Janus Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNA) for Multiple DNA/RNA binding

Associate Prof. Roderick Wayland Bates

Biography

Prof. K. N. Ganesh is a renowned scientist currently serving as the SERB (ANRF) National Science Chair at JNCASR, Bengaluru, specializing in the chemistry and biology of nucleic acids and peptides. His key research includes the design of modified Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNAs) for improved cell permeability and sequence-specific binding. He has authored around 180 research papers and mentored 50 PhD students.

With dual PhDs in Chemistry (Delhi University, 1976; University of Cambridge, 1980), Prof. Ganesh held prominent roles at CSIR-CCMB Hyderabad and CSIR-NCL Pune, where he became Head of Organic Chemistry. He is the Founding Director of IISER Pune and IISER Tirupati.

His work has earned him prestigious awards including the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, TWAS Prize, and the Padma Shri (2023). He is a fellow of all major Indian science academies and TWAS, and has served on editorial boards of top journals. He is also a Founding Editor and current Editor-in-Chief of ACS Omega. In 2024, he received the Gold Medal of CRSI for his outstanding contributions to chemical research.