Inderjit Singh received PhD (1937) from University of Cambridge, UK. He served the Indian Medical Service during 1939-44 and then worked as Professor and Head, Department of Physiology, Dow Medical College, Karachi (1944-48); Professor, Department of Physiology, SN Medical College, Agra; and also ICMR Emeritus Scientist.

Academic and Research Achievements: Singh became famous for his work on life without breathing, which made it possible to keep dogs alive for 80 min without breathing. Equally well known were his studies on electrical and mechanical activity of the frog’s heart in electrolyte-free solution; tryptaminergic, histaminergic and kinergic fibres in frog vagus nerve; source of acetylcholine, adrenaline and noradrenaline on nervous stimulation of vagus and sympathetic nerve to frog’s heart; reactions of depolarized unstriated muscles; and duel contractile system in unstriated muscle.

Other Contributions: Singh served in the Indian Army and was In-charge of Brigade Laboratory at Allahabad. He was Member of the Aeromedical Society and also ICMR’s Governing Body.

Awards and Honours: Professor Singh was awarded the Dutch Fellowship (1960). He was elected Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore and Physiological Society of Great Britain; and Foundation Fellow of National Academy of Medical Sciences (India).