ICMR scientist Dr Bhanuprakash Reddy elected Fellow of International Union of Nutrition Sciences

Hyderabad: In recognition of his significant research contributions to nutritional sciences, Dr. G. Bhanuprakash Reddy, 'Scientist G' and head of the biochemistry division of ICMR–National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad, has been elected as a Fellow of the International Union of Nutrition Sciences (IUNS).

IUNS promotes advancement in nutrition science and research and development through international cooperation at the global level and encourages communication and collaboration among nutrition scientists as well as disseminates information in nutritional sciences through modern communication technology.

Associated with NIN for over 25 years, Dr. Bhanuprakash Reddy's research focuses on molecular nutrition of chronic non-communicable disorders(NCD)–the underlying basis of the disease at the cellular and molecular level.

Elaborating on his research, Dr. Bhanuprakash says, "My work evaluates the nutritional status and studies the role of micronutrients and their influence on the molecular processes involved in complications of diabetes and other NCD. For instance, Vitamin B12 deficiency can increase the risk of diabetic retinopathy via abnormalities in the angiogenic and oxidative stress pathways. Also, Vitamin B6 deficiency may lead to undesirable protein modifications through the binding of excess sugar molecules in diabetic conditions to the proteins, thereby hampering normal protein functions. All such deficiencies will further enhance complications in diabetic patients and can be prevented by regulating the right amount of micronutrients in the body. We have developed tools/biomarkers for assessing the micronutrient status."

He continues, "We have also identified novel bioactive molecules from functional foods against diabetic complications and investigated the protective effects of functional foods. Functional foods are phytochemicals (bioactive non-nutrient plant chemicals with health benefits against the risk of major chronic diseases though they are not typically essential nutrients). These functional foods can act at specific biological pathways, thus controlling and preventing complications from the disease."

Dr. Bhanuprakash adds, "Moreover since we cannot directly experiment on humans, in order to understand the disease and impact of micronutrient deficiencies, we have evaluated suitable animal models (based on rats and mice) where diabetes or obesity or other disease conditions can be induced in the animals for studying the biology of nutrition and diabetes and obesity-associated complications."

Awards and recognition

Dr. Bhanuprakash has around 200 scientific publications in international journals of repute. His recent analysis on Vitamin A status among under-five children in India has been used for proposing a revision of the current universal Vitamin A supplementation (VAS) policy to a targeted state-based VAS programme which is under consideration by the policymakers.

The scientist has won several awards which include the Gates Foundation Global Health Travel Award, RPB-International Scholar Award, Scopus Young Scientist Award, ICMR-Basanti Devi Amir Chand, VN Patwardhan Prize, and Nutrition Society of India-Young Scientist Award. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India; National Academy of Medical Sciences (India); Telangana Academy of Sciences; and Royal Society of Chemistry (London).

Dr. Bhanuprakash obtained Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Osmania University, Postdoctoral Research training at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, and Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA.