Obaid Siddiqui: An Outstanding Neuroscientist, Molecular Biologist And Founder Of A Research Laboratory And A Research Centre in India

Working in the established science laboratories in UK and USA, acquiring some kind of specific training and experience during conducting research in a particular discipline of science, then unfolding mysteries of nature by experimentation is one thing but to establish a new laboratory and then fulfledged institution with the help of same acquired training and experience in one’s own country, then conducting pioneering research there and training the young scientists and acquainting them with self experience are certainly laudable accomplishments. This is exactly what Obaid Siddiqui—— Fellow of the Royal Society of Britain (FRS), recipient of second highest civilian award of Republic of India- Padma Vibhushan, recipient of D.Sc degree fom 7 prominent universities, doctoral and postdoctoral researcher in highest ranking Britain and American universities,recipient of several prestigious awards, honours and prizes-did in his life time. He is widely regarded as a father of modern biology in India.

It would be relevant to mention here that with the exception of very few universities and research centres, researches in biological sciences were dismally minimal in India before independence in 1947. The focuss was on researches in physics, chemistry, engineering, industrial sciences and technologies. None of the 5 national research laboratories proposed by CSIR in 1943 , fouryears before the independence of India, was biological sciences research laboratory. The establishment of these laboratories was completed in 1950, three years after independence.Even post independence for almost a decade, little attention was paid to open avenues to carry-out researches in important areas of biology like molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry , biophysics, immunology etc.

Professor Obaid Siddiqui (Born 7 January 1932, Basti, Uttar Pradesh ,died 23 July 2013, Bengaluru, Karnataka) after receiving M.Sc degree in Botany from Aligarh Muslim University studied wheat genetics at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Delhi and then switched over to microbial genetics during his doctoral studies under the famous genetist Guido Ponticorvo at Glasgow University, Scotland, UK. He then continued post-doctoral research in Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York, University of Pennsylvania and Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory at Cambridge , UK.
In Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, founded in 1945 , there was a focus on several areas of theoritical and experimental physics but discussions about initiating a research laboratory in biology were also held. But Homi Bhabha , first director of TIFR was waiting for a matured scientist who could build his own group of researchers in biology on his own. In 1962 , Hungarian- American physicist Leo Szilard and American genetist and pioneer molecular biologist Maurice Fox who were in communication with Homi Bhabha recommended the name of very promising Indian molecular biologist Obaid Siddiqui to him.

This was the time Obaid was at the height of his career but on receiving an invitation from Homi Bhabha to set up a research laboratory in biological sciences in TIFR, he instead of staying in USA,preferred and accepted Bhabha’s invitation and returned back to India . This is how Obaid Siddiqui armed with the training in techniques and knowledge of the subjects molecular biology and genetics joined TIFR, Mumbai and with the help of his chosen reseachers , he succeeded in establishing the first molecular biology research laboratory in India at TIFR, Mumbai in 1962. In an article entitled “Professor Obaid Siddiqui, the legendry Molecular Biologist” in a monthly magazine “Science Horizon” (December 2017) published by Odisa Bigyan Academy, the writers Professor AK Mohapatra and A.Roy wrote “Professor Siddiqui dreamt of South Asia to be a place which shall serve as an epitome of Science and Indian Subcontinent to be the mother of scientific advancements”. With this enthusiasm and love for science and motherland India, he went on in early 1990s to establish a sophisticated research centre known as National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) of TIFR at Bangaluru (old name- Bangalore). He served as the founder director of the Centre till 1993 and then as National Research Professor till his accidental death in 2013.

As molecular genetist, Professor Siddiqui worked on three types of model organisms namely—Aspergillus, a type of mold (fungus), bacteria and an insect Drosophila (fruit fly —- during different phases of his research career. In Glasgow University, Siddiqui during his Ph.D work studied the fine structure of genes of para aminobenzoic acid (paba) requiring mutants (mutant is an organism that is different from others of its type because of a permanent change in its genes) of the fungus Aspergillus nidulans and observed the mutational sites in a small part of the genes.This work earned him name and opened up the avenues to work with renowned genetists and molecular biologists in USA on bacterial genetics during his postdoctoral studies. He continued with bacterial genetics research in Molecular Biology Laboratory which he had established in TIFR, Mumbai in 1962 along with his small group of chosen scientists. This reseach work pertaining to de-linking DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid, a hereditory material) transfer, DNA replication and recombination in bacteria was widely recognized so much so that the information was incorporated in text books. From 1970s onward Professor Siddiqui was focussed on cutting edge research in the field of neurobiology using Drosophila as model organism. His work on Drosophila clearly demonstrated the link between genes, behaviour and nervous system and led to establish the neurogenetic principle of chemical senses, taste and smell.Obaid and his team of researchers made it possible by identifying genes whose mutations block olfactory (smelling) or gustatory (tasting) responses. The fact that humans share versions of many genes with Drosophila (70% match) it is justifiable to expect that discoveries made by Siddiqui and his team in Drosophila would prove to be significantly useful in understanding the similar mechanisms in human beings.

There’s no exaggeration in saying that iconic Siddiqui placed India at the global forefront of basic genetic research through his extraordinary accomplishments of building a first molecular biology laboratory in India at Mumbai in 1962 and a sophisticated National Cetre for Biological Sciences in 1992 at Bangaluru, Karnataka, India. He was profusely honoured and awarded across the world for his extraordinary researches in various disciplines of modern biology. In addition to prestigious FRS (London , 1984), Padma Vibhushan (India ,2006) , Padma Bhushan (India, 1984) he was the recepient of other prominent awards including Bhatnagar Award (India ,1976) Dr. B.C Roy Award (India, 2004), Indian National Science Academy (INSA) Aryabhata Medal (1992). Siddiqui was so prominent in his area of
research that highest ranking research universities and institutes used to invite him as visiting professor like Yale University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology—- all in USA and Cambridge University in UK.

He was member of several national and international science academies and organizations and served as vice president and president of Indian Academy of Science during 1983-85 and 1986-88 respectively. Seven prominent universities in India have conferred upon him honorary degree of D.Sc and he served twice as Sherman Fairchild Distinguished Scholar at California Institute of Technology (CALTECH), USA during 1981-82 and in 1986. Professor Siddiqui met a road accident in which he was hit by two wheeler when taking a stroll near his house in Bangaluru and after battling injuries for few days he passed away on 26 July ,2013.Before death he was actively involved in  research activities in the laboratory at the NCBS that he had established in 1992.

In recognition of his services in its establishment and development, the Archivesat National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangaluru has created a chair named after Obaid Siddiqui.

By Dr Aqueel Khan