Draft:G.S. Gupta

Gopal Saran Gupta (G.S. Gupta), an Indian educationist-cum-scientist, is the co-founder of the Department of Biophysics of Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh, where he joined as lecturer (Assistant Professor) in 1966 and retired as a Professor in July 1996. He was Chairman of the Department from April 1984 to March 1987. After working in Emeritus capacity of different National agencies, Gupta was honored and selected as Professor-Emeritus at the parent Department of PU in 2015.

Education
G. S. Gupta was born on November 15, 1934 in Tilhar, a town in Dist Shahjahanpur in state of Uttar Pradesh (India). He got his early education from L.B.J..P. Inter College, Tilhar for High School (1951). After completing his Intermediate science examination in 1953 from B. N. S. D. College, Kanpur he passed B. Sc. in 1955 from D.A.V. College, Kanpur, affiliated to Agra University Agra. Gupta holds dual Master’s degrees in Chemistry with specialization in Physical Chemistry (1957) and Biochemistry (1958) from Lucknow University, Lucknow. He completed his Ph. D. in Biophysics on “Physicochemical Studies on Normal and Irradiated Mammalian Testes”. from PU, Chandigarh (India) in 1974. He has described his early life in his Autobiography “In Search of a Scientific Truth” by G. S. Gupta (2019). .

Professional Career
Gupta started his professional career as a lecturer and postgraduate teacher of Physical Chemistry in postgraduate colleges, mainly NREC College, Khurja (July 1958- August 1961) and Meerut College, Meerut (Nov1961-1964, affiliated to Agra University, Agra. In 1964 he joined the faculty of the Department of Biochemistry as Tutor at the Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (PGI), Chandigarh. After having the experience from PGI, Gupta joined the Department of Biophysics of PU in September 1966 as Lecturer. Since 1966, Gupta is associated with the teaching and research in the field of Biophysical Chemistry and Molecular Biology/Molecular Biophysics.

Research Career
As a researcher, Gupta has made significant research contribution in the field of molecular radiation biology, enzyme studies of male reproductive system , and data analysis and classification of animal lectins. He has published about 200 research articles including thematic reviews in international journals and Books (Springer).

Radiation Molecular Biology

Male gonadal toxicity is known radiation injury that is frequently associated with germinal epithelium of testes. It can lead to oligospermia or azoospermia. Even very low dose of radiation can seriously affect the testis ability to function. Due to the presence of several cell types and the pituitary's interaction, the investigation of testicular metabolic processes following ionizing radiation is challenging. The metabolic and enzymatic patterns of irradiatied testes were not studied until the 1970s. Though the reduction in the content and synthesis of nucleic acids was indicated, Gupta, in the 1970s, highlighted the role of ionic permeability and release of lysosomal enzymes in cell degeneration as early events of radiation injury on testes.

The changes of inorganic pyrophosphatase and pyrophosphate indicated that degeneration of testes is caused by accumulation of pyrophosphate which may be related to the reversal of several synthetic reactions in the germinal cells including DNA synthesis. The effect of gamma-irradiation of NAD- and NADP-linked isocitrate and dehydrogenases and glucose-6phosphate dehydrogenases of testes showed biphasic response after gamma irradiation. The initial decrease in the activity of these enzymes seemed to be associated with both germ and non-germ cells, whereas the recovery of the two enzyme activities at a later stage seemed to be associated with the hypertrophy of interstitial tissue. The biphasic response of NADP-linked oxidoreductases following irradiation has been related to the androgen synthesizing capacity, suggesting that these enzymes, by feed back, are under the control of pituitary gonadotrophins

Enzymes of male reproductive system

The rise of human population has been alarming in developing countries since India became independent in 1947. In spite of introducing steroid hormones based oral contraceptive pills in females, there is a need of an ideal contraceptive that should be accessible to all without side effects, easy to use and be reversible. Testis/sperm specific enzymes offer suitable antigen for immunocotraception in humans. Therefore, in search of an Immunocontraceptive for male and female, Gupta started work in this direction under a WHO programme in association with Prof. E. Goldberg at Northwestern University, Evanston, Il, USA in 1976, and searched and characterized a group of enzymes from male reproductive tract from the point of immunocontraception. Sperm hyaluronidase (Hydase), an enzyme involved in fertilization, was considered as a suitable choice for development of immunocontraceptive. Gupta’s experimental approach included the state-of-art technology for purification of testicular hyaluronidase from murine testes. Purified murine Hydase and other enzymes such as N -acetyl- β - d –hexosaminidases and beta-glucuronidase were characterized for immunological specificity and kinetic properties, but could not be recommended for contraception due to immunologically non-specific proteins.

At Centre of Immunopathology and Experimental Immunology at INSERM U-23, Paris Gupta as Senior INSERM Scientist in association with R. G. Kinsky examined the role of placental proteins in 1983 and lactate dehydrogenase-C (a testis/sperm specific protein) from murine testes for allo-pregnancy[16]. Results of mouse LDH-C showed that allogeneic LDH-C plays its role in the protection of embryo[16], in addition to its known function in sperm motility. Thus in its native form, LDH-C does not offer any application in human immunocontraception. However, heterologous human LDH-C or chemically modified LDH-C abrogated pregnancy in mice upto 70-80%  but not acceptable for humans. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of WHO there is no reliable testis or sperm specific allo-protein/antigen at present that could be successfully utilized as an immunocontraceptive in humans, though several studies are in progress.

