CCMB director to receive Vishishta Puraskaaram

Dr Ch Mohan Rao was chosen for his outstanding contributions in the areas of protein folding and molecular basis for lens transparency and cataract

Dr Ch Mohan Rao, director, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), was selected for the award of Vishishta Puraskaaram by Ramineni Foundation, USA, on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of Puraskaarams-2014.

He was chosen for his outstanding contributions in science and technology particularly in the areas of protein folding in health and disease and molecular basis for lens transparency and cataract. He played a key role in developing a diagnostic tool to identify a number of eye infections under the CSIR’s programme on New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI) and looking into a cost-effective treatment for cancer using photodynamic therapy.

Dr Mohan Rao’s multidisciplinary expertise includes electronics, fabrication and digital interfacing along with cellular, molecular and biophysics. He combined biophysical, molecular biological and cell biological approaches to address problems of biomedical importance. He has published more than 100 research papers and several science articles in many national and international journals and is a Fellow of several national and international academies.

The Vishishta Puraskaaram carries Rs 1 lakh, a plaque and a memento by Ramineni Foundation. He will receive this award on October 12 at a function organised by the foundation in Vijayawada.