Professor Ashis K Mukherjee from Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of Tezpur University received Doctor of Science (DSc) from Calcutta University for his contribution in snake venom research and snakebite therapy.
He was conferred the award by the Governor of West Bengal and Chancellor of the University Keshri Nath Tripahty at the annual convocation of the University held on January, 11.
He has been pursuing research in specialized but neglected area of snake venom from the past 24 years.
The four major species of venomous snakes ubiquitous in India, known as “Big four” are considered responsible for life-threatening envenomation around the country. These include- Indian cobra (Naja naja), the common krait (Bungarus caeruleus), the Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii) and the saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus). In Assam, Naja kouthia and Bungarus faciatus are two predominant neurotoxic snakes against which antivenom is not available.
His research is expected to significantly improve people’s knowledge on the pathophysiology and the mechanism of action of previously uncharacterized toxins of snake venoms.
He has also identified the problems associated with commercial anti venom and suggested measures for improving the quality and efficacy of anti venom for the betterment of snakebite treatment.
Further, his group has also discovered superior peptide-based therapeutic molecules, better than the commercial drugs, from the underexplored snake venom.
Professor Mukherjee also visited University of Connecticut Health Center, USA, University of Northern Colorado, USA, and National University of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia for exploring novel drugs and diagnostic molecules from snake venom. He has won many awards in the field.