the mutated proteins were introduced into host organisms, where they reproduced. The mutant proteins were then purified to ensure that reactivity and side effects of the vaccine were minimized. Once the researchers were confident that they could reproduce the protective antigens on a laboratory scale, Bhatnagar's team took the production to near-industrial scale. A five-liter capacity fermenter can now produce approximately five grams of protective antigen per liter, said Bhatnagar. One gram of the antigen can supply millions of vaccine shots. The genetically engineered anthrax antigen can also be modified to create an anthrax vaccine for use in livestock. Moving Toward Commercialization The vaccine will soon undergo toxicity testing, followed by human trials. While there are many hurdles still to be overcome, the Indian team is optimistic that the new vaccine will stand the scrutiny. India's science minister Murli Manohar Joshi, told a crowded press conference Monday that India is fast-tracking the regulatory procedure and hopes to have the vaccine available in six to nine months to ensure that the "masses get the much needed vaccine on time." Panacea Biotech, an Indian biotechnology company, has purchased the anthrax vaccine technology and will produce the vaccine commercially. "If all goes on schedule we hope to market the new anthrax vaccine worldwide in the next six to nine months at a very nominal price," said Rajesh Jain, director of Panacea Biotech. The final pricing will be worked out once the product goes through regulatory clearance, he said. "Given the urgent and unexpected need for new and improved methods of treating and preventing anthrax infections, research on anthrax vaccines has surfaced to the forefront of biomedical research in the world," said Fuchs. "Dr. Bhatnagar's research has the potential for contributing to these efforts." © 1996-2008 National Geographic Society. All rights reserved. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2001/11/1105_anthraxvaccine.html ICMR AWARD GIVEN BY Ms. SUSHMA SWARAJ PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR BEST INNOVATION (2016), CONFERRED BY SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE, PRESIDENT OF INDIA. Created a BSL-3 (Bio-Safety Laboratory level-3) for the first time in a University. AWARDS/FELLOWSHIPS/ RECOGNITIONS/ACHIEVEMENTS: President’s Award for Innovation (2016), conferred by the President of India. Fellow, Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi, India. J.C. Bose National Fellow, New Delhi, India. Fellow, National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad, India. Fellow, Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore, India. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) award for outstanding research work in the field of Immunology (Development of recombinant anthrax vaccine) for the year 2001, received on 14th Dec. 2003. Ranked 7th among the top ten eminent researchers publishing commendable research papers on anthrax. (Open source Global Anthrax Research Literature 2006) All India Biotech Association Award 2001-2002, in recognition of achievements in Promotion of Biotechnology, In the Area of Biotechnology for Health Care. CONSULTANCY: In addition to teaching and research, I have been providing consultancy to Biotechnology/ Pharmaceutical industry during the last fifteen years. REFERENCES: Prof. Yogendra Alagh Dr. Art Friedlander Former Vice Chancellor USAMRIID, Fredrick MD, USA Minister of Science & Technology &Section [email protected] Former Chancellor Nagaland University [email protected] Prof. Sudhir Kumar Sopory Dr. Stephen Leppla Former Vice Chancellor Chief, Microbial Pathogenesis, Jawaharlal Nehru University Building 33, Room 1W20B4 New Delhi – 110067 33 North Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892 [email protected] [email protected] Prof. N.K. Ganguly Prof. Karl Decker Former Director General Professor Emeritus Indian Council of Medical Research Institute of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology New Delhi – 110 067 Freiburg University, Germany [email protected] [email protected] Prof (Dr) Seyed E. Hasnain Vice Chancellor Jamai Humdard University, New Delhi [email protected] [email protected] REFERENCEReferences No. of Research Scholars (Ph.D) successfully guided: Awarded / S. Main Guide or Name of scholar Affiliated University/ Institute Under No. Co-Guide guidance 1 Uttam Garg PGI Chandigarh Awarded Main Guide 2 Deotosh Kr Surendra Jawaharlal Nehru University Awarded Main Guide Singh 3 Adhuna Jawaharlal Nehru University Awarded Main Guide 4 Puran Singh Sijwali Jawaharlal Nehru University Awarded Main Guide 5 Pankaj Gupta Jawaharlal Nehru University Awarded Main Guide 6 Smriti Batra Jawaharlal Nehru University Awarded Main Guide 7 Vibha Chauhan Jawaharlal