Asoke G Datta obtained his PhD degree (1954) from the University of Calcutta. His specialization was in mechanism of enzyme action and biochemical endocrinology. He was Scientist (Director’s grade), Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata (Retd); Visiting Fellow, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan; and Visiting Scientist, Roche Institute of Molecular Biology, USA.

Academic and Research Achievements: Datta demonstrated the existence of a new pathway for the utilization of glucose in Acetobactor melanogenum. He isolated, for the first time, enzyme glycolaldehyde in transketolase reaction and discovered erythrose as an inhibitor of the growth of Vibrio cholera. Datta demonstrated the biosynthesis of thyroxine in extra-thyroidal tissue and established the role of erythoropoietin on the stability and lipid biogenesis of RBC membrane. He also established, for the first time, the occurrence of gluconeogenesis in brain.

Other contributions: Datta served on the Editorial Board of Proceedings of Indian National Science Academy.

Awards and Honours: Dr Datta was UGC National Lecturer and a recipient of Bashambar Nath Chopra Lecture Award of INSA (1980). He was honoured with Amulya Ratan Oration Lectureship by University of Calcutta (1987); and Professor PB Sen Memorial Oration Lectureship by Physiological Society of India (1992). He was a Fellow of Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore.