About Dr. Motilal Maiti
Professional Biography of Dr. Motilal Maiti
Dr. Motilal Maiti, a pioneering figure in Biophysics, Biochemistry and DNA research, was born on September 11, 1944, in Menkapur village of Midnapore district, West Bengal, India. He grew up in a family devoted to education and public service. His father, late Rai Kishore Maiti, was a distinguished medical practitioner who passed away when Dr. Maiti was only 16 years old. His mother, late Kadambari Devi, a compassionate and inspiring presence, motivated him to pursue science. Excelling academically, Dr. Maiti completed his Higher Secondary Examination in 1962 with distinction in Physics and Mathematics and was awarded the prestigious DPI scholarship (1962–1967) to further his studies.
In 1965, he earned his B.Sc. degree with honors in Physics from Vidyasagar College, Calcutta, followed by an M.Sc. in Physics and a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Calcutta in 1967 and 1972, respectively.
Dr. Maiti began his scientific career in 1974 at the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB), Calcutta, joining as a Scientist in the Biophysics Division. His groundbreaking research, initiated in 1978, marked the first effort in India to explore the biophysical properties of nucleic acids and their interactions with plant alkaloids as potential anti-cancer agents. His laboratory became a hub of innovation, deciphering the mechanisms and specificity of binding therapeutic molecules to DNA and other biomolecules. From 1998 to 2004, Dr. Maiti served as the Director of the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, where he guided the institution towards new heights of scientific excellence. After his retirement, he continued his association with IICB as a CSIR Emeritus Scientist from 2005 to 2010, furthering his research and mentoring young scientists.
Exceptional Contributions to DNA Research
Dr. Maiti’s most significant scientific contributions include:
- Discovery of Structural Transitions in DNA: Dr. Maiti discovered the structural transition of B-form DNA to Hoogsteen base-pair left-handed HL DNA, a term he coined. This novel conformation, achieved under specific low pH and temperature conditions, has profound implications for understanding DNA structural polymorphism and its role in biological processes.
- DNA-Drug Interactions: He demonstrated, for the first time, the binding specificity of c these interactions, revealing their therapeutic potential as anti-cancer agents. His work elucidated the thermodynamics of these interactions, showcasing their specificity towards GC-rich sequences and their role in stabilizing triple helical DNA structures.
- Pioneering Work on DNA Polymorphism: Dr. Maiti’s studies on non-conventional DNA structures, including left-handed Z-DNA and triple-helical DNA, highlighted the flexibility and biological significance of these conformations. He advanced the understanding of how small molecules and environmental factors influence DNA structural dynamics.
- Methodology Development: He developed innovative spectropolarimetric methods to determine DNA base composition and ligand-DNA binding parameters. These tools have been widely adopted in the field and cited globally.
- Therapeutic Applications: His research demonstrated the ability of alkaloids to intercalate with DNA and generate singlet oxygen, positioning them as promising candidates for chemotherapeutic drug development.
Recognitions and Leadership
In acknowledgment of his contributions to science, Dr. Maiti was elected as a fellow of the West Bengal Academy of Science and Technology and the National Academy of Sciences, India. He is a life member of several eminent scientific societies, including:
- Indian Biophysical Society
- Indian Photo-biological Society
- Society of Biological Chemistry (India)
- DNA Society of India
- Science Congress Association
Dr. Maiti held various leadership roles throughout his career. He served as treasurer (1992–2001) and vice-president (2003–2005) of the Indian Biophysical Society, vice-president of the DNA Society of India (2008–2011), and council member and treasurer of the West Bengal Academy of Science and Technology (2004–2008).
International Impact
Renowned for his academic and scientific outreach, Dr. Maiti has been an invited speaker and session chair at numerous national and international conferences and symposiums. His global engagements include a visit to the Soviet Union (now Russia) in 1986 under the Indo-Soviet program of Science and Technology Cooperation and a deputation as a visiting scientist in the USA (1987–1988). He was also a part of the Indian Delegation to prominent international events in Budapest, Hungary (1993), Paris, France (1997), and Buenos Aires, Argentina (2002), sponsored by INSA, Government of India.
Dr. Maiti’s contributions to international biophysics include his membership in the Indian National Committee for the International Union of Pure and Applied Biophysics (1991–1994, 1997–2000).