Lalji Singh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lalji Singh
Padma Shri, FNA, FSAc
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Lalji Singh in 1992 with Indian Rock Python
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| Born | 5 July 1947 Jaunpur, United Provinces, British India
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| Died | 10 December 2017 (aged 70) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Alma mater | Banaras Hindu University |
| Known for |
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| Spouse(s) | Amarawati Singh |
| Children |
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| 25th Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University | |
| In office 21 August 2011 – 21 August 2014 |
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| Appointed by | Pratibha Patil |
| Preceded by | D.P. Singh |
| Succeeded by | Girish Chandra Tripathi |
| Member of Board of Governors of IIT-BHU | |
| In office August 2011 – August 2014 |
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| Appointed by | President of India |
| Director of Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology | |
| In office May 1998 – July 2009 |
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| Awards |
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | |
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| Doctoral advisor | S. P. Ray-Chaudhuri |
Lalji Singh (born July 5, 1947 – died December 10, 2017) was a famous Indian scientist. He was known as the "Father of Indian DNA fingerprinting" because of his important work in this field. He also studied how sex is determined at a molecular level, how to protect wildlife, and how humans evolved and migrated. In 2004, he received the Padma Shri, a high award in India, for his contributions to science.
Dr. Singh started several important institutes and labs in India. These include the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) in 1995, the Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES) in 1998, and the Genome Foundation in 2004. His goal was to help diagnose and treat genetic problems, especially for people in rural India who might not have access to good healthcare.
He also served as the 25th Vice Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) from 2011 to 2014. Before that, he was the director of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) from 1998 to 2009.
Contents
Early Life and School
Lalji Singh grew up in a small village called Kalwari in the Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh, India. His father, Suryanarayan Singh, was a farmer and the head of their village. Lalji Singh went to a government school in Kalwari until the eighth grade.
Since there were no higher classes in his village, he went to a school in a nearby village, about 6 to 7 kilometers away. After finishing his 12th grade in science, he joined Banaras Hindu University. There, he studied Zoology and cytogenetics, which is the study of chromosomes and cells.
University Studies and Early Research
Lalji Singh earned his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 1964. He was a top student and received a gold medal for getting the highest marks in his Master's degree class in 1966.
In 1971, he completed his Ph.D. at BHU. His research focused on "Evolution of karyotypes in snakes," which looked at how the chromosomes of snakes changed over time. His work was published in a science journal called Chromosoma. In 1974, he received the INSA Medal for Young Scientists for his research.
His Research Journey
After his Ph.D., Dr. Singh worked as a researcher at the University of Calcutta. In 1974, he received a Commonwealth Fellowship to do research in the UK at the University of Edinburgh. He stayed there until 1987, learning and contributing to science.
In 1987, Dr. Singh returned to India and joined the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad. Here, he developed and set up the DNA fingerprinting technology. This technology is used to solve crimes and family disputes. From 1998 to 2009, he served as the director of CCMB.
He was also awarded the J.C. Bose National Research Fellowship and the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Fellowship for his excellent research. In 2011, he became the 25th Vice Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University (BHU). During his time as Vice Chancellor, he took a very small salary of just one Indian Rupee.
Amazing Discoveries and Contributions
DNA Fingerprinting Technology
Dr. Singh became interested in studying the chromosomes of Indian snakes in 1968. In the 1970s, while studying a snake called the banded krait, he and his team found special repeating DNA sequences. They called these "Banded Krait Minor" (Bkm) sequences. These sequences were found in many animals, including humans.
In 1987, at the CCMB, Dr. Singh showed that these Bkm sequences could be used to create unique DNA fingerprints for people. This was a huge step for solving crimes! In 1988, he used this method for the first time in India to solve a case about who a child's parents were.
His work helped solve many important legal cases in India, including famous criminal investigations. This made DNA fingerprinting a trusted tool in India's legal system. Because of his efforts, the Indian government created the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) in 1995. This center provides DNA fingerprinting services across the country. Dr. Singh is widely known as the "Father of DNA fingerprinting" in India.
Protecting Wildlife
While leading the CCMB, Dr. Singh saw a great need to protect India's wildlife. So, he came up with the idea for the Laboratory for conservation of endangered species (LaCONES) in 1998. This lab was officially opened in 2007 by the then-President of India, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.
LaCONES is a research lab that uses advanced technology to help save and protect wildlife. It also acts as the "National Wildlife Forensic Cell." This means it can identify animal species from samples found at crime scenes, helping to fight wildlife crime. This is possible thanks to a discovery by Sunil Kumar Verma and Dr. Singh in 2001.
Understanding Sex Determination
In 1982, Dr. Singh and his team made an important discovery. They found that a very small part of the Y chromosome (which determines male sex) was enough to turn a female mouse into a male. This discovery helped scientists understand how sex is determined at a genetic level. It also laid the groundwork for understanding similar processes in humans.
DNA-Based Medical Tests
Before 1998, India did not have enough facilities to diagnose genetic disorders. Dr. Singh's research helped create the first DNA-based diagnostic lab in the country. This lab later grew into the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) in Hyderabad. It now provides advanced DNA-based medical tests for people across India.
Human Evolution and Migration
Dr. Singh and his team also studied the DNA of ancient tribes, including those living in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Their research gave new insights into how humans evolved and migrated around the world. Their findings suggested that modern humans moved out of Africa about 60,000 years ago and reached the Andaman Islands. This work greatly improved our understanding of human origins.
Genome Foundation
In 2004, Dr. Singh started a non-profit organization called the Genome Foundation. Its main goal is to diagnose and treat genetic disorders in India, especially for people in rural areas who are less fortunate. Scientists and professionals volunteer their time to help this foundation.
His Passing
Lalji Singh passed away in Varanasi, India, on December 10, 2017, at the age of 70. He had a heart attack while at the airport, waiting for a flight to Delhi. He was taken to the hospital but could not be saved.
Books by Dr. Singh
- You Deserve, We Conserve (2007)
- Scientoonic tell-tale of Genome and DNA (2007)
- DNA Fingerprinting: the Witness within (2012)
- My travails in the Witness Box (2012)
Awards and Recognitions
Dr. Singh received many awards and honors throughout his career. He was a fellow of several important Indian and international science academies, including:
- Fellow of Indian Academy of Sciences (1989)
- Fellow of The National Academy of Sciences, India (1991)
- Fellow of Indian National Science Academy (1993)
- Fellow of Third World Academy of Sciences (2002)
Some of his notable awards include:
- Indian National Science Academy Medal for Young Scientists (1974)
- Commonwealth Fellowship (1974–1976)
- CSIR Technology Award (1992 and 2008)
- Ranbaxy Research Award (1994)
- Goyal Prize in Life Sciences (2000)
- FICCI Award (2002–03)
- The New Millennium Plaques of Honour (2002)
- JC Bose National Fellowship (2006)
- NRDC Meritorious Invention Award (2009)
- Biospectrum Life Time Achievement Award (2011)
- The Padma Shri (2004) for his contributions to Indian science and technology.
He also received honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) degrees from six universities, including Banaras Hindu University.
Images for kids
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Lalji Singh in 1992 with an Indian Rock Python
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Lalji Singh (second from right) in 1968 at BHU, Varanasi, India
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A spotted deer fawn born out of first successful artificial insemination in India at LaCONES on 14 March 2006
