Lalji Singh

Lalji Singh Bkm

Lalji Singh (5 July 1947 – 10 December 2017) was an eminent Indian scientist who is best known for his pioneering work in the field of DNA fingerprinting technology in India. His contributions to genetics and molecular biology have had a profound impact on forensic science, wildlife conservation, and evolutionary biology. Singh is often referred to as the "Father of Indian DNA fingerprinting."

Early Life and Education

Lalji Singh was born in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. He pursued his higher education in zoology, obtaining his Master's degree from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi. He later earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the same university, focusing on the study of repetitive DNA and its role in sex determination in snakes.

Career

After completing his Ph.D., Singh joined the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad, where he would spend a significant portion of his career. At CCMB, he developed the indigenous technology for DNA fingerprinting, which was first used in 1989 to solve a paternity dispute. This breakthrough marked the beginning of DNA fingerprinting as a forensic tool in India.

Singh's research was not limited to forensic science. He also made significant contributions to understanding the genetic structure of the Indian population, wildlife conservation (notably the project on the conservation of the Bengal tiger), and the study of mitochondrial DNA to explore human migration patterns.

In 1998, Lalji Singh was appointed as the director of CCMB, a position he held until 2009. Under his leadership, CCMB gained international recognition for its research contributions. Later, he served as the Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University from 2011 until his retirement in 2014.

Awards and Honours

Throughout his career, Lalji Singh received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to science. These include the prestigious Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian awards, in 2004 for his contributions to science and engineering, specifically in the field of DNA fingerprinting and conservation genetics.

Legacy

Lalji Singh's work has left an indelible mark on the fields of genetics and forensic science in India. His development of DNA fingerprinting technology has not only aided in solving numerous criminal cases but has also been instrumental in wildlife conservation efforts across the country. Singh's research has paved the way for future generations of scientists in India and around the world.

Death

Lalji Singh passed away on 10 December 2017, leaving behind a legacy of scientific innovation and contribution to Indian science and conservation.