Father of DNA fingerprinting in India dead

HYDERABAD: Dr Lalji Singh, also known as the ‘father of DNA fingerprinting in India’ passed away later on Sunday night in Varanasi at the age of 70. Singh was the founder of two premier scientific institutions — Center for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics(CDFD) and the Laboratory for Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES). Both of the centres are located in Hyderabad.

He served as the Director of Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad from May 1998 to July 2009 and also as Vice Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University from August 2011 - August 2014.

He also founded the Genome Foundation working on diagnostic testing of genetic disorders, in Hyderabad and served as its Managing Director until his death.

Singh along with his his colleagues developed the Bkm-derived probe for DNA fingerprinting that is used extensively for forensic investigation, paternity determination and also for seed stock verification in India.
His work also includes molecular basis of sex determination.

His research works initiated the usage of DNA fingerprinting in wildlife conservation in India. Dr Singh was earlier this year selected for ‘Distinguished Fellow’ honour by Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB).