Important Facts For Prelims
Prof. A N Bhaduri Memorial Lecture Award-2020
- 05 Nov 2020
- 2 min read
Why in News
Recently, Dr. Susanta Kar of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research- Central Drug Research Institute (CSIR-CDRI), Lucknow has been chosen for this year's Prof. A N Bhaduri Memorial Lecture Award by the Society of Biological Chemists (India).
- The Society Of Biological Chemists (India) was founded in 1930, with its HeadQuarters at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
- CSIR- Central Drug Research Institute (CSIR-CDRI), is a premier drug research institute of India with its HeadQuarters at Lucknow.
Key Points
- The award has been given to recognize the significant contributions towards defining the survival tactics of Leishmania donovani.
- Leishmania Donovani is a protozoan parasite that infects macrophages and is a causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis (Kala Azar), a lethal infectious disease affecting millions worldwide.
- DR. Susanta Kar’s research group studied the interaction of Leishmania with immune cells like macrophages, dendritic cells and T cells and the impact of these interactions on immune response/infection progression.
- The award is conferred every two years.
- Recipients of the award should be below 50 years of age. The Award is given for Biological Chemistry and Allied sciences, preferably related to parasitic infections.
Leishmaniasis
- It is a neglected tropical disease affecting almost 100 countries including India.
- Neglected tropical diseases are a diverse group of communicable diseases that prevail in tropical and subtropical conditions in 149 countries.
- It is caused by a parasite called Leishmania, which is transmitted through the bite of sand flies.
- There are three types of leishmaniasis:
- Visceral leishmaniasis, which affects multiple organs and is the most serious form of the disease.
- Cutaneous leishmaniasis, which causes skin sores and is the most common form.
- Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, which causes skin and mucosal lesions.
- Visceral leishmaniasis, which is commonly known as Kala-azar in India, is fatal in over 95% of the cases, if left untreated.
