Prof. Balasubramanian Gopal

(MSC2/PHY/1993)

Prof. Balasubramanian Gopal, a structural and synthetic biologist is a distinguished professor at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. He is also an AstraZeneca Visiting Chair Professor at the Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology. He is best known for his contributions towards developing a wider understanding of molecular mechanisms governing the virulence and pathogenesis of two gram-positive bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Staphylococcus aureus. In recognition of his studies on transcription initiation in the TB bacillus, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India conferred upon him the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award in 2015.

Profile

Prof. Balasubramanian Gopal received his master's degree from IIT Kanpur. Shortly afterward, he started off his career with Torrent Pharmaceuticals as a biochemist in Ahmedabad. Later, he got inclined towards pursuing a Ph.D. and decided to take a break from his job to join the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) for the same. After completing his doctoral research, he moved to the UK and joined the National Institute for Medical Research to pursue his post-doctoral studies in crystallography. He subsequently also worked as a Research Associate at the University of Chicago.

After returning to India, he joined the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) as a faculty in the Molecular Biophysics Unit where he and his colleagues carry out their research on mechanistic and structural aspects of membrane-associated proteins involved in transcriptional regulation, inter-cell communication and mediate antimicrobial resistance. Throughout his illustrious career, Prof. Gopal has published his extensive research findings in the form of articles in several peer-reviewed journals out of which over 127 have been listed on Google Scholar.

In recognition of his performance in the field of biological sciences, he has been awarded fellowships from the National Academy of Sciences, the Indian Academy of Sciences and the Indian National Science Academy.

Achievements and Honors

• J. C. Bose National Fellow (2024-2029)
• Tata Transformation Prize, 2025
• Fellow, Indian National Science Academy, 2016.
• Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award for Science and Technology, 2015.
• Fellow, Indian Academy of Sciences, 2013.
• Fellow, National Academy of Sciences, India, 2013.
• Central Drug Research Institute Award (2013)
• National Bioscience Award for Career Development, Department of Biotechnology, 2010.
• Organization of Pharmaceutical Producers in India (OPPI) Scientist award, 2010
• B. M. Birla Science Prize in Biology, 2006