Mysore/Mysuru: Professor K. Kemparaju, Head of the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Mysore, has achieved the prestigious recognition of being elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI) in the year 2023.

This honour is in acknowledgment of his remarkable contributions in the fields of snake venom pharmacology, platelet and neutrophil biology. Prof. Kemparaju is the first Biochemistry Professor in India to receive this recognition.

The recognition ceremony took place at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai from Dec. 3 to Dec. 5. The award was presented by NASI President Prof. Balram Bhargava, who was the Secretary of the Department of Health Research and Director General, Indian Council of Medicl Research (ICMR) and NASI General Secretary Prof. Jayesh R. Bellare, Institute Chair Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.

Prof. Kemparaju’s ground- breaking work includes demonstrating that NETosis is the pivotal mechanism behind viper-bite induced sustained tissue decay, a process that can be alleviated through deoxyribonuclease treatment. His research team is actively engaged in exploring the complexities of snake venom pharmacodynamics and platelet biology. Their investigations delve into understanding mechanisms related to sustained tissue decay from viper bites, venom-induced oxidative stress and hypoxia.

The team is also focused on studying venom neutralisation strategies, utilising both anti-venom and small molecules. Their research extends to examining venom variability influenced by the geographic distribution of snake species. Furthermore, they are deeply involved in characterising molecules derived from snake venom that hold therapeutic importance.

Previously, the Nature Publishing Group recognised Prof. Kemparaju’s group’s research as a landmark discovery, gaining wide publicity through press releases and featuring in prestigious publications such as National Geographic and other renowned news journals.

Among their notable findings, the group revealed the toxic role of the hyaluronidase enzyme in snake venom pathophysiology, challenging the previous assumption that it only served a digestive role.

This discovery is considered a milestone in venom research, receiving special emphasis in a dedicated issue of the Toxicon journal. The translation of these research findings has the potential to significantly reduce the burden of snakebites and save the limbs and lives of countless snakebite victims annually.