Indo American News

Tag: Dr. Dronamraju

  • Dr. Krishna Dronamraju Honored at Oxford University, U.K.

    Dr. Krishna Dronamraju Honored at Oxford University, U.K.

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    HOUSTON: Dr. Dronamraju, President of the Houston-based Foundation for Genetic Research, was recently honored at Oxford University in Great Britain. Oxford University Press, a branch of the University, published his latest (and 20th) book: “popularizing science: The Life and Work of JBS Haldane”.

    The Press organized a reception and book signing in Oxford for Dr. Dronamraju, which included a discussion about the book by his friend Sir David Weatherall, Founder and Director of the Weatherall Institute at Oxford University. The book is a chronological biography of the great British polymath, J.B.S. Haldane, who was Dr. Dronamraju’s mentor.

    Besides being a brilliant scientist, Haldane led an exciting, colorful life which makes him an ideal subject for a biography. Descended from Scottish aristocracy, Haldane was the son of John Scott Haldane, an eminent Oxford University physiologist, who taught his son the principles of scientific experimentation from an early age. The younger Haldane grew up to be a famous scientist without an academic degree in science. All his scientific knowledge was self-taught. Another aspect of  Haldane’s life were a series of experiments in physiology when he tested the effect of breathing various poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide upon his own body in tightly sealed metallic chambers. The results are of great importance to underwater diving as well as space flight. They were dangerous experiments which required much courage. In his last years, Haldane moved to India and died in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. He became an Indian citizen, shortly before his death.

    Dr. Dronamraju is a Visiting Professor of the University of Paris and the Albert Schweitzer International University in Geneva. He was an advisor to the U.S. Government in Biotechnology, and DNA technology. He received the Nayudamma Prize in science, and the National Research Service Award of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, U.S. Public Health Service. He is the author of over 20 books and 200 research papers in Genetics and Biotechnology.

  • Dr. Dronamraju Delivers the Keynote Address at the Monterrey Institute of Technology in Mexico

    Dr. Dronamraju Delivers the Keynote Address at the Monterrey Institute of Technology in Mexico

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    HOUSTON: On January 25, Dr. Krishna Dronamraju delivered the Keynote Address at the Annual celebrations of the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM) which is the most prestigious Institute of Technology in Mexico and all of Latin America and one of the largest Technology Institutes in the world. His address referred to the problem of social and ethical consequences resulting from the application of genetic revolution and its relationship to the larger question of public health research and administration in human societies all over the world.

    The term ‘Genetic Revolution” includes, in a broader sense, numerous developments in medical and health-related fields, including gene therapy for cancer and other diseases such as cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy, application of molecular biology and nanotechnology in disease research, role of informed consent in clinical trials, DNA revolution and its impact on biomedical research and applications, the potential applications of cloning and embryonic gene therapy, and many other branches of biomedical sciences. Other important aspects include the ethical and moral consequences of these applications and their impact on human society.

    The chairman of the conference and Director of the Medical Research Institute as well as the Dean of the medical school, Dr. Eugenio Valdez, introduced Dr. Dronamraju as a leading genetic scientist of international renown and author of over 20 books and 100 research papers, as well as a member of the national advisory committees of the U.S. Government in Health and Agriculture. 

    The Monterrey Institute for Technology and Higher Education (Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM) , also known as Tecnológico de Monterrey, is a private, non-sectarian and coeducational multi-campus university based in Monterrey, Mexico. 

    Founded in 1943, ITESM has since grown to include 31 campuses in 25 cities throughout the country and its wealth, influence and widespread recognition have made it one of the most prestigious universities in the Spanish speaking world. One of the most academically recognized universities in Latin America, it is also known for its highest reputation among the public. It is known for becoming the first university ever connected to the Internet in Latin America and the Spanish-speaking world, having one of the top graduate business schools in the region and being one of the leaders in business applications.

    Dr. Dronamraju’s latest book, “Popularizing Science: The Life and Work of JBS Haldane”, is just published by Oxford University Press. He is the President of the Foundation for Genetic Research since 1980, is the author of 20 books and 200 research papers in Genetics & Biotechnology. He is a Visiting Professor of the University of Paris and was awarded the Nayudamma Prize in Science. He was a Member of the U.S. Presidential delegation to India in 2000 and has been actively promoting U.S.- India Cooperation in Science and Technology for many years. He served as a Member of the National Advisory Boards for Health and Agriculture, U.S. Government, Washington, D.C.  

  • Dr. Dronamraju Addresses the 103rd Indian Science Congress at the University of Mysore

    Dr. Dronamraju Addresses the 103rd Indian Science Congress at the University of Mysore

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    HOUSTON: In his Plenary Address to the 103rd Indian Science Congress in Mysore, Dr. Dronamraju presented a discussion of the use of Genetic and Genomic Biomarkers in the early detection of various types of cancers and other diseases. Research in molecular biology, genetics and computational biology is being pursued to identify new risk factors which will improve our methods for identifying individuals who are at high risk for certain diseases. Various types of cancer, infectious diseases, respiratory diseases and others fall under this category. The completion of the human genome sequencing has led to much hope and search for biomarkers which can be useful for recognizing disease progression and therapeutic intervention.

    Earliest known markers include the “Philadelphia chromosome” as a predictor of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, and the association of Trisomy 21 with Down’s syndrome. A recent example is the association of GSTP1 Promoter Methylation with recurrence in early state Prostate Cancer. Somatic mutations, which are only present in tumor cell DNA, provide an extremely specific biomarker that can be detected and tracked.

    Various types of Biomarkers include “Screening Biomarkers”, “Predisposition Biomarkers”, “Prediction Biomarkers”,  and many others.  But where do we stand today? The results are not consistent. Other problems include bias in sampling, data collection and analysis. It is important to evaluate the present status of their clinical applications, indicating directions of future research, especially in pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine.

    Dr. Dronamraju is President of the Foundation for Genetic Research, Houston, and a Visiting Professor of the University of Paris. He is a former advisor to the U.S. National Institutes of Health and the Department of  Agriculture, Washington, D.C.