Professor (Dr.) RanbirChanderSobti,, Honorary Scientist INSA, Former Vice Chancellor, BabasahebBhimraoAmbedkar University, Lucknow (UP) and Panjab University, Chandigarh, Former Education Consultant Governor of Bihar and Former Senior Scientist (Indian National Science Academy), is, indeed, a polymath--a renowned academician, distinguished scientist, dynamic administrator and a visionary gifted with an immensely optimistic disposition and integrity of character, words and action. He was elected as General President of Indian Science Congress Association for the Session 2013-14. Professor R.C. Sobti started his career as an Animal Cytogeneticist(including human) and characterized the karyotypes of animal groups from protozoa to human. He also worked on mutagenesis/carcinogenicity of environmental pollutants both in vivo and in vitro systems. He has proactively been involved in cancer biology and focused on searching novel tumour markers for cancer detection. He explored and evaluated the role of genetic polymorphism and their expression in the genesis of various cancers, COPD, AIDS and metabolic syndrome. He has identified disease susceptible /protective novel genotypes and determined the crucial role of SACS-1 and STAT genes in the genesis of cervical and prostate cancers.He has also been engaged in the development of whole organ by tissue culture through custom designed de-cellularization protocol.He has demonstrated the regulation of stem cell character under in vitro conditions is a function of morphological assortment of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNC) - an observation that has marked significance in the field of stem cell research. He is currently working on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) which is a complex endocrine disorder with significant implications for women's health. In addition to enlarged ovaries with numerous tiny cysts and hormonal disturbances; it raises the risk of reproductive malignancies. There are only a few studies linking the association of PCOS to breast, ovarian, and uterine cancer, but none has highlighted the comprehensive analysis of their association. To gain insights into the molecular mechanisms, a literature mining analysis focused on genes associated with PCOS, uterine, ovarian, cervical, and breast cancers has been done. Genes were retrieved from the DisGeNET database, and a gene interaction network has been constructed using the STRING database. Clustering analysis and hub gene identification has beenperformed using Cytoscape and the CytoHubba plugin. The biological functions and pathways associated with the identified hub genes were analyzed using the ClueGO plug-in. Three important hub genes namely PTEN, BRCA1, and BRCA2 whose cellular locations have been provided by cluePedia identified. These genes might be the potential biomarkers for PCOS, uterine, ovarian, cervical, and breast cancers. The identified hub genes highlight the molecular complexity underlying PCOS-associated reproductive cancers. Understanding the roles of PTEN, BRCA1, and BRCA2 can aid in early detection, personalized treatment approaches, and the development of targeted therapies for those with PCOS-related reproductive cancers. The use of maximum number of TFBS for Hunchback, Knirps, Caudal, and Kruppel in bothprosophila D. melanogaster and Tribolium castaneum, while Bicoid TFBS clusters were found only in D. melanogaster (Moudgil et al., 2023). His work on various aspects of microbes is note worthy. Besides this he has also reviewed the therapeutic effects of Tribolium occidentalis which plant has great potential as it is widely used in both traditional, homoeopathy modern and evidence-based phytotherapy. In vitro and in vivo models have shown it'simmunopharmacological potential, including its immunostimulatory, anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral activities (Thakur et al., 2023). His research group has shown that the T. occidentalis collected from the Kakching, Manipur, East side of India have the highest zone of inhibition. The GC-MS has revealed positive correlation between zone of inhibition and peak area percentages of α-Pinene, β-caryophyllene, Germacrene-D, and Humulene indicating that these chemicals may play a key role in anti-bacterial potential of T. occidentalis. It is now evident that the antibacterial effectiveness of T. occidentalis varies with its geographical location which may be attributed to the differences in the phytochemical makeup (Thakur et al., 2023). We have also observed that the transcription factor binding site (TFBS) clusters on twelve Dorsal-Ventral (D-V) genes in Triboliumcastaneum and compare them to their orthologous gene enhancers in Drosophila melanogaster using a bioinformatics tools. The results related to the transcription factors in Drosophila melanogaster and Triboliumcastaneum are nearly identical; however, the number of binding sites varies between the two species, indicating transcription factor binding site evolution. It appears that dorsal, twist, snail, zelda, and Supressor of Hairless are the transcription factors responsible for the regulation of DV patterning in the two insect species (Kapilet al., 2023). The pathology, diagnosis and treatment of monkeypoxhas also been reviewed (Thakur et al., 2023). Prof. Sobti has delivered numerous keynote addresses at National and International forums, based on implications and applications of science and scientific temper for general awareness and improvements of everyday life and lifestyle in a lucid and people-centric manner. Other contributions/Achievements He has delivered numerous keynote addresses at reputed National and International forums, based on implications and applications of science and scientific temper for general awareness and improvements of everyday life and lifestyle in a lucid and people-centric manner. His immense contribution to science includes, inter alia, 400 high impact research publications with more than 5500 citations and h-factor of (39), 55 books and 23 Sponsored Research Projects. Professor Sobti is a Fellow of the Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), National Academy of Sciences, Indian National Science Academy, National Academies of Medical Sciences and Agricultural Sciences and the Canadian Academy of Cardiovascular Diseases and is associated with many other Academic Associations and Institutions in the domain of higher education and research. The litany of honours showered on him includes, among others, the INSA Young Scientist Medal (1978), UGC Career Research Award, Punjab Rattan Award, JC Bose Oration Award and the Life Time Achievement Award of the Punjab Academy of Sciences, Zoological Society of India, and the Environment Academy of India, besides many other medals and awards of various reputed National and International Organizations. As a protean public intellectual, Professor Sobti is a remarkable leader in the domain of science/scientific knowledge-both in theory and practice. In recognition of his enormous contribution to higher education, he has been bestowed with a large number of prestigious awards and medals which adorn his academic and professional career. The Government of India bestowed upon him the honour of “PADMASHRI”in 2009 by way of rightfully acknowledging his great contribution to higher education in India. On 2nd July, 2016, he was also honoured with ‘Bharat Gaurav’, Life Time Achievement Award at the House of Commons, British Parliament, London, U. K. Owing to his exceptional contribution, and societal commitments, the Government of India has conferred upon him the honorary rank of ‘COLONEL’.Professor Sobti, not only excels in creating academic atmosphere but is also equally steadfast and loyal towards environment and society. His charismatic aura and unrelenting attitude, that does encourage and motivate all, has an inherent capacity of transforming the organisation into a synergistic, cohesive and vibrant team. Professor Sobti’s pragmatic approach and dynamic vision encapsulated in his view that education in University should be a mechanism for social change and liberating force for the individual and the society, resulted in initiating various Community Engagement Programmes. His innovative ideas in enthusing the faculty and students to excel in research and academics and his efforts in transferring these ideas to the needy through scientific spirit and temper can be pronounced as distinct and exceptional. Professor Sobti has not only instilled the importance of science and scientific perspective in the personal and societal development, but has rigorously campaigned and spread awareness about the ill-effects of the abuse of scientific and technological advancements for greed. He has set examples and personally taken initiatives to make the campus-environment conducive, safe, and healthy through the successful implementation of numerous socially relevant and meaningful initiatives. Professor Sobti has always gone beyond the call of duty in every arena, be it for his innovative ideas, constant encouragement, and his speedy actions aimed at comprehensive development of the society. Professor R.C.Sobti is a personification of energy, synergy, positivity, creativity and development. He encompasses the best of tradition and modernity both to engineer a dynamic today-which is of vital significance to create a great future.He is an epitome of kindness, hard work and solidarity, an active researcher and a perfect protagonist in popularization of science and can carry along a large community towards a developed and progressive Nation
