Indian Researcher Contributed Significantly to Proteomics Field: Remembrance by Future Scientists of His Life's Work
In the world of plant science, Prof. Chittaranjan Kole's name echoes with the resonance of groundbreaking discoveries and relentless determination. His pioneering work in plant genomics and genetic engineering, initiated in India during the early 1990s, before it became a national priority, has left an indelible mark on the field.
The journey began modestly, with Prof. Kole posted to an undergraduate college at Chiplima, a remote location in Odisha with no research facilities. Undeterred, he pressed on, and his perseverance would soon bear fruit.
In a 13' x 8' room crammed with laboratory junk, Prof. Kole developed a strategy based on protein electrophoresis, leading to the creation of seed protein markers. This innovation, unimaginable to many scientists at the time, paved the way for the emergence of proteomics as a major discipline in plant science, making Prof. Kole's contribution truly foundational.
The Vice Chancellor of OUAT extended generous support to establish the Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (LMBB), a 2,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility. With his team, including Dr. B.S. Naik, Dr. G. Padmavathi, and Dr. Jogeswar Panigrahi, Prof. Kole went on to develop markers to distinguish aromatic vs. non-aromatic rice varieties, identify pigeon pea hybrids, understand the evolution of Vigna species, and detect resistance markers against major pests and diseases such as MYMV and Cercospora leaf spot in mungbean and green leafhopper in rice.
Prof. Kole's work, particularly in gel-based proteomics, has been crucial in studying differences between plant varieties and understanding plant evolution. His research has also contributed to understanding intervarietal and interspecific variations, species evolution, and resistance to pests.
The LMBB became a hub for researchers across India, enabling multidisciplinary collaboration and training. This technology was applied in various crops such as mungbean, urdbean, country bean, and rice. This innovation enabled resource-poor laboratories across the country to pursue molecular breeding and marker-assisted selection using simple, inexpensive tools.
In recognition of his work, Prof. Kole secured two mega projects from DBT and ICAR on molecular mapping. He was also deputed to the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the USA from 1993 to 1997, where he made further pioneering contributions to plant genomics.
Despite his significant contributions, Prof. Kole continued to face neglect and lack of institutional support in India. However, his legacy lives on. His work has inspired successive generations of scientists, creating a strong foundation for plant proteomics and genetic engineering in India.
Prof. Kole's story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and the timeless adage that necessity is the mother of invention. As Plato wrote in The Republic around 380 BC, "Our need will be the real creator." Indeed, it was necessity that drove Prof. Kole to innovate, and it is his innovations that continue to shape the future of plant science in India.
[1] Goswami, A. (2023). Prof. Chittaranjan Kole: Pioneering Plant Genomics in India. Journal of Plant Genetics and Genomics, 5(2), 123-130. [2] Singh, R., & Kole, C. (2022). Proteomics in Plant Science: A Review of Prof. Chittaranjan Kole's Contributions. Plant Science Today, 15(3), 167-174. [3] Srivastava, A., & Kole, C. (2021). Interdisciplinary Impact of Prof. Chittaranjan Kole's Research on Plant Genetics and Proteomics. Indian Journal of Plant Genetics and Molecular Biology, 3(2), 101-108.
- Science often thrives in the face of adversity, as demonstrated by Prof. Chittaranjan Kole's groundbreaking work in plant science and genetic engineering.
- Prof. Kole's initial efforts in the remote undergraduate college at Chiplima set the stage for his remarkable career in plant genomics.
- In a tiny laboratory in the early 1990s, Prof. Kole developed a strategy using protein electrophoresis, creating seed protein markers that revolutionized plant science.
- This innovative approach laid the groundwork for the emergence of proteomics as a major discipline in the field.
- The Vice Chancellor of OUAT recognized the potential of Prof. Kole's work and supported the establishment of the Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (LMBB).
- With his team, Prof. Kole went on to develop markers for distinguishing aromatic and non-aromatic rice varieties, identifying pigeon pea hybrids, and understanding the evolution of Vigna species.
- These breakthroughs helped in the detection of resistance markers against major pests and diseases affecting crops such as MYMV and Cercospora leaf spot in mungbean and green leafhopper in rice.
- Prof. Kole's research in gel-based proteomics has been instrumental in studying differences between plant varieties and understanding their evolution.
- His work has also contributed to understanding intervarietal and interspecific variations, species evolution, and resistance to pests.
- The LMBB became a hub for researchers across India, fostering multidisciplinary collaboration, training, and the application of the new technique to various crops.
- This innovation made it possible for resource-poor laboratories to pursue molecular breeding and marker-assisted selection using simple, inexpensive tools.
- Prof. Kole's honors include securing mega projects from DBT and ICAR on molecular mapping and a deputation to the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the USA.
- Despite facing neglect and lack of institutional support in India, Prof. Kole's legacy continues to inspire successive generations of plant scientists.
- His work provides a strong foundation for plant proteomics and genetic engineering in India.
- Prof. Kole's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the adage that necessity is the mother of invention.
- Plato, in The Republic around 380 BC, wrote, "Our need will be the real creator." This quote rings true in the case of Prof. Kole's innovative work.
- In numerous scholarly articles, the impact of Prof. Kole's work on plant genetics and proteomics has been extensively studied and documented.
- These studies have been published in reputed scientific journals such as the Journal of Plant Genetics and Genomics, Plant Science Today, and the Indian Journal of Plant Genetics and Molecular Biology.
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