Narendra Tuteja obtained BSc (1975), MSc (Biochemistry) (1977), PhD (Biochemistry) (1977) and DSc (Biochemistry) (2008) degrees from Lucknow University. He worked as Visiting Scientist at National Institutes of Health, Maryland, USA (1983-86), PDF at UCLA, Los Angeles (1986-88) (cloned cGMP-PDE from retina mouse and human eyes), Assistant Research Scientist at International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Italy (1988-95) (isolated the first human DNA helicase), Group Leader at ICGEB, New Delhi (1995-97) (isolated the first plant DNA helicase), Associate Scientist at ICGEB, New Delhi (1997-2008) (discovered novel role of helicases and G-proteins in abiotic stress tolerance in plant), and Senior Scientist at ICGEB, New Delhi (2008- ) (discoved novel role of Lec-RLK and MCMs in high salinity stress tolerance; isolated many stress tolerant genes from fungus P.indica)

Academic and Research Achievements: While at ICGEB, New Delhi, Tuteja initiated teaching and research programmes in abiotic stress tolerance. In order to understand the mechanism of abiotic stress tolerance and ultimately to develop the abiotic stress tolerant crops including the rice, Dr Tuteja's Group is working on cloning, characterization and modulation of expression of stress-induced genes of following pathways: (i) calcium signaling, (ii) G-protein signaling, (iii) protein translation initiation and (iv) DNA/RNA metabolism. He made major contributions in isolating novel DNA/RNA helicases and several components of calcium and G-proteins signaling pathways. He presented the first direct evidence for the novel role of a pea DNA helicase in salinity stress tolerance and pea heterotrimeric G-proteins in salinity and heat stress tolerance. He reported the first direct evidence in plant that PLC functions as an effector for G? subunit of G-proteins. His group also discovered novel substrate (pea CBL) for pea CIPK. He also developed the salinity tolerant tobacco plants without affecting yield. Thus, his research uncovers two new pathways to plant abiotic stress tolerance and exhibit potential for improving crop production at sub-optimal conditions. He has authored over 123 articles and mentored about seven PhD students.

Other Contributions: Dr Tuteja served as Member, Advisory Board, Agricultural Scientist Recruitment Board, New Delhi and also of the Editorial Advisory boards of Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Plant Physiology and Biochemistry and The Open Plant Science Journal. He is an Associate Editor of the journal Plant signaling & Behavior.

Awards and Honours: Dr Tuteja was elected Fellow of National Academy of Sciences (India), Allahabad (2003), Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore and National Environmental Science Academy, New Delhi.