Pijush Kanti Das did his BSc with major in Chemistry and MSc in Biochemistry from Calcutta University. He obtained PhD (1979) in Biochemistry from Calcutta University working on the mechanism of bacteriocin action using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. He then joined the laboratory of Professor BK Bachhawat and made significant contributions on liposomal drug delivery system in selective targeting of drugs to different cell types exploiting sugar receptors. In 1982, he joined the laboratory of Professor Roscoe O Brady at NIH, USA and made major contributions on Gaucher disease, and developed a cell culture model for Gaucher disease. Presently he is a Director Grade Scientist at Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB).





Academic and Research Achievements: On returning to India in 1986, Das started his own laboratory at IICB. His work is mainly centered on understanding the biology of macrophages with a view to formulating strategies for better therapy against macrophage-associated diseases using visceral leishmaniasis as the model disease. One of the most important contributions of Dr Das was the development of a highly selective and effective neoglycoprotein-mediated macrophage-directed delivery system having the potential of horizontal access to macrophage-associated diseases in general. As a cell biologist his work on extra cellular matrix binding proteins, comprising the isolation, detailed molecular characterization and elucidation of the role of laminin-binding protein in pathogenesis of Leishmania, opened up a basis for successful homing of microbes to their physiological address. His current research activities include the use of agents of natural origin for detailed signal transduction studies, including the role of transcription factors. He has published over 70 research articles and mentored about 20 PhD students.





Other Contributions: Das is actively engaged in teaching as an honorary faculty in the Department of Biophysics & Molecular Biology; Department of Biotechnology, Calcutta University; Department of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Jadavpur University; and Department of Biotechnology, West Bengal University of Technical Education.





Awards and Honours: Dr Das received PB Rama Rao Memorial Award from Society of Biological Chemists and the Senior Scientist Oration Award from Indian Immunology Society. He is also a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore; National Academy of Sciences (India), Allahabad and the West Bengal Academy of Science and Technology.