Coming home to build
Obaid Siddiqi was born on 7 January 1932 in Basti, Uttar Pradesh. After studying at Aligarh Muslim University he did a PhD in microbial genetics in Glasgow and worked in international laboratories.
In the 1960s Homi Bhabha invited him to TIFR in Mumbai, and he helped set up its molecular biology unit. Leaving an overseas research career to build a molecular biology programme from almost nothing was a big decision.
Genes, smell and behaviour
His research moved from microbial genetics to neurogenetics. Using the fruit fly Drosophila as a model organism, he studied the genetic basis of smell, taste and the working of the nervous system.
In this way he joined questions about the brain and behaviour to the tools of genetics: if a gene is changed, how does the way an animal senses the world change?
A legacy of people
His vision was important behind the founding of the National Centre for Biological Sciences in Bangalore. TIFR’s molecular biology group and NCBS have trained generations of Indian biologists, and his mentorship became a major pillar of modern life sciences in India.
Sometimes a scientist’s greatest legacy is the people and institutions they leave behind. He also showed that scientific freedom and an open intellectual culture let talent flourish.
Sources
- NCBS: Professor Obaid Siddiqi
- NCBS
- TIFR
- news.ncbs.res.in/archivednews/page/professor-obaid-siddiqi-passes-away
- ncbs.res.in/
- tifr.res.in/