Perdur Radhakantha Adiga obtained his PhD degree (1963) from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. His areas of specialization were endocrine biochemistry and reproductive biology. He was Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Professor of Biochemistry, and Chairman, Centre for Reproductive Biology & Molecular Endocrinology, IISc, Bangalore.

Academic and Research Achievements: Adiga discovered the phenomenon of specific carrier proteins mediating trans-placental delivery of vitamins like riboflavin, thiamine and biotin during gestation in female mammals, including primates. He elucidated the biochemistry, immune-topology as well as hormonal induction and regulation of vitamin carriers, which, he found, were also synthesized in testis to become sperm components and were required for vitamin transport through tests-blood barrier to support spermatogenesis. Adiga identified the neurotoxic principle from Lathyrus sativus (Khesari dal). He also worked on enzymatic pathways of polyamine biosynthesis and regulation in plants during embryonic development.

Other Contributions: Adiga co-edited the book Perspectives in Primate Reproductive Biology (Wiley Eastern; 1991). He was Member of the Editorial Boards of Journal of Biosciences and Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology.

Awards and Honours: Adiga was a recipient of SS Bhatnagar Prize (1980); Sanjay Gandhi Awards for Science & Technology (1982); Professor M Srinivasayya Award by Society of Biological Chemists, India (1984); Professor MRN Prasad Memorial Lecture Award of INSA (1992); and ASTRA Research Professor, IISc, Bangalore (1990-93). He was a Fellow of Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore and a Member of the Executive Committee, Society of Biological Chemists (India).