In the recent years, the role of LDH-A and its end product of glycolysis, ‘lactate’ have been redefined by us in most of the diseases. Presently, lactate is considered as a metabolic hallmark of cancer. A similar role of LDH-C can be predicted in early stages of spermatogenesis.

Classification of Animal Lectins

Lectins are proteins that have specific recognition and binding properties for complex carbohydrates of glycoconjugates which mediate a variety of biological processes, such as cell–cell adhesion, host–pathogen interactions, and innate immune responses . They do not belong to the class of enzymes and antibody. Lectins are universally present in nature from microbes to vertebrates. Animal lectins have been classified and defined among 15 families by us. Role of animal lectins such as mannose binding lectin (MBL) in the regulation of Complement System, and their association with pathogens in viral diseases such as COVID-19 has been illustrated.

Books by G. S. Gupta
Gupta is the author of research level books such as: (1) Proteomics of Spermatogenesis (2005, Springer, NY) (2) '''[https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-7091-1065-2#:~:text=Furthermore%2C%20the%20clinical%20significance%20of,and%20therapeutic%20targets%20is%20discussed. Animal Lectins: Form, Function, and Clinical Applications]''' (Volume 1 and 2), Springer Verlag, Wien/Heidelberg, 2012, containing 46 reviews.


 * 1) G. S. Gupta: Proteomics of Spermatogenesis, Springer, New York (USA), pp. 1-837 (34 original reviews on germ cell specific iso-proteins), 2005.
 * 2) G. S. Gupta:  Animal Lectins: Form, Function, and Clinical Applications. Volume 1, pp 3-468 (Reviews 1-21), Springer Verlag, Wien/Heidelberg, 2012.
 * 3) G. S. Gupta:  Animal Lectins: Form, Function, and Clinical Applications. Volume 2, pp 473-1061 (Reviews 22-46), Springer Verlag . Wien/Heidelberg, 2012.
 * 4) G. S. Gupta: In Search of a Scientific Truth – Autobiography, 2019, Amazon.com

Legacy
Biophysics is an interdisciplinary life science that uses principals and methods traditionally used in physics to study biological sciences. The subject covers all scales of biological organization, from molecules to whole organisms. Biophysical researches share significant overlap with biochemistry, molecular biology, system biology and other sciences. Requirement of the background knowledge of different sciences makes Biophysics as a tough science. With a vision to strengthen the field of Basic Medical Sciences of PU, Biophysics Department started both undergraduate and postgraduate courses under the framework of Honors School System. The Department, approved in 1964-1965, enrolled students for B.Sc. (Hon. School) class (3 yrs course) for the academic session of 1965, followed by M.Sc. (Hon. School) class in 1968. Initially, with very limited facilities and faculty of 2 lecturers and 1 reader, we imparted the teaching with emphasis in areas of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, Molecular Biology, Radiation Biophysics, and Medical Biophysics. Biophysics, being in infancy in India and the non-availability of specialized teachers in 1960’s across the country, the teaching of Biophysics at PU was challenging and pains taking. Yet, the job placements of the alumni from the first batch and subsequent batches of Biophysics were commendable, and many of them occupied coveted positions in medical and research institutes in India and abroad. First of its kind among Indian Universities, the Biophysics Department of PU continues to progress and its alumni occupy suitable positions. In recognition, Panjab University Alumni Association, Chandigarh recognized the department with Dr. Gupta as a Distinguished Alumnus of PU at the Global meets of 2021 and 2023.

Awards and Honors
Indian Council of Medical research (ICMR) conferred upon Gupta with a Smt Swaran Kanta Dingley Oration Award of 1993, and the Indian Society for the Study of Reproduction and Fertility (ISSRF) honored him with the Lifetime Achievement Award of 2013 for his research contribution in Reproductive Science. In addition, he is the recipient of Bharat Ratna APJ Abdul Kalam Excellence Award - 2018 of India International Friendship Society, New Delhi, listed as:


 * Bharat Ratna APJ Abdul Kalam Excellence Award - 2018 of India International Friendship Sosciety, New Delhi in recognition of meritorious services and outstanding contribution in the field of scientific research and education.
 * Lifetime Achievement Award of 2013 in recognition of outstanding contribution in Reproductive Health from Indian Society for the Study of Reproduction and Fertility (2013).
 * Smt. Swaran Kanta Dingley Oration award of Indian Council of Medical Research, in Reproductive Biology (1993).
 * Distinguished Alumnus Award  of PU (2021) and (2023) awarded by Panjab University, Alumni  Assocation, Chandigarh at Global Alumni Meet 2021 and 2023.
 * WHO (Geneva) Fellowship Award (1976-1977).
 * INSERM (Paris) Senior level Fellowship Award (1982-1983).
 * Senior Level Fellowship Award of French Government (1987-1988).
 * Senior Level Fellowship award under Indo-French Exchange Programme (1989; 1991 for three months each)
 * Emeritus Scientist of Council of Scientific Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi (1997).
 * Emeritus Medical Scientist of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi (1997).
 * Emeritus Fellow Award of University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi (2001)
 * Emeritus Scientist of DST under USERS Programme (2000-2001; 2003-2005)
 * Recognition as a Professor-Emeritus by the Senate of PU, Chandigarh since 2015